Author: Badalian Vardan

IRANIAN REAL AND DECLARATIVE POLICIES ARE DIFFERENT, SAYS ANALYST

Aysor
Feb 25 2010
Armenia

"Iranian real policy is different from its declarative policy, which
appeals to the support of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,"
told journalists deputy director of the Scientific Educational Noravank
Foundation Sevak Sarukhanian.

He pointed that in its real policy Iran doesn’t act against Armenia
or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Besides, relations between Iran
and Azerbaijan have recently developed in both positive and negative
directions, he added.

According to Sevak Sarukhanian, economical problems between the
countries smoothed; however, there are political and religious issues.

As for religious issues, among them are Shiites activities in
Azerbaijan, who are "directly linked to Iranian government and
religious structures."

"35 people were arrested in 2009 in Azerbaijan, brought to court over
links with radical Islamic organisations," said Sevak Sarukhanian.

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN SAYS ARMENIA HAS NO ISSUE OF HASTING IN THE PROCESS OF RATIFICATION OF THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

91462/lang/en
2010-02-23

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenia has no issue of hasting
in the process of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols in
the NA, chairman of the parliament’s state-legal affairs standing
committee, member of the Armenian Republican Party David Harutyunyan
said today at the meeting with reporters, adding that any such step
must be agreed with the relevant political grounding.

"I do not see any grounding why we must implement active step in that
direction. We have already undertaken quite active steps. The coalition
parties have expressed their political position. It is enough for us
to see the intentions of the other party of the protocols in respect
of bringing them into life," he said.

In response to the question about ratification of protocols with
restrictions, the chairman of the committee said that restriction means
stepping back from the text. According to him, the way of restrictions
will not be right, and, moreover, "it will be more frank to refuse
to ratify than make bilateral restrictions in the agreements".

D. Harutyunyan said he does not see any restrictions in the ruling
of the Armenian Constitutional Court as the latter gave comments on
the texts of protocols so that "no one will try to divert".

"The CC has not distorted the protocols on the Armenian-Turkish
relations," he pointed out saying that in case of the ratification
of the protocols by the NA the ruling of the CC will serve as a basis.

In response to the question which is the reasonable timeframe for
ratification of the documents in the parliament, D. Harutyunyan
said that the question does not have an unequivocal response. He did
not want to predict the time especially in case that Turkey is not
displaying activeness.

LETTER OF RA’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE ON OCCASION ON ANNIVERSARY OF SUMGAYIT AND BAKU TRAGIC EVENTS SPREAD IN UN

Noyan Tapan
Feb 24, 2010

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. On the occasion of Sumgayit and
Baku tragic events, massacres committed against the Armenian population
the letter of RA Permanent Representative, Ambassador Karen Nazarian
addressed to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was spread as that
organization’s official document.

The letter referring to international community’s disorientation
aimed at the cheap agitation and false facts constantly spread by
the Azeri government mentioned that Azerbaijan continues presenting
itself as a victim of the so-called "Armenian aggression" for that
purpose misrepresenting not only the tragic events well-known to the
world but also former citations of Azeri sources.

K. Nazarian, in particular, cities former Azeri President Ayaz
Mutalibov’s well-knwon interview where speaking about Khojalu’s events
the latter describes how Azerbaijan’s opposition and militia hindered
withdrawal of the civil population from the zone of operations through
the mountainous corridor. The opposition hoped to achieve power in
Baku through the massacre of its very compatriots. The letter also
cited the 1992 September report of the The Helsinki Watch organization
which mentioned the evidence of the very Azeris about Azeri militia’s
firing at the flying off civil population.

The letter also emphasized that the international community has
repeatedly confirmed many barbarities carried out by Azerbaijan’s
government to the defenseless Armenian population. "In response to
Nagorno Karabakh people’s peaceful and constitutional demand of using
its right of self-determination the Azeri authorities organized and
armed the crowd which in 1988 committed a slaughter to the Armenians
living in the town of Sumgayit. This massacre was the first case of
mass murders in the territory of Soviet Union which was correspondingly
fixed in the legal cases. Azerbaijan immediately after proclaiming its
independence released the convicted murderers and publicly proclaimed
them national heroes. The Helsinki Watch organization’s report is
evidence that the events had a goal to intimidate the Armenians living
in Azerbaijan’s other regions."

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
K. Nazarian also mentioned that the massacres committed in 1988-1991
in Gandzak, Azerbaijan’s other towns were more than mass and
barbaric and resulted in extermination and deportation of half a
million Armenians. These cruelties were followed by unprecedented
aggressive actions of the Azeri armed forces aimed at Nagorno Karabakh
population’s extermination.

