Author: Chmshkian Vicken

GALUST SAHAKIAN: "ACTIVE ACTIONS ARE EXPECTED IN POLITICAL FIELD IN AUTUMN"

Noyan Tapan
Aug 21 2006

YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, NOYAN TAPAN. "Political processes in Armenia
are still in changeable state: active actions will be in the
autumn." Galust Sahakian, the head of the "RPA" faction of the RA
National Assembly expressed such a prevision at the August 19 press
conference. In his words, as much parties are organized, as much
the electoral mass will activize. According to the speaker’s words,
the most important task of both ruling and opposing forces is to
guarantee transparence of the expected elections. Speaking about
electoral falsifications, G.Sahakian mentioned: "Those scenes that
we had during the previous years, either will not exist or will be
milder." According to his words, unification of the opposition will
also help accomplishment of just elections.

RPA faction head disproved rumours spread in press about strained
relations between him and Hovik Abrahamian, the RA Minister of
Territorial Administration. "Display of bad attitude towards a
politician is not proper for my political posture," G.Sahakian said.

ARMENIA LAUNCHES DEVELOPMENT OF STATE CONCEPTION OF INFORMAL EDUCATION

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 17, 2006

YEREVAN, August 17 /ARKA/. The Armenian Ministry of Culture and Youth
Affairs started implementation of the conception of informal education,
which is included in the program of strategic actions on the state
youth policy for 2006-2007.

The press service of the ministry reported that the work on the
document was included in the plan of actions of the government
for 2007.

With the aim to work out the conception, the ministry of culture
created a working expert group that consists of representatives of
both the public sector and NGOs.

Establishment of cooperation with all the interested structures: public
authorities, international and non-governmental organizations, is to
be carried out within the frameworks of working out the conception.

It is planned to conduct public discussions over the preliminary
version of the conception, which will be organized on
and

The working out of the conception was preceded by a conference,
participated by experts of Informal Education in Armenia and interested
persons on March 3-6. The conference addressed the issues of creating
an effective system of informal education and the current situation
in this sphere.

NAGORNO KARABAKH SITUATION TO BE RAISED AT NATO PA SESSION

Today, Azerbaijan
Aug. 17, 2006

British MP Brain Cock will deliver a report on the situation in the
South Caucasus, including in Nagorno Karabakh in the autumn session
of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly scheduled for November in Canada.

Azerbaijani parliament’s first vice-president, head of standing
commission for security and defense affairs Ziyafet Asgarov told
journalists, APA reports.

"We have offered our proposals regarding this issue. NATO Parliamentary
Assembly is to take a concrete position on this matter which has been
included into the Assembly’s agenda. It is much likely there will be
an acceptable decision," Mr.Asgarov said.

The vice-president also said NATO Parliamentary Assembly president
Pierre Lellush will visit Azerbaijan in September this year.

"Though Mr.Lellush has twice visited Azerbaijan, this will be his
first visit as the Assembly president. During the visit, we’ll inform
him about the ongoing process in Azerbaijan," he said.

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ARF CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF LEBANON ISSUES STATEMENT

Yerkir
17.08.2006 14:26

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Central Committee of Lebanon discussed at its August 16 meeting the
developments following the adoption of the United Nations Resolution
1701 and issued a relevant statement.

The participants of the meeting underscored the human and material
damage caused by the recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the spirit
of unity of the Lebanese in defending their lands, rights and dignity.

The party welcomed the heroism in resisting the adversary.

The CC of Lebanon also welcomed the UN Resolution 1701.

Regarding the presence of international forces to be deployed in the
region, the CC confirmed that inclusion of troops of any country should
be approved by all the Lebanese and political forces of the country.

The CC reiterated the Lebanese Armenian community’s opposition to
inclusion of Turkish troops in the forces to be deployed in southern
Lebanon, expressing hope that the Lebanese government too would resist
the idea of the presence of the Turkish army in Lebanon. Turkey,
during its black history, has been an enemy of many nations, including
the annexation of a part of Cyprus.

Turkey has had a bloody past with many massacres, and among them
the Armenian Genocide, still denied by the Turkish government. Not
mentioning the military agreement with Israel that constitutes a
threat to the peace process in the region.

Everybody knows that Lebanon did not stay away from the Ottoman
Empire’s tyranny facing Turkish violence; exploitation, starvation and
slaughter when Turkey opposed everyone who wished to live in freedom
and independence. Turkey applied to measures that have nothing to do
with humanity.

Turkey should revise its past before sending peacekeepers.

The approval of a UN resolution that envisages a presence of the
Turkish army in the international forces to be deployed in Lebanon
is a step that offences the collective memory of the Armenian people.

ARF Central Committee of Lebanon August 16, 2006 Beirut

LEBANON: ETCHEGARAY ENDS VISIT, ALL MUST WORK TOGETHER

Agenzia Giornalistica Italia, Italy
Aug. 16, 2006

(AGI) – Vatican City, Aug 16 – Today, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray,
Emeritus President of the Papal Council of Justice and Peace, finished
his visit as a special envoy of the Pope in Lebanon, where he spoke
with the religious and political authorities to bring the concrete
and spiritual solidarity of Benedict XVI to "that population" and to
"all those who suffer in the Middle East". The Holy See issued a press
release saying that the cardinal met the Lebanese President, the Prime
Minster and the Vice President of the Shia Higher Council on Monday
14, then paying homage to the Republic’s Grand Mufti, to the Metronite
Patriarch and visiting the Caritas main office in Lebanon. Yesterday,
for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Cardinal Etchegaray held
mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, which was
attended by Cardinal Pierre Nasrallah Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch of
the Maronites, and then visited a refugee centre at Haret Sakher and
met with the Catholicos of Armenians, Aram I. Before leaving Lebanon,
Etchegaray met the Maronite bishops in Bkerke’ and declared that the
truce made in recent days "must allow the deployment of all peace
forces". The special papal envoy also said, "And thanks must go to
the various levels of national and international organisations which
worked obstinately to create a path for collaboration: nothing can
be left out." The Cardinal said that the path is "long and steep",
but that it is also a spiritual path. "No effort will hold if it
is not supported by the peace of spirits and hearts. Therefore we
have prayed in the Sanctuary of Harissa and the Lebanese people
also understood, as many attended it despite their troubles." Only
"submission to God" can fight the evil "which holds men marked by
blind and suicidal violence". Cardinal Etchegaray also said that
after the talks with the local religious and political authorities,
"I can say that Christians and Muslims are ready to do everything
necessary to rebuild the injured country together." The Cardinal said
some words also for the refugees in southern Lebanon who try to find
their own lands and homes "often in tears". "I ask that all government
and non-government institutions not slow down but rather intensify
the aids which will be necessary for a long time yet," he said.

HISTORY IS NOT AZERI PRESIDENT’S FORTE
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily
16/08/2006

Political elite of neighboring Azerbaijan comes out with new kind of
statements. "Baku will never allow creation of the second Armenian
state on its territory," Azerbaijani Interfax quoted president Ilham
Aliyev as saying during his meeting with Azerbaijani ambassadors.

Aliyev junior is not punctilious in picking up right words when
speaking about inadmissibility of creating the second Armenian
state. There is already such a state that functions in its own historic
territory. On the other hand, one has an impression that the first
Armenian state is located somewhere in Azerbaijani lands.

"We know there are national minorities in many countries. But being
a minority does not mean to have the right to engage in secessionism
and claim lands.

They say that the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh have the right to
self-determination. There are Armenians in other countries too, and
they also can use this right," this was the "logic" of Ilham Aliyev
in instructing his state’s diplomats.

If the leader of a state with $1 billion budget does not see any
difference between the Armenian Diaspora and Artsakh, it can by no
means be surprising that the knowledge of Azerbaijani ambassadors
does not go beyond such observations.

PROFIT TAXES FROM COMPENSATION SUMS GIVEN TO FORMER RESIDENTS OF AREAS DEVELOPED IN YEREVAN TO BE PAID BACK

Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2006

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. It is likely that in November 2006 the
Armenian government will make a decision to pay back the 10% profit
taxes charged from the compensations given to the former residents
of the areas developed in Yerevan. It is envisaged to return these
sums within two-three months after the governmental decision. The
Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated this at the August 11 press
conference. He said that about a months ago, during a consultation
with the participation of all sides concerned, a decision was made
to pay back the 10% profit taxes from the compensation sums of the
residents of Yerevan’s Northern Avenue and Main Avenue. According to
him, at the moment of paying these compensations, the legislation was
imperfect from the viewpoint of their taxation, thus giving cause for
various indefinite comments. According to preliminary estimates, the
sum to be paid back totals about 1.3 bln drams (about 3.17 mln USD).

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 12, 2006

Baku hosts international forum of Azerbaijani students abroad

[ 12 Aug. 2006 12:48 ]

The 6th international forum of Azerbaijani students studying abroad
was held in the capital Baku today, APA reports.

The forum with the motto `What can Azerbaijani youths do for
liberation of our lands?’ has brought together about 80 students
studying in 18 foreign countries.
BP-Azerbaijan company vice-president Rashid Javanshir making an
opening speech wished success to the forum participants.
Head of the London Azerbaijan Society Taleh Heydarov informed about
the priorities and future plans of the Society. He said the objective
of Azerbaijani students in London is to introduce Azerbaijan not only
as an oil-rich country but a state with rich historical traditions
and culture. The Society head also said their goal is to make public
Garabagh truths in the world and enhance efforts to solve the
problem.
Member of the Association of Azerbaijani Students in France Hamlet
Akbarov said the Association is expanding its activity as there is a
powerful Armenian Diaspora in France. He said they will further make
efforts to make public Azerbaijani truths all over the world.
Head of Coordinating Council for Russian Azerbaijanis Javid Mammadov
stressed the importance of having a strong Diaspora in Russia as
there exists a strong Armenian Diaspora. He said the objective of the
Council is to unite the potential of Azerbaijani youths and encourage
national spirit to solve the Nagorno Garabagh problem.
The participants also delivered reports on priorities of Azerbaijani
youths’ public activities as well as the priorities of Azerbaijani
students union in foreign countries. They exchanged views on the
settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh problem.
Member of the organizing committee Parviz Akbarov said to the APA the
forum has brought together students and society members from the
United States, Turkey, China, Japan and different European countries.
The goal is to get information on organizing activities of
Azerbaijani youths as well as exchange experience.
Akbarov also said they are planning to establish information resource
to connect our youths. The forum has website /APA/

TURKISH EX-FM: NO TURKISH GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ANY STEP CONCERNING ARMENIA WITHOUT CONSULTING WITH AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 10, 2006

Abdullah Gul government’s foreign minister Yashar Yakish’s exclusive
interview to APA’s Turkey bureau.

Dossier: Yashar Yakish was born in Akchakoja district in Turkey. He
graduated from Ankara University, faculty of political sciences in
1962 and started working at the Foreign Ministry on the same year.

Mr.Yakish worked in Turkish embassies in Lagos, Rome and Aleppo as well
as in Turkish permanent representation to NATO in different years. He
was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 1988 and then ambassador
to Egypt and UN office in Vienna. Yakish was adviser on economic
affairs at the Foreign Ministry in 1992-1995 and retired on a pension
in 2001. He is one of the founders of the current ruling Justice and
Development Party. Yakish was elected parliament member from Duzja
in 2002, and was Foreign Minister in the 58th Abdullah Gul government.

Now he is the chair of Turkish Grand National Assembly standing
commission for European Union relations. Yakish was awarded King
Abdulaziz order by Sauddi Arabian government for his contributions
to development of Turkey-Saudi Arabia relations.

-How do you assess the current situation regarding the settlement of
the Nagorno Garabagh conflict?

– I must say we were dissatisfied with the view appearing after the
February meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents.

International community does not exert pressure on Armenia. If Armenia
felt the least pressure of the international community, it would
refrain from its position, I think. During the European Union meetings,
they claimed we were wrong regarding Turkey-Armenia relationships. We
heard the claims such as Turkey should take the initiative, "open the
border". In response to such claims, we stress that Armenia should pull
out its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and accept
fair peace in Nagorno Garabagh. In addition, Armenia has territorial
claims against Turkey-they call Eastern Anatolia "Western Armenia". We
cannot possible establish any relations with Armenia until it refrains
from these claims. No government in Turkey will take any step to have
relations with Armenia without consulting with Azerbaijan.

-US Congress subcommittee imposed veto on Eximbank to finance the
Kars-Akhalkhalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway line project. European Union
authorized representative Waldner also declared the EU will not finance
this project basing on Armenia’s remaining outside of this project.

-A railway line will connect three countries, and it is up to these
three countries to decide weather or not to involve Armenia in the
project. Turkey-Armenia border remaining closed is due to Armenia’s
policy. On the other hand, the Kars-Ghumru railway is a narrow line,
it cannot be used without being repaired. The reconstruction of
Akhalkhalak road will spend as much as the reconstruction of Ghumru
line. So, Armenia’s claims "there is already a railway" are not true.

