Author: Arbi Tashjian

Armenia, Iran can jointly build road to North, Khatami says
By Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 8, 2004 Wednesday
YEREVAN, September 8 — Armenia and Iran can jointly build a road to
the North and step up bilateral and multilateral trade and economic
cooperation, Iranian President Sayed Mohammad Khatami said.
In a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
on Wednesday, Khatami, who is in Yerevan on an official visit,
expressed the hope that experts of the two countries would find the
best decisions on how to connect the North and the South.
In his view, well-maintained roads in Armenia and, in the future, a
Kajaran-Meghri tunnel in the southeast of the country could be useful.
The president stressed that the development of individual countries
and the region as a whole was possible only if there is peace,
stability and security.
“We consider Armenia our neighbour and a friendly country, and we want
to make our friendship an example for others to follow,” Khatami said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri MPs criticize NATO for inviting Armenian officers to Azerbaijan
ANS TV, Baku
7 Sep 04
[Presenter] Most of the MPs in the Milli Maclis [parliament] today
demanded that the members of the Karabakh Liberation Organization
[KLO] be released. The parliamentarians also protested against NATO
which has invited Armenians to Baku.
[MP Fazail Agamali, chairman of the pro-government Motherland Party]
We are categorically against the planned visit by Armenian officers
who were directly involved in the occupation of Azerbaijan’s lands,
rose to higher ranks in this [Karabakh] war and whose hands are
imbrued with Azerbaijani blood. I would suggest that we appeal to
NATO’s headquarters today and ask them not to allow the Armenian
officers to attend the exercises in view of the serious resentment
within the country.
[MP Qudrat Hasanquliyev, chairman of the pro-government United
Peoples Front of Azerbaijan Party] They [Armenians] expelled more than
200,000 [ethnic] Azerbaijanis [from Armenia] in cold winter days [in
1988-89]. How can we host those Armenians in our five-star hotels and
cater for them today? I think that the Milli Maclis has to express
its position on the issue. We have to appeal to the president and
ask him to express his stance on the issue.
[MP Mais Safarli, leader of the opposition Compatriot Party] If the
Azerbaijani public unanimously says no to the visit of the Armenian
officers today, then under no circumstances can we allow the Armenians
to come. I think that if the Azerbaijani government lets them in,
its reputation within the Azerbaijani people will be ruined completely.
[MP Sahlar Asgarov] [NATO] should give up its plan to turn Azerbaijan
into a social lab by bringing here first two, then four and then 40
Armenian servicemen.
[Passage omitted: MP Karim Karimov from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party
says the sentence on the KLO members has caused public resentment]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Germany welcomes progress in Azerbaijan
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 2 2004
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder welcomed Wednesday the reforms
underway in Azerbaijan and economic growth observed in the country,
after talks held with President Ilham Aliyev. “The domestic reforms
have led to surprising growth,” said Schroeder, adding
that efforts to improve the rule of law had brought “much success
already.” President Aliyev was in Germany on August 24-26 as part of
his second official visit to Western Europe. During the meetings he
held with German officials, issues related to bilateral economic
and political relations, the Upper Garabagh conflict and the
socio-political situation in South Caucasus were discussed.
The parties signed an agreement on eliminating double taxation between
the two countries and a contract on the purchase of four Airbus
A319 aircraft from the European Airspace Concern. The airplanes
will be supplied starting as early as mid-2005. Issues pertaining
to financing construction of a new power station in Sumgayit were
discussed by experts from Azernergy open joint stock company and
German Baerishe Landesbank Girozentral, the financial consultant
on the project. The parties confirmed their intention to dertemine
the source of funding shortly and considered ways of establishing a
consortium of creditors. Schroeder told a news conference following
the meetings that as before, Germany supports Azerbaijan, recognizes
the country’s territorial integrity and pledged to continue this
policy. Touching upon the Upper Garabagh conflict, the German
Chancellor said his country is for a political solution and said
that Germany is committed to assistance through the auspices of the
OSCE. Schroeder said the purchase of the airplanes bears not only
economic but also political importance and proves that Azerbaijan
is integrating with Europe. With regard to drawing German companies
to Azerbaijan’s energy and infrastructure sectors, Schroeder said a
conference will be held this fall or early next year to inform these
companies of the business climate in the country and present them with
specific proposals. President Aliyev said he was confident that the
visit would promote the relations between the two countries. Touching
upon the Upper Garabagh conflict, the President said Azerbaijan was
satisfied with Germany’s position on the issue. Upon completion of
his visit to Germany, the President left Berlin for Athens, Greece
to watch the Olympics competitions of Azerbaijani athletes.