The letter of Armenia’s Ambassador which is also addressed to the UN
Security Council and General Assembly is concluded by the following
thought: "It should be finally and once and for all become clear that
Azerbaijan started the armed aggression against Nagorno Karabakh.

Armenia is convinced that the best solution in this situation is the
restoration of Nagorno Karabakh people’s legal demand to exercise
the inviolable right of nations for self-determination."

SIX TAXES "REMOVED" FROM PACKAGE

22/national-assembly
05:36 pm | February 22, 2010

Politics

The Armenian National Assembly today adopted the tax package with 71
pros, 20 cons and 7 abstentions.

During the previous four-day sitting, the National Assembly adjourned
the voting for 15 days as both opposition and Coalition MPs sounded
against the package.

Taking into consideration deputies’ proposals and observations, the
government removed six taxes from the package leaving only two. In
particular, the executive body suggests introducing hotel tax and
parking tax.

Armen Martirosyan thanked the government in the name of Heritage
faction for the changes and added that the party would abstain from
the vote as they found the package incomplete.

"Let them work for another 15 days in order to introduce a full
package," said freelance MP Samvel Balasanyan.

Republican Vardan Ayvazyan noted that the new taxes would be put into
force after a law is passed on them.

Chairman of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs David
harutyunyan reminded NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan that by the NA
time-limit deputies have right to express opinions on the voting
procedure. Anyway, Mr. Abrahamyan interrupted the speeches and put
the issue to the vote.

The package was voted down by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation,
freelance MPs. Heritage abstained from the vote.

MOLLAZADE: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MAKES NO PRESSURE ON ARMENIA

Panorama.am
19:13 22/02/2010

Politics

"I think, Armenian authorities, as well as the peoples of Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh have never given up their plans for independence,"
the Chairman of US- Azerbaijani Council Jeyhun Mollazade told Vesti.az.

As he said, the possible reconciliation between Armenia and Turkey
will hardly have any impact on Armenia’s abovementioned political
disposition.

Referring to the pressure of the international community on Armenia,
Mollazade said, unfortunately, there is not even minimal pressure on
Armenia. He highlighted that Armenia receives military support from
Russia, and is rendered economic support from Iran, the US and the EU.

Besides, Mollazade said, Armenia is trying to seize Azerbaijan’s only
ally, Turkey.

RUSSIAN POLITICAL EXPERT: ARMENIA HAS LESS CHANCES TO WIN IN CASE MILITARY ACTION IS RESUMED
H. Hamidov

Today
2210.html
Feb 22 2010
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with renowned Russian journalist, political expert
and publicist Leonid Radzikhovski.

Some say the recent letter Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
addressed to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul marked a new page
in development of Armenia-Turkey relations. Do you share this opinion?

I do not think that now we are seeing a cardinal or a radical approach
by Yerevan to improve relations with Ankara. I understand that the
main point involved here is for Armenia to make significant concessions
to Turkey …

As it is known, these concessions imply certain steps by Armenia to
normalize ties with Turkey being well aware that Turkey will take
such a step after Armenia makes major steps in terms of settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict…

This is what I’m talking about. I do not believe Yerevan will easily
take steps to withdraw from at least part of the occupied areas. In
this case, there is a fundamental myth of the Armenian leadership
based on which the whole political elite of the country fails. It is
absolutely unclear why they needed to wage a war in Karabakh and how
all the Armenian leaders, who o are people from Karabakh ne way or
another, reached power in Armenia? Abandoning the idea of capturing
Karabagh for them is akin to a denial of "genocide" of Armenians.

These are basic ideas for them.

Do you think Turkey may establish diplomatic ties with Armenia based
solely on its own interests without setting liberation of Azerbaijan’s
occupied lands as a precondition?

This is a different matter, and, of course, Armenia would be pleased
at this turn of events.

May Ankara eventually choose that option?

I do not see sufficient motivation to Turkey to do so. After all,
such a step would mean severely damaged relations with Azerbaijan. And
what else, besides this, they will get in return?

Maybe early admission to the European Union.

I do not think that Turkey’s EU membership is directly connected with
the opening of borders with Armenia …

For example, Armenia will not demand recognition of the "genocide"
and will stop promoting its recognition in the U.S. and Turkey will
no longer insist on withdrawal from Azerbaijan’s lands.

In this context, the question must be considered from several aspects.

"Genocide" recognition is a painful fact for Turkey. But it is less
painful than for the Armenians to return Karabakh. Moreover, the
"genocide" can be recognized with various reservations, wording.

But I do not think that Turkey would open the border without any
preconditions on Karabakh, because I do not believe that it is going
to spoil relations with Azerbaijan. If Ankara was confident that the
opening of the border with Armenia is directly linked with the EU
accession, it would perhaps have done it simultaneously bargaining
some compensations from the international community for Azerbaijan.

I doubt that Turkey’s all problems with the EU are related to the
Armenian border. It has a number of other problems. This is the Cyprus
problem and many others.

So, we should not expect the Armenia-Turkey border to open any
time soon?

I think so. Looking from the side, I do not believe that it is possible
to open the border until Armenia makes significant steps in settlement
of Karabakh conflict. I also do not believe Armenia would take those
steps because, as I said above, in this case entire ruling elite of
Armenia will hang in the air.

The last trilateral meeting between the presidents does not inspire
optimism about progress in the Karabakh conflict settlement. In
addition, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian has announced that no tangible
results on this matter is expected this year.

There is no optimism because there is no progress. I reiterated that
there are no more solutions to the problem. There are only two: Armenia
will return Karabakh or will not. In my opinion, no compensation will
be helpful. The question of land has been acute at all times. In the
case of Armenia … its statehood began with the war in Karabakh. This
was the first step towards the attainment of identity, independence
and statehood. How then to give up Karabakh? ..

Do you mean use of force is the only way to solve the conflict?

Lately, there have been more and more talks about war in the region.

In principle, Azerbaijan has long announced that its patience is
running out. Suddenly Armenia also began talking about military action
on its part. U.S. intelligence in his report also does not preclude
a military conflict …

Well, I do not know … In fact, Azerbaijan has acquired great strength
in recent years. Among all the CIS countries, Azerbaijan has done great
success in recent years. This situation excludes a military solution
to the conflict. When things are bad in the country, there is nothing
to lose. Military action in this case can help save the prestige of
the ruling elite. When the country is developing at fast pace and
attracts loans and population is happy with the state policy, it is
difficult to begin military action. This is the case with Azerbaijan.

Well, why Armenia needs to attack Azerbaijan? They have already
captured Karabakh. What will they occupy next?

In addition, this is not 1990s. In the case of military conflict,
Armenia’s has little chances of success. Azerbaijan has become
stronger. The balance of forces in Azerbaijan’s favor.

On the other hand, it seems to me that it is not the best solution
to start a war and risk all economic achievements of recent years.

Recently Israeli FM was given a warm reception in Baku amid the
traditional hostile relations between Iran and Israel and recent
cooling in Turkey-Israel ties. In your opinion, is Israeli FM’s
visit a move to show that Azerbaijan pursues independent policy in
response Turkey’s move to mend relations with Armenia, or just a
planned official visit?

I am sure that neither Turkey nor Azerbaijan is interested in cooling
of relations. It should again be noted that Azerbaijan has changed
very much in recent years and became a very powerful state in the
region. Of course, its opportunities are incompatible with those of
Turkey, but still is one of the most powerful states in the region.

Apart from this, one should not forget about the relationship between
the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples.

Azerbaijan pursues balanced foreign policy. I do not think Israeli
FM’s visit to Azerbaijan should spark Turkey’s anger. In the end,
Azerbaijan is an independent country, and it is free to choose friends
and partners. But Iran is, of course, extremely unpleasant.

As for Israel, it is extremely interested in developing relations
with Azerbaijan both for economic and political reasons. Moreover,
normal relations with any Muslim country is important for Israel.

I do not believe that Baku intends to annoy Tehran by its moves. It
leads its own policies. Besides, as I understand it, Azerbaijan’s
leadership wants to develop a secular country and at the same time
interested in developing relations with various countries, regardless
of religious or other beliefs. In this sense, relations with Israel
are also symbolic in nature. After all, it once again emphasizes
independent foreign policy of the country which is not afraid of
discontent of any country.

MOTHERS OF VICTIMS OF MARCH 1 WERE BEATEN

16904.html
15:00:54 – 20/02/2010

The police again clamped down on the participants of the weekly march
of protest organized by the opposition, the Armenian National
Congress. Yesterday’s march was held to condemn the rigged election of
February 19, 2008′.

During the march which took place yesterday the mothers of the victims
of the events following the election 2008 became the target of
violence, who participated in yesterday’s march, holding the pictures
of their sons.

