Author: Khondkarian Raffi

COMMISSION HAILS TURKEY’S ROLE IN REGIONAL STABILITY
Elitsa Vucheva

EUobserver.com
7025
Oct 31 2008
Belgium

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – Turkey’s role as promoter of regional
stability has improved in the last year, Brussels says in a draft
report on Turkey and the western Balkans’ progress towards the EU,
while stressing that Ankara still has a lot to do in a number of
areas before being judged fit to join the EU club.

"Turkey has played a constructive role in its neighbourhood and the
wider Middle East through active diplomacy," reads the draft of the
annual report seen by EUobserver.

"Following the crisis in Georgia, [Turkey] proposed a Caucasus
Stability and Co-operation Platform to promote dialogue between
the countries of that region. [Turkish] President Gul paid a visit
to Yerevan, the first visit ever of a Turkish president since the
independence of Armenia. Turkey undertook efforts as a mediator
between Israel and Syria and conducted a dialogue with Iran on the
nuclear issue," the draft report goes on.

Ankara has itself been stressing its role in maintaining regional
stability and has been multiplying initiatives in that respect lately
– including setting up the Caucasus Platform in the aftermath of the
Russia-Georgia conflict.

It says the platform’s objective is to establish regional conflict
resolution mechanisms and broader economic co-operation among the five
countries involved – Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The EU has always insisted that good neighbourly relations are an
important pre-condition for any EU hopeful.

Additionally, "the development in the southern Caucasus also
highlighted Turkey’s strategic significance for the EU energy
security, particularly by diversifying supply routes, and underlined
the importance of closer energy co-operation between Turkey and the
EU," the commission says.

Nabucco – the EU-backed planned natural gas pipeline designed to
reduce energy dependency on Russia by transporting natural gas from
Turkey to Austria, via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary – "is a key
element for this," Brussels underlines.

Same problems remain

Turkey has been an official candidate to join the EU since 1999 and
opened accession negotiations with the bloc in 2005.

But besides the progress noted, the commission says Ankara still has
a lot to do in many areas in order to be ready for EU membership.

Notably, "there has been no progress towards normalisation of
bilateral relations with the Republic of Cyprus. Turkey has not fully
implemented the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and
has not removed all obstacles to free movement of goods, including
restrictions on direct transport links with Cyprus."

In 2005 Ankara signed a protocol to extend its customs union with the
EU to the 10 states that joined the bloc in 2004 – but still refuses
to open its ports to Cypriot ships. Several negotiations chapters
with the EU remain suspended because of this.

Turkey does not recognise the Greek government in the southern part
of the divided island, while at the same time is the only country to
recognise its northern Turkish section.

Earlier this year, commission President Barroso called the issue "the
main obstacle for significant progress in Turkey’s accession process."

In addition, reads the report, the country has still a lot to do to
fight corruption and organised crime. It has made "no progress on
alignment with European standards" as regards minority rights and it
needs to push administrative and political reforms further.

"Full civilian supervisory functions and parliamentary oversight
of defence expenditures need to be ensured. Senior members of the
armed forces have continued to make statements on issues going beyond
their remit," Brussels also says. The central role of the military
in Turkish society is often raised as a concern by the EU executive.

The final version of the report will be presented by the commission
on 5 November.

CE DIRECTOR GENERAL URGES AZERBAIJAN TO CONTINUE APPLICATION OF DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE

Trend News Agency
Oct 29 2008
Azerbaijan

France, Strasburg, 29 October /TrendNews corr. A.Gasimova / Exclusive
interview of Trend News with the Council of Europe (CE) Director
General for Political Affairs Jean-Louis Laurens:

Question: What is your appraisal of the current level of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe?

Answer: The cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe is
developing at a high level and is based on mutual trust. Implementation
of the election action plan within the CE-Azerbaijan cooperation is
a bright example in this respect. This plan was an important element
enabling to hold elections in the most democratic conditions. As you
know, Ago Monitoring Group of the CE Ministerial Committee and PACE
exercises control over implementation of the CE commitments. Certainly,
there are still issues that must be solved, including freedom of
assembly, press, the issues related to political prisoners. Those are
questions pending their solution and the Government of Azerbaijan
should strive to fulfil all obligations set for it while joining
the organization.