EU’s active involvement in S Caucasus
Both Washington and Moscow are closely following the strengthening
France-Germany tandem in South Caucasus. It is not by mere chance
that on the eve of President Aliyev’s visit to Germany (August 24),
he received a telephone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin,
according to the President’s Office press-service. The two Presidents
discussed prospects for developing bilateral Russo-Azeri relations and
some international issues. It is clear that both Washington and Moscow
realize that with the involvement of South Caucasus in the European
Union’s sphere of influence, they may completely lose control over
the region, which represents a key link between the Europe and Asian
countries possessing considerable resources. It is for this reason that
the EU has stepped up its role in settling the Upper Garabagh conflict
and the EU special envoy on South Caucasus states keeps paying visits
to the region. It appears that the European Union has not put forth
its own initiative on settling the conflict as yet. However, France,
a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, has already once attempted to
take matters in its own hands. It is not accidental that after the
meeting of Robert Kocharian and Heydar Aliyev in Paris, Washington has
immediately brokered talks between the two presidents in the United
States. Moreover, the EU is trying to lure the conflicting sides by
generous financial promises. EU high-ranking officials have stated
on many occasions that if a peace accord is signed, the European
Union will become actively involved in the process of eliminating
the consequences of the Upper Garabagh conflict. The united Europe is
ready to allocate $1 billion as financial assistance to rehabilitate
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. European nations realize very
well that all the expenses they incur will yield considerable benefits
in the future. If the developments unfold as planned, South Caucasus
countries will be ready to become part of the united Europe within
the next 10 years. In this case, the European Union will control all
transport communications connecting Europe with Asia and the Middle
East, including the Silk Road and North-South routes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Folklore et tradition de l’Arménie
La Nouvelle République du Centre Ouest
31 août 2004
Six musiciens, seize danseurs et danseuses, c’est la composition du
groupe « Bert » d’Erevan en Arménie qui a subjugué la très nombreuse
assistance, lors de la présentation de son spectacle, à La Hune.
Le programme alternait danses communes, à l’image du mariage
traditionnel, danses populaires composées exclusivement d’hommes, par
opposition à celles dédiées aux femmes.
L’interprétation des danses folkloriques enthousiasma les spectateurs
par le rythme, la fougue, l’impétuosité des danseurs, par les
musiques.
Les évolutions acrobatiques des danseurs contrastent avec les gestes
gracieux des jeunes femmes enveloppées dans de longues robes aux
couleurs claires. L’objectif du spectacle est de mettre en exergue
l’opposition permanente entre deux formes d’expression corporelle et
chorégraphique. Et cela est tout particulièrement réussi.
– Correspondant NR, Michel Lacroix, tél. 05.49.45.72.55.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PINR (Power & Interest News Report)
Aug 30 2004
”Proposed Russian Military Deployment in Iraq Fraught with
Consequences”
Over the last several months, political discussion has centered on
the rumored deployment of up to 40,000 Russian troops to either Iraq
or Afghanistan in order to help the United States fight the “war on
terrorism” and to provide much-needed relief to Washington’s forces.
While there are no final details yet on whether or not the deployment
will actually occur, the idea itself raises a number of strategic
concerns for the Russian Federation as it tries to re-establish its
influence in world affairs.
Positive Effects of Deployment
The proposed deployment would have positive aspects to both Moscow
and Washington. For the U.S., a major deployment of an international
military force to either Iraq or Afghanistan means a much-needed
foreign policy victory for President Bush in the closing months of
the presidential election campaign. Such a sizeable deployment means
much relief for the American forces that have been fighting nonstop
since the end of major combat operations in the spring of 2003.
