Author: Emil Lazarian

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 2 2006

SETTLEMENT OF THE ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT –
MAJOR PROBLEM FOR AZERBAIJAN
GREAT BRITAIN SHOWS SERIOUS INTEREST IN SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION
[September 02, 2006, 13:52:41]
On September 1, Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Safar
Abiyev has met with the ambassador of the United Kingdom of the Great
Britain and Northern Ireland to the country Lawrence Bristow, press
service of the Ministry told.
Ambassador L. Bristow, speaking of the purpose of the meeting, has
noted: `After visit of the Duke of York, Prince Andrew to Azerbaijan,
interest of the Great Britain to Azerbaijan has increased. He has
noted that settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is the major problem for Azerbaijan. We hope that this
conflict will shortly find solution. The United Kingdom now takes big
interest in resolution to this question.
Colonel-general Safar Abiyev has noted: `Azerbaijan cooperates with
the Great Britain both in the frame of the NATO’s `Individual
Partnership Program” , and in a bilateral format. We know that the
Great Britain also is interested in settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan gives great
value to expansion of cooperation with the Great Britain.
Having ascertained, that Azerbaijan makes efforts for the peace
resolution of conflict, the Minister said: `Armenia takes of a
destructive position, therefore, elimination of the problem is
delayed. Armenia does not carry out requirements of 4 Resolutions of
Security Council of the United Nations in connection with the given
conflict, and the world community does not exert to Armenia any
pressure for the quick withdrawal of its armies from the occupied
territories. Azerbaijan will never reconcile that its lands were
under the Armenian occupation. `Using all political, economic means,
including the military way, we shall release our lands’, Abiyev
stressed.
Ambassador L. Bristow has noted: `We well understand, what factors
define the today’s policy of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has the right to
release its lands. At the same time, the Azerbaijan state should
carry out this policy in the balanced form. The given policy should
form harmonious economic, political development of Azerbaijan and, at
last, promote peaceful clearing of its lands. `My 3-years supervision
on Southern Caucasus allow come to such a conclusion, that the
Armenian society has undergone pressure of external forces’.
Safar Abiyev has emphasized: `We consider, that the present policy
pursued by the Armenian state will lead to its full breakdown. It is
impossible to forget history. It has been for thirteen years as the
Azerbaijani lands are under occupation of Armenia. But Armenia should
not forget, that present territory of the Armenian state is former
Azerbaijani land’.
The Ambassador, estimating military-political conditions on Southern
Caucasus, has noted: `Turkey is one of the leading states of NATO.
The economic base of Azerbaijan is strong and harmoniously develops
in all branches. In what position there will be Armenia in 10-15
years?’
Then, colonel-general Safar Abiyev and Mr. L. Bristow had
comprehensive exchange of views on present military-political
conditions on Southern Caucasus, historical roots of
Arm3enian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflicts. He has noted,
that delay of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict represents greater threat for large economic projects
carried out in Azerbaijan.
Therefore, the European states participating in the mentioned
projects, including the Great Britain, should demand from the
Armenian state – the aggressor to refuse the claims and as soon as
possible to withdraw armies from the Azerbaijani territories.
The guest, having emphasized, that Azerbaijan is on a correct way in
the question of settlement of the conflict, has expressed confidence
that its just cause would shortly win. `Today, there is no factor
interfering economic development of Azerbaijan. Injustice concerning
Azerbaijan should be as soon as possible eliminated’, he underlined.
Minister of Defense, having noted, that shares his views, has told:
`The European states should understand this, we together should put
for this effort.
The sides also focused developments of questions of the Azeri-British
military cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Israel buys German nuclear-capable submarines

AP
8/25/2006 10:00:00 AM GMT
Israel purchased two German-made Dolphin submarines, called U212s,
capable of carrying nuclear heads, the Associated Press reported.

The new submarines, built at a cost of $1.3 billion with Germany
paying one-third of the bill, have diesel-electric propulsion systems
that allow them to remain underwater for longer periods of time than
the three nuclear arms-capable submarines already in Israel’s fleet,
the Jerusalem Post reported.

According to Jane’s Defense Weekly, the U212s can carry a crew of 35,
have a range of 4,500 kilometers and can launch cruise missiles
carrying nuclear warheads.

The German defense ministry said the sale agreement between Israel and
the manufacturers, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG, was signed on July
6, and that the subs would be operational shortly.

Military experts believe that Israel’s purchase of nuclear-capable
submarines sends a clear message to Iran, which is facing growing
international pressure over its nuclear program.

David Menashri, an Israeli expert on Iran, claimed that Tehran is
clearly determined to obtain nuclear weapons and “the purchase of
additional Dolphin submarines by Israel is a small footnote in this
context.”

Iran, which unlike Israel is a signatory to the nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), insists that its nuclear program is
for the peaceful generation of electricity.

The latest submarines would allow Israel to carry out a first strike
at the time it chooses and also provide it with crucial second-strike
capabilities, said Paul Beaver, a London-based independent defense
analyst.

Israel already have the that capability in the form of the Jericho-1
and Jericho-2 nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, which are buried so
far underground they would survive a nuclear strike, he said.

The Dolphin submarine is also one of the best deterrents, Beaver said,
adding that the technology on the subs makes them undetectable and
gives them defensive capabilities in the event of an attack.

“They are very well-built, very well-prepared, lots of interesting
equipment, one of the best conventional submarines available,” Beaver
said. “We are talking about a third string of deterrence
capabilities.”

Israel maintains a policy of ambiguity concerning its nuclear program,
neither admitting nor denying that it does posses nuclear
weapons. However, it’s believed to have the world’s sixth-largest
stockpile of atomic arms, including hundreds of warheads.

Members of two opposition parties in Germany criticized the
submarines’ sale, which which was concluded amid Israel’s deadly
offensive in Lebanon, where more than 1,200 civilians died.

Winfried Nachtwei, national security spokesman for the Greens, said
that the sale was wrong because Germany didn’t obtain any guarantees
that the submarines would not be used to carry nuclear weapons.

“This red line should not be crossed,” Nachtwei told the newspaper
Taz.

“Otherwise it is a complete renunciation of Germany’s policy of
non-proliferation,’ he added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
September 1, 2006 Friday 06:48 AM EST
Russia govt approves accords on military base pullout from Georgia
by Natalia Slavina
MOSCOW, September 1
The Russian government has decided to submit Russian-Georgian accords
on the withdrawal of Russia’s military bases from Georgia to the
president for sending them to parliament’s lower house for the
ratification.
The government’s press service told ITAR-TASS on Friday that the
accords had been approved at a government meeting.
One of them sets the ‘time and procedure of the temporary presence
and withdrawal of Russian military bases and other military
facilities of Trans-Caucuses group of Russian troops from Georgia”.
It stipulates the stay of the bases until December 31, 2008, which is
the time limit of the accord.
Russia’s federal budget slates for the pullout process 836 million
roubles in 2006, 820 million in 2007 and 510 million roubles in 2008.
Other expenditures on the military bases and other facilities in
Georgia are to be covered by budget allocations to the Russian armed
forces.
Another accord, on the transit of military cargoes and personnel
through the territory of Georgia, is aimed at law regulation of
transit problems “for ensuring the functioning of the Russian
military base located on the territory of Armenia”.
The transit will be financed from budget allocations to the Russian
army.
The two documents were signed in Sochi on March 31.

PanARMENIAN.Net
NKR Receives Congratulations on 15th Anniversary
01.09.2006 14:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The NKR leadership received a number of
congratulatory addresses over the 15th anniversary of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic’s proclamation. `I wish the people of Artsakh
peaceful, secure and free future and send my warmest congratulations
on occasion of the 15th anniversary of Artsakh’s independence,’ says
the letter sent by first U.S. Ambassador to Armenia (1993-1995) Harry
J. Gilmore.
`South Ossetia closely watches the process of formation of Karabakh’s
state system and is glad to see the social, political, cultural and
spiritual development of the Artsakh people. We are convinced that
these achievements will multiply and Nagorno Karabakh will enjoy a
fair settlement of the problem on the basis of people’s will,’ says
the message by the South Ossetian Foreign Ministry.
`I sincerely congratulate the brave people of Artsakh, NKR President
and the Government on occasion of the 15th anniversary of independence
of Artsakh and wish all the best,’ said The California Courier editor
Harout Sasounian in his message.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
RA Defense Minister on Karabakh Issue: Living without
Belief and Hope Impossible
01.09.2006 14:44 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `It’s good when one has hope and it’s good when this
hope is reasonably limited,’ Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
told journalists September 1 in the military high school after Monte
Melkonyan when commenting on the process of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement. In his words, it’s impossible to live without
belief and hope, but one should not have big expectations either,
since they may not come true and it may turn tragic.
When touching upon the intention of the chairman of the Caucasus
Muslims Board, Sheik-ul-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade to proclaim
jihad against Armenia, the Minister remarked that `the Sheik has no
connection with the Azeri authorities.’ `Will it have an impact on the
process? Actually he did not say anything precise. He said only that
if the talks do not lead to a fair outcome he will proclaim jihad.
Thus, nothing has happened yet,’ Sargsyan said, reported IA Regnum.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PanARMENIAN.Net
Aliyev-Kocharian Meeting Possible till Yearend
01.09.2006 15:05 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The possibility of the Kocharian-Aliyev meeting on
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement till the end of 2006
is not ruled out,’ RA President’s Spokesman Victor Soghomonyan
said. `We should not exclude the possibility of the presidential
meeting till the end of the current year, but it’s premature to speak
of it now,’ he said.
Victor Soghomonyan reminded that the other day the sides achieved
agreement on the meeting of Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and Azeri FM Elmar Mammadyarov. In his words, during the forthcoming
meeting the parties will try to reach consent on the unsettled
issues. `The meeting will lay the foundation for the future
presidential talks,’ the President’s Spokesman underscored, reported
newsarmenia.ru.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am
14:59 01/09/06

