Author: Kalantarian Kevo

TOP OFFICIAL: AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS CONCRETE POSITION ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Trend
Oct 3 2012
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan expects a concrete position from international community,
heads of the co-chairs (OSCE Minsk Group), and foreign ministers
on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, so that they
would express their attitude to this process, and take necessary
steps contributing to further course of the negotiations, Head of
the Foreign Relations Department of the Azerbaijani Presidential
Administration Novruz Mammadov said.

So far it is wrong to say about the negotiations on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been fully suspended, Mammadov noted.

“This does not mean that meetings of the co-chairs, foreign ministers
and presidents should be held every month. Earlier, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister met with the foreign minister of France, even earlier –
with the co-chairs, while President Ilham Aliyev met with the EU
representative on this issue. Also, there are also other meetings
that are held presently. It is however necessary to point out that
the Armenian side, sometimes wants to delay the negotiation process
by finding reasons. This can be assessed as today it is in their
interests,” Mammadov said.

He explains the reason for such a position with that Armenian
authorities want to extend their stay in power.

“But one thing is clear – both the leadership of Armenia and the
Armenian people have to understand that the conflict should be fairly
resolved sooner or later. There is no other option. In other words,
Azerbaijani territories must be returned to Azerbaijan – something
we will definitely do. There’s no other way,” Mammadov said.

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.

HERITAGE PARTY MP URGES PROSECUTOR GENERAL TO TAKE BACK MOTION

TERT.AM
02.10.12

Armenia’s prosecutor general should either take back the motion
on involving former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian in a criminal
proceeding on money laundering, or come to parliament with a new motion
to deprive all 131 MPs of immunity, head of Heritage party faction
Ruben Hakobyan said at the discussion in the National Assembly today.

Heritage MP started his speech with a number of questions, particularly
asking who the author of the motion is, what it will give to the
public, whether it is the start of the fight against corruption
or “bodyguard filth”. “And finally is Vartan Oskanian symbol of
corruption, making people migrate?”

Ruben Hakobyan said he is bewildered with the assessments voiced during
these days in the speeches of a number of Republican party’s MPs.

“I do not understand the stance of the majority, instead of opposing
the petition’s entrance on the agenda, they are grounding it stating
that it stems from the interests of the state, National Assembly
and Vartan Oskanian,” he stated, adding that the last remark is an
exclusive sample of contemporary Armenian political folklore.

Ruben Hakobyan said the motion is politically motivated and linked
it with the coming presidential elections.

The Heritage faction head said Armenia’s NA session hall has a
history of arresting and condemning MPs, going even far than March
1, 2008 when four MPs backing Levon Ter-Petrosyan were deprived of
parliamentary inviolability.

Hakobyan said the first and the cruelest precedent was in 1996 when
the parliament deprived and jailed Vazgen Manukian, Paruyr Hayrikyan,
Davit Vardanyan, him and others.

Ruben Hakobyan said Armenia’s tragedy is that the system cruelly
engorges those who once were in the system.

Hakobyan considered Oskanian’s case “response to political
ungratefulness.” According to him, it is the most right description
of what is happening. “If these guys who voted for us at that time
knew that the boomerang would reach them, leaving 2008 smoky Yerevan
and March 1, would not have voted. The system is engorging all,”
Hakobyan said.

RUBIK HAKOBYAN REFRESHED ARAM MANUKYAN’S MEMORY

Story from Lragir.am News:

Published: 13:07:12 – 02/10/2012

Head of the Heritage parliamentary group Rubik Hakobyan reminded
Member of Parliament Aram Manukyan, ANC, of 1996.

Aram Manukyan, addressing the parliamentary discussion on Vartan
Oskanian’s case, said that the outrageous precedent of stripping MPs
of immunity was established after March 1, 2008. Aram Manukyan meant
the approved motions of the prosecutor general for Khachatur Sukiasyan,
Myasnik Malkhasyan, Hakob Hakobyan and Sasun Mikayelyan.

Rubik Hakobyan, addressing the session after Aram Manukyan, said
that the precedent was established on September 26, 1996 when
Vazgen Manukyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan and others, including himself,
were deprived if immunity. Rubik Hakobyan said that if those people
who were deprived of immunity in 2008 had known about their destiny,
they would have never voted in favor of stripping members of parliament
of immunity in 1996.

Rubik Hakobyan said that if the PAP had knows it would face the same
issue in 2012 it would have never voted against those four MPs in 2008.

NO DOUBT THERE ARE ARMENIANS AMONG PKK LEADERS – MESUT YILMAZ

News.Az
Tue 02 October 2012 10:15 GMT | 11:15 Local Time

Mesut Yilmaz
News.Az reprints from Gun.Az an interview with former Turkish Premier
Mesut Yilmaz.

The statements of Turkish President Turgut Ozal’s poisoning have been
on the agenda for some time. The court has passed a decision to exhume
the former president’s body. What do you think about it?

I am aware about the court’s decision but I do not believe in Ozal’s
poisoning.

How do you assess the domestic and foreign policy of the ruling Party
of Justice and Development?

As I do not deal with politics at the moment, I would not like to
speak about domestic policy. On the other hand, if I do not speak
about it in Turkey, it means I won’t speak in Azerbaijan too. There are
differences in the current Turkish foreign policy which are changing
with time. Syrian issue is one of the major examples.

We are constantly voicing our concern about the position of the
Turkish government on this issue. We do hope that our concern will
be taken into account.

Turkey announced ‘zero problems’ with neighbor states. Is it real to
conduct such a policy?

It is possible if our neighbors have the same will that Azerbaijan
has. However, since Armenians remain in the tunnel of history,
whatever good intentions we had the achievements of the policy of
‘zero problems’ would not be possible. I believe that the Turkish
government had good intentions, however, it soon faced the reality.

What can you say about Turkey’s relations with Iran?

Throughout history Iran has been the country which had the most
peaceful ties with us, was our closest neighbor for we have had no
wars since 1600. All the same, our relations with Iran are expanding.

Both countries support normal relations. However, there are major
factors that hinder this. One of them is Turkey’s NATO membership.

Iran considers the United States its biggest enemy. We have NATO on
one side and our historical neighbor-Iran on the other side. This
policy requires a delicate approach of the Turkish government. Such
policy has been successful but risky for Turkey until present. Turkey
may also face such risks in the future.

The Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh has not been
settled yet. What is your position on this issue?

If the resolution of the Karabakh conflict depended only on Turkey,
this problem would have been solved for long. However, the conflict
has many parties.

One of these parties is Russia. Former Russian President Dmitriy
Medvedev did much to solve this issue, however, no results were
achieved. President Vladimir Putin continues this activity. I do not
know which policy he would pursue over this issue, we are looking
forward this with a great interest.

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov made a statement which said that in case
one of the conflict parties use weapon, Russia would not stay aside.

Changes are expected in the Russian policy on this issue in the coming
years. This should be a focus. Meanwhile, Turkey’s stance in Karabakh
issue is well known.

EU also wishes to interfere with this issue. There are different views
inside EU. Some circles support the fair position of Azerbaijan in
the Karabakh issue. Unfortunately, quite a complex situation has been
created today.

There are still no achievements in the resolution of the conflict.

However, everyone has to know that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
cannot remain unsettled. The OSCE Minsk Group must find its solution.

Armenia is gradually degrading while Azerbaijan is achieving a great
development in all spheres including in military and economic fields.

Today Armenia has turned into an isolate country. I can say that time
is playing on Azerbaijan’s side and against Armenia. Armenia should
also be aware of this and if it does not do it, it is important that
other states show this to it.

Armenia is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the
so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ in 2015. What steps will Turkey take
against it?

I think that Turkey holds every necessary work over this issue. Turkey
has expressed its position over the so-called genocide and offered
Armenia to create a commission of neutral and independent historians.

This commission is to study the archives of both states and take a
decision. Armenia has not accepted this proposal, since it declared
this event as genocide without historians’ studies and achieved its
recognition by a number of the law-making bodies of Europe.

The announcement of genocide without the decision of the court,
facts or historical proofs is peculiar of only Armenians. Armenia
has not yet opened its archives to world historians.

Armenian terrorist organization ASALA has spread statements of threats
addressed to Azerbaijani and Turkish diplomats. What do you think
about it?

Armenians used to resort to terrorist methods in the past, as a result
of which many Turkish diplomats and citizens became martyrs. However,
when they saw that Turkey is able to defend itself, they gave up their
actions. Unfortunately, Turkey is obliged to live with terror. And
if they repeat it, they will get our response. If ASALA or other
terrorist organizations commit a terror attack against us, they will
have the worthy punishment.

So why is Turkey unable to give a worthy response to PKK?

Unfortunately, compared to ASALA, PKK has a greater power and
more terrorists. Regardless of the strength of fight against PKK,
the number of their terrorists is too high. I think that the use of
force against PKK is not enough. Other sides of the issue should also
be taken into account. The bans on songs, education and press of the
ethnic people of Turkey have been removed for the first time in period
of my activity in the government. These laws were also executed in
the next periods too. I think that this is the right policy.

Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Sinan Ogan has recently
announced that most people who lead the PKK terror organization are
Armenians which is proven by the court…

I cannot say anything specific on this issue since it has been 10
years that I am far from the government and have no state documents
on hands. If this statement was made by the state representative,
the state was to have proofs. I would not be surprised if I had
information that the persons leading PKK are mostly Armenians.

PKK can closely cooperate with the countries hostile to Turkey. If
from time to time the PKK was supported by Syria and Greece, it is
also real that this terror organization is also supported by Armenia.

Today Armenia is stuck in crisis. Therefore, in order to blow a deal to
Turkey, it can support both PKK and any other terrorist organization.

HERITAGE TO BOYCOTT VOTE ON OSKANIAN CASE – PARTY MEMBER

PanARMENIAN.Net
October 2, 2012 – 14:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Heritage parliamentary group will back Prosperous
Armenia member, former foreign minister Vartan Oskanian, party
member said.

Ruben Hakobyan expressed the faction’s readiness to boycott the vote
on stripping ex-minister Oskanian of deputy immunity.

In this context, he urged the political majority to drop the case,
noting it as a factor undermining both the parliament’s and the
country’s image in international arena.

Mr. Hakobyan further noted charges against Oskanian as a continuation
of the parliament’s tradition to deprive MPs of their congressional
immunity, citing a number of old cases to prove his point (Vazgen
Manukyan, Paruyr Hayrikyan, Shavarsh Kocharyan were stripped of
deputy immunity).

Armenian parliament holds discussions on Prosecutor General Aghvan
Hovsepyan’s proposal to strip ex-minister Vartan Oskanian of deputy
immunity over money-laundering charges against Civilitas Foundation.

ARMENIAN TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION MINISTER WANTS TO BECOME PM? – NEWSPAPER

news.am
October 02, 2012 | 08:25

YEREVAN. – Matters related to a prime ministerial candidate likewise
were discussed during the September 28 meeting of the Prosperous
Armenia Party (PAP) administration, Zhamanak daily reports.

“According to some information, PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan told his
fellow party members that ‘we must continue criticizing the [serving]
PM’s economic policy, since we criticized it over the course of these
months and cannot back from these criticism.’

Also, Gagik Tsarukyan instructed his fellow party members: ‘If they
ask who your preferred prime ministerial candidate is, you will answer
[Deputy PM and] Territorial Administration Minister Armen Gevorgyan.’

Of course, PAP Press Secretary Tigran Urikhanyan denied this news,
in an interview with Zhamanak, saying such discussion has not taken
place,” Zhamanak writes.

AZERBAIJAN VIOLATES CEASEFIRE 1,185 TIMES IN SEPTEMBER

news.am
October 02, 2012 | 10:52

YEREVAN. – Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire, at its line of contact
with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, 1,185 times in the month
of September.

All through that time, the Azerbaijani side also made use of sniper
weapon as well as large-caliber weapon 26 times, Armenia’s MOD reports.

One Armenian military serviceman was killed as a result of Azerbaijan’s
breach of the truce in September.

As informed earlier, Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire 1,161 times in
August, more than 1,300 times in July, 3,750 times in June, and 1,300
times in May. Statistics show that the Azerbaijani side continually
wishes to maintain tension at the line of contact.

YEREVAN-BATUMI-YEREVAN ROUTE CLOSES THE SEASON

ARMENPRESS
2 October, 2012
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: “South Caucasian Railway” CJSC
Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan “Armenia” brand train closes the season on
October 1. As the company told Armenpress, according to preliminary
data since the start of the summer season the train has transported
50.3 thousand passengers, against 42.1 thousand in 2011.

This summer for the first time SCR passengers could purchase tickets
online for “Armenia” train. Also a buffet car was included in the
train, and for the future a dining car is planned to be involved.

Since October 2 the railway run the route Yerevan-Tbilisi-Yerevan. The
brand train “Armenia” of Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan route will resume next
summer. CJSC “SCR” is growing the volume of international passenger
traffic year by year. In particular, compared to January-September
2008, for the first 9 months 2012 the volume has increased by 296%
and only Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan by 591%.

AIR ARTSAKH: STEPANAKERT AIRPORT “CERTIFIED” TO SERVICE FLIGHTS, TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION “SOON”
By Gohar Abrahamyan

ArmeniaNow
News | 02.10.12 | 10:52

The first official flight from or to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s
(NKR) airport that has been repeatedly delayed during the past
year or so is likely to be delayed for “a little longer” despite
the announcement that the facility has already been “certified”
to start operations.

Enlarge Photo Chief architect of Stepanakert airport Tigran Barseghyan
(R) and political scientist Levon Shirinyan

Official reports several days ago said that the first flights from
and to the airport near Stepanakert would start this week. But
in an interview with ArmeniaNow on Monday chief of the NKR
government-affiliated civil aviation department Dmitry Adbashyan again
avoided giving a precise date for the official commencement of flights.

“On September 28, we received an official certificate about the
airport corresponding to international standards and the right to
service flights. Aircraft can land and take off from our airport,”
said Adbashyan, adding that the operation of the airport is very
important for Karabakh. “As an aviator, I think that if a country
has no airport, then it cannot have a full-fledged state.”

The airport situated about 10 kilometers from NKR capital Stepanakert
was built in 1974 mainly to service flights from Yerevan and Baku. It
was turned into a military airfield during the early stage of the armed
conflict in Karabakh. The facility in fact has been idling since 1992.

In 2008, architect Tigran Barseghyan and his team started designing
the main building of what would become the new air gate of Karabakh –
in the shape of an eagle with open wings.

The architect says that the quality of construction is high and work
was completed according to schedule. The runway was broadened and
several hills adjacent to the runway were flattened for modern big
aircraft to be able to land and take off.

“About $5 million has been spent for the implementation of complex
work, and today as a facility the airport is ready for flights. But
the delay has been for different personnel-related, organizational
and technical matters, which are beyond the scope of design or
construction-related issues,” says Barseghyan. The architect adds
that solutions provided for in the long-term design of the airport
make it suitable also for servicing international flights.

The airport building that occupies a total area of 1,200 square meters
will be able to accept 100 passengers per hour.

Flights are due to be carried out by the Artsakhavia state-run
enterprise. Initially the airport plans to service flights from Yerevan
to Stepanakert and back. Such a journey in one direction will take
about 35 minutes, and airfare will be approximately 15,000 drams
(about $38).

The official opening of the airport was supposed to take place still
on May 9, 2011, but it was delayed several times over what officials
explained were “purely technical reasons”. Still, many believe that
there are political reasons behind the delay, in particular the uneasy
relations with Azerbaijan that has threatened to shoot down civilian
planes that appear in the airspace it believes to be its own.

But political analyst Levon Shirinyan thinks that Azerbaijan won’t be
able to do anything to stop the airport from operating. “It will go
on fuming and try to prevent the airport from opening, but after it
opens, it will be unable to do anything,” he says. Still, Shirinyan
says, the threats from Azerbaijan need to be properly assessed and
counteraction should be taken.

“The Artsakh Defense Army should be put on high alert. It is a
war of nerves. The side that manages to break the opponent’s will,
will be able to solve the problem,” says Shirinyan, adding that the
airport will surely be put into operation if such an announcement
has been made.

The analyst thinks that today is the most opportune moment for the
airport to be put into operation considering the tough steps taken by
Armenian diplomacy in the wake of the “Safarov Affair” in Azerbaijan.

Official Yerevan has sought an international condemnation of the
Azerbaijani leadership for the public glorification of a confessed
killer of an Armenian, Ramil Safarov, who was granted pardon in Baku
on August 31 shortly after being extradited from Hungary where he had
been serving a life sentence for axe-murdering an Armenian colleague
at a NATO-sponsored language course.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian spoke about the Safarov
Affair from the high tribune of the United Nations in New York on
October 1, arguing that Azerbaijan is encouraging hatred towards
Armenians at the highest level of its leadership.

GEORGIAN PEOPLE DISSATISFIED WITH AUTHORITIES, EXPERT SAYS

tert.am
02.10.12

Georgia’s parliamentary elections showed the Georgian people are
dissatisfied with the ruling authorities, expert on Georgia’s issues
Jonny Melikyan told the reporters today.

He said during the 7-8 months the opposition managed to consolidate
the majority and show that they are the force able to reach its goal.

“As of the moment the opposition leads in the polls. Georgian
Dream opposition coalition as of the moment has gathered 54 and the
authorities 40 percent of votes. Such results were not expected. The
prison case mixed everything, making people understand that nothing
has changed in the field,” he said.

Jonny Melikyan said Javakhk’s participation in the elections was
minimal and Armenians were expected to vote for the ruling party
while they voted for the opposition.

“Though the results of the polls were not ready yet, exit poll showed
that Javakhq has voted for the opposition. As of the moment we know
that an Armenian candidate won in Akhalkalak,” he said.

The speaker said the elections were not liberal due to distributed
election bribes, people were brought to polling stations on cars but
Bidzina Ivanishvili has won in the elections after conducting a great
lobbying in the West.

“The external forces showed Saakashvili that there are borders neither
of the authorities should cross. The elections showed that the external
influence on Georgia is great and the opposition representatives will
fight till the end,” Melikyan said.