Question: What distinguishes the 15 October presidential election in
Azerbaijan from the previous ones?

Answer: I can refer only to joint official statements of the
observation missions, that is, the PACE and the OSCE Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Their statements indicate
the advancements in the elections and also emphasize that from
now on efforts will be made in the abovementioned areas. I think
the work carried out before the election in an effort to improve
democratic practices in institutional and legislation fields,
as well as elections, should be continued. This statement of the
election observation mission was made with a purpose to hold the
next elections – municipal elections in 2009, parliamentary – 2010,
in a democratic manner.

As to critical opinions related to the election, along with positive
aspects the official statement of the observation mission also includes
negative milestones. This is itself is an indication. Now I cannot
say anything about what decision PACE will make during the discussion
over the observation mission’s report. The practice is that this
report will be included in the agenda of the next plenary session of
the organization in January, as soon as it is considered by the PACE
Bureau. It would be premature to say whether there is criticism or
not. On the other hand, the chairman of the Ministerial Committee,
Swedish FM Carl Bildt spoke on the issue. I have nothing more to
add. We discussed at the secretariat the control over elections, and
there are ideas to continue the cooperation. The Azerbaijani delegation
to the CE expressed its readiness to cooperate to ensure democratic
manner of local and parliamentary elections. As to non-participation
of the opposition parties in the election, I can say that boycotting
has never been a correct and good policy. The "empty chair policy"
was not a good one. I cannot put myself in the place of the political
forces in Azerbaijan.

Question: Does the Council of Europe have another action plan on
Azerbaijan?

Answer: Still there is no ready plan. Still it is early. Both the
CE and the Government of Azerbaijan have the desire to continue
co-operation in this regard. Besides, in democracy there is a
pre-election stage and the post-election stage. We are always at the
pre-election stage and the post-stage elections. The principle of
democracy is to hold balanced and democratic elections at all levels –
presidential, parliamentary, municipal elections. Therefore, assistance
to the election and the desire to co-operate must be permanent. Indeed,
we will continue this. On the other hand, the development of the plan
with regards to the presidential election has not been completed yet.

We will make assessment of this plan, and afterwards, will design
proposals regarding next elections. Here the questions are the
media coverage of the elections, participation of all political
forces, legislation base because not all recommendations of the
Venice Commission have been realized. I cannot be more precise. These
questions will be discussed during the final report of the observation
election mission. In addition, there will be considered a question,
in what direction the discussions will take place with the Azerbaijani
side to continue co-operation.

Question: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an issue of concern for the
CE. What are the recommendations of the organization to precipitate
settlement of the conflict? At what level is the CE-European Union
cooperation on South Caucasus issues?

Answer: The OSCE Minsk Group is directly engaged in Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. If the CE applies for conducting the expertise in various
fields so we will be prepared to answer. On the other hand, we jointly
with the EU, realize majority of projects concerning the South Caucuses
within the framework of a joint program. A meeting of CE Ministerial
Committee group of rapporteurs discussed on 23 October the document
‘On priorities of EU-CE cooperation’. Cooperation on South Caucasus
in this document takes the first place.

Question: When will the CE Secretary General pay visit to region
to survey the facts on destruction of cultural heritage in the
Nagorno-Karabakh and other Azerbaijani regions attached to it? What
is the main reason of the delay of this visit?

Answer: This visit is on focus and on agenda, but the aspects of its
realization are still to be solved. The Secretary General wishes to
pay the visit to the region shortly. The cultural heritage implies
culture and people. Should all the necessary conditions are fulfilled,
the CE secretariat will be prepared to create conditions for group
of experts to work.

Question: The Georgia-Ossetia conflict was the major topic of
discussion at the latest session of PACE. What is your explanation of
the war in Georgia? Did the CE make enough efforts to prevent the war?

Answer: From this point of view, the CE did not stay aside. As a whole,
the international community did not make sufficient efforts to prevent
the war. If CE’s two member-countries are at war between themselves,
this is the failure of the international community. Both countries
are members of the Council of Europe, and therefore, this problem
is of our direct concern. It is possible to say that in reality the
CE is not an organization regulating crises. This is not the primary
task of the organization.

The Council of Europe is an organization, which recommends the
establishment of environment and context that provide possibilities
to prevent conflicts. This is its task. Surely, we could not render
sufficient assistance in this regard. We could not to necessarily
assess the increase in the risk of danger and tension in the
region. Therefore, the Council of Europe must make conclusions to
solve other conflict situations existing in this geographical region.

Question: May the recognition of the independence of Kosovo become
a precedent for other "lingering" conflicts now after declaration of
independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

Answer: Some people say that Kosovo is a unique question and
takes the character of "sui generis". This question cannot be
precedent for other lingering conflicts. There are two kinds of
thinking. It is important for each situation to have its sources
and peculiarities. The CE is not an organization, which recognizes
or does not recognize independence. Recognizing is the work, which
is done by the member-countries. Whenever a decision on entrance of
newly established countries to the international arena is made, then
the Committee of Ministers will undertake a burden of decision making.

Question: The war in Georgia has demonstrated how it is dangerous to
unfreeze the frozen conflicts. What about establishment of a standing
unit at CE so that to get more acquainted with other ongoing conflicts?

Answer: I cannot say that there is a need to establish an organization,
which will deal with it. It is clear that tremendous efforts must
be made to establish mutual understanding, democratic and peaceful
dialogue, including good neighbourhood relations. The Directorate,
which I head, must render considerable assistance to this process. We
could not do this sufficiently. It is not so easy to change mentality
and culture. We can not change this within a short period. This is the
work of generations. Why cannot the reconciliation, which was reached
between France and Germany after three wars, be realized in other
places? In this respect it is necessary to have such personalities
as Adenauer and Charles de Goll.

Question: What arrangements does the CE, particularly the CE
Directorate, take to find ways out of the situation in Georgia?

Answer: Proposals regarding Georgia are being developed by the
Committee of Ministers and they cover three directions. Firstly, the
urgent task is the repatriation of refugees and IDPs. The second is
restoration of human rights. Work of CE Commissar for Human Rights
Tomas Hammerberg is of great significance in this sphere and needs
unconditional support in all zones to restore fundamental principles
of democracy and human rights. The third is the EU’s conduct of
training about Human Rights. These are pressing questions. Purely
political issues and those related to the control over fulfilment
of obligations are under discussion. In fact, this crisis arose the
question of fulfilment of obligations undertaken by both member states
as well as peaceful settlement of the conflict and non-intervention
into each-others affairs.

It is also planned to take long-term actions, including establishment
of confidence and dialogue between the sides. In addition, restoration
of cultural heritage damaged during the war will enable people replaced
from the homelands, to return to their native lands. The mission of
the CE Secretariat has already completed visit to Georgia where it
proposed to restore cultural heritage.

Question: What is your appraisal to the political and democratic
situation in Armenia in wake of the events of 1 March?

Answer: PACE, Ago Group and Commissar for Human Rights are closely
observing this issue. The deadline is January, as PACE resolution
adopted in June indicates that the organization will re-examine
Armenia’s fulfilment of its commitments on the basis of future progress
in the investigation into March events and case of dead and arrested
during these events.

New Committee of Experts was set up in accordance with the 23 October
decree of the Armenian President as a supplement to Parliamentary
Commission on investigation into March events. There is progress. It
is necessary to wait for January session to see whether Armenia has
complied with PACE recommendations.

Question: What is your appraisal to the enhancement of cooperation
between GUAM and CE after the consultations that took place in
March 2008?

Answer: In fact, it was first high-level consultation between
the two organizations. GUAM is an organization uniting the CE
member-countries. Hence, there are permanent relations between CE
and GUAM member-countries. At present, the organizations do not
plan institutional cooperation. Indeed, GUAM always expresses its
attitude to issues of mutual interest. We have programs covering
GUAM member-countries. We are prepared to cooperate with GUAM and
countries taking part in this process.

Question: What South Caucasus-related projects are expected to be
carried out in future?

Answer: Regional conference of three countries Rule of Law in the South
Caucasus will be held in Tbilisi from 19 to 22 November. Moreover, we
are working over the project on cooperation of political and scientific
schools of South Caucasus, and it is financed by a German fund.

Agence France Presse
October 26, 2008 Sunday 2:18 AM GMT

‘Location, location, location’ key in struggle for Caucasus

by Michael Mainville
TBILISI, Oct 26 2008

As a piece of global real estate, the South Caucasus region certainly
fits with the old adage that "location, location, location" will have
suitors knocking at your door.

Wedged between Russia, Turkey and Iran in a rugged strip separating
western markets from eastern energy, the nations of the South Caucasus
have hosted a string of VIP visitors in the wake of the Russia-Georgia
war in August.

The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Turkey, as well as US Vice
President Dick Cheney, have all visited Armenia, Azerbaijan or Georgia
in recent months, stepping up efforts to gain influence in the region.

Analysts say the influx reflects the region’s unique strategic
position.

"The Caucasus has throughout its history been a flashpoint region at
the crossroads of East and West," said Shalva Lazarishvili, an analyst
with the Tbilisi-based Foundation for Democratic Development.

A land of soaring mountain peaks and ancient ruins, the Caucasus has
long been dominated by foreign empires, from the Persians, to the
Ottomans, to the Russians.

When the region’s three countries gained their independence with the
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States emerged as a
new player on the scene.

Whether it was giving substantial foreign aid to Armenia, backing new
energy projects in Azerbaijan or supporting Georgia’s pro-Western
leader Mikheil Saakashvili, Washington made significant inroads into
the Caucasus in recent years.

The United States has also become involved in the Caucasus on a
security level, funding various programs that include upgrade of
equipment in Azerbaijan and training for military and other security
personnel in Georgia.

But as a new force in the region, US gains are fragile, analysts said,
and the war in Georgia has shown Russia remains a force to be reckoned
with.

"Russia’s presence in the Caucasus has a 200-year-old history, it has
unique knowledge of how to act there," said Sergei Mikheyev, an
analyst with the Moscow-based Centre for Political Technologies.

"Cultural and historical context is very important, and the North
Caucasus belongs to Russia. All this makes Russia a very strong
player," he said.

Russia sent troops into Georgia on August 8 to repel a Georgian
military attempt to retake the Moscow-backed rebel region of South
Ossetia. Russian troops occupied swathes of the country, but later
withdrew to within South Ossetia and another rebel region, Abkhazia.

To widespread international condemnation, after the conflict Russia
recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.

Analysts said the conflict has left Russia in a strong position. With
plans to deploy about 7,600 troops in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, it
has gained a key military position south of the Caucasus
mountains. But more importantly, Moscow has made clear it is willing
to take drastic, and potentially risky steps to maintain its influence
in the region.

"The August events demonstrated to Georgia and its neighbours that the
Caucasus remains a priority for Russia," Lazarishvili said.

But experts say the "Great Game" for influence in the region is far
from over.

Despite opposition rumbling, Saakashvili’s hold on power in Georgia
appears secure for now and his government continues to win Western
support, including a pledge of 4.55 billion dollars (3.5 billion
euros) in Western aid on Wednesday.

In energy-rich Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev is expected to
continue walking a fine line between Russia and the West after
securing a second term on October 15. Azerbaijan has benefited hugely
from a Western-backed corridor of pipelines delivering oil and gas
from the Caspian Sea to European markets, but has been careful to also
continue energy cooperation with Russia.

Armenia remains Moscow’s strongest ally in the region and is home to a
key Russian military base, but the country is also one of the largest
recipients of US foreign aid, thanks to the large Armenian diaspora
living in the United States.

Analysts say that with its proximity to a resurgent Russia,
NATO-member Turkey and volatile Iran, the region is in too crucial a
location to ignore.

"The strategic importance of the South Caucasus is growing," said
Svante Cornell, deputy director of the Central Asia Caucasus Institute
and Silk Road Studies Programme in Stockholm.

"It’s about opening up after 200 years of Russian dominance. It’s
about transit of Caspian Sea energy resources to the West. It’s about
transcontinental commerce."

GEOSTEEL TO REVIVE STEEL PRODUCTION IN GEORGIA

The FINANCIAL
21/10/2008 17:12
Georgia

The FINANCIAL — The EBRD is providing a $28 million loan to the
company Geosteel LLC for the construction and operation of a mini-steel
mill in the Georgian town of Rustavi, about 35 km from Tbilisi

The plant will have a production capacity of 180,000 tonnes of a
year. To meet demand in Georgia but also in neighbouring Armenia
and Azerbaijan, the company is planning to focus on the production
of rebar which is essential for the construction industry in the
region. Geosteel plans to increase production gradually to a level
of about 180,000 tonnes in line with the development of market demand.

The EBRD financing comes under an A/B structure under which the A
loan of up to $14 million is provided by the Bank and the B loan of
up to $14 million is syndicated to State Bank of India.

"Geosteel will create a small, low-cost flexible steel mill. The
company will benefit from the strong supply of scrap metal available
on the Georgian and Armenian market. Presently, both countries are
exporting scrap metal." EBRD reports.

Geosteel is a joint venture between Georgian Steel Holding Group and
JSW Steel, one of the leading steel producers of India. JSW Steel will
bring its extensive know-how and expertise into the newly established
company which is planning to employ more than 350 people in an area
which has been severely affected by the economic downturn over the
last 2 decades.

Michael Davey, EBRD Director for the Caucasus, said the investment
will send a strong signal to other investors about the benefits of
investing in Georgia and the wider region. "The Caucasus countries
have seen strong growth in recent years, and now the priority must
be to maintain this momentum. Attracting international investors such
as Geosteel is one of the major elements for this", he added.

The EBRD has invested some â~B¬400 million in Georgia in recent
years in all major sectors of the economy. The country is part of
the Early Transition Countries Initiative, launched in April 2004
and including Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova,
Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Using a streamlined approach
to financing, the initiative is aimed at mobilising more investment,
and encouraging economic reform.

–Boundary_(ID_6VNm8ZUHHN/Ud70E4vVOEg)–

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
October 21, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

TURKEY HIRES FORMER BUSH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL TO SHORE UP RIFTS
WITH JEWISH AMERICAN GROUPS; FIGHT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
revealed today that the Turkish Government has hired former Bush
Administration official, Noam Neusner, to harness Jewish American
support for a Pro-Turkey agenda in Congress, with defeat of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution as his top priority.

"If Turkey had a credible case to make to the Jewish American
community – which has grown weary of Ankara’s pressure to deny the
Armenian Genocide – it wouldn’t need to be spending this kind of
money in a misguided attempt to manipulate Jewish American
opinion," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Sadly, it
seems that for $8,500 a month from a foreign government, Neusner
Communications is putting at risk the well-deserved reputation of
the Jewish American community as a powerful opponent of all
genocides and a defender of universal human rights."

This revelation came as part of a September 30, 2008, mandatory
U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) Foreign Agent Registration
Act filings by Neusner Communications, LLC, a Washington, DC public
relations firm that has been on the Turkish Government payroll
since September, 2007. The initial registration document submitted
by the firm cites "policy goals" including "U.S. Jewish efforts to
promote a pro-Turkey agenda in the U.S. Congress." Neusner
Communications LLC is tasked to ensure "regular emails and phone
calls to Jewish leaders highlighting Turkey’s relationship with
Israel" and facilitating the "creation of working relationships
between U.S.-based Jewish and Turkish community groups."

Neusner’s filings reveal that the first order of business for the
public relations firm was, in September and October of last year,
to contact top Jewish-American organizations regarding pending
Armenian Genocide legislation, H.Res.106. Beginning with a phone
conversation with AIPAC Director of National Affairs and
Development Jon Missner on September 17th, Neusner personally
contacted groups, including JINSA, the American Jewish Congress,
Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith, Conference of Presidents of
Major Jewish Organizations, and the Jewish Council for Public
Affairs some 23 times over the next four weeks regarding H.Res.106.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee adopted the Armenian Genocide
Resolution on October 11th by a vote of 27 to 21.

The U.S. DOJ filings note subsequent emails by Neusner with the
ADL’s Director of Government and National Affairs Jess Hordes
regarding "ADL action on HR 106," and ADL Director "Abe Foxman’s
visit to Turkey" in May, 2008. Neusner continued to hold meetings
with AIPAC’s Jon Missner and National Political Director Rob Bassin
regarding the Armenian Genocide Resolution, including one on
November 29th. Seven months later, Neusner held a follow up
meeting with Missner and AIPAC Director of Research and Information
Rafi Danziger to discuss "Turkish concerns about Armenian issue;
lack of support on the Hill from Jewish orgs." The meeting came
just one day after the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a two-
hour hearing on the South Caucasus region, with specific focus on
Turkey’s ongoing blockade of Armenia. In total, in the span of one
year, Neusner Communications contacted or met with Jewish American
groups at least 100 times – 32 times specifically to discuss
Armenian Genocide legislation or Armenian American concerns.

Neusner is well-known to Jewish American leaders, having served as
President Bush’s liaison to the U.S. Jewish community from 2002
through 2005, in addition to his capacity as Special Assistant to
the President for Economic Speechwriting. Neusner’s DOJ filings
indicate that he was hired by the "Embassy of the Republic of
Turkey through DiNovo Strategies and Fleishman Hilliard." DiNovo
Strategies partner Jay Footlik served as Clinton Administration
liaison to Jewish Americans and to European and Mediterranean
groups, including the Armenian American community.

According to the Foreign Agent Registration Act, a firm must
register within ten days of agreeing to become an agent and before
performing any activities for the foreign entity. It is unclear
why Neusner Communications’ filings were submitted over one-year
after it began lobbying for Turkey, a lapse that may represent a
violation of U.S. DOJ registration guidelines. FARA also mandates
that all communications from public relations firms must
conspicuously cite any connection to a foreign government. Copies
of email communications submitted by Neusner Communications to the
U.S. DOJ make no reference to his firm’s representation of the
Turkish Government.

Neusner Communications, Inc. is one of four public relations firms
currently representing the Government of Turkey, including DLA
Piper, Fleishman Hilliard, and the Gephardt Group, who together
receive over $3 million a year for their services. Neusner
Communications is currently paid $8,500 a month by the Embassy of
the Republic of Turkey. Leading the campaign to clean up Turkey’s
image in the United States are former House Minority Leader Dick
Gephardt and House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Former House
Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston ended his eight-
year, $13 million lobbying stint with Turkey earlier this year,
after which he picked up a lucrative $2.4 million contract with
Libya.

Neusner Communications filings are available on the ANCA website.

Neusner Communications FARA Registration:
Neusner_Registration_0908.pdf

Neusner Communications Supplemental Report – 09/07-02/08:
eusner_Supplemental_0308.pdf

Neusner Communications Supplemental Report – 03/08-09/08:
eusner_Supplemental_0908.pdf

DMITRY MEDVEDEV ARRIVED IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.10.2008 19:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in
Yerevan on October 20 evening. After the welcome ceremony the heads
of state will head for the residence of the Armenian President for
a formal dinner.

The Presidents are scheduled to hold a tête-a-tête presidential to
be followed by expanded talks during which a number of documents on
cooperation will be signed.

On October 21, the Presidents of Armenia and Russia will take part in
opening ceremony of Square of Russia in front of the House of Moscow
in Yerevan.

Mr. Medvedev will also lay a wreath to the Armenian Genocide Memorial.

–Boundary_(ID_QzF7FVWMd39MLzXsZmWW5w)- –

DM SEYRAN OHANYAN MEETS NATO OFFICIALS

armradio.am
20.10.2008 13:28

RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan received the delegation headed
by Lieutenant General Roland Kather, commander of NATO Allied Land
Component Command Heidelberg. At the beginning of the meeting the
Minister greeted members of the delegation, noting that Armenia has
assumed an exact policy of cooperating with all interested countries
in the fields of defense and security.

Minister Ohanyan spoke about the importance of the military exercises
held in Armenia, which are a good means for cooperation with partner
countries.

The Minister thanked the delegation for contributing to the improvement
of the collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia,
which will enhance Armenia’s productive participation in peacekeeping
activity.

The same day DM Seyran Ohanyan received the delegation headed by
the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the
Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons. The parties spoke about
defense reforms, especially issues concerning military education. The
Minister noted that the Defense Strategy review will be among the
priorities in the field of reforms.

