Author: Kanayan Tamar

MEHTIYEV: "BAKU DOES NOT WANT WAR, BUT DOES NOT RULE OUT ITS RESUMPTION"

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.09.2006 14:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Azerbaijan does not wish resumption of the war
with Armenia, however, in case peace talks on the Nagorno Karabakh
settlement fail it will have to consider other ways to solve the issue
of territories controlled by the NKR Defense Army," stated head of
Azeri President’s Administration Ramiz Mehtiyev.

The presidential Administration head also noted that Azerbaijan
continues actively taking measures to strengthen national armed forces
military efficiency and one of the steps in this regard is the latest
creation of the Ministry of Armaments Industry, reports Day. az.

DECISION ON NEW TARIFFS OF ARMENTEL TO BE MADE BY MID OCTOBER

Noyan Tapan
Sept 05 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The company ArmenTel submitted a
bid to the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission, proposing that
the tariffs of fixed-line phone and Internet services be increased
next year. It is proposed that the current monthly tariff of 1,100
drams for fixed-line phone services be increased to 3,000 drams (about
7.5 USD), while the tariff for business subscribers be lowered from
4,800 to 4,200 drams.

The company proposes reducing the time, during which the subscriber
may speak on the phone free of charge, from the current 360 minutes
to 280 minutes.

It is proposed that the minumum per-minute tariff be increased from
5 to 6 drams. This tariff will be used from 281st minute to 1,000th
minute. To recap, at present the minimum per-minute tariff of 5 drams
is used from 360th minute to 1,600th minute. ArmenTel proposes that
the maximum per-minute tariff of 9 drams be left unchanged.

According to ArmenTel’s bid, the per-minute charge for using the
Internet through a phone should be raised from the current tariff of
1 dram to 2.4 drams.

According to the bid, it is proposed that the previous payment for
provision of a phone number (24,000 drams) be restored instead of the
current payment of 12,000 drams, and for natural persons it should be
fixed at 28,000 drams instead of the current payment of 14,400 drams.

At the same time, the company proposes lowering the tariffs of
intercity and international calls, as well as calls to mobile
phones. For example, it is proposed that during busy hours (7 am to
11 pm), the tariff of intercity calls be lowered from the current 20
drams to 16.8 drams, and the per-minute tariff for making calls from
a fixed-line phone to a mobile phone – from 70 to 54 drams. During not
busy hours (11 pm to 7 am) it is proposed using a tariff of 13.2 drams
for intercity calls instead of the current 14 drams, and a tariff of
42 drams for calls to a mobile phone instead of the current tariff
of 49 drams.

To recap, the RA Public Services Regulatory Commission must make a
decision about ArmenTel’s bid within 45 days.

JAVAKHK ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED AT ARMENIA-DIASPORA FORUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.09.2006 17:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The discussion of the situation in
Samtskhe-Javakhetia at the Armenia-Diaspora forum is not ruled
out, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian stated in Yerevan
today. "The situation in this Armenian-populated region in not on the
agenda as a separate item but I suppose it will be discussed. As for
Yerevan’s official position, I reiterate that the issue of Javakhk
is Georgia’s internal issue, but Armenia being concerned over the
fate of our compatriots will not stand aside. This is a very delicate
matter and Armenia’s measures should be very cautious, balanced and
harmless for the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental relations,"
Oskanian underscored.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Ghukasian Confirmed NKR Readiness to Hold Direct and
Constructive Dialogue with Baku

02.09.2006 13:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `The declaration on the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
proclamation is a brave political and legal act that was adopted is
accordance with the fundamental norms of the former USSR Constitution
and international law. It became epochal in the centuries-old history
of Artsakh. It reflected the will of our people who had chosen the
path of freedom and independence,’ NKR President Arkady Ghukasian said
in Stepanakert during the festivities dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of the NKR proclamation. He remarked that under the
circumstances independence proved to be the only way to secure
Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, its development and
prosperity.

`I would like to remind that NKR was proclaimed at the time when no
single Armenian remained at the territory of the Azeri SSR. The
Azerbaijani leadership isolated Nagorno Karabakh from the outer
world. 15 years that have passed proved the historical necessity and
relevance of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s proclamation,’ Ghukasian
said. In his words, the economy of the state was almost completely
destroyed. Dwellings, hospitals, schools were demolished. `Half of
Nagorno Karabakh was occupied by Azerbaijan as result of bloody
battles. Thousands of people were killed but thanks to the incredible
efforts of our people and leadership as well as owing to Armenia and
Diaspora’s support the enemy was forced of retreat and conclude
armistice agreement signed by Stepanakert as well. Thus, the
Azerbaijani leadership actually recognized Nagorno Karabakh as a party
to conflict although now it denied this fact,’ the NKR leader said.

Arkady Ghukasian voiced regret over the fact that the `Azeri
authorities prefer to counteract the logic of political
development. Karabakh problem cannot be resolved by force. War will
bring new losses and sufferings to both peoples. I call on the Azeri
side to abandon delirious intentions to take revenge and settle all
the issues at the bargaining table,’ he said. At that he underscored
that the efforts of the NKR political leadership are targeted at a
peaceful settlement of the conflict. `We consider the irreversible
democratization process as factor promoting peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict. The calls to war in Azerbaijan can be explained by
absence of democracy in the neighbor republic. If the process reached
a deadlock now, it’s not the fault of Karabakh or Armenia but the
result of Azerbaijan’s counterproductive position,’ Ghukasian said.

He remarked that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is possible
only on the basis of mutual compromise that demands courage and
political will of the leaders of the conflicting sides. `I would like
to confirm Karabakh’s readiness to hold a direct and constructive
dialogue with Azerbaijan without preconditions. Such format will
reflect the core of the problem,’ Ghukasian concluded, reported IA
Regnum.

TASSOS PAPADOPOULOS INVITES ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO CYPRUS

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian received on August 31 George Iacovou, the
Ambassador for Cyprus President’s Special Instructions, former Foreign
Minister. The Ambassador passed Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos’
invitation addressed to President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, to pay
an official visit to Cyprus. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA
Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, the interlocuters
discussed the current state and possibilities of development of the
Armenian-Cypriot bilateral relations as well the two countries’ mutual
cooperation within the framework of the EU New Neighborhood Policy.
Opinions were exchanged concerning the present stage of the
negotiations on the Cyprus problem political settlement and on the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

JOHN EVANS LEAVES ARMENIA SATISFIED

Yerevan, September 1. ArmInfo. US-Armenian relations have been
developing, particularly, in defense and security, US investments
though slowly but have been growing, US Ambassador John Evans who is
completing his diplomatic mission in Armenia says in an interview to
Radio Liberty.

He says that Americans and Armenians have common basic values. Armenia
has all prerequisites for becoming the leader of democratic processes
in the region. However, there is no political culture in the country
yet and there is still psychological fear lest the ordinary voter
might be allowed to determine his fate on his own. Evans says that the
elections of 2007 and 2008 may become a significant step towards
deeper democracy in Armenia and the Armenian authorities are working
to this end. International organizations will certainly help Armenia
to ensure electoral transparency, however, the key subject during the
elections will be the Armenian people.

Evans points out progress in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. In
the last four years US investments have been slowing but steadily
growing. In order to attract big US investments Armenia should improve
its court and education systems, reform tax and customs services.

Evans says that the US may significantly help to overcome the
discrepancy between the development of Yerevan and the
regions. However, the most serious task is to form effective, stable
energy system.

Evans says that it was good that the OSCE MG co-chairs have
promulgated the Karabakh conflict settlement principles, particularly,
the ones stressing the inadmissibility of new war and the necessity of
negotiations.

Evans has not got any new appointment. He says that he is not
resigning against his will and that he has served his president well.

Evans does not retract his words that the actions organized by the
Young Turkish government against Armenians in 1915 were Genocide.

Evans says that he is very much satisfied with his work in Armenia.

Panorama.am

13:28 01/09/06

EDUCATION MINISTER LECTURES AT SCHOOL

The Minister of Education Levon Lazarian lectured
today, September 1, for the 10th grade schoolchildren
of School after Hambarzum Galstian. The lecture was
part of the open door program at schools during which
political actors will deliver lectures at the
republican schools until September 21. Lazarian
prepared the students for the possible unfairness that
students may encounter during their life. `I would
like everyone to swear to yourself that you will be
loyal to your motherland despite of the fact whether
this motherland will enjoy prosperity and happiness or
will undergo hard days,’ minister Lazarian told
students. The minister delivered his greatest vision
to the children – to celebrate the 150th independence
day of Armenia at the same school. /Panorama.am/

Armenian military spending to increase in line with GDP – minister

Mediamax news agency
1 Sep 06

Yerevan, 1 September: The Armenian military budget will be increasing
in parallel with its GDP growth, Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said
in Yerevan today. Military spending will not be raised at the expense
of financing other spheres, he said.

The defence minister noted that Armenia’s defence expenditure amounts
to 3.5 per cent of its GDP, Mediamax reported. "It is obvious that the
bigger the Armenian economy, the bigger the budget of our armed
forces," Sarkisyan told journalists.

"We do not have any desire to increase the military budget at the
expense of the spending on education, science and culture," the
defence minister noted.

JOINT STATEMENT CONNECTED WITH OFFICIAL VISIT OF ALIYEV TO THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, AUGUST 28-29, 2006

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Aug. 31, 2006

Official visit of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic to the
Republic of Slovenia pursued the purpose of development of relations
between two states in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian
spheres.

Both sides have noted importance of development of political dialogue
at the highest level and necessity of strengthening of cooperation
between legislative and executive authorities of the countries,
expansion of legal base for achievement of higher level of present
contacts between the states, and have once again emphasized intention
of all-around development of mutual relations in all fields.

The sides came to the arrangement on strengthening of the relations
all areas of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovenia. The
special attention will be given in this connection to development of
cooperation in questions of economy, trade, tourism, communications,
public health services, science, education, culture, environment
and humanitarian questions. Azerbaijan and Slovenia will continue
development of conditions for business cooperation.

The sides agreed on realization of wider cooperation at practical
level and have expressed adherence to the idea of setting up of the
Azerbaijani-Slovenian Economic Commission. The Slovenian side has
especially emphasized importance of economic reforms in the Azerbaijan
Republic and welcomed the progress reached by Azerbaijan in realization
of mentioned reforms.

Both sides have emphasized support of the admission of Azerbaijan by
Slovenia to the European Neighborhood Policy and have noted positive
influence of the given policy on process of the further rapprochement
of Azerbaijan with the European structures. They also have expressed
support for quick correlation of all three states of Southern Caucasus
to the European Neighborhood Policy. The European Neighborhood Policy
defines the global purposes, based on common values as sovereignty,
territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of each state
recognized at the international level. It also includes norms and
principles of the international and European law, mutual obligations
of the European Union, the states-participants and Azerbaijan on
such principles, as support of effective realization of political,
economic and institutional reforms.

Azerbaijan and Slovenia will continue strengthening the relations
directed on creation of good opportunities for more detailed
consultations to expand contacts with the European Union and NATO. In
this connection, Azerbaijan welcomed the initiative of Slovenia to
give recommendations based on own experience, as a member of the
European Union and NATO, and process of integration into the European
and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Taking into account the intention to carry out fruitful cooperation
between the states during presidency of Slovenia in the European
Union in 2008, as it was during its presidency in OSCE in 2005,
the sides have emphasized that would attach special significance to
mutual cooperation and joint activity with a view of maintenance of
international peace and stability in regional, European and global
level.

Referring to long efforts in the frame of OSCE in the cause of peace
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
including activity of the Minsk Group, the parties have once again
declared importance of acceptance of more substantial and drastic
measures in this area.

The parties have noted growing value of energy safety of the Europe and
have expressed support to development of projects of diversification
of lines of power supply leading to Europe and transportation of
energy carriers to connect the Caspian basin resources with the power
network of the Europe. Both sides have noted value of opening and
operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, and importance
of realization of the projects of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas main and
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway.

The parties agreed on importance of dialogue between religions and
have stated the positions in connection with development of contacts
and mutual understanding between Christian, Islamic and other cultures
and civilizations with the purpose of creation of necessary conditions
to establish in harmonious form peace, freedom, the rights and justice.

WHY DID "RIGHTIST PATRIOTS" FAIL?

Lragir.am
31 Aug 06

Why did the attempt of uniting rightist patriots in Armenia undertaken
by the Progressive Party undertaken last year with its leader Tigran
Urikhanyan, to which the United Communist Party led by Yuri Manukyan
fail? Almost a year past the failure of the initiative, on August 31
Yuri Manukyan presented the cause of failure of the initiative of
unification. The problem was not the money but ambitions who would
take up leadership.

"Suppose that Manukyan with his age and experience was patiently
waiting until they would offer him. But there were young people,
individuals, especially women who wanted to lead it. And it is
unpleasant, not pleasant, no matter the way they passed. It is another
thing when they offer and you reject," says Yuri Manukyan.