Author: Frangulian Shushan

ROAD-MAP DEFINED BY ARMENIA AND TURKEY MAKES IT HARDLY POSSIBLE USING THE WORD "GENOCIDE" BY US PRESIDENT

ArmInfo
2009-04-23 14:09:00

ArmInfo. The road-map defined by Armenia and Turkey makes it hardly
possible using the word "genocide" by US President Barack Obama
during is annual message in connection with the Armenian genocide,
Armenian turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said at today’s press-conference.

He also added Turkish diplomacy was long ago moving in this
direction, sometimes changing the places of its pre-conditions,
putting forward first the problem of the genocide or the Karabakh
conflict settlement. Melkonyan thinks Armenians make a fetish from
using the word "genocide" by Obama and connect with it the unreasonably
great expectations. But recognition of the Armenian genocide by the
USA depends on the legal decision but on using the word "genocide"
by the president of the USA. ‘As it is known the former president
Ronald Reagan also used the word "genocide" but it had no legal
consequences’, – Melkonyan said.

ISA GAMBAR: BAKU AND ANKARA OVERCOME CRISIS

ArmInfo-TURAN
2009-04-20 15:07:00

‘I think that Azerbaijan and Turkey have overcome the crisis, which
could have arisen after opening of the border between Turkey and
Armenia. Now the both countries try to understand their priorities,"
Isa Gambar, Musavat party’s leader, said to Turan upon his returning
from Turkey. He added that if the borders would have opened without
consideration of mutual priorities, Azerbaijan would have been deeply
disappointed. Gambar believes that any steps must be taken only after
mutual consultations. "There must be logics and strategy for the
borders opening," said Gambar. The visit took place at the invitation
of the Turkish media. "The Turkish society has been concerned about
possible worsening of relationships with Azerbaijan," said Musavat
party’s leader. He added the problem has been caused by lack of full
information and misunderstanding between the Azerbaijani and Turkish
administrations. He added that the crisis will give the both sides
a chance to eliminate the "gaps" and take into account each other’s
priorities in taking serious decisions. "The most important thing
is that the both societies could overcome the crisis and preserve
respect and love to each other," Gambar said.

HERITAGE PARTY LEADER REVEALS OBJECTIONS TO ELECTION PULLOUT

588_4/18/2009_1
Friday, April 17, 2009

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian said on Friday
that his Heritage party decided not to contest next month’s mayoral
elections in Yerevan over his objections.

Heritage’s governing board made the decision late last month after the
failure of its negotiations with former President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s
Armenian National Congress over the formation of an electoral alliance.

The two opposition forces disagreed on who should top their list of
candidates in the May 31 elections of a municipal council and thus be
their single candidate for the post of Yerevan mayor. Armenian National
Congress nominated Ter-Petrosian’s candidacy, while Heritage insisted
initially that the list should be topped by one of its own leaders.

The Heritage board said the only opposition party represented in
Armenia’s parliament will rather pull out of the mayoral race than
split the hitherto united opposition. But it only implicitly urged
supporters to vote for Ter-Petrosian’s party.

Hovannisian, who founded Heritage in 2002 and remains its top leader,
revealed that he stood for the party’s participation in the polls
but that most members of the board thought otherwise. "In any case,
I respect the board’s decision," he told a news conference. "But I
don’t always agree with its decision and I think that the participation
[in the elections] would be right."

Hovannisian dismissed speculation that he dodged responsibility
for these and other key issues facing the party. He said the fact
that he found himself in minority and did not impose his will on
the Heritage board only proved his and his party’s commitment to
democratic principles.

The U.S.-born politician, who had served as Armenia’s first foreign
minister in the Ter-Petrosian administration, also reaffirmed
Heritage’s intention to strive for the proper conduct of the May
31 polls. As a parliamentary force, Heritage is legally entitled to
controlling one of the nine seats in Armenia’s election commissions.

EU DIPLOMAT SAYS CERTAIN OPTIMISM FELT IN TURKEY’S INTEGRATION

Panorama.am
11:48 17/04/2009

There has been observed the second wind in Turkey’s integration to
the European Union, Chairman of EU-Turkey Delegation in European
Parliament Joost Lagendijk said. "A new feeling of optimism has been
observed in EU," Lagendijk said. Lagendijk voiced five main steps,
which allowed to look fresh at Turkey’s integration. One of the steps
is the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and head of
the leading opposition party -Republican People’s Party Deniz Baikal
to Brussels in early of the year. During the visit Erdogan and Baikal
explained that the EU is still top priority for Turkey, Lagendijk
said. Another important issue was called Kurdish language national
television, which is seen as an important step forward to solve the
Kurdish issue, was opened. The talks between Turkey and Armenia are
seen from a very positive in restoring diplomatic relations and opening
of borders, which will help not only to Turkey’s accession to EU, but
also resolution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The talks on Turkey’s
accession to the EU were launched in 2005. According to experts, Turkey
will become the EU full member within 1-15 years. The main obstacle
on Turkey’s way is territorial disputes with the Greek Cyprus, which
occurred as a result of division of the island into two parts in 1974.

ADDITIONAL HALF TO ONE BILLION DRAM MAY BE ALLOCATED TO SOCIAL PAYMENTS

Noyan Tapan
April 17, 2009
Yerevan

Additional half to one billion dram may be allocated to social
payments, said Armen Hambardzumian, Minister of Labor and Social
Issues, at the conference "Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on
Armenia" on April 14 in Yerevan. The one-day conference was organized
by the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, the United Nations,
World Bank and International Monetary Fund offices in Armenia.

Mr. Hambardzumian made a comprehensive report on "Social Impact
of the Global Economic Crisis and implemented measures in Armenia"
to the audience of 120 participants from Armenia and abroad.

During the first two months of 2009 the unemployment rate in Armenia
increased, while the Gross Domestic Product decreased by 3.7 percent
compared to the same period of last year.

As Mr. Hambardzumian reported, the number of unemployed reached
99 thousand people in April this year, while in last January 82.2
thousand people were looking for jobs,.

17 663 people received unemployment benefits against 14 500 envisaged
by the state budget in April of 2009.

More than 30 000 families were registered in the system of social
benefits by the first quarter of this year, 17215 out of which
became beneficiaries: about 6 000 families a month received a right
to benefits against 500 in January-February of 2008.

=0 D According to A.Hambadzumian, if the number of beneficiary families
and the number of receiving unemployment benefits increase in such
a pace, then the amounts allocated for social spending might not be
enough, and additional 0.5-1 billion AMD may be directed to ensure
social payments. The intended amount of socials spending is equal to
39,2 billion AMD, 21 per cent more than last year (7 billion AMD).

Meanwhile, the number of people included in different social aid
systems is 106 000, against 114 thousand envisaged by the budget. This
difference is appeared since 19 000 families were removed from
the lists, thanks to investigations revealing the facts of unfair
selection, said the minister, mentioning that it is necessary to
optimize the benefit distribution system.

ARMAVIA (ARMENIA) OPENS NEW FLIGHT

/ARKA/
April 16, 2009
YEREVAN

On April 14, the Armenian national airline, Armavia, opened a new
scheduled flight, Yerevan-Berlin-Yerevan.

The Armavia press service reports that the flights will be carried
out twice a week – on Tuesday and Friday.

"Germany is a European country with the fourth largest Armenian
community – over 40,000 Armenians reside there. However, we hope that
the flight will be of interest to German tourists wishing to visit
Armenia," said Norair Belluyan, Armavia Director.

The Berlin airport is the nearest to Armenia of all the German
airports, which reduces the time of flight.

Hambartsum Minasyan of the Armenian Embassy in Armenia said that
the flight will not only develop interstate relations, but also help
European travelers to visit Armenia, a country with unique traditions
and culture, which, in turn, will promote the development tourism
and economy.

A special proration agreement between Armavia and Air Berlin allows
connection between flights for passengers to flight from Berlin to
any city Air Berlin carries out flights to.

Passengers can book air tickets by means of the Armavia website
or at ticket offices.

Armavia is a member of the International Air Transport Association
(IATA).

Armavia carries out over 170 flights a week in over 30 directions – the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Europe and Near East. Last
year the airline served about 647,000 passengers.

Armavia operates three A-319, two A-320, IL-86 and TU-134. Armavia
will be the first airline to purchase a Superjet S-100.

TURKEY DOES NOT TAKE ON THE MEDIATOR’S ROLE IN KARABAKH ISSUE
Aghavni Haroutiunian

AZG Armenian Daily
April 16 2009
Armenia

"Karabakh conflict settlement negotiations between Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Nagorno Karabakh are being conducted within the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group with the assistance of the MG Co-chairs. It is the
format of the negotiations and another format does not exist. I think
that there is no doubt about it", Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian said answering the question about the probability of Turkish
mediation in the settlement of Karabakh conflict. According to him,
Turkey does not take on the mediator’s role in Karabakh issue.

Listening the question and the answer to it, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign
Minister Mahmoud Mamedguliev asked to translate the question in Russian
and then underlined that from the Azerbaijani position every country’s
efforts to contribute to the settlement of the conflict are welcomed.

"If there are concrete proposals, we are ready to discuss them", the
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister mentioned adding that Azerbaijan
is ready to discuss any proposal and Turkish proposal as well.

39% OF ARMENIAN PRIVATE COMPANIES PLAN BUSINESS FOR 1-3 YEARS: POLL

/ARKA/
April 16, 2009
YEREVAN

Latest research from the annual Grant Thornton International Business
Report offers new insight about how far into the future privately
held businesses (PHBs) plan.

The most common planning period is 1-3 years, favoured by 49% of PHBs
globally. 39% of Armenian businesses participating in the survey also
have the same planning cycle. Of PHBs following a 1-3 year planning
cycle, the highest proportions were in Denmark (64%), followed by
New Zealand and the United Kingdom (both 60%) and India and Greece
(both 59%).

PHBs in mainland China are the longest term planners with 44%
of businesses planning more than three years ahead, as opposed to
Armenia’s average of 22% for the same period of planning.

Short term planning is favoured by 21% of PHBs globally and is
especially common in Latin America, with 73% of PHBs in Mexico, 71%
in Argentina and 43% in Chile using a planning cycle of less than
12 months. Armenia, with 35% of PHBs adopting this approach, is also
well above the global average of 21%. It is noteworthy that financial
services is the sector where businesses make the longest plans.

Gurgen Hakobyan, Partner at Grant Thornton Amyot, explains, "Our
experience with many of the privately held companies in Armenia shows
that 3 years is the most common planning period. Usually businesses
plan up to 3 years in our country. This is quite justifiable taking
into account the economic instability. The global economic downturn
is also challenging the formal planning and making it more and more
flexible to be able to respond to arising difficulties.

However, having a short-term operational plan does not eliminate the
need for having a long-term strategic plan. The challenges in the
short-term perspective are easier to overcome if the business has
clear vision of its long-term plan."

The International Business Report also reveals that product
innovation is seen as the most successful initiative for boosting
profitability. When 7,200 PHBs were asked to identify the initiative
that helped profitability most, 20% cited innovation followed by cost
cutting (18%) and pricing strategy (13%). These indicators almost
coincide with the responses of Armenian businesses, with the exception
of cost cutting mentioned by only 7% of PHBs.

The Grant Thornton International Business Report is an annual survey
of the views of senior executives in privately held businesses all
over the world.

Launched in 1992 in nine European countries the report now surveys
over 7,200 PHBs in 36 economies providing territory, regional and
global trend data on the economic and commercial issues affecting a
sector often described as the ‘engine’ of the world’s economy. Data
for eight key industry sectors will be available for the first time
in 2009. The res earch is conducted by Experian Business Strategies
Ltd. Grant Thornton International donates US$5 to UNICEF for every
completed IBR questionnaire, a donation of over US$39,000 in 2008.

ARMENIA MAY BECOME A TRANSIT COUNTRY FOR TURKEY TO THE MIDDLE EAST

AZG Armenian Daily
April 15 2009
Armenia

Similar statement was made by Turkish-Armenian Business Development
Council co-chairman Kaan Soyak.

He mentioned that Turkey was interested in Armenia as well as a link
with Russia.

According to him, as a transit country Armenia will benefit as well,
as it will get huge sums from the duties.

According to Soyak, the present trade turnover between Armenia and
Turkey is about $ 150 mln almost totally provided by the imports
from Turkey.

He assured that after the opening of the borders the volumes of the
trade turnover would essentially increase.

"In spite of the efforts invested, the Council cannot operate
efficiently as the political issues hinder it", Soyak said, according
to "Armenpress".

TURKEY’S SUPPORT IS NECESSARY TO ALIYEV AS THE BREATH OF LIFE
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanArmenian
April 14 2009
Armenia

Recognizing Turkey’s present borders, Armenia would imply her
non-insistence on international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Judging by the latest publications, the Azeri society, in consequence
of the outlined diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey, has
reached an unprecedented level of hysteria and irresponsibility. The
matter is not even that buckets of mud are flung at Armenia; we have
long got used to it thanks to the efforts of sunken into oblivion
Akper Hasanov and still in good shape Vugar Seidov. By the way,
the latter has truly lost his sense of proportion and tact…

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It would be naïve of us to consider Baku does not
realize that Azerbaijan is not fitting into the Armenian-Turkish
relations. The matter simply is that Azeri politicians have taken
Heydar Aliyev’s words on ‘One nation, two states’ for granted and now
they are ready to defend this view at any cost, by all thinkable and
unthinkable means. And let us note thereupon that the ostrich policy
conducted by the Armenian authorities and some independent departments
in foreign matters will never lead to a happy end. The statements
like "We consider it beneath our dignity to respond to the foolery of
Azerbaijan" are not at all watertight. Neither is the reluctance to
report to media what is already spread all over the world. Exactly
on this matter dwelt the other day Director of "Hay Dat" Bureau
Kiro Manoyan, commenting on the visit of the RA Foreign Minister to
Istanbul. "No explanations provided whether the minister goes or not.

Then he meets with three ministers but it suddenly occurs he met
Obama on a separate meeting. Is it so difficult to distinctly describe
the situation?", Manoyan complains. Surely it wouldn’t be difficult,
be there a will.

But, earnestly speaking, Baku’s preoccupation could be predicted. Her
illusive hopes on the Â"returnÂ" of Nagorno Karabakh are now fading
away for good. And in this regard Turkey’s support is necessary
to Aliyev as the breath of life. If we should believe Erdogan such
support is now offered to Azerbaijan. But how truthful are the Turkish
Premier’s words? And no matter how hard Baku tries to persuade that she
will not tolerate any Armenian-Turkish relations without regulation of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey herself pays little attention to
this. The major issue for her is the recognition of today’s Turkey’s
borders by Armenia. However, it is what Armenia and the Armenians
should primarily avoid. Recognizing Turkey’s present borders, Armenia
would imply her non-insistence on international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. This is the only trump card Armenia has, but,
unfortunately, there is no proof yet that she is using it correctly.

And now there are numerous delegations heading for Turkey from
Â"brotherlyÂ" Azerbaijan every day. There they are met by opposition
and nationalist parties, which are not so much against the opening of
Armenian-Turkish border as they are against the Erdogan Government. And
what is interesting – the Azeri media, very often giving out the
desired for the actual, misinterprets the Turkish press. It’s quite
understandable, as it is the only way to convince people that the
Â"Father of nationÂ" has chosen the right way. And we should show
respect to the Turkish press and politicians, as they never venture
rough and mean attacks on Armenia and its people. If only the Baku
agitation and propaganda department would take lessons from his
Â"brotherÂ". But hatred has closed their eyes…

In the words of leading analyst of the Center for Middle East
Studies Alexander Sotnichenko, the current Turkish Government thinks
pragmatically and is ready to establish diplomatic relations with
Armenia. "Relations between Turkey and Armenia could become similar
to those between Russia and Japan. On the negative side we have
territorial claims and no peace of treaty signed. Still, on the
positive side, there are diplomatic relations and trade turnover. I
believe this model is the most acceptable for Armenian-Turkish
relations," he said.

He also noted that the European Union would approve of Armenian-Turkish
agreement. Yet, though Turkey seeks EU membership, it will never
be accepted as a part of the Committee. "But what’s even more
important, the agreement will strengthen Russian-Turkish relations
and make further agreement between Russia, Turkey and Armenia
possible. Surely Baku won’t like it, but, frankly speaking, we don’t
seek her approval. The Erdogan Government is flexible and thinks in
accordance with policy realities of today’s world, whereas Baku chooses
to count on nationalists," Sotnichenko stressed. It is quite possible
that Armenia and Turkey will reestablish diplomatic relations, or,
to put it differently, they’ll return to the status they had before
1993. But what will come next? Hardly would they have neighbourly
relations like those between France and Germany. The "Alliance of
Civilizations" is impossible in Armenian-Turkish implementation,
and no one can say for sure whether it’s good or bad. Sorry to say,
this topic is most painful for Armenia and Turkey, and its constant
overstatement in the press cannot have a happy end.