Author: Felekian Ara

ANKARA MAY ACCEPT YEREVAN’S PROPOSAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN ARMENIA

Regnum

Feb 26 2009
Russia

The government of Turkey waits Armenian authorities to propose an
amendment concerning the participation of Turkey in a new nuclear
power plant (NPP) construction in Armenia, writes Nezavisimaya Gazeta
newspaper with reference to the high-ranking source in Ankara. "Turkish
side is going to consider the prospects of accession to a project
and will announce its decision, not earlier till they get this
proposal. The amendment of Yerevan could be accepted subject to
necessary formalities", — said the source.

It is worth mentioning that the idea about Turkish participation in
the construction of a new nuclear power plant first was declared by
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. The Prime minister of Armenia
said during Bridge 2009 International Economic Forum in Tsakhkadzor,
that new NPP would have both economic and political dimensions for
the country. "It will be a stabilizing factor in the region. We are
interested in participation of our strategic partner Russia, and also
neighboring Turkey in the construction of new nuclear power plant",
-said Sargsyan adding that the implementation of the project has been
already started.

2008 WAS UNPRECEDENTED FOR THE MASS MEDIA

A1+
[05:16 pm] 24 February, 2009

The year 2008 was unprecedented not only by the number of violations
of rights of journalists and mass media outlets, but also censure of
mass media. This is the conclusion made by the Committee for Defense
of Freedom of Speech in its annual report.

In addition, according to the report, 2008 was a year of ordeal for
Armenian presses due to the presidential elections.

"As a rule, assaults against freedom of mass media begin when the
domestic political situation intensifies. But 2008 was unprecedented
with regards to censorship and the number of assaults," said Head
of the Committee for Defense of Freedom of Speech Ashot Melkonyan as
he presented the committee’s annual report. He stated that they had
drawn comparisons with the 2003 presidential elections while preparing
the report.

"Based on evaluations given by news organizations, the extremely
subjective coverage of television networks of the 2008 pre-election
events and the process, as well as the political processes following
the elections were the direct result of the pressures of the
authorities on the mass media outlets," said Melkonyan.

According to expert of the Committee for Defense of Freedom of Speech
Mesrop Harutyunyan, there were pressures and bans in 2003 as well,
but they exceeded in 2008. He even brought up examples of pressures
and impediments in 2003 and 2008.

"In addition to that, we set aside censorship because there was no
such thing in 2003 or the past 17 years. Censorship is prohibited by
RA law. An emergency rule was declared in Yerevan for 20 days from
March 1, but there is not one word about censorship in the president’s
decree. This was a terrible blow to the Armenian presses and took us
back to Soviet times," says Mesrop Harutyunyan.

The report features violations against journalists divided into three
groups-physical abuses, pressures against mass media and violations
of the right to receive and disperse information.

ARONIAN, GRISCHUK TIED FOR THE FIRST PLACE IN LINARES

armradio.am
23.02.2009 17:40

Leaders of the Linares 2009 Chess Tournament Levon Aronian of Armenia
and Alexander Grischuk of Russia recorded victories in Round 4 to
reach 3 points and continued to share the top spot jointly. Grischuk
got the better of Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan while Aronian grounded
Lenier Dominguez of Cuba.

With Aronian and Grischuk at the helm and Anand breathing down their
necks, Carlsen and Ivanchuk now share the fourth spot on 2 points
each having drawn all their games while Dominguez is sole sixth on
1.5 points.

Radjabov and Wang Yue share the seventh spot with just one point
so. Ten rounds still remain in the traditional tournament, which is
being played on a double round-robin basis between eight players.

GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING TEAM OF ARMENIA TAKES 3RD PLACE AT WORLD CUP

Noyan Tapan

F eb 23, 2009

CLERMONT-FERRAND, FEBRUARY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The Greco-Roman wrestling
competitions of the World Cup finished in Clermont-Ferrand, France,
on February 22. In its subgroup, the Armenian team defeated Hungary
(6-1), Azerbaijan (4-3) and lost to Russian wrestlers (2-5). In the
combat for the bronze medal, Armenian wrestlers defeated Cuba’s team
(5-2) and took 3rd place. Russians beat the French team with the same
score and won the Cup.

TODAY’S ZAMAN ?Ä?°STANBUL, ANKARA
Feb 23, 2009 Homepage
Envoy voices concern about being recalled to Ankara

Ambassador Nabi ?Å?ensoy was recalled to Turkey in 2007 amidst
tension over attempts in the US House of Representatives to pass a
resolution recognizing allegations that Armenians were subjected to
genocide in eastern Anatolia during the First World War years.
Turkey’s ambassador to the United States, who had previously been
recalled to Turkey briefly over prospects of the US Congress passing a
resolution to recognize Armenian genocide claims, has said he is
concerned that such an incident could happen again, warning that a new
crisis of this scope would cause significant damage.

"This was a first in our history. It somehow meant a protest against
US policy," Ambassador Nabi ?Å?ensoy said in a speech in New York
late on Friday, referring to Ankara’s 2007 decision to recall him
amidst tension over attempts in the US House of Representatives to
pass a resolution recognizing allegations that Armenians were
subjected to genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in eastern
Anatolia. He had stayed in Ankara for nine days for "consultations"
before being sent back to Washington. "Then everyone understood the
seriousness of the matter and a wrong step was avoided. Now we are
facing the same danger."

President Barack Obama made firm promises during his election campaign
to recognize the genocide claims. US presidents traditionally issue
commemorative messages on every April 24, when Armenians claim the
genocide campaign started, but none has ever used the word "genocide,"
dismaying Armenian Americans. Many say Obama could break the tradition
and use the word this time. Separately, the Armenian lobby is also
working to pass a resolution in Congress designating the World War
I-era events as genocide. Observers say prospects for its passage are
greater this time, because, contrary to 2007, when the US
administration worked against the resolution, the new administration
also favors such a move. In addition to Obama, Vice President Joe
Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both pledged to support
the Armenians’ cause during their election campaigns.

"The Turkish nation is ready to struggle altogether against such a
move. I hope that the officials in the new US administration will
understand the importance of Turkey, the meaning of this issue to the
Turkish people and the harm it will bring to Turkish-American
relations," ?Å?ensoy said in New York.

He also stressed that there were serious chances for progress in
efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia. "I am happy
to tell you that we are close to that," ?Å?ensoy said, referring to
prospects for normalization in Turkey’s ties with Armenia. He added
that Turks and Armenians would have a good opportunity to discuss
their problems unless the US Congress passes a "genocide" resolution.

Turkey severed its diplomatic relations and closed its border with
Armenia in protest of Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh in a
territorial dispute with Turkey’s ally Azerbaijan. Normalization of
ties, Ankara says, is contingent upon Armenian withdrawal from Azeri
territory, as well as a reversal in Yerevan’s policy of supporting
diaspora efforts to win international recognition for genocide claims.

The Turkish ambassador also said Turkish leaders have recently invited
Obama to visit Turkey to attend a meeting of the UN-backed Alliance of
Civilizations (UNAOC) in ?Ä?°stanbul, slated for April. Turkish
officials say Obama would send the world a message in support of
East-West dialogue by paying an early visit to Turkey, which sees
itself as a bridge between the East and the West.

?Å?ensoy said Obama was invited to the UNAOC meeting, which will be
held in Turkey in April.

US congressman: ‘Genocide’ resolution not in US interests

Meanwhile, Robert Wexler, the co-chairman of the US-Turkey Caucus in
the US Congress, also warned that US moves to grant recognition to
Armenian genocide claims would not serve the interests of the United
States. He also warned that any US step in the direction of endorsing
the genocide charges would hurt attempts to normalize relations
between Turkey and Armenia.

Wexler, who had talks with Turkish leaders in Ankara during a visit
last week, said at a meeting with a group of journalists before
wrapping up his trip that the US Congress should focus on ways to help
bring about a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement. The process of dialogue
picked up momentum when President Abdullah G?Ã?¼l visited Yerevan last
September to watch a game between the national soccer teams of the two
countries. Since then diplomats have been holding talks behind closed
doors on normalizing relations.

Wexler also appeared to dismiss arguments that Turkey is moving away
from the West because it is pursuing a policy that calls for closer
dialogue with Middle East actors. He said Turkey decided that it
belongs with the West a long time ago. According to Wexler, the US and
Turkey may have different tactics in the Middle East, particularly
concerning the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and dialogue with the
radical Palestinian group Hamas, but they share the same objectives.

The US congressman also praised the progress made by Turkey’s
democracy, recalling how the state establishment and the people were
alienated from each other when he first visited Turkey in 1991.

T. SARGSIAN TO TAKE PART IN "BRIDGE 2009" SIXTH INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM IN TSAKHKADZOR

ARMENPRESS
Feb 20, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 20, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsian will take part in "Bridge 2009" sixth international economic
forum February 21 in Tsakhkadzor the main theme of which is "Prospects
of International Economic Cooperation – Issues and Solutions".

Public relations department of the Armenian government told Armenpress
that other high ranking officials and delegations representing
different spheres of economy from Armenia and abroad are invited to
the forum.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY AGAIN MANAGES TO TURN EVERYTHING UPSIDE DOWN

ArmInfo
2009-02-20 14:29:00

ArmInfo. OSCE MG cochairmen made a statement yesterday having
emphasized that there is no other alternative to peaceful settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. However, Azerbaijan considered it
necessary to comment on the mediators’ statement trying to receive
even a visibility of any benefit.

‘Azerbaijan is ready to settle the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
in peaceful way and it expects similar actions from the Armenian
authorities, as well as a fair and univocal position of the OSCE MG
cochairmen’, Head of the Azerbaijani FM press service Hazar Ibragim
said ignoring the circumstance that the militaristic statements are
made by the Azerbaijani and not the Armenian authorities.

To recall, almost no statement of Ilham Aliyev – from an economic
project to the monument on the grave of one or another ‘world-known
Azerbaijani scientist who lived in the 100th century B.C. and whose
works were appropriated by the Armenians being an alien people in the
region’ – remains without claims about readiness of the Azerbaijani
army to liberate its lands, enhance the army’s military efficiency,
increase of the military budget, etc.

In this context, the statement by H. Ibragim saying that ‘Azerbaijan
has always insisted on the priority of peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict’ causes wonder at least. He thinks it would be
better for the mediators to address their statements to Armenia
as non- constructiveness and frank aggressiveness of statements
by the occupant-country’s officials does not contribute to the
conflict settlement. I think it is clear what the Azerbaijani FM
representative understands under ‘fair stance’ – either you are for
us or your stance is unfair. Several conclusions can be made from
the afore-given comments of H.

Ibragim: either all the affirmations ‘to settle the conflict by
force’ have been intended for internal use only, or there is an
evident attempt to play both the cochairmen and the international
structures for fools ascribing their own militaristic statements to
the Armenian party.

ARMENIA-EU FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED
Alisa Gevorgyan

"Radiolur"
18.02.2009 17:14

A European Commission’s experts team led by Director. Ms Ewa Synowiec
from Directorate General for Trade arrived in Yerevan today. This
mission will help in mapping out a preparatory process for possible
future negotiations of an ambitious free trade agreement (FTA)
between the European Union (EU) and Armenia. Deeper economic ties are
a key element in the EU’s Neighbourhood Policy and the new Eastern
Partnership initiative launched last December.

The European Commission’s team will hold 2 days of meetings at both
technical and senior level with Armenian officials. These discussions
should enable the European Commission to identify priorities for
reforms which would help Armenia prepare itself for the launch of
negotiations of a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with
the EU.

Such an FTA is an ambitious project. It would considerably upgrade
the present trade ties by offering both sides preferential access
to each other’s markets, supporting economic reforms in Armenia and
offering new opportunities for Armenian businesses. Implementing the
recommendations will help Armenia to enjoy the benefits of an agreement
more quickly. The EU is committed to continuing to assist Armenia in
its reform work, including by providing technical assistance.

The first discussion with members of the fact-finding group was held
at the 8 0Armenia Marriot" Hotel today.

"We will discuss a whole program, and in case of the successful
implementation of it we will ensure a business environment in the
Armenian trade market corresponding to European standards," RA
Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan said, adding that problems
in the legislation are less than in the mechanisms of their
implementation. Therefore, according to the Minister, besides
discussions on the Free Trade Agreement, they will try to get the
assistance of European experts in solving the above-mentioned problems.

Ms Ewa Synowiec noted they are in Armenia to discuss issues connected
with the preparatory stage of signing the FTA. "In an earlier stage
of discussions we clarified to what extent Armenia is ready and what
kind of Free Trade Agreements should be signed in the future. The
objective of this mission is to reveal and understand your problems
in the sphere of trade and help you prepare for the process of
negotiations more effectively."

RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT TO POLAND STARTS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 16, 2009

WARSAW, FEBRUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Azerbaijan’s disregarding the
provisions stipulated by documents signed by Azerbaijan’s leaders,
its permanent bellicose statements, arms race, obvious violations of
the limitations envisaged by the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in
Europe, attempts to justify possible use of force and its grounding,
agitation sowing hatred between nations not only put obstacles for
the negotiations process, but also are a serious threat for regional
stability and security, which demands an adequate response by the
international community. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated
in his speech on Armenia’s foreign policy on February 16 at University
of Warsaw.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, before that E. Nalbandian had a meeting with
Foreign Minister of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski.

The RA and Polish Foreign Ministers had a meaningful conversation on
the cooperation process between Armenia and European Union and steps
to be taken in that sphere. Welcoming the EU Eastern Partnership
proposal, E. Nalbandian attached importance to the steps to be taken
to sign a free trade agreement with EU, as well as to facilitate the
entrance visa regime to EU countries and Poland’s possible assistance
in that issue.

E. Nalbandian presented the Polish Foreign Minister with the latest
developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations and
possibilities of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. It
was mutually mentioned that the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful political
settlement has no alternative.

E. Nalbandian and R. Sikorski attached importance to holding of
regular consultations between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries
as one more format of efficient cooperation.

Steps to be taken to deepen cooperation in the spheres of economy,
education, and culture were also discussed at the meeting. In
particular, thoughts on development ways of trade and economic
relations and on doing cultural exchanges were exchanged.

Negotiations in an enlarged staff took place after the two countries’
Foreign Ministers’ tete-a-tete talk. A wide range of issues regarding
Armenian-Polish relations, regional and international issues were
discussed during the negotiations.

After the meeting E. Nalbandian and R. Sikorski signed a memorandum
on cooperation between RA and Polish Foreign Ministries in the sphere
of rapprochement with Europe.

Edward Nalbandian’s meetings with Polish President Lech Kaczynski,
Polish Sejm Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski, and Senate Chairman Bogdan
Borusewicz are scheduled for February 17.

EUGENI VOLK: "WHEN AZERBAIJAN HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE WEST AND RUSSIA, ITS CHOICE WILL BE IN FAVOR OF THE FIRST ONE"

Today.Az
ics/50694.html
Feb 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is now skillfully maneuvering between Russia and the
West, observing a definite balance of interests. However, in the
geopolitical and strategic context in which Azerbaijan exists, its
choice in West’s favor is inevitable, said Eugeni Volk, head of the
Russian representative of the Heritage Foundation and candidate of
historical science.

He said intensification of Russia’s and Turkey’s efforts will hardly
lead to the soonest resolution of the conflict around Nagorno Karabakh.

"Positions of its direct participants are still far from each
others. Moreover, Russia can be objectively interested in maintaining
this conflict at a certain degree of tensions, as it allows it to
influence both Armenia and Azerbaijan. In case of resolution, these
levers can be lost while the initiative in the region will fully pass
to the West", concluded Volk.