Author: Badalian Vardan

CONTINUITY RETAINED IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT REGULATION: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Trend
March 6 2009
Azerbaijan

The Russian Foreign Ministry says the continuity in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution has been retained.

"The continuity of the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict has been retained, despite the political situation during the
presidential elections in both Armenia and Azerbaijan," the Russian
Foreign Ministry 2008- report, which was placed in Ministry’s Web
site, says.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

For the first time during the e-period international mediators –
OSCE MG co-chairs on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution (Russia,
the U.S. and France), got an opportunity to continue consultations
with the countries in the region and abroad, the report says.

During the meetings international mediators sought to secure continuity
of direct contacts between the sides to agree basic principles of
regulation. Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia have met twice in
St.Petersburg on June 6 and Moscow Nov. 2.

The repeated meetings of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev with the
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict have provided a leading role to Russia on the resolution of
the conflict.

A trilateral declaration aimed to reach a peaceful regulation to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through political means has been achieved
as a result of meetings with attendance of Russian president. This is
the first document on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that was signed
by Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the reports says.

STAR SUPERMARKETS NETWORK SUPPORTS TRANSITION TO FLOATING RATE

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.03.2009 19:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Star Supermarket Chain Management supports the
floating exchange policy.

According to Star Financial Director Gurgen Narimanyan, the recent
governmental policy resulted in a number of problems, so we need
some time to overcome the consequences. "I’m confident that it was
a necessary and timely step for Armenia. The economy sector will
benefit from it in the medium term perspective."

"Here we have a favorable conjuncture for direct investments," Star
Financial Director noted.

"Still, the government should be consistent in tax reduction, provision
of equal rights in selective market and financial sector support."

ARMENIA’S DRAM DROP: WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN

EurasiaNet
March 4 2009
NY

A decision by Armenia’s Central Bank to let the currency exchange
rate float for the dram against the US dollar has sent the Armenian
currency into a tailspin.

Since the March 3 announcement, the dram has lost more than 20 percent
of its value against the US dollar. A $540 million International
Monetary Fund loan prompted the decision. The IMF green-lighted
the funds after the dram floated free. In a statement, IMF Managing
Director Dominique Strauss-Kan said that the move would mitigate the
"impact of external shocks and safeguard foreign currency reserves."

The Central Bank expects the dram to fall by 24 percent against the
dollar on average "in the near future," a spokesperson said. The dram
stood on March 4 at 372.95 to the dollar.

ARMENIA DEPENDING ON US AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.03.2009 17:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Gagik Beglaryan’s appointment as the City Mayor
means that the ruling party, namely RPA, is getting ready for the
Elections of Elders’ to be held May 31 in the capital of Armenia,"
said director of Caucasus Institute, political scientist, Alexander
Iskandaryan at a press-conference in Yerevan. According to him,
we will not experience any hustle and bustle during May31 elections.

The Armenian political scientist emphasized that the internal political
situation in Armenia may drastically change for the worse only in
case of another dram downfall."Anyway, I don’t think it possible.All
that could have happened in Armenia under the conditions of world
economic crisis, has already happened. There can’t be thousands of
homeless and hungry people .The power can change in this case only,
said the director of Caucasus Institute.

Alexander Iskandaryan also mentioned that at this stage of the crisis
the authorities can’t do anything. To put it roughly, the way the
situation will develop in Armenia depends on US and International
Financial Institutions. But if the crisis lasts for another three or
four years, then something might really happen, even the change of
the power. But no sooner than that, Iskandaryan emphasized.

PRESS RELEASE
All-Armenian Students’ Association
690 Veteran Ave #316
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Contact: Iren Tatevosyan
Cell: (818) 939-5506
Email: [email protected]

All-ASA Condemns Campaign Attacking Armenian Studies

LOS ANGELES–The All-Armenian Students Association (All-ASA), a
confederation of Armenian American college student organizations, has
condemned a recent smear campaign by an undisclosed group alleging a
concerted effort to falsify Armenian history within Armenian studies
programs across the US.

Adopted with a unanimous vote on February 22, the resolution deplored
the campaign’s efforts to `spread disinformation’ by circulating an
online petition alleging Turkish government and CIA influence over
Armenian Studies and Armenian Studies’ professors in the United
States.

`We, the Armenian Students’ Associations, call upon the public not to
be deceived by this campaign and to reject and repudiate the
reprehensible attempts to discredit professors and scholars,’ the
resolution said, adding that history should be debated `among
recognized historians within an academic setting.’

The campaign `Against the Falsification of Armenian History,=80=9D is
not a student initiative, the All-ASA said, `but rather the work of a
self-appointed and self-immersed group, does not serve a scholastic
purpose.’

Simultaneously with the online petition, the group had also produced
and uploaded a series of videos on YouTube defaming Armenian Studies
professors with arguments `based on inaccurate information, personal
attacks and character assassination,’ the All-ASA said.

`We believe in the benefit of the overall Armenian people and a
campaign as such creates conflict with minimal tangible results,’ the
resolution said, adding that the confederation will `firmly stand
against this attempt at compromising the work’ of Armenian Studies
Chairs in the United States.

The All-ASA confederation provides a forum for participating
independent Armenian American colleges’ student groups through which
these organizations may facilitate cooperative initiatives and
deliberate on issues faced by the Armenian college student community.

In regards to the campaign and the petition being circulated against
the Armenian Studies Chairs in the United States:

Whereas, we believe in the benefit of the overall Armenian people and
a campaign as such creates conflict with minimal tangible results,

Whereas, a campaign based on inaccurate information, personal attacks
and character assassination does not serve a scholastic purpose,

Whereas, we believe this campaign is not a student initiative as
claimed, but rather the work of a self-appointed and self-immersed
group,

Whereas, the campaign spreads disinformation to individuals urged to
sign an on-line petition alleging Turkish government and CIA influence
over Armenian Studies and Armenian Studies professors in the United
States,

Be it resolved that we, the Armenian Students’ Associations;

Firmly
stand against this attempt at compromising the work and positions
of the Armenian Studies and Armenian Studies Chairs.

Deplore
the current campaign of defamation of professors of Armenian Studies.

Encourage
debate among recognized historians within an academic setting.

Call
upon the public not to be deceived by this campaign and to reject
and repudiate the reprehensible attempts to discredit professors
and scholars.

Standing in
solidarity the Armenian Students’ Associations (ASA) of:

Cal Poly Pomona CPP

Cal State University Northridge CSUN

Glendale Community College GCC

Los Angeles Valley College LAVC

Loyola Marymount University LMU

Pasadena Community College PCC

Shant Students’ Association SSA

University of California – Berkeley UCB

University of California – Irvine UCI

University of California – Los Angeles UCLA

& Armenian Graduate Students’ Association UCLA AGSA

University of California – Riverside UCR

University of California – San Diego UCSD

University of California – Santa Barbara UCSB

University of Southern California USC

Woodbury University Woodbury

Armenian Youth Federation – WR AYF

AFGHANISTAN’S AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA PRESENTS COPIES OF HIS CREDENTIALS

armradio.am
04.03.2009 17:59

On March 4 the newly appointed Ambassador of Afghanistan to Armenia
Zalmay Azizi (seat in Moscow) presented the copies of his credentials
to the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian.

Greeting the guest, Minister Nalbandian noted that the development of
relations between Armenia and Afghanistan derives from the interests
of the two countries and expressed hope that Ambassador Azizi will
contribute to the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to ensuring security in
Afghanistan. In this context Minister Nalbandian underlined that
Armenia attaches importance to the establishment of stability and
peace in Afghanistan.

TURKEY EXPECTED TO AMEND CONSTITUTION AFTER LOCAL POLLS: BAGIS

March 4 2009
Turkey

Turkis chief negotiatior for EU talks said that necessary changes
would be made by evaluating that 2.5-year period after local elections
were held.

Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis
said on Wednesday that Turkey, with its current Constitution, could
not be a member of the EU.

"I hope we will amend the Constitution with the support of opposition
parties after local elections," added Bagis who addressed a panel
discussion on "Treaty of Lisbon and Turkey’s Accession Process to EU"
at Fatih University in Istanbul.

Reminding that Treaty of Lisbon was signed on December 13, 2007 but
approval process was hitched by the referendum in Ireland, Bagis
said that Turkey needed the approval of 27 EU-member states to open
chapters in membership negotiations with the EU. He added that when
Lisbon Treaty was approved, decision-making process in the EU would
function faster.

Bagis said that Turkey was currently in local election process and
Parliament could not work thus, many legal arrangements could not be
made. He said that they aimed to make legal arrangements especially
Trade Law with the support of opposition parties after the local
elections.

Noting that Europe had a serious energy shortage, Bagis said that
Turkey was the critical country in Nabucco Project which would meet
Europe’s energy demand. Bagis added that energy chapter heading could
not be opened in EU negotiations because Greek Cypriot administration
rejected.

When a participant asked whether Turkey would cooperate with Armenia in
energy issue, Bagis said that Turkey was exerting efforts to make its
relations with Armenia well, but the relations had not yet reached to a
level to cooperate in energy area. He added that Turkey showed goodwill
to Armenia many times, and Armenia should show its goodwill too.

Upon a question whether Turkey could be an EU-member with the current
Constitution, Bagis said, "Turkey, with its current Constitution,
cannot be a member of the EU. I hope we will amend the Constitution
with the support of opposition parties after local elections are held."

Expressing belief that Turkey would have a contemporary Constitution,
Bagis said that there would not be an election for the next 2.5 years
after the local elections were held, and necessary changes would be
made by evaluating that 2.5-year period.

GERMAN PRESIDENT EXPRESSES GRATIFICATION ON THE LEVEL OF ARMENIAN-GERMAN POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND THE DYNAMICS OF DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE-ECONOMIC RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
March 4, 2009

YEREVAN, MARCH 4, ARMENPRESS: President of Germany Horst Kohler
received March 3 the newly appointed Armenian deputy Foreign Minister
Karine Ghazinian on the end of her diplomatic mission in Germany.

Media relations department of the Foreign Ministry told Armenpress that
greeting Karine Ghazinian, President Kohler expressed gratification
on the level of Armenian-German political dialogue and the dynamics
of development of trade-economic relations.

Horst Kohler stressed the importance of participation of Armenian
president in the Munich security conference which took place in
February and pointed out that Serzh Sargsian’s speech on South
Caucasian region and its issues aroused great interest.

Speaking about the Eastern partnership initiative, President Kohler
noted that it will not only boost the Armenia-EU relations, but will
increase the level of bilateral relations with EU states.

Expressing gratitude on the reception, Karine Ghazinian also noted
that the friendly relations formed between Armenia and Germany and
on behalf of Armenian President Serzh Sargsian invited Horst Kohler
to visit Armenia.

Deputy Armenian Foreign Minister presented to the German president
the opportunities of regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations and
the latest developments in Karabakh conflict negotiations.

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS

Noyan Tapan

M arch 3, 2009

YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Serzh Sargsyan met with
OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs Matthew Bryza (U.S.), Yuri Merzliakov
(Russia), and Bernard Fassier (France) on March 2. During the meeting,
they touched upon the results of the Armenian and Azeri Presidents’
Zurich meeting, discussed issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement negotiations process current stage.

S. Sargsyan emphasized that statements and formulations contradicting
the conflict settlement negotiations process logic do not contribute
to recording of progress in the direction of settlement.

The Co-chairs also presented S. Sargsyan with the results of the
negotiations held in Baku and Stepanakert.

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian was also present at the meeting.

According to the RA President’s Press Office, on March 1, S. Sargsyan
received NKR President Bako Sahakian.

The same day the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs met with RA Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian. According to the report of the RA Foreign
Ministry Press and Information Department, E. Nalbandian welcomed
the Minsk Group Co-chairs’ February 19 statement, which excludes an
alternative to Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement and completely
corresponds to Moscow Declaration and the statements adopted at the
OSCE Foreign Ministers’ Council sitting held in 2008 in Helsinki.

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Press release – 161(2009)

Congress Bureau calls for postponing referendum in Azerbaijan

Strasbourg, 02.03.2009 – The Bureau of the Council of Europe Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities today requested postponing the
referendum on constitutional amendments in Azerbaijan, scheduled for
18 March 2009, pending the opinion of the Venice Commission on their
conformity with European democratic norms, particularly with the
European Charter of Local Self-Government.

In its statement, the Bureau recalled that on 5 February 2009,
Congress President a.i. Ian Micallef expressed his concern to Prime
Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade on the proposed amendment to
Article 146 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, because of its possible
inconsistency with certain provisions of the European Charter of Local
Self-Government, ratified by Azerbaijan in 2002. Article 146 provides
in particular for governmental control of the activities of
municipalities, which raises serious concerns and would be problematic
with regard to the Charter.

The Congress Bureau therefore welcomed the decision of the Azerbaijani
authorities to submit the draft constitutional reform to the European
Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for opinion,
as the Congress President a.i. had recommended.

The Bureau regretted, however, that the Azerbaijani authorities
planned to go ahead with the referendum on 18 March 2009, and
requested that it be postponed so that the opinion of the Venice
Commission, which will be delivered on 13 March 2009, could be taken
into account.

Communication Unit of the Congress
of Local and Regional Authorities
Tel: +33 (0)3 90 21 49 36
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 27 51
[email protected]