Author: Hovhannisian John

WHAT ALLOWS FOR FIRING ACTIVITY? SKIRMISHES ALL ALONG THE FRONT LINE ARE INCESSANT
R. Orujev
Translated by A. Ignatkin

Source: Ekho (Baku), August 9, 2007, EV
Agency WPS
Defense and Security (Russia)
August 15, 2007 Wednesday

Azerbaijani military experts comment on the deterioration on the
Azerbaijani-Armenian border.

Units of the Armenian regular army keep making fun of the cease-fire
regime all over the front line and along the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border. The impression is that this activeness grows with each
passing day.

The Defense Minister of Azerbaijan issued a special press release.

The document states that the Armenians kept violating the truce all
over the front line on August 6 and 7. The Azerbaijani regular army
was compelled to return fire. No casualties were reported.

The Press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry maintains
in the meantime that the Armenians keep torching the occupied
territories. Units of the Armenian army set fire to the pastures 2.5
kilometers southwest of the settlement of Ashagy Veiselli, Fizuli
district. This activity lasted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on August 6.

It’s hard to say what compels the Armenians to be so active in the
midst of an already scorching summer. No prominent political events
are taking place in the region and no Azerbaijani-Armenian talks are
under way. Here are comments by two Azerbaijani military experts.

Lieutenant General Vladimir Timoshenko, ex-deputy of the parliament,
refuses to consider what has been happening a political act. "No, I do
not think they are doing it on orders from the political leadership. I
do not think it is an attempt to gauge the reaction of Azerbaijan
or to decide how much pushing it will take. The way I see it, it is
the uncontrollable processes under way in the Armenian army that are
to be blamed," Timoshenko said. "We have to thank local Armenian COs
for it… It is not Armenia angling for another war. It is not ready
for the hostilities."

Rauf Rajabov, Afghani war veteran and Dengi magazine editor, is
of the opinion that the motives behind what is happening are both
military and political. "From the military standpoint, the Armenians
are trying to discover weapons emplacements and our strong and weak
points. The enemy is out to find potential breaches in our defense,"
Rajabov said. "From the political standpoint, all of that is supposed
to show us that all negotiations under way and all principles we have
so far agreed upon exist only on paper. That the Armenian leadership
is not ready for an actual agreement yet. Hence all this firing. The
military cannot exceed the limits and frames set for it by the
political masters. I suspect that this activization is a link in the
chain that even affects Georgia – I mean the recent bombing incident.

All of that is happening because the UN General Assembly is about to
discuss the matter of suspended conflicts on GUAM’s insistence. These
are acts of intimidation of Azerbaijan and Georgia for the brashness
of bringing the matter up to the international level."

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN ANALYST CONSIDERS TURKEY’S POSSIBLE MEMBERSHIP IN EU POSITIVE

Noyan Tapan
Aug 14 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by U.S. Congress will not threaten the interests of the
United States. This conviction was expressed by Richard Kirakosian,
an American-Armenian analyst, during the August 14 discussion
on the subject "The recognition of the Armenian Genocide, its
consequences, influence on Armenian-Turkish relations and American
foreign policy." In general, according to Richard Kirakosian, the
issue of the Armenian Genocide in itself is not a decisive one in
Turkish-American relations, as both of the countries are interested in
another issue: the stability of Iraq, each from its own point of view.

Richard Kirakosian mentioned that the issue of the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide is not the only important one in the context of
Armenian-Turkish relations: the issue of opening borders with Turkey
is more important for Armenia. According to him, the economic blockade
implemented by Azerbaijan and Turkey is dangerous for Armenia. And
as for the opening of borders with Turkey, R. Kirakosian believes
that it can prove dangerous only for several powerful personalities
of Armenia, who enjoy import monopoly for this or that kind of goods.

Richard Kirakosian considers the possible membership of Turkey in
the European Union positive for Armenia, as in this case the borders
of the European Union will reach Armenia. And as for the membership
of Turkey in the European Union, according to R. Kirakosian, it can
prove somewhat dangerous for EU member countries, from the point of
view of the Islamic terrorism.

GALUST SAHAKYAN ADVISES TO SUBMIT TO SERZH SARGSYAN’S VICTORY

Panorama.am
13:46 15/08/2007

"Political forces demonstrate some activism. It is natural since
the presidential elections are ahead," Galust Sahakyan, member of
the Armenian Republican Party (HHK), told reporters at Club Pastark
today saying the political teams are engaged in "intelligence" now.

In his words, the attempts to set up a union in the opposition chamber
remind him of "Gathering of Mice," the famous writing of Khnko Aper,
Armenian writer of fairy tales and children’s stories. Sahakyan
believes "the opposition has a big field of cooperation" bringing
the example of 1995 when HHK cooperated with the ruling Pan-Armenian
National Party (HHSh) around some principle issues despite of being
an opposition party. Just to recall, HHK ceased being an opposition
after that.

"The parliamentary elections indicated that the opposition holds 20-25
percent of votes and in case it manages to utilize that 20-25 percent,
it would be good job," Sahakyan said.

Referring to the participation of Serzh Sargsyan in the presidential
elections, Sahakyan noted: "One must submit to the idea that the
Republican will have a decisive role in the presidential elections
and must have a president. All other issues may be tackled in the
political field based on the principle of cooperative acts."

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

August 14, 2007

ACNIS Explores the Ramifications of United States
Genocide Recognition on Foreign Policy

Yerevan–The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today convened a discussion on the foreign policy surrounding
Armenian-Turkish and US-Turkish relations. The meeting brought
together officials of international relations, leading analysts,
policy specialists, and diasporan university students interning among
various governmental and non-governmental organizations within the
Republic of Armenia and media representatives.

In his opening remarks Mr. Haig Kherlopian, student of the American
University in Washington D.C. discussed the current status of House
Resolution 106 which officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide of
1915. "The American Diaspora is raised with the mentality that passing
legislation to recognize the Genocide is critical for the well-being
of the collective Armenian identity. It is important, however, it is
also important to understand the American government’s perspective,"
he said.

Analyst for the Caucasus region and Central Asia Mr. Richard
Giragosian shared his expertise on the specific consequences that may,
in his professional opinion, befall the three states concerned if
America’s government does indeed pass pending genocide legislation in
the American House of Representatives.

The seminar focused mainly of those risks concerning military and
economic relations to which Mr. Richard Giragosian former staff-member
of the Joint Economic Committee on the United States’ Congress
commented that Turkey is currently struggling to forge a new national
identity and this struggle will determine whether Turkey will look to
the East or to the West. According to Giragosian, it is in Armenia’s
interest that Turkey joins the European Union because, "Turkey within
the straight-jacket of the EU will result in a weakened Turkish
military and bring European borders to Armenia".

Ms. Talar Hovnanian, Student of the Univerity of California, posed a
question for discussion to the diasporan university students present
reflecting on the ways in which Armenians abroad will be able to unify
themselves without a cause such as the Armenian Genocide as
motivation, exploring, "the likelihood that after the issue of
genocide recognition is taken off of the table, whether it is possible
for the Diaspora to unify themselves on a critical but little known
issue like diverted rail-roads or democratic development". The
participants concluded that it is the Diaspora’s responsibility to
begin to view the Armenian situation with a more practical point of
view rather than the ideological unifying platform provided by the
need for genocide recognition.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi
K. Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors,
ACNIS serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public
policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the
post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative,
strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global
environment. In 2007, the Center focuses primarily on civic education,
democratic development, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the
nation.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit

MONTHLY SALARY OF TEACHERS AT PROFESSIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL COLLEGES IN ARMENIA TO TOTAL $264 INSTEAD OF PRESENT $73

arminfo
2007-08-13 18:36:00

Average monthly salary of teachers at professional technological and
industrial educational establishments in Armenia will rise to 90,000
drams ($264) due to foreign credits at the initial stage, Head of the
Armenian Ministry of Education and Science Department for Secondary
Special Education Samvel Pipoyan said at a press conference, Monday.

At present, some 5,000 teachers work in these educational
establishments at average salary of 25,000 drams ($73). The salary
will be raised gradually.

In 2008 they will receive by 5,000 drams more than in 2007. S. Pipoyan
forecasts some decline in the number of entrants for the coming
years. Ten years ago, these colleges had some 100,000 entrants. Now
this number has halved. In a year, students will fell in number to
30-20,000 people.

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES HANDS IN ARMENIAN-CAPTURED ANAR ALIYEV’S SECOND LETTER TO HIS FAMILY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 13 2007

The representatives of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
handed in Anar Aliyev’s second letter to his family, the captive’s
father Maarif Aliyev told the APA’s Karabakh bureau.

Anar Aliyev was captured by Armenian Armed Forces on August 2 in
Tartar region.

The letter says, "I am fine, do not worry about me. ICRC
representatives visit me very often. I hope that they will release
me." His father made sure that the signature belongs to his son.

M.Aliyev wrote his son back. He advised him to have a little patience
and let him know that Azeri government cares about him.

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 10 2007

Contradictions in Approval of Mandate of Representatives of Armenia
in South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative Group

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. I.Alizadeh / Siyavush Novruzov, the
head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the South Caucasus
Parliamentary Initiative Group and a member of the permanent
commission of the Parliament on Security and Defence, stated on 10
August that the meeting had not been held due to the mandate of the
Armenian representatives in the group not yet being defined.

According to Novruzov, the mandate of the members of the Armenian
delegation in the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative Group
should be approved again. However, Armenia did not approve the
mandate of the representatives of the country.

Novruzov stressed that the main aim of the South Caucasus
Parliamentary Initiative Group is to render assistance to integrating
countries situated in Europe and the Atlantic region. Armenia is
afraid to integrate into such groups, as Yerevan does not wish to
carry out the demands of these groups. Due to this reason a
contradiction occurred in the Parliament of Armenia. Despite all of
this, the functioning of the group will be continued.

The South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative Group will hold a meeting
in the near future. The terms of the meeting will be defined after
Armenia has made a statement regarding its participation in the
process.

The South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative Group was founded by the
initiative of the non-governmental organization of British LINKS. The
Group unites Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia and ten MPs from each
country. Presently, the Chairman of the Group is Azerbaijani.

IN DANIEL FRID’S OPINION, WAR WILL RUIN FUTURE OF AZERBAIJAN

Noyan Tapan
Aug 10 2007

WASHINGTON, AUGUST 10, NOYAN TAPAN. War will appear ruinous for the
future of Azerbaijan. This opinion was expressed by Daniel Frid,
the U.S. State Secretary Assistant, in his interview with the Azeri
service of the Radio Liberty. Frid mentioned that he is disappointed
with the last meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
which led to no results. At the same time, he expressed hope that
"the Presidents of the two countries will find a way to move forward
at some point. In the end, this is driven from the interests of each
of the countries," the high ranking American diplomat stressed. "The
future of Azerbaijan will be hazy as far as this issue is not solved."

Frid expressed conviction that the Karabakh conflict can be solved
only in a peacefull way. "War will destroy the future of Azerbaijan
and will do good to no one. We should move forward only by a peacefull
settlement of the problem." "We have passed a long way and I hope
that we will arrive at the settlement of the problem," the U.S. State
Secretary Assistant concluded.

NUMBER OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS CASES GROWS BY 19 IN ARMENIA IN JUNE 2007 ON SAME MONTH OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Aug 09 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, NOYAN TAPAN. 17 cases of contagious diseases were
registered in Armenia in June 2007. According to the RA Ministry of
Health, 68 cases of salmonellosis, 61 cases of viral hepatitis and
140 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were registered in June, which
is more by 43, 7 and 19 cases respectively as compared with June 2006.

465 cases of acute intestinal infections, 3,697 cases of acute
respiratory diseases were registered in June of this year, which is
fewer by 2 and 307 cases respectively as compared with the same month
of last year.

VIVACELL ALO SUBSCRIBERS MAY RECHARGE THEIR ACCOUNTS VIA ERMS

Mediamax, Armenia
Aug 9 2007

Yerevan, August 9 /Mediamax/. VivaCell mobile operator announced that
VivaCell Alo subscribers may recharge their accounts via Electronic
Recharge Machines (ERMs).

"The ERMs are located in different parts of Yerevan, later on they
will be available in Armenian regions as well," Mediamax was told in
VivaCell press service today.

The account will be recharged within 2-10 minutes following the
recharge transaction through ERM. Afterwards, VivaCell Alo subscriber
will receive an SMS on his mobile handset, with information about
his account balance and validity period.

For recharging mobile airtime account through an ERM, only 1,000,
5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 AMD paper banknotes can be used.