Author: Chaltikian Arsine

Panorama.am

16:55 23/08/2008

President Serzh Sargsyan’s Interview to Austrian `DER STANDARD’
Newspaper

President of Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan discusses current
problems of South Caucasus and particularly Russian role in the region
in his August 22 interview to Austrian newspaper `Der Standard’.

`Standard’: `Be friendly to Russia and don’t go too far with the
West,’ under this slogan was conducted Russian invasion to
Georgia. What is your opinion about this?

Sargsyan: Have a look at Armenian history, and it will be clear for
you, that Russia has alwas been our friend and partner. The
partnership cannot be obligatory. I don’t want to speak in the name of
other countries, but at least Armenia has always been frank in
relations with Russia. Moreover, our military cooperation with Russia
has never hampered Armenia’s dynamic collaboration with NATO, EU or
the US and Iran.

`Standard’: It’s not the first time Armenia suffers in the result of
Georgia-Russia disputes. What is the advice to your Georgian
counterpart?

Sargsyan: I’m not the one to give advice. But I must say that in our
small region which is too sensitive to world leaders’ interests, it is
better to maintain effective collaboration in general profits sphere,
then to raise tensions between them. This is certainly harmful for
South Caucasus first. Therefore, it’s no use making new artificial
ideological parties thus creating new obstacles in our way to stable
regional environment.

`Standard’: As known, an important Russian military-base is situated
in Armenia. Is the military presence and leadership of Russia in South
Caucasus preferable for Armenia?

Sargsyan: Armenia is in favor of effective military cooperation for
sake of security in the whole region. That is why Armenia is the
member Collective Security Treaty Organization. So, I think that
military-bases are more symbolizing effective collaboration and not
particular country’s leadership.

`Standard’: Are there any certain consequences for another `freezed
conflict’ of Nagorno Karabakh after South Ossetia dispute?

Sargsyan: The South Ossetia conflict has proved that any kind of
military interference to the right of nations to self-determination
brings about very serious geopolitical developments. Moreover, it is
clear now that South Caucasus has become a place of arms race, and
insensible extension of military budget. Every country should respect
all nations’ right to self-determination, otherwise military
interference will grow into ethnic cleansings and violation of
international humanitarian law.

`Standard’: Turkey has never responded to the proposal of `start of
diplomatic relations with Armenia without any preconditions.’ However,
you even invited Turkish president Abdulla Gul to be present the
coming Armenia-Turkey football match.

Sargsyan: I can confirm that Armenia was always in favor of
establishment of diplomatic ties with Turkey. It’s useless arguing and
being eternal foes. If we start relations, it will be profitable for
both of us. Moreover, my Turkish counterpart has said recently that
Turkey has no enemies in this region, and Erdoghan even said that
Turkey’s readying to talks with Armenia. So, in my opinion, president
Gul’s visit to our country will make real grounds for our future
negotiations. We can have hundreds of problems, but we can never solve
them unless we start talks as normal civilized countries do.

Source: Panorama.am

"IT’S NECESSARY TO GO OUT FROM PASSIVE SITUATION…
Svetlana Khachatryan

Azat Artsakh Daily
20 Aug 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

On August 16th NKR President Bako Sahakyan, accompanied by the Premier
A.Harutyunyan, ministers of social maintenance and urban planning,
the head of board of administration of Martakert and other officials,
visited Martakert region for getting acquainted with the works on the
spot, informing the people about the realization of the state programs,
making some corrections for their works conforming them to the people’s
anxieties and needs. The NKR President was in Nor Maragha, Vaghuhas:
the representatives of Khnkavan and Harutyunagomer communities assisted
at the meeting. The heads of the communities represented the situation
of their villages.On the whole, the problems of Artsakh villages are
the same: water, flat, road, communication, school, kinder-gardens
and so on. Today number one problem is flat problem everywhere.But as
Bako Sahakyan noted, the country hadn’t enough might to direct the
construction power from Stepanakert or district centres to villages
for doing the works.The President called the population to collaborate
with them. The state is ready to give the village financial means,
and in case of need technical equipment, if they create by their own
strength constructional companies and work in their communities. At
the sam e meeting the head of the community of Harutyunagomer began his
speech by approving the call of collaboration of the President, saying
that the boundary was simple, and he, as the head of the community,
was ready to get down to creation of constructional brigades in
the village.Then assertion of the President followed it. "Please,
tender! Go out from passive situation and display activity! If we
don’t support you, this time accuse us".

RUSSIA LOSES "STRATEGIC WAR" AGAINST GEORGIA

Yeni Musavat
Aug 17 2008
Azerbaijan

The West, especially the USA, is gradually boosting political and
moral support for Georgia. We especially stressed one moment when
the known tragic events first started in the neighbouring county that
although the democratic world’s mechanism of patronage of Georgia is
put into operation late, it will be comprehensive and permanent. The
process has started and it is gaining momentum. It is covering not
only the humanitarian field, but also political and diplomatic,
and military fields.

It is noteworthy that the democratic world showed a unanimous position
which is rarely the case. This has reasons. Observations show that the
latest developments have caused serious disappointment and concern in
the West and at the same time made a fairly sobering impact on it. The
point is not only about Russia’s deeds which do not meet international
norms. The point is also about threats created by political regimes
imitating democracy in the region (or not doing it at all), the
fact that they distanced themselves from the current force majeure
situations and the fact that they actually left Georgia alone. This
was clearly seen in the person of the Azerbaijani authorities. Imagine
that almost 10 days have passed since Russian aggression, but the
Baku government has not even paid tribute to the Georgian people,
whereas Moscow’s satellite Armenia did so.

Thus, "gaps" and "disorders" of democracy showed themselves vividly
in the region. Those in the capital of democracy have understood
that expectations regarding Russia’s civil image have been extremely
exaggerated and the policy of tender "critical dialogue" should be
consigned into the dustbin of history. That is, the levers matching
the Kremlin’s behaviour should be put into operation and it should
be talked to in its own language if need be. It seems this is the case.

Let’s start from the fact that Russia has already begun to reap
"bitter fruits" of its military aggression against the neighbouring
country in the geopolitical and diplomatic fields. Although Moscow
seems unperturbed and does not hurry to pull out its troops from
Georgia, the reality shows that our northern neighbour has lost the
strategic war against Georgia.

As far as the "fruits" are concerned, let’s note that the latest
developments will absolutely accelerate Ukraine’s and Georgia’s NATO
membership. The West is openly declaring this. At a news conference
after her meeting with Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev on 16 August,
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, standing just next to him,
that the two countries would soon become the alliance’s members. The
capitals of democracies have so far shown a cautious position in
order not to irritate the Kremlin.

No trace of that caution has already remained. On the contrary, the
leading Western states seem to regret about the delay [in the two
countries’ membership issue]. Georgia’s and Ukraine’s NATO membership
means that Russia will have to deal not with Georgia, but directly
with NATO in the South Caucasus. Although, Moscow behaves in the
neighbouring country as a winner and does not hurry to pull out its
unbridled troops from there, it is clear that this is its "Pyrrhic
victory". Because time does not work for the Kremlin. Russia cannot
stand against NATO. The US military budget is 10 times larger than
Russia’s overall budget. We do not even speak about the alliance’s
modern army building.

Another bitter "fruit" for Moscow is that the GUAM [Georgia, Ukraine,
Moldova and Azerbaijan] countries have started leaving the CIS. It
is known that Tbilisi has made its own decision. Ukraine will most
probably take the same step. Ukraine is not an ordinary country, but
an influential state. After that no democratic state will remain in
the CIS. The Azerbaijani leadership, which claims that it has taken a
pro-Western line, will have to think about this. Otherwise, it will
follow Russia’s policy and this will cause the West’s appropriate
reaction.

The third "fruit" is that the West will never recognize the
independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in any case. This is stated
unequivocally. The reason for this is presumably the fact that the
separatist bodies have become puppets (more precisely, into hostages)
in Russia’s hands and discredited themselves.

The fourth bitter "fruit" for Russia is the acceleration of talks on
the missile defence shields in Poland and the Czech Republic.

The Jakarta Post, Indonedia
Aug 13 2008

Indonesia significant in Azerbaijan foreign policy – minister

[Interview by Veeramalla Anjaiah: "Indonesia ‘significant’ in
Azerbaijan foreign policy: Minister"]

Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Foundation recently invited The Jakarta
Post’s Veeramalla Anjaiah to Baku to attend an International Forum on
the Role of Women in Cross-Cultural Dialogue. Azerbaijan Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov agreed to a written interview with the
Post. The following are excerpts.

[Veeramalla Anjaiah]: How does Indonesia figure in your country’s
foreign policy? The present bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and
Indonesia are at a nominal level. What measures do you think are
needed to upgrade these ties?

[Elmar Mammadyarov]: Indonesia, as the largest Muslim nation, a
leading ASEAN member and a responsible player in global and regional
affairs, occupies a significant place in Azerbaijan’s foreign
policy. In 2006, we opened our embassy in Jakarta.

Indonesia’s stance on Armenian military aggression against Azerbaijan,
based on support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, is highly
valued. Indonesia’s efforts under the OIC (Organization of Islamic
Conferences) and other international organizations are also
appreciated. Politically, we have witnessed a very high level of
understanding and support.

But our economic relations do not match this level of political
cooperation, despite [there being] huge economic potential in both
countries. Indonesia is a huge country with a diversified economy and
a developed economic sector, while Azerbaijan has been the world’s
fastest growing economy for the last four years.

We should put more effort into balancing and further developing the
content of our bilateral economic relations.

[VA] Many people in Indonesia do not know much about your country. How
do you raise your country’s profile in Indonesia and Southeast Asia?

[EM] The first step towards improving the situation was opening the
embassy in Jakarta. Through our diplomatic mission we have been able
to spread the word about our country. We have also tried to develop
people-to-people relations. By organizing conferences and inviting our
Indonesian friends, we allow people to see what Azerbaijan really
stands for. And we have a lot to show: great architecture; a tolerant,
rich and all-inclusive culture; a booming economy, and much more.

[VA] What are your country’s plans to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

[EM] Azerbaijan’s position on the settlement of the conflict has
remained unchanged from the first day of talks.

We see no other option but the withdrawal of the armed forces of
Armenia from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and the
restoration of the sovereign rights of Azerbaijan in those
territories.

The legal and political grounds for the settlement of the conflict are
based on the norms and principles of international law as reflected in
the UN Charter, Helsinki Final Act, the United Nations (UN) Security
Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 (adopted in 1993) as well as
the appropriate documents and decisions of the OSCE (Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the European Council.

These documents affirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
the internationally recognised borders of Azerbaijan.

[VA] Do you expect any assistance from Indonesia on this issue?

[EM] We highly appreciate Indonesia’s position in support of
Azerbaijan’s just cause and are confident in the continuation of this
position. At the same time, promotion of the whole notion, based on
primacy of the principle of territorial integrity should be amongst
the priority issues in our international efforts.

Reuters South Africa, South Africa

Georgian bridge attack echoes beyond borders
Sat 16 Aug 2008, 19:53 GMT

By Margarita Antidze

KASPI, Georgia (Reuters) – The attack on Georgia’s East-West railway
lifeline was over in minutes, a small group of men in battle fatigues
laying explosives on a key bridge before fleeing into the hills to
detonate them.

Residents of the town of Kaspi, in their accounts of the action, said
the fighters were Russians, a charge the Russian General Staff
dismissed as Georgian propaganda.

Whoever was responsible for the action against such an important
economic target after nine days of conflict, its consequences will be
felt beyond Georgian borders in the volatile Caucasus region.

Georgia’s European Integration Minister, Georgy Baramidze, said the
bombing of the bridge was "an economic disaster".

"This is huge damage, not just for Georgia, but for Armenia and
Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries, which are shipping goods and
oil by Georgian railway."

"The Russians, these barbarians, want to destroy our country
economically," he told reporters in emotional language characteristic
of the conflict around the Russian-backed separatist regions of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The railways in Georgia are a potent symbol of Russia’s imperial
expansion and the consolidation of its power there in the 19th
century. They enabled Russia to strengthen its hold on the region
which it maintained until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Irregular pro-Russian militia groups based in South Ossetia have been
active on Georgian territory throughout the conflict. Foreign and
Georgian civilians have accused them of hijacking cars and
looting. Russia has said it will bring them to heel.

CEASEFIRE

A 50-metre span across the river at Kaspi had collapsed completely,
pitching slabs of rubble into the water and around its banks. Severed
lengths of rail pointing up at the sky, power cables hung from their
pylons.

"There was a jeep and two Ural trucks," one resident told Georgian
television, referring to the Russian-made heavy vehicles. "They took a
huge sack and put it on the bridge, then walked up the hill and there
was an explosion."

He said the blast damaged the roof of his house and smashed windows
far around.

Within hours Georgian trucks arrived by road and a maintenance train
by rail. Workers immediately began repairs.

The incident occurred hours before Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
signed a French-mediated ceasefire agreement already accepted by
Georgia.

The railway line runs from Tbilisi, through the now Russian-occupied
town of Gori, before splitting in three and running to the Black Sea
ports of Poti and Batumi and southwest down to just short of the
Turkish border.

On Friday, a Russian military convoy advanced to the Kaspi region from
Gori near breakaway South Ossetia, the deepest incursion into Georgia
proper in the confrontation.

Russia drove Georgian forces from South Ossetia last week, in a
massive counter-offensive after Tbilisi tried to retake the region
from pro-Moscow separatists.

(Writing by Ralph Boulton; editing by Robin Pomeroy)

© Reuters 2008. All Rights Reserved.

DIOCESE OF ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND CELEBRATE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF FORMATION

Noyan Tapan

Au g 14, 2008

SYDNEY, AUGUST 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. On August 2 in Sydney
"1968: A Year of Significance" celebration was held devoted to the
40th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of Australia and New Zealand and the ordaining of the future Primate.

After the formation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia
and New Zealand on January 15, 1968, the future Primate of the
Diocese was ordained a celibate priest in Jerusalem on 28 July of
the same year.

Among the list of distinguished guests were clergy, local government
and community representatives. The occasion also welcomed guests from
the Armenian Church of Kolkata, India, Father Oshagan Gulgulian and
Wardens Mrs Susan Reuben and Mrs Sunil Sobti with their spouses.

DOES NATIONALISM PLAY ROLE IN GEORGIA CONFLICT?
By Peter Fedynsky

Voice of America
14 August 2008
Moscow

The conflict in Georgia involves competing territorial,
economic, political and cultural claims of Georgians, Ossetians and
Russians. Underpinning those claims is ethnic identity, which is shaped
by language, history, culture and kinship. Taken to extremes, ethnicity
can turn into nationalism, which elevates the ethnic awareness and
interests of one group above all others. VOA Moscow Correspondent
Peter Fedynsky examines the role nationalism has played in the recent
violence in the Caucasus.

Russian soldier, left, talks to Georgian police officers on the
outskirts of Gori, northwest of Tbilisi, Georgia, 14 Aug 2008 Complex
migrations and demographic changes, through many centuries, put
Ossetians and Georgians on a collision course that has resulted in
varying degrees of friction between them, most recently the current
conflict in the Caucasus.

Language can be powerful motivating force

Ossetians and Georgians speak different languages. They do not even
have the same name for the territory that both seek to control. What
Ossetians refer to as South Ossetia, Georgian authorities prefer to
call the Tskhinvali region.

Alexander Rondelli, president of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic
and International Studies in Tbilisi, notes that language is a
powerful and often dangerous motivating force in many societies,
around the world.

"It’s a very strong feeling; very strong feeling, because it
mobilizes people. It’s vernacular mobilization, I would say," said
Rondelli. "It’s something which keeps people together. And, it’s
something for which people are really ready to be killed."

Accusations of ethnic cleansing

And, in Georgia they are being killed. Although casualty figures are
difficult to confirm, both sides are accusing each other of ethnic
cleansing. Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental
organization, reports Ossetians have attacked Georgian villages. Russia
accuses Georgia of outright genocide against Ossetians, a small
ethnic group that straddles the border of northern Georgia and
southern Russia.

Hasan Dzutsev, professor of sociology at the North Ossetian Institute
of Humanitarian and Social Research in Vladikavkaz told VOA all
Ossetians seek reunification.

Quest for reunification

>From left, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Abkhazia’s President
Sergei Bagapsh, and leader of South Ossetia’s rebel government,
Eduard Kokoity in Moscow, 14 Aug 2008 Dzutsev says reunification is
an age-old dream, noting that until 1922, Ossetians lived together on
one territory, but in Stalin’s time, they were artificially divided
when Southern Ossetia was transferred to Georgia and the North was
given to Russia.

Alexander Rondelli says Northern and Southern Ossetia were two of
many autonomies created across borders of former Soviet Republics,
with the intention of fomenting ethnic tensions in a classic divide
and conquer tactic. Today, Russian troops claim a peacekeeping role
in South Ossetia. Georgians call them invaders and fear the Kremlin
is seeking to destroy their fragile democracy.

Russian interest in Ossetia

In Moscow, independent Russian political analyst Alexander Konovalov
says huge industrial projects during the communist era changed the
ethnic composition of Soviet republics, as large numbers of Russian
speakers were sent to construct, for example, a nuclear power plant
in Lithuania or a cotton mill in Central Asia. Konovalov says this
created an ethnic time bomb, which exploded after the collapse of the
Soviet Union, as various peoples of the USSR sought to reclaim their
languages and ethnic identities. Konovalov notes that many Russians,
himself included, do not feel a need to affirm their ethnic identity.

The analyst says there were many Russians in the Soviet Union and that,
as a rule, large ethnic groups tend to ignore the identity of other
peoples and do not overly concern themselves about their own. He says
there is no need for affirmation, because it is clear that Russians
are Russians.

Russian tanks on the outskirts of Gori, northwest of capital Tbilisi,
Georgia, 14 Aug 2008 However, smaller ethnicities are sensitive to
the possibility of subjugation and even extinction. There are about
500,000 Ossetians; roughly 70,000 of them in Georgia. Hasan Dzutsev
says South Ossetians fear complete annihilation by Georgians –
a charge Tbilisi says is without basis.

What is driving conflict?

Alexander Konovalov says the conflict in Georgia involves two
fundamental but competing principles of international relations,
which he says poses a threat to global security.

Konovalov says the first principle is the inviolability of
international borders established by the United Nations and the Final
Act of the 1975 Helsinki Agreement. He says there is also the principle
of self-determination of peoples enunciated by U.S. President Woodrow
Wilson’s "14 Points" in 1918. Konovalov says, without exception,
one side or the other of every ethnic conflict cites one or the
other principle.

The analyst says international law has not established which of these
principles should take precedence. Thus, the need one ethnic group
has for independent territory to allow its language and culture to
bear political and economic fruit collides with another group which
needs that same territory to protect its vital interests.

Each analyst interviewed for this report cited examples of multi-ethnic
societies that work, such as Switzerland and Canada. The Caucasus
is a place where ethnic animosities have exploded in bloodshed. In
recent times, Chechens fought Russians, Ingushetians struggled against
Ossetians, Armenians battled Azeris and the Abkhazians competed with
Georgians. The war that has erupted between Ossetians and Georgians
is an ethnic struggle that has global implications for oil, democracy
and political influence in the post-Soviet world.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE: "AZERBAIJAN IS AN EXAMPLE OF TOLERANCE IN THE WORLD"

Azeri Press Agency
14 Aug 2008 12:53
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova – APA. Executive Director of American Jewish
Committee David Allen Harris has arrived in Azerbaijan. APA reports
that he has visited Heydar Aliyev’s grave in Honor Alley today.

Harris told journalists in the Honor Alley that Azerbaijan was
an example of tolerance in the world. Head of the committee said
Azerbaijan had good relations with the Jewish community and the Jews
felt at home in Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan’s tolerance is a splendid symbol for the world," he said.

David Allen Harris said Jewish and Azerbaijani communities also had
wonderful relations in the US and noted that the relations would
further strengthen.

"Azerbaijan is an important country for the US," said Harris and added
that he would have meetings with Azerbaijani officials within two days.

"There are a lot of issues to be discussed during the meetings. There
is instability in the region, particularly in Georgia. The issue
on Iran, Azerbaijan-US, Azerbaijan-Israel relations will also be
discussed," he said.

Noting that Nagorno Karabakh conflict was the most painful problem
for Azerbaijan David Allen Harris expressed his hope that he would get
thorough information about the problem at the meeting with Azerbaijani
officials. Taking a stance on the recent developments in Georgia
Harris underlined that the situation was very complicated.

"We hope that Russian troops will leave Georgia, peace will be
established in the region," he said.

MORE THAN 2000 FOREIGNERS ARE TRANSFERRED TO ARMENIA

Panorama.am
20:45 11/08/2008

Today, by 10:00 in the morning, 7500 citizens of Republic of Armenia
returned from Georgia.

According to the information and press department of MFA, with support
of Government of RA, 2000 foreign citizens-diplomats of Georgian
accreditation, representatives of international organizations, were
also transferred to Armenia with their families.

In fact today, by 11:00, no Armenian citizen has been injured during
the events which took place in Georgia.

Note that, hot lines functioning in MFA, still provide necessary
information about our citizens in Georgia. Meanwhile, corresponding
departments of MFA continue their work concerning the safe return of
our citizens from Georgia.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE IN SOUTH OSSETIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.08.2008 19:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The U.S. Department of State’s acting deputy
spokesman, Gonzalo R. Gallegos, said Washington is "urging Moscow to
press South Ossetia’s de facto leaders to stop firing."

"We’re urging Tbilisi to maintain restraint. We’re very concerned
about the situation. We call for an immediate end to the violence and
for direct talks between the parties," he said at a press briefing
in Washington.

Earlier today, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili requested
U.S. support in war with Russia.

On the night of August 8, Georgia troops attacked Tskhinvali,
seizing several districts of the South Ossetian capital and then 11
surrounding villages.

Commander of combined peacekeeping forces, major general Marat
Kulakhmetov said that South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, has been
nearly destroyed.

"Gunfire has been suspended. Tskhinvali is enveloped in fires,"
Interfax’s correspondent reported from the site.

Meanwhile, according to some sources, Russian armored vehicles entered
the city.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said 150 Russian tanks and
armored personnel carriers entered South Ossetia.