Author: Emil Lazarian

THE WRATH OF NEOCON-JEWISH ALLIANCE
Ali H. Aslan

Zaman Online, Turkey
April 12 2006

We have tried to narrate many times in a proper manner how much
displeasure there was in Washington due to Hamas’ Ankara visit. But
unfortunately we were unable to make our voices heard in Ankara,
especially by our friends with Justice and Development Party (JDP),
just was the case during the Iraq war process. Maybe, those who misread
Ambassador Ross Wilson’s diplomatic politeness, or interpreted it
the way they liked, thought we were exaggerating.

At last, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent Cuneyd Zapsu,
one of his close advisers, and JDP Vice Chairman and Sakarya Deputy
Saban Disli to Washington last week. The aim was to check the pulse
and make some damage control. Alas, it was too late and there was
too little that could have been done…

I was not surprised by JDP representatives’ finding themselves in the
middle of a machine gun fire at the American Enterprise Institute
(AEI) meeting. Zapsu and Disli responded with fire when parallels
were insistently drawn between Hamas and the PKK or DTP. Hence,
they ended up fanning the fire they intended to extinguish…

Some may ask, “Well, to what extent would a meeting at the AEI,
a neo-con castle, represent the pulse in Washington? Plus, hasn’t
the power of neo-cons declined yet?”

Though the “visible” power of the neo-cons has relatively diminished
following the Iraq disaster, their influence within the system,
especially their ideological dominance still very much persists. Not
to mention their close association with the powerful Jewish lobby.

Otherwise, today the US wouldn’t have been heading towards operations
to topple the regime in Iran, another ambition of the neocons and
Israel…

It is this neocon-Jewish alliance which has to a large extent
shaped the US policy on Turkey for many years, with its strong arms
in Congress, bureaucracy, trade and think tanks. Many key figures
associated with this group were present at the AEI meeting. For that
reason, one should consider the meeting important. The neocon-Jewish
alliance has been the leading group who kept the positive interest in
Ataturk’s Turkey alive in Washington so far, due to their US-Israel
focused regional plans and because they are concerned about secularism
in Islamic nations. Some, like Richard Perle, were even making money by
conducting professional lobbying for Turkey. However, things turned the
other way around with the (March 1, 2003) parliamentary motion crisis.

Our neo-con and Jewish friends think they have paid a heavy price
because they preferred going with democracy, that is JDP, before
the Iraq War, at the expense of hurting many from the civilian and
military elite, their traditional favorites in Turkey. Furthermore,
the JDP administration has repeatedly done a lot of things annoying
Americans. Because of the erosion of confidence in Washington,
anything JDP was now arousing suspicion and perturbing people. They
were further infuriated by the latest Hamas move. The fact that
Turkish bureaucratic elite was also by-passed gave the neocon-Jewish
alliance an opportunity to hit free-kicks at the JDP. As a result
of pressures coming from Washington, even Ambassador Wilson, who
has tended to moderate the issue, used the word “disappointment’
last week in regard to the Hamas visit.

As for the Pentagon, the chief expert on Turkish affairs there is
Ambassador Eric Edelman, who has a blood feud with JDP and known
to have close ties with the neocon-Jewish community. Let me draw
your attention to the fact that ties between Turkish and American
militaries, which were considered irreparable, began heading towards
their traditional positive course after Edelman became No. 3 at the
Pentagon. Obviously, the Pentagon, which had a bitter experience
during the Iraq process, is determined to tie its horse to a strong
fence on Iran process…

Don’t even ask me about the Congress. If someone like Tom Lantos,
an influential figure in the Jewish lobby, who has so far battled
against the Armenian allegations heroically, has turned his back
to Ankara, especially against the Erdogan government, imagine the
situation with the rest. No wonder Lantos adviser Alan Makovsky was
one of those who pressed most on Zapsu and Disli about the Hamas
visit at the AEI meeting.

The US State Department is upset, too. But they don’t think high
tension is helpful. However, it is extremely difficult to calm
down the neocon-Jewish lobby. Some have even joined into a feeding
and disinformation chain extended to Washington by certain anti-JDP
circles. Looks like JDP’s weaknesses in pulse-reading, communication
and crisis management will not get any better soon. Yet unless there
is a major democratic accident, both the JDP and the neocon-Jewish
lobby will maintain their position in Turkish-American relations for
a long time. Therefore, it would be useful for both to learn how to
cohabitate as soon as possible…

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENT ALIYEV TO DISCUSS KARABAKH PROBLEM DURING HIS VISIT TO US

Today, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

“Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the United States
scheduled for 28 April has long been planned. During the visit,
bilateral issues between the two countries will be discussed,”
Ali Hasanov, head of Presidential Administration socio-political
department told journalists.

“Measures are being implemented in the field of uniting our efforts to
solve global world, energy and other issues as well as establishing
peace in a number of hot spots of the world in cooperation with the
United States,” Hasanov said.

“We are jointly cooperating in energy and transport projects in the
Caspian Sea basin. The US also supports Azerbaijan’s integration
into world unions. There exists a close cooperation between several
NGOs, democratic institutions of the US and Azerbaijan with regard
to democratization and protection of humans rights,” he added.

During the visit, the discussions will focus on Azerbaijan-US both
bilateral and international relations as well as regional relations
in the South Caucasus and Eurasia.

Hasanov also said the United States as co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group
will focus attention on preserve of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

“The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents at Rambouillet,
and talks between the Minsk Group co-chairs and the Presidents before
that have represented certain positive nuances. We strongly want
that the problem be solved this year. We want main principles to be
put forward and pressures be exerted on the sides to agree to these
principles. Truth is known, Armenia has occupied the territories of
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has the right to liberate its territories.

Actions will be taken about that. We not only expect the United States
and Minsk Group co-chairing countries but also have confidence in them
to exert pressure on Armenia. Who is responsible for implementation of
the UN Resolution? If Russia, France, US ignore it the OSCE Minsk Group
is needless institution then. It is natural that the United States does
not want that the war break out in the South Caucasus, we do no want it
either. We do not want our oil revenues to be spent on war. However,
for the sake of liberation of our territories we’ll mobilize not
only oil revenues but also families incomes. It is important to put
pressure on Armenia to prevent war,” Hasanov emphasized.

According to APA, the head of the department does not think that the
Azerbaijan-US talks will also focus on Iran issue. He said Iran and
US will decide their relations themselves.

“This issue concerns these two countries. We have relations with the
US as well as with Iran. Our citizens have close contact with Iran,”
he concluded.

URL:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GARABAGH ACCORD POSSIBLE DESPITE STALLING TALKS – MEDIATOR

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

Baku, April 11, AssA-Irada
The latest round of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks to settle the Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict failed, but chances remain to strike a
deal, an international mediator has said.

The parties failed to agree upon the issues of principle during the
negotiations held by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in
Rambouillet, France in February, which was followed by mutual threats.

“The OSCE Minsk Group (MG) co-chairs were very disappointed over
the fact no progress was achieved at Rambouillet. But don’t ask me
to elaborate on the details, as the meeting is left behind,” the
French co-chair of the MG Bernard Fassier told a news conference at
the French embassy in Baku Tuesday. He said the year 2005 was very
intense and prolific for Garabagh talks, considering the meetings
the mediators held with the top leadership of the two countries and
their frequent visits to the region.

“The initial principles of a peace accord to be signed were discussed
at all the meetings. The sides reached agreement on a number of these
issues during the talks.”

Fassier said that although the Rambouillet meeting was expected to
foster a common ground on more principles relating to the conflict
settlement, it has been impossible to accomplish the goal after the
presidential talks. “But this does not mean the negotiating process
is over.”

Fassier continued that the co-chairs welcome the fact peace talks
have not been disrupted after the latest meeting in France. He also
expressed concern over the fact that immediately after the discussions,
Azerbaijan and Armenia exchanged terse statements and the ceasefire
violations on the frontline intensified.

“Certainly, this is not normal, as the parties have a ceasefire they
agreed upon.”

The mediator went on to say that a resumption of military action
is not a way out and this has been repeatedly stated both by the
intermediaries and the countries co-chairing the Minsk Group.

“War is a very dangerous option, as the side launching the hostilities
could never be sure when the hostilities will end. This holds true
for superpowers as well.”

Fassier said that a start of military action would deal a blow on
Azerbaijan’s prospering economy. Foreign investors making considerable
investments in the country do not want to see this happen either.

Fassier said that President Ilham Aliyev has been conducting talks for
a long time. “He stated during the talks that he supports long-lasting
peace suitable for both parties. The president also said that the
talks will continue even if there is one out of a hundred chance for
a peaceful solution.”

The co-chair said there are currently greater chances for a peaceful
settlement, therefore, the mediators support the continuation of talks.

Fassier said he would inform the other two OSCE co-chairs from Russia
and the United States of the outcome of his visit to the region. The
two will further pay similar separate visits later this month,
followed by a meeting of the three mediators in Moscow to review
progress in the negotiations.

“After these meetings, the principles at the core of a future peace
accord will be developed. The three co-chairs will pay another visit
to the region early in May. The developed principles will be submitted
to the sides then.”

The French co-chair said the date and venue for the next meeting of
the Azeri and Armenian presidents has not been scheduled yet.

Fassier said the talks on Garabagh will continue further with the
intensity observed late in 2005.

“Our objective is to give an impetus to the stalling peace process.

But I cannot say with confidence that we will be able to achieve any
results by the year-end. The only thing I can say now is that there
are currently opportunities to move forward. But the co-chairs’ efforts
are not sufficient for this. As you know, Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev has been invited to the United States, while Russia invited
his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian to Moscow.

This means the co-chairing countries are doing their utmost to settle
the conflict. However, we can only cite ideas and hold meetings during
our visits to the region, but cannot pass a decision instead of the
conflicting sides.”

Fassier said that a peace agreement to be reached in conclusion of
the talks will not fully justify expectations of either side, as this
practice is unprecedented around the world. However, it is possible
for the parties to uphold most of their interests, he said.

The mediator dismissed the reports saying the USA has laid out new
proposals on Garabagh during Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov’s recent visit to Washington.

“US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice did not present any new
proposals during her meeting with the minister…These suggestions
are nothing new. We are simply talking about advancing the proposals
already made by the co-chairing countries.”

Fassier termed as inappropriate the co-chairing countries’ presenting
proposals separately to the conflicting sides. During all the recent
meetings with Azeri and Armenian diplomats, Secretary Rice cited
proposals that had been agreed upon by all the three countries
in question. He said that prior to his visit to the region, he was
briefed by the US co-chair Steven Mann about the content of the talks
being held in Washington at the time.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO RECOGNIZES AZERI TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, OFFICIAL SAYS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

Baku, April 11, AssA-Irada
“NATO recognizes Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. This has been
taken as a key principle in the organization’s framework agreement,”
Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told a news conference on Tuesday.

He said that although the document contributes to upholding
international legal norms, taking measures against a country [Armenia]
that occupies the territories of a partner state is outside the
alliance’s authority.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BOTH SIDES ‘SHOULD BE READY’ FOR WAR OVER GARABAGH

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 12 2006

Baku, April 11, AssA-Irada
The Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian has said Azerbaijan and
Armenia should be prepared for a possible resumption of hostilities
over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.

“Both countries’ defense ministries should be ready for the launch
of military action either tomorrow, or in two days,” he said.

The conflicting sides failed to agree upon the issues of principle
during the negotiations between Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert
Kocharian in Rambouillet, France in February, which was followed by
Azerbaijan’s threats to use force to liberate its territories from
under occupation.

As for the ceasefire violations on the frontline that have become
frequent of late, Sarkisian regarded this as “natural”.

“The gunshots have always been heard and there is no difference where
they are fired from,” the Armenian minister alleged.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAZEYAN CALLS ON PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS BY OUR OWN STRENGTH
By Marietta Khachatrian

AZG Armenian Daily
13/04/2006

Albert Bazeyan, chairman of National Revival party, expressed concern
about the recent incidents with Yerkrapah Union. He said that the
law enforcement bodies didn’t arrest one of the organizers of the
attempted murder against Sasoun Mikaelian, member of Yerkrapah Union,
though they were informed about that a week earlier. Bazeyan said that
the suspect who wasn’t arrested was attacked and wounded. As a result,
he was taken to the hospital. “If the criminals are not punished,
the crime causes another crime, while the punishment of the criminals
is of mere preventive character,” he said.

He also reminded about the incident in Armavir, stating that Rustam
Gasparian survived by a miracle and is recovering at present. Bazeyan
believes that the threats of the authorities to deport Zhirayr
Sefilian, former commander of Shushi battalion, is conditioned by the
fact that Sefilian and his colleagues criticized the recent tendencies
in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. “In the conditions, when
the enemy constantly threats to settle the conflict through war the
presence of the members of Yerkrapah Union of home guards in Armenia
is very important,” Bazeyan said. He called for all participants of
Artsakhi war to unite and struggle for the rights of their colleagues.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IRAN WANTS TO SEND MAN INTO SPACE

Armenpress
Apr 11 2006

MOSCOW, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: Iran wishes to send a man into space. The
country plans to ask Russia for help and Russia is not opposed to
the idea, a Russian expert said on Tuesday.

“The idea of the first spaceflight by an Iranian is very attractive
to Iran in the light of the country’s ambitions to become a key state
not only in the region but in the whole Islamic world,” the director
of the Russian Centre for Modern Iranian Studies, Rajab Safarov,
was quoted by RIA-Novosti as saying while on a visit to Tehran.

Safarov said “the Russian side does not object” to helping Iran. He
added that the Iranian leadership would put the proposal to Russia
“in the very near future.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SAAKASHVILI ASSIGNS HIS DEFENSE MINISTER TO PROMOTE WINES

Armenpress
Apr 12 2006

TBILISI, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS: Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili
was quoted by his press office today as saying that he has assigned
defense minister Irakli Okruashvili to promote Georgian wine on new
foreign markets.

“I have instructed Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli to be in charge of
the promotion of Georgian wine on domestic and CIS markets; this will
be his prime goal until Russia lifts embargo on imports of Georgian
wine. I have also instructed defense minister Irakli Okruashvili to
take charge of issues related to the export of Georgian wine to new
foreign markets,” said Saakashvili after attending the Georgian-Chinese
business forum in Beijing.

He also said that Okruashvili’s experience in business management
was the reason behind his decision.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FACTS OF “OUTRAGEOUS” PRIVATIZATION TO BE EXTENDED TO PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

Lragir.am
13 april 06

The Report on the Program of Privatization of State Property 2001-2003
took two and a half working days from the National Assembly. Yet it
is not clear if the report will be adopted or not.

On the last day of debates on April 12 the leaders of parliament
factions addressed the parliament. Five factions addressed the
parliament. The United Labor Party, Orinats Yerkir and Ardarutiun were
against the adoption of the report for the same reason, which was,
however, formulated differently. The ULP and Orinats Yerkir announced
that privatization was not transparent, and the proceeds were several
times lower. Victor Dallakyan from Ardarutiun was much tougher, “an
outrageous privatization took place,” and people who are responsible
for what happened must accept liability. If the program is not adopted,
“the government deserves a red card.”

Hence Victor Dallakyan offers four options to the political forces:
approve the program and accept liability, reject the program and
withdraw from the coalition, reject the program and stay in the
coalition, reject the program and give a vote of no confidence to
the government. The words of the ARF member Levon Mkrtichyan gave
no idea about the stance of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation;
the speaker offered to hold debates on the problem. There is nothing
left to do but to wait for the vote of the ARF. Only the Republican
Party approves the report. By the way, the Republicans were eager
to persuade that the outcome of privatization in 2004 is discussed,
probably to place the responsibility on the coalition, born in 2003.

Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan kept his promise he had made on the eve,
and brought specific examples. 33 Moscovyan Street – one square meter
was sold at 40 dollars, the market price is 1000-1200 dollars.

Baghramyan Street – one square meter was sold at 30 dollars, the
market price is 900-100 dollars. In Arabkir and Zeytun districts
state property was sold at 10-20 dollars per square meter, the market
price is 300-500 dollars. 4600 square meters of Arabkir Water Sports
School was sold at 4 dollars per square meter, “100 times less than
the market price.” Of course, this does not concern all the cases of
privatization. However, Arthur Baghdasaryan says those people must be
stopped. “The monitoring of about 200 companies revealed that only 27
companies committed to investments, the rest were alienated without
fixing any commitments to invest,” stated the speaker of the National
Assembly. And the monitoring of 100 companies that had committed to
invest revealed that 37 million was invested instead of 140 million
dollars. The result is that investments are less by 100 million,
and “several thousands of jobs were not created and no one accepted
liability.” The majority of sold companies were privatized by direct
sale to the buyer, known beforehand. In the past ten years 535 nursery
schools and 250 libraries were sold. “Sooner or later all the officials
will have to account for their actions,” said Arthur Baghdasaryan.

Therefore, Arthur Baghdasaryan emphasizes the importance of enhancing
government control, and as the first step he will send the report of
the Audit Chamber of the National Assembly to the Office of Public
Prosecutor. “They have appropriated millions and have to account
for it. We must build a country of law by actions, not words. An
unpunished offense will reoccur.” Arthur Baghdasaryan instructs the
executive, namely the Department for Management of State Property,
to be more consistent, pursue the enforcement of the law.

The law bars privatization of nursery schools, educational and health
care institutions.

“I wish all the best to my country, and no one can criticize me for
that,” said Arthur Baghdasaryan, calling for not republicanizing the
issue. It is not against the Republican or any other party. “It is
concern about the problem.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF ENERGY BECOMES OBSOLETE

Lragir.am
13 april 06

The Ministry of Energy of Armenia has already become obsolete and
can be dissolved, stated Edward Aghajanov, economist, April 12. The
reason is, according to him, the sale of the fifth generating unit
of the Thermal Power Plant to Russia, as well as the transfer of the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline to Russia, ensuring Russian monopoly in
the energy sector of Armenia.

The problem, according to him, is not the price at which the fifth
generating unit was sold. The problem is that a country’s energy
capacity cannot be entirely sold to another country. “The danger is
that Russia, in fact, controls not only energy generation but also the
network of distribution. Thus, Russia can form a rigid structure that
will shatter the energy security of Armenia,” announced the economist.

He says there was a better way of operating the fifth generating
unit. Iran had offered a loan of 150 million dollars to Armenia to
be repaid by energy, produced at the fifth generating unit within
20-25 years. And Armenia could have kept the fifth generating unit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress