THE CLAIM REFUSED
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
June 27, 2008
Armenia
But They Will Hold Rally
Yerevan Municipality refused the claim submitted by Levon Ter-
Petrosyan to hold a rally near Azatutyun Square or Matenadaran on
June 4.
Instead it has been proposed to Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s representatives
to hold their demonstration in "Hrazdan" sports stadium.
STANCE NOT CHANGED
Hayots Ashkhar Daily
June 27, 2008
Armenia
"President Serge Sargsyan’s stance towards Armenian-Turkish relations
is well-known, it hasn’t changed and has been represented many
times. The President has spoken about this issue in Moscow, on June
23, during his meeting with Armenian Community in Moscow and on June
24, during his meeting with the representatives of Russian experts’
community. The stances have been clear in the both meetings and didn’t
give grounds to misunderstanding," Presidential Press Secretary Samvel
Farmanyan said in response to the questions regarding certain points
of Serge Sargsyan’s speech during his meeting with Armenian Community
in Moscow.
"A proposal has been made by Turkey to set up a committee of experts
to investigate the historical facts regarding the Genocide. We don’t
mind any kind of investigation, even evident facts and widely accepted
realities.
Investigating the facts doesn’t mean questioning them.
But the formation of such committee could have been logical only after
the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries and
opening the borders. Otherwise it can turn into an option to prolong
and speculate the existing problems. In the 21st century there should
be no closed borders between the two neighbor countries," the Press
Secretary said.
He considered it strange that those who once used to do their best
to close the most tragic page of our history are trying to speculate
the issue of the Genocide. "The policy of getting a political share
from any issue is really intolerable." S. Farmanyan said.
SERZH SARGSIAN SAYS ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS BECOMING MORE DYNAMIC FROM YEAR TO YEAR
ARMENPRESS
June 26
Armenian-Russian relations are becoming more dynamic, are acquiring
more content from year to year. Armenian President Serzh Sargsian
gave such assessment to the Armenian-Russian partnership at the
meeting on June 25 conducted in the Armenian embassy in Russia with
the well-known political scientists and heads of mass media. The
existing active political dialogue is a resolute factor for boosting
cooperation in all other spheres, he said.
According to him, in the sphere of economy they succeeded in reaching
a sharp increase of investments and trade turnover. The Armenian
president presented the success registered in Armenia as a result of
economic reforms.
Military-technical cooperation between the two countries are being
development within the framework of CSTO. Serzh Sargsian said
that during the recent years a number of important steps have been
undertaken to fulfill the partnership with concrete mechanisms. In
September "Rubezh-2008" first exercises will be conducted in Armenia
during which the joint activities will be developed in case of usage
of force by the CSTO member countries.
"We find that the military-technical partnership within the frameworks
of the CSTO must be consolidated also by the political coordination
of our activity. It at least must exclude the cases of backing such
statement of the third country within the frameworks of the two-sided
relations, which may harm the interests of the alliance," Armenian
president said.
Referring to the humanitarian sphere, S. Sargsian noted that
there are serious expectations from the Humanitarian Council of the
CIS. According to him, the cultural links of the sides, manifestations
of scientific cooperation and partnership in the educational sphere
is the exclusive privilege of the CIS peoples. In this respect,
the Armenian president said, that the mass media, research centers,
civil society institutions have a great role in it.
Presenting the main directions of the Armenian foreign policy,
Serzh Sargsian noted that it is directed towards the development
of multilayer and dynamic relations and active cooperation with the
European establishments and particularly EU within the framework of
the European Neighborhood Policy.
"The main thing in our foreign policy is that we are against possible
controversies and speculations of our partners and we do everything
to smooth and to sharpen the possible issues in the South Caucasian
region," Serzh Sargsian said.
He described Armenia’s foreign policy as policy of
involvement. According to him, Armenia seeks close cooperation with
those international establishments and organizations which are involved
in the South Caucasian region.
Serzh Sargsian said Armenia is concerned with the issues of interrupted
communication and closed border in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan
refuses to involve in any regional cooperation program because
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "We assess such approach as
unconstructive. We view regional cooperation as a shorter way to the
solution of conflicts," the president said.
Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations the Armenian president
said that despite of its European ambitions Turkey continues blockade
of Armenia "basing it on the Armenia’s policy directed towards the
recognition and condemnation of the Armenian genocide and on the
necessity of support to Azerbaijan".
S. Sargsian reminded that Turkey suggested that a commission be
set up for studying the historic facts over the genocide. "We are
not against the conduction of any type of survey including of the
well-known and obvious happenings. But it would have been more logical
if such commission be created after establishing diplomatic relations
and opening of the border. In the opposite case it will become a
tool of suspending the dialogue and controversies," the Armenian
president said.
He once again stated that Armenia is for establishing relations
without pre-conditions.
"Turkey’s wish to become member of the European family is viewed by
us as a promotion of reforms in its society. As a neighboring country
we will be glad to see Turkey correspond to European standards,"
the Armenian president said.
He also told the present about his intention to invite Turkish
president to Armenia to watch together Armenia-Turkey football game
which will take place in September in Yerevan.
The president also referred to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation
issue saying that his meeting with the Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev inspired hope of continuing the negotiations over the basic
principles.
"I am sure that the conflict regulation is possible on the basis of
mutual concessions and mutual agreement," Serzh Sargsian said, adding
that mutual concession is an art of opportunities and in Karabakh
case the solution must stem from the fact that Karabakh was never
part of Azerbaijan. He said that people of Karabakh used the right
to self-determination in the period of collapse of the USSR.
At the end of the meeting Serzh Sargsian expressed hope that mass
media and other institutions will continue active cooperation with the
Armenian colleagues and suggested that the next meeting be conducted
in Yerevan during the coming visit of the Russian president to Armenia.
ARMENIAN LEADER’S REMARK ON N. KARABAKH UNFOUNDED – AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN
Interfax News Agency
June 25 2008
Russia
Baku has described as unfounded Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s
remarks calling for recognizing Nagorno- Karabakh as a de facto
independent state.
"Nagorno-Karabakh’s current status does not differ de jure from the
status of other regions of Azerbaijan. In other words, it has no
special status," Azeri Foreign Ministry spokesman Khazar Ibrahim
told Interfax.
"As for the de facto status, of which Sargsyan said, these Azeri
territories are de facto under Armenian occupation, upon the
termination of which it would be legally possible to grant a higher
status to Nagorno-Karabakh. As for now, according to the Azeri
constitution, Nagorno-Karabakh has no special status," he said.
Ibrahim qualified as flippant Sargsyan’s remark to the effect that
Nagorno-Karabakh has never been part of Azerbaijan.
"Such statements by Armenian leaders are not perceived seriously
enough, as the entire international community and international
organizations fully recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, which
joined the UN with all of its territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh,"
Ibrahim said.
Sargsyan said earlier that "the resolution of the conflict could not
be based on the deterioration of the current de facto state independent
status of the Nagorno-Karabakh republic." va dp
ARMENTEL SEES CONVERGENT NETWORK LAUNCH BY END-2009
Michael Lacquiere
World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
June 26, 2008
Some momentum is now building towards the possible roll-out of
fixed-mobile convergence in Armenia.
Armentel, the Armenian unit of Russian operator Vimpelcom, has
indicated that it plans to complete construction of a convergent
network by the end of 2009, reports ARKA. Earlier this year it
selected Ericsson for construction of the convergent network
and delivery of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution, which
facilitates fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) (see Armenia: 8 February
2008: ). The Ericsson network will replace components of an old
Siemens network. This transition will be completed by the end of
2009. Armentel’s Director for Operations Alexander Birman is quoted
as saying in a press conference that the new Ericsson equipment will
enable high-quality communication services, and that subscribers will
be allowed to switch smoothly from one network to the other depending
on the intensity of incoming signals.
Global Insight Perspective
Significance Armentel’s IMS solution is scheduled for completion by
the end of 2009, and as such could herald the launch of FMC in Armenia.
Implications The project is indicative of parent group VimpelCom’s
willingness to branch out beyond mobile-only provision and explore
cross-selling and unified billing opportunities.
Outlook Any launch of FMC could also help Armentel to convert
fixed-line subscribers to its mobile product, thereby improving its
mobile market share.
Having been the first mobile operator to enter the Armenian market,
Armentel has been overtaken by VivaCell, owned by Russia’s Mobile
TeleSystems (MTS), since its launch in July 2005. At the end of
the first quarter of 2008 Armentel had a 27% mobile market share to
VivaCell’s 73%. Both operators were awarded 3G licences in October
2007, with VimpelCom planning to launch services by the end of
the first half of 2008 and VivaCell by the end of 2008. Within the
fixed-line market Armentel’s monopoly was removed in October 2007,
and although a handful of IP telephony licences have been issued to
alternative operators it remains largely unchallenged in the market.
Outlook and Implications
VimpelCom Warming to Expansion Beyond Mobile-Only Provision:Until
recently, VimpelCom had only ever operated in the mobile market. After
its acquisition of Armentel back in November 2006, there was therefore
some speculation that the Russian group might divest Armentel’s
fixed-line operations. However, the company is evidently pushing ahead
with the construction of a network that will facilitate FMC, and this
service could be commercially offered by the end of 2009. VimpelCom
has begun to demonstrate a willingness to expand beyond mobile-only
services, having earlier this year acquired Commonwealth of Independent
States fixed-line and broadband operator Golden Telecom for $4US.24
billion. The expansion of its service portfolio creates opportunities
to cross-sell products and offer simplified, holistic billing services
to customers, while allowing the operator to counter the limited
growth potential of mature mobile markets.
Advantages of Adding Fixed-Line Operations to Service
Portfolio:Armentel has dropped well behind VivaCell in the Armenian
mobile market. The gap between the two is large, and Armentel has
previously stated its goal of improving subscriber market share by
improving network quality, expanding coverage, and strengthening its
marketing activities. Although these goals will remain in place, its
fixed-line operations give it an extra revenue source. In the fourth
quarter of 2007 Armentel’s fixed-line ARPU was $19US.6, compared with
mobile ARPU of $17US.4 and VivaCell’s mobile ARPU of $15US.8. Once
an FMC product is launched, Armentel could also use the lure of
a single-billing holistic telecoms product to convert fixed-line
subscribers to its mobile product, thereby possibly increasing its
mobile market share.
PACE TO REVIEW ARMENIA’S COMPLIANCE WITH ITS REQUIREMENTS DURING JANUARY 2009 PART-SESSION
armradio.am
26.06.2008 11:51
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe yesterday adopted
the Resolution on the Implementation by Armenia of Assembly Resolution
1609 on the Functioning of Democratic Institutions in Armenia.
In the Resolution PACE welcomes the progress achieved by the Armenian
authorities in addressing the Assembly demands but notes that, despite
the political will expressed by the authorities, this progress is at
present insufficient to meet the requirements outlined in Resolution
1609.
While regretting the delay in implementing the concrete measures to
comply with PACE demands, the Assembly acknowledged that the time
given to the Armenian authorities was short. It therefore will review
at its January 2009 part-session the extent of Armenia’s compliance
with the requirements made in Resolution 1609
If the requirements mentioned in Resolution 1609, as well as those
set in the present resolution are not met by then, the Assembly will
consider the possibility of suspending the voting rights of the
Armenian delegation to the Assembly at the opening of its January
2009 part-session.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT PLANS TO INVITE TURKISH LEADER TO YEREVAN
Interfax News Agency
June 24 2008
Russia
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan wants an improvement in relations
with neighboring Turkey and plans to invite Turkish President Abdullah
Gul to Yerevan.
"I will make further steps to stimulate Armenian-Turkish relations and
I will most likely invite Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan
to watch a football match between the Armenian and Turkish national
teams," Sargsyan told representatives of the Armenian ethnic community
in Moscow.
"Borders must not be sealed in the 21st century. Regional cooperation
would be a better way of asserting stability," he said.
"The Turkish side is proposing to set up a commission that would
study history. We are not against this idea, but the commission can
only appear after the border is opened between our two countries,"
the Armenian president said.
Turkey unilaterally closed the border with Armenia in 1993 and demanded
that Armenia give up international efforts to get the genocide
of Armenians recognized globally, make concessions to Azerbaijan
in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and remove troops from
Nagorno Karabakh.
ARMENIAN LEADER MEETS DIASPORA REPS IN MOSCOW
Armenian Public TV
June 24 2008
Armenia
President Serzh Sargsyan, who is on an official visit in the Russian
capital Moscow, has met representatives of the Armenian community at
Moscow’s Ritz-Carlton hotel. The meeting was an unprecedented one: the
whole elite of the Armenian community has gathered in one building –
well-known intellectuals, scientists, economic and political figures,
and the best friends of the Armenians. President Sargsyan spoke about
three issues that worry the Armenian diaspora all over the world:
the political situation in Armenia, the peaceful settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and Armenia-Turkey relations. He said that
he intends to take new steps to stimulate Armenian-Turkish relations
and to invite the Turkish president to Yerevan to jointly watch a
match between Armenian and Turkish national football teams. Lusine
Lazarian reports from Moscow.
[Passage omitted: correspondent gives details of hotel facilities,
representatives of the Armenian diaspora]
[President Serzh Sargsyan] The Armenians all over the world believe
that the Armenian community in Russia nowadays is the largest,
influential and serious community. This is true. At the same time,
the Armenian diaspora in Russia, unfortunately, is the least organized
one. Due to objective reasons there are no big structures, advocacy
organizations or unions here.
[Correspondent speaking over video of the meeting] Serzh Sargsyan said
everyone present in the hall must ensure that the Armenian diaspora
in Moscow has its new Lasorev Seminary and that the Armenians unite
their efforts. The president said that the Ministry of Diaspora,
which is being formed, can greatly contribute to this cause. Serzh
Sargsyan outlined a very important circumstance: not only the diaspora,
but the motherland itself is ready to overcome the challenges of the
21st century.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] Today Armenia has entered a new period
of reforms. I have said on numerous occasions that the solution
of problems that face Armenia and the success of our programmes is
possible only if all the Armenians unite their efforts. Up to the
present the diaspora played a major role in the establishment of
our state and economy. The time has come when Armenia’s increasing
opportunities allow us to say confidently: Not only the diaspora has
a role in Armenia’s development, but also Armenia has a great role
in solving the problems of the diaspora. I assure you that from now
on this will be the principle of Armenia-diaspora relations.
[Correspondent] The Armenian president considered it necessary to speak
about the three key issues facing the country with the representatives
of the largest Armenian community that lives outside the country.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] The first is the political situation
in Armenia. A political force, which months before the [19
February presidential] election clearly announced that it would
not accept any result of the election, except for its own victory,
is trying to destabilize the situation in the country via political
blackmailing. No-one has the capability to undermine stability in
our state via calls for the overthrow of the elected authorities,
threats and terrorizing.
[Correspondent] The second issue concerned Armenian-Turkish
relations. Serzh Sargsyan made clear the readiness of the Armenian
government to take new and non-traditional steps – opening the borders
and establishing a committee.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] In the future I intend to take new steps
to stimulate Armenia-Turkey relations. Most probably, very soon I
will invite the Turkish president to visit Armenia.
[Correspondent] The third issue concerned one of the most important
issues on the agenda of Armenia’s foreign relations – the Karabakh
conflict.
[President Serzh Sargsyan] The people of Nagornyy Karabakh, within
the framework of law and then in a forced struggle for survival,
have earned their right to have an independent state, and the issue
cannot be settled with this status being reduced.
[Correspondent] Toasts and speeches were made for the better future
and the strengthening of Armenian-Russian friendship.
APPROVAL FOR A PLAN
Associated Press
June 20, 2008 7:54 PM ET
BOSTON (AP) – The Armenian Heritage Foundation has won approval for
a controversial plan to develop a park on Boston’s Rose Fitzgerald
Kennedy Greenway.
The group said Friday that final design work and construction will
proceed now that the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority’s board has
granted approval to the 8-year-old proposal.
Mayor Thomas Menino and other civic leaders had opposed the proposal,
saying it would open the door for other groups with causes to develop
on the land, which is above Boston’s Big Dig. The original park design
included a memorial to mass killings of Armenians around the time of
World War I.
The Armenian Heritage Foundation said Friday that the park will
acknowledge Boston’s role as a key port of entry to immigrants and
celebrate the contributions of immigrants to American life.
SO ANYONE WHO ISN’T WITH US IS AGAINST US?
Mariam Magomedova
Novye Izvestia
June 18, 2008
What the Papers Say
Russian citizens identify our country’s allies and "enemies"
Opinion poll results: which countries are Russia’s friends?; A recent
opinion poll indicates that most Russian citizens still see America
as Russia’s chief "enemy" and Belarus as its leading ally. The experts
we approached for comments say that the likes and dislikes of Russian
citizens are fairly stable, remaining unchanged over many years.
An opinion poll done by the Bashkirova and Partners agency indicates
that most Russian citizens still see America as Russia’s chief "enemy"
and Belarus as its leading ally. The experts we approached for comments
say that the likes and dislikes of Russian citizens are fairly stable,
remaining unchanged over many years.
This is the second year in a row that most respondents have named
the United States as Russia’s chief "enemy." The idea that America is
hostile to Russia is accepted by 33.3% of respondents – a change of
only 0.5% since last year. Second on the list of unfriendly nations
is Georgia, named by 31% of respondents. Estonia, which ranked second
in the 2007 poll, has slipped to fifth (13.3% of respondents. Ukraine
and Latvia scored 18% each. Among European countries, those identified
as unfriendly to Russia were Britain (6.6%), Germany (3.8%), Italy
(1.1%), and France (0.7%). Three Islamic states – Afghanistan, Iran,
and Iraq – all scored 6%. Only 4.5% of respondents said that no
countries are hostile to Russia.
The pollsters say that attitudes to other countries are "clearly
linked to media coverage of international issues." As the Bashkirova
and Partners report notes, Georgia’s position in the ranking is a
consequence of the crisis in Russian-Georgian relations associated
with the Abkhazia situation; attitudes to Estonia have become less
negative since the Bronze Soldier relocation controversy died down.
Alexei Makarkin, VP of the Political Techniques Center, told us that
"the United States is regarded as our historical rival," but there
are also many other irritants involved – such as NATO expansion and
missile defense. "Similarly, all the other irritants are countries
with which we experience a deterioration in relations from time to
time. For example, due to NATO expansion, Russian citizens experience
periodic upswings of dislike for Georgia and Ukraine. Relations with
the Baltic states are soured by differing perspectives on Soviet
history in general and Second World War history in particular."
The list of Russia’s "friends" remains almost unchanged since last
year’s poll. Belarus is at the top of the list – named by 35.3% of
respondents. China is second with 18%. Germany, which was second last
year, is now down to 16.1%. Other allies identified by respondents
are Armenia (12.7%), France (9.4%), Italy (9.1%). Lithuania scored
less than one percent in the ranking of Russia’s friends. Georgia
and the United States scored 2.8% and 4.4% respectively.