Author: Kajoyan Gevork

RUSSIA TO CONTROL NATO ULYANOVSK TRANSIT BASE – LAVROV
Lyubov Chilikova

RIA Novosti
05/04/2012

Protest against plans to establish a NATO transit base at Ulyanovsk
airport

The projected Ulyanovsk transit base for NATO supplies to and from
Afghanistan will remain under Russian customs control and will have
no NATO civil or military personnel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov said on Thursday.

The U.S. wants to set up a transit supply base for NATO in order to
facilitate the withdrawal of NATO forces from the international ISAF
contingent in Afghanistan in 2013-14.

“It will take place under full customs control of the Russian
Federation,” Lavrov said. “No military or civil personnel from NATO
will be there, only Russian customs and Russian companies working in
it,” he said at a press conference during his visit to Kyrgyzstan.

Russian forces may also check all freight transiting through the
country for drugs, as Russia has been hit hard by heroin production
in Central Asia, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.

President Medvedev has called Afghan drugs a threat to Russia’s
security.

“Russia pays especial attention to security measures, so we have an
agreement with NATO that all transit goods travelling through our
territory may be subject to additional checks, including for drugs,”
Grushko told RIA Novosti.

There are about five million drugs users in Russia, the country’s
drugs control chief Viktor Ivanov said in Decemeber.

Russia allows NATO to transport non-military supplies for its operation
in Afghanistan by rail and by air.

Grushko said Russia had no current plans to allow the United States
and other NATO member states to use a Russian air base in the Volga
city of Ulyanovsk as a hub for transits to and from Afghanistan.

“There will be no hub in Ulyanovsk. We are talking about temporary
depots needed for the storage and subsequent loading of aircraft
with non-lethal goods for shipment to the International Security
Assistance Force,” Grushko said, adding that the shipments were
“strictly commercial.”

Last month, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the
bloc had “no intention of establishing a base in Russia.”

“This is a pragmatic arrangement which allows us to transport
non-lethal supplies and troops to benefit our operation in
Afghanistan,” he said in a video link-up with RIA Novosti.

The decision provoked protests in Ulyanovsk, the birthplace of
Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin.

AZERI JOURNALISTS FROM OCCUPIED DISTRICT PICKET IRANIAN EMBASSY

ANS TV
April 3 2012
Azerbaijan

[translated from Azeri]

Today [3 April] a group of journalists from Kalbacar picketed the
Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan. The pickets addressed Iran’s spiritual
leader [Ayatollah] Seyyed Ali Khamene’i Enhanced Coverage LinkingAli
Khamene’i -Search using:Biographies Plus NewsNews, Most Recent 60
Daysin Azerbaijani language.

The statement recalls religious fraternity between Azerbaijan and Iran
and informs Khamene’i about the destruction of material and cultural
monuments as well as sheep-breeding in mosques in Kalbacar that has
been under Armenian occupation for 19 years now.

In a statement, Khamene’i – as Iran’s spiritual leader and a Muslim
– is asked to issue a statement or make any kind of address to the
Armenian Catholicos [Garegin II]. The picket ended peacefully without
any clashes.

US FORMER AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN HOPES FOR BREAKTHROUGH IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH NEGOTIATIONS

Trend
April 5 2012
Azerbaijan

The US former ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza hopes for speedy
breakthrough in Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations.

“During the time I haven’t been here there was no dramatic shift in the
Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations. I continue to be convinced that there is
a workable and fair proposal on the table that co-chairs have worked
on for many years and I think there will be breakthrough when the two
presidents [of Azerbaijan and Armenia] feel they can trust each one
sufficiently. I hope this will be soon but that’s up to the presidents
of course and it’s up to the society. The societies as well need to
understand they have to live together”, Bryza, who had also served
as a co-chair for OSCE Minsk Group said at an event marking the 20th
anniversary of establishment of Azerbaijani-US diplomatic relations.

“I miss Azerbaijan terribly as I’m happy to come here to spend
Easter holidays here. This nice reception celebrating 20 years of
U.S.-Azerbaijani diplomatic relations is a chance and I am very lucky
here tonight”, he said.

Bryza said that it’s up to president Obama to make determination on
the new US ambassador to Azerbaijan.

“I have my own ideas but it’s up to him. I know that there will be
an extremely capable candidate or a number of candidates that will
definitely strengthen U.S.-Azerbaijani relations and advantage”,
Bryza said.

President Barack Obama in late 2010 appointed a career diplomat,
former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza as ambassador to
Azerbaijan bypassing the Senate, which for several months was blocking
his nomination under pressure of pro-Armenian senators Barbara Boxer
and Robert Menendez. In late December, 2011 Bryza ended his mission
in Azerbaijan and left for the U.S, after the Senate failed to confirm
his nomination.

Bryza now serves as a Director of the Estonia-based International
Centre for Defence Studies.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven 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 peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

BAKU CALLS ON YEREVAN TO PUT UP WITH AZERBAIJAN’S UNSC MEMBERSHIP

Trend
April 5 2012
Azerbaijan

It’s time for the Armenian leadership to put up with the nonpermanent
membership of Azerbaijan in the UN Security Council and to learn
constructivism and pragmatism, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman
Elman Abdullayev told Trend on Thursday.

“A constructive approach is an effective approach aimed at
achieving concrete results, which is characteristic of Baku in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution. Populist statements of this kind
are nothing but rhetoric for the sake of rhetoric,” said Abdullayev.

The country can not move forward and develop using such methods,
he said.

Azerbaijan discredits the UN Security Council and constantly increases
armaments, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian said on
Thursday at a joint press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart
Audronius Azubalis, the Armenian media reported.

“I think the Armenian MPs, being in Baku saw what the real progress is
as a result of efficient and wise approach of authorities. Progress,
which Azerbaijan has reached is an indicator of the leadership’s care
about the future of the country and its people”, said Abdullayev.

He said Armenia should learn a serious lesson from this and stop
deceiving its people and misleading the international community.

“The authorities shouldn’t live for today, but worry about the future.

By occupying foreign territory and committing ethnic cleansing,
turning a million people into refugees and internally displaced
persons and, moreover, continuing to destroy the cultural heritage
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Armenia has no moral right
to accuse someone of something,” said Abdullayev.

He stressed that Azerbaijan is a strong state, which is the guarantor
of security for its people.

“In a situation where security and stability in the region are
threatened by Armenian occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territories, Azerbaijan has full right based on international law,
to strengthen its defense capability,” Abdullayev noted.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven 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 peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

SUMMARY OF LEGAL SUITS FILED AGAINST MASS MEDIA OUTLETS: COMPENSATION DEMANDS TRENDING DOWNWARDS
By Liana Sayadyan and Tatevik Shaljyan

HETQ
April 5, 2012

Of the 30 defamation and insult suits filed against mass media
outlets in 2011 being covered by Hetq, 30 are still being litigated in
2012. According to 2012 1st quarter statistics, six of these cases have
been concluded in the RA court system and verdicts have been handed
down in five. One case was sent to the Court of Cassation. 18 cases
are still being litigated in Armenia’s general courts of jurisdiction.

To date, 9,796,560 AMD has been paid in compensation for defamation
and insult.

Name of Media Outlet

Name of Compensation Claimant

Court Ordered Compensation Amount

Compensation Status

Investigative Journalists NGO

Ijevan Mayor Varuzhan Nersisyan

952,600 AMD

(22,600-state tax)

Not paid

Hraparak (daily)

Hrach Keshishyan

376,560 AMD (of which 6,000 is state tax, 70,560 examination fee)

Paid

Haykakan Zhamanak (daily)

Ruben Hayrapetyan, Samvel Aleqsanyan and Levon Sargsyan

6,132,000AMD (132,000 – as state tax)

Paid

Yerkir (daily)

MP Tigran Arzakantsyan

288,000 AMD

Paid

Zhamanak (daily)

Bella Kocharyan, Sedrak Kocharyan

3 million AMD

Paid

Zhamanak (daily)

Tatul Manaseryan

510,000

Was appealed at Cassation Court

Zhamanak (daily)

”Glendale Hills”

,

Going to Appeals Court

Zhoghovurd (daily)

Gegharkuniq Regional Governor Never Poghosyan

200.000

Going to Appeals Court

Total

12,009,160

9,796,560

In libel cases examined this year, only one has been amicably
reconciled by mutual agreement of the parties – “Robert Kocharyan
v. Hraparak”

In two cases (Vano Yeghiazaryan v. Hetq reporter Adrineh Torosyan,
Tereza Shahverdyan v. Hetq reporter Adrineh Torosyan), the
plaintiffs reviewed and modified their compensation demands as
per the guidelines in the Constitutional Court’s November 15, 2011
decision. Vano Yeghiazaryan changed his 1million AMD demand to a
symbolic 1AMD. Tereza Shahaverdyan demanded 200,000 AMD instead of
the original 2 million. In two cases (“Glendale Hills v.

Zhamanak”, “Never Poghosyan v. Zhoghovurd”) the courts handed down
verdicts setting lower compensation awards than demanded.

Completed Cases

1. Bella and Setrak Kocharyan v. Zhamanak daily newspaper publisher and
founder Skizb Media Center, Ltd – The Court of Cassation refused the
petition of the plaintiff seeking a nullification of a October 11, 2011
Court of Appeals decision, thus letting stand a June 6, 2011 verdict
of the lower court according to which the newspaper was ordered to
pay the Kocharyan 1million AMD for insult and 2 million for defamation.

2. Hetq newspaper reporter Grisha Balasanyan v. RA National Assembly
MP Ruben Hayrapetyan – The Court of Cassation refused to hear the
petition brought by the reporter appealing the October 10, 2011
verdict of the Court of Appeals.

3. Vano Yeghiazaryan v. Zhamanak (a 3rd party litigant of defendant
Gevorg Melkonyan) – The Court of Cassation refused to hear Melkonyan’s
petition regarding an October 26, 2011 verdict by the Court of Appeals.

4. Litigants Robert Kocharyan and Hraparak reached a reconciliation
agreement as set forth in the February 15 verdict of Yerevan’s Kentron
and Nork-Marash General Court of Jurisdiction.

Three days later, the newspaper published a retraction of the February
12, 2011 article that Kocharyan argued was libelous.

5. On March 7, plaintiff Benik Harutyunyan modified his compensation
demand of the Zhoghovurd newspaper, dropping it from 2 million AMD to
200,000. Harutyunyan argued that the press has an important role to
play in the building of a democratic nation and that he didn’t want
to inflict excessive damage.

6. On March 24, Aram Chatinyan withdrew his legal suit against
photo-journalist Gagik Shamshyan. Chatinyan had sued Shamshyan over
an August 24, 2011 article in aravot.am.

Cases sent to the Court of Cassation

1. On September 20, 2011, the General Court of jurisdiction partially
sustained the suit of Tatul Manaseryan against the daily newspaper
Zhamanak, obliging the paper to issue a retraction of the original
article in question and to compensate Manaseryan in the amount of
510,000 AMD. On December 15, the Court of Appeals threw out the
newspaper’s petition to appeal. The case is now at the Court of
Cassation.

Completed cases at Court of General Jurisdiction

1. On January 30, 2011, the Kentron and Nork-Marash Court of General
Jurisdiction partially sustained the suit filed by Glendale Hills
against the newspaper Zhamanak, obliging the paper to pay the plaintiff
200,000 AMD in compensatory defamation damages and 300,000 for incurred
legal fees, and 10,000 and 40,000 for state fees.

Zhamanak was also ordered to publish a retraction of an August 26,
2010 article entitled “$1,000 for Silence”. Glendale Hills had demanded
2 million in defamation and 500,000 for legal fees.

2. On February 27, the Kentron and Nork-Marash General Court of
Jurisdiction threw out the libel suit filed by Hayk Babukhanyan
and Iravunk Media Ltd. against report.am and Edik Andreasyan. The
plaintiffs had argued that an article by Andreasyan was defamatory
and were demanded 6million AMD in compensation.

3. On March 7, the Kentron and Nork-Marash Court of General
Jurisdiction threw out the suit filed by attorney Artur Grigoryan
against the daily newspaper Hraparak, arguing that it was without
substantiation. Grigoryan argued that comments posted by readers
responding to an August 10, 2011 hraparak.am article were defamatory
and was seeking 18 million AMD in compensation.

4. On March 12, the Kentron and Nork-Marash Court of General
Jurisdiction threw out the libel suit filed by Hayk Babukhanyan against
analyst Edik Andreasyan and report.am website editor Abel Mikayelyan,
arguing it was unsubstantiated. The plaintiff had demanded that the
site issue a public apology, print the full court verdict, and 1
million AMD in compensatory damages.

5. On March 19, the Gegharkuniq Regional Court partially sustained the
libel suit filed by Never Poghosyan against the Zhoghovurd newspaper
and Anna Torosyan. The court sustained the plaintiff’s demand that the
paper publish a retraction of the article in question (“The Regional
Governor took a bribe”; October 7, 2011 edition). Regional Governor
Poghosyan also sought 2.5 million AMD from the paper in damages for
defamation and insult, but the court decided to set the amount at
200,000 (100,000 in compensation and 100,000 for legal fees).

Ongoing court cases

1

Paravon Mirzoyan v. Chorrord Inknishanutyun newspaper

To obligate a retraction of the libelous information

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan Judge E. Avetisyan

Hall 6 May 23, at 12:30

2

Yerevan State University and Ara Gabuzyan v. “Banadzev” and Sirak
Yeghiazaryan

Charging with slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and business
reputation of the University’s Faculty of Law’s Criminal Rights
Department.

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan Judge S. Tadevosyan
Hall 8

May 11, at 11:00

3

Gurgen Khachatryan v. Lusine Ahsukhyan, ”ATV” and Hetq as 3rd person

To obligate a retraction of the libelous information

Lori Regional Court

Judge S. Baghdasaryan

Hall 1, at 12:00

4

Tereza Shahverdyan v. Adrine Torosyan and Hetq

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation

Lori Regional Court

Judge B. Grigoryan

April 23, Hall 2, at 14:30

5

Murad Asryan v. news.am

To defend the honor, dignity and business reputation

Ajapnyak and Davtashen District Court in Yerevan Judge M. Hartenyan,

April 19, Hall 4, at 16:30

6

Vano Yeghiazaryan v. Adrine Torosyan and Hetq

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation

Lori Regional Court

Judge V. Hovnanyan

April 14, at 11:30

7

Hamlet Tertryan, representative of Tigran Terteryan v. ”168 Hours”
and Marine Martirosyan

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation, and retraction

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge A. Melkoumyan

April 13, Hall 13, at 17:10

8

Ijevan Road Exploitation and Construction LLC v. Ijevan studio

Demand for compensatory damages and public apology

Tavush Regional Court

Judge A. Shahoyan

April 13, Hall 1, at 15:30

9

“Word of Life” religious organization and Artur Simonyan v.

Iravunk Investigation weekly and “Argumenti nedeli v Armenii” weekly

Retraction of slanderous and defamatory information and a public
apology

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge R. Nersisyan

April 13, Hall 2, at 16:30

10

Helsinki Citizens Assembly, (Vanadzor office) v. Vladimir Gasparyan

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge A. Sukoyan

April 10, Hall 5, at 15:00

11

Arman Avetisyan, President of the ”Minas Avetisyan” Benevolent Fund’s
Board of Trustees v. “Asparez” journalists club and Levon Barsegyan

Retraction of slanderous and defamatory information, a public apology
and demand for compensatory damages

Shirak Regional Court

Judge A. Khachatryan

April 10, Hall 3, at 14:30

12

Benik Harutunyan v. Zhoghovurd daily

Retraction of slanderous and defamatory information, a public apology
and demand for compensatory damages Õº/Õ´

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge R. Apinyan

April 10, Hall 7, at 11:30

13

Vano Yeghiazaryan v Boris Ashrafyan and Aravot daily as 3rd person

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation

Lori Regional Court

Judge V. Hovnanyan

April 4, at 14:30

14

” Arrhythmology Cardiology Center v Aravot daily

To defend the honor, dignity and business reputation

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge E. Avetisyan

April 4, Hall 6, at 12:30

15

Margarit Martirosyan v ”168 Hours” and Hripsime Karapetyan

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation, and retraction

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge E. Avetisyan

April 2, Hall 6, at 11:00

16

Jehovah’s Witnesses v. Armenian Public TV

Compensation for slandering and defaming the honor, dignity and
business reputation, retraction and publication of court verdict

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge S. Tadevosyan

March 30, Hall 8, at 12:00

17

Margarit Khachatryan v Hraparak daily

Retraction of April 21, 2011 page one article and compensation for
incurred damages.

Kentron and Nork-Marash District Court in Yerevan

Judge S. Tadevosyan

March 9, Hall 8, at 10:00

18

“Arrhythmology Cardiology Center” v news.am

To defend the honor, dignity and business reputation

Ajapnyak and Davtashen District Court

Judge M. Hartenyan,

March 1, Hall 4

SOUTH BAY AYF HOSTS ANNUAL GENOCIDE MUSEUM

asbarez
Thursday, April 5th, 2012

TORRANCE-The Armenian Youth Federation’s South Bay “Potorig” Chapter
will host its second annual Armenian Genocide Museum on Thursday April
12th at 5:30 PM at the South Bay Armenian Center, 2222 Lomita Blvd.
Lomita, CA 90717.

In its inaugural year last year the event showcased important
information about the Armenian Genocide and exposed to the non-Armenian
South Bay community the atrocities of the Genocide.

The museum features exhibits about the Genocide, modern activism
and Armenians in the media, and Armenian Genocide Monuments around
the world. As a centerpiece, a scale model of the Armenian Genocide
Monument in Armenia, Dzidzernagapert is also featured. The AYF
Potorig Chapter hopes to attract a diverse crowd from the South Bay
community and beyond, including students from local high schools
and organizations.

The night will also include a special screening of the widely acclaimed
documentary “Grandma’s Tattoos” at 8:30 p.m. The film follows Suzanne
Khardalian’s journey to find the truth behind the mysterious tattoos
that covered her late grandmother’s face and hands.

The AYF South Bay Potorig Chapter invites the community to attend. We
look forward to seeing you there!

IT MUST BECOME REGION’S LEADING SECTOR – ARMENIAN PM

news.am
April 06, 2012 | 12:58

YEREVAN. – The information and telecommunication technologies are among
Armenia’s most ambitious sectors, the PM’s assistant Hayk Tutunjyan
stated on Friday, during 12th Congress of the Union of Information
Technology Enterprises, when reading PM Tigran Sargsyan’s message to
the Congress participants.

As per the message, Information Technology (IT) is the fastest growing
and the highest added value creating sector of Armenia. This sector
leads the newly-established domains.

According to the PM’s message, the Government is currently discussing
the several initiatives which the IT sector had proposed.

“We have a realistic desire to become the region’s leading country
in the IT sector,” the PM’s assistant also stated.

FIANCE OF ARMENIAN SOLDIER KILLED IN TURKISH ARMY TESTIFIES BEFORE COURT

news.am
April 06, 2012 | 13:36

ISTANBUL. – At the next trial into the death of Sevag Balikci-the
Istanbul Armenian who was killed, on April 24, 2011, in a military
unit while serving in the Turkish army-his fiance Melani Kumruyan
testified before the court.

Kumruyan stated that Sevag was constantly subjected to psychological
pressure at the unit where he was serving, Radikal daily of Turkey
informs.

Melani told that, during her telephone conversations with Sevag, she
was told that a military serviceman-whose name begins with “A”-had
told Sevag that if a war had started with Armenia, he would kill
Sevag first.

“Another one of Sevag’s fellow soldier, who was an imam, had convinced
Sevag to become Muslim,” Melani said, and stressed that Sevag had
clearly said he was afraid of the threats made against him at the
military unit.

To note, Sevag Balikci was killed by Kivanc Agaoglu, but the Turkish
gendarmerie had stated that the death had occurred accidentally
while the soldiers were joking around. Agaoglu was released at the
very first court hearing, and on the grounds that he had no reason
to escape. The Turkish Military Prosecutor’s Office demands a mere
nine-year sentence for Agaoglu, and on charges of “murder as a result
of negligence.” But at Diyarbakir Military Court, a senior officer
had stated that, after Sevag’s murder, an eyewitness soldier had told
him that Kivanc Agaoglu had told Sevag: “Chubby, I will kill you!”

CANDIDATE DRAGGED FROM BED AND BEATEN IN SARDARAPAT; SHOTS FIRED
Grisha Balasanyan

hetq
11:07, April 6, 2012

Meruzhan Mkhoyan, an independent candidate for MP in Election District
21, was beaten up during a brawl earlier today in the Sardarapat
village of Armavir Marz.

Mkhoyan’s wife told Hetq that there was a knock on the door at around
6am. A group of unidentified men entered the house and dragged Mkhoyan
from his bed.

The wife says that the men were armed and had arrived in two cars.

Mkhoyan’s nephew jumped in a car and followed the two cars to a bridge
on the outskirts of the village where he tried to cut them off.

Instead, he hit the side of the road but sustained no injuries.

Supporters of Mkhoyan eventually found him near the village cemetery.

The wife claims that about thirty cars showed up with people who
demanded that Mkhoyan pull out of the race. She says that shots
were fired.

Mkhoyan’s wife says her husband is determined to remain a candidate.

There are three candidates for Election District 21 – Aleksan Petrosyan
(Republican Party), Sedrak Hovhannisyan (HHZh) and Mkhoyan.

Surprisingly, Sardarapat Mayor Babken Vardanyan told Hetq that he
was unaware of what had happened.

Local police say they have received no report of illegal gunfire,
even though two individuals were admitted to hospital with injuries.

Police are at the hospital conducting an inquiry.

VADIM MUKHANOV: KARABAKH TOPIC IS A SURE CHOICE FOR INTERNAL USE BOTH IN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
by David Stepanyan

arminfo
Friday, April 6, 12:33

ArmInfo’s interview with Vadim Mukhanov, Senior Fellow at the Center
for Caucasian Studies and Regional Security, MGIMO Russia

Most analysts think that in case of Russia’s withdrawal from the
South Caucasus – Armenia, Moscow may lose control also over the North
Caucasus. Do you share this opinion?

Sure, Armenia, actually, does not influence the situation in the
Russian North Caucasus. However, Armenia is one of the closest allies
and partners of Russia in the post-Soviet space. It is a member of
the CIS, CSTO.

It joined the decision to form Collective Rapid Response Forces
that was adopted soon after the august war of 2008 at the CSTO
Summit in Moscow. It is a peculiar pledge of Russia’s presence in the
Transcaucasia, and its importance in the Caucasian policy of Russia is
extremely high. Bilateral relations with Russia are very important for
peaceful existence and development of the country. They were important
in 90s, they are important now and will remain prior, at least, in
the short-term outlook. The Russian factor cannot be overestimated
both in the domestic and foreign policy of Armenia, in the issues of
security and culture, economy and education. It is Russia that played
the key role in the ceasefire in the Karabakh conflict, and it is the
key link in the OSCE Minsk Group. Russia is the guarantor of security
for Armenia that is surrounded by enemies. Russia is also the biggest
foreign economic partner and creditor of Armenia. Russia’s investments
in Armenia total nearly 60% of all foreign investments in the country.

Is it possible to say that the priorities of the European counties and
the USA in the South Caucasus, particularly, in the Karabakh peace
process, have certainly changed? Is the status quo still favorable
to them?

Russia is still the key peacekeeper in the Caucasus that exerts
genuine efforts to establish negotiations between the conflicting
parties. Especially now, when the priorities of the European counties
and the USA have certainly changed over the years and they are no
longer so active in the Karabakh peace process.

The status quo is not a way out of the situation, indeed. However,
the phrase “better a lean peace than a fat victory” has repeatedly
proved right. Even the militarist statements of the parties and the
fact that confrontation has turned into a ‘war of military parades’
are a positive fact. Aggressive and sharp statements by various
high-ranking officials of Azerbaijan and Armenia will continue for
the coming years because they need to keep their public “warmed up”
not to lose power and attention of voters. The Karabakh topic is a
sure choice for internal use. The authorities can blame the enemy
for all the problems and promise the brightest perspectives to
the population that lived and still live in the territory of the
NKR. Many politicians bear no responsibility for their sharp and,
I’d say, risk-taking statements that may lead the region to a new
bloody war. Therefore, it seems to me that any state of conflict,
except a large-scale war, can be regarded as satisfactory and as a
certain success in the efforts of the mediators, including Russia.

The situation around Iran is still tense enough. Do you think the
military phase in the confrontation of Iran against USA and Israel
possible? Does Syria fit into the logic of the developments around
the Islamic Republic?

Situation around Iran is really tense and nervous. There is still
danger of military conflict between the USA and Israel against Iran,
but it not so high, especially in the light of the latest developments
in Syria, where the incumbent authorities demonstrated their power. So
far, the preparatory stage for the possible operation against Iran
is far from completion.

Azerbaijan is in rather a delicate situation trying to settle the
conflict with its problematic but important neighbor Iran. What are
the reasons of that confrontation and what may be its consequences?

May the Iranian problems catalyze a new war in the South Caucasus?

War against Iran will inevitably affect the situation in the Caucasus,
and Armenia as well. In this context, Yerevan needs to develop several
scenarios of developments and be ready for any of them, and even the
most pessimistic one. In the meanwhile, Azerbaijan has also found
itself in an uneasy situation: on the one hand, the U.S. partners are
not against using its territory to attack Iran, on the other hand,
Iran is a big and powerful country that has repeatedly cautioned Baku
against any unfriendly steps. The latest news on the large-scale arms
procurement by Azerbaijan, including air defense systems, means that
Baku is concerned over its security. In addition, one should not rule
out that in case of a military operation against Iran, the region may
face a real humanitarian disaster connected with large-scale migration
of the population from the Islamic Republic. Therefore, one can say
for sure that any large-scale military operation against Iran will
have an inevitable impact of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations,
and the domestic and economic situation in all the countries in the
South Caucasus.