Author: Jagharian Tania

TURKEY IS ONLY REAL ALLY OF AZERBAIJAN IN NK PROBLEM
ARMINFO News Agency
September 19, 2006 Tuesday
The only real ally of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh problem is Turkey,
says Mark Katz in his article “Azerbaijan’s Geo-Politics” in United
Press International.
Katz says that Azerbaijan’s enemies in the matter are Armenia, Russia
and Iran (because of Southern Azerbaijan). Struggling not to vex the
influential Armenian Diaspora and, at the same time, to get access to
the Azeri oil, the US and EU have been trying to solve the conflict
but in vain.
Azerbaijan hopes to use its oil revenues for increasing its military
capacity for taking back its territories from Armenia but it will
hardly succeed considering its geo-political disadvantage as compared
with Armenia.
Katz says that a change could come only if anti-US and Europe
Nationalist or Islamist forces come into power in Turkey. This may
well happen if Turkey’s is denied EU membership. Such Turkey may use
force against Armenia if it refuses to give back the territories. In
such a situation, Russia, the US and even Iran may support Armenia.
This may result in a regional war.
Thus, Azerbaijan’s geo-political situation is quite complex and may
get even more complicated.

UPPER LARS CHECK-POINT TO OPEN IN TWO WEEKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2006 14:17 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Repair works at Upper Lars check-point will finish in
two weeks, Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan reported. In
his words, Russian representatives convinced him that Repair works at
the check-point will finish in two weeks. The Russian party closed the
check-point, which is the only legal point at the Georgian-Russian
border, on July 8, naming the need for repair works there as the
cause for closing.

Regions.ru
September 12, 2006
“DOES ARMENIA FIND ITSELF ON THE VERGE OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER?”
While predatory deforestation is in full progress in the Republic, the
Minister of Environment is involved in big business.
/The former Minister of Environment Karine Danielyan claims that today
Yerevan, and Armenia as a whole, are on the verge of an environmental
disaster. According to her, during the last 10 years the incidence of
cases of bronchial asthma, upper respiratory tract and acute
intestinal infections has increased sharply. ?The ?lungs? of the
city, the green zones which were supposed to clean the city air, were
eliminated?, the former Minister noted. However it looks like the
acting head of the Republic?s environmental department does not share
the concern of his predecessor./
Armenia?s ecology today finds itself in the most pitiable condition in
the whole history of the country. This is being spoken out by
representatives of the various environmental and public organizations
of the Republic. Since the time when the former businessman and
politician Vardan Avazyan took the position of Armenia?s Minister of
Environment in 2001 the situation in the environment protection
department has practically gone out of control. Not having any
experience of environmental work, Avazyan preferred to be involved in
the issues which were more familiar to him, that is, to participate in
negotiations with potential investors forcing them to pay the
?environmental tributes?, and in other ?money matters?. As for the
nature, it was left to itself and at the disposal of the few
businessmen who managed to find understanding with the Minister.
The results of such a policy turned out to be predictable. The former
Minister Karine Danielyan who currently is Chairman of the public
organization ?In the Name of Stable Development? is willing to share
her negative estimate of the environmental situation in Armenia even
at the international community level. Currently the organization
together with the UN environment program is preparing a report on the
environmental situation in the country. Also ?In the Name of Stable
Development? has carried out a sociological poll, according to which
57% of respondents were not satisfied wit the condition of environment
in Yerevan, and 32.2% estimated it as disastrous. 84% of the
inhabitants are concerned about destruction of the ?green? areas of
the capital due to building up of permanent commercial establishments,
57% are extremely dissatisfied with the profuse insanitation in the
capital, and 51% consider the atmosphere over Yerevan to be extremely
polluted. 52% think that it is the environmental condition of the city
that causes the negative impact on the health of the city dwellers,
besides, 41.5% complained about the pollution of drinking water, 38%
complained about the noise, and 25% about the pollution of soil.
Judging by publications in the local mass media, deforestation in the
last five years has become disastrous over the whole territory of
Armenia. This, in particular, was recently reported by Susan
Yagoubyan-Klein, Regional director of the ?Planting Trees in Armenia?
Program. She noted that the tendency is ?terrifying?, as in the past
years the forest coverage of the Republic?s territory constituted 25%,
and in the 90?s around 20%. ?Never before was Armenia closer to the
environmental disaster?, S. Yagoubyan-Klein said. She emphasized that
if such a tendency is allowed to continue, in 20 years Armenia will be
facing a real threat of desertification.
S. Yagoubyan-Klein also noted that the unlawful cutting of trees
continues up to this day.
In the meantime the current Minister of Environment of RA Vardan
Aivazyan is still not inclined to overestimate the problems existing
in the Republic. Speaking at the recent hearing held in the Parliament
titled ?Environmental Problems in Yerevan?, Aivazyan, replying to the
criticism aimed at himself, joked, ?If we look at everything in
absolute terms, then we should prohibit playing the violin, as a wood
rosin emission takes place in the course of playing?.
The Minister?s relative tranquility is understandable, as he is busy
with issues which are rather distant from protection of green
plantations. As observed by the eyewitnesses, Aivazyan is a lot more
enthusiastic about conflicts and disputes with various ?economic
subjects?, and about other issues which are somehow or other connected
with the ?real cash?. The main ?enemies? of the Environment Minister
today are large ore and gold mining companies operating on the
territory of the Republic. Revision of old contracts, refusal to issue
mining licenses, laying down the additional conditions to the existing
agreements: all these worrisome but lucrative concerns steal away a
lot of Aivazyan?s time and strength.
As a result multi-billion projects agreed on and approved at the
highest government and even inter-government level are facing a threat
today ?thanks? to the restless and clearly irrelevant activity of one
single Minister. Therefore it is quite expectable that not only
independent ecologists, but also Aivazyan?s colleagues in the
government of Armenia are dissatisfied with his activities. For
several months now the local media has put new wind in the rumors of
possible resignation of Aivazyan. They say that the Minister?s ?lot?
will be decided on already in February.
It is characteristic that the Minister himself saw the reason for the
rumors of his possible resignation not in the evidently disastrous
environmental situation in Armenia, but in the ?intrigues of external
forces? which, in the official?s opinion, in his person are nearly
infringing the sovereignty of the entire Republic. As it often happens
in such cases, patriotism pushed into the foreground has become
Aivazyan?s last resort. Under the slogan of protecting the country
from foreign influence, he is trying as hard as he can to create for
himself an image of a fighter for the interests of Armenia. However,
thanks to Aivazyan?s efforts, the country is already left without
forests and tomorrow it may be left without foreign investors who are
already perplexed by the Minister?s behavior.
12.09.2006 Ruben Azaryan, Regions.ru

14 September 2006
Armenia ratified:
– the Additional Protocol to the Anti-Doping Convention (CETS No. 188
ulezVous.asp?NT=3D188&CM=3D1&CL=3DENG *
Belgium ratified:
– the Protocol No. 14 to the Convention for the Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, amending the control system of the
Convention (CETS No. 194
< ueVoulezVous.asp?NT=3D194&CM=3D1&CL=3DENG& gt; )* .* * * Detailed information on the Council of Europe treaties (full text, chart of signatures and ratifications, reservations and declarations, summary, explanatory report) is available on the Treaty Office's web site --------------- ( *) CETS : Council of Europe Treaty Series Signatures et ratifications au Conseil de l'Europe Semaine du 11 au 15 septembre 2006 14 septembre 2006 L'Arménie a ratifié : - le Protocole additionnel à la Convention contre le dopage (STCE n° 188 < Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=3D188&CM=3D1&C L=3DFRE> )*
La Belgique a ratifié:
– le Protocole n° 14 à la Convention de sauvegarde des Droits de
l’Homme et des Libertés fondamentales, amendant le système de
contrôle de la Convention (STCE n° 194
< ueVoulezVous.asp?NT=3D194&CM=3D1&CL=3DFRE& gt; )* * * * Des informations détaillées relatives aux traités du Conseil de l'Europe (texte intégral, état des signatures et ratifications, réserves et déclarations, résumé, rapport explicatif) sont disponibles sur le site du Bureau des Traités --------- ------- (*) STCE : Série des Traités du Conseil de l'Europe Press Release Council of Europe Press Division Ref: 515b06 Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60 Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11 [email protected] internet: 15.09.2006 A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46 member states.

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST 2 SUSPECTS IN KILLING OF TOP TAX OFFICIAL
Today.Az
AP / International Herald Tribune
15 September 2006 [10:18] – Today.Az
Authorities in Armenia have detained two suspects accused
of involvement in the killing of a senior Armenian tax official,
officials said Thursday.
Shagen Ovasepian, head of the operations department of the State Tax
Service, was killed by a bomb that exploded as he was getting into
his car in the Armenian capital on Sept. 6.
Prosecutor General’s office spokeswoman Sona Truzian said Thursday
that the two suspects were detained late Wednesday. She said they
were Armenian citizens, but refused to name them while the probe
was ongoing.
Erkir-media television said citing sources in the prosecutor’s office
that both suspects were officials of the State Tax Service.
Organized crime is widespread in this poor, former Soviet republic,
and gang-related killings are common.
Armenian politics are also tense and occasionally violent. In 1999,
gunmen burst into parliament and killed the prime minister, parliament
speaker and six other officials and lawmakers.

APPOINTMENT OF A NEW AMBASSADOR IS POSTPONED
A1+
[04:38 pm] 13 September, 2006
A senator put a hold Tuesday on the nomination of Richard Hoagland to
be ambassador to Armenia to protest the Bush administration’s refusal
to classify the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide.
Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 13-5 to send
Hoagland’s nomination to the full Senate for a vote. Until Democratic
Sen. Robert Menendez lifts his hold, however, the Senate cannot vote
on Hoagland’s nomination. Under Senate rules, any senator can block
nominations or legislation.
Menendez said all Americans must recognize the atrocities committed
between 1915 to 1923 in Armenia, during the waning days of the Ottoman
Empire, amounted to genocide. The Bush administration and Turkey,
successor to the Ottoman state, admit many Armenians died but reject
the genocide classification.
“Mr. Hoagland has declined to acknowledge the mass killings of the
Armenians as genocide, and has said that if confirmed, he would work
to represent the president’s policy,” Menendez said. “I have great
concerns that Mr. Hoagland’s confirmation would be a step backward.”

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
September 13, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN CAUCUS LARGEST EVER AT 163 MEMBERS
Representative DeLauro Joins
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly today welcomed the news that the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues now boasts 163 Members with the
addition of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), making it the largest
Caucus to date in the 109th Congress.
“The Caucus plays an important role in helping to strengthen the
U.S.-Armenia relationship and we will continue our efforts to expand the
Caucus even further,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We look
forward to working with Representative DeLauro and her staff on issues
facing Armenia and Armenian-Americans.”
DeLauro, who is currently serving her eighth term in office, has
co-sponsored legislation affirming the Armenian Genocide (H. Res. 316)
and has repeatedly signed congressional letters to the President urging
him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide in his annual April 24th
statement. Additionally, DeLauro signed a congressional letter in 2004,
urging the President to publicly condemn the ongoing Azerbaijani war
rhetoric against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. DeLauro also supported
the amendment that retained Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act which
imposes restrictions on assistance to Azerbaijan until its government
ceases all blockades against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
The Armenian Caucus was formed in 1995 to provide a bipartisan forum for
legislators to discuss how the United States can better assist the
peoples of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. As a member of this
all-important body, DeLauro joins Connecticut Representatives Nancy L.
Johnson (R-CT), John B. Larson (D-CT), Robert R. Simmons (R-CT) and
Christopher Shays (R-CT) in supporting Armenian-American interests.
The Congresswoman serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the
House Budget Committee.
The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2006-080

E.P.’S DECISIONS ARE NOT BINDING, ERDOGAN
Turkish Press, MI
Sept 11 2006
ANKARA – “The resolutions adopted by the European Parliament (EP)
are not binding. We have not accepted anything about the so-called
Armenian genocide. Our stance on that issue is obvious,” said Turkish
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan held a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart
Sali Berisha after their bilateral meeting in Turkish capital of
Ankara.
Referring to the report on Turkey’s progress towards accession adopted
by the EP’s Committee on Foreign Affairs last night, Erdogan said,
“asking us to change our stance is nothing but a dream.”
-TURKEY DOES NOT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH CITIZENS OF ARMENIAN ORIGIN-
Emphasizing that Turkey does not have any problem with its citizens of
Armenian origin, Erdogan said, “we told them ‘to open their archives’
since we are opening ours. We also suggested that art historians,
lawyers, political scientists and archeologists should deal with this
matter. Our Foreign Ministry is handling necessary initiatives.”
-MEETING WITH BERISHA-
Noting that they discussed with Albanian PM Sali Berisha recent
developments in the Balkans, Erdogan said, “stability and prosperity
are enforced in the region where clashes and wars were common in
the past. Albania’s policy is a positive one as far as our region
is concerned. As two important regional countries we have agreed to
exert efforts to build confidence in the Balkans.”
“Today important developments are being observed in Kosovo. Not only
Albania but also Turkey has close historical, cultural and humanitarian
ties with Kosovo. During our meeting, we underlined importance of a
multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo, which is committed
to European and universal values. We also think that in Kosovo,
the rights of the minority should be taken under guarantee,” he stated.
-MILITARY RELATIONS-
Stressing that Turkey supports Albania’s adherence to NATO, Erdogan
said, “we think that this will contribute to lasting peace and
stability in the Balkans. We are lobbying for this membership, as we
have done so far.”
-ALBANIAN PM CALLS ON TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST IN HIS COUNTRY-
On the other hand, PM Berisha called on Turkish businessmen to invest
in his country.
On Cyprus, Berisha noted, “referendum was a chance, but it was missed”
and expressed belief that PM Erdogan and his government will contribute
to a new process (in the island).

ALREADY IN 2008, 70% OF THE PERSONNEL OF THE RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES WILL CONSIST OF CONTRACT SERVICEMEN
Nikolai Sviridov
Source: Voenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No. 34, September 06-12, 2006, p. 7
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 11, 2006 Monday
To Raise Competitiveness Of The Military Profession
Senior Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Belousov Speaks On
Rearming The Russian Army And Transition To Contract Basis; In June,
Voenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer (see issue No. 22) published an interview
with Senior Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Belousov.
In June, Voenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer (see issue No. 22) published
an interview with Senior Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General
Alexander Belousov. The interview was dedicated to combat training
and building the Armed Forces, as well as strengthening the training
material and technical basis and creation of an inter-branch system
of training the Armed Forces. The interview caused big interest.
Readers ask with which means of armed struggle will our soldiers
and officers be supplied by that time, how will the institution of
contractors and legislative base develop? The Senior Deputy Defense
Minister agreed to continue the started conversation.
Question: We have talked to you mostly about results of combat
training, its support with the necessary means and re-equipment of
the training material and technical base. Which armament and combat
hardware are already being supplied or will be supplied in the near
future to the Armed Forces?
Belousov: By the end of the current year the Ground Forces will
receive approximately 30 new T-90 tanks. This is almost an entire tank
battalion. The troops will also receive more than 180 modernized T-80
and T-72 tanks. I emphasize that with good modernization they will
serve for a long time and will comply with the highest requirements.
More than 40 BMP-3 were ordered for 2006. The troops will also receive
350 modernized BMP-2 and BMP-3 vehicles. The troops will also receive
more than 100 new armored personnel carriers BTR-90 and BTR-80 and
approximately 170 modernized armored personnel carriers.
The Armed Forces started receiving the missile system Iskander to
replace Tochka-U. Almost in 20 years Tochka-U exhausted its service
life. The Airborne Forces will receive approximately 90 modernized
BMD-2 and BMD-3 vehicles.
Modernization costs the state much less than manufacture of new
vehicles, although the modernization is very serious. For example,
it is possible to say that armored personnel carriers have only bodies
left. New powerful diesel engines and other equipment are mounted on
them. In principle, such armored personnel carrier does not differ
from BTR-80 or BTR-90.
Much more new automobiles will be purchased and received. These are
4,500 automobiles on standardized bases of Ural and KamAZ and 500
modernized Ural and KamAZ automobiles.
This year, in the Air Force it is planned to modernize about 50
frontline airplanes Su-24, Su-25, Su-27 and MiG-29 and 20 air defense
systems. Approximately 100 missiles are ordered for them. It is also
planned to buy ten new helicopters Mi-28N and Ka-50.
As you already know, five regiments have been already been rearmed
with the new mobile missile system Topol-M in the Strategic Missile
Forces. One more regiment of the ground-based Topol-M systems will
be put on combat duty by the end of 2006. Incidentally, this system
is made in Russia entirely.
Question: In 2008, conscripts will serve in the Armed Forces for one
year. Will approaches for organization of combat training change
because of this? First of all, I mean contract servicemen because
the main burden will be laid on them.
Belousov: For which standards are we striving? By 2008, our army should
become professional by two-thirds. This means that professionals will
consist 70% and conscripts will consist of 30% of its strength. This
process will go on further. Hence, we tested a special program for
training contract servicemen. For a year we tested it in the 42nd
division but finally had to give it up. Why?
Due to some peculiarities it should be of one-year cycle. This
means that training period should amount to one year and should
not be less (now it amounts to half a year). The period starts from
single training and ends with training of a battalion. However, this
circumstance implies the relevant manning with personnel and its 100%
participation in the training process. It is impossible to achieve
this everywhere yet.
In a few years when the professional army is settled down it will be
possible to transit to a one-year training cycle. Now, I think, it is
too early to do this because so far there is a very big percentage of
resigning contract servicemen. This system will start working fully
only when contract servicemen start serving for two or three terms.
This is the optimal scenario. Now not all servicemen serve until the
end of even the first contract and resign. Why? Some servicemen choose
military service not as vocation but as a possibility of temporary
additional earning. This motive forms psychology of temporary laborers.
Thus, in my opinion the contract system as such has not started working
in full force yet. As long as it does not start working we cannot
expect high results. In any case, I understand that this is directly
connected with attractiveness and prestige of military service and
competitiveness of the military profession on the labor market. This
is a long process. For contract servicemen it is necessary to create
the necessary conditions not only for service but also for life. One
of the basic ones is granting housing, not a separate apartment but
at least a family hostel. Then men having families will come to the
army and this will serve as a powerful stabilizing factor.
Question: A painful issue is training junior commanders. It seems
that sergeants are trained in the troops normally but the problem
remains. What is the matter?
Belousov: All sergeants will be only contract servicemen.
The Ground Forces alone will need 45,000 sergeants. That is why
implementation of this program will take many years. At any rate,
it is necessary to move on this path. With this proposal the Defense
Minister addressed the President. Other proposals were also worked out
for settlement of the problems of strengthening military discipline,
law and order in the Armed Forces. As we know, the President has
agreed with him. Now everything is at the stage of consideration.
Question: Many exercises were already held this year including
the international ones. In which international exercises will our
servicemen participate by the end of the year?
Belousov: There are very many of them and there is no need to
mention them all. Moreover so that the term of their organization
may be corrected. Among them is Russian-American exercise from
Olrgau series. It will be held in the Moscow Military District on
the territory of the Gorokhovets training range. We will evidently
take part in the exercise in the Baltic Sea named Baltops, which will
be dedicated to interaction of ships of multinational forces. Joint
exercise with units and formations of the Russian Armed Forces will be
held in Armenia. The Northern Fleet will interact with the US Navy in
the Barents Sea. There will be a joint antiterrorist exercise of the
armies of Russia and Uzbekistan. There will also be Russian-French
staff command exercise at the brigade level and exercise of special
units of Russian Airborne Forces and American commandos.

DASHNAKTSUTYUN WILL HAVE ITS CANDIDATE FOR THE RA PRESIDENT
A1+
[06:33 pm] 12 September, 2006
The Party Dashnaktsutyun (Armenian Revolutionary Ferderation) will
actively participate in the parliamentary elections.
They are going “to cooperate with other political powers but without
any alliances or blocs.” The question of the RA president’s candidate
will be decided in the next Supreme Assembly after considering the
results of parliamentary elections.
Armen Rustamyan, newly appointed member of the Party’s Supreme Body,
claims that they will observe whether parliamentary elections are
vulnerable or not and then view whether their voice might be decisive
for the country’s future.
At present, Dashnaktsutyun intends to participate in the presidential
elections with its own candidate. “We see certain problems and only our
candidate can guarantee their solution.” This is why Hrant Margaryan,
member of the party, announced that their party will not support
Serge Sargsyan.
Armen Rustamyan attaches great importance to the exclusion of
non-political powers in political life and advises all political
powers to realize their threat.
Mr. Rustamyan maintains the integration of their party into Coalition
was justified but he complains of lingering progress connected with
corruption combat and poverty recovery. Dashnaktsutyun emphasises
just and fair elections and condemns violence (mainly intimidation
of journalists) in all its forms.
Dashnaktsutyun hasn’t got any news on Shahen Hovasapyan’s murder,
who was a member of their party and high-rank tax official. Armen
Rustamyan doesn’t exclude that they may demand the resignation of
the chief of police, if the hearings of the case are postponed.