Author: Emil Lazarian

E-PRIME EXERCISES TO BE HELD IN GEORGIA WITHIN NATO PFP PROGRAM
PanARMENIAN.Net
13.09.2006 15:28 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Two-day exercises within the NATO Partnership for
Peace (PfP) Program, dedicated to e-PRIME Exchange and Management
System of Current Information opens in Simpatia hotel in Tbilisi
September 13. As reported by the Defense Ministry of Georgia, the
exercises are organized by the NATO and the Swiss party. The aim of
the exercises is to acquaint users with opportunities of the system.
Representatives of various ministries of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia
and Moldova take part in the exercises, reports Novosti-Gruzia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH AMBASSADOR TO LEBANON: IRFAN ACAR ON TURKISH PARTICIPATION IN LEBANON PEACEKEEPING
Monday Morning, Lebanon
Sept 11 2006
Session of the Turkish Parliament
Voting for participation
The Turkish parliament last week voted after fierce debate at an
extraordinary session to authorize the government to send troops to
the UN force in Lebanon. A government motion to contribute troops
to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was backed by 340 of
the 533 lawmakers present in the 550-seat house, while 192 voted
against and one abstained. Under the motion, Turkey will send a
naval force to patrol the Eastern Mediterranean, deploy troops, help
train the Lebanese Army and support allied countries in naval and air
transport. The motion foresees a one-year deployment, but it is not
yet clear how many troops will be sent, nor when and where. Foreign
Minister Abdallah Gul has said the number of soldiers is not likely to
exceed 1,000. Details of the deployment were expected to become clearer
after talks between Turkish leaders and visiting UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, who arrived in Ankara hours before the vote as part of
a regional tour to win support for the Lebanon mission.
The government argues that participation in UNIFIL is an historic
duty to contribute to regional stability, to help strengthen Ankara’s
influence in the Middle East and boost its bid to join the European
Union. “Stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is important for
Turkey. The conflict [in the region] may affect us tomorrow, if
not today”, Gul told the house. “Providing stability in the Eastern
Mediterranean is the duty not only of Italy and France, but also of
Turkey. We cannot remain indifferent. “Our decision is also compatible
with our argument that Turkey’s entry will turn the EU into a global
force”. The government says the mission has minimal risk since the
Turkish contingent will not be a combat force and will not be tasked
with disarming Hezballah.
The debate saw unsuccessful opposition attempts to block the motion
on procedural grounds and hostile exchanges between rival MPs.
Opposition MPs charged that the UN force would serve to protect only
Israel and advance American and Israeli interests in the Middle East.
Some warned the deployment would pitch Turkish soldiers against
fellow-Muslims.
Even though about 20 members of the ruling Justice and Development
Party were reported to be against the deployment, the motion was
easily adopted thanks to the party’s absolute parliamentary majority.
The government’s willingness to deploy troops has sparked strong public
opposition on grounds that Turkish soldiers could face hostile fire
or engage in fighting with Muslims.
In a bid to calm fears, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
earlier that Ankara would withdraw its troops from Lebanon if they
were asked to disarm Hezballah.
In Lebanon, meanwhile, members of the country’s Armenian community
have expressed opposition to the presence of the Turkish contingent.
Turkey’s Ambassador Irfan Acar stressed in an interview his country’s
humanitarian contribution to the people of Lebanon’s devastated
regions and its support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial
integrity of Lebanon.
What are the latest figures on Turkish humanitarian aid to Lebanon?
Turkey has been one of the biggest contributors of humanitarian aid
to Lebanon. Since the early days of hostilities, the Turkish state
and NGOs have been among the first to send humanitarian aid to the
Lebanese people. So far, more than 12 million dollars’ worth of aid
has been delivered to Lebanon, via two military and two civilians
ships, one military aircraft and over 100 trucks. This amounts to
more than 2,000 tons of food, medicine, clothing and blankets. Of
the 12 million dollars, one million is in state aid, four million
from the Red Crescent, and the rest from numerous NGOs.
Turkey has also provided medical aid to kidney patients, including
children. The Lebanese authorities, approached our relevant departments
with a request for hemodialysis equipment, as there had been an urgent
need for this treatment throughout Lebanon. We have delivered several
thousand units of hemodialysis material by two ships.
Would there be a possible contribution of Turkey to the reconstruction
efforts?
Turkey is prepared to help Lebanon in any way it can following the
recent events. As was the case with our humanitarian aid efforts,
Turkey is willing and ready to contribute to the reconstruction
efforts. Thus, we participated in the Stockholm conference and pledged
10 million dollars.
The extent of damage to the infrastructure of Lebanon, such as
residential units, roads, bridges and other facilities, is extensive.
Repair of these facilities will require billion of dollars, according
to the Lebanese authorities.
Already a number of Turkish NGOs following inquiries in Beirut and
South Lebanon, are working on certain projects aimed at repairing
facilities, establishing food distribution centers and other projects
in coordination with the relevant Lebanese institutions. Turkey will
continue to contribute to the reconstruction projects as much as it
can in cooperation with the Lebanese authorities.
The Lebanese government requested Turkey’s participation in UNIFIL.
What are the latest developments in this regard?
Turkey attaches great importance to the unity, territorial integrity
and independence of Lebanon. Preservation of peace and stability in
Lebanon and in our regions is of the utmost importance.
The Turkish government has taken a decision of principle to contribute
to UNIFIL. Subsequently, the Parliament approved the government’s
decision on September 5. Our relevant authorities are working on the
details of the Turkish contribution within the context of the decision
of Parliament.
UNIFIL is a force of multinational character. Many countries from
Europe, members of Organization of the Islamic Conference and others
throughout the world will take part in it.
Upon the request of the Lebanese government, Turkey, as a country of
the region, decided to take part in the force for the maintenance
of peace. It has always expressed its solidarity with Lebanon and
devoted all its efforts to contribute to the stability of Lebanon
and the well-being of its people, and it will continue to do so.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEAKER: BULLYING POWERS FRIGHTEN NATIONS BY PRESENTING AN UGLY IMAGE OF IRAN
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Sept 11 2006
Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said on Tuesday that the world
bullying powers constantly present an ugly and unreal image of Iran
and try to frighten other nations by raising unfair charges against
the Iranian nation.
A report released by Majlis Media Department said that the speaker
made the remark while speaking at the University of Armenia.
“The Iranian nation managed to rid itself of the hegemony of foreign
powers through a religious revolution launched by masses of people
without politically relying either on the West or on the East. Thus
through establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran a new and
independent path was selected,” he said.
“The propaganda against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program is the clear
sign of such animosity, which is associated with our nation’s will
to protect its cultural and political identity.
“Besides, Iran’s foreign policy based on friendly ties with other
countries and mutual respect in relations with world nations aiming
to further promote global peace, tranquility and welfare is another
cause for the enemies’ hostile approach,” he added.
He referred to the friendly ties between Iranians and Armenians and
compared such friendship to a tree with a deep historical root whose
trunk, branches and leaves are today manifested before our eyes in
solid grandeur.
“Several centuries before the advent of Islam, Armenians considered
Iran as a safe residence and religious difference of ideas have never
created any gap between Muslims and Armenians neither in pre-Islam
nor post-Islam eras.
“They have always lived a comfortable life in Iran and have protected
their rituals and churches. They have had friendly relationships and
close cooperation with their Iranian countrymen,” he added.
Turning to multifaceted bilateral relations, Haddad-Adel said that
Iran and Armenia cooperate in various political, cultural and economic
fields.
The speaker said that both sides are determined to expand mutual ties
by making optimum use of each other’s actual potentials and facilities.
He pointed to the life lived by Iranian and Armenian along with each
other in the course of history as the most superior and laudable
example of peaceful coexistence between followers of various religions
in the world.
Underlining that scientific and university interconnection is one
of the options of such relations, he stated, “Fortunately, given the
good potentials of Yerevan State University with a 90-year history,
both sides will benefit from exchange of university instructors,
students and scientific achievements.”
Putting the number of Iranian students at 2.5 million, he pointed to
Iran’s trend of growth in various scientific branches and declared
readiness for cooperation with Armenia in the sector.
“Iranology as well as Persian language and literature have long been
taught in Yerevan State University. Iranologists and professors of
Persian language attach great value to such an ancient tradition.
“Armenia is one of the most reputed hubs of Iranology in Caucasia
and Central Asia. After the disintegration of the ex-Soviet Union,
the trend continued more freely and even was strengthened,” he said.
The official said that the Armenians’ Interest in Persian language and
literature as well as their attraction to outstanding Iranian poets,
in particular Ferdowsi, is considered as one of the factors for the
spiritual bonds between the two sides.
“University instructors who are bound to promote science and knowledge
in their own countries, have a heavy burden on their shoulders,”
he said.
Haddad-Adel said that such a task is not restricted to advancement of
science and technology in the community rather keeping the nations
updated on the real developments of the world of today is more
significant.
“The facts which were once revealed, will not only result in the
vigilance of nations, but will make them realize the truth and revise
their false ideas formed under the impact of wrong propaganda of the
world tyrannical powers,” he concluded.
Haddad-Adel arrived in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, Monday on the
first leg of a two-nation visit to the region.
His official visit takes place in response to the invitation of his
Armenian counterpart.
The speaker is accompanied by a number of executive officials and
Majlis deputies.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BANGLADESH BLAMES ARMENIA`S AGGRESSION TOWARD AZERBAIJAN
Author: S. Aghayeva
TREND, Azerbaijan
Sept 11 2006
Bangladesh condemns Armenian aggression toward Azerbaijan, and
advocates against Azerbaijan`s historic territories occupation,
Bangladesh`s Tourism Minister Mirza Fakhrul Ýslam Alamgir told
journalists today, Trend reports.
According to him, Bangladesh has always backed Azerbaijan in this
issue, and supported Azerbaijan`s position in all international
organizations. The Bangladesh`s Minister pointed out that he will
fully support corresponding items concerning this issue including
the resulting document of the Baku Conference of the Organization
for Islamic Conference (OIC) member-states` Tourism Ministers to be
adopted today.
“We have not backed any aggressive and terror policy against any
Islamic state”, stated the Minister.
–Boundary_(ID_esJDuvbMIF4+g01svT30pg)- –
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION AND TELECOMMUNICATION INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO LAUNCH SOON IN YEREVAN
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 12 2006
YEREVAN, September 12. /ARKA/. An international conference focused on
information and telecommunication innovative technologies to launch
on September 20 in Yerevan.
Enterprises Incubator Foundation, the event organizer, told ARKA
News Agency on Tuesday that the conference to be held as part of
the Month of Information Technologies and Armenia-Diaspora economic
forum in Armenia aims to present the country as the regional leader
in developing information and telecommunication technologies and to
discuss the current situation in the world.
Armenian Economy Minster Tigran Davtyan, Prime Minister’s Adviser Ara
Hakobyan, Enterprises Incubator Foundation Director Bagrat Yengibaryan
as well as Sun Microsystems, Alcatel, Microsoft and Sourcio companies’
representatives are expected to speak at the conference.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GHOUKASYAN: ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Sept 11 2006
“First I would like to mention that it was our proposal, and only
after that Azerbaijan made a fuss. It is absolutely obvious that it
is an artificial fuss, as Azerbaijanis themselves are the “authors”
of both fires and propaganda”, stated Nagorno Karabakh Republic
President Arkady Ghoukasyan, while commenting on the resolution on
the fires on the territories controlled by the NKR adopted by the
U. N. General Assembly.
According to the NKR President, “the whole problem is that we have
repeatedly applied to the international instances to send an expert
group, as our concern is that the international community clearly
visualizes the situation in Karabakh, in part, in the border line”.
“We haven’t made official statements yet, but we are going to do it,
and we are ready to receive the OSCE mission. I am convinced the
mission’s conclusion will be impartial. As for Azerbaijan, it has
got one goal – to blacken everything referring to Karabakh”, Arkady
Ghoukasyan noted.
Answering the question concerning the NKR leadership’s attitude to
the fact that the Karabakh issue will be discussed in the U. N., the
President said it was a destructive approach. “It is absolutely clear
that the OSCE has been dealing with the issue all these years, so any
effort to discuss the issue at the other international organizations
may result in a fuss, which is unfavorable for the conflict parties and
the negotiation process. Armenia has precisely declared its position;
it is against the efforts to lead the discussions of the issues,
which are under the OSCE’s authority, to other instances. In my
opinion diplomacy is the best instrument, so the Armenian diplomacy
should be more active. Unfortunately, now the Azeri Diplomatic Corps
is constantly delivering assaults, and we have to constantly protect
ourselves. I believe it is time to launch a counter-offensive”,
A. Ghoukasyan stated.
According to the Nagorno Karabakh President, he does not think that
Baku pursues a goal to establish cooperation and create constructive
atmosphere for a dialogue. “Azerbaijan pursues other goals – to create
problems around Karabakh and make the international community condemn
what is going on in Karabakh. If Azerbaijan proffered cooperation,
we would gladly respond”, Arkady Ghoukasyan said.
“We think the more we communicate with Azerbaijanis, the more chances
we will have to settle the conflict. We have a lot of problems
connected with water, fires and other issues in the border line. I
am sure the inhabitants of Azerbaijan’s border regions are also
interested in the contacts, as the matter concerns problems, which
are urgent for them. However, the Azeri authorities that reject any
proposal on cooperation have always been against it”, NKR President
said, KarabakhOpen reports.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRANCE WELCOMES TURKISH CONTRIBUTION TO UNIFIL
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 11 2006
French Ambassador in Ankara Paul Poudade said on Monday that his
country welcomed Parliament’s approval of a motion to send Turkish
troops to Lebanon.
“Turkey did well in joining the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL)
in Lebanon,” he added.
Asked by reporters about the deployment of Turkish troops in Lebanon
and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s visit to Paris this week, Poudade
said that sending troops to Lebanon would be one of the main topics
of Gul’s trip.
Poudade added that Turkey has good relations with both Israel and
many Arab countries, and said that it would be the stabilizing force
in a troubled region.
Foreign Minister Gul will arrive in Paris today to participate in a
Mediterranean cultural workshop entitled “Dialogue Between Peoples
and Cultures,” to be held tomorrow.
Gul is also expected to meet his French counterpart Philippe
Douste-Blazy on the sidelines of the meeting.
The foreign minister’s visit to France comes after relations
were strained earlier this year by the French Parliament’s move to
criminalize questioning Armenian genocide claims, and several obstacles
from Paris impeding smooth progress for Turkey in its European Union
accession talks.
Gul is expected to remind Douste-Blazy of EU pledges to end the
international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and express the
Turkish government’s expectation about finding a solution to the Cyprus
problem. The French minister is expected to brief Gul on the status
of a proposed French base in Greek Cyprus. The two ministers are also
planning to discuss current Middle East issues, including Iran.
Gul will also deliver a speech at the French International Relations
Institute on Thursday and leave the country on Saturday.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY SEES NO OBSTACLE IN CO-OPERATION IN PREVENTION OF FIRES IN AZERBAIJAN’S OCCUPIED TERRITORY
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 12 2006
Tahir Tagizade, the Head of Press & Information at the Azerbaijan
Foreign Ministry told journalists on 11 September that the Azerbaijan
Foreign Ministry does not face any obstacles with regards to its
co-operation on preventing fires in the Armenian-occupied Azerbaijani
territory, Trend reports.
In response to whether the recent UN Resolution on State in the
Occupied Territory of Azerbaijan awaits the same fate as the
previous UN resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh, Tagizade said that
non-implementation of the resolutions and absence of mechanisms
is not only a problem of the UN, but also to other international
organizations. “Therefore, Azerbaijan supports the reformation of
the UN,” he emphasized.
The diplomat noted that a visit of the mission to investigate the
fact of fires in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan will become a
first step of what is a large-scale ecological operation.
“Azerbaijan, has taken all the necessary measures. The first meeting
of the inter-departmental working group was held last week,” he added.
With regards to reports on the sale of mass destruction arms by
China to Armenia, Tagizade stressed that the Azerbaijan Foreign
Ministry instructed its Ambassadors in Beijing and Moscow to study
and report back the situation. Only then will the Foreign Ministry
be in a position to comment.
With respect to visits of Azerbaijanis to Armenia, Tagizade said
that only upon completion of the first stage of the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would such visits be acceptable.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN EXPORTS DECLINE BY 2.2% AND IMPORTS GROW BY 20.5%
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 12 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-July 2006, Armenia’s
foreign trade made 725 bln 817.1 mln drams or 1 bln 654.6 mln USD, with
exports making 228 bln 725.3 mln drams (522.5 mln USD) and imports –
497 bln 91.8 mln drams (1 bln 131.1 mln USD). According to the RA
National Statistical Service, in January-July 2006, exports declined
by 2.2% on the same period of last year, while imports grew by 20.5%.
