Author: Jalatian Sonya

WEST AND RUSSIA VYING FOR ALLIES AND ENERGY IN CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA

AsiaNews.it
?l=en&art=13248&size=A
Sept 17 2008
Italy

NATO continues its approach to Georgia. Moscow talks about a "Cold
war" climate as it strengthens its ties with Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan try to find a difficult balance
between the two rival camps. China takes advantage of the situation
to gain important energy deals.

Tbilisi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Georgia’s march towards NATO membership
continues but Georgian authorities must "push ahead with reform
and improve further its democratic institutions and practices,"
said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who just ended a
two-day visit to the Caucasian country.

In a press conference Mr Hoop Scheffer said that the recent war with
Russia did not change the Georgia-NATO relationship and that no-one
can prevent the Alliance from accepting new members.

He did none the less say that he hoped that there would be no more
reports from international observers saying that Georgia’s elections
were "tainted." Current President Mikhail Saakashvili won a recent
election by a slim margin which the opposition said was full of
irregularities.

Anxious of finding support after his bitter military defeat President
Saakashvili agreed with the NATO chief. But in the country itself
his domestic opposition is growing, demanding fresh elections for
next spring.

The Kremlin slammed the "Cold War" visit, calling it anti-Russian. For
Moscow a stronger NATO-Georgia link is "not timely and does not help
stabilisation in the region."

Whilst Hoop Scheffer was in Tbilisi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov on Monday flew to Sokhumi in Abkhazia, the most senior Russian
official to visit the territory since 1993. And today Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev signed "friendship treaties" with the presidents of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In Moscow yesterday Medvedev met Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev.

Russia is pushing Azerbaijan to sell its gas to Russian state-owned
Gazprom, but no agreement came out of the meetings in the Russian
capital. The Azeri leader is still trying to play a balancing act
between Russia and the West and intends to sell to both.

For the European Union Aliyev remains a crucial ally because of his
country’s energy resources as well as the transit role the latter
could play for Central Asian gas, bypassing Russia.

On Georgia Aliyev was careful to stress the "need to consolidate
efforts in order to provide peace" and "diminish tension." Indeed
Baku too has to deal with its own separatist enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Medvedev insisted that there was no connection
between Karabakh and the situation in Georgia, expressing Russia’s
support for the "continuation of direct talks between Azerbaijani
and Armenian presidents".

In light of the Russia-EU rivalry, the vice president of Azerbaijan’s
State Oil Company (SOCAR) Elshad Nasirov said on 12 September that
"All destinations [of gas export] are equally possible and we will
mostly consider the net profit for SOCAR," adding that that exporting
gas to India or China via Turkmenistan could be another option.

In the game Russia and the West are playing for friendly ties and
energy in the Caucasus and Central Asia, China is not standing idle.

On 29 August Turkmenistan and China signed a framework agreement to
increase planned gas supplies to China by 10 billion m3 to 40 billion
m3 a year with deliveries starting at the end of 2009, once a gas
pipeline via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is completed.

The deal was signed right after the Russian deputy Prime Minister
Viktor Zubkov visited Turkmenistan, a sign that Turkmen leaders want
to counterbalance Moscow’s influence.

Similarly, at the 28 August summit of the Shanghai Co-operation
Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe China opposed any declaration of support
for Russia in its war against Georgia as Moscow had requested. Instead
the SCO group, which includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, urged the parties to solve the conflict in a
"peaceful manner."

Kazakhstan is also trying to strike a balance between Russia and
the European Union. It has rejected a Russian offer to buy all its
gas, but in Brussels yesterday at its annual summit with the EU,
the Central Asian nation did not endorse the EU’s Nabucco project–a
planned gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to Austria–saying it was still
in a preliminary phase. (PB)

POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF GEORGIAN COMMANDOS IN S-OSSETIA IMPERMISSIBLE – LAVROV

Interfax
Sept 16 2008
Russia

The possible presence of Georgian commandos in South Ossetia’s Leningor
district would be a provocative act, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov told a Monday press conference in Tskhinvali.

"That could be another provocative act, because the Leningor
district is populated not only by Ossetians but also by Georgians and
Armenians. They have lived together forever. Like the South Ossetian
president has said, it is a key goal to prevent ethnically motivated
provocative acts," he said.

"Time has come to calm down emotions. If someone tries to organize a
provocation in the area of joint residence of various ethnic groups,
the attempt must be stopped immediately. We have information about
possible provocations of the kind in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We
have heard that several hundred convicts were set free from Georgian
prisons for organizing such provocations and terrorist acts," he said.

"We need vigilance. That is one of the reasons why we insist on
the soonest deployment of OSCE and EU missions, which would prevent
not only provocative acts but also the very idea of provocations,"
Lavrov said.

"The problem of illegal armed units in South Ossetia – any Georgian
servicemen – must have a simple solution by those who ensure security
inside the republic [South Ossetia]. That is being done by South
Ossetian security forces and Russian servicemen," he said.

MINISTER NALBANDIAN TO VISIT IRAN

armradio.am
15.09.2008 12:23

On September 15 RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian will leave
for Tehran for a two-day official visit at the invitation of the
Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki,
MFA Press and Information Department reported.

During the visit Minister Nalbandian will have meetings with the
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
President of the Majlis Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National
Security Council Said Jalili and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

KURT VOLKER: THE MINSK GROUP IS A CONVENIENT FORMAT FOR KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

armradio.am
15.09.2008 16:22

The Minsk Group format is convenient for the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, US Permanent Representative to NATO Kurt Volker
declared, speaking about the possible participation of NATO in the
settlement of "frozen" conflicts.

At the same time, the diplomat noted that the relations launched
between Armenia and Turkey will positively affect the Karabakh
conflict and the region as a whole. "The establishment of diplomatic
relations between Armenia and Turkey and open borders will have a
positive influence on the whole region. The solution of the existing
problems will contribute to the development of regional cooperation
and integration of the region into world economy," he said.

Hasmik Poghosyan: Turkey and Armenia should pursue more cultural
cooperation

armradio.am
13.09.2008 12:26

Turkey and Armenia should pursue more cultural cooperation, as it would
do more to heal historic trauma than diplomacy, Armenia’s Culture
Minister Hasmik Poghosyan said in an exclusive interview with the
Turkish Daily News.

Amid warming relations between Turkey and Armenia following President
Abdullah Gül’s recent trip to Yerevan, Hasmik Poghosyan called on the
Turkish Culture Minister ErtuÄ?rul Günay to improve relations, saying,
`Let’s start working collaboratively in the cultural realm to help new
generations overcome trauma.’

Poghosyan, referring to pain experienced in past decades, said, `We
lost our families during the genocide and were forced to leave the
lands where we were born. But it is also a fact that many conscientious
Turkish families helped us during those painful events. How can we deny
the reality and blame the whole Turkish society?’ she said.

Dialogue and collaboration in the cultural realm had more significance
than diplomatic relations, said Poghosyan, adding this could lead to a
speedy rapprochement between Turks and Armenians.

Many relics and cultural artifacts from ancient Armenian civilization
were located within the borders of modern day Turkey, said Poghosyan,
adding that Armenia’s Culture Ministry wanted to collaborate with its
Turkish counterpart to restore them
for future generations. Poghosyan
said her biggest dream was to organize a festival celebrating Turkey in
Armenia.

Hasmik Poghosyan said the ancient Akdamar Church on a small island in
Lake Van in eastern Turkey is important. `Renovation of such structures
is significant in terms of passing them onto younger generations. But
Turkey neglects one thing: How correct is it to call a church a
museum?’ she said.

Poghosyan said she wished to cooperate on the restoration of Armenian
cultural heritage within Turkey, adding that her ministry was ready to
give any kind of logistical support to Turkish authorities in order to
ensure restorations were made in line with the original characteristics
of the structures.

Armenian cultural heritage in Turkey was not seen as important
according to official policy, said Poghosyan. `No matter how much we
deny it, we simply cannot change history,’ she said.

She drew attention to restoration work that would start soon on the
ruins of the ancient Armenian city of Ani, located within modern day
Kars, a province in eastern Turkey. She said her ministry was ready to
collaborate with the Turkish Culture Ministry on that project.

RA Ministry of Nature Protection denies information by some local mass
media concerning Khosrov natural reserve

2008-09-13 10:11:00

ArmInfo. RA Ministry of Nature Protection denies the information spread
by some local mass media concerning Khosrov natural reserve. The
message received by ArmInfo today from the press service of RA Ministry
of Nature Protection says that some local mass media spread an
information according to which building work is carried out in the
territory of Khosrov natural reserve. Construction is carried out not
in the territory of Khosrov natural reserve but in the territory of
"Gilan" preserved area adjacent to Khosrov reserve. Separate sections
of "Gilan" area have been leased out by the Armenian government’s
decision for tourism development purposes, the message of the press
service of RA Ministry of Nature Protection says.

ARMENIA’S NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION: ROSATOM GENERAL DIRECTOR

ARKA
Sep 11, 2008

YEREVAN, September 11. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is
in excellent condition, Sergey Kirienko, general director of Russia’s
Rosatom, said during his meeting with RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

Sargsyan and Kirienko discussed nuclear energy cooperation between
Armenia and Russia. They both expressed satisfaction of the current
level of cooperation and stressed the importance of joint programs
in energy sector.

Sargsyan and Kirienko also touched upon possible construction of a
new unit in the Armenian NPP, as well as explorations in Armenia’s
uranium deposits.

The only operating unit with a Russian nuclear reactor generates
about 50% of Armenia’s electric power.

In the coming five years, the Armenia NPP will be under the trust
management of the INTER RAO UES CJSC, subsidiary of RAO UES Russia
(60% of the shares) and the ROSENERGOATOM Trust (40%).

According to specialists, the Armenian NPP in Metsamor can operate
until 2016.

PRESIDENT OF TURKEY: I HOPE THAT NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA WILL BE SOLVED THROUGH DIALOGUE, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND RECIPROCAL VISITS

ArmInfo
2008-09-11 14:13:00

ArmInfo. President of Turkey Abdullah Gul informed his Azerbaijani
counterpart Ilham Aliyev about his visit to Armenia in details. As
the Azerbaijani mass media report, A. Gul told about it at
a press-conference upon the results of yesterday’s meeting with
I. Aliyev in Baku.

"After Georgia developments, we, as statesmen and leaders, must
thoroughly and correctly analyze the situation and demonstrate a
strong will. I hope that Nagorno- Karabakh problem between Azerbaijan
and Armenia will be solved through dialogue, mutual understanding
and reciprocal visits. We believe that there is a new opportunity
to settle this problem, which has remained unsolved for the past 17
years. From this point of view, I left Armenia with optimism. Sure, the
problem will be solved through meetings", the Turkish president said
and continued: "Quick release of the occupied lands will, certainly,
become an important step, and with establishment of peace and security
in region we shall reach very effective economic cooperation.

Pipelines, railway, on which we had comprehensive talk, will envelope
the entire Caucasus region. It is, therefore, necessary to properly
estimate the new opportunities and not to continue the "frozen
conflicts", but to solve them. I am hopeful that there is a new chance
to solve the question. I am of opinion that the countries of region
will estimate this in better form and prefer peaceful way. Either
way, there are resolutions of the United Nations to be considered,
and finally, not enmity, but friendship will overcome. The entire
region, all peoples will benefit of this. It is therefore important
to work with good intention, and I am convinced that the world will
also hail and support this".

For his part, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said: "We want
that this occupation was put an end. We want to solve the question
peacefully. And therefore, despite the 15- years long unsuccessful
negotiations, we, as earlier, adhere to peaceful settlement. But, it
is clear that settlement of the problem should exclusively base on the
norms and principles of international law. Territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan should be restored, the armed forces of Armenia withdrawn
from the occupied lands, and one million of refugees and IDPs return
to their homelands".

"Thus, should we reach this, then, completely a new situation
will occur in region: cooperation, stability, and new economic and
political initiatives, open communications. In short, in region, peace
will be secured, and development will go faster. To tell the truth,
today, economy of Turkey and Azerbaijan is so strong that nothing is
able to impede our successful progress. And if we shall solve the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict – I am hopeful for –
then, of course, development of all countries will speed up. Each
country will benefit of it. We stand for this. We aspire that in
region there was maintained peace, tranquility and all countries of
region could establish civil contacts with each other. I restate:
to do this, we merely need the will and wise steps of the political
leaders of Armenia. And, I and esteemed Abdullah Gul, adhere the
opinion that the new leadership of Armenia will continue efforts
to solve the problem. There are positive and certain factors, and
hopeful information. Evidently, I would not take the lead over the
happenings, but we look to future with growing optimism. I would
believe that thanks to the efforts of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia and
other countries we shall achieve establishment of peace in region",
I. Aliyev said.

KARABAKH MEDAL AWARDED TO ARARAT CENTER FOR STRATEGIC RESEARCH

AZG Armenian Daily
12/09/2008

Nagorno Karabakh

The "20-th Anniversary of the Karabakh National Liberation Movement"
medal was handed to Dr. Armen Ayvazyan, Director of ARARAT Center,
by the National Assembly Speaker of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,
Mr. Ashot Ghulyan, August 30, 2008 meeting with the graduates of the
Center’s 2008 Summer School program. Mr. Ghulyan mentioned that the
medal is awarded to the ARARAT Center for its consistent activities
and continued research into the Karabakh problem. On the front of the
medal are featured the "We and Our Mountains" monument in Stepanakert
by S. Baghdasaryan and the dates marking the twenty-year-long
movement. The reverse side depicts a Fist symbolizing the movement
and the flag of NKR in the form of a dove.

ARARAT Center For Strategic Research, Yerevan, August 9, 2008

VIVACELL-MTS ALLOCATES 15 MILLION DRAMS FOR REHABILITATION OF PROTECTIVE FENCE DIVIDING VILLAGE OF GEGHAMAVAN AND RIVER HRAZDAN

Noyan Tapan

Se p 8, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. VivaCell-MTS allocated AMD 15
million to support the village of Geghamavan with rehabilitation of
the protective fence dividing the village and the River Hrazdan.

According to a press release of VivaCell, the River Hrazdan flows
across the village of Geghamavan – through its populated territory. The
protective fence separating the river banks from the village built
previously dates back to the first half of the previous century,
and was destroyed.

Unfortunately, during the last three decades the fence was unable to
prevent 67 casualties resulting in death of people, 10 of which were
cars falling into the river. Moreover, lots of cattle have fallen
into the river causing considerable material losses to the residents
of the village.ll-MTS,

A 750 meter long protective fence has been built on both banks of
the River Hrazdan, for the part of the river running across the
village. Another part of the fence making 300 meters, will be built
by the end of the year.