Author: Jagharian Tania

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
March 12 2010

OSCE PA envoy urges swift Garabagh settlement

12-03-2010 06:31:05

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s special representative on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has said the most
important issue currently is to swiftly resolve the long-standing
dispute.
`We can talk about a settlement not in the near or distant future, but
a speedy one,’ Goran Lennmarker was quoted by Panarmenian.net news
portal as saying.
Lennmarker told a Rose Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
in Armenia that reaching a solution is possible because the conflict
`is not frozen’.
`The conflict has to be resolved not outside, but within the region.
International forces could only assist the sides. The [mediating] OSCE
Minsk Group is the only forum for a conflict settlement, and any given
attempts aiming to shift the problem into the UN or the Council of
Europe realm would merely delay a solution.’
According to the OSCE PA envoy, a solution that would be acceptable
for all sides involved should be found. He claimed further: `In my
view, a conflict settlement is to primarily ensure the security of
Armenia and the Armenian people. Azerbaijan should realize this.
However, Armenia, too, should understand the situation and stance of
Azerbaijan, which considers itself a victim of conflict and a defeated
party.’
Nonetheless, Lennmarker sees a glimmer of hope in the peace process.
He reminded that the basic principles for a solution have already been
developed, and very few steps remain to be taken by the sides for
their acceptance. `Making political decisions and convincing the
public remains in Garabagh conflict settlement.’
Lennmarker said he had witnessed political will for reaching a
solution in Yerevan and voiced hope that Baku would also express such
readiness, Panarmenian.net reported.
The Armenian media also claimed that Lennmarker had called on
Azerbaijan to scale down its military spending, maintaining that this
will be part of the conflict settlement process.
`All European countries are reducing their military budgets, and, at
the same time, this has to be done in the South Caucasus,’ Lennmarker
said.
The Garabagh conflict emerged during the last few years of the Soviet
Union. 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, including Upper Garabagh
and seven adjacent districts, has been under Armenian occupation since
the two South Caucasus republics signed a cease-fire accord in 1994
following a lengthy war. The OSCE Minsk Group is brokering peace talks
through a team of mediators representing the United States, Russia and
France. However, negotiations have brought few tangible results so
far.
The OSCE PA envoy is scheduled to arrive in Baku on Saturday with the
assembly’s president, Joao Soares, as part of his visit to the
region.*

Anadolu Agency, Turkey
March 11 2010

Turkish president says Armenian resolutions by US, Swedish MPs harmful

Isparta, 11 March: Turkey’s president said on Thursday [11 March] that
he hoped everybody would see the inaccuracy of the political decisions
on Armenian allegations regarding the incidents of 1915.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul replied to questions of reporters
during his visit to the office of the mayor of southwestern Isparta
Province.

Upon a question on a recent resolution adopted by a US Congressional
panel and a similar decision to be discussed by the Swedish parliament
regarding the Armenian allegations on incidents of 1915, Gul said such
decisions had no respectability for Turkish nation.

"All these decisions are wrong and they constitute a great injustice
to the science of history," he said.

Gul said that politicians and people who did not have any historical
knowledge should not decide on matters related to history.

"I attach importance to peace, stability and cooperation. Therefore,
solution of the problems in the Caucasus region is important for me,"
Gul said.

"I hope everybody will see the inaccuracy of such political decisions,
which will harm peace and stability in the long term," the Turkish
president added.

The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted a
resolution on Armenian allegations related to the incidents of 1915 in
a voting of 23-22 last week.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols on 10 October 2009 to
normalize relations between the two countries. The protocols envisage
the two countries to establish diplomatic ties and open the border
that has been close since 1993. Turkey and Armenia also agreed to take
steps to operate a subcommission on impartial scientific examination
of the historical records and archive to define existing problems and
formulate recommendations, in which Armenian, Turkish, as well as
Swiss and other international experts would take part. However, on 12
January 2010, the Constitutional Court of Armenia declared a decision
of constitutional conformity on the protocols. Turkey thought the
fifth article of Armenian Constitutional Court’s verdict regarding the
protocols was against the target and basis of the protocols.

Also, in 2005, Turkey officially proposed to Armenian government the
establishment of a joint commission of history composed of historians
and other experts from both sides to study together the events of 1915
not only in the archives of Turkey and Armenia but also in the
archives of all relevant third countries and to share their findings
with the public.

AAE expresses gratitude to Swedish parliamentarians

armradio.am
13.03.2010 12:20

The Armenian Assembly of Europe issued a statement in which it
expresses its warmest thanks to the Swedish Parliament which, despite
all pressure on the part of the Turkish authorities and other
obstacles, taking into consideration the reality of historical
evidence and the principle that justice is the ultimate value, has
recognized the genocide against the Armenians and other peoples, which
was committed by Turkey in 1915.

`We extend our thanks to the Social Democrat, Green and Left Parties,
which, honoring their promises and adhering to their convictions,
voted for the recognition and the condemnation of the Armenian
Genocide. We also express our thanks to those deputies of the
governmental coalition who voted according to their convictions and
not according to their party’ s stand, and to those organizations and
persons who for many years did not spare any pains and efforts so as
to achieve the official recognition on behalf of Sweden,’ the
statement reads.

Aysor, Armenia
March 13 2010

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian leaving for Berlin and Paris

On March 15 the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will leav
for Berlin on an official visit. Next day, on March 16, he will leave
for Paris where he will have a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs, informs the Press and Information department of the
Armenian Foreign Ministry.

YEREVAN’S PYUNIK AND ITALY’S ROMA TO COOPERATE

Tert.am
12:50 ~U 12.03.10

FC Pyunik Yerevan’s manager Vardan Minasyan and chair Karen
Harutyunyan, in Italy studying training methods, were invited to
watch Italian football club AS (Associazione Sportiva) Roma train,
reports ArmSport.am.

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri and ex-player and sports director Bruno
Conti had a private meeting with Minasyan and Harutyunyan. Pyunik’s
management also paid a visit to the football school founded by Roma’s
current captain, Francesco Totti.

A preliminary agreement of cooperation was signed by AS Roma, Totti’s
football school and FC Pyunik.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF FRENCH SENATE AND WITH THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

president.am
March 10 2010
Armenia

In the framework of his official visit to France, on March 10
President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of French Senate
Gerard Larcher. The President of Armenia stressed special role of the
parliaments of the two countries in further strengthening friendly
and warm relations between Armenia and France. Serzh Sargsyan highly
praised the activities of the French-Armenian Friendship Group and
the current level of the interparliamentary cooperation, stressed the
importance of regular contacts and reciprocal visits of the Armenian
and French parliamentarians. In his turn, Gerard Larcher reiterated
readiness of the Senate to promote the French-Armenian relations.

At the request of the President of the French Senate, President
Sargsyan presented the approaches of official Yerevan toward the NK
peace talks, regional issues, and prospects of the Armenian-Turkish
normalization process. The parties touched upon other issues of
mutual interest.

In Paris, the President of Armenia met also with the Speaker of the
National Assembly Bernard Accoyer. Serzh Sargsyan highly praised
activities of the France-Armenia Friendship Group in the Parliament’s
lower house, recalling warmly the Group’s former and current Chairs
– Francois Rochbluan’s and Rene Rouquet’s significant contribution
to the deepening of the French-Armenian friendship, highlighted the
Group’s principled and fair position regarding issues that are vital
for the Armenian nation. Serzh Sargsyan and Bernard Accoyer exchanged
views on the regional developments, spoke about the possibilities of
enhancing the Armenian-French cooperation in different areas.

At the conclusion of his official visit to France, Serzh Sarsyan
in Paris had a working dinner with prominent representatives of the
Armenian-French community.

On March 11, the official delegation headed by the President of
Armenia will return to Yerevan.

CBA ASSESSES THE LEVEL OF INFLATION AS NORMAL
Liana Yeghiazaryan

"Radiolur"
11.03.2010 18:25

Head of Monetary-Credit Policy Department of the Central Bank of
Armenia Artur Stepanyan refuted today the suppositions on inevitable
increase of inflation.

Artur Stepanyan told reporters today that "the 9.4% inflation as a
result of 12 months, registered in February, is a peak index."

According to him, following the results of this and following months,
the inflation will be far lower, as compared to the analogous indices
of 2009, even taking into consideration the increase of gas tariffs
due in April.

He noted that according to CBA assessments, the inflation index in May,
following the results of 12 months, will make 7-8%.

He stressed that, just like in 2009, in 2010 the Central Bank will
balance economy growth and inflation, since it realizes that "the
relatively stable index of inflation to significant extent contributes
to stable economic growth."

TIGRAN SARGSYAN: ARMENIA ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO EXPANSION AND DEEPENING OF RELATIONS WITH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Noyan Tapan
March 10, 2010

YEREVAN, MARCH 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia attaches importance to the
expansion and deepening of its relations with the Asian Development
Bank, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan stated on March 9,
when receiving the bank’s delegation headed by Werner Liepach, ADB
Deputy Director for the Central and Western region.

The RA Government Information and PR Department reported that during
the meeting the interlocutors discussed a number of issues of mutual
interest, in particular the construction of the North-South Highway.

In the prime minister’s words, this construction is one of the priority
programs of the Armenian government, and Armenia has already begun
establishing the Program Implementation Office to coordinate the
implementation of construction work in Armenia with the participation
of the ADB.

The prime minister spoke about the creation of a free economic zone
at Zvartnots Airport and the establishment of a wholesale network of
agricultural products, underlining the importance of ADB’s assistance
in this work.

The sides also discussed the railway construction and the project of
developing transport services in Yerevan. According to T. Sargsyan,
the RA ministry of economy had been instructed to submit a complex
export-related program to the government this year. He expressed a
hope that the involvement of ADB experts in that program may be of
great use to Armenia.

The sides stressed the importance of projects on proportionate
development of areas and the ADB’s participation in them.

ERDOGAN SHOULD NOT CANCEL HIS UPCOMING VISIT TO US: HUFFINGTON POST

Tert.am
14:27 â~@¢ 10.03.10

Once again, as has been the case every spring for years, the debate
over whether the ethnic clashes against the Armenians in the break
up of the Ottoman Empire amounted to genocide has made it into the
US political arena for Congress to weigh in, writes Alon Ben-Meir in
The Huffington Post, referring to the recent resolution by the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs to officially recognize actions against
the Armenians in 1915 as genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks.

"Not only will this vote undermine the reconciliation process between
Turkey and Armenia, but it threatens the US-Turkish relationship
at a time when Turkey is playing a critical role aiding the US and
the Middle East peace process… If genocide was in fact committed,
it should be left to an international investigative tribunal, not
politicians who need to be reelected every two years," reports the
publication.

According to The Huffington Post, it is more important that the
Turkish government, who acted out fervently against the US government
following the resolution, come to grips with the separation of power
in the United States.

"Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have come out strongly
against the resolution — albeit last minute — yet they cannot
control the votes or the agenda of Congress. Under no circumstance
should Prime Minister Erdogan cancel his upcoming visit to the US,
as he should use this opportunity to present his case and prove that
Turkey is capable of handling the disputes with Armenia without US
congressional intervention," concludes the Post.

ANC ACCUSES ARMENIAN COURT OF APPEAL IN COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.03.2010 11:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In connection with the decision of the Armenian
Court of Appeal to uphold a verdict against the editor-in-chief
of "Haykakan Zhamanak" Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian National
Congress (ANC) issued a statement accusing the judge in cooperation
with authorities. "Upholding a verdict against Nikol Pashinyan
unchanged, the court has once again executed an order of the Armenian
authorities," the ANC statement said.

The ANC declared that will continue to fight for the freedom of
Nikol Pashinyan and other political prisoners. The editor-in-chief
of the opposition newspaper Nikol Pashinyan was sentenced to seven
years imprisonment. The Yerevan court of first instance, court of
Kentron and Nork-Marash found Nikol Pashinyan guilty (Part 1 Article
225 of the Criminal Code – rioting), and sentenced him to 7 years
imprisonment to be served in the criminal executive institutions of
the ministry of justice.

However, the judge Mnatsakan Martirosyan acquitted Pashinyan on
charges of committing a crime envisaged by part 1, article 316 of
the Criminal Code (violence towards a representative of the authority).

Nikol Pashinyan has been the editor-in-chief of Haykakan Zhamanak
newspaper since 1999. After March 1-2, 2008 events, he was wanted by
the police. On July 1, 2009 he yielded himself to authorities and
was detained. On January 10, he ran for parliament from the 10th
constituency but did not succeed.