Author: Jalatian Sonya

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER: TOO PREMATURE TO SPEAK ABOUT JOINING RUBLE ZONE

ARKA
Feb 17, 2009

YEREVAN, February 17. /ARKA/. Armenian Deputy Finance Minister Vardan
Aramyan, speaking Tuesday before Yerevan State University’s students,
said he found it too premature to speak about joining ruble zone.

He thinks a full legislative and economic harmonization is needed
for that.

The deputy minister denied rumors going around about Armenia’s possible
entry in ruble zone.

He said that before forming euro zone, European countries passed a
long way of legislative harmonization.

They have established free trade, formed common customs zone, common
economy and ensured free movement of capital before introducing.

Aramyan said Armenia has no such agreement with Russia.

"We can’t join ruble zone, because our countries haven’t reached
necessary degree of integration yet".

Azerbaijan displaced await end of conflict
By Martin Vennard
BBC News, Baku

Tazagul moved with her family in 1993 into a room in the students’
residence at the Technical University in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku.
Sixteen years later, she is now a widow and still living in one room
in the residence.

She shares it with her three grown-up children – two of whom have
mental disabilities – her daughter-in-law, and a grandchild.

Tazagul and her family are internally displaced people (IDPs) within
Azerbaijan – victims of its conflict in the early 1990s with Armenia
over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh – an
Armenian-controlled enclave within Azerbaijan.

`People live in very bad, unbearable conditions’
Elsevar Agayev
UNHCR Azerbaijan consultant

According to the Azerbaijani government and the United Nations, there
are 570,000 IDPs in Azerbaijan out of a population of around 8.5
million – one of the highest concentrations of IDPs in the world.

As well as the IDPs, more than 200,000 ethnic Azeris came to
Azerbaijan from Armenia as refugees during the conflict, while most
ethnic Armenians left Baku and other parts of Azerbaijan.

Make-shift facilities
Some 4,000 of the IDPs are living in the former student complex,
alongside Tazagul and her family. Many of them have been there for at
least 15 years.

There are dozens of such centres in Baku, which house around a third
of the country’s IDPs.

The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, says IDPs have problems accessing
health and education services, but that their main problem is their
living conditions.

ElsevarAgayev, a consultant for the UNHCR in Azerbaijan, recently
travelled to see IDPs in the west of the country.

"In collective centres, I saw people living in very precarious
conditions," he says.

"It is the same in Baku, in Sumgayit and other places where IDPs
live. People live in very bad, unbearable conditions," he adds.

The IDPs in the former Baku student residence have make-shift cooking
facilities in the corridors outside their rooms or on the balconies,
while the hygiene facilities are communal.

With her grandchild tied to her back, Tazagul says that every morning
the family members have to pile up the mattresses on which they sleep
during the night.

She says she used to work in a bakery, but that the family now lives
solely on benefits.

` Few people work in official and regular jobs ‘ Tazagul An employee
at the centre tells me that the IDPs who do find jobs generally work
in the black economy.

"Sometimes they find jobs, but sometimes they could wait weeks to find
a job. Few people work in official and regular jobs," she says.

Many of the IDPs came from rural areas where agriculture was the
dominant industry and have difficulties finding work in an urban
environment.

The buildings at the centre are in urgent need of repair, while
outside the road is more like a muddy track. It is lined by wooden
stalls and shacks, set up as shops by the IDPs.

Just a short distance away in central Baku, Azerbaijan’s oil wealth is
ostentatiously displayed in the form of expensive cars and shops.

Negotiations
The government’s aim is for all the IDPs to be able to return home to
Nagorno-Karabakh, or the areas around it that are internationally
recognised as being part of Azerbaijan but controlled since the war by
ethnic Armenians.

One of the heads of the group which is trying to help find an
agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Caucasus
territory recently told the BBC he was more hopeful of success than at
any time in the past.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, co-chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group, said the recent meetings between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents had given new momentum to the process.

One of the main issues being discussed is the fate of the IDPs, but
none of those I spoke to at the Baku centre had even heard about the
talks.

The government has built houses for some IDPs, such as Zulfugar Agayev
and his family.

They fled the Azerbaijani district of Agdam, near Nagorno-Karabakh, as
Armenian forces advanced in 1993.

"My father, mother, two brothers and a sister moved back to Agdam
where the government built new houses for IDPs," Mr Agayev says.

"But this new village is very close to the ceasefire line and you can
hear when shooting breaks out. I think it’s very dangerous to live
there now, but people have no other choice."

Oil revenues
A ceasefire was signed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in
1994. However, sporadic fatal clashes continue to break out around
Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas.

Critics say
the government could have acted quicker and used more of its oil
wealth to re-house the IDPs.

But the authorities reject that and say the last of the camps for IDPs
were dismantled some time ago.

"The government tries its best to help them. There is not a single
refugee or IDP shelter camp today," says foreign ministry spokesman
Khazar Ibrahim.

"We have used budget money. We have also used money from our oil fund
to build temporary houses for them," he adds.

But IDPs, such as Tazagul, living in collective centres do not believe
that their situation will improve significantly until a resolution to
the dispute is found and they can return home.

Storyfrom BBC NEWS:
/7892486.stm

Published: 2009/02/18 00:11:17 GMT

© BBC MMIX

ANALYST ARMEN AGHAYAN: NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT HAS NO NEGOTIATIONS SOLUTION

Noyan Tapan
Feb 16, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement has no negotiations, diplomatic solution. Analyst
Armen Aghayan expressed such an opinion at the March 16 press
conference. According to him, indeed not the negotiations format has
been exhausted, but they were useless from the very start. "They could
not but be a failure, as in 1994 the Artsakh war was interrupted
and not finished," A. Aghayan said adding that the view is spread
in Armenia that the Karabakh war has been finished, at that, with
Armenians’ victory. However, according to him, Azerbaijan has not been
defeated finally and is not going to conciliate with the losses the
Armenian people considers its victorious achievement. "For Azerbaijan,
the sense of the negotiations is the continuation of the war,"
A. Aghayan said.

According to him, analyses show that RA President Serzh
Sargsyan is ready to solve the Nagorno Karabakh problem through
concessions. However, in A. Aghayan’s opinion, to achieve his goals
S. Sargsyan should overcome two great obstacles, Azerbaijan’s
bellicose disposition and Armenian people’s national-historic
self-consciousness. And they, according to him, are insuperable.

GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES CREATED A NEW HOTBED OF CRISIS IN JAVAKHK

AZG Armenian Daily
17/02/2009

Javakhk

Interview with the President of Yerkir Union of Public Organizations
on Repatriation and Settlement Sevak Artsruni

– Mr. Artsruni, how do you assess the situation in Javakhk today
taking into account the recent arrests in Akhaltskha, the continuous
suspension of Vahagn Chakhalian’s court procedure and delay in
registration of Armenian-French attorney Patrick Arapian?

– From the first hours of the arrests in Akhaltskha, it was clear to us
that because of the day-by-day increasing interest of the international
community in problems of the Armenians of Georgia and Javakhk, the
Georgian authorities would create a new hotbed of crisis in Javakhk. It
is clear that it will be easy for them to speculate on Akhaltskha
arrests trying to depreciate the demands of the Georgian Armenians.

– Could you make detailed comment on the two directions of the pressure
that Georgia tries to exert?

– If we speak of the influence on the Republic of Armenia, in this
field the Georgian authorities aim at converting the all-Armenian
little-by-little increasing interest in protection of the legal rights
of the Armenians of Javakhk into a subject of Armenian-Georgian
negotiations and demanding the Armenian authorities to neutralize
the process.

– In case of the international community, under the conditions
of Russian-Georgian crisis in the South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
the aim of the Georgian authorities is to provide the neutrality
of the geopolitical partners of Georgia in final destruction of
the public-political structures of the Armenians of Javakhk and to
silence them.

What do you think, Mr. Artsruni, what must be done in this case?

– As we told before, not the official Armenia but the Armenian NGOs
and the Armenian Diaspora should return an answer to it. Javakhk
issue is an all-Armenian issue, and like the issue of recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, the whole nation and the Republic of Armenia
can pursue different strategic directions in it.

There are precise international mechanisms for protection of the rights
of the Armenians of Georgia and Javakhk as ethnic minorities. And
the Georgian authorities cannot leave them out of account in case of
corresponding pressure of the Armenian and Diasporan NGOs.

Besides, since the summer of 2008, an atmosphere of fear and
disappointment has been created in Javakhk because of series of
arrests, terrors, court procedures and other arranged and planned acts
carried out by the Georgian state structures. The court procedures of
the leader of the United Javakhk Democratic Alliance Vahagn Chakhalian
and other Armenian political activists of Javakhk took place and go
on with disgraceful infringements of the law.

In case of systematized and consistent presentation of the
above-mentioned facts to the corresponding international offices, we
will succeed in binding the Georgian authorities to stop this process
of silencing the Armenians of Georgia and taking into consideration
the rights of the Armenian minority.

Taking the opportunity, we again and again call on all the Armenians
and especially the Armenian Diaspora not to be disorientated and
to demand from Georgia by all lawful means to solve all the issues
raised by the Armenians of Javakhk and Georgia.

Turkmen TV Altyn Asyr channel, Asgabat, Turkmenistan
Feb 11 2009

Turkmen, Armenian officials discuss energy ties

The first meeting of the joint Turkmen-Armenian inter-governmental
commission on economic cooperation was held in Asgabat today.

The delegation members headed by Armenia’s energy and natural
resources minister, [Armen Movsisyan], then had a meeting with the
deputy chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. During
the meeting, the Armenian guests were provided with a detailed
information on achievements made under the leadership of the esteemed
president in the country’s oil and gas sector.

They also were closely familiarized with the implementation of
construction projects in Turkmenistan. They were briefed about the
work of major power generating facilities operating in the country and
on the distribution of electricity among domestic consumers as well as
on its sale to foreign countries under bilateral agreements.

In this regard, the guests explored the possibility of purchasing
Turkmen electricity and importing it into Armenia.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 14 2009

MILLI MAJLIS SPEAKER MEETS OSCE PA`S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON
NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Baku, February 14 (AzerTAc). Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament (Milli
Majlis) Ogtay Asadov met Friday with OSCE PA`s Special Representative
on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Goran Lennmarker.
Asadov praised the fact that international organizations paid more
attention to the South Caucasus following the events of August 2008 in
the region.
He noted that delay in settlement of conflicts is a threat to not only
the South Caucasus, but Europe itself. â??So, such conflicts
must find their soonest solution,â?? he added.
Asadov also underlined that the right to self-determination of nations
living in Nagorno-Karabakh could only be realized on the basis of
Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.
He pointed out that resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute would
contribute to Azerbaijan`s rapid integration into Europe.
Goran Lennmarker, in turn, expressed his satisfaction with being in
Azerbaijan again.
According to him, the international community`s increasing its
attention to the South Caucasus will have positive impact on
settlement of existing conflicts in the region.
The sides also discussed other issues of mutual interest.

IRAN NEGATIVE ABOUT TURKISH ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.02.2009 20:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The thaw in Armenian-Turkish relations is undoubtedly
a positive move for both countries, an Armenian expert said.

For Armenia, it’s alternative communications. For Ankara, it’s
a tool to influence Yerevan’s political decisions. Witnessing
the developments, Iran will itself put forward various stability
platforms," Eduard Abrahamyan, expert at Mitq analytical center,
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Ankara’s determination to interfere into the Karabakh process is one
of Tehran’s concerns, according to him.

"If Turkey takes up Karabakh, not only Armenia but also Iran will
lose. Surrender of the territories adjacent to Iran will cause extra
ethnic-political conflicts for Iran. It’s not a secret that Iran
experiences problems with Azeris and that the Karabakh regions near
Araks River constitute a natural obstacle for Azeri consolidation,"
Abrahamyan said, adding that Iranian religious and political elite
eyes Turkey as major military, political and religious rival.

"It’s not surprising that Tehran will give a hostile reception to
any Turkish regional initiative," he said.

"We should also keep in mind that the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
would be welcomed by Tbilisi. It’s obvious, that obtaining alternative
economic routes, the Armenian leadership will not change its policy
toward Georgia," Abrahamyan concluded.

ARMENIA EXPECTS A RESPONSE

A1+
[05:41 pm] 10 February, 2009

Serzh Sargsyan met today the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special
Representative on Nagorno-Karabakh Goran Lenmarker.

During the meeting the sides discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh peace
process, the Turkish-Armenian political dialogue, military-political
developments in the South Caucasus, as well as issues relating to
the European Union’s "Eastern Cooperation".

Serzh Sargsyan attached importance to the role of the OSCE in the
peace process and stressed the importance of the OSCE Minsk Group’s
efforts aimed at settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The interlocutors also underscored that the events of August 2008
show once again that it is inadmissible to solve conflicts through
military operations.

Sargsyan stressed once more that Armenia expects a response from
international organizations regarding the unprecedented military
buildup and war declarations of certain countries.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative praised
the talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and welcomed
Serzh Sargsyan’s initiative to discuss the issue with political
party leaders.

Goran Lenmarker welcomed the Armenian authorities’ efforts aimed at
regulation of Turkish-Armenian relations.

During the meeting the sides also touched upon the "Eastern
Cooperation" initiative. Serzh Sargsyan attached importance to
Armenia’s participation and underlined the component of regional
cooperation.

CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force to be established

11939

MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Collective Security Treaty
Organization (CSTO) Collective Security Council special sitting took
place on February 4 in Moscow and was conducted by the President of
Armenia presiding over at CSTO, Serzh Sargsyan. Heads of CSTO states
discussed and signed a decision to establish CSTO Collective Rapid
Reaction Force. Presenting the decision S. Sargsyan classed it as an
important step aimed at "strengthening organization’s military
component."

The decision was made due to the necessity to strengthen member
countries’ collective security and to further raise its potential, as
well as to repulse with joint participation in case of a military
aggression and to resist other challenges. The CSTO Secretary General
and Organization’s united headquarters were instructed in three months
to work out and present to the regulations bodies a package of
normative legal acts proceeding from the decision of establishment of
Collective Rapid Reaction Force. According to the signed decision, a
decision on using CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force is made by
Organization’s Collective Security Council by the principle of
consensus. Another point stipulates that the armed forces acting as
part of CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force provided by the member
countries before getting down to the mission reserved for them are in
the exclusive competence of the given countries, in the places of their
permanent dislocation.

A decision on the place and time of holding Organization’s next sitting
was made at the special sitting: it will take place in 2009 June in
Moscow. Organization’s 2009 budget was also established at the sitting.

At the Collective Security Council special sitting Nikolay Bordyuzha
was reaffirmed on CSTO Secretary General’s post.

According to the report of the RA President’s Press Office, the same
day CSTO countries’ heads took part in the Eurasian Economic Community
Interstate Council’s special sitting, where issues of establishing a
joint Anti-crisis Fund and High Technologies Center were discussed.

Delegation headed by Goran Lenmarker to arrive in Armenia Monday

armradio.am
07.02.2009 12:55

The delegation headed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special
Representative on Nagorno-Karabakh Goran Lenmarker will arrive in
Armenia on February 9 for a two-day visit.

At the National Assembly the delegation will be received by Speaker
Hovik Abrahamyan. Members of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE, and
the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations will be present at the
meeting.

Within the framework of the visit the delegation will meet RA Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian, opposition leaders.

On February 10 the delegation headed by Goran Lenmarker will be hosted
by President Serzh Sargsyan.