Author: Khondkarian Raffi

VLADIMIR KAZIMIROV: PARTIES TO THE KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL NOT AGREE TO TURKEY’S MEDIATION

armradio.am
15.05.2009 17:55

There is no necessity and opportunity to work out a "road map" for
the settlement of the Karabakh issue, former Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov told a press conference
today. "The "road map" outlines the scheduled steps, while speaking
about it is not necessary today, since three or four principles still
remain uncoordinated," Kazimirov said, supposing that the uncoordinated
issues could refer to the referendum on the status of Nagorno Karabakh,
the issues of Lachin and Karvachar.

According to him, Russia’s role in the settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh issue should be active. It would be naive to expect solution
of the issue without Russia. According to Vladimir Kazimirov, the
experience of the past years has shown that taking coordinated steps
towards resolution of the issue is preferable. "Currently there is
an opportunity to form mutual understanding between Russia, USA and
France," he noted.

The former Co-Chair is confident that the resumption of military
actions in Nagorno Karabakh should not be allowed. It is necessary
to take all necessary political and diplomatic measures for the
reinforcement of peace.

It will prevent the resumption of military actions, and peace is
necessary to the conflicting parties themselves.

Vladimir Kazimirov doubts that the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict will agree to Turkey’s mediation in the settlement
process. "Turkey has been included in the Minsk Group ever since it
was established and its unilateral approaches in favor of one of the
parties has been obvious from the very beginning," he noted.

ARARATBANK OPENS ACCOUNTS FOR ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED IN NAIRIT BLAST

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.05.2009 23:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The management of Nairit plant formed a council
of trustees and opened an account in Araratbank for assistance to
families of those killed in May 14 blast.

The accounts are: 1510001664630100(AMD) and 1510001664630101 (USD).

LONDON SUPPORTS TURKEY IN SEEKING EU MEMBERSHIP

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.05.2009 18:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Great Britain supports Turkey in seeking EU
membership, Sir Bryan Fall, special representative of Great Britain
at South Caucasus told a news conference in Yerevan.

According to him, Turkey, EU as well as the whole region will benefit
from it.

"London is trying to promote Turkey -EU negotiations; still, we realize
that the decision will not be taken soon. Armenian-Turkish border
has to be opened – it’s a necessary, and, I believe, an unavoidable
step. Even if Ankara fulfills one of the conditions, the entrance
into EU will be a lengthy process," he emphasized.

Turkey has been negotiating its entrance into EU since 2005, the
main obstacle being Cyprus issue and Armenian-Turkish border, closed
since 1993.

SERIES OF MINOR BLOWS CONTINUE AT NAIRIT

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.05.2009 19:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Series of minor blows continue at Nairit CJSC. Fire
is no longer seen, but the smoke is still belching. Rescuer brigades
have already arrived at the site, RA Extraordinary Situations Ministry
told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

The territory around the factory is sealed off and traffic blocked. No
other specifics are known as yet.

Today, around 6.40 p.m two blows occurred at caoutchouc manufacturing
Nairit Factory; later the fire erupted. Huge column of smoke can be
seen above the factory at the moment.

9 fire-brigades arrived at the site within 15 minutes of the incident.

THE WEST DISCUSSES POSSIBILITY OF ARMENIA’S PARTICIPATION IN NABUCCO

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.05.2009 17:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict are linked to implementation of the Nabucco
project, told a political scientist Suren Zolian a news conference in
Yerevan. "Closed borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan and Armenia
and Turkey are a problem hindering realization of that program. Today
the West has tired from the unstable Georgia, hence western countries
carry out serious talks on Armenia’s possible participation in the
project. Armenia can play a sound role in the fulfillment of Nabucco,"
said Suren Zolian.

According to Armenian political scientist, Yerevan with Tbilisi
can also elaborate a joint safety strategy in opposition to the
Turkish-Azeri alliance.

The project of the Nabucco gas pipeline was officially presented in
Sophia this March. The project is aimed at reducing dependency of the
European Union of Russian gas supply. Construction of the pipeline was
discussed in the fringes of the Eastern partnership Summit in Prague.

ANC: DECISIONS IN SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT REST UPON BAKU NOT YEREVAN

ArmInfo
2009-05-12 18:16:00

ArmInfo. Decisions in settlement of the Karabakh conflict rest upon
Baku not Yerevan, said David Shakhnazaryan, representative of the
Armenian National Congress during his discussion with Vahan Papazyan,
the ex-foreign minister of Armenia, Tuesday.

‘Unfortunately, Armenia lacks levers to regulate this problem. That
is why everything depends on the decision by President of
Azerbaijan. Thus, Armenia has yielded its positions, whereas
Aliyev-junior displays just philosophic attitude to the decision’,
he said. Shakhnazarov believes that Baku plays for time which brings
it more and more success, whereas Armenia has occured even in a
worse state.

Only the statement by the parties that they negotiate around a big
treaty and not Madrid principles will become crucial for the Karabakh
conflict settlement. Madrid principles are too general and uncertain.

Today’s foreign policy of Armenia can be qualified by two words:
‘Yes, Sir’.

They in Brussels say ‘Yes’, in Moscow say ‘Yes’, in Turkey and
Washington say ‘Yes’ as well. Such is the foreign policy of Armenia,
said ANC representative.

ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN ON THE OCCASION OF VICTORY AND PEACEDAY

National Assembly of RA
May 11 2009
Armenia

Dear compatriots!

I congratulate you on May 9, on the occasion of Victory and Peace Day.

This holiday is the symbol of the victories of the Armenian people,
who fought for living in peace and creating, for identity and
long living. During the Great Patriotic War the Armenian people
conscientiously took part fighting against evil not getting recovered
from the wound of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian soldiers passed
through the turmoil of World War II and had their contribution in
destructing the Nazism, getting the selfless support of those who
stayed in the rear.

Nowadays the wreath of the past victories is the capture of Shushi and
liberation of Artsakh. That war was imposed on the Armenian people. We
stood for our freedom and identity, prevented the danger of genocide
hung over the head of the Artsakh Armenians and saved from destruction
the rich cultural heritage of Artsakh. Our victory in this war once
again proved the Armenian freedom loving spirit, pride and longevity
of resoluteness that pass from generation to generation.

Glory and honour to the Armenian courageous sons, who fought and won
for the liberation of the Motherland, for today’s peace, immortality
to the Armenian martyrs, who gave their lives for the Fatherland.

I congratulate the Armenian people, who deserved the right to live
in peace, on the occasion of this holiday. I wish them new successes,
creative urge and achievements, welfare and happiness.

AZERI, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS TO DISCUSS KARABAKH AT ST. PETE MEETING – LAVROV

Interfax
May 8 2009
Russia

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev
are expected to discus prospects for settling the conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh at a meeting in St. Petersburg, said Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"They will have another opportunity to meet on the sidelines of the
St. Petersburg Economic Forum," Lavrov said at the Washington D.C.

headquarters of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Moscow is hopeful for the settlement of the problem of Nagorno-
Karabakh, he said.

"We view prospects for a settlement quite optimistically," he said.

AZERI PRESIDENT, UK FOREIGN SECRETARY DISCUSS ENERGY, KARABAKH

AzerTag
May 7 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met UK Foreign Secretary David
Miliband in Prague on 7 May, the state news agency Azartac has
reported.

Aliyev and Miliband had an exchange of views on Azerbaijani-UK
relations, the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, and also on regional, international and energy issues,
the report said.

On behalf of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Miliband invited Aliyev
for an official visit to the UK. Aliyev accepted the invitation and
asked Miliband to convey his greetings to Brown, Azartac said without
mentioning a date for the visit.

ISRAELI SPY CELLS COLLAPSING; CONFISCATED EQUIPMENT DISPLAYED
Hussein Assi

ls.aspx?id=85086&language=en
11/05/2009

Day after another, more Israeli Mossad-linked cells are collapsing
in Lebanon…

Indeed, in just one month, six networks formed of tens of Israeli
spies and agents were uncovered in various southern towns, and more
is to come!

Six networks were uncovered thanks to the fruitful coordination between
the Resistance’s security, the Intelligence Directorate in the Lebanese
Army and the Information branch within the Internal Security Forces
(ISF)…

Of course, the discovery of the cells was in itself an achievement
for the Lebanese security system. Yet, it was also a scandal for the
Zionist enemy and for all those who sought to undermine its devastative
role and schemes, ruling out its involvement in all terrorist acts
that hit the country.

So, unlike some Lebanese pretended to think, Israel didn’t and will
not leave the country alone, and the agents uncovered all over the
country are the best proof…

However, the story is not so simple…

Indeed, investigation with the agents led to more shocking facts and
surprises at all levels… The agents didn’t only stay "neutral"
in the middle of a devastating war against their country but they
also didn’t hesitate to help the enemy "find its targets."

Moreover, inspection of equipment confiscated from Israel-linked spies
has showed high-tech espionage with reports saying the price of the
fridge used to transmit pictures of Lebanon and Syria was estimated
at $100,000 and the USB $70,000. According to press reports, Lebanese
security services have managed to decode the difficult apparatus
and supplies used by spies and were able to know their techniques
and characteristics.

On Monday, Lebanese police put on public display equipment an official
said was used by alleged Israeli spy networks inside the country,
including a water cooler equipped with a mapping device. "The equipment
was d after 2006, some of which were bombed that year," a security
official told reporters.

In addition to the water cooler the gadgets included a leather purse
and keychains with secret compartments as well as a can for motor oil
used to hide mini tapes, a radio and forged identification papers. The
alleged spies used the seemingly innocuous items to communicate with
Israel using encrypted messages, the official said.

A Lebanese security force pointed to the high price of some of the
equipment like the fridge used by retired Lebanese general Adib
al-Alam that is worth around $100,000.

As-Safir said the detainees have made "important confessions."

Alam used to store pictures he took of Lebanon and Syria in two small
refrigerators and would later transmit them to Israel.

GENERAL RIFI: MORE CELLS WILL BE DISMANTLED SOON Meanwhile, Lebanese
Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi denied any link between
the discovery of the cells and the potential victory of the national
opposition during the upcoming parliamentary elections, stressing
the two issues were completely separate.

General Rifi, who met with Prime Minister Fouad Saniora on Monday and
discussed with him the uncovered cells, was quoted by Lebanese daily
As-Safir as saying that pursuit of Mossad cells was a central goal of
the security forces institution and its Information branch. He said
that the lack of capacity prevented the fulfillment of any achievements
in this regard at an earlier stage, but pointed out that the situation
was a lot better nowadays.

Rifi commented on the claims saying that his branch was preoccupied
with running after opposition and Syrian figures during the previous
four years and stressed that such accusations were inaccurate. "We
just needed some time to fortify ourselves in order to be able to
face the Mossad-Linked cells spread in the Lebanese depth," he said,
recalling that the Israeli threat wasn’t a joke "and anyone who’d
like to face it and confront it must be fully ready for it."

The ISF chief said that few months ago, but kept his identity disclosed
"because we supposed that this achievement was not enough and that we
shouldn’t pride ourselves on it before accomplishing the mission." He
added that this move have paved the way for the dismantling of many
spying cells in Lebanon.

Rifi pointed out that the arrest of retired General Adib Alam had
played a fundamental and decisive role in dismantling a number of
spying cells. The ISF General expected more cells will be dismantled
soon.