JIVAN GASPARIAN TO PARTICIPATE IN GRAMMY AWARD-GIVING CEREMONY
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. Iranian tar-player Husein Alizade’s
album "Endless Vision" recorded jointly with duduk-player Jivan
Gasparian will be presented at the Grammy award-giving ceremony in Los
Angeles on February 11.
The album contains "musical visions of the two different worlds". It
is noteworthy that Jivan Gasparian is the first musician to represent
Armenia at a Grammy award-giving ceremony.
A1+
ARSON IS A MEANS TO INFLUENCE PRESS
[07:02 pm] 09 February, 2007
`Heritage’ party is deeply worried about the new wave of violence in the
country on the eve of the upcoming Parliamentary elections. In this
connection the party condemns the arson of the car of Ara Saghatelyan, owner
of Panorama.am and the periodical `My Rights’.
`It is obvious that certain powers try to enhance the atmosphere of fear
created by the authorities and to limit the freedom of speech. Not only
oppositional politicians, by also representatives of Mass Media who are
interested in giving the people unbiased information become targets for
intimidation’, says the statement made by the party.
Let us remind you that yesterday at 08:15 p.m. unknown people set the car of
Ara Saghatelyan on fire.
ARMENIA MAY JOIN TRANS-CASPIAN GAS PIPELINE – MINISTER
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
7 Feb 07
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan has said that he sees no
problem for Armenia to join the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline. Speaking
at a question-and-answer session in parliament, broadcast by Armenian
Public TV on 7 February, he said Nagornyy Karabakh should not be a
subject of energy deals.
"The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline will carry Central Asian gas but not
only Azerbaijani gas," Oskanyan said. "Why not? Armenia can use that
possibility too, through bilateral and multilateral accords. Right
now we have the Russian gas pipeline. We will soon have the Iranian
one. We should seek other sources too.
"We have always been against discussing this in view of the Karabakh
issue.
It was the case in the past, and it is the case today, and it will be
the case in the future. Karabakh cannot be a subject of negotiations
on gas or oil. These are different issues."
Azerbaijan and Armenia are in talks to settle the long-standing
dispute over the region of Nagornyy Karabakh.
THERE IS WAY OUT OF KOSOVO DEADLOCK
RIA Novosti, Russia
Feb 7 2007
MOSCOW. (Sergei Markedonov for RIA Novosti) – Problems of the de facto
countries in former Yugoslavia and the former Soviet Union remain a
priority on the international agenda.
But it is absolutely clear that Kosovo’s "final self-determination"
will not be quick and triumphant.
The parliamentary election in Serbia proved the maxim that
democratic procedures do not automatically ensure progress in a
peacekeeping process. Almost all of the country’s leading political
forces (the radical party, Boris Tadic’s democrats and Vojislav
Kostunica’s democrats) voted for its territorial integrity. The only
exception was the bloc led by the Liberal Democratic Party of Cedomir
Jovanovic. Nevertheless, about 40% of Serbian voters chose the forces
that to a greater or lesser extent appealed to ethnic nationalism.
Today, Serbia is in the spotlight or CIS political elites. Kosovo’s
success in self-determination, supported by international institutions,
will be a precedent that leaders of the de facto states in the former
Soviet Union will be able to refer to in the future.
It does not matter that their attempts will be indignantly dismissed
by the U.S. and European leaders. The Kosovo precedent already
has its own laws as a political motto and an algorithm. In fact,
leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnestr
do not care whether their problems have anything in common with former
Serbian-Albanian conflicts and the political claims of Serbia’s former
autonomy. The phenomenon of ethnical self-determination (supported by
the mighty and powerful up to a certain moment) is very convenient for
them. At the same time, the behavior of Serbian politicians, their
ability or inability to find a compromise to protect the national
cause will be carefully examined in Georgia, Moldova and Azerbaijan.
Neither the Serbian, nor the Azerbaijani or Georgian elites have
resources to integrate disputed territories. In Kosovo, with its 90%
Albanian population, any interpretation of the Serbian idea will
be rejected by the majority of voters. The same can be seen in the
ethnically homogenous Nagorno-Karabakh. Georgia does not have the real
political potential to integrate Abkhazia either. As to South Ossetia,
Tbilisi does have proponents among Ossetians, but it does not have
mass support of the people. Consequently, even there its integration
potential is limited. In Moldova, the key obstacle for integration
of Transdnestr is the economic weakness of the "parent territory."
The other side of the problem, however, is that the Kosovo precedent
does not just hurt Serbia or help Russia to secure a foothold in the
CIS. It works against European integration and in favor of ethnical
self-determination. In this connection, it is hard to avoid partiality
in recognizing one’s right for it and denying another’s.
Hence the need to work out common rules and criteria for recognizing
an entity. We could draw a parallel to an elite club (and the
international community is an elite club): to join it, one has to
meet certain requirements.
The first criterion for recognizing self-proclaimed entities could be
their validity as a state. Why doesn’t the international community
rush with Kosovo’s recognition? The reason is quite pragmatic. It
is not because of Orthodox Serbs, but because state governance there
has been replaced with the clan system.
The second criterion could be a mother country’s ability to control
a breakaway territory by any means other than deportation and ethnic
cleansings. What, apart from the "broad autonomy" rhetoric, can Georgia
give to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Azerbaijan to Karabakh? After
all, if these territories are re-integrated, Azerbaijan will get
Armenians as its new citizens, while Georgia will receive Ossetians,
Abkhazes, Armenians and Russians. In other words, re-integration
should be assumed impossible if it can lead to a military conflict.
The third criterion could be the existence of democratic procedures
in self-proclaimed states.
The fourth one – real (not Kosovo-like) guarantees of ethnic
minorities’ rights, secured by law and in real life.
And, the fifth could be the establishment of bilateral economic,
diplomatic and other relations between a mother country and a breakaway
territory.
Only by setting clear criteria for recognizing self-proclaimed
territories will the international community be able to break the
Kosovo deadlock and prevent (or, at least, minimize) the possibility
of emerging similar precedents somewhere in Europe or Eurasia.
Sergei Markedonov is an expert at the Institute for Political and
Military Analysis.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and
may not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial board.
ELECTRICITY GENERATION DECLINES BY 5.9% IN ARMENIA IN 2006
Noyan Tapan
Feb 06 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. 5,940.8 mln kwh of electricity was
generated in Armenia in 2006, which is by 5.9% less than the respective
index of the previous year. According to the RA National Statistical
Service, electricity generation by the country’s hydropower plants
increased by 2.8%, whereas electricity generation by the thermal
power plants and the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant decreased by 19.3%
and 2.8% respectively.
Last year 2,640.3 mln kwh of electricity was generated by the Armenian
Nuclear Power Plant, which made up 44.4% of electricity generated in
Armenia, 1,475.2 mln kwh was generated by the thermal power plants
(24.8%), 1,822.7 mln kwh – by the hydropower plants (30.7%), and 2.6
mln kwh – by the wind power plant (0.1%).
AZERI POW CHARGED WITH TREASON AFTER RETURN HOME
Reuters, UK
Feb 5 2007
BAKU, Feb 5 (Reuters) – An Azeri soldier taken prisoner by Armenian
forces has been charged with treason after returning home, prosecutors
in Azerbaijan said on Monday.
Azerbaijan is officially in a state of war with neighbouring Armenia
and the two sides’ forces patrol a tense ceasefire line around the
disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Prosecutors said soldier Vyusal Garajayev was captured on Dec. 7
last year by ethnic Armenian separatists who, with Armenian support,
control most of Nagorno-Karabakh. He was returned home on Dec. 23
under the auspices of the Red Cross.
"(Vyusal) Garajayev, born in 1988, has been arrested. A criminal case
has been opened against him on the basis of article 274 (treason),"
a spokesman for Azerbaijan’s military prosecutors, Afraim Tahmazov,
told Reuters on Monday.
He did not specify what the soldier was alleged to have done to
betray his country while in captivity. The Armenian side could not
immediately be reached for comment.
More than 35,000 people died in a conflict over the mountainous
territory about half the size of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
A ceasefire was agreed in 1994.
The region is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but
nearly all of it, as well as a large swathe of Azeri territory on
its borders, has been controlled by the separatists since the war.
DON’T MISS THIS WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Feb 5 2007
We are all shocked with the dreadful murder of journalist Hrant Dink
and also very much impressed with the thousands of Turks marching in
his funeral showing sympathy, EU Term President Germany’s Ambassador
to The New Anatolian. "Now this can open a new window of opportunity
for Turkey and Armenia. I have also said this during a recent dinner
of EU ambassadors with Prime Minister Erdogan. This positive momentum
should not be missed."
Journalist Hrant Dink, one of the most prominent voices of Turkey’s
Armenian community, was killed by a gunman last month in Istanbul.
His funeral drew some 100,000 mourners on to the streets to protest
at the militant nationalism which apparently inspired his killer.
German Ambassador Dr. Eckart Cuntz also participated at the funeral and
said that everything there was highly emotional. "Hundreds of thousands
of people were on the street to show their solidarity with Dink. They
showed that they are against all tendencies of nationalism of any
kind. They have demonstrated that they are for freedom of expression
and for a better understanding among all Turkish people," Cuntz said.
"Turkey is a big country and of course there are extremists. But the
vast majority of the people are looking for a stronger democracy,
human rights, freedom of expression and better understanding," German
ambassador said and urged the Turkish government to quickly introduce
a change in controversial Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Article 301 makes "insulting Turkishness" a crime punishable by up to
three years in prison. Journalist Dink, a Turkish-Armenian journalist
had been tried and convicted under it and prominent novelist Orhan
Pamuk, who also faced prosecution under Article 301, blamed the
article for the killing.
"Nowadays we are having growing discussion on Article 301. Even the
Turkish government sees that there is an absolute need to at least
change the article," Cuntz stressed. "This is very important. I
personally think that it is best to get rid of Article 301 as quick
as possible."
In an exclusive interview with The New Anatolian, Ambassador Cuntz
also responded to questions on Turkey’s troubled EU accession talks,
Cyprus problem and Kurdish issue. Here is what he had to tell us:
TNA- Public polls show that, ahead of general elections in Turkey
late this year, support for Turkey’s EU perspective has sharply
decreased. Several analysts blame the EU and Turkey skeptic politicians
in Europe for alienating Turkish people by irritating statements as
well as what is perceived as "double standards" on many issues from
Cyprus problem to conditions for full membership. Do you have some
concerns for the future of this process?
CUNTZ- Well, certainly in recent opinion pools the image of the EU is
not the best one. Maybe the majority of Turkish people still see the
objective of joining the EU but the image of the EU is so bad that
sometimes people are telling us: "If you use the word EU it will not
lead to any motivation." Of course, this is not a good thing. If you
want to have the support of the people to join the EU, you need a
positive image of the EU. But this cannot be done only by the EU.
This is a task of all those who are in favor of the EU process. We
also have to work for a better image of Turkey in the EU countries.
This goes hand in hand. We also have to make more visible to the
Turkish people, what the EU really is. If you look at the very high
growth rates of Turkey in the last couple of years and development
of trade, you will see that more than 50 percent goes to the EU. As
of November last year, 83 percent of investments is coming from EU
countries. Economic development in Turkey is very much due to the EU
process. When we look at the political developments, I am sure that
achievements in terms of democracy and human rights are felt by most
of the Turkish citizens.
Many times I hear criticisms saying injustice done to Turkey on
the Cyprus question. I don’t think that this is true. Cyprus is
unfortunately divided. The EU supports the unification of the island
and the resumption of UN talks for a comprehensive settlement with
the aim of reunification. I think this is the best for the people in
the south and north of the island. Economically speaking the south is
at the level of richer countries already in the EU. We see the point
that one has to do something for the development of the north and the
Turkish community in Cyprus. That’s why the EU has made available Euro
259 million for the development of the north. And that is not peanuts
for a population about 250 thousand. We should also do something to
work for direct trade. This is one of the commitments of the German
Presidency. We will work to enable the Turkish community to develop its
own economic bases. And I would like to also note that there is already
considerable tourism from Germany and other EU countries. This is
also a movement helping to end the isolation of the Turkish community.
TNA- There is an expectation among Turkey and Turkish Cypriots that
efforts to put an end to isolation of Northern Cyprus should include
direct flights. Will your initiative also include this?
CUNTZ-I always say that we should not go to such questions which
don’t have an easy solution. We should better concentrate on the
direct trade issue with the Turkish community. Our commitment is to
work very hard on direct trade. At this stage it would not be good
to raise such questions.
TNA- What do you think the EU and your Presidency can do to revive
the talks for a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus?
CUNTZ-First of all, Turkey has always said that the Cyprus question
is not a matter for the EU. So we have to be very careful becoming
active as the EU. Our prime task is to support what is happening in
the framework in the UN and not to make the job itself. We welcome
any such efforts. Any move which will lead to rapprochement of the
two communities is certainly welcomed. As you know, there are ongoing
technical talks. I personally welcomed [Turkish Cypriot leader] M.r.
Talat demolishing that bridge. Unfortunately it has not yet led to
another gate between south and north but it showed a preparedness to
go there. Other than that, we do have now a newly appointed Secretary
General who has declared that he is going to work on reaching a
comprehensive settlement on Cyprus.
TNA- Turkey currently has a lively discussion on presidential
elections, secularism and foreign policy issues where from time to
time high ranking military officials are also involved with public
statements. Sometimes we are witnessing harsh criticisms by the EU
on military’s influence in politics, but it is also a widespread
assumption that it will take some time for Turkey to fully align with
the best practices of the EU countries. What would be your comment
on this issue?
CUNTZ- Turkey has a constitution which clearly describes the
responsibility of institutions in your country. The constitution
describes distribution of the power and checks and balances in your
country. So when the EU made the judgment for the opening of accession
talks with Turkey, it accepted that this constitution is a democratic
one and offers possibility of fully comply with the political criteria
of the EU. What is essential for Turkey is that in a democratic country
decisions are taken by the bodies according to the constitution which
are democratic and legitimate. Having said that, of course all the
people can contribute to the political discussions…In Turkey I can
see there is a very lively discussion in such matters and I do think
it is good to have such discussions. I am confident that Turkey will
find ways and means to get the proper answers for these matters.
TNA-Turkish Prime Minister recently said that the year 2007 will
be a year of Iraq for Turkish foreign policy. What is the level of
cooperation on political level with the EU and Turkey on Iraq and do
you have worries that the situation in the neighboring country may
have negative impacts to Turkey?
CUNTZ- The developments in Iraq are certainly a concern for all of
us. Stability, territorial integrity and unity of Iraq is a common
interest among us. Turkey, EU and others should work in the framework
of their possibilities to this end. It is our strong interest that the
democratically elected government in Baghdad will have full control
of the situation in Iraq. Our aim is to closely cooperate with that
government. I do understand Turkey’s concerns of Kirkuk.
And I am convinced that all those who are involved in that matter…
they will take knowledge of Turkey’s concerns. I see the Turkish
government is very active in informing others on Ankara’s concerns.
TNA- Turkey expects U.S. and Iraqi governments to eliminate terrorist
PKK presence in northern Iraq but so far no serious step came from
Washington or Baghdad. On the other hand Turkish officials say a
cross-border operation is still an option on the table. We do also
know that EU officials so far stressed the need for a socio-economic
plan towards the Southeast. What is your assessment for the recent
developments on this issue?
CUNTZ- We have always stated that we are standing together in the
fight against terror. It is also true for PKK. But fight against
terrorism is not just a task for security forces but it is certainly
a task for all lines of political society and business life. It is
important to economically develop the region and win the hearts of
the people. We have to work to diminish regional disparities.
LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ARMENIA TO TAKE PART IN ELECTIONS ONLY BY MAJORITARIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM, PARTY HEAD SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Feb 05 2007
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The Liberal Democratic Party of
Armenia (LDPA) will participate in the parliamentary elections to take
place on May 12 only by the majoritarian electoral system. Haroutiun
Arakelian, the party head stated about it in the Debruary 4 interview
to journalists during the LDPA 14th special meeting of deputies. In
his words, that decision is provided by the fact that they, as an
extra-parliamentary force, will not have representatives at electoral
commissions. In H.Arakelian’s words, the LDPA’s not presenting itself
in the proportional list is also revealed by absence of political
culture in Armenia. He mentioned that during the last three elections
voices of their party "become subject of trade," they will not allow
such a thing in the coming elections.
H.Arakelian did not exclude that during the elections they will closely
cooperate with the "Dashink" (alliance) party, and that cooperation
will not be limited only by participation in the electoral process. In
the LDPA head’s words, "the two parties have programs doing farther."
NO MONITORING OF UNDERGROUND WATERS DONE IN ARMENIA FOR PAST 14 YEARS
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, NOYAN TAPAN. No monitoring of underground waters
has been done in Armenia for the past 14 years. Whereas, as
T. Lennarts, Technical Director of the USAID Water Program, told
reporters on February 2, 90% of drinking water in the country comes
from underground sources.
T. Lennarts, who had participated in the seminar "Control of
Underground Water Resources Monitoring in Armenia" on the same day,
said that along with developing the Armenian economy, the RA
government decided to deal with the problem of controlling the
underground waters monitoring: a Hydrogeological Monitoring Center has
been founded. According to him, about 100 thousand dollars will be
allocated for monitoring every year, and the USAID is going to assist
with this.
The RA Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Hakob Matilian noted that
in the 1990s, the monitoring of underground waters was stooped in
Armenia because of lack of financial resources. Yet, in his words,
some work in this direction was done last year, particularly, studies
of deep wells were conducted in two marzes. The deputy minister said
that the main purpose of a monitoring is to determine the amount of
underground water resources and their quality in the country. By
previous data, these resources amounted to 3 billion cubic meters. 3
billion cubic meters of water is consumed annually in Armenia, with
underground waters making 1-1.5 million cubic meters.
H. Matilian also informed those present that a cooperation agreement
will be signed with the USAID with the aim of controlling the
monitoring, which will last about 3 years.
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT FAILED TO COMBAT STATE-TRAFFICKERS,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S INTERIM ASSESSMENT
Yerevan, February 01. ArmInfo. Armenian Government, failed to rsecute,
according to the law, state officials-traffickers, says the
U.S. Department of State’s interim assessment on trafficking in
persons (TIP) released by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking
in Persons. The document says that Armenian authorities haven’t
applied the law effectively to combat TIP particularly when making
verdicts on the traffickers and when investigating corruption.
U.S. Department of State says that, since the last release of the June
2006 annual report, Armenian Government has had some progress in
combating TIP.
However, demerits in their measures are still present. In July 2006,
Armenian authorities ratified a legal act explaining legislative
regulations on combating TIP and severed punishment for the crime.
Shelters of non-governmental organizations were provided to assist
trafficking victims in the last 6 months. Unfortunately, the
authorities haven’t worked out procedures of routing the victims to
special aid institutions and the aid wasn’t as large-scaled as
required.