Secondly, no other country but Armenia is responsible for this road
remaining closed.

-Turkey and Azerbaijan have already voiced their views regarding
financing of this project…

– As Azerbaijan’s oil revenues are increasing, both Baku and Ankara
can allocate $350 million to the construction of the railway line. I
think, Georgia’s participation in financing is not so necessary in
current situation. On the other hand, the United States and European
Union would not allow interest-free loan to us.

-Resigned US Army Colonel Peters has drawn a new map of the Middle
East. Though the map shows united Azerbaijan, the important city
Tabriz is shown as the territory of "Kurdustan".

-It is incredible. This map is absolutely wrong. I received an
American delegation. When I touched on map issue, I was told it is
author’s opinion. And I asked such a question, "I write an article
saying Armenia causes a lot of problems to the Caucasus region. So it
should be removed. Would the "Armed forces Journal" publish it?" they
said "No". So, I asked, "You told everyone can publish everything
it likes on the journal". Such things are disgusting. Division of
many countries into artificial borders is not acceptable. Several
years ago, when Iran proposed to give Mecca and Medina the status of
"Holy land", Saudi Arabia’s reaction was severe to this proposal. The
above-mentioned map shows Kurdustan’s border lying till the Black Sea
coast, including Artvin and Hopa. There is no single Kurd living in
these territories while the map shows these as Kurdustan’s territory.

Even, Tabriz-center of South Azerbaijan is given to Kurdustan in the
map. How many Kurds are there in Tabriz?

– The US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group has been substituted.

However, there are attempts to exert pressure on Azerbaijan. Do
you think the Minsk Group is established for the purpose of making
Azerbaijan make trade-offs?

-I think the Minsk Group aims to calm down emotions, distract the
attention of the world community from this problem and put forward
unacceptable proposals in the end. No more vital thing can I imagine
compared to the return of displaced Azerbaijanis to their occupied
homelands in Nagorno Garabagh. The attempts to part Nagorno Garabagh
from Azerbaijan are doomed to failure. The international law says
the same. Regrettably, when Armenians intend to occupy land from
Azerbaijan, international organizations ignore their decisions.

-As an experienced diplomat and former Foreign Minister, how can you
explain Armenia’s incompliance with the decisions of international
organizations?

– Armenia has a strong lobby in the West, in particular in US
and France. They are establishing relations with rich men in
other countries and influence them. Azerbaijan is also developing
economically. Though these problems cannot be solved today, everyone
can easily imagine the way of solution in future. Azerbaijan should
never say "yes I agree to such trade-offs". Because, time is going
for Azerbaijan, which is developing its economy.

-The European Parliament has many times called for Turkey to open the
border with Armenia and recognize the so-called "Armenian genocide".

Do you think in the process of EU membership discussions, Turkey
will have to take this step? There are no such items in Copenhagen
political principles…

-I began to consider this issue as a joke. The discussions on Turkey’s
EU membership consist of concrete paragraphs. For instance, while
discussing in what standard a cucumber should be in agriculture in
European Union, "Turkey cannot say it cannot discuss standard of
cucumber without recognizing the genocide." Because, these are quite
different issues. Copenhagen principles do not have any paragraph
that stresses the importance of our recognizing Armenia. We regard
these appeals as the European Union’s consoling itself with.

ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AMOUNT TO 11.9 PER CENT

ArmRadio.am
08.08.2006 11:37

In January-June 2006, compared with January-June 2005, the GDP growth
amounted to 11.9%, which is the second index among CIS countries,
included in the report of the CIS Statistical Committee (SC) in the
period under report.

High indexes of economic growth are again recorded in Azerbaijan –
36.3%, and comparatively low growth rates were in Kyrgyzstan and
Ukraine – 3.1% and 5%. On average, according to the SC, economic
growth amounted to 6.5% in CIS countries, Arka News Agency reported.

Belarus comes after Azerbaijan and Armenia, whose GDP growth
is 10.1%. The GDP in Tajikistan increased by 7.1% according to
the results of January-June 2006, and in Russia – by 6% (in basic
economic sectors).

The information regarding the rest CIS countries is provided for the
1st quarter of 2006. In particular, the GDP in Georgia increased by
8.4%, in Kazakhstan – by 7.7%, in Moldova – by 6.2%, in Uzbekistan –
3.6%. No information is provided on Turkmenistan. R.O.