DEFENSE MINISTER VISITS MILITARY SCHOOL
Defense Minister Serz Sargsyan joined parents and
faculty at Monte Melkonyan School on the Day of
Science and launch of the new academic year. The
freshmen have already learned to march. They respected
the soldiers who died for the sake of their motherland
with a minute of silence. `I am sure most of you will
become officers at the Armenia army,’ the minister
encouraged the students. After visiting the
classrooms, minister Sargsyan came to the conclusion
that the defense ministry must take up measures to
make this school one of the best educational centers
in the republic. `I admit that I have overlooked but I
promise that we will have an excellent school here in
1-2 years,’ Sargsyan told reporters. /Panorama.am/

FIRST CONDITION FOR CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IS PEACEFUL PROCESS, INVOLVING
GREAT NUMBER OF ASPECTS, DPA CHAIRMAN SAYS

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Today, on the background of
absolutely contrasting positions of Azerbaijan and Armenia, any
breaking of the status quo will bring to disbalance. Aram Sargsian,
the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA) stated about it
to the Noyan Tapan correspondent. In his opinion, if enmity between
Armenians and Azeris is kept, any solution with help of any compromise
variants will not bring today to peace, the conflict will just be
suppressed, but not finally. In Aram Sargsian’s word, the first
condition for the Karabakh conflict solution is a peaceful process
which must involve in itself a great number of aspects, involving
readiness of elites and societies, what does not factually exist at
present. He mentioned that elites and societies would be ready only in
the case when rulers will lead policy aimed to peace. At the same
time, in his estimation, policy of the heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan
is a brake on the way of the conflict settlement. “It’s a policy of
postponing, inactivity and compressing of the situation. Meetings
between the two presidents are not negotiations, but talks of two
people, having power, and no more. The negotiations will start only
when corresponding dimplomatic missions and working groups are formed
which will work on getting agreement on a definite block of issues,”
the DPA Chairman stated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: DUTY OF ALL ARMENIANS IS TO SUPPORT NKR’S
DEVELOPMENT, STRENGTHENING AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “The Artsakh
people has made its historical choice, to protect its national rights
in the war thrusted upon it and today is building a free and
democratic state,” RA President Robert Kocharian’s congratulatory
message on the occasion of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Day
reads. “The greatest memorial to the immortal heroes of Artsakh war is
free and independent Karabakh,” RA President emphasized. Mentioning
that the building of statehood taking place in Nagorno Karabakh is
aimed at all-round development of the country and at raising of the
people’s living standard, Robert Kocharian stressed that “the presence
of the strong and democratic statehood in Artsakh is a necessary
guarantee for peaceful and fair solution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict.” “The duty of the Republic of Armenia and all Armenians is
to support development and strengthening of Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
as well as its international recognition,” RA President’s message
spread by RA President’s Press Office read. Nagorno Karabakh Republic
was proclaimed on September 2, 1991.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

2% GROWTH IN GASOLINE PRICES AND 5.8% GROWTH IN DIESEL FUEL PRICES
REGISTERED IN ARMENIA IN AUGUST 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN. A 2% growth in the prices of gasoline was
registered in Armenia in August on July 2006. The prices of diesel fuel grew
by 5.8% over the indicated period. According to the RA National Statistical
Service, the growth in the prices of gasoline and diesel fule made 18.1% and
7.2% respectively in August 2006 on August 2005.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress