Author: Hunanian Jack

TIGRAN TOROSYAN: THE KARABAKH ISSUE DEMANDS PUTTING DOWN PARTISAN INTERESTS

Azg
Nov 29 2008
Armenia

Former parliamentary speaker and now independent MP Tigran Torosyan
spoke about Armenia’s national and foreign policy issues and possible
developments at the National Press Club yesterday [28 November].

Speaking about the Karabakh issue and new perception of the issue
within the last few weeks and the urgency of the settlement, Torosyan
said: "The latest developments are not connected with to the regular
settlement process of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict but with regional
developments. A new stage and developments in this direction began in
August – after the five-day Russian-Georgian war. In fact, Georgia
has ultimately focused on the USA which has created a new situation
in the region."

Speaking about the Moscow declaration [on Karabakh settlement signed
on 2 November by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian presidents]
Torosyan said that the document is rather directed to increase in
Russia’s role and weight. The circumstance that the declaration lacks
is a signature of a representative of Nagornyy Karabakh which made
Torosyan especially indignant and is extremely dangerous and can cause
serious problems later. "A document is signed on Nagornyy Karabakh,
a major side, the fate of which is being decided, is missing. This
indirectly means that the self-determination of Nagornyy Karabakh
has not been recognized," he said.

The Madrid principles on [the Karabakh settlement] are not clear to the
former member of the [ruling] Republican Party of Armenia. "In such
a case, not principles but the details are important. For instance,
why should Karabakh hold a new referendum, if it made a statement in
this regard previously in compliance with international norms. Also
who should ensure guaranteeing and carrying out of Karabakh’s right to
self-determination?," Torosyan said, mentioning the Kosovo example. He
believes that there are tens of such questions, which do not have
answers. However, the former parliament speaker believes the Madrid
principles are positive, considering them to be the continuation of
the Prague process where the right to self-determination is included
as a disciplinary element.

Torosyan said the public discussions on Karabakh settlement are
"harmless". "Nothing new was said during the meeting [the recent
discussions on Karabakh settlement with parties organized by the
Armenian president]. Everything that could have been said was said
many times long ago. Something that could not be said in public,
would not be said at a meeting with 50 parties," he said. [Passage
omitted: Torosyan said he was not involved in talks]

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN ECONOMIC PROJECTS NOT TO BE REVISED

ARKA
Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. No decision has been made on phasing out
or scaling down any large-scale Russian economic project in Armenia,
stated Alexander Zaitsev, RF Trade Representative in Armenia.

"In the course of time, some business plans will be modified in the
context of minimally scaling them down, but no projects, including
the large-scale gas and energy ones, will be discontinued," Zaitsev
said at the Novoti press center.

He pointed out that the global financial and economic crisis has
not yet affected the actively developing Armenian-Russian trade and
economic relations.

"In the future the crisis will certainly have some impact, but the
cooperation is still developing and, I think, will only be consolidated
next year," he said.

In this context Zaitsev welcomed the fact that the global economic
crisis has not affected Armenia because the Armenian economy is not
"yet fully cooperating with the world economy".

As regards the financial component, the Armenian financial sector
is well prepared and, due to a number of measures being taken by the
country’s Government, the financial crisis has not affected Armenia
as seriously as Russia, Zaitsev said.

He added that the crisis will influence the bilateral economic ties
because many fields of cooperation require Russian investments.

About 1,000 enterprises shared in by R ussian capital are currently
operating in Armenia. Specifically, the Armrosgasprom holds a monopoly
of supply of Russian gas to Armenia. The Electric Network of Armenia
CJSC is fully owned by INTER RAO EES.

In January 2003, the RUSAL company (Russia0 became sole owner of
the Rusal-Armenal CJSC, the only producer of aluminum foil in the
Caucasus and Central Asia. In April 2004, the VTB Bank (Russia)
became sole owner of the VTB Bank CJSC (Armenia).

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ALLOCATES 90 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAM ON FIGHTING TRAFFICKING IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The U.S. State Department Bureau
on Fighting Narcobusiness and Law Enforcement Cooperation allocated
a grant of 90 thousand dollars to the United Methodist Committee
on Relief (UMCOR) Armenian Office for the implementation of the
program under the title Strengthening of Law Enforcement Bodies’
Fighting Trafficking. Program’s goal is to expand the abilities of
Armenia’s Police Investigation Department employees in the issue of
disclosure of trafficking cases and working with people who suffered
from trafficking in line with international norms.

U.S. Ambassador to RA Marie Yovanovitch handed the grant on December 8.

According to her, it is terrible that at present trafficking develops
all over the world. "It is a crime that can knock at the door of each
of us one day: your daughter can be taken for sexual exploitation
with the offer of a good job. Each of us should do his best to put
an end to the slavery of our days," the Ambassador said.

Taking into consideration the circumstance that it is women who mainly
suffer from trafficking, M. Yovanovitch attached importance to the
16-day world agitation campaign against gender violence initiated by
UN. It started on November 25, the International Day of Liquidation
of Violence against Women, and ended on December 10, the Human Rights
International Day.

Within the framework of the program UMCOR will organize courses of
studies for 50 employees of RA Police Investigation Department central
and regional subdivisions on identification of people who suffered
from trafficking and investigation methods of cases on trafficking.

ARMENIAN PM VISITS GEORGIA
By Temuri Kiguradze

The Messenger
Dec 10 2008
Georgia

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkisian participated in a session
of the Georgian-Armenian Economic Development Commission in Tbilisi
on December 9.

Speaking to local journalists, Sarkisian stated that Georgian-Armenian
relations are very important for Yerevan and the "enlarging and
developing of relations between the two peoples is a primary task
for the [Armenian and Georgian] Governments."

Sarkisian met his Georgian counterpart Grigol Mgaloblishvili
and said afterwards that he was "impressed" by the discussion,
considering it would create a "good basis for a new beginning" for
Georgian-Armenian cooperation. "There are no relations that can’t be
negotiated. This is our first meeting and I am very grateful for the
open and honest conversation," stated the Armenian PM on December
9. Grigol Mgaloblishvili also expressed his satisfaction with the
results of the meeting, saying it would give a "new impetus" to the
future development of Georgian-Armenian relations.

One of the issues discussed by the Commission was the projected new
road linking Armenia and the Georgian coast. Sarkisian stated that
the Eurasia Foundation might sponsor this project and promised to
"start serious work on it in the near future." This project has
aroused criticism among many Georgian experts and politicians for both
economic and political reasons. "The project should reflect reality,"
said Niko Orvelashvili, Georgian political and economical expert
in October 2008. He doubted the possibility of its realization and
pointed out that it had been discussed for many years already without
any progress being made. He also mentioned political instability was
one of the reasons that may make the road unnecessary.

Several Georgian opposition politicians have protested against
the project. Niko Orvelashvili pointed to the statement of
Shalva Natelashvili, leader of the Georgian Labour Party, that a
Yerevan-Batumi road may serve as "a second Roki Tunnel," meaning that
in the event of conflict Russian military forces will be easily able
to enter southern Georgia from Armenia as the Russian troops entered
breakaway South Ossetia through the Roki Tunnel during the August
conflict. Soso Tsiskarishvili, another Georgian expert, said that
after the Russian-Georgian war, Russian troops which occupied a large
part of Georgian territory are finally leaving the country, but adds:
"Many of them have returned to military bases in Armenia. These troops
can only dream about a good road which will allow them to easily
enter Georgia once again." He added that he would welcome the road
if the project is dedicated to the economic development of the two
countries, however he is concerned that the new road may be another
"Putin preparation" for future conflict.

Among other issues discussed by the Commission were the restoration
of direct flights between Tbilisi and Yerevan and changes in
the Georgia-Armenia free trade agreement. Both parties signed the
Programme on Cooperation between the Georgian and Armenian Ministries
of Culture. Sarkisian was due to meet Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili on Tuesday evening.

TURKEY IS LIKELY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN COMING 5-10 YEARS, EDITOR OF AGOS CONSIDERS

Noyan Tapan

Dec 10, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkey is likely to recognize
the Armenian Genocide in the coming 5-10 years. Bagrat Estukian,
the editor of Agos weekly’s Armenian department, expressed such an
opinion at the December 10 press conference. According to him, it will
become possible under some conditions, for instance, Armenia should
renounce land, material compensations. According to him, the issue
of recognition of the Armenian Genocide gradually becomes an issue of
dignity for Turkey. "Recognizing a genocide is not such an easy thing,
but is inevitable, as it is a historic truth," B. Estukian said.

According to him, it is sufficient that Turkey apologizes for the
Genocide.

"The psychology of a victim gradually has a harmful impact for the
Armenians. We cannot live from one generation to another with that
psychology. An apology will be a great psychological treatment for
the Armenian people," B. Estukian said.

Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish relations, he said that the
viewpoints and dispositions of Turkish society and state figures
differ in that issue.

However, according to him, the current Turkish government realizes the
senselessness of the borders’ being closed. In B. Estukian’s opinion,
it is done to please Azerbaijan.

B. Estukian also said that besides Istanbul, there is no other
well-organized Armenian community in other territories of Turkey with
the exception of the village of Vakvfle, Musa Dag. According to him,
mainly old people live there, who keep the unique Armenian identity.

ARTSAKH-ARMENIA-DIASPORA TRINITY ESSENTIAL FOR KARABAKH PROBLEM RESOLUTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.12.2008 14:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Deputies of the National Assembly of France,
mayors of the French cities, politicians, representatives of the
Armenian organizations of France and journalists attended December
8 a reception dated to the 20th anniversary of the Karabakh movement
organized by the NKR Permanent Representation in France, the NKR MFA
press office reported.

"20 years have passed since that historical year of 1988. During these
20 hard years, we suffered a war, had innumerable victims, experienced
and still keeps on experiencing a severe blockade…But we managed
to withstand and win a victory thanks to our unity and solidarity",
said Hovhannes Gevorgyan, NKR Permanent Representative in France.

Speaking about the Diaspora’s role in the victory of Artsakh,
Mr. Gevorgyan mentioned that the Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora trinity
keeps on being an indispensable condition for the final resolution
of the Karabakh problem and the NKR’s international recognition.

He also touched upon the tragic events of Sumgait, in 1988, and the
earthquake in Spitak.

Those present paid homage to the innocent victims by one-minute
silence.

ARMENIAN PREMIER: RELATIONS WITH GEORGIA PRIORITY FOR ARMENIA

ARKA
Dec 9, 2008

TBILISI, December 9. /ARKA/. Relations with Georgia have a priority
meaning for Armenia, said RA Premier Tigran Sargsyan at the regular
sitting of Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic
cooperation in Tbilisi on Tuesday.

"I am sure the issues we will jointly consider will contribute to
improvement of bilateral relations between our nations," said Sargsyan.

He said the agreement reached by Armenian and Georgian Presidents
during the recent visit of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Tbilisi
(September 30 – October 1) served as stimulus for solving many issues.
Georgian Premier Grigol Mgaloblishvili stressed Armenian-Georgian
relations are well developing lately.

He said he hoped the sitting will boost existing bilateral relations.

A protocol will be signed at the end of the commission’s sitting.

The sides will also sign another protocol on amendments to
intergovernmental agreement on free trade as well as to Cooperation
program between Georgia’s Ministry of Culture, Protection of Monuments
and Sport and Armenian Ministry of Culture.

Armenian Prime Minister will have meetings with Georgian President
Mikhail Sahakashvili as well as with his Georgian counterpart Grigol
Mgaloblishvili during his stay in Tbilisi.

Armenian delegation members are Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan,
Economy Minister Nerses Yeritsyan, Energy and Natural Resources
0D Minister Armen Movsisyan, Diaspora minister Hranush Hakobyan,
Head of Government’s Staff David Sargsyan and President of National
Expenses Commission Gagik Khachatryan, as well as Hrant Beglaryan, the
First Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Deputy Foreign
Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan, Deputy Agriculture inister Levon Rukhkyan,
Deputy Culture Minister Gagik Gyurjyan, Armenian Ambassador to Georgia
Hrach Silvanian, Deputy Vladimir Badalyan and other officials.

HINDERED, BUT…

A1+
[08:01 pm] 09 December, 2008

Members of the "Miatsum" national initiative left for Ijevan today
to hold a meeting with citizens in the Culture Home of Ijevan. The
members had scheduled the showing of the film by Tigran Khzmalyan on
liberated lands and issues of citizens of Javakhk, which was supposed
to be followed by a discussion with the theme "Armenia’s liberated
lands and the future of Armenian statehood".

However, the mayor of Ijevan refused to submit a written reply to
NA Deputy Zaruhi Postanjyan to use the hall of the Culture Home,
while Ijevan police and National Security Service officials had begun
pressure to prevent the gathering of people in the "Fountains" square.

As members approached the closed doors of the Culture Home, they
organized a meeting on their own in the "Fountains" square with
the locals. With the microphone in their hands, Zaruhi Postanjyan,
Alek Yenigomshyan, Alexander Kananyan and Grizelda Ghazaryan touched
upon the consequences of the administration’s intentions to hand over
liberated lands of Armenia and the impermissibility in strategic terms.

$50,000 FROM U.S. TO ARMENIAN SANATORIUM IN AZOUNIEH

Naharnet
Dec 6 2008
Lebanon

USAID/Lebanon Mission Director Denise Herbol presented $50,000 to the
Armenian Sanatorium in the village of Azounieh in the Aley district,
the U.S. embassy said in a statement on Friday.

"USAID’s assistance will allow the center to procure furniture for
the elderly section," it said.

The Armenian Sanatorium, which was established in 1937, provides high
quality and low cost geriatrics and pulmonary disease treatment for
135 elderly persons per year.

Patients come from economically disadvantaged families mainly from
the Armenian community and from villages near Azounieh. The non-profit
center currently employs 60 persons.

CSTO FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN HELSINKI

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2008 13:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security treaty
Organization (CSTO) will hold an informal meeting in Helsinki in the
framework of the OSCE Ministerial Council summit.

"The CSTO member states will demonstrate a unanimous position on the
new European Security Treaty at the summit. The Ministers have already
voiced support to Russia’s stand on the CFE during consultations in
the CSTO Secretariat in November," CSTO Secretary-General Nikolay
Bordyuzha said, the CSTO press office reports.