Author: Jidarian Alex

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH ON ONE STAGE

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 22 2009
Armenia

Pop Turkish singer Sezen Aksu performed with Arto Tunjboyajian
(Armenian musician) in the framework of Turkey’s Days in France.

Their performance rounded out the concerts dedicated to Ramadan Holy
month, Turkish Radikal daily reports.

Sezen Aksu sings a number of Armenian songs. She has been recently
banned from appearing with a concert in Azerbaijan, alleging as the
reason for refusing that one of her band musicians is Armenian.

RA CEC REGISTERS RUBEN GEVORGIAN AS NA DEPUTY BY PROPORTIONAL SYSTEM

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Central Electoral
Commission (CEC) at a September 22 sitting registered Bargavach
Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) party member Ruben Gevorgian as a NA
deputy by the proportional system, from the BH electoral roll.

The decision is based on the NA September 15 protocol on ahead of
schedule stopping the deputy powers of Rubik Haroutiunian appointed
as RA Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations.

It should be mentioned that R. Gevorgian had also been NA deputy of
second convocation (1999-2003) by the majority system, from Yerevan
electoral district N 7.

NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF SPAIN HANDS HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT

NOYAN TAPAN
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 22, newly appointed
Ambassador of Spain to RA Juan Antonio March Pujol (residence Moscow)
handed his credentials to RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

Congratulating the diplomat on the occasion of assuming his position S.

Sargsyan expressed the hope that during his tenure he will make an
important contribution to development of bilateral cooperation in
various spheres.

According to Ambassador Juan Antonio March Pujol, Spain strives for
raising the relations with Armenia to a level corresponding to the
constantly changing demands of the globalized world.

The interlocutors exchanged thoughts over possible directions of
cooperation, attached importance to activization of trade and economic
contacts and formation of proper legal-contractual sphere. The
Ambassador of Spain mentioned university cooperation as a sphere
having prospects, which can create a spiritual bridge between the
young generations.

S. Sargsyan and the newly appointed diplomat also touched upon
Armenia-EU relations and possibilities of bilateral cooperation within
that framework.

Juan Antonio March Pujol said that Spain assuming chairmanship in
EU next year is going to undertake serious steps in the direction of
developing and deepening the relations.

OPPOSITION SPEAKS OUT

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 21 2009
Armenia

The September 18 speech of Armenian National Congress opposition
leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan inferred two political intrigues.

The opposition supporters were astonished to hear their leader would
not participate in early presidential elections if the incumbent
President Serzh Sargsyan resigns due to negative developments in
Armenia-Turkey normalization and Karabakh issue processes. However,
before the several-thousand crowd got puzzled with the news,
Ter-Petrosyan pointed out he will do so only after RA Former President
Robert Kocharyan refuses to run for the race.

If we hypothetically assume that Serzh Sargsyan quits, his predecessor
Robert Kocharyan will be the only possible candidate from the governing
coalition (definitely many will be against him, however at the moment
there is no other candidate) then, Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s walkout from
the race becomes very unlikely.

The second intrigue is that ANC leader offered Armenian authorities
another time-out to independently resolve the problems on
Armenia-Turkey relations and Karabakh issue. He emphasized he will
not allow the opposition to be drawn into the perilous developments
and the authorities’ game in Armenia-Turkey normalization. That is why
ANC will refrain from protesting rallies scheduled for late September
and leave the date of the next demonstration in abeyance.

It is evident that Levon Ter-Petrosyan adheres to the tactics voiced
at October 17, 2008 meeting, "ANC does not intend to be a mere toy
in international community hands to pressurize Armenia on Karabakh
conflict. Moreover, the ANC being the only oppositional force capable
of organizing mass protest actions, does not intend to assist the
authorities in demonstrating the international community the widespread
discontent over foreign policy course.

Thus, the next opposition rally will take place after the next
developments in Karabakh issue and Armenia-Turkey relations’
normalization.

TURKEY’S ECONOMIC EXPANSION BIGGEST THREAT TO ARMENIA
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.09.2009 GMT+04:00

Despite the sluggish protests of the opposition and some
pro-governmental parties, the Foreign Minister will sign the
Armenian-Turkish agreement.

Little time is left for consideration till October 14, when
Turkish and Armenian national football teams meet in the frames
of a World Cup qualifying match. The question is whether to sign
or not sign the Protocols on the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations. Discussions are held not only in Armenia, where the entire
population seems to be engaged in the process, but also in Turkey.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In both countries there are supporters and
opponents of normalization of relations but, frankly speaking,
neither of the sides will be listened to at the decisive moment. Thus,
there will happen what the world powers are pushing the two countries
to. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the number of opponents and
supporters, even for the simple opening of the border is nearly the
same in both countries. For some reason people in Armenia consider
that the Turks want the border opened for the mere aim to crush the
Armenians economically and to dictate their political will. Indeed,
there is a grain of truth in this fear, but it is only a grain since
almost the same is believed also by the Turks: Armenians will stream
into Turkey, build hotels on the shores of Lake Van and inflate
property prices. And all this at the time of crisis and enormous
foreign debt. The trouble is that we basically draw the information
about Turkey from the Azerbaijani media which writes about everything
>From the standpoint of Official Baku. Hence the extreme nervousness
of Baku, which neither the President nor the Prime Minister of Turkey
will be able to dispel.

As for Armenia, despite the sluggish protests of the opposition and
some pro-governmental parties, the Foreign Minister will sign the
Armenian-Turkish agreement. The same applies to Ahmet Davutoglu. And
all these meetings with party leaders are simply a tribute paid to
international and "democratic" standards. However, the Protocols have
an excellent loophole in case of "unpleasant" turn of events: they
shall enter into force only after being ratified by the parliaments
of both countries. And this may result in a number of complications in
the Turkish parliament, which, however, is almost completely composed
of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) members. However, this
majority is not like our silent majority that votes as ordered. Among
the AKP members there are a lot of people really dissatisfied with
Gul and Erdogan’s policy towards Europe and Armenia. And there is
also opposition, led by Deniz Baykal, which roughly speaking, is a
lobbyist for Baku. There exist also ultranationalists who are ready to
just kill anyone who would urge Turkey to reconcile with "unfaithful"
Armenia. So, it is absurd to claim that Turkey merely "dreams" about
conquering Armenia. It is true that Turkey, and before it the Ottoman
Empire, is enemy number 1 for the Armenians. But from a different
outlook, similar enemy to Turkey are the Armenians: disturbing,
always demanding, writing letters to all international bodies. Only
unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, no one wants to listen to them.

However, let us return to the discussions that are becoming more and
more frivolous daily. Indeed, why should the Health Commission or the
Public Chamber of the Republic of Armenia discuss the Protocols? Or
why should it be done by the Agriculture Commission, whose concern,
however, is grounded: the Armenian market might be flooded with cheap
fruit and vegetables from the border provinces, as a result of which
our farmers would eventually go bankrupt.

In our view the right thing to do would not be to discuss the contents
of the Protocols, which are interpreted by politicians in a manner
suitable to them, but to try to produce some legal mechanism that
would help to avoid the negative consequences of the normalization
of relations with Turkey. Instead of "exchange" of opinions we need
laws that would prevent the import of Turkish food into Armenia and
restrict the exports of manufactured goods. In other words, the economy
of Armenia must be prepared for the possible Turkish expansion. This
is very serious because in the view of imperfectness of the laws
and the pursuit of profit, we may simply award the Turks a chance
to buy real estate, and what the politicians say may come true with
the connivance of those same politicians, by the way. In Turkey, for
example, foreign nationals cannot buy real estate for any money. It is
so also in Armenia, but for great amounts you can do everything. So,
in the long run, all these "discussions" are useless; they are just
a great PR-campaign for our politicians, analysts and experts.

In fact, everything will be signed, ratified, President of Armenia
will attend the football match, and the Armenian team will lose
again. The scenario will repeat itself..

Rural Inhabitants as well will Receive Credits from Banks

NKR Government Information and
Public Relations Department

September 10, 2009

Within the next few days the issue of allowing bank credits to rural
inhabitants will be settled. The Government has been conducting
negotiations with the representatives of banks functioning in Artsakh
for several months, and on September 9, during the conference convened
at NKR Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan which was participated by the
Vice-Premier, Minister of Finance Spartak Tevosyan, Minister of
Agriculture Armo Tsatryan, Directors of Artsakh Investment Fund and the
Fund of Support to Village and Agriculture, the scopes of cooperation
with banks in the sphere of agriculture were discussed.
The main problem available consists in the fact that banks avoid
working with rural inhabitants. On part of pledging the solvency of
villagers causes anxiety. Such a situation is not beneficial for the
villager unable to redeem the credit. At the suggestion of the
Government the Fund of Support to Village and Agriculture will assume
the role of mediator between banks and villagers. According to the
words of Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan this structure is able to
undertake the compensation of agricultural credit risk.
Rendering credits to landed proprietors for autumn sowing
activities directly by the state and the fund will be continued, while
the tenants will apply to banks through the mediation of the state.
This is a programme of economic development and not a social one,-
Prime Minister Ara Haroutyunyan specified. The state guarantees the
compensation of interest rates, and the fund settles the problem of
overdue credits and pledges.
At the conference a few days’ more period was allotted to
investigations. Later, the regular meeting will take place, and, most
likely, the start of the new cooperation will be declared.

Aysor, Armenia
Sept 19 2009

The Armenian banking system is leading

`We have even recorded a 6% growth of banking portfolio’, – noticed
today the RA CB President Arthur Javadyan on the opening ceremony of
the head department of the `HayBusinessBank’ CJSC.

On the opening ceremony of the head department of the
`HayBusinessBank’ were present the President of Armenian Republic
Serzh Sargsyan, the NKR President Bako Sahakyan, the RA Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan, representatives of the political and public elite.

During his welcoming speech Arthur Javadyan, the president of the RA
Central Bank touched upon the present state of the Armenian Banking
system.

He informed that regardless of the global financial crisis during the
last 8 months of this year the Armenian Banking system is not only the
leader in the region but also in CIS countries.

AZERBAIJANI POLITICAL ANALYSTS PREDICT A BREAKTHROUGH IN SOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend
Sept 16 2009
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani political analysts predict a breakthrough in the
solution of the Armenian -Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"I am convinced of Ankara’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
is consistent and will remain so. I cannot imagine the Karabakh
dispute to remain suspended while the Turkey-Armenia relations were
being normalized. Taking into account the situation in the region,
I think there will be a breakthrough in resolving the conflict,"
Rasim Agayev, Azerbaijani independent political scientist, said at
a roundtable on "The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
Armenian-Turkish relations. Parallel processes or …." on Sept.16

On Aug. 31, Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland
reached an agreement to launch "internal political consultations"
to sign the Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and
Protocol on Development of Bilateral Relations, the Turkish Foreign
Ministry reported.

The political consultations will complete within six weeks. Afterwards,
two protocols to be submitted for approval by the parliaments of two
countries will besigned," the same source added.

At present, Turkey does not plan to disclose the borders with the
neighboring Armenia, Turkish Foreign Minister, Ahmet Davudoglu said.

There are no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia and the
borders have been closed since 1993.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

According to Agayev, each country in the South Caucasus has its own
opportunities. "The Armenians’ positions in the world are strong enough
due to powerful Armenian lobby. However, Azerbaijan has strategic
springboard and energy. At present, Armenia seriously relies on the
improvement of the situation after opening borders and moves towards
the resolution. Turkey, of course, must proceed from its national
interests that are vast and varied. I am sure that Ankara’s position
on the Nagorno-Karabakh consistent is consistent and will remain so,"
the political scientist said.

Armenians; efforts to achieve half-recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh
will be the first step towards full recognition, independent political
analyst, Zardusht Alizade, said.

"Regardless the content of the protocol, I believe the movements in
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are hiding behind this. If this were
an open declaration, then the government, disliked by more powerful
political forces, would change in Armenia. We should expect the
signing of a framework agreement in several months," Alizade said.

EUGENE KASPERSKY DOESN’T PRECLUDE ALTERNATIVE SALES IN ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.09.2009 18:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Kaspersky Lab doesn’t preclude a possibility of
selling its products on alternative data carriers like USB cards in
Armenia, major computer security company owner Eugene Kaspersky said
in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Most probably, we’ll implement such programs, as our sales policy
varies from country to country, based on population’s purchasing
capacity," Eugene Kaspersky stated.

ZHIRINOVSKY’S OPINION ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH NOT REFLECTS KREMLIN’S POSITION: RUSSIAN MP

Today.Az
Sept 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s opinion on Nagorno-Karabakh stated in an
interview with News Armenia in no way reflects Kremlin’s position,
said Sergei Markov, member of the Russian Federal Assembly State Duma
of the fifth convention and member of the ‘United Russia’ faction.

"Vladimir Zhirinovsky is not a pro-government official, but a
representative of an opposition party. He does not express position
of Russian government and authorities, but only a small opposition
group, which received minimum seats in the Duma," Markov said.

"Zhirinovsky’s opinion is shared by a tiny minority of Russia’s
voters."

Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Leader of the Liberal
Democratic Party of Russia, Vladimir Zhirinovsky said in his interview
with News Armenia that the Nagorno-Karabakh is native Armenian land.

"And if we help to return them to Azerbaijan, it will again be a
confrontation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. To talk about federation
with them or that it will be broad autonomy – is the same question,
as with the Abkhazians and Ossetians," he said.

Zhirinovsky’s position is known ever since as he sat in a Turkish
prison: he took a pro-Armenian, anti-Turkish and anti-Azerbaijani
position, said Markov.

"He does it with great advantage for him, given the strength of the
Armenian business-diaspora in Russia, the United States and France,
with which, I think, he cooperates," said Markov.

"I am not aware of any specific details, but knowing the general
context of the relations, I think that the pro-Armenian position
brings benefits to Vladimir Zhirinovsky and strongly works for him
and his party."

Markov said Zhirinovsky’s position is absolutely not the position of
the Kremlin.

"Russia supports the position of the gradual rapprochement of the
parties and finding the maximum of compromise," he said.