Author: Karabekian Emil

VAFA QULUZADA: ‘RUSSIA WILL IRRITATE AZERBAIJAN BY CONTACTS WITH KARABAKH IN REVENGE FOR OUR PRO-WESTERN POLICY

Day.az
June 7 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.az has interviewed the political scientist and former state
adviser on foreign policy issues, Vafa Quluzada.

[Correspondent] Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasiliy Istratov has
openly acknowledged Russia’s illegal agreement and cooperation with
one of the cities in Nagornyy Karabakh. Shortly before that, the press
reported that Russia claims two Azerbaijani villages bordering on
Russia. What do you think is behind all this: the unprofessionalism
of the Russian diplomat, if we are talking only about Istratov’s
statement, or Russia’s intention to develop a "Georgian scenario" with
regard to Azerbaijan, thus attempting to ignite separatism once again?

[Quluzada] This is a signal that Russia will toughen its attitude
towards Azerbaijan. Russia is furious because Azerbaijan continues its
pro-Western policy and Azerbaijan-NATO relations are strengthening
in the course of time and Moscow senses that this cooperation will
result in Azerbaijan’s accession to NATO.

Besides, Russia is embittered because Azerbaijan agreed to take part
in the Nabucco gas pipeline which will bypass Russian territory. As
you know, Russia has offered to buy all exported Azerbaijani gas,
but Azerbaijan rejected this proposal. The president of Turkmenistan
also declined to receive Gazprom’s chairman Miller, thus demonstrating
that Turkmenistan, together with Baku, will participate in the gas
transportation project bypassing Russia.

[Correspondent] What about Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev’s
expected visit to Azerbaijan on 3-4 July, which the [Azerbaijani]
head of state himself has assessed as an indication of a high level
of relations between the two countries?

[Quluzada] This is why Medvedev is planning to visit Azerbaijan and
then Turkmenistan.

Having achieved nothing, the Russians will certainly try to demonstrate
their negative attitude towards Azerbaijan by all means, using the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. They will establish cooperation between
Karabakh and various Russian cities, organize official and unofficial
visit to Karabakh and threaten Azerbaijan to repeat the Kosovo option
and to recognize Nagornyy Karabakh’s independence.

But I will say right away that Russia is not America. Russia will not
be able to grant Nagornyy Karabakh independence as the Americans did
for Kosovo, because Kosovo is on its way to the EU and NATO and is
receiving support from the biggest power – the United States, while
Russia itself is a developing country and is unable to do anything
for Armenia or Nagornyy Karabakh.

[Correspondent] Azerbaijan’s current relations with Russia are far from
what we observe between Moscow and Georgia. Why would the Russians
want to make new enemies by recognizing the separatist regime in
Nagornyy Karabakh?

[Quluzada] Russia will not do so, but will threaten us with this,
and this does not mean that they will ever recognize it. Moscow
will try to play with this factor and put political pressure on the
Azerbaijani leadership. However, the Azerbaijani leadership is quite
confident and will not give in to this pressure.

[Correspondent] Therefore, there is nothing to expect from the
first meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in
St Petersburg?

[Quluzada] This meeting did not yield any results because Armenia
and Nagornyy Karabakh are fully under Russia’s diktat.

I warned the Russians previously that they made their greatest mistake
by refusing to settle this conflict in 1994-1995, to withdraw the
Armenian forces from the occupied territories and to return Azerbaijani
refugees to their homes, since with the arrival of the Americans they
will lose a lot.

Armenian government to gain a part of shares in the project on
construction of a new nuclear power block

2008-06-06 17:33:00

ArmInfo. Armenian government is going to gain a part of shares in the
project on construction of a new nuclear power block, Energy Minister
Armen Movsisyan said at today’s press-conference.

He also added that the legislation makes it possible for a foreign
investor to own 100% shares. The minister explained that despite of the
property form Armenian Nuclear Power Plant will work in the regime set
by the Armenian government.

DID THE SIDES START A DIALOGUE?

A1+
[05:02 pm] 04 June, 2008

Member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun (ARF)
Alvard Petrossian would have participated in Ter-Petrossian’s rallies
and political strolls in Northern Avenue if she hadn’t broken her
leg. "I live in Armenia and I am interested in all events occurring
in my homeland," Alvard Petrossian said today.

She is surprised that the authorities make a mountain out of
a mole-hill. "The authorities should be easy on the strolls in
Northern Avenue."

The ARF member says people rallied around Ter-Petrossian as the latter
was a serious contender for Serzh Sarkissian. "But I must confess that
there were much more serious contenders, for example Vazgen Manukian,
Vahan Hovhannissian."

Alvard Petrossian says the conflicting sides have already started
a dialogue. The ARF entered into the coalition as result of the
dialogue. "Generally, I don’t agree that a dialogue implies two
sides. They must take into consideration the opinion of each ordinary
citizen. I think the idea of a dialogue is bound by Europe."

Asked whether there are political prisoners in Armenia Miss Petrossian
said, "I cannot give such assessments but I think that Ararat Zurabian,
Alik Arzumanian and Zhirair Sefilian shouldn’t have been imprisoned. I
don’t endorse people’s detention after political events. I demand
that the authorities reveal the wrongdoers of the March 1 occurrences."

Mrs. Petrossian thinks Sefilian has the right to acquire RoA
citizenship like all Armenians. "It is my personal opinion."

Alvard Petrossian is surprised that so many people have been arrested
since March 1. "People were detained to be released later on. What’s
the use of the show? "

Alvard Petrossian also spoke of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s special
report to be discussed at the National Assembly on June 5. "I think
the Ombudsman gained the opposition’s favour with the report."

At the end of the meeting Alvard Petrossian said, "I tried to be
frank with you. I spoke in a human language."

SABINE FREIZER: KARABAKH ISSUE SENSITIVE BECAUSE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN BOTH COUNTRIES

armradio.am
03.06.2008 16:42

"The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents is of great
importance. I hope that the presidents will agree to review the
proposals of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs," Sabine Freizer, Europe
Programme Director of the International Crisis Group told Azeri Press
Agency. She said that the situation around the negotiations on Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is too sensitive because of presidential elections
in both countries.

"Presidential elections have already been held in Armenia,
this process was accompanied by hard developments, rallies and
discontents. Elections will be held in Azerbaijan. I think the
situation is sensitive, as both countries are engaged in the
elections," she said.

Assessing the change of the government in Armenia, Sabine Freizer
expressed her hope that this factor will have a positive influence
on the process of negotiations.

"New president – means new spirit, new enthusiasm. I hope Serzh
Sargsyan will have a constructive position and this factor will give
an impetus to the process of negotiations," she said.

OSCE MONITORING DUE AT ARMENIAN-AZERI BORDER

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.06.2008 15:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 3, a regular OSCE monitoring will be held
at the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces’ line of contact near the
village of Berkaber, Tavush region, RA Defense Minister’s spokesman ,
colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net.

After the monitoring, the OSCE CiO’s personal representative,
ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk will give a press conference in the
village of Chinar, Tavush region.

TARIFFS OF SERVICES INCREASE BY 2% IN ARMENIA IN MAY 2008

Noyan Tapan

Ju ne 2, 2008

YEREVAN, JUNE 2, NOYAN TAPAN. 2% growth in the tariffs of services
was registered in Armenia in May 2008, which was mainly conditioned
by a 7.7% rise in the tariffs of housing and municipal services
in connection with a 42.4% rise in the tariffs of gas sold to the
population.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, tariffs of transport,
medical, legal, banking, personal, pulic catering services grew by
0.2-2% in the indicated period. At the same time, tariffs of cultural
and communication services fell by 0.6% and 0.4% respectively,
while tariffs of educational and recreational services remained at
the level of the previous month.

AZG Armenian Daily #102, 30/05/2008

Genocide

"THREE GENOCIDES AND ONE GENERAL STRATEGY"

Turkey condemns Greece for commemoration of the victims of Pontic
Greek Genocide

Turkish Foreign Ministry severely condemned Greece on May 26 for the
"Commemoration day of the victims of Pontic Greek Genocide".

It is mentioned in the statement that the events of the commemoration
day of the "so-called" Pontic Genocide organized corresponding to the
law adopted by the Greece parliament on February 24, 1994, contradict
the spirit of dialogue and cooperation of the two countries.

The statement cites, "We severely condemn that because of the
mentioned events our country and its founder Ataturk has become
targets of them. We notice with surprise that this approach is
incongruous with commonsense as it comes from the misunderstanding of
the history. Participation of the members of Greece parliament,
leaders of political parties, representatives of local authorities and
Greece government in this year’s events evidently shows who support
the baseless allegations against our country".

To recall, according to February 24, 1994 decision of the Greece
parliament May 19 was proclaimed Day of Pontic Greek Genocide.

What about the commemoration events of the victims of Pontic Genocide
this year they started on May 18 with the holy mass in Aya Sofia
Church of Thessalonica and lasted a week, among them an event under
heading "Three genocides and one general strategy".

By the way, only Turkish Public TV mentioned of the event verbally
without touching upon it on the website. For that reason the details
of the event are not available. But we suppose that "the genocides of
1915-1923" refer to Armenians, Assyrians and Pontic Greeks, and "one
general strategy" assumes the international recognition of those
genocides.

By Hakob Chakrian, translated by L.H.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 31 2008

Turkish petrochemical manufacturer Petkim meets its new owners

After several ill-fated attempts at its privatization, Turkey has
finally managed to complete the sale of giant petrochemicals
manufacturer Petkim, transferring ownership to the SOCAR-Turcas-Injaz
joint venture yesterday at a well-attended signing ceremony in Ankara.

The Azeri group submitted the second highest bid in the tender on July
5 for the block sale of a 51 percent state-owned stake in Petkim.
Kazakhstan’s TransCentralAsia Petrochemical Holding consortium offered
a higher bid, $2.05 billion — later rejected by a commission
overseeing the privatization of Petkim because one of the Kazakh
group’s partners had close relations with the Armenian diaspora. The
Azeri group made a $1.02 billion down payment to the Treasury for the
purchase of Petkim on Wednesday but later decided to increase the
amount to $1.66 billion. The remaining payment will be made within
three years. The group borrowed $625 million from Akbank and Garanti
Bankası.

Finance Minister Kemal Unakıtan, Privatization Administration
(Ã-Ä°B) President Metin Kilci and the acting president of the
Social Security Institution (SGK), Fatih Acar, were all present at the
signing ceremony of the contract transferring ownership. The
consortium was represented by State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan
Republic (SOCAR) Chairman Rövnag Abdullayev and Turcas Chairman
Erdal Aksoy.

Petkim was established in 1965 under the leadership of the Turkish
Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). It initially decided to establish the
Yarımca petrochemical complex and started up ethylene, chlorine
alkali, VCM, PVC and LDPE plants in 1970. To meet soaring demand, it
opened its new facilities in the AliaÄ?a district of
Ä°zmir.

Today it has 14 manufacturing plants, eight other plants that it
shares with the private sector, one electricity generation facility,
one recycling unit and a port. It also owns and runs Güzelhisar
Dam. The company is a major provider of more than 50 products for the
construction, automotive, agriculture, electricity, electronic and
packaging industries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Unakıtan said the Petkim sale will be
a fresh start for the Turkish petrochemicals business and that the
company will soon become a major player in the world petrochemicals
market. Privatizations are not conducted to earn money, he said,
adding that each sale is indeed a structural reform.

Almost all countries, the Iron Curtain countries of the past included,
have completed the sale of their inefficiently run state-owned
properties, but Turkey has dragged its feet for years for ideological
reasons. "Privatization is done for the sake of competitiveness and to
give the economy more dynamism," he noted.

He also expressed pleasure over a company from "Turkey’s brother
nation, Azerbaijan," having purchased Petkim.

Aksoy noted in his speech that they aim to increase Petkim’s
production capacity. They will not lay workers off, he added.

Meanwhile, according to the contract signed by the parties, the
Treasury will hold the golden share, giving it expanded rights in
management despite its minority share in the new ownership structure
of the company.

ANDREY NESTERENKO: RUSSIA’S POSITION ON NAGORNO KARABAKH UNCHANGED

armradio.am
29.05.2008 14:12

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian starts his first official
visit to Russia on today.

During the three-day visit, Nalbandian is scheduled to meet with his
Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to discuss future cooperation in
"maintaining security and stability in the South Caucasus" and the
situation surrounding Nagorno Karabakh, Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman
for Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Armenian foreign minister is also expected to meet with the
head of the State Duma committee on CIS affairs, Alexei Ostrovsky,
and CSTO General Secretary Nikolai Bordyuzha.

Andrey Nesterenko said in an interview with RIA Novosti that
"Nalbandian’s visit will take place in an important period for the
two countries, when presidential elections were held both in Russia
and Armenia, the outcome of which reconfirmed the resoluteness to
ensure the success of the future development course.

Speaking about the agenda of the forthcoming talks in Moscow,
Nesterenko noted that the sides are to compare the approaches of Russia
and Armenia on principled international issues. Based on the identity
or similarity of these positions, it is borne in mind to elaborate
steps for improving the coordination of foreign policy actions by
Moscow and Yerevan. In particular, we count on continuation of our
further close joint work within the SCO and CSTO as well as in the
format of international organizations, including the UN, CoE and OSCE,
and of multilateral fora.

Featuring high on the agenda of the talks will be interaction for the
purpose of ensuring security and stability in Transcaucasia. Moscow
regards the development of multifaceted contacts with the Armenian
partners as an important factor of improving the situation in the
region and resolving the lingering conflicts there.

Turning to Russia’s position on the Karabakh conflict settlement,
Nesterenko said: "The principled stand of Russia on Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement remains invariable. We aim to continue rendering assistance
to the sides in conflict in finding a mutually acceptable solution. We
presume that the main responsibility for a final settlement formula
choice rests with the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis themselves. Russia
would be ready to support a solution option which will suit the sides
involved in the conflict, and in case of a compromise agreement –
would act as the guarantor of settlement."

ICRC REPRESENTATIVES MEET ARMENIANS DETAINED IN NAKHCHIVAN

Azeri Press Agency
May 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Mahbuba Gasimbayli-APA. Representatives of ICRC Office in
Azerbaijan have met Armenians Vanik Zmboian, Artyom Zohrabian, Karen
Torosian and Agasi Enokian detained in Nakhchivan, Press Service of
ICRC Office in Azerbaijan told APA.

Their detention condition has been monitored during the
meeting. Armenians wrote letters to their relatives. It is the first
time that ICRC representatives have met them.

Armenian citizens have been arrested in Nakhchivan direction of contact
line of Azerbaijan-Armenia. Azerbaijani Defense Ministry provided
information that they tried to commit diversion in the territory of
Azerbaijan. The case is under investigation.