Author: Chalian Meline

DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF ARMENIA AND NKR HAVE BEEN NEUTRALIZED BY SIGNING OF MOSCOW DECLARATION, POLITECONOMIA NGO STATES

Noyan Tapan

Nov 5, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Having analysed the Declaration
on settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict which was signed by
the presidents Serzh Sargsyan, Ilham Aliyev and Dmitry Medvedev in
Moscow on November 2, "Politeconomia" Political, Economic and Legal
Research Institute NGO expressed its concern about some wordings of
the declaration.

According to a statement issued by the NGO, the following wordings
of the Declaration cause concern:

1. The first clause of the Declaration, in particular, says that "the
resolution of the conflict will be carried out based on the norms
and principles of international law, and the decisions and documents
passed within this framework".

During the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly on March 14,
2008, decision No 62/243 (The Situation in the Occupied Territories
of Azerbaijan) was adopted, by which, in particular, Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity within the internationally accepted borders
was recognized, as well as it was demanded that the Armenian forces
should be withdrawn fully, immediately and unconditionally from the
Republic of Azerbaijan. And if, by signing the Moscow Declaration,
Serzh Sargsian agrees to see the political settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict based on the so far adopted international documents
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, it means that Azerbaijan has now
received an opportunity to put the above mentioned decision of the UN
as the basis of the negotiation process. This does not proceed from
the interests of the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic and may contribute to the use of the principle of territorial
integrity put forward by Azerbaijan.

2. Regardless of what kind of process will start by the signing of
the Moscow Declaration, it is worrying that the Republic of Armenia,
through Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s signature, has ratified
a document, in which the presence of Nagorno Karabakh in the form of
a signature of NKR’s official representative is absent.

So far there was no other document on settlement of the conflict
related to the NKR, in which the signature of an official
representative of the NKR was absent. It means that the Armenian
leadership "de jure" accepted the fact of the NKR’s being forced
out of the negotiation process, so the process of involving the NKR
at any negotiation stage will become complicated in the future. It
should also be mentioned that during the terms of presidents Levon
Ter-Petrosian and Robert Kocharian, no document without a signature of
the NKR representative was signed. Both presidents repeatedly stated
that Armenia would not sign an agreement, in which the will of the
NKR’s people is absent.

Both the Bishkek Protocol of May 5, 1994, and the Document on
Ceasefire, which was signed in Baku, Yerevan and in Stepanakert
on May 9, 10 and 11 of 1994, bear the signatures of the official
representatives of the NKR. That is, these documents stipulate the
NKR as a full subject of the conflict. The indicated documents also
bear the signatures of the official representatives of the Azeri
side, that is, Azerbaijan at least "de facto" recognized the NKR as
a subject of intenational law.

Politeconomia NGO believes that after the signing of the Moscow
Declaration, the Azeri side has reached a document that has neutralized
the previous diplomatic achievements of the Republic of Armenia and
the NKR. The NGO calls on all the organizations and persons concened
about the Nagorno Karabakh problem and the whole people to unite their
efforts in order to neutralize the dangers threatening the national
security system.

SERZH SARGSYAN: TODAY ARMENIA IS A DYNAMICALLY DEVELOPING COUNTRY

armradio.am
06.11.2008 16:16

Within the framework of his visit to Brussels, the President of
Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with representatives of the Belgian
Armenian community.

The President said in his speech that we are entering a new stage
of realization of national objectives, when we face the tasks of
development and rise.

"Today Armenia is a dynamically developing country, which has a stable
financial system and growing economy. The Armenian economy registered a
10.4% growth under the conditions of 4.2% of rise of prices during the
nine months of 2008. We managed to overcome the situations, when the
known events around South Ossetia directly affected our economy. You
know that Armenia realizes over 70% of its commodity turnover through
Georgian territory and you know how the closed roads can affect the
Armenian economy. We avoided the first and most dangerous wave of
the world financial crisis.

It’s hard to find another landlocked country in the world that would
be blockaded by two out of four of its neighbors. In these conditions
we learnt to work and ensure serious economic development. However,
it does not mean that those borders should remain closed forever
or steps should not be taken in the direction of opening those,"
the President said.

"People in this hall are well aware of the importance of international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The Diaspora and exactly your
community have an immediate input here. The Resolution of the European
Parliament adapted in Brussels in 1987 became a basis for further
acts symbolizing the restoration of historical justice.

My position is that by realizing the existence of the problem we should
simultaneously move forward along the path of establishing normal
relations with Turkey. Deriving from this circumstance, as President
of the Republic of Armenia I made the first symbolic step in that
direction by inviting Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia. I’m
glad that the Turkish President positively responded to my invitation
and in September of the current year we had an opportunity to initiate
a process, which should result in the establishment of an atmosphere
of trust between the two countries, and this atmosphere of trust can
be created as a result of establishment of diplomatic relations without
any preconditions and diversified cooperation between countries.

In the basis of our relations with Azerbaijan we see the peaceful
resolution of the Karabakh issue based on mutual concessions, which
should guarantee the realization of the right of Karabakhi people to
self-determination. We are ready to develop the negotiation process,
taking as a basis the known principles put into circulation last
year. You probably know that just a few days ago we signed a joint
declaration with the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia, which,
I think, marks the start of a new, more active phase of peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh issue," Serzh Sargsyan continued.

"We should leave another Armenia to our generations, a developed,
democratic and peaceful Armenia. Saying "we" I mean the citizens of
the Republic of Armenia and all Armenians, all those who consider
Armenia their Motherland. We should work together to create that
Armenia, because we cannot leave anything more eternal and valuable
to our generations," the President noted.

TRADE GROWS BY 10.1%, SERVICES BY 14.5% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2008 ON SAME MONTHS OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan

Nov 3, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-September 2008, trade
turnover made 1 trillion 127 billion 279.3 million drams (about 3
bln 686.1 mln USD) in current prices in Armenia, growing by 10.1%
in comparable prices on the index of the same period of 2007.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, retail trade turnover
made 690 bln 58.7 mln drams in current prices in January-September
2008, growing by 7.5% in comparable prices on the respective index
of the same months of 2007.

Services made 523 bln 14.8 mln drams in the period under review,
increasing by 14.5% in comparable prices on January-September 2007.

SHIKAHOGH RESERVE SURROUNDED BY MINING SITES

ArmInfo
2008-11-03 17:39:00

ArmInfo. Shikahogh Reserve is surrounded by mining sites. ArmInfo
correspondent was told that to hold geological exploration some company
has taken on lease land plots of four villages of Syunik region –
Tsav, Srashen, Tchakat and Shikahogh. The rent makes up 4 thsd AMD
per hectare. According to preliminary information, over 1700 ha are
leased out for 4 years.

"This company’s representatives haven’t applied to us personally. But
we were instructed by the administration of Syunik region to give our
lands for geological exploration. The relevant agreement was concluded
a week ago", Head of the rural community Shikahogh Gegham Kazaryan
said. According to him, from Shikahogh 2 plots with the total area
of 850 ha have been leased, 509 ha of them are lands of agricultural
designation. The second plot is situated outside the territory of
Shikahog community and neighbors on Shikahogh Reserve. Kazaryan says
that in early XX a group of French miners searched copper here. "I
have heard that there is a uranium deposit near the village of Tsav
but I can’t say if this is true. According to rumors, some people
came here in search of uranium in 2007," says Kazaryan.

Director of Shikahogh Reserve Ruben Lazarian does not think that
prospecting activities pose any threat to the reserve. All the
plots are outside the buffer zone no less than 3 km away from the
reserve. "It is just prospecting and I see no danger in it," says
Lazarian.

Associated Press Worldstream
October 30, 2008 Thursday 12:36 PM GMT

US candidate gets funds over genocide dispute

PASADENA California

A contender for a seat in the House of Representatives has received
thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Turkish-Americans
opposed to the incumbent candidate’s support of a failed resolution
calling the 1915 killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks genocide.

Charles Hahn, who is seeking to unseat Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff,
received $5,700 from fundraising and contributions by Ergun
Kirlikovali, the Pasadena Star-News reported on its Web site
Wednesday.

Hahn has also received $2,300 from the national Turkish Coalition USA
Political Action Committee, which also opposed Schiff’s legislation.

Kirlikovali, who runs a Web site denying that a genocide took place,
said the main reason he and others supported the Republican challenger
was because they disliked Schiff’s resolution.

"I find Schiff’s stand racist and dishonest," Kirlikovali said. "I’d
like to support someone who can defeat him."

Schiff, whose district includes tens of thousands of Armenians, said
he found Kirlikovali’s involvement troubling.

"This is a pretty narrow special interest group that is devoted to
eradicating the memory of genocide," he said.

The resolution failed last year after inflaming U.S. tensions with
Turkey, which claims the deaths of as many as 1.5 million Armenians do
not constitute genocide. It says the toll has been inflated, and those
killed were victims of civil war and unrest as the Ottoman Empire fell
into disarray.

Hahn said he does not deny that an Armenian genocide took place, but
said he would not have supported Schiff’s legislation. He said he
would like to introduce legislation that Armenian- and
Turkish-American groups could agree on.

Interfax News Agency, Russia
Oct 27 2008

Courts take up 89 cases of March 1 riots’ participants – Armenian
prosecutor

YEREVAN Oct 27

Armenian courts have taken up 89 criminal cases of 110 citizens
engaged in the March 1 riots in Yerevan, Prosecutor General Agvan
Ovsepian said on Monday.

"As of now, 89 cases of 110 citizens have been investigated and
referred to court," he said.

The Armenian opposition led by ex-president Levon Ter-Petrossian
refused to recognize results of the February 19 presidential election
and organized large-scale protests. The protests resulted in clashes
with the police on March 1. Ten people died and more than 250 people
were injured during the clashes.

