Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

NATO SEC.-GEN. APPRECIATED PROGRESS IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2008 14:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in Belgium, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to
discuss the Armenia-NATO cooperation, Karabakh conflict settlement
process, Armenia-Turkey political dialogue, regional security and
peacekeeping activities, the RA leader’s press office reported.

The two expressed satisfaction with the current level of the
Armenia-NATO partnership and the outcomes of the Cooperative
Longbow/Lancer 2008 exercise.

NATO Secretary-General appreciated highly the progress in the Karabakh
peace process and welcomed the thaw in the Armenian-Turkish relations.
From: Baghdasarian

DPA LEADER: DECLARATION ON KARABAKH – PROTOCOL ON GOOD WISHES

De Facto
Nov 5, 2008

YEREVAN, 05.11.08. DE FACTO. The Declaration signed in Moscow on
November 2, 2008, between presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and
Russia can be perceived as the expression of good wishes, leader of
Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA) Aram Sargsian stated today, in the
course of a press conference held in Urbat Press Club.

According to Aram Sargsian, the Declaration will not result in the
acceleration of Karabakh conflict settlement, DE FACTO correspondent
reports. In his words, the settlement process will last some ten
more years.

Besides, in the political scientist’s words, there is a contradiction
in the document. According to the Declaration, the parties are to
"promote the improvement of situation in the South Caucasus and
ensuring establishment of the atmosphere of stability and security in
the region via Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s political settlement on
the basis of international law’s principle and standards". However,
according to Aram Sargsian, combining political and legal settlement
of the issue is impossible: either a political decision should be made
or the one based on the international law’s standards. Aram Sargsian
believes that Armenian party should adhere to legal approach and
insist that the conflict be settled in the legal sphere.

At that he noted that Armenian party still did not have a united
doctrine on Karabakh issue. "Armenian people should have a united
position on Karabakh issue. Only solidarity will help us to act as a
force and make the world powers take into consideration our opinion,"
Aram Sargsian believes.
From: Baghdasarian

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE DEVOTED TO INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL STUDIES

Panorama.am
14:51 05/11/2008

Today "Near East and Caucasus – history, reality and perspectives"
two-day international conference started devoted to the 50
anniversary of Institute of Oriental Studies of the National Academy
of Sciences. Radik Martirosyan the president of National Academy
of Sciences says that Institute of Oriental Studies is an advanced
and one of the best institutes which has its own investment in the
world development.

The Institute was established in 1958 as a sector of Oriental
Studies. In recent years the institute has become a significant
scientific-research center and is well known abroad. Currently the
Institute cooperates with the specialists of Russia, Georgia, Syria,
Egypt, Iran, China, India, Germany, France, and the USA.

In the frameworks of the conference the representatives of oriental
studies centers of Armenia, Lebanon, Hungary, United Kingdom, Cyprus,
Iran and Georgia will make speeches.
From: Baghdasarian

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Nov 1 2008

Kremlin’s position: "The main responsibility for the final result in
the Karabakh issue lies on Azerbaijanis and Armenians"

01 November 2008 [12:53] – Today.Az

"Russia is ready to be a guarantor of the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict in case a compromise is reached between Azerbaijan
and Armenia", said a source in the Kremlin.

"Russia would be ready to support the variant of the problem
settlement, which would meet the interests of all the involved
parties and become a guarantor of the settlement in case a compromise
is attained", said he.

"The principal position of Russia in Nagorno Karabakh issue is not to
impose any receipts from outside to the conflict parties, based on the
opinion that the main responsibility for the final result of the
settlement lies on Azerbaijanis and Armenians", said the source.

The source added that according to the Russian side "a solution to the
problem, which will help regain stability and tranquility in the South
Caucasus and preserve historically formed balance of powers in the
post-conflict period, will be considered effective".

"The upcoming talks are expected to play an important role in
strengthening regional stability and security, especially in the light
of the recent crisis in the Caucasus and confirm the adherence of the
conflict parties to the settlement by peaceful political means", said
the source.

The source considers that the preservation of the direct regular
Armenian-Azerbaijani dialogue on the high level acquires key
importance in this connection.

/Day.Az/

URL:
From: Baghdasarian

USA SPEAK OUT FOR RUSSIAN INITIATIVE TO HOLD A TRILATERAL MEETING

AZG Armenian Daily
01/11/2008

Karabakh conflict

The United States approve of Russian initiative to hold a trilateral
meeting of the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian presidents, US
Department of State press secretary Shone McCormack announced,
according to "Trend News".

"We are working on that issue for quite a long time. OSCE Minsk
Group exists for years. We hope that the initiative will have a
success. We are following the process close to", McCormack said,
"Noyan Tapan" reported.
From: Baghdasarian

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN CONCERNED ABOUT PANIC

A1+
[04:49 pm] 31 October, 2008

"The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun is convinced
that if the war resumes Armenia will not only preserve the liberated
territories but also establish land and water borders with its
northern neighbour Russia," ARFD member and Deputy Speaker of the
National Assembly Hrair Karapetyan told a press conference today.

"If tomorrow Azerbaijan wages a war, it will face problems regarding
the seven liberated territories and its territorial integrity, in
general, problems which the country would not even dream of. They
also fear that Armenia might have land borders with its northern
neighbour one day. No matter how much they double their budget,
they cannot leave Armenia behind, I assure you," said Hrair Karapetyan.

According to the ARF Dashnaktsutyun member all generals of CIS
countries have noticed the fighting capacity of our army. Unlike
Aliyev, Serzh Sargsyan is "a modest and decent person," therefore he
does not wish to harm the negotiation process with response statements.

"Azerbaijan’s army is in a grave psychological state today. Everybody
knows that their army is not organised and is undisciplined."

"The Azerbaijani army is not a bit stronger. Our army is effective,
and if Azerbaijan launches a war, it should be mindful that this time
Armenia may advance so as to set up land communication with Russia,"
reiterated Hrair Karapetyan who was much concerned over the panic
in Armenia.

Hrair Karapetyan tried to dispel the rumours about "concession"
policy on the settlement of the Karabakh issue.

"According to Hrayr Karapetyna, in any case one should not forget that
panic negatively affects the settlement process and moral-psychological
condition of the Armenian nation. "It’s not like 1988 today. Karabakh
is not question number one for the Armenian society," he said,
adding that Armenians will again win due to their invincible spirit
if a new war is launched. The peaceful resolution of the conflict
is not exhausted until the negotiations are underway. The recent
Georgian-Ossetian conflict proved that aggressors lose in the given
international situation.
From: Baghdasarian

NOT TO FINANCE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
29 Oct 2008
Armenia

The company "Russian Railways" can participate in the construction
of Iran-Armenia railway but it is not ready to finance this project,
neither by the financial means of its investment projects nor by
the financial means promised when taking "Armenian Railways" under
concessionary management. "Armenia considers it important to build
a new railway linking the country with Iran. The construction will
be realized not with concession money, or the investments made by
"Russian Railways" OJSC, but other resources," the President of the
company Vladimir Yakunin said.
From: Baghdasarian

MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS ARRIVED IN BAKU

armradio.am
29.10.2008 13:50

Minsk Group Co-Chairs Matthew Bryza (USA) and Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia),
and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej
Kasprzyk arrived in Baku.

The Co-Chair’ visit is targeted at activating the negotiation process
on the Karabakh conflict settlement.

French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier told Trend News earlier that this is
the first visit of the Co-Chairs after the presidential elections in
Azerbaijan and "the Co-Chairs currently intend to restart their work
more actively."
From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIAN PREMIER, EBRD REPS DISCUSS COOPERATION

ARKA
Oct 30, 2008

YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan held a
meeting yesterday with Mike Davey, Director for South Caucasus, Moldova
and Belarus, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The sides made a high appraisal of the EBRD’s activities in Armenia
and dynamically developing cooperation in implementing the programs

The RA Premier pointed out the EBRD’s purchase of Araratbank shares
as an example of developing cooperation. He welcomed the fact and
stressed that the RA Government is ready to render possible assistance
to the EBRD’s activities in Armenia.

A contract for the EBRD’s purchasing 25% plus one share of Araratbank
for $7mln was signed in Yerevan. The transaction is to be completed
within a month, to be followed by placement of shares. As a result,
Araratbank’s authorized capital will reach $24mln against the current
$13mln. During the next three years the bank’s capital is to be
brought up to $50mln.

Mr. Davey pointed out that the transaction is evidence of the EBRD’s
confidence in Armenia’s banking system. He said that the EBRD has
made investment in the capital of four Armenian banks and is now
cooperating with eight banks.

Davey also said that the EBRD is currently elaborating a strategy of
cooperation with Armenia for the next three years. The document is
to be discussed next January by the EBRD Board of Directors.

The sides also discussed measures to prevent the influence of the
international financial crisis on Armenia. Davey pointed out that the
EBRD Board of Directors is concerned over the possible influence of
the crisis on the countries the EBRD cooperates with.

In the context, the RA Premier stressed the importance of additional
funding for small and medium-sized enterprises. He pointed out that
Armenia’s market has been thoroughly studied from this aspect and
the amount of funds it is able to consume during at least three years
has been determined.

Davey stated the EBRD’s readiness to work in the fields of interest
to the Ra Government and stressed the importance of laying emphasis on
SME. He said that the EBRD’s draft project of cooperation with Armenia
indicates the importance of further cooperation with the country’s SME.

Davey also informed the RA Premier that an EBRD delegation is expected
to visit Armenia this December to discuss the strategy. He expressed
hope that joint discussions will guarantee the EBRD’s successful
cooperation with Armenia and efficiency of programs.
From: Baghdasarian

HALF OF COALITION IS THERE, HALF IS NOT

Lragir.am
15:22:28 – 29/10/2008

Two of the four parties of the coalition ruling Armenia do not exist,
stated Aram Manukyan, member of the Armenian National Congress, on
October 29 at the Pastark press club. He means Bargavach Hayastan
and Orinats Yerkir.

According to Manukyan, Bargavach Hayastan is not a party but a
project, and he is sure that if the coalition is dissolved, the name
of Bargavach Hayastan will not be heard. As to Orinats Yerkir, Aram
Manukyan was reluctant to talk about it, noting that there is no such
party, it is a beaten car, together with its leader.

As to the Republican Party and Dashnaktsutyun, Aram Manukyan stated
that these nationalistic parties do not behave adequately to the
situation, and instead of opposing to the defensive policy of the
government on Karabakh they are obedient. Aram Manukyan reminded the
reporters about the statement of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun against the
criminal, as well as the speeches of Republicans and their leader Serge
Sargsyan, and in this context he drew attention to the real behavior
of those parties when they merely shut an eye on the behavior of the
criminal, and do not respond to skirmishes occurring in the struggle
of clans. According to Aram Manukyan, the Republican Party has become
the servant of one person, Serge Sargsyan.
From: Baghdasarian