Author: Kajoyan Gevork

LAVROV STATES RUSSIAN POSITION ON CAUCASUS CONFLICTS
By Ernest Petrosyan

The Messenger
Sept 29 2011
Georgia

“We are strongly committed to doing our utmost in order to prevent a
repetition of the use of force scenario in the Caucasus as happened in
August 2008 as a result of a reckless venture by the ruling regime
in Tbilisi,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his
speech to the UN General Assembly on September 27, where he spoke of
conflicts in the post-Soviet space, also mentioning Nagorno-Karabakh
and Transdnistria.

Lavrov insisted on Moscow’s role as a peace and security “guarantor”
rather than as an active combatant in Georgia’s conflicts, and called
for non-use of force arrangements between Tbilisi and the breakaway
regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

“Russia is ready to act as a guarantor of arrangements on the non-use
of force between Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia taking into
account the earlier relevant statements made by the leaders of these
three parties,” said Lavrov. He also noted that the Russian side would
welcome it if the United States and the European Union made similar
commitments. As guarantors, we would be ready to take steps to prevent
the resumption of violence in the region and in case of wrongful use
of force by either side, to work towards the early settlement of the
situation on the basis of the existing norms of international law,”
he added.

According to Lavrov, the Russian Federation continues to pressure
Tbilisi to sign the non-use of force agreement between Sukhumi and
Tskhinvali, representing them as the main sides in the conflicts. Such
a proposal however, is opposed by Tbilisi, since the Georgian
government, considers the Russian Federation as a main player in the
conflict, and refuses to cooperate with the puppet regimes in the
breakaway regions.

Last year the Russian Federation also offered unilateral non-use
of force declarations to be made separately by Tbilisi, Sokhumi and
Tskhinvali, instead of signing agreements. However, after President
Saakashvili made such a unilateral non-use of force pledge at the
European Parliament on November 23, Moscow restated that there must be
a written agreement between the sides, but at the same time refused
to take part in such an agreement, arguing that it is “a mediator”
and “guarantor”, not a party into the conflict.

President Saakashvili also raised this issue during his speech to
the UN General Assembly a week ago, saying that almost a year after
solemnly pledging that Georgia “will never use force to liberate its
regions currently occupied by the Russian Federation,” Tbilisi was
still waiting for Moscow’s reciprocal pledge.

Political Analyst Zurab Abashidze also considers that such statements
and proposals from the Russian side will not have any consequences.

“It is obvious that Russia represents a part of the conflict, and it
would be reasonable to sign a non-use of force agreement with Russia
itself. President Saakashvili announced at various international events
that Georgia will never apply force in regard to both conflicts, and
this should be enough”, said Abashidze. He also excluded that the US
and EU will follow Lavrov’s offer to share such security guarantor
commitments with the Russian Federation.

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR IN DAMASCUS: WE ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SYRIA THROUGH FUNDAMENTAL REFORMS

Syrian Arab News Agency
Sept 29 2011
Syria

DAMASCUS, (SANA) – Armenia’s Ambassador in Damascus Arshak Poladyan
held on Thursday a reception on the occasion of the 20th anniversary
of his country’s independence.

Ambassador Poladyan stressed during the reception that Armenia has
repeatedly announced its desire to develop cooperation with Syria in
various fields.

He added that the mutual visits of the two country’s officials during
the last years set a legal and essential base for developing bilateral
relations and led to signing dozens of agreements and protocols in
cultural, scientific and educational fields.

Concerning the current events in Syria and the foreign interference
in the Syrian internal affairs, the Ambassador said that national
dialogue is the only way to solve the crisis, calling on all parties
to sit at the dialogue table and find suitable solutions.

He expressed his optimism about the future of Syria through fundamental
reforms and criticized some satellite channels which exaggerated the
events in Syria.

F.Allafi/M.Eyon

AZERBAIJAN’S POLICY DIRECTED AGAINST UN GOALS – ARMENIAN MFA

news.am
Sept 29 2011
Armenia

Azerbaijan’s policy is directed against UN’s goals, Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am
commenting on the initiative to elect Azerbaijan a non-permanent
member of the UN Security Council.

According to the UN Charter, the organization pursues three goals,
he added.

“The first objective is to preserve peace and reach conflict
resolution through peaceful means. The second goal – respect for
the equality of people and their rights to self-determination. The
third is cooperation based on respect for human rights and freedoms,
regardless of nationality, language or religion,” he said.

Drawing attention to the indisputable fact that Baku’s policy directly
contradicts all the mentioned objectives, Kocharyan stressed that
Azerbaijan is trying to reduce the authority of the UN by its possible
temporary membership in organization’s Security Council.

The country constantly voicing threats against the neighboring state
and at the same time violating the UN Charter strives to become a
non-permanent member, he said.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT THANKS FRANCE

VestnikKavkaza.net
Sept 29 2011

French-Armenian friendly relations have a rich history and after
Armenia acquired independence the development of bilateral ties
enhanced, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who is currently visiting
France, said at the meeting with the mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë.

The Armenian leader also said cooperation between the two countries
is improving in various fields.

The president also approved the role the Armenian diaspora in France
plays in this process.

KARABAKHI PRESIDENT DISCUSSES ACTIVITIES IN INFRASTRUCTURES

Tert.am
22:42 29.09.11

Bako Sahakyan, president of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, convened
a working consultation Thursday related to the activities implemented
in the spheres of production infrastructure.

According to a press release by the Karabakhi presidential
administration, Karlen Petrosyan, Minister of Production
Infrastructures, as well as heads of various departments at the
ministry, delievered reports on the current activities.

Bako Sahakyan attached importance to the role of the sphere
plays in the development of the economy and came up with relevant
recommendations for the accurate implementation of activities.

Prime Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ara Harutyunyan and other officials
also attended the working consultation.

JOHN EVANS CONFIDENT ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS WILL BE RATIFIED

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 29, 2011 – 17:53 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Were the U.S. sceptical about the feasibility of
normalisation of Armenia-Turkey ties, it wouldn’t have promoted the
rapprochement, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia said, commenting on
recent developments in Yerevan-Ankara relations.

At news conference in Yerevan, John Evans expressed confidence
for the countries’ success in protocols’ ratification in case of
consecutive steps.

Turkey’s Council of Ministers returned Armenian-Turkish protocols on
parliament agenda, as a “gesture of good will to Armenia.” In late
August, Turkey’s Grand National Assembly withdrew 898 bills, including
the Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in 2009, from the agenda. At the
time, Turkish parliament considered that the issue of opening of border
with Armenia is no longer actual for the country’s political course.

“HELP REMOTE SCHOOLS OF ARTSAKH” PROGRAM LAUNCHED

ARMENPRESS
18:12, 29 September, 2011

Within the framework of “Help Your School” and “Help Your Kindergarten”
programs Yerevan Mayor’s Office has come forth with “Help Remote
Schools of Artsakh” unique initiative. Yerevan Chekhov School N 55
and Kindergarten N 47 have immediately responded to the idea.

Press service of Yerevan Mayor’s Office told Armenpress that the joint
delegation of the general education department of Yerevan Mayor’s
Office, School N 55 and Kindergarten N 47, headed by representative
of the general education department of the Mayor’s Office Gayane
Soghomonyan, visited the school of Nakhijevanik Village of Askeran
Region, NKR. The members of the delegation handed bags, stationary,
literature, as well as stationary provided by charitable organizations,
computers, desks and chairs for pre-school pupils. And the children
of the kindergarten, located in the building of Nakhijevan School,
received toys, stationery, copybooks for painting and games developing
the logic, etc from their Yerevan friends and their parents.

“This is an initiative which prompts us to lend a helping hand
to our schools and kindergartens in Artsakh. I am sure that in the
nearest future other Yerevan schools, kindergartens and organizations
too will join the initiative of supporting Artsakh schools. Mother
Land’s support to Artsakh will be manifested this way, too,” Gayane
Soghomonyan said.

“Within the framework of “Help Your School” program about 641 million
AMD has been allocated to the schools of the capital up today. And
302 million AMD has been extended to “Help Your Kindergarten” program.

SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIAN-FRENCH FRIENDSHIP IS ANCHORED ON SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL COMMONALITIES

ARMENPRESS
15:34, 29 September, 2011

In the evening of September 28 Armenian and French Presidents Serzh
Sargsyan and Nicolas Sarkozy attended Charles Aznavour’s concert at
Olympia Concert Hall dedicated to RA Independence Day.

Presidential press service told Armenpress that this morning within
the framework of his official visit Serzh Sargsyan had a working
dinner with Armenian and French businessmen.

“The Armenian-French cooperation of many centuries is anchored on
religious and cultural commonalities. Those commonalities are so
deep that the geographical position has never been an obstacle for
continuous reinforcement of the friendship,” President Serzh Sargsyan
said in his address.

“Invaluable is the role of France in development of Armenia. Armenia
has always attached importance to expansion of commercial and economic
relations with France, and this meeting will contribute to it. France
is a trade and big investment partner of Armenia and occupies the
second place with the volume of investments in Armenia’s economy. 155
Armenian-French joint ventures are registered in Armenia. We have
successful examples of French investments in almost all spheres –
telecommunication, production of drinks, banking, pharmaceuticals,
healthcare, tourism, agriculture, light industry,” the President
stated.

In his address the President also referred to the relations between
Armenia and EU. “Armenia-EU relations have moved to a new quality level
by the launch of the Eastern Partnership. This opens new opportunities
for Armenian-French business cooperation,” the President said.

Concluding his speech Serzh Sargsyan called on French businessmen to
launch active cooperation with Armenian counterparts.

US AMBASSADOR INVITES INVESTORS TO AZERBAIJAN’S ‘KHANATES’

epress.am
09.29.2011 17:58

A major problem in Azerbaijani society is that political and economic
power is highly concentrated among a few groups, said US Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza on the eve of a meeting with members of
the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC), RFE/RL reports.

“If you look at the history of this region, for centuries there were
groupings of power around what is today Azerbaijan that were known
as khanates, which held power in various regions. Of course, [today]
Azerbaijan is a[n independent] state. But to a certain extent, maybe
some of those traditions of khanates in the economy continue,” he said,
adding that it’s difficult for American companies to do business in
the Caspian Sea nation because they don’t understand with whom they
can work and how to grow their business.

According to him, corruption continues to be a problem in Azerbaijan.

At the same time, he stressed Azerbaijan’s attractiveness for
investors and the strategic importance of the country. “Azerbaijan is
the only country in the world that has 9 climatic zones. There is no
‘Dutch disease’ and it prefers to implement projects with Turkey and
Europe. And despite pressure from the north and south, Azerbaijan
has a strategic relationship with the US,” he said.

NO PROGRESS WITHOUT CHANGE OF POWER IN ARMENIA – ARF-D REP

Tert.am
17:54 29.09.11

Irrespective of Armenian high-ranking officials’ successful or
unsuccessful speeches on the international platforms, Armenia will
not make progress without a change of the system and power, Vahan
Hovhannisyan, a Bureau member, Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), told journalists.

The matter concerns essential changes in the domestic political
situation for the people to feel it at once, he added.

“In Russia, for example, power is handed down from the successor
president to his predecessor. Almost the same is taking place
in Armenia, which, however, is not a change in the situation,”
Hovhannisyan said. According to him, the Putin-Medvedev tandem is
not in harmony with democratic values. Two persons make a decision,
and “heaven forbid that they pedal in the opposite directions.” Such
developments are fraught with many disastrous consequences.

As to the suspended dialogue between Armenia’s ruling coalition and the
opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), Hovhannisyan expressed
the confidence that “the fundamental principle of the dialogue was:
the first one to commit blunder. And the ANC proved this one.”