Washington will also be able to dilute a strong French-German-Russian
quasi-alliance that defied the United States prior to and during its
war in Iraq.
For Russia, the future benefits of such an overseas military
deployment mean a greater economic stake in Iraq, especially for its
oil and gas companies, and a possible membership in the World Trade
Organization. While the benefits of this possible deployment are
significant, questions still remain over whether Russia will indeed
be able to pull off such a large deployment of men and materiel to
major military hotspots.
Moscow Attempts to Strengthen its Regional Influence
Since the end of the Cold War, Moscow has tried to reassert its
military weight in world affairs, and is bent on regaining influence
amongst its former satellites, most notably in Central Asia. It
already maintains military bases in Kyrgyzstan and restive Georgia,
helps to protect the borders in Tajikistan, and has a very strong
military alliance with Armenia. All signs point to the increase of
such activities in the years to come, as the Russian Federation will
compete with the United States and China for influence in Central
Asia and the Caucasus. Over the years, Moscow has been holding
military exercises in order to strengthen influence in its near
abroad and to re-orient its military towards the new challenges of
the 21st century. Two such recent exercises are useful tests of
whether or not Russia will be able to successfully deploy a large
contingent and maintain its military edge in the Middle East or
Afghanistan.
This summer, Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Tajik special forces and
marine detachments — comprising a thousand soldiers — have engaged
in a mock battle with a “terrorist” contingent of several hundred
fighters in the “Frontier-2004” exercise, conducted on the border
region between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. On June 21-25, Russia
conducted the “Mobility-2004” exercise in the Far East region,
preparing for a possible deployment of a rapid reaction force from
one part of the country to the other. As the coalition forces battled
the “insurgents” during “Frontier-2004,” they had to first deploy the
troops around the suspected “rebels” via newest and upgraded
helicopters and under cover of close-support aviation, and then fight
their way into a village taken over by the retreating “enemy.”
Coordinated actions of this multinational force finished off the
“insurgents” in just several hours.
While this type of operation might be exactly the kind of warfare
Russian troops will be experiencing in possible conflicts in Central
Asia, the Caucasus, and even Iraq or Afghanistan, the success of the
exercise was almost guaranteed by the presence of Russia’s Defense
Minister Sergei Ivanov, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and a large
number of Russian and Central Asian military and political
representatives. To hand a defeat to this coalition force or to
suffer a setback would have embarrassed the generals and ministers
present, all of whom wanted a victory — even if somewhat scripted —
in order to declare preparedness to fight new types of wars against
terrorist- and religious-fundamentalist formations.
Russia’s second exercise, “Mobility-2004,” involved 3,000 troops,
several hundred armored vehicles and artillery pieces and several
dozen support ships and aircraft. This particular exercise was held
in order to simulate the deployment of a marine-type military
formation to an unfamiliar environment in order to conduct short- and
long-term operations. To the Russian military, which has been based
for decades on the offensive-defensive Cold War-style warfare, this
type of deployment is a new and untested territory. It will call its
forces to act on local conflicts happening either deep inside another
country or within its coastal regions, demanding mobility and rapid
reaction to the constantly changing battlefield environment.
While “Mobility-2004” was a worthy attempt at simulating this type of
warfare, the exercise was handicapped by a small number of troops and
materiel present. Essentially, Russia was capable of “deploying” only
several battalions into the “unfamiliar” territory — while the real
battle scenario might call for thousands more troops. The total
number of marines in Russia is currently a fraction of its equivalent
force in the United States — the country Russia tries to imitate
through its military reforms. Nor does Russia have enough equipment
to support a deployment in excess of its recently conducted exercise.
Negative Effects of Deployment
The proposed deployment of Russian forces to either Iraq or
Afghanistan will expose them once again to the very environment that
is painfully familiar to the entire country. From 1994 to 1996, and
from the fall of 1999 to the present day, Russian forces are fighting
a bloody and difficult war in its restive republic of Chechnya.
Officially, the Kremlin keeps assuring its people and the
international community that it has full control over the republic
and only few pockets of resistance remain. Thousands of Russian
soldiers have lost their lives in quelling the Chechen rebellion, and
thousands more have been wounded. Russia has expended enormous
resources in order to sustain its military operations there, and
nearly all of its combat-ready troops are located there or in the
surrounding territory.
Chechen warfare is eerily similar to what is happening in Iraq at the
moment, especially in Najaf and the Sunni Triangle. Even as Russian
forces brought overwhelming military superiority to bear on the
rebels, no clear end is in sight for this war that is straining
Russia’s patience and is a constant source of embarrassment for the
government. And while in “Frontier-2004” Russian and allied forces
have been able to successfully defeat the enemy troops that resemble
Chechen fighters, the unscripted reality is a much darker and
bloodier picture.
In June of this year, for example, a large rebel formation of between
several hundred to more than a thousand men attacked Russian military
positions and installations in Ingushetia, Chechnya’s neighboring
republic. Russian forces were caught by surprise, and nearly a
hundred perished in one night of fighting. The Russian military was
not able to mobilize close support in time to beat back the attack —
the insurgents simply melted away, either retreating back into
Chechnya or disappearing amongst the local Ingushetian population. To
this day, no perpetrators or ringleaders have been found, prompting a
government shake-up at the highest levels of power, including the
dismissal of the Chief of Staff Anatoly Kvashnin and head of the
interior ministry forces Vyachesalv Tikhomirov.
This latest round of violence resulted in more troops to be stationed
in Chechnya. As the Russian military continues its long campaign in
the republic, major questions remain if the country will be able to
sustain a second Chechnya-style war conducted overseas. Even
well-equipped, well-motivated and well-trained American forces have
not been able to put an end to the insurrections in both Iraq and
Afghanistan. While Russian and American troops have a lot in common
as they counter guerrilla-style warfare, Russian forces display their
combat inability to win this type of war in Chechnya, and offer only
limited level of success in their military exercises designed for
combating possible Iraqi- and Afghan-style warfare.
In addition, Russia’s deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan has
profound consequences for its relationship with Arab and Muslim
countries. Long a patron of Middle Eastern and South Asian states, it
might find its support slipping in exactly the area where Russia
still can exercise some international clout. The Soviet Union, and
later, Russia, have been able to provide support to a wide range of
countries, from Algeria to Indonesia, acquiring favor amongst the
millions of Muslims around the world.
Russian companies have been active in Iraq all the way prior to the
U.S. invasion. Even during the Iraq-Iran war in the 1980s, Russia was
able to sell weapons to both countries. Russia currently is one of
the strongest supporters of the Iranian nuclear program, long a
source of agitation and discomfort in Washington. Furthermore, Russia
is often perceived as a counter-balance to U.S. influence in the
Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Thus, the military deployment to
the areas which remain an active source of discussion and unrest in
the Muslim world can turn the “Arab street,” long the tacit supporter
of Moscow’s policies, against Russia proper.
The prospect of major fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan would mean that
Russian troops will be equal to the American forces in the eyes of
the world’s Muslims, who perceive U.S. actions in both countries as
unjustified and detrimental to the region. The turning of the Arab
tide against Moscow itself might exacerbate the volatile situation in
Chechnya, where most of the rebel fighters come from Arab countries
and are known to have connections to al-Qaeda.
Russia’s return to Afghanistan or Iraq might give more strength to
al-Qaeda, which has been negatively affected by U.S.
counter-terrorism operations. The return of a once-vanquished
“infidel” power to the old battlegrounds of Afghanistan might
generate a new wave of enlistment to the ranks of the mujahideen, in
turn leading to renewed attacks on Russian territory and worldwide
targets.
Russia’s war in Chechnya and American efforts in both Iraq and
Afghanistan demonstrated that this type of warfare couldn’t be
achieved without significant battlefield losses. The Russian public
has been angered by the military losses in Chechnya, prompting a rise
of powerful grassroots movements that even advise Russians to avoid
military service. Even if the tightly-controlled Russian media
carefully filters information about its overseas deployments, news of
the combat losses — which inevitably will be in the hundreds and
thousands — will reach the Russian people who see Iraq and
Afghanistan as America’s war, and not their own.
The fact that the Russian government did not expressly rule out such
deployments might indicate that Moscow, for the time being, has
largely conceded to Washington its once formidable influence in the
Muslim world. With an American military presence in Iraq and
Afghanistan, with Egypt and Jordan in the U.S. sphere of influence,
with Libya re-establishing diplomatic relations with Washington, with
the American Pan-Sahel initiative achieving success in the Western
Saharan countries, and with U.S. forces present in Somalia and
Central Asia, Russia might see its deployment as an attempt to regain
trust with its former Muslim clients. However, it is wrong for
Russian policymakers to think that the presence of their soldiers in
Iraq or Afghanistan will be met with less resistance than given to
the American forces. The rebels in both countries will meet Russian
troops with just as much antagonism as is currently directed at U.S.
soldiers.
Russia’s deployment can also be perceived as an attempt to catch up
to its former satellites, who now receive significant favors from
Washington. Poland has sent thousands of troops to Iraq. Tiny
Georgia, locked in an antagonistic and currently escalating
relationship with Russia, will be sending a battalion of its
U.S.-trained forces to Iraq. In light of its former clients receiving
benefits for their support of U.S. military operations, Russia might
want to gain even more from its evolving relationship with Washington
by also sending its military contingents.
Conclusion
As the military exercises discussed earlier have shown, Russia is
capable of deploying and maintaining a limited military force — not
the 40,000 troops discussed in previous months — in order to
properly manage its combat operations. Furthermore, given the Russian
government’s insensitivity to combat losses in order to achieve
objectives, a military force might indeed be sent to either Iraq or
Afghanistan. Russia has been trying to build its relations with the
United States on an equal footing, especially after the September 11
terrorist attacks. One of the ways America might concede a greater
role in world affairs to Russia is to ask it to step up to the plate
— to deliver a military force in order to assist Washington in its
endeavors. To do so would mean a greater role for Russia, with which
it is possible for the United States to agree on many issues — in
contrast to the current deadlock in relations with France and
Germany.
Yet, there has not been a single major overseas deployment of Russian
forces since the fall of the Soviet Union. Throughout the Cold War,
only Korea and Afghanistan were the major arenas of fighting for
Soviet forces — its troops acted mostly in an advisory capacity in
the world’s other hotspots. The proposed military deployment is truly
an untested territory for the Russian armed forces that are currently
taxed to the limit by lack of funds and necessary reforms, as well as
by the war in Chechnya. Russia’s possible deployment to either Iraq
or Afghanistan is fraught with consequences, which will shape its
position in world affairs for decades to come.
Report Drafted By:
Yevgeny Bendersky
The Power and Interest News Report (PINR) is an analysis-based
publication that seeks to, as objectively as possible, provide
insight into various conflicts, regions and points of interest around
the globe. PINR approaches a subject based upon the powers and
interests involved, leaving the moral judgments to the reader. This
report may not be reproduced, reprinted or broadcast without the
written permission of [email protected]. All comments should be
directed to [email protected].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 16 2004
Azeri, Armenian journalist teams may play in Moscow
The sixth international football tournament among journalist teams
dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the sports journalism figure Lev
Filatov will be held in Moscow, Russia on September 9-12, the
tournament organizer Alexander Lagutenkov said.
Teams from Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia are
expected to take part in the competition.
The matches will be played on the special pitches on the Luzhniki
Olympics complex.
Best goalkeeper, defender, forward and scoring player will be awarded
and the winning team will receive a special prize named after Lev
Filatov.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

18 ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN OLYMPIAD IN ATHENS
YEREVAN, August 12 (Noyan Tapan). The 28th Olympic Games will be held
in Athens, the capital of Greece, on August 13-29. Armenian
representatives will be also among sportsmen from 200 countries of the
world. 18 Armenian sportsmen will participate in the Olympic Games:
weight-lifters Armen Ghazarian, Gevorg Alexanian, Tigran Martirosian,
Ashot Danielian, free-style wrestlers Martin Berberian, Zhirair
Hovhannisian, Mamed Aghaev, Ara Gevorgian, Graeco-Roman wrestlers
Vaghinak Galstian, Levon Geghamian, Haikaz Galstian, boxer Alexan
Nalbandian, judoist Armen Nazarian, field and track athletes Armen
Martirosian and Marine Ghazarian, swimmer Varduhi Avetisian, shot
Norair Bakhtamian and tennis-player Sargis Sargsian. Shot
N. Bakhtamian and judoist A. Nazarian will participate first in the
competitions on August 14. According to specialists, sportsmen from
Armenia excellently prepared for the Olympic Games. Ishkhan Zakarian,
Chairman of the RA State Sport Committee and the National Olympic
Committee, thinks that the winning of two-three medals is real. By the
decision of the RA government, sportsmen winning gold, silver and
bronze medals will be awarded with 40,000 30,000 and 20,000 dollars,
respectively. Well-known sportsman Albert Azarian, a triple Olympic
champion, will carry the banner of the Armenian delegation at the
August 13 ceremony of the opening of the Olympic Games.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 11 2004
Armenia Has No Plans to Stop Military Actions in Karabakh
Baku Today 11/08/2004 18:55
On August 3-10 Armenian armed forces with so-called Karabakh Army ran
military maneuvers in Nagorno Karabakh, Turan reported on Wednesday.
The maneuvers consisted of three stages – to bring armed forces to
alertness, to prepare and then realize combat operations.
Armenian military units participated in the final stage of the
maneuvers, which aimed to train the armed forces to defeat
conventional enemies. The final stage of maneuvers completed on
August 10 in Aghdam, the Azerbaijani district occupied by Armenian
forces.
The maneuvers ran under the observation of Armenian Defense Minister,
Serj Sarkisyan and leaders of so-called Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
`One of the main purposes of the maneuvers was to bring the armed
units ready for military operations as much as possible,’ said Seyran
Oganian, Commander of so-called Karabakh troops. `Our enemy purchases
new types of armaments and develops its army. The party building arms
and accomplishing assigned tasks more correctly, will win.’
Concerning the possibility of resumption of military operations in
Karabakh, Sarkisyan said that in the nearest future Armenia doesn’t
have any plans to stop the military actions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia probes airport embezzlement case
Noyan Tapan news agency
10 Aug 04
YEREVAN
The Armenian Prosecutor-General’s Office is investigating a case of
embezzlement of approximately 1.5m US dollars from 1996 to 1999 at
Zvartnots international airport, Deputy Prosecutor-General Mnatsakan
Sarkisyan told a news conference on 10 August.
He confirmed that officials are being invited for questioning at the
Prosecutor-General’s Office in this regard. However, the deputy
prosecutor-general did not give any specific names and did not mention
if there were any defendants. He said that the objective was to
recover the damage inflicted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Assa-Irada, Baku, in Azeri
9 Aug 04
US PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL KERRY “PRO-ARMENIAN”, AZERI OPPOSITION LEADER SAYS
Baku, 9 August: The chairman of the reformist wing of the People’s
Front of Azerbaijan Party, Ali Karimli, has met ex-US President Bill
Clinton, former US Secretary of State Madlen Albright and some
leading figures from the Bush administration during the forum of
international leaders in Boston which he attended between 24 and 29
July. Karimli held a press conference today to impart information in
this regard.
During the meetings, Karimli mainly discussed ensuring freedom of
assembly for Azerbaijani citizens, the Nagornyy Karabakh problem, and
the forthcoming municipal and parliamentary elections.
Karimli also talked about the upcoming presidential election in the
USA. He said that the Democratic hopeful, John Kerry, was
pro-Armenian because he was a senator from the state of Massachusetts
where many Armenians live.
The objective of the forum was the unveiling of the foreign policy
concept of the Democratic contender in the US elections.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress