Author: Emil Lazarian

ARMENIA’S FOREIGN POLICY GUIDELINES
Eurasian Home Analytical Resource, Russia
Nov 22 2006
Vagan Shrikhanian, Former Vice-Prime Minister of Armenia, Yerevan
The pivotal task for Armenia today is survival of its nation.
The uncontrollable criminalization of power is a major obstacle to
solving this task. The problem is rather caused by external factors.
Some countries and international agencies were involved in corrupt
practices with the Armenian authorities. When the national interests
are replaced by personal or group interests, the manipulation of
Armenia and the achievement of the goals defined become easier.
As regards the abovementioned task, it vanished long ago from the
Armenian internal agenda as well as from the list of issues examined
at the Russian-Armenian summits.
The October visit of Armenian President Robert Kocharian to Russia
lends support to this fact.
The Armenian party was searching to strengthen its power, while
the Russian party wanted to expand its influence over Armenia. The
Armenian society perceives those goals as incompatible. The support
lent to Robert Kocharian by Moscow decreases the number of advocates
of the pro-Russian orientation of Armenia and creates more favorable
conditions for the pro-Western forces that already dominate Armenia’s
mass media.
After the visit of Robert Kocharian to Russia comments have appeared in
Armenia that Russia appropriated the telephony, that the gas pipeline
from Iran to Armenia and Armenia’s railroad will also become Russia’s
property, and that after all, Armenia will become Russia’s ‘province’.
This undermines Russia’s reputation in the eyes of Armenians and shows
that when supporting the Armenian authorities Russia tries to get
(in exchange for its support) the country’s strategically important
infrastructure as the only reliable tool for keeping Armenia under
its influence.
As for the prospects of Armenia’s mediation in the settlement of
the Georgian-Russian conflict, against a background of the existing
Russian-Armenian relations it is necessary to specify what political
forces in Armenia, Georgia and Russia will participate in the conflict
resolution.
If we are talking about the forces in power, there will be no problems
here. At a certain “price” it will be possible to arrange any deal
on any matter; but these arrangements will only be valid until more
lucrative proposals come from the USA, European Union, Turkey etc.
Evidently, there are such proposals now. Armenia’s mediation in the
Georgian-Russian conflict is relevant and even necessary. But the
current Armenian government is likely to shirk this mission like it
once shirked the peacekeeping operation in Lebanon.
So, no wonder that in the case of Iraq, Kocharian took up the call
of the USA at once, and Armenia has been participating in Iraq’s
destructive “democratization” up to now.
If we are talking about national consensus on Armenia’s mediation in
the Georgian-Russian conflict, it hasn’t yet been reached.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SENIOR REPUBLICAN SEES NO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT UNTIL 2012
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Nov 22 2006
A senior Republican Party (HHK) member thinks no solution will be
found to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in the next several years.
Galust Sahakian, the leader of the party’s parliamentary faction,
told Armenian media on Wednesday that he sees no solution to the
Karabakh problem in the coming years, but added: “Some approaches
can be formed and certain results can be registered, but I see the
ultimate solution no sooner than in 2012.”
“At this point neither the international community nor any country
has expectations from us,” Sahakian explained.
After elections, according Sahakian, the newly elected president will
need time “to familiarize himself with the problem and get involved
in the negotiations.”
Sahakian sees a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem in 2012,
as at that time “a change of generation will take place and the next
generation will take the power.” And the new generation, according to
him, “will be less restrained” and will make “more resolute decisions.”
The same, according to the parliamentarian, concerns Azerbaijan.
Sahakian believes the new generation [of leaders] in Azerbaijan will
not be “that much interested in Karabakh”, which, he said, will be
favorable for the Armenian side.
“This is a natural way,” Sahakian said, adding that it does not mean,
however, that the current authorities thus want to shift the burden
on the generation to come.