In the indicated period, Armenia’s foreign trade balance was negative
by 268 bln 366.6 mln drams (609.9 mln USD), that without cargos
received as humanitarian aid – by 254 bln 700.3 mln drams (578.1
mln USD).
In January-July 2006, Yerevan accounted for 47.1% of the country’s
exports, while the index of the same period of 2005 made 54.8%. In
the first seven months of this year, Yerevan accounted for 69.8%
of imports against 65.4% in the same months of last year.
Exports from Armenia to CIS countries made 522 mln 502.5 thousand
USD or by 6.3% more than in the same period of last year. Imports
from CIS countries amounted to 300 mln 249.2 thousand USD or by 45.2%
more. Exports to Russia made 54 mln 778.5 thousand USD (5.8% decline),
imports from Russia – 174 mln 394.5 thousand USD (27.4%); exports to
Georgia made 31 mln 114 thousand USD (15.2%), imports from Georgia –
38 mln 86 thousand USD.
In January-July 2006, exports from Armenia to EU countries made over
271 mln USD (6.4%), imports from EU countries – over 347 mln USD
(4.7%), including exports to Belgium – 70 mln 759.6 thousand USD
or by 8.8% less than in the same period of last year and imports
from Belgium – 90 mln 515.7 thousand USD (11.6% decline); exports
to Germany – 83 mln 689.8 thousand USD (5.8% decline), imports from
Germany – 49 mln 932.8 thousand USD (5.6% decline); exports to the
Netherlands – 72 mln 377.3 thousand USD (11.5% growth), imports –
12 mln 808.5 thousand USD (48.2% growth).
Exports from Armenia to other countries declined by 18.6% in the
period under review to 148 mln 159.1 thousand USD, whereas imports from
these countries grew by 20.8% to 484 mln 844.5 thousand USD, including
exports to Israel of 53 mln 142.7 thousand USD (27.6% decline), imports
from Israel – 56 mln 675.3 thousand USD (13.2% decline); exports to the
US – 29 mln 715.2 thousand USD (10.6% growth), imports from the US –
7 mln 418.7 thousand USD (25.2% growth); exports to Iran – 17 mln
166.5 thousand USD (11.9% decline), imports – 66 mln 578.4 thousand
USD (40.3% growth); exports to Turkey – 1 mln 149.2 thousand USD (0.2%
decline), imports from Turkey – 40 mln 766 thousand USD (43.5% growth).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NUMBER OF TOURISTS ARRIVING IN ARMENIA GROWS BY 11.6%
Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 12 2006
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. 122 thousand 528 tourists arrived
in Armenia in 2006 January-June against 109 thousand 750 tourists in
the same period of 2005. The growth made 11.6%. According to the data
of reports received by RA National Statistical Service from hotels,
26.8% out of 21 thousand 825 tourists (against 20 thousand 474 tourists
in January-June 2005), who visited RA and stayed at 35 hotels, fell
to CIS countries (32.8% in January-June 2005), out of which the
share of tourists who arrived from Russia made 19.8% (19.9%), from
EU countries 30.4% (27.6%), out of which from France 11.2% (8.4%),
from Germany 5.3% (5.8%), from Great Britain 5% (5.1%), from other EU
countries 9% (8.3%). The share of tourists who arrived from another
countries made 42.8% (in January-June 2005 39.7%), from U.S. 22.4%
(19.5%), from Iran 5.7% (7.7%).
119 thousand 451 people left the country in the first half-year of
2006 for the purpose of tourism, which exceeded the index of 2005
January-June by 13.3%. 3 thousand 297 tourists left the country on
trips organized by tourist companies in this period, which is more
by 88.5% than the index of January-June of 2005.
30 thousand 633 tourists (RA residents) were accomodated in dwellings
for collective and individual tourists’ stay in the territory of the
republic in 2006 January-June. As compared with the same period of the
previous year the growth made 14.1%. 49.9% of internal tourists (15
thousand 291 tourists against 9 thousand 534 in 2005 January-June)
moved in the republic for the purpose of rest and leisure, 4.6%
for treatment (1418 against 1455 tourists) and 33.8% on business
(10 thousand 358 against 13 thousand 156).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress