Author: Hovhannisian John

LE PRECEDENT DU KOSOVO INSPIRE LES AUTORITES DU HAUT-KARABAKH (VEDOMOSTI)

RIA Novosti
19 Mai 2008
Russie

MOSCOU, 19 mai – RIA Novosti. Les autorites du Haut-Karabakh ont
l’intention d’obtenir leur independance en peuplant cette contree d’un
demi-million d’Armeniens, lit-on lundi dans le quotidien Vedomosti.

Le Haut-Karabakh doit participer aux negociations sur le règlement
pacifique du conflit avec l’Azerbaïdjan, a declare le president de
cette entite autoproclamee sur le territoire azerbaïdjanais Bako
Saakian en repondant a une question du quotidien Vedomosti. "La
Republique du Haut-Karabakh (RNK) independante ayant les memes
priorites que d’autres Etats etrangers est la partie principale
engagee dans le conflit", a explique M. Saakian. Durant 14 ans, les
negociations ont ete menees par l’Armenie. Le Karabakh n’y a participe
que lors de la conclusion de l’accord de cessez-le-feu en 1994.

Guegam Bagdassarian, l’unique depute d’opposition au parlement du
Karabakh, n’exclut pas que Stepanakert (capitale de la RNK) ait pu y
etre pousse par des rumeurs, selon lesquelles l’Armenie serait prete
a ceder une partie des territoires du Karabakh a l’Azerbaïdjan en
vue d’accelerer le règlement du conflit.

En 1988, la republique autonome du Karabakh annonca son retrait de
l’Azerbaïdjan. Le conflit militaire qui suivit fit 25.000 a 30.000
morts, et provoqua l’exode de 1 a 1,5 million de refugies. Les
negociations sur le règlement du conflit se poursuivent dans le cadre
du groupe de Minsk de l’OSCE copreside par les Etats-Unis, la Russie
et la France.

Meme l’Armenie hesite a etablir des relations diplomatiques avec
Stepanakert. Les ruines des maisons et les carcasses rouillees des
vehicules blindes temoignent de la situation "ni guerre ni paix"
en vigueur dans les anciens villages azerbaïdjanais. En revanche,
les villages armeniens se retablissent grâce a l’aide de la diaspora
etrangère. Des emigres construisent parfois dans leur village d’origine
de veritables palais avec des fontaines et des zoos.

L’armee constitue environ 1/6 de la population. Une reprise economique
est observee. L’agriculture et la production de vins prospèrent tout
particulièrement dans cette contree fertile. En outre, le complexe
minier de Drmbon assure a lui seul presque la moitie du PIB.

La doctrine fixant l’objectif de peupler au maximum le territoire du
Karabakh sera le fruit de la stabilite, a declare au quotidien Araïk
Aroutiounian, premier ministre de la republique autoproclamee. Selon
les donnees officielles, la republique compte moins de 150.000
habitants, la densite de la population y est 10 fois inferieure a
celle de l’Armenie voisine. Le gouvernement poursuit l’objectif de
faire en sorte dans de brefs delais que la republique compte 500.000
habitants. L’afflux de population depasse de deux fois le nombre de
departs. On constate egalement un accroissement du taux de natalite,
qui est actuellement a environ 14 pour 1.000. L’augmentation de la
population peut egalement aider a regler la question de l’independance:
"comme c’etait le cas au Kosovo", resume M. Aroutiounian.

Le ministre armenien des Affaires etrangères Edvard Nalbandian estime
que le statut de la republique doit etre determine par ses habitants au
cours d’un referendum. Quant a Moscou, il se prononce pour la recherche
d’un compromis avec la participation de mediateurs internationaux,
a declare Leonid Sloutski, vice-president du Comite des affaires
internationales de la Douma (chambre basse du parlement russe).

Cet article est tire de la presse et n’a rien a voir avec la redaction
de RIA Novosti.

–Boundary_(ID_Wud+fnX3A8oHz51zjlQl1Q)–

WHAT WE NEED IS A COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 21, 2008
Armenia

To Be Discussed Around A Table

As we know leader of "Heritage" party Raffi Hovhannisyan appeared with
a mediation mission, to set up government-opposition dialogue. He
invited the leaders of the coalition parties, including President
Serge Sargsyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan for a "vital discussion".

"What is the sense of looking for a new format of a dialogue, in
case when the committee established by the decree of the President
has already taken concrete steps to settle the problems enshrined in
PACE resolution?

What is it that prevents Raffi Hovhannisyan from realizing his
anticipations in the framework of the existing format? Nevertheless
he is already involved in that process, by his participation in the
consultation held in the Presidential residence." Below we introduce
Raffi Hovhannisyan’s observations regarding the before mentioned
questions.

"It is very important to compare all the conceptual proposals on the
table and find the best one, instead of waiting for instructions from
Strasburg. In my view during the weeks to come, we must initiate the
process of this dialogue, based on the interests of our state. I would
be very happy if it starts today. But if it doesn’t take place for this
or that reason, we will continue to work in that direction, taking into
consideration all the remarks and criticism, because in our view it is
not the initiative of "Heritage" party but the demand of all Armenians.

It is not very important where and when will the dialogue be hold. Had
I received similar invitation, believe me, I would immediately
respond."

"As a pre-condition of the dialogue Levon Ter-Petrosyan demands to
release his supporters. Don’t you think this principle excludes the
possibility of the dialogue?"

"In my view those who have been detained due to their political views
must be released and this must be one of the priorities before June 20.

But dialogue presumes sitting around a table as soon as possible
and discussing all the proposals that can help overcome the
crisis. There are proposals from the both sides, pro-governmental and
pro-oppositional, so the only thing left to do is to sit and discuss
them. It is high time for each of us to unite around one idea. We must
set up a committee to investigate the details of the tragic events
of March 1 and release all the detainees who didn’t commit crime.

Meanwhile we must restore the freedom of speech of the citizens
of Armenia.

This is the complex of issues which need a tête-a-tête."

"Di d the coalition parties and radical opposition respond to your
invitation?"

"Not yet."

"Aren’t you satisfied with the approaches represented during the
consultation in the Presidential residence aimed at raising the role
of the opposition and mitigating the tension?"

"Yesterday I said, that if I were a member of the group I would have
introduced my objections, my special opinion. In my view we still need
a comprehensive project. We speak about justice, about the independence
of the courts. But this justice must be equal for everyone. There are
half steps towards this issue as well. As regards the issue of raising
the role of the opposition, we shouldn’t bargain around holding certain
positions, instead, our opposition must be properly represented.

In our program we tried not to concentrate on the pro-oppositional
and pro-governmental aspects. It is a proposal that presumes the
involvement of all the powers. If we change the places of the present
day opposition and government this program will still work."

"Many representatives of the ruling power, including President
Serge Sargsyan have accepted that they are also responsible for the
tragic events of March 1. Recently you also accepted your share of
responsibility, but still you failed to avert the bloodshed. How do
you estimate the fact that Levon Ter-Petrosyan doesn’t want to accept
that he is also responsible for what happened?"

"In my view everyone understands that they have their share of
responsibility for what happened on March 1, no matter they speak
about it or not. But the President and his main opponent, the first
President must feel political responsibility. But I don’t think,
by now any of them has completely accepted his responsibility.

I shoulder the responsibility of that tragedy as a citizen of Armenia
and I wouldn’t like to comment on the behavior of the other political
figures.

But on the other hand we must accept that we need to review lots of
thing especially our way of expressing opinions, and using certain
language, we must understand that today the interests of our nation
is on the scale."

–Boundary_(ID_aUILUpci5x50E18V/FvaQ w)–

ARMENIA FOCUSES ON COOPERATION DEVELOPMENT WITH USA: PRIME MINISTER

ARKA
May 19, 2008

YEREVAN, May 19. /ARKA/. Armenia attaches importance to cooperation
development with the USA, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian said
Friday during his meeting with Coordinator of US Assistance to Europe
and Eurasia Tomas Adams.

The RA Premier told the US official the country focuses on the
productive activities of Armenian-US intergovernmental working group
on economy, the RA Government’s press service reports.

Sargsian thanked the US Government for supporting Armenia after the
country declared independence. "We realize that some sectors still
need serious reforms and that we will settle all the issues thanks
to the US assistance," the Prime Minister said.

Sargsian introduced Adams to the country’s current macroeconomic
situation and the tax and legislative reforms in Armenia. He assured
the US official that the reformed fields will help solve a number of
social and economic problems.