Jemma Vardumyan, the mother of Davit Petrosyan who was killed on March
1, told the red berets had pushed her causing her to fall to the
ground.

`Sitting on the ground, I was thinking how we can deliver our youth
from these brazen ones. They didn’t allow the march to proceed. Why,
we weren’t doing harm to anyone, were we?’

Ms. Jemma says, `I participated in the march for the sake of my killed
son, for violating the rights of a mother, my rights, for torturing
me. They killed my son… I am sick but today nobody has compassion for
me, how long are you, the government, going to last, one day you will
get to your end too.’

Alla Hovanisyan, the mother of Tigran Khachatryan who also got killed
on March 1, got a strong punch in the face.

`Someone hit me very strongly with his fist, my lip is swollen, I
don’t know who hit me, but we have his photo, and soon we will know
which policeman it was.’

Alla Hovanisyan says they tried to prevent the red berets from
kidnapping the youths. `I am not afraid of policemen, I am not afraid
of the red berets, I am not afraid of getting killed.’

A number of photos and footages have been taken, picturing the
clampdown of the police.

Aravot, Armenia
Feb 17 2010

Armenian pressure group against compromises in Karabakh problem

A leader of an Armenian pressure group has urged President Serzh
Sargsyan to step up diplomatic efforts to retain control over
Azerbaijani breakaway Karabakh region.

Addressing the Armenian president, the re-elected head of the
Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers (YUV), Gen Manvel Grigoryan, said that
"we proved that both Karabakh and those territories [currently
Armenian-controlled territories around Nagornyy Karabakh] are ours",
pro-opposition Aravot daily reported on 17 February.

Speaking at the session of the union on 16 February, Grigoryan said
Armenian should neither make concessions nor cede territories in the
Karabakh issue, the paper added.

Against the backdrop of growing rift in the pressure group, Grigoryan
called for unity among members of the union to prevent further
aggravations in the country, added the same source.

Armenian Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan at the session also called on
members of the union to unite around Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, Aravot reported.

Pro-opposition members of the YUV board, including former MP Myasnik
Malkhasyan, were not re-elected at the session, according to the
paper. YUV members, who support former Armenian President and
currently leader of the pro-opposition Armenian national Congress,
Levon Ter-Petrosyan, did not attend the session, Aravot reported.

TEN COMMERCIAL BANKS WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "APARTMENTS FOR YOUTH" PROGRAM
Nelly Danielyan

"Radiolur"
19.02.2010 16:58

10 commercial banks of Armenia have expressed readiness to participate
in the "Apartments for Youth" program, Chairman of Union of Armenian
Banks Ararat Ghukasyan told a press conference today. The mortgage
program will start functioning within the coming weeks.

Executive Director of the National Mortgage Company Mher Yedigaryan
noted that the banks will undergo checks and if they meet the
requirements, they will gain the right to participate in the program.

The maximum volume of credit within the framework of "Apartments for
Youth" program makes 16mln AMD, given 30% of prepayment and interest
rate of 8.5%-9%. Banks will issue credits at the interest rate of
10.5%-11%, 2% of which will be subsidized by the state.

COMMUNITIES TO CONDUCT ALL ADMINISTRATION RELATED TO PROPERTY AND LAND TAXES, ARMENIA’S DEPUTY MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 19, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. "Both property tax and land tax
are local taxes, so all the administration related to them will
be conducted as mandatory authority by a community, that is by
local self-government bodies," RA Deputy Minister of Territorial
Administration Vatche Terterian said at the February 19 press
conference, when speaking about the new tax package submitted by the
Armenian government to the RA National Assembly. The package includes
a list of 8 new local taxes.

V. Terterian said that the community head is responsible for the
collection of land and property taxes making a considerable part
of internal revenues of a community budget. "In other words, they
should ensure efficient administration and have the opportunity to
communicate with unfair tax payers, to use penalties and fines,
if necessary also apply to court," the deputy minister noted. In
his words, they try to give efficient administrative mechanisms to
communities so that the latter as state government bodies can control
the community head and make inquiries in case when internal revenues
of the community budget are not ensured and normal activity of the
community is called into question.

As for criticism by ARF faction members who say that communities are
not prepared yet for such changes, V. Terterian said: "There are
communities whose work is far from being satisfactory for society
and us, so with the use of some mechanisms, we should make them work
efficiently in order to improve the situation."

To recap, the bill on amendments to the RA Law on Taxes proposes
establishing 10 local taxes, including property tax and land tax
as compulsory ones. The use and rates of the 8 other taxes will
be determined by the community council on the community head’s
recommendation.