Author: Jilavian Emma

NATO to use Azeri military facilities

Turan news agency, Baku
16 Mar 07

16 March: Two military units of Azerbaijan will be modernized in
accordance with NATO standards, NATO secretary-general’s special
representative in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons,
said at a news conference in Baku today.

The units will be prepared to ensure their compatibility with NATO
countries’ military structures. One of the units will carry out tasks
as part of the rapid reaction force. The other will be involved in
peacekeeping operations.

Besides, one of the country’s military aerodromes will also be
modernized in line with NATO standards to be used for transfer of
members of the military and cargoes to Afghanistan.

Asked what the status of the aerodrome will be and whether it will be
loaned to NATO, Simmons said that the issue will be tackled at
bilateral level with a NATO country that will help modernize this
military facility.

[Passage omitted: Simmons pleased with the completion of the first
part of the Individual Partnership Action Plan]

From: Sebouh Z Tashjian <[email protected]>
Subject: NATO going to sign new Individual Partnership Action Plan with Baku

PanARMENIAN.Net

NATO going to sign new Individual Partnership Action Plan with Baku
16.03.2007 15:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the near future NATO leadership is going to sign
a new Individual Partnership Action Plan with Azerbaijan, Special
Representative of the NATO Secretary General for South Caucasus and
Central Asia Robert Simmons said at a meeting with Azeri Defense
Minister Safar Abiyev. Robert Simmons believes that this plan will be
more perfect from the viewpoint of Azerbaijan’s national
interests. `As a NATO representative, I am glad to witness the reforms
carried out in the Azeri armed forces,’ he said, reports Trend.

RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH IS AN IMPERATIVE: INTERVIEW OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MASIS MAYILIAN

Regnum, Russia
March 15 2007

REGNUM: Mr. Mayilian, what are the most urgent issues in the Nagorno
Karabakh foreign policy today?

The most topical issue of the Karabakh diplomacy is legal recognition
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. It is an imperative, if you like.

All other tasks and actions, stemming from them, are aimed at achieving
recognition of NKR by the international community. However, it is
necessary to understand that the lack of recognition in itself does
not diminish our independence and self-sufficiency. As you know, in
international law recognition by other states has a declarative, not
a constitutive value. Besides, recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic will be an important step on the way to engagement into
the world community and will help to involve the republic into the
regional integration processes. Of course, on the way to recognition
we are facing difficulties, overcoming of which defines the range of
our current tasks.

Our diplomacy has the same classical goals as majority of countries
of the world have: ensuring the people’s security from any possible
foreign threats via political and diplomatic means. In our case a
serious challenge is the unresolved Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict. The
NKR, as a party to the conflict, is interested in building up a
dialogue with Azerbaijan with the aim of establishing good neighborly
relations. However, Azerbaijan does not show such an interest, which
testifies its unreadiness for resumption of a serious and constructive
dialogue with Nagorno Karabakh. Continuation of consultations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan is important, because it contributes to reducing
tension in the region; however, everybody realizes that for achieving
considerable results the given format should be transformed into a
trilateral one, the sooner – the better.

In the existing situation it is important for us to maintain the
strategic balance in the region, ensuring peace and stability in
South Caucasus.

We have also some other goals – to create a positive image for NKR
abroad and to increase the investment attraction of the republic.

REGNUM: What is the main reason that Nagorno Karabakh found itself
outside the peace process under the aegis of OSCE MG and what should
be done for the resumption of full-format negotiations? Is Nagorno
Karabakh ready to defend its positions at tete-a-tete negotiations
with Azerbaijan?

First, I would like to note that the negotiation process is currently
suspended, and the parties hold consultations on searching ways
of resuming the negotiations under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group. As for the negotiations within the frameworks of the Minsk
process, NKR representatives always participated in them until their
suspension in April 1997.

Today Nagorno Karabakh does not participate in consultations,
now held between the officials of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and it
is connected with Azerbaijan’s unreadiness to contact with official
Stepanakert. For us resumption of trilateral negotiations is not an end
in itself. Establishment of a dialogue requires interest and political
will of all the parties involved in the conflict. The parties should
realize it themselves.

As for the readiness of the Karabakh authorities to defend their
positions at the negotiations with Azerbaijan, they are not only
ready, but even more, they have repeatedly put forward initiatives to
establish a dialogue and to start discussing the whole set of issues
without any preconditions.

REGNUM: What could you say about the role of Russia in the process
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement?

Russia is already in the annals of the modern history of Artsakh as
a state that played a key role in stopping the bloody war between NKR
and Azerbaijan in May 1994. Besides, historically Russia occupies its
special niche as a traditionallly friendly state in perception of the
Karabakh people. Currently, Russia together with the USA and France
plays an important role as a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, trying
to reconcile the approaches of the conflicting parties. In addition,
I consider Russia not only as a mediator in the settlement of our
protracted conflict. There is a great potential to be developed in
relations with the Russian Federation in the political, economic,
religious, cultural, and educational fields.

REGNUM: Is the joint Azerbaijan-Karabakh production of "Aghdam" wine
real in perspective, which was mentioned by the President of Russia
President Vladimir Putin?

I don’t think that Vladimir Putin’s remark should be taken literally.

I consider this statement as a call to start regional cooperation,
which will contribute to settling disputes between two peoples. In
this context the approach of the Russian leader should be appreciated.

REGNUM: Mr. Mayilian, how do you evaluate cooperation of NKR with
the other unrecognized states in the post-Soviet space?

I believe that cooperation with unrecognized states adequately
reflects our common tasks. We maintain close bilateral relations with
the Republics of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and the Moldovan Republic
of Transdnestr. For the recent several years NKR representatives
have visited these countries quite a lot on different levels, and we
have hosted appropriate delegations here. We have established close
cooperation on some political issues posing mutual interest.

As for the multilateral cooperation within the frameworks of the
Commonwealth for Democracy and Rights of Nations, we participate in
the work of this structure as observers and this level of cooperation
meets our national interests at present, which, by the way, is accepted
by our partners.

GOVERNMENT MOVES TO PRIVATIZE HISTORIC STRUCTURES
By Shakeh Avoyan

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 15 2007

Courting serious controversy, the Armenian government on Thursday
paved the way for the privatization of thousands of old buildings
that have been deemed part of the country’s historical and cultural
heritage until now.

The move took the form of major changes in the official list of
"historical and cultural monuments" that belong to the state and
are supposed to be protected by it under a special Armenian law. It
has until now included 24,132 properties, most of them old churches,
excavated ancient sites, and buildings dating back to the pre-Soviet
period.

"That list has been completely revised in accordance with existing
legal requirements," Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosian told
reporters after a cabinet meeting. "More than 18,935 monuments were
today reaffirmed in the list of monuments that are not subject to
alienation."

Poghosian said private institutions and individuals will be offered
to acquire the remaining 5,000 or structures without being allowed
to demolish them. She did not release the list of those properties,
saying only that it includes unspecified old churches that "can be
repaired and serve their purpose."

Poghosian indicated that the Armenian Apostolic Church will also be
offered to become the owner of Yerevan’s massive Saint Gregory the
Illuminator cathedral that was built in 2001. The cathedral formally
belongs to the state despite being used by the church for religious
services.

The government’s decision is likely to prompt more protests from
Armenian non-governmental organizations and prominent individuals
that have been ringing alarm bells over the rapid disappearance of
the few remaining old houses and buildings in central Yerevan, scene
of a large-scale government-sanctioned redevelopment.

Late last year, a group of renowned Armenian architects called for the
government’s "immediate intervention" in the demolition of historic
properties included on the official heritage list. In an open letter
to Prime Minister Andranik Markarian, they said at least a dozen
such buildings have been torn down by private developers despite a
government ban reaffirmed in December 2004.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I PRESIDES OVER
A SUNRISE SERVICE MARKING THE MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
AT ST. NESHAN MOTHER CHURCH IN BEIRUT

His Holiness Aram I presided over the Sunrise service held at the St.
Neshan Mother Church in Beirut on the median day of Lent following an
invitation from Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Primate of the Diocese of
Lebanon, and the Armenian National Council. The median day of Lent is the
24th day of Lent and it occurs on the Wednesday of the fourth week. Although
it does not have any specific religious significance, this mid-point day has
been traditionally marked as a special occasion. It often features
gatherings of fellowship and friendship and the sharing of a Lenten meal.

His Holiness was accompanied by members of the Cilician Brotherhood and a
large number of Seminary students and believers filled up the church. Since
the establishment of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias in 1930, it
has become a tradition for the Pontiff to attend the Sunrise service during
the median day of Lent in the St. Neshan Mother Church.

Speaking after the service, Bishop Khatcherian welcomed the Catholicos in
his traditional visit to the church and stressed the importance of ties
between a Spiritual Leader and his believers like a shepherd and his flock,
as one of the foundations of a healthy and strong church.

His Holiness Aram I praised the Primate, the National Council and all the
bodies in the Diocese for their active and healthy contribution to the life
of the Armenian Church. He based his Sermon on the concept of following
Jesus Christ, focusing mainly on three notions: recognition, confess and
participation.

The Catholicos stressed the importance of knowing Christ and his teachings
in order to be able to follow him. Logic is the greatest wealth of human
beings and it leads them to understanding and recognition, as well as a
conscious faith in God.

The Pontiff then pointed out that being a Christian does not mean only
knowing and reading the Holy Bible. A non-Christian can also do this. What
differentiates Christians is that they live the teachings of the Bible in
their daily lives.

His Holiness also emphasized on the need for participation in the Church
life. He said God speaks to each nation through their culture. As such,
Armenians have come to know God through their cultural values as a nation.
He called on Armenian believers to steer away from foreign influences.
Armenians should thus approach Christ and take part in his mission through
the Armenian Church. Therefore, being Armenian Christian means participating
in the life of the Armenian Church and its mission through its rituals and
cultural traditions.

The Church’s Board of Trustees and its Ladies’ Guild had organized a
reception in the Prelacy in honor of His Holiness. Seminary students, former
minister Souren Khanamirian as well as friends of the St. Neshan Mother
Church were also present.

##
View the photo here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

NKR POPULATION AS ON JANUARY 1, 2007

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
14 March 07

As on January 1, 2007 the population of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was
137747. The population has grown by 419 or 0.8 percent in Stepanakert,
214 or 3.4 percent in Hadrut, 197 or 7.6 in Shahumyan, 200 or 4.6
percent in Shushi. The population of Kashatagh region decreased by
1152 or 11.8 percent. The population decreased by 59 or 0.3 percent
in Martakert and 38 or 0.2 percent in Martuni.

ISRAEL PARLIAMENT TO HOLD HEARING ON SO-CALLED ARMENIAN "GENOCIDE"

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 14 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend I.Alizade / On 14 March the Knesset
(Parliament) of Israel will hold a hearing regarding the so-called
Armenian "genocide".

The Deputy of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Evda Abramov, stated that
the hearing has been initiated by the pro-Armenian party Meres.

"Meres is a radical opposition party and is represented in Knesset
by five deputies. They have no power. They could not even make up a
faction in Parliament," he said. According to Abramov, the Head of
the Israeli Parliament and the parties represented do not support
discussions on the so-called Armenian "genocide". He stressed that
many deputies have stated beforehand that they will not participate
in the hearing.

"The position of the Israeli State and Parliament on the so-called
Armenian "genocide" is clear. The Israeli State considers that
such event did not take place. Israel is a democratic country and
each member of Knesset has the right to take the initiative. It is
impossible to interfere with this. I spoke with the members of the
Israeli-Azerbaijani Inter-Parliamentary Friendly Group and they noted
that should those who members who have taken the initiative insist on
having these discussions, they then will also respond with speeches and
prove that the Armenian "genocide" is false and absurd," Abramov added.

According to him, the inclusion of this issue on the agenda at the
meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on 14
March is not accidental. " Armenia is involved here," Abramov said.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE AND ROBERT GATES CALL FOR CONGRESS NOT TO APPROVE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 14 2007

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Pentagon’s chief Robert
Gates have written to the House of Representatives, APA’s US bureau
reports.

In the letter to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Republican leader
John Boehner and House Foreign Affairs Committee chief Tom Lantos,
both senior officials called for the congressmen not to approve
the bill on false Armenian genocide. Rice noted that the adoption
of mentioned bill will seriously harm Turkey-US relations and US’s
international relations system.

The analogical ideas have been mentioned in the letter written by
the Secretary of Defense.

ABDULLAH GUL: ISSUE OF LOCAL CHARACTER, ARMENIAN CAUSE, HAS NO RIGHT TO POISON TURKISH-AMERICAN STRATEGIC RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 12 2007

ANKARA, FEBRUARY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian cause is not the
issue of the U.S. policy. An issue of local character has no right
to poison strategic relations of Turkey. Abdullah Gul, the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Turkey made such a statement. Finishing the
American meetings and returning Ankara, he stated that U.S. President
George Bush prepares to write to the Congress, and Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice will have meetings with Congressmen to prevent
adoption of the resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

"The Congressmen must first of all think of the U.S. interests. It
factually appears that on the one hand we shall work for stability
in Afghanistan, Iraq, together struggle against terrorism, together
implement drafts in the sphere of energetics, and on the other hand,
that resolution will be adopted. It may not be adopted. And I believe
that the U.S. government will interfere and warn the Congress that
its activity exposes the U.S. national security interests to danger."

NATO-ARMENIA COOPERATION TO INCLUDE SCIENTIFIC-CULTURAL SPHERES, TOO

Noyan Tapan
Mar 13 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Issues related to cooperation
between Armenia and NATO, in particular, within the framework
of Individual Partnership Actions Plan (IPAP), were discussed
at the March 13 meeting of RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian with
the delegation headed by Jean Fournet, NATO Assistant Secretary
General for Public Diplomacy. According to the report provided
to Noyan Tapan from RA NA Public Relations Department, during
the meeting they attached importance to IPAP in the respect of
further deepening and development of relations with NATO. It was
mentioned that this document takes cooperation out of just military
or security framework. In this connection J. Fournet stated that he
had meetings at RA National Academy of Sciences and plans to develop
program Science for Peace, which is to contribute to establishment of
scientific and cultural dialogue. He said that expert centers work in
NATO member-countries. These centers have the goal to study cultures
of another countries and to establish cultural contacts connecting
different countries through culture. Expressing confidence that
cooperation with RA National Academy of Sciences and with another
structures will be successful, T. Torosian stated that the Armenian
parliament will be also involved in this by deepening NA-NATO contacts,
which are the important part of RA-NATO cooperation.