Author: Kanayan Tamar

ERDOGAN ASKING SCHROEDER TO POSTPONE DISCUSSIONS ON GENOCIDE
By Hakob Chakrian
Azg/arm
8 April 05
A possible crisis in German-Turkish relations because of the Armenian
Genocide resolution discussions in the German parliament was averted
the last moment. In its April 7 issue Turkish Sabah newspaper cites
a reliable diplomatic source informing that Turkish PM Recep Tayyip
Erdogan had a phone talk with German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
over the Genocide resolution.
According to Sabah, Erdogan called Schroeder asking “to postpone or
cancel” discussions of the resolution. Schroeder met Erdogan halfway
and postponed discussions till the end of his Turkey visit on May
3. Together with the German opposition, the Greens also back the
resolution and that greatly worries Ankara, Sabah writes. Moreover,
certain circles in Ankara are sure that Germany will adopt the
resolution.

Armenian president, Lithuanian minister discuss military cooperation
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
6 Apr 05
[Presenter over video of the meeting] Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan and Lithuanian National Defence Minister Gediminas
Kirkilas highly rated the current level of cooperation between
the defence ministries of the two countries. The sides discussed
Armenian-Lithuanian cooperation regarding army reforms.
The sides also discussed Armenia’s European integration and noted
that Armenia could learn from Lithuania’s experience of accession to
the EU and its activity as a European Union member.

RA STATE BUDGET REVENUES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY EXCEED 42.5% IDNDEX OF SAME MONTHS OF 2004
YEREVAN, APRIL 4, NOYAN TAPAN. In January and February of 2005,
the revenues and state transfers of the RA state budget grew 42.5%
compared with the same period of last year and made 51 bln 765.8 mln
drams (about 110 mln USD). According to the RA National Statistical
Service, in the period under review, the current budgetary revenues
increased 42.6% to 51 bln 561 mln drams, with tax revenues growing
25.8% to 41 bln 275.2 mln drams and customs duty revenues declining
2.8% to 1 bln 863.4 mln drams. The state budgetary expenditures made
38 bln 63.2 mln drams in January and February of 2005, which exceeds
by 19.2% the respective index of last year. The budgetary surplus
made 13 bln 702.6 mln drams.

Turkish premier says no link between US base request, Armenian genocide issue
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
31 Mar 05
Rabat, 31 March: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on
Thursday [31 March] that there was political will to further improve
relations between Turkey and Morocco. [Passage omitted]
Erdogan said, “Turkey does not accept the accusation of so-called
Armenian genocide. Documents refutes such slanders”.
When asked, “what does the United States want from Turkey about the
Incirlik Air Base? Some circles have connected the United States’
request for use of the Air Base with approval of a resolution about
so-called Armenian genocide by the US congress. What do you think
about it?” Prime Minister Erdogan said, “as a democratic, secular and
social state of law, Turkey will continue supporting its ally under
the structure of NATO and under the United Nations humanitarian relief
efforts. However, it is impossible to meet all requests every time.
We do not have any problem about principles. In the meantime, we will
regret any attempts to relate it to so-called Armenian genocide.
The US parliament has never done such a thing, and I believe that it
will not do so in the future”.
Recalling that Turkey had opened its state archives in an effort to
enlighten the facts, Prime Minister Erdogan told reporters, “the
United States should also take action by charging historians and
jurists to make a detailed research. Because, decisions we make do not
concern only one country. These decisions should not affect the other
countries”.
“Turkey has never cherished any resentment or hatred against
Armenia. We declared that we have opened our state archives, and
called for a research. However, they rejected our proposal. Their
baseless slanders are totally unacceptable. Turkey does not accept the
accusation of so-called Armenian genocide since documents refutes such
slanders. Turkey will make a decision soon, and inform all countries
approving resolutions to recognize so-called Armenian genocide,” he
said.
[Passage omitted]

RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: `RUSSIA INTERESTED IN US MILITARY BASES TEMPORARY
PRESENCE IN CIS’
31.03.2005 03:21
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov supposes that
temporary presence of US military bases in the CIS territory, destined
for fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, fits the interests of Russia,
the Minister told Arguments and Facts Russian weekly. `There are US
temporary bases present in the CIS territory due to the counter-terrorism
operation in Afghanistan. It was adjusted by the US and Russia. It is
in our vital interests. I am convincedin it, ‘ the Minister stated.
`There is no military presence of the US and NATO there – except for
the cases clearly agreed upon,’ he noted.

USEUCOM DEPUTY COMMANDER, GENERAL CHARLES F. WALD ARRIVES IN YEREVAN
YEREVAN, MARCH 30, ARMENPRESS: Gen. Charles F. Wald, Deputy
Commander, Headquarters U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany
(USEUCOM) is arriving today in Yerevan on a two-day visit. The US
Embassy Public Affairs Section said General Wald is scheduled to meet
with Armenian president Robert Kocharian, defense minister Serzh
Sarkisian and other top Armenian army officials.
The Embassy said the goal of USEUCOM’s visit to Armenia is to
discuss here growing US-Armenian military cooperation.
USEUCOM is responsible for all U.S. forces operating across 91
countries in Europe, Africa, Russia, parts of Asia and the Middle
East, and most of the Atlantic Ocean.
General Wald earned his commission through the Air Force ROTC
program in 1971. He has combat time as an O-2A forward air controller
in Vietnam and as an F-16 pilot flying over Bosnia. The general has
served as a T-37 instructor pilot and F-15 flight commander. Other
duties include Chief of the U.S. Air Force Combat Terrorism Center,
support group commander, operations group commander, and special
assistant to the Chief of Staff for National DefenseReview. He was
also the Director of Strategic Planning and Policy at Headquarters
U.S. Air Force, and served on the Joint Staff as the Vice Director
for Strategic Plans and Policy.
General Wald commanded the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base,
Italy, where on Aug. 30, 1995, he led one of the wing’s initial strike
packages against the ammunition depot at Pale, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in
the first-ever NATO combat operation. He also commanded the 9th Air
Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.,
where he led the development of the Afghanistan air campaign for
Operation Enduring Freedom, including the ideaof embedding tactical
air control parties in ground special operations forces.Prior to
assuming his current position, he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Air
and Space Operations at the Pentagon.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours,
including more than 430 combat hours over Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,
Iraq andBosnia.

Turkish Press
March 30 2005
Press Scan
SWISS FM MAKES STRANGE COMMENT
HURRIYET- Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey met Foreign
Minister Abdullah Gul in Ankara. The visit of the Swiss minister to
Turkey planned for 2003 didn’t take place after the parliament of a
western Swiss canton recognized the so-called Armenian genocide
claims. During the meeting, Calmy-Rey made a strange proposal to
Turkey about the Armenian claims saying that Turkey should be warm to
the idea of foundation of an international commission.

NEW POWER UNIT ON JAPANESE MONEY
Azg/arm
31 March 05
Armen Movsisian, minister of energetics, labeled unprecedented
agreement between the Armenian government and the Japan Bank for
International Cooperation concluded on March 29. The Bank is going to
allocate 16 billion yen ($150 million) for reconstructing the heat
power plant of Yerevan. This is a longcredit that is given for 40
years with 0.75 percent for repayment. The money will be spent on a
new power unit.
The minister said that the Yerevan thermal plant was built in 1960s
with a term of exploitation for 25-30 years. For 1 kw-hr electricity
it vapored 370-400 gramme gas. The reconstructed plant will provide 1
kw-hr electricity using only 160-220 gramme of gas decreasing
electricity fee from 16.5 to 8 AMD.
Armen Movsisian informed that as soon as the signing ceremonies are
over they will hold a contest to start construction that is envisaged
to end by 2008.
Kuniaki Itu, executive director of JBIC branches in Europe and Middle
East, also expressed satisfaction with the cooperation and noted that
this is the second major credit program after the credit for the
reconstruction of Armenia’s electricity network. The Japanese guest
expressed hope that the Armenian-Japanese cooperation will develop in
other spheres as well.
Armen Movsisian spoke of the possibility to press on Armenia to close
the nuclear power plant as soon as the thermal plant is built. He said
that the thermal plant can by no means be a substitute for the NPP.
By Ara Martirosian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA AMBASSADOR TO IRAN AND IRI FOREIGN MINISTER MENTION HIGH LEVEL OF
RELATIONS BETWEEN 2 COUNTRIES
YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. Last week Karen Nazarian, RA Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to IRI, handed the copy of his
credentials to Seyed Kamal Kharazi, IRI Foreign Minister. According to
the RA FM Press and Information Department, during the meeting the
sides exchanged opinions around a wide range of issues of mutual
interest. The high level of Iran-Armenia relations stimulating the
growth of trade-economic exchange and elaboration of joint programs
was mentioned. Highly estimating the balanced regional policy that
is carried on by Iran, Ambassador Nazarian expressed readiness to
strain every effort in development and extension of relations.

AND THEY SPOKE FOR A LONG TIME
A1+
25-03-2005
The today’s meeting Kocharyan-Putin lasted longer than anticipated.
The journalists waited for the Presidents for about two hours.
The press conference anticipated at 11.30 a.m. started at 1:30 p.m.
Robert Kocharyan informed that the meeting took place in a friendly
atmosphere, and the length of the conversation was conditioned by
the wide range of themed for discussion – political, economical,
cultural and other issues. The main stress was put at the necessity
of boosting investment programs.
RF President Vladimir Putin thanked Robert Kocharyan for the invitation
and for the friendly conversation. He noted that the negotiations
were very fruitful and immediately voiced hope that the Russian days
in Armenia will pass actively and all the 200 events will be realized.
The RF President found the enhancing of mutual trust important. Also he
mentioned the importance of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of
the victory in the Great Patriotic War, and said the two nations must
celebrate it together. On this occasion on March 8 Robert Kocharyan
will leave for Moscow.
There has also been a reference to the Karabakh conflict; Vladimir
Putin informed that they will do everything possible to settle the
conflict, but he sets hope on the meetings and negotiations between
the two Presidents.
By the way, Vladimir Putin noted that today the Russian-Azerbaijani
relations in the CIS frames have been discussed. Possibly he meant
the Russian-Armenian relations, and it was a slip of the tongue.