Author: Jagharian Tania

UZEIR JAFAROV: TODAY AZERBAIJANI ARMY IS READY TO LIBERATE ITS LANDS
Leyla Tagiyeva

news.az
Nov 26 2009
Azerbaijan

Uzeir Jafarov News.Az interview with military expert Uzeir Jafarov.

Before the Munich round of talks with his Armenian counterpart,
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated the possibility of a new
war to resolve the conflict. Do you think Azerbaijan is ready for
such a way to settle the problem?

This is a power of a president to make such statements as a supreme
commander, as person who is responsible for the territorial integrity
and security of the country. I perceive it calmly and normally
considering the fact that the negotiation process over Karabakh
has been ineffective for long years. Armenia attempts to protract
the conflict settlement and when it comes to agree on some important
moments, Armenian side makes up some reasons or sets some impracticable
provisions. I consider that the Azerbaijani side should put stiff
demands before the OSCE Minsk Group and the Armenian side that if
the negotiation process is not effective, we have a moral and legal
right to use the forced way of the conflict settlement. Our army is
not the same as it was in the 1990s. Today Azerbaijan has human and
material resources to ensure its territorial integrity.

How do you assess the state of the Armenian army?

It would be incorrect to say that Armenia has no army at all because
it knows that it is an aggressor and the time of revenge will come
when Azerbaijan will be able to use the forced way of this problem
settlement. Therefore, Armenia takes this into account. It understands
that the Azerbaijani army can settle this issue by any way. We are
really able to settle this issue. I am among those who criticize some
problems and shortcomings in our army, but I think today our army is
able to settle most issues. But we should not forget that the Armenian
army also does not stay idle. They have their plans to resist attacks.

We have never had real hostilities. We should take into account all
moments before taking a decision to launch hostilities. Such powerful
country as the United States faced no special problems in invading
Iraq. But it has been bearing losses every day since that period. Or
such powerful country as Russia also cannot settle the problem related
to the so-called illegal armed formations in the North Caucasus.

Therefore, we should not forget that the Armenian side also has
powers even insignificant. They have legal and illegal armament and
technique. It is no accident that the Armenian leadership and military
command have recently held a session with the military command of
the so-called "NKR". The officers have many problems and they face
great social difficulties. Meanwhile, the Armenian state budget for
2010 envisions a great amount – about $100 – 200 mln. This is too
high for the Armenian budget. Armenian officers understand that if
not for the so-called "Karabakh army", these funds could have been
used to improve social conditions of the Armenian officers.

Considering the fact that the Russian military base is dislocated
in Armenia, is it possible to say that it may be involved into the
conflict?

Russia will not risk the way it did in the early 1990s when the 366th
division led by cut-throat Yuri Zarvigorov committed massacres against
residents of Azerbaijani Khojaly. We should not forget that the 102nd
military base dislocated in Gumri is 70% comprised of the Armenian
ethnic that are the citizens of Russia. Anyway, they are of Armenian
origin but they may take even an indirect participation in case
hostilities are launched. But I can also say that the key to solution
of the Karabakh problem is in Russia. Considering the fact that Russia
always viewed Armenia as its closest ally and strategic partner and
these countries sign documents of military and political and military
and technical nature, perhaps, Russia will support Armenia in any way.

Our occupied lands would be released in a week if Russia orders so.

Armenia has no power and will to hold our native lands under occupation
for so much time.

How much time will the full liberation of lands take in case Azerbaijan
decides to liberate its lands by way of force, attaining Russia’s
guarantees of non-interference?

I don’t want to call terms. But I would like to note that our human
and material resources are sufficient to liberate our lands within a
definite period of time. We do not claim for a centimeter of someone’s
land. We need to restore our territorial integrity. This right is
fixed in four resolutions of the UN Security Council. We have a legal
and moral right to restore our territorial integrity. Certainly,
we should not forget Russia’s factor, it will hardly stay aside in
case military actions are launched. But Russia should also not forget
about international law according to which the territorial integrity
should be respected.

In the same statement President Aliyev said the contact line of the
armed forces is weakening from the Armenian side in the light of the
mass migration of population from this country. Will this factor give
real advantages to the Azerbaijani side?

In 2001 we, as part of a group of international journalists from the
OSCE, visited Armenia and spoke to simple Armenians at Yerevan’s
streets and, frankly speaking, native Armenians have no special
intentions about Karabakh. They openly resent over the fact that
Armenia is now led by Karabakh natives and people who came to
power due to the Karabakh war. They understand that time will come
to revenge and they will have to respond before the people and the
world community and, especially Azerbaijan, whose 20% lands are under
occupation now. We heard from the Armenian citizens that they do not
need Karabakh at all but the smeary policy of separatists and leaders
and persons escalating tensions in the region played its role here.

This is a business of arms, drugs, preparation of international
terrorists for them. The uncontrolled areas have always been a
favorable ground for development of such elements. I think serious
situation is growing in Armenia. And I fear the only thing. When the
settlement of the Karabakh problem was nearing a final part, there was
mass shooting in the Armenian parliament. And I am afraid something
similar may happen and Armenia may say it has internal problems and
needs time to stabilize the situation.

2ND ANNUAL PHARMACEUTICAL COMPETITIVENESS CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN YEREVAN

armradio.am
27.11.2009 18:08

The USAID-funded Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Project
in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Scientific Center
of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise, the Union of Medicine
Producers and Importers of Armenia, Armenian Development Agency, and
National Competitiveness Foundation are organizing the 2rd Armenian
Pharmaceutical Competitiveness Conference on December 1 in Yerevan.

The event aims to update industry representatives on the current status
of the sector, promote collaboration among pharmaceutical sector
stakeholders, and encourage discussions on major industry issues,
including financial crisis impact on pharmaceutical production,
adoption of Good "X" Practices (GXP) regulations and export market
opportunities.

The conference builds upon the success of the first Pharmaceutical
Competitiveness Conference, held last November by CAPS and its
major partners in the pharmaceutical industry. The conference
focused on introducing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Since
then, notable steps have been taken toward GMP implementation in
Armenia. For example, in May this year, a GMP training program
featuring international experts was conducted in Armenia for the
first time through the joint efforts of the CAPS Project and major
industry stakeholders. The GMP training was followed by a trainers’
course, creating local GMP trainers able to continue pharmaceutical
training through the GXP Center of Excellence, which was established
in June this year.

Conference participants will discuss opportunities for Armenian
pharmaceutical producers in domestic and foreign markets, the need for
improvements in medicine regulation, as well as the current situation
of medicine production in Armenia and possible development scenarios.

The event is open to pharmaceutical producers, government and
international organizations, educational institutions, NGOs, business
associations, pharmaceutical professionals, the press and those
interested in Armenia’s pharmaceutical industry.

SEVADA ARZUMANYAN: ULISS’ GOAL IS TO PERFORM SUCCESSFULLY IN 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.11.2009 16:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Uliss football club participants, 2009 Armenian
League 1 bronze medalists, are getting ready for a new season.

As head coach Sevada Arzumanyan told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, on
December 1-2, club participants will undergo medical examination,
to be followed by trainings in Armenia and Georgia.

According to Sevada Arzumanyan, goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov became a
part of Iranian football club, so the position is currently vacant.

In 2010, Uliss will participate in UEFA Cup qualifier. "Our goal is
to perform successfully and present Armenia at the championship as
best we could," Sevada Arzumanyan noted.

ARMENIA AND SERBIA TO ESTABLISH AIR COMMUNICATION

ARKA
Nov 26, 2009

YEREVAN, November 26, /ARKA/. The government of Armenia has approved
today signing of an intergovernmental agreement with Serbia on
establishment of regular air communication between Armenia and Serbia.

Arsen Poghosian, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Department, said
at the government session that the agreement will serve as a legal
basis for establishment of regular air communication between the
two countries.

He said regular flights between Serbia and Armenia may have a positive
impact on development of tourism and boost economic and cultural
contacts between the two countries.

UITE BECOMES MEMBER OF MANAGEMENT BOARD OF ICT FORUM FOR SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Noyan Tapan
Nov 25, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. A meeting of the Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) Forum for South-Eastern Europe took
place in Macedonia on November 19. At the organization’s meeting,
the Union of IT Enterprises of Armenia (UITE) was announced a member
of the ICT Forum’s management board.

According to the press service of UITE, the representatives of UITE
met with the heads of the ICT Forum for South-Eastern Europe at the
Second Regional Georgia IT Innovation Conference held in Tbilisi
a month ago. Upon assessing the UITE’s capacities, the ICT Forum
heads invited UITE to become a member of the management board of
this regional organization that aims to establish a constant dialog
in ICT sector.

During the meeting in Macedonia, a number of initiatives on regional
cooperation were discussed. A decision was made to increase the role
of the member organizations of the ICT Forum for South-Eastern Europe
and to develop and implement regional cooperation projects. By the
first quarter of 2010, it is envisaged submitting the first version
of regional projects to the ICT Forum’s management board and donors
for discussion.

KARABAKH’S DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN PEACE TALKS ACQUIRES KEY IMPORTANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.11.2009 19:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Karabakh’s direct involvement in peace talks acquires
more and more importance by every day, Chair of European Integration
NGO Karen Bekaryan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"It’s not normal for a country’s problem to be discussed without its
participation," he finds. To that end, Armenian expert stressed the
importance of "demonstrating maximum flexibility."

ARMENIA’S CONCESSION ON KARABAKH ISSUE – UNLIKELY: DER TAGESSPIEGEL

news.am
Nov 23 2009
Armenia

Commenting on Sargsyan — Aliev Munich meeting German Der Tagesspiegel
daily reckons that at the current stage of negotiations Armenia’s
concessions on Karabakh issue are unlikely.

The daily holds the view that Serzh Sargsyan is pressurized by Turkey
on the one hand, stating that will not open the border if there
is no progress in Karabakh issue; and Diaspora — on the other,
that insists on establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey
only after Armenian Genocide recognition. "Relations’ normalization
with Turkey incurred Diaspora’s displeasure and Armenia will hardly
make concessions on Karabakh issue, as it will entail a new wave of
discontent", the daily reads.

Oregon Live
Nov 22 2009

The Armenian Drummer

By Chris Guillebeau, Special to The Oregoni…
November 22, 2009, 6:14AM

The restaurant was nearly empty. I arrived in Yerevan, Armenia from
Tbilisi, Georgia in the late afternoon, coming in on a marshrutka, a
Russian-style mini-bus. Six hours was enough time to think about
eating, and now I was ready to eat.

I stumbled into a Lebanese restaurant a few blocks from the bus
station. At 4pm, it was just me, two other diners, a small group of
Armenian chainsmokers, the wait staff, and this drummer. Here’s how it
went down:

2009/11/the_armenian_drummer.html

Chris Guillebeau is a writer and entrepreneur with the goal of
visiting every country in the world. He lives in Portland and
publishes the blog The Art of Non-Conformity. Follow his adventures at
twitter.com/chrisguillebeau.

Turkish Press
Nov 21 2009

Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents to meet on November 22

Published: 11/21/2009
The Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia has strained ties
between the two countries.

At the invitation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries,
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Serzh Sargsyan of
Armenia will meet for the sixth time this year on November 22 at the
Consulate General of France in Munich, Germany.

Ahead of the meeting, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said the
final stage of the Karabakh problem has arrived, and if his meeting
with the Armenian President ends without result, then their hopes in
negotiations will be exhausted.

Aliyev said, `We are going to the meeting in Munich with our own
programme to present and this meeting should play a role in the
solution process. Since we have met several times without reaching a
concrete result, if this time the talks fail again then all our hopes
for a lasting peace will fade. He added, `When our hope for peace is
perished, we will have no place to go, we have to be ready for such a
result.’

Azerbaijani President also noted that they invest money on buying new
weapons, strengthening their army.

Underlining that the international community recognizes Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, Aliyev also said, `We want to solve this
problem through merely peaceful means, not through war. But, If
Armenia does not quit its claims then this will not be the wisest
behavior.

.asp?id=346815

eTurbo News
Nov 21 2009

Hidden Treasures Of Armenia
Armenian landscape is picturesque and rich in cultural monuments

Photo from Motaz Othman
By Motaz Othman, eTN | Nov 20, 2009

Mrs. Nelli Malkhasyan is an old friend of mine, I’m always meeting
with her at travel fairs and witnessed her efforts to promote her
country, Armenia. I met her again during the World Travel Market (WTM)
at the Armenia stand, and I asked her to introduce her country to the
readers of eTurboNews.

"With my pleasure," she said and invited me to visit Armenia on my own
to be able to discover fully the hidden treasures of her homeland. She
told me that Armenia has attracted travelers since ancient times.
Caravans would travel across the territory of historical Armenia as it
was an important part of the Great Silk Route. Many famous travelers,
such as Jean Baptist Tavernier, Marco Polo, and others, have portrayed
this country in their books depicting its picturesque landscape and
the richness of its numerous cultural monuments, covering a wide range
of the history of human civilization from Cyclopean fortresses to the
times of Urartu and the Pagan era, with its towns built in Hellenistic
style to early Christian churches and ecclesiastic universities homed
by monasteries. Pages could be written on the long-aged history of
Armenia!

Generally, tourists visiting Armenia are excited by its nature and
amazed by the results of its "creative work" (pictorial landforms,
rock sculptures, waterfalls, etc.) and wish to learn more about the
roots of their formation. As a matter of fact, Armenia is one of those
few countries that, though small in territory, is notable for its
complexity and rich diversity of its geological structures. In a small
area, one can observe various signs of active geological processes
ever taking place on the Earth and continuing today.

Among all this diverse Armenian geology are objects that could be
assigned to the rank of rarity, and often, unique natural geological
monuments are to be found. The agro-biological diversity of wild
relatives of plants – cultivated, medicinal, edible, wood, coloring,
aromatic, fodder, and many others – including many endemic, relict,
and rare species is surprising.

The people and races that have populated the Armenian highland, whose
origin stretches into the unknown millennia of prehistory, have
provided the human substance for its culture. Being at the crossroads
of Asia and Europe, the country served as a bridge joining both,
geographically as well as culturally, Iran and Indo-China with
European civilization. Armenia synthesized the best traditions of the
arts, music, and architecture from its neighbors and gave them a new
interpretation that not only enriched its own cultural heritage but
also influenced that of its neighbors. A visit to Armenia will help
one to define a new interpretation of east-west cultural interactions.

Throughout Yerevan alone, there are more than 40 museums and galleries
presenting fine arts. Yet the country as a whole is often referred to
as an outdoor museum. It has over 4,000 historical monuments, which
cover various periods of the country’s development from prehistoric to
the Hellenistic era and from the early to medieval Christian era. The
stone-carved crosses and cathedrals recall the European Renaissance.
Comparisons and discoveries of the arts are a continual delight in
this magical country.

Though distinctive national styles are clear, an Armenian national
song can sound to a westerner as hauntingly oriental. In order to
understand Armenian musical arts, please visit the House-Museum of the
world-reknowned contemporary composer Aram Khachatouryan or go to the
Philharmonic Hall, the Chamber Music Hall, or to the Opera and Ballet
House while in Yerevan.

Armenia’s literary and artistic history is studied and exhibited in
Matenadaran ` the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan, which
preserves a unique collection of 14,000 complete manuscripts,
fragments, and miniatures (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The oldest
parchment manuscript dates back to early 5th c. The majority of
manuscripts are research works of ancient scholars on astrology,
alchemy, geography, history, medicine, poetry, and the musical arts.

Mrs. Nellie is the general manager of the Princess Maneh Consultancy
and Tourist Services – a full service incoming tour operator and DMC
offering tailored packages to the most attractive sights and
architectural monuments of Armenia.

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