As regards a possible return of lands during the settlement process,
the senior HHK representative said: “Our position is: first Karabakh’s
status and after that open negotiating processes.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CASTLEBAR GENEROSITY HELPS CHILDREN IN ARMENIA
By: Marian Harrison
Western People, Ireland
Nov 22 2006
A CONTAINER laden with 5,500 shoeboxes of goodies left Castlebar on
Friday evening last destined for children in Armenia.
Shoe boxes filled with toys, hats, gloves, colouring books, jewellery
and sweets will reach the children, many who would otherwise be without
a Christmas present, on January 6 after travelling by sea and land.
Ann Coleman and her elves have spent the past two weeks sorting
through boxes, wrapping presents and packing them away in the Old
Bargain Centre on Castlebar’s Main Street but all the hard work will
be worthwhile when the children open their presents, noted Ann.
This year is the fifth year of existence for the Shoe Box Appeal in
Castlebar and it wouldn’t survive without the help of local schools
and clubs, insisted Ann.
“I was visiting schools in October to tell them about the appeal and
a lot of students, teachers and clubs from the area got involved and
were a tremendous help and our location on the Main Street was great
for publicity with a lot of people calling in to find out what was
going on.” This year’s presents were even better than previous years
with hats, scarves, gloves and good quality toys being donated.
All the boxes collected in Castlebar wouldn’t fit in the container
and instead 2,000 boxes were sent to Westport where they will be
included in another batch to be sent abroad later in the month.
When the truck pulled out of Castlebar last week, Ann Coleman must
have felt a huge sense of pride but she’ll have to do it all over again
next year when she takes the job of Mayo co=ordinator for the appeal.
“I’m going on a distribution to Romania on December 8. It will boost
everyone for next year. I can bring back lots of pictures and hopefully
the appeal will be bigger and better.”
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NAGORNO-KARABAKH IS ONE OF POINTS OF PROGRESS OF TERRORISM – BSEC DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
MP Asef Hajiyev, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), stated that the conflict
existing in the Black Sea region has had a negative impact on the
establishment of co-operation between the countries and the development
of economy, Trend reports.
He noted that the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is not only a problem
for Azerbaijan. It is a threat for the whole region and even the
world. This territory is out of control, where terrorism, human
trafficking, and drug trafficking is in progress. Hajiyev added that
the world is fighting against terrorism and that Karabakh is such a
territory we must fight against..
The Azerbaijani MP is also sure that BSEC member states will offer
their opinion in this respect.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA WILL BENEFIT FROM STEPS TAKEN TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS WITH AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY – TURKISH DELEGATE AT BSEC
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
Mustafa Bash, the head of the Turkish delegation at the Black Sea
Economic Co-operation (BSEC), stated during talks with journalists
in Baku that the absence of Armenia in a BSEC meeting in Baku is an
internal issue, Trendreports.
He noted that the development of co-operation amongst the countries,
the resolution of problems, the achievement of progress in the
region and the participation of all countries in the region, would
be important, as well as the participation of Armenians at such
meetings would be advantageous once the problems have been resolved,
the Turkish MP stressed.
‘Turkey has voiced its position on the issue and in respect to
Azerbaijan and the European Union. The EU sets a condition for Turkey
on the rehabilitation of relationships with Armenia. However, we urge
that the territorial integrity of all countries should be ensured
and the territory of foreign countries should not be occupied, the
Turkish delegate stated.
Bash said that Armenia is one of 12 countries of the BSEC, but it does
not participate in the meeting because of failure to solve the existing
problems and as a result, is suffering from economic problems. Steps
taken by Armenia to resolve the conflicts with Azerbaijan and Turkey
will be to their benefit, he added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

33 MILLIONS DRAMS STATED TO BE DONATED IN NKR
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
The process of fund-raising targeted at the restoration of the NKR
Hadrut region is going on within the frames of a TV marathon to
be held in Los Angeles. According to the Republic Staff for the TV
Marathon’s organization, 33 millions drams have already been stated
to be donated by the Republic institutions, enterprises, communities
and separate citizens.
The traditional TV marathon is held under the aegis of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund, which will supply the populated localities of
Hadrut, Mets Tager, Azokh and Drakhtik with water-pipe, repair the
Regional Central Hospital, build schools and implement the programs
on the agricultures development, the NKR MFA Press Centre reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LEBANON IN SHOCK AFTER KILLING OF CHRISTIAN POLITICIAN
Ekklesia, UK
Nov 22 2006
The normally jammed-packed streets of Beirut during rush hour were
even more frantic as residents scrambled following the news that
Christian politician Pierre Gemayel had been gunned down and killed
in the streets of a Beirut suburb on Tuesday 21 November 2006 –
reports Ecumenical News International.
Horns blared, sirens screeched and a thick air of apprehension took
hold as people struggled with the news. For a while, mobile phones
were inoperable as hordes of people tried to dial out at once.
Other commentators confirm 34-year-old’s cabinet minister’s killing
was especially jarring for some in the diverse Christian community
here, with fears that the assassination may lead to more violence.
Beirut is one of the most religiously diverse cities in the Middle
East, with Muslims (Sunni and Shi’ite), Christians (Maronite Catholics,
Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholics,
Roman Catholics, Syriacs, Copts and Protestants) and Druze all having
a significant presence.
But tensions are now running high, criss-crossing ethnic, political
and religious demarcations.
The murder of Mr Gemayel comes as a deep political crisis grips the
country following the resignation of six Shi’ite Hezbollah cabinet
members.
Syria itself, which some have immediately accused of involvement,
came out quickly to denounce the assassination, describing it as a
“despicable crime”.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair joined many other world and civic
leaders in strongly deploring the murder of one of Lebanon’s leading
politicians. “We condemn this murder utterly. It is completely without
any justification at all,” he declared.
Matthias Gebauer of the German paper Der Speigel, writing from Beirut,
observed poignantly: “It doesn’t take long to become a martyr in
Lebanon. It is Wednesday morning, ten o’clock. Minister of Industry
Pierre Gemayel hasn’t been dead for 24 hours, but his larger-than-life
picture is already displayed at every street corner in Beirut and
its suburbs.”
“In the picture, the politician – just 34 when he died – is smiling.
It is a product of Lebanon’s ubiquitous cynicism that such an
appearance is usually only accorded to the dead. And Gemayel is only
the most recent Lebanese politician to be murdered in the last couple
of years.”
The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in
2005 also shook the whole country. The last Syrian troops withdrew
from Beirut in April 2006, but its influence is still powerful. Over
the summer the country was racked by Israeli attacks following a
dispute with Hezabollah and has had little time to recover before
the latest blow.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE YEAR ENDS IN AN OPTIMISTIC MOOD: OSCE MINSK GROUP MEDIATORS
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair, Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov,
stated in Yerevan on 22 November that the meeting of mediators and
the President and Foreign Minister of Armenia was effective, Trend
reports citing Mediamax News Agency.
During his interview with journalists at Zvartnots Airport prior to
his flight to Baku, Mezlyakov stated that Armenia gave its approval
to conduct a meeting with the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
in Minsk on 28 November 2006 within the framework of the CIS Summit.
Merzlyakov said the mediators are awaiting approval from the
Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev in Baku, although earlier the
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister made a statement confirming the same.
Merzlyakov said that the absence of the U.S. Ambassador, Matthew Bryza,
at the mission which is currently touring the conflict region was
linked with the agreement between the co-chairs on the distribution
of duties and he is going to meet with Arkadiy Gukasian [leader of
Karabakh Armenians], who is currently on a visit to the United States.
“In general the year is ending optimistically and if we succeed in
maintaining this attitude we will meet 2007 with a positive outlook.
Nevertheless, the elections have a deterrent impact on the negotiations
and we presume the achievements that we have had this year will
enable the pre-election period to pass easily, the Russian Ambassador
emphasized.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

READY TO TAKE OUR SHARE
Lragir, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
Kiro Manoyan, ARF, responsible for Hay Dat and political affairs,
stated November 22 at the Pastark Club that over the upcoming 5 or
10 years he does not expect that Turkey will recognize the Armenian
Genocide and at the same time he said he believes the day will come
when not only the Turkish state but at least the Turkish society will
speak about that period in their history more calmly and they will not
punish those who speak. Today “the Turkish state or the government is
to blame. They do not prepare the society, they prevent discussion
of the issue.” Kiro Manoyan did not exclude that over the past 5
or 10 years Turkey will say something formal which will satisfy the
international community.
Kiro Manoyan believes that the pressure of the international community
on Turkey regarding the Armenian Genocide has a positive influence,
however, the pro-Armenian resolutions adopted by one country or
another or any international organization are political values which
do not have legal force. “If Turkey states that these resolutions
do not influence it, these will not have a value as a political
document. However, Turkey becomes nervous after every resolution
recognizing the Armenian genocide. After the bill adopted by the
French Senate and the victory of the Democrats in the U.S.
Congress Turkey is again worried, and Foreign Minister Abdullah
Gyul has stated that the problem of the Armenian genocide is going
to be the prime foreign political issue of Turkey. Of course, Turkey
tries to oppose to pro-Armenian resolutions and refuses to buy French
goods. “But these boycotts end up in restoring economic ties because
these ties were not set up out of love for France but these companies
were lucrative for Turkey.”
Besides breaking economic relations for a short time now Turkey is
trying to raise the question of the Armenian Genocide in different
international organizations, Kiro Manoyan stated, adding that today
Turkey focuses on appealing to the international tribunal although
“the new tactics of Turkey is the same as the former.” And according
to Kiro Manoyan, they can appeal to the international court, which
can only clarify “how many people died during the genocide, how many
were taken to hospital, what the Turks did to the Armenians, and
what the Armenians did.” According to Kiro Manoyan, Armenia should
not argue with Turkey from this rostrum. It simply needs to have a
package of documents, most importantly, the agreement of Sevres and
appeal to international organizations in a corresponding political
atmosphere. Kiro Manoyan thinks that we can use all the means to
exercise pressure on Turkey, economic, military, etc. “But I do not
mean waging a war now. The possible establishment of the Kurdish
state in Iraq worries Turkey. There are rumors that the map of the
Near East will change. It is not necessary to undertake change. We
must be ready to take our share when change takes place.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IT’S NECESSARY TO FORM ARMENIAN-TURKISH INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION FOR SOLUTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE, KIRO MANOYAN FINDS
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 22 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. After the adoption of the law by
France defining punishment for denial of the Armenian Genocide, a
concerned situation was created in Ankara, and it is not accidental
that Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s statement that the
genocide issue will be the most important problem of the foreign policy
of Turkey during the coming ten years. Kiro Manoyan, the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Hay Dat (Armenian Cause) Office Director,
expressed such an opinion at the November 22 press conference. In his
words, the situation in Turkey became more hard after the democrats’
victory at the Congress elections of the United States of America
as the latters are known for their pro-Armenian posture, and newly
elected Speaker of the Congress, democrat Nancy Pelosi promised to
discuss the resolution on the Armenian Genocide at the plenary sitting
of the Congress.
In K.Manoyan’s words, in the created situation Turkey strives for
using a new strategy, that’s, to address to the international court
and move the issue on the historic field. “The Armenian side must
quickly oppose it and prove that it is necessary to discuss the issue
not at the Court of Arbitration, but at the International Court of
Justice,” K.Manoyan mentioned. In his words, as the two countries’
authorities must solve this issue, “it will be sensible” to create
an intergovernmental commission. Though the authorities of Turkey
state that the country society is not ready for the issue discussion,
they themselves keep the people far from that issue.
Responding the question “Why do the United States of America avoid
using the term “genocide?” K.Manoyan said that the U.S. avoids
that word as “it does not want to offend Turkey,” but not for it
calls the fact of genocide into question. “The only state which is
strictly against the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is England,”
K.Manoyan stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress