Author: Emil Lazarian

Regnum, Russia
March 23 2006

Mikhail Piotrovsky: `The entire world must recognize the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey’

`The entire world must recognize the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman
Turkey in 1915, recognize and condemn the genocide system that made
20th century notorious, starting from Armenians and Jews. And the
world must condemn it together, because the 20th century has
demonstrated that humans are animals, not humans,’ stated Head of the
Russian Hermitage Museum, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy
of Sciences (RAS) Mikhail Piotrovsky on March 23, after ceremony at
the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial of victims of the Armenian Genocide in
Yerevan.

He said that the Armenian Genocide is a great tragedy that everybody
must learn from. If people resist, Genocide becomes the moral victory
of victims, as became the Armenian Genocide, said Piotrovsky.

Piotrovsky, along with Director of South Caucasian branch of the
Caucasian Institute for Democracy Development Foundation Armenika
Kiviryan visited Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide, where he
left a record in the Book of Memory.

Mikhail Piotrovsky is in Yerevan since March 21. He was invited by
the Caucasian Institute for Democracy. He has already read a course
of lectures in Yerevan State University and Russian-Armenian (Slavic)
University. In the framework of the visit he met All Armenian
Catholicos Garegin II, President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. Also, a
meeting with Minister of Culture Gevork Gevorkyan is planned.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 23 2006

Armenian premier Andranik Markaryan: `Our recognizing Nagorno
Garabagh’s independence will depend on talk process’

[ 23 Mar. 2006 15:17 ]

`Resumption of Nagorno Garabagh war is advantageous to neither
Azerbaijan nor Armenia,’ Armenian Prime Minister, Andranik Markaryan
told journalists (APA). He stressed that his country shows interest
to continuation of negotiations.

`Armenian government’s recognizing the Nagorno Garabagh’s
independence will depend on talk’s process. It is one of the possible
versions. Negotiations are ongoing currently, through lack of any
result, it is unnecessary to deeply analyze the other versions’.
/APA/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan Press Agency
March 23 2006

Vardan Oskanian: `Opportunities to solve Garabagh conflict reduced a
bit in 2006′

[ 23 Mar. 2006 14:42 ]

`After the Istanbul meeting on March 20 the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs have not informed on their coming steps yet,’ Armenian
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said. In his words, further steps
will depend on the conclusions of the co-chairs’ meeting.

‘Either the co-chairs will visit the region themselves, or they will
organize a meeting of the FMs of Armenia and Azerbaijan,’ he said.
The Armenian Minister also added that Armenia has done much on its
part to promote peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict
and now expects corresponding steps from Baku. Oskanian remarked that
opportunities to solve Garabagh conflict reduced in 2006 a bit./APA/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 23 2006

New EU envoy to tackle ‘frozen conflicts’

The newly-appointed European Union envoy on the South Caucasus will
assume new credentials to address conflicts in the region.

Peter Semneby said the organization is interested in a closer
involvement in the resolution of “frozen conflicts” and his mandate
has been expanded with regard to such issues. “I will be closely
following all aspects of the disputes and further prepare
recommendations for the EU leadership,” he told a news conference in
Baku on Friday.
Semneby said the recommendations will outline EU’s further steps and
the organization’s support may involve peacekeeping missions and
rehabilitation of territories. The EU envoy continued that another
change in his mandate will envision transferring the headquarters of
the EU representative from Finland, where the office of his
predecessor, Heikki Talvitie, was located, to Brussels. The measure
will help coordinate the activity of various European organizations,
Semneby said. The Swedish diplomat underscored the EU’s increasing
interest in the region. He reminded that the two S Caucasus states
[Azerbaijan and Georgia] are seeking EU membership, while Turkey,
which is already in talks on the matter, borders on all the three
regional states. Semneby said another reason for EU’s growing
interest is the three countries’ participation in the New
Neighborhood Policy. Talks are underway on preparing relevant Action
Plans in order to ensure these countries’ compliance with European
standards. The upcoming approval of these documents will boost ties
between the EU and regional countries, he added. ‘Chances for peace
accord’ The European Union envoy cited chances for an
Armenia-Azerbaijan accord on Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh this year,
despite the latest unsuccessful round of presidential talks, which
was followed by Azerbaijan’s threats to resort to military action. “I
still hope there are ways of finding a solution to the conflict in
2006. War would not favor any of the sides and no one can be
interested in the resumption of hostilities,” Semneby said. He said,
however, that meeting the “maximum demands” put forth by the
conflicting sides is impossible, which necessitates adjustments in
their positions in order to strike a deal. Semneby said the European
Union is ready to send peacekeepers to the conflict zone, but
Azerbaijan and Armenia should reach an accord first. “The EU may
carry out a peacekeeping mission both independently and in coalition
with other international organizations. But without an agreement, our
views on the issue could be only hypothetical.” The envoy said that
the EU has no intention to meddle in the authority of the mediating
OSCE Minsk Group.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 23 2006

Outlooks For Armenian-Russian Relations

Tbilisi. March 23 (Prime-News) – Present Russian-Armenian relations
were the subject of discussion at the meeting of the Armenian
politicians in the National Media Press Club in Yerevan, Noyan Tapan
says.

The key differences in the Armenian-Russian relations were crave of
Armenia for democracy and intention of the government of Russia to
maintain authoritarian rules in the post soviet countries, Shavarsh
Kocharian, Chairman of the National Democratic Party of Armenia said.

According to him, the Russian party is dissatisfied with the decision
of Armenia to be affiliated to the European Union and is looking for
the controllable puppet regime, similar to one in Byelorussia.

Shavarsh Kocharian says that emotions prevail in majority of social,
as well as political issues in the Armenian-Russian relations.

For example, by 1993, during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Russia
sent Azerbaijan 2 more tanks, 2,5 more armored vehicles, 1,5 more
100-plus gauge artillery, 2 more assault helicopters than usual and
53 jet fighters, while Armenia was sent nothing.

Besides, there were no Russian servicemen fighting on the Armenian
side during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while the Russian troops
were taking part in the Azerbaijani military operations, Shavarsh
Kocharian claimed.

According to him, suggestion that Armenia was the key military
partner for Russia in the region was a fraud; the radio substation in
Gabalin (Azerbaijan) was several ten times important than the Russian
military bases deployed in Armenia or Georgia.

However, Arman Manukian, member of the managerial group of the
all-national movement of Armenia stressed positive contribution of
the Russian party in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He spoke about that time political and diplomatic support by Russia
and present lack in the conflict resolution.

`Our strategic partners or member-states of the international
organizations that were doing nothing or were supporting us during
the hostilities, now accuse us of aggression and occupational war.
But it is all because of the present government of Armenia’, Arman
Manukian said.

Moreover, he assured that there were no future prospects for better
relation with Russia.

According to him, growing Russian influence on all branches in
Armenia was a result of `inefficiency and loyalty’ of the Armenian
government.

`Age-old armament it to be transferred from Georgia to Armenia, and
the latter is not even asked its opinion’, Arman Manukian said.

On the other hand Ovanes Ovsanian, Chairman of the Liberal
Progressive party said that the Armenian-Russian relations have not
been developing normally for quite a long time.

`It is evident that the strong Armenian-Russian strategic partnership
was a formality and Russia gloriously continues traditions of the
USSR’, he said.

In particular he expressed his anxiety about the fact that Russian
possesses 80% of energy units in Armenia that surprises even the
Russian politicians; `no country may give up its sovereignty’, they
say.

Arman Karapetian, Chairman of the New Party claimed that the next
government of Armenia will be more close to Russia with regard to
energy, transit routes via Georgia and inflow of the Russian
investments.

Kiro Manoian, Chairman of the Political Committee said that there
were certain positive changes in the Russian-Armenian relations with
regard to defense and energy, however `Russia reminds of old style of
relations and it is unacceptable’.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Messenger, Georgia
March 23 2006

Azeri military budget aspires to reach Armenian state budget
By M. Alkhazashvili

The second convention of Azeri People was held in Baku on March 16.
The convention, which drew Azeris from all over the world, included a
speech by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev, who described an
expanding Azeri military force amid a USD 600 million military budget
for 2006.

“I set as a goal to equalize the Azeri military budget with the whole
Armenian state budget in the near future. Armenia will never be able
to compete with us. Earlier the Armenian leaders consider the fact it
will be better for them,” said President Aliev the news agency Regnum
reports.

The President also spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, blaming
Armenia for the lack of progress over the past 12 years of
negotiations. Azerbaijan is ready for progress, the President stated,
but if Armenia appears to be treating the negotiations as a mere
simulation, then Baku will walk away.

If a new phase of this arms race develops, then Armenia could have
difficulty keeping up. Starting April 10, the price of natural gas
will rise 52.5 percent for the Armenian population and 85.2 percent
for Armenian enterprises.

This spike in prices followed a near doubling of natural gas prices
from Russia, which raised the cost of 1,000 cubic meters from USD 65
to USD 110.

Although Russia and Armenia are still negotiating the price of the
natural gas tariff, a final agreement is expected by March 28-29. The
Armenian side hopes for an USD 80 reduction of the tariff, Regnum
reports.

In a letter to President Putin of Russia and reprinted by Regnum,
Manuk Gasparian of the Armenian National Council explained that
“increasing natural gas price is the political decision,” since it
remains unchanged for Belarus, but is being doubled for the Russian
ally Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 23 2006

LEADER OF CANADIAN DIOCESE OF ARMENIAN CHURCH MEETS WITH CANADIAN
PREMIER

YEREVAN, March 23. /ARKA/. Leader of the Canadian diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church Bagrat Galstanyan met with Canadian Premier
Steven Harper on Tuesday, the Press Service of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, Saint Echmiadzin reported. During the meeting Galstanyan
congratulated Harper on the appointment to this post, and thanked him
for the support given during the discussions of Armenians related
issues and, particularly, the issue of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
The bishop stated that he learnt about the political programs of the
Conservative party on a number of social issues with satisfaction,
and expressed readiness to contribute to the development of
inter-religious and ecumenical dialogue in Canada.
Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan handed the written message of the Leader of
the Armenian Apostolic Church Garegin II to the Premier, which
expresses gratitude for the position taken by Harper in terms of the
approval of the bill M-380 on recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Garegin II expressed hope that the relations between the two
countries will become stronger while Harper holds his office.
On April 21, the House of Commons approved the bill M-380 that
recognizes the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and denounces this crime
against humanity. R.O. –0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 23 2006

`GASPROM’ EXPRESSES WILLINGNESS TO DISCUSS TERMS OF SIGNING OF THE
NEW AGREEMENT WITH ARMENIA

YEREVAN, March 23. /ARKA/. `Gasprom’ Russian Holding expressed
willingness to discuss terms of signing of the new agreement with
Armenia, according to the RA Minister of Defense and Secretary of the
Council of National Security of Armenia Serge Sargsyan.
`By the commission of the RA President after discussing with the
Prime Minister at the beginning of March I sent a letter to the head
of `Gasprom’ Aleksey Miller with a certain offer and on Friday we
received an answer from him’, he stated.
In his words, as appears from their answer `Gasprom’ is ready to sign
corresponding agreements till the end of the month, which will enable
the population and producers to pay less for the gas then it had been
envisaged.
`I can’t tell how much exactly but I think that rise in price will
affect budgets of the population and producers’, Sargsyan emphasized.

`Gasprom’ Russian holding intends to raise the price for gas imported
to Armenia from $56 to $110 from April 1, 2006. S.P.–0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Athens News Agency, Greece
March 22 2006

Stylianidis to visit Armenia

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Styliandis will be carrying out a
three-day visit to Armenia beginning on March 28 in order to enhance
bilateral economic and political ties and boost Greece’s
developmental presence in the country, the foreign ministry announced
on Wednesday, following a meeting between Stylianidis and Armenia’s
Ambassador in Athens Vahram Kahzoyan.
The minister’s visit to Erevan follows up a visit by Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan to Athens last November.

“There is an order and commitment from Prime Minister Costas
Karamanlis that I will convey during my visit, that Armenia takes
priority in Greece’s developmental policy and that there is a desire
to boost bilateral economic ties,” Styliandis said, noting that this
desire would “sealed” with the first Mixed Ministerial Committee that
will take place after four years.

The minister will be accompanied on the trip by members of the
Armenian community in Greece.

The Armenian side, meanwhile, has prepared a list of priority
projects for funding by Hellenic Aid, which Greece will assess based
on the possibility of providing funding, to what extent they interest
Greece and their added value to Greece’s developmental presence in
the area.

Both Greece and Armenia are member-states of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation pact, while Greece is the only BSEC member that is also a
member of the EU and would like to activate action mechanisms and
initiatives for rapprochement between Black Sea countries and the EU.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse — English
March 23, 2006 Thursday 3:38 AM GMT

102 mined areas in east Armenia: UN

YEREVAN, March 23 2006

Some 102 mine fields dot Armenia’s eastern regions near the border
with Azerbaijan, endangering local inhabitants, UN officials said
after examining the area.

The landmine-littered areas, which had already killed over 160 people
and injured over 230 more, contaminate some 320 square kilometers and
have a negative impact on the lives of over 69,000 locals, the UN
de-mining project’s press release said.

“We are now seeking international donors for de-mining all over the
country. It is an expensive program, it takes seven dollars to
de-mine one square meter. If we get the required means, the program
may be complete in five years,” the project’s spokeswoman Anush
Arutyunyan said.

The landmines in south Armenia had been installed as part of defenses
during a military conflict over Azerbaijan’s mostly-Armenian enclave
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The two sides fought a war in the early 1990s over the territory,
leaving some 30,000 people dead and forcing about a million people to
flee their homes.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress