Author: Badalian Vardan

POLITICAL ANALYST: “AZERBAIJAN MAY PUT FORWARD AN INITIATIVE TO EXAMINE THE FULFILLMENT OF UN SECURITY COUNCIL’S FOUR RESOLUTIONS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT”

Milaz.info
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan

“Some countries will try to establish good relations with Azerbaijan
due to its representation at the UN Security Council”

APA’s interview with political analyst Farhad Mammadov

– Beginning from 2012, Azerbaijan will be directly involved in
adoption of important decisions at the UN Security Council in two
years. Azerbaijan is a country, which tries to strengthen its position
at the international arena. What do you think will membership at the
UN Security Council be effective for Azerbaijan?

– It will depend on the skills of our diplomacy. I think they will
do it. The question is that the mission at the Security Council has a
number of difficult tasks, including the solution of peace and security
problems in the world. Azerbaijan is neighboring with Russia in north
and with Iran in south. Of course, we have to take different regional
and global interests into consideration. For example, the problem
of Syria can be raised at the Security Council. There are forces
pressing for it, first of all, the West. But there are countries,
which don’t desire it, for example Russia, Iran and others….

– By the way, during the elections to the UN Security Council, a
Western diplomat told foreign newspapers that they fear that the new
members like Azerbaijan will not support the West in the questions
of Iran and Syria. What do you think is it possible to derive benefit
from such situation?

– Yes, it is possible. The question is that you become a player there.

The UN Security Council adopts decisions with majority of 9 votes of
15. But five permanent members have the right of veto. If, for example,
Russia uses the right of veto in the issue of sanctions against Iran,
the vote of Azerbaijan will not be significant. If Russia doesn’t
use the right of veto, in that case, Azerbaijan’s position will
be decisive. The important side of this issue for us is that some
countries will try to establish good relations with Azerbaijan due
to its representation at the UN Security Council.

– As Azerbaijan was elected to the UN Security Council, many in Baku
began to view this issue from the prism of its possible impact on the
solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict because this issue is the most
important nationwide issue for Azerbaijan. Could the UN play any role
in moving the Nagorno Karabakh issue from deadlock?

– First of all I would like to note that during the 24 months of
Azerbaijan’s representation at the Security Council, the chairmanship
will be handed over to us for two times. Every chairmanship will
continue for one month. But the chairing country doesn’t determine the
agenda independently. It puts proposals and recommendations to vote
in order to include them in agenda, which is composed after the voting.

If Azerbaijan puts forward an initiative that “Armenia is an invader
and lets recognize it”, veto will be put by such countries like
Russia and France. Thus it will be impossible to include this issue
in agenda. These countries will not support including of Karabakh
issue in agenda and will say that it is under the mandate of the OSCE
Minsk Group. But what can Azerbaijan do? Azerbaijan can include the
examination of fulfillment of UN Security Council’s four resolutions
on Karabakh in agenda. Thus it is possible to put forward an initiative
to examine the fulfillment of these four resolutions. But be confident,
they will not recognize Armenia as an invader country.

Just remember Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act which is still
in force. It must be considered that Armenia is a second country
after Israel for per capita US financial aid. It reflects America’s
position. But anyway, Azerbaijan can raise a question on the reason
of non-fulfillment of 4 resolutions. The Armenians hope that this
issue will be dropped from the international agenda and consequently
the occupation will be legalized. Azerbaijan can prevent it in the
tribune of the Security Council.

– Are there countries which can be a partner and ally of Azerbaijan
during the discussion of issues related to Azerbaijan in the Security
Council?

– United Kingdom is one of the prestigious members of the Council.

Britain has wide relations with Azerbaijan and the British companies
invest many capitals to Azerbaijan. The United Kingdom has deep
interests in Azerbaijan and Caspian Sea region. Besides, Pakistan is
also a member of the Security Council and this country has allied
relations with our country. A potential partner and ally issues
will depend on the ability of our diplomacy. Azerbaijan’s image,
geographical positions, resources, successes in various spheres extends
our country’s “background” list and has direct impact on its political
position in the world.

TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN NEVER SAW ARMENIA AS OBSTACLE – AMERICA-AZERBAIJAN COUNCIL

news.az
Nov 1 2011
Azerbaijan

Turkey and Azerbaijan have never seen Armenia as ideological and
geographical obstacle for cooperation.

Armenia deprived itself of an opportunity to live in condition of
cooperation with its historical neighbors by occupying lands of
Azerbaijan.

According to America-Azerbaijan Council, the statement came from AAC
Director General Javid Huseynov in his response letter to the article
by Henry Srebrnik titled “Locked in ethnic and territorial disputes”
published in the 18 October issue of Canada-based Guardian newspaper.

In response to the author’s remarks about Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Huseynov has noted that the war that took
place between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 1919-1920 did not produce any
decisive result. Azerbaijan defeated Armenia in 1919 thus preventing
occupation of its lands.

Huseynov stated that the conflict erupted not in 1991, but in 1987-1988
when ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia laid claims to
Azerbaijani territories. Two Azerbaijanis killed near Asgaran District
were the first victims of the conflict. The first Azerbaijani refugees
were those deported from Armenia in late 1987.

US STATE DEPARTMENT RECALLS ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS, YET AGAIN

news.am
Nov 1 2011
Armenia

Philip Gordon, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs, addressed the American-Turkish Council platform,
during which he reflected on Turkish-American relations and regional
matters.

Noting that the United States continues to assist in the normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations, Gordon stressed that the improvement
of relations between both countries would be beneficial for Turkey
and Armenia alike, and also for the entire region, the Turkish Haberx
news agency reported.

ARMENIA TO TAX LUXURIES

Vestnik Kavkaza
Nov 1 2011

Armenian government has prepared a package of laws designed to
overhaul the tax system, including introducing new taxes on luxury
cars, RIA Novosti reports.

Introducing the 2012 budget, Sarkisyan told parliament that tax would
rise 5% to 25% for individuals earning more than 2 million drams
(5.3 thousand dollars).

Tax on expensive alcohol, casino games and slot machines would rise
50%, netting a planned 4 million drams to the budget, although some
details were still to be worked out.

Administrative procedures would be simplified for small businesses
earning up to around $25,000, while rules for large businesses and
the banking sector would be toughened.

Sarkisyan noted that laws on free trade zones were in the budget,
including the CIS agreement signed in St Petersburg and economic
stimulation measures.

PROFESSOR AKCAM’S COURT VICTORY

Worcester Telegram

Nov 1 2011
MA

A ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favor of a Clark
University professor is a small but welcome step forward in the
ongoing debate over the Armenian genocide. The court ruled that Turkey
violated Taner Akcam’s right to free expression when it filed criminal
complaints against him under Article 301 of Turkey’s criminal code,
which makes it illegal to characterize the killing of 1.5 million
Armenians during the twilight of the Ottoman Empire as a genocide.

Mr. Akcam has been a courageous and leading advocate for recognizing
the genocide as such, and brought his case in 2007, following
the murder of journalist Hrant Dink, who had been convicted under
Article 301.

This case alone will hardly resolve a longstanding and contentious
historical dispute, but the European court has added its weight on
the side of historical truth and good sense. The Armenian genocide
debate itself is likely to endure for years to come, but Turkey’s
official effort to squelch dissent and debate grows ever more tiresome
and untenable.

SPEAKER ABRAHAMYAN WILL RESIGN

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 21:58:21 – 01/11/2011

Today during the Republican board meeting President Serzh Sargsyan
nominated Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan as head of the election staff of
the Republican Party.

Hovik Abrahamyan accepted this offer and offered to hand in his
resignation from the post of speaker of the National Assembly to
focus on the pre-election processes in the upcoming elections.

NELSON SOGHOMONYAN RELEASED FROM POST OF DEPUTY COMMANDER

Aysor.am
Tuesday,November 01

On 1 November President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree releasing
major-general Nelson Soghomonyan from the post of deputy commander
of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army, head of the rear in connection
with his transferring to another job, the Press Service of Artsakh
President reports.

ANOTHER POST OFFICE REOPENED IN ADJAPNYAK DISTRICT

arminfo
Tuesday, November 1, 17:59

The final stage of “Haypost Marathon 2011” is in its active stage.

Almost every day official reopening of one postal office takes place.

On November 1 official reopening of 0078 postal office (Adjapnyak
district) took place, the press service of HayPost CJSC told ArmInfo.

Deputy Head of Adjapnyak district Hayk Abelyan, management of
“Haypost Trust Management” and “Haypost” CJSC as well as local
residents partook in the ceremony. Mr. Abelyan highlighted the
importance of good conditions for the costumers. “Haypost” CJSC
Commercial Development Manager Narine Seferyan noted that this is
the 14th reopened post office where the costumers are provided with
new commercial and high quality service.

The Postal Office is completely renovated in compliance with branding
guidelines. Working standards, as well as infrastructure is changed
and renewed. New computers with modern software are installed, and
the cable system is renewed. By “Haypost Marathon 2011” Program it is
envisaged to reopen 50 postal offices not only in Yerevan, but also in
marzes in Armenia. The Program of Haypost Trust Management envisages
increasing the number of renovated post offices up to 250 for the
next 5 years, and augmenting the services- including commercial ones-
specific to nowadays postal operators.

RUSSIAN BASE IN ARMENIA TO TRANSFER ITS MILITARY HOUSING SETTLEMENTS TO ARMENIA

epress.am
11.02.2011

The leadership of Russia’s Armed Forces, in Armenia for a working
visit, are preparing to transfer to Armenia military housing
settlements belonging to the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri.

The group of senior Russian officers visiting the country will be
monitoring the transfer process.

According to representatives of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, this
transaction will be beneficial to both parties since Armenia will
receive military settlements at its Yerevan garrison, while Russia
will reduce the costs associated with keeping the settlements.

Optimizing the deployment of Russian military on Armenia’s territory
was a forced move, as military base staffing level was significantly
reduced during special organizational and staff activities, reports
eip.ru.

However, at this time, no further reduction in personnel of the
Russian base in Armenia is expected.

CHURCH BECAME BUSINESS AREA

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 16:44:35 – 01/11/2011

Talks on the controversial amendments to the legislation on Property
Tax, Land Tax and amendments to the Land Code of Armenia are still
going on.

According to Haykak Arshamyan, Candidate of Historic Sciences, this
process has a global and deep meaning because it means the state
and the government don’t have concrete vectors of activities and are
wandering in other planes.

The historian noted that the fact that in 21 century the Church is
given new privileges and demand no taxes once again proves we live
in autocracy and the state instead of thinking about developing the
small and midsize businesses and easing the tax burden, eases the
tax burden of the Church, which is already minimal.

Haykak Arshamyan notes that for him more essential is the fact that
the Church accepts this step of the government adding that this has
serious grounds. According to him, the Church is becoming (like it
used to be in the Middle Ages) a major landowner corresponding to
today’s oligarch.

He says that he sees no difference between the oligarch monopolists
who import goods and the church. Arshamyan says that in the same logic,
oligarchs could also be exempt from taxes.

The historian thinks this step is a specific calculation which is
the logical continuation of the Church-government-state link.