BY 2009 DRAFT STATE BUDGET, EXPENDITURES OF PUBLIC TV AND RADIO COMPANY TO MAKE 3.8 BILLION DRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 29, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. By the 2009 draft state budget,
expenditures of the National Commission on Television and Radio will
make about 95.7 mln drams, which will be spent on the commission’s
maintenance.

The commission chairman Grigor Amalian said at the October 28
sitting of the National Assembly standing committees that this sum
is sufficient for ensuring the activities of the commission.

The 2009 draft state budget envisages that the financing of the
programs implemented by the Public TV and Radio Company’s Council
will amount to 3.8 bln drams – against 3.2 bln drams in 2008. In the
words of the council’s chairman Alexan Harutyunian, the growth of
expenditures by nearly 581 mln drams or 18.1% as compared with 2008
is mainly conditioned by the growth of expenditures on the existing
programs. In particular, a growth of 457 mln drams is due to 24-hour
broadcasting instead of the previous 18-hour broadcasting by the
republican network of the Public Radio Company’s first channel,
and to the creation of a 24-hour television channel on culture. He
said that in 2009 the pops symphony orchestra, the Aram Merangulian
ensemble of folk musical instruments, and "Arevik" children’s ensemble
will be included again in the staff of Public Radio Company CJSC.

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN NEVER TAKES ADVANCE TO FULFIL POLITICAL GOALS, ARAM MANUKIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Oct 30, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 30, NOYAN TAPAN. "The people who know well first RA
President Levon Ter-Petrosian know that he never takes advance from
anyone to fulfil political goals." Aram Manukian, a member of the
Armenian National Movement (ANM) party Board, stated at the October
29 press conference touching upon the assertion of Vice-Chairman of
the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Razmik Zohrabian made the day
before, according to which the movement led by Levon Ter-Petrosian
is financed from foreign forces.

According to A. Manukian, the first President does not wish to become
dependent on anyone, and even if the West or any other force offers
L. Ter-Petrosian money, he will refuse.

According to A. Manukian, RPA and ARFD making part of the ruling
coalition have absolutely nothing to say to society today and besides,
they do not take adequate steps in connection with the events happening
in the country.

According to him, RPA should have rebelled after the latest scandalous
murders. "Do you remember RPA singing several months ago that an
irreconcilable struggle should be carried out against crime, that
criminals should not be unpunished?" A. Manukian said.

As he stated, today there is absolutely no plurality in RPA: everybody
speaks for Serzh Sargsyan’s proposals. "No one risks to come up
against Serzh Sargsyan. No one has courage, either, to confess what
operation was carried out in the morning of March 1, at what hour it
started," the opposition figure stated. He added that no coalition
member renders it more clear whether in the morning of March 1, before
beginning the Police operation, Police indeed warned the participants
of the sit-down strike as high-ranking policemen assure.

Commenting upon the activity and position of the other two parties
making part of the coalition, A. Manukian said that the Bargavach
Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) party is merely a political project
and the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party is a "covered card,"
and it is no use speaking about them.

ARMENIA FM WELCOMES THE IDEA OF A TRILATERAL MEETING

armradio.am
30.10.2008 15:54

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia will meet in
Moscow tomorrow. The next day the Ministers will meet the OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs. These two meetings will prepare ground for the meeting
of Presidents of the three countries, the Foreign Minister of Armenia,
Edward Nalbandian told a press conference today. The Foreign Minister
reassured that the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict settlement
proceed within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group on the basis of
the Madrid Proposals.

Edward Nalbandian noted that the Minsk Group is an acting format,
enjoys the support of the international community and there is no
need to search for a new format. The Foreign Minister welcomed the
initiative of Russia to organize the meeting of the three Presidents,
underlining that Russia has always demonstrated a balanced position
on the issue.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey had a short
meeting in New York, during which they discussed Turkey’s proposal
of creating a Cooperation and Stability Platform in the Caucasus. The
meeting took place at the initiative of the Turkish Foreign Minister.

"Turkey’s mediation in the Karabakh settlement is out of the
question. Turkey can contribute to the process by normalizing the
relations with Armenia, opening the borders and, maybe, exerting
some influence on Azerbaijan by making the latter demonstrate a more
constructive stance in the talks. Turkey could do something useful
in this sense," Edward Nalbandian said.

We are negotiating the issues of establishment of diplomatic
relations with Turkey, opening of the border and normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations, in general. This means that the Karabakh
issue cannot be a precondition, either.

SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ELABORATION AND REALIZATION OF STATE DEMOGRAPHIC POLICY ESTABLISHED IN KARABAKH

De Facto
Oct 29, 2008

STEPANAKERT, 29.10.08. DE FACTO. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
government adopted a resolution on the establishment of permanently
acting Supreme Council on the elaboration and realization of state
demographic policy and interdepartmental working group.

According to DE FACTO own correspondent in Stepanakert, the Council
will also include the representatives of parliamentary political
forces headed by PM. The NKR Deputy Minister of Social Security has
been appointed as the head of interdepartmental group.

The working group has been commissioned to elaborate demographic
policy concept draft and present it to the Supreme Council.