The Premier said the reforms will be made public soon, so as society
could control government activities. He told Adams Armenia also
focuses on small and medium business development and anti-corruption
programs. The RA Government is cooperating with international
organizations which observe the country’s activities to find weak
points in implemented programs.

The Prime Minister said people are sick and tired of empty promises. He
assured Adams the Government is ready to carry out broad reforms in
the country. "We are in search of principles that unite us today,"
Sargsian said.

In his turn, Adams congratulated the Prime Minister on his appointment,
saying he has been cooperating with Sargsian since he was Chairman
of the Central Bank of Armenia.

Adams assured the Premier he will be able to achieve success in
his activities.

The US official approved of the current tax reforms in Armenia,
saying the country has progressed in that field.

According to Adams, Armenia still has problems with democracy building,
supremacy of law and entrepreneurship. He assured the Prime Minister
the US Administration will help Armenia become more attractive to
foreign investors.

ARMENIAN PREMIER SAYS TAX AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS SHOULD ABANDON OLD WORKING METHODS

ARKA
May 16, 2008

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargssyan
said Armenian tax and customs officers should no longer use their
old working methods.

"The priority task is to overcome the psychological complex of tax
and customs officers. They must learn to work with new methods giving
up the old ones, including those with direct business involvement,"
Sargssyan said at a meeting of premier-affiliated Business Support
Council.

When tax and customs officers come to a mutually beneficial agreement
with businessmen, it is then the government that suffers most.

"This psychological complex should be overcome which is quite a
difficult task" Sargssyan said. The government is going to toughen
the punishment for abuses meanwhile sharply raising the salaries paid
to the employees of these services.

A social package ensuring a long-term job and high salary will
be suggested to the employees, the premier said. "It is much more
preferable to have a stable and long-term job than jeopardize their
jobs and succumb to temptations," the premier emphasized.

Among other participants of the meeting were Vahram Barseghyan,
Chief of the State Tax Service and Acting Chairman of the State Tax
Committee, Ashot Shahnazaryan, Chairman of the State Commission
for Economic Competition Protection, as well as AEPLAC Armenia
Office Director, EBRD Armenia Office Director, Chairman of the
Armenian-Canadian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chairman
of the NKR Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen, Armenian
businessmen and representatives of different associations and public
organizations.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: "PRINCIPLES OF THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION, VOICED BY ARAZ AZIMOV, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOCUMENT, WHICH IS ON THE NEGOTIATION TABLE"

Today.Az
itics/45018.html
May 15 2008
Azerbaijan

The key issue of talks on the peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is a status of Nagorno Karabakh, which should be settled by
way of plebiscite.

The due announcement was made by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan.

"This will allow the population of Nagorno Karabakh to express its
will about the future status of the country", the Minister told
reporters on May 15.

Commenting on the principles of the Azerbaijani side on the conflict
resolution, recently voiced by Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister
Araz Azimov, Armenian Foreign Minister said that they have nothing
to do with the document, which is on the negotiation table.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan has previously announced that
Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be settled in the framework of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and definition of the Nagorno
Karabakh status requires return of the Azerbaijani population to
the area.

"Araz Azimov has merely voiced his opinion and opinion of the
Azerbaijani side. By repeating its principle for five, ten or twenty
times, Azerbaijani side will not be able to include it into the
negotiation document", said Nalbandyan.

He noted that proposals on the resolution of the conflict, which
have become a result of the efforts of the co-chairs has recently
been worked out.

"It is important to continue talks on the basis of these
proposals. Armenian side has already stated readiness to continue talks
on the basis of these proposals. We will try to attach new stimulus
to all past achievements and reach success in the directions, on
which there has not been any progress", the Foreign Minister assured.

REP. COSTA CALLS ON NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR NOMINEE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.05.2008 16:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On May 8, 2008, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno),
a long time friend and supporter of the Armenian American Community,
sent a letter to Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, the new ambassadorial
nominee of the United States to the Republic of Armenia, requesting
her to answer questions regarding her views and opinions about the
Armenian Genocide of 1915.

"It is important that the United States fill this empty diplomatic
position in Yerevan, Armenia," said Costa. "But before she is confirmed
by the United States Senate, it is critical for my constituents and
me to know her thoughts on the first genocide of the 20th century:
the Armenian Genocide," he added.

"In light of the events that took place with previous ambassadorial
nominee Richard Hoagland, the Armenian American community welcomes
Rep. Costa’s tough questions to Ambassador Yovanovitch on the subject
of the Armenian Genocide," said Andrew Kzirian, ANC-WR Executive
Director. "It is imperative that the next ambassador of the United
States to Armenia accepts the importance of Genocide recognition,"
he added.

Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch currently serves as the United States
Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic.

On March 28, 2008, President George W. Bush announced plans to
nominate Yovanovitch as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. Yovanovitch will
appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for confirmation
hearings, followed by a confirmation vote by the panel and the Senate,
before she is officially appointed.

Minister Nalbandian met with OSCE Secretary General

armradio.am
08.05.2008 15:22

On May 7 RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with the OSCE
Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaud. Discussed were issues
connected with the Karabakh conflict settlement, the cooperation with
the OSCE, as well as questions related to the report on the Armenian
presidential elections issued by the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR).

The Armenian Foreign Minister informed the OSCE Secretary General about
his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov
and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. He noted that Armenia appreciates
the efforts of the Co-Chairs in the direction of settling the issue and
is ready to continue the process on the basis of the proposals the
mediators presented to the parties in Madrid.

Minister Nalbandian noted also that Armenia opposes any steps that may
contradict the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and distort the essence
of the talks.

The Minister expressed appreciation for the level of cooperation with
the OSCE Office in Yerevan, noting that a tradition of close
cooperation has been established between the Armenian side and the
office.

RA Foreign Minister presented the steps of the Armenian political
leadership targeted at establishing public trust and launching dialogue
between different political forces on issues of common concern. He
informed that a working group has been established upon RA President’s
instruction to coordinate the implementation of the suggestions
included in PACE Resolution #1609.

New 10,000-worth banknote put in circulation in Armenia

YEREVAN, May 8. /ARKA/. As of May 8 a new 10,000-worth banknote (150 x
72mm) has been put in circulation in Armenia.

Armenian poet Avetik Isahakian is portrayed on the observe of the
banknote against the background of Aragats Mount by Martiros Sarian.
The upper part of the banknote contains words `Central Bank of the
Republic of Armenia’ in Armenian. Signatures of the President of the
Central Bank and the Finance Minister of Armenia are to the right from
the portrait.

A fragment of the city of Giumry is shown at the center of the reverse.

The 10,000-worth banknotes of 2003 and 2006 remain in free circulation
with no limitation. `0–

If a member of parliament cannot borrow a loan, how about ordinary
people?

06-05-2008 13:02:30 – KarabakhOpen

`If a member of parliament cannot borrow a loan, how about ordinary
people?’ asked Member of Parliament Oleg Grigoryan during the
discussion of the budget report 2007. The NKR National Assembly
Committee of Production and Industrial Infrastructures discussed the
budget report yesterday. The question was addressed to the minister of
economic development Benik Bakshiyan.

According to Oleg Grigoryan, he submitted a business plan to Artsakh
Investment Foundation for the program of development of small and
medium-sized businesses. His documents were forwarded to Artsakhbank
where they are still lying. They explain the refusal by the absence of
some documents and shortcomings in others.

The member of parliament voiced concern that each demands a new
document, and already three months has passed. Meanwhile, the member of
parliament offered his apartment in Stepanakert as collateral.

The minister of economic development promised to study this problem and
answer later.

In an interview with Karabakh-Open.com Oleg Grigoryan said he presented
a business plan with a value of 6 million drams.

It turns out that in the bank they do not know that O. Grigoryan is a
member of parliament, and he is not likely to inform the staff of the
bank about it. After all, ordinary borrowers cannot inform the staff of
the bank about the same.

Pan-Armenian gathering of young writers in Artsakh

06-05-2008 13:00:48 – KarabakhOpen

The gathering of young writers started in Artsakh. Yesterday President
Bako Sahakyan met with the members of the Union of writers of Armenia
and Karabakh, as well as creative young people.

`During the meeting the core importance of culture in preservation of
ethnic identity and maintenance of relations among Artsakh, Armenia and
Diaspora was underlined,’ the official message holds.

Bako Sahakyan welcomed the initiative of young writers to meet in
Artsakh and held out hope that such events will become traditional.