RUSSIAN DEPUTY FM DISCUSSES GEORGIA IN IRAN

The FINANCIAL
Monday, October 20, 2008
Georgia

The FINANCIAL — According to Civil Georgia, Russian Deputy Foreign
Minister, Sergey Ryabkov, said in an interview with the Russian news
agency, RIA Novosti, that he had discussed situation in South Caucasus
in the context of the August war "in details" during his visit to Iran.

He said that Russia had "assessed appropriately" Iran’s position
over the developments in August, as well as Iran’s initiatives over
stabilization of situation in the region. "We expect that Iran will
specify its approach on the matter. In fact, working on the initiative
can become an important contribution to the stabilization of situation
in the South Caucasus," he added, which going into details of the
Iran’s initiatives.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki held talks with the
Georgian leadership in Tbilisi on September 17. Mottaki’s visit to
Tbilisi followed his trips to Russia, Azerbaijan and Germany. And on
September 16 he met with his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian;
the latter was in Tbilisi on September 12.

"Our work is not mediation," the official Iranian news agency, IRNA,
quoted Mottaki as saying after meeting his Georgian counterpart. He
also added that "presenting ideas can help find a solution to the
crisis."

Mottaki also said that the August events in Georgia were "regrettable"
and Iran was closely following developments "given our sensitivity
towards restoration of security and stability" in this region.

In his address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, Iranian
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said NATO ‘s "provocations," "certain
western powers" and "underhanded actions of the Zionists" were to
blame for the August war in Georgia.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also told RIA Novosti that he had
informed the Iranian side about the MOSCOW ‘s position over Georgia
in the context of the October 15 Geneva talks.

"We have stressed that discussions on providing security to South
Ossetia and Abkhazia should continue with making a focus on preventing
re-militarization of Tbilisi . Some circles, including some governments
and not only within NATO , seem to be moving in that direction,"
Ryabkov said. "This trend is a source of concern for us and we will
counter these efforts."

Daniel Fried, the U.S. assistant secretary of state, said after the
October 15 Geneva talks that Russia’s demand for an embargo on the
supply of offensive weapons to Georgia "is not in the first line of
practicality given the Russian preponderance of force" in the region.

Ryabkov also pointed out in the interview with the Russian news
agency that signing of binding treaties between Tbilisi and Sokhumi
and Tskhinvali on non-use of forces should also be a priority during
the international discussions over these two regions.

Armenia Vexed By Turkish President’s Statement on Karabakh
October 16, 2008

(Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English)YEREVAN. Oct 16 (Interfax) –
Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan has criticized the Turkish president
and the Azeri foreign minister’s statements on the settlement of the
conflict in Nagorno- Karabakh.
"We consider the term ‘occupied territory’ which the Turkish president used
at a session of the UN general Assembly dangerous, and think that Azeri
Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov’s statement to the effect that the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be settled in line with the logic of a UN
resolution, fully distorts the negotiation process," Sargsyan told a news
conference on Thursday.
The Turkish president and Azeri foreign minister’s speeches in the UN were a
"cold shower", as they contrasted the spirit of the previous meetings and
the earlier reached agreements, Sargsyan said.
He said he had informed U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of
Sate Condoleezza Rice in Washington of his concerns.
The Armenian prime minister also said that the U.S. leadership sees the
Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as
the only format in which the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict could be settled.
"Rice said during the talks that after a discussion of this issue with her
Russian colleagues, she gained confidence that there was progress in the
talks and that serious progress would be seen after the Azeri presidential
election," Sargsyan said.

FOR BETTER ASSESSMENTS WE NEED BETTER INVESTIGATION OF THE FACTS
Naira Khachatryan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
14 Oct 2008
Armenia

Secretary of ARFD parliamentary faction Artashes Shahbazyan was the
guest of "Hayatsk" club yesterday.

The questions directed to the MP who is involved in the works of the
temporary committee investigating March 1-2 developments were related
to the activity of the committee.

Underscoring that the fact-collecting group will be set up by the
order of the President, A. Shahbazyan said: "The principle is to set
up a committee of independent specialists, which means that the work
is pure professional and it would be right to involve specialists
there. This fact-collecting group must have the possibility to collect
all the necessary facts. They must be able to make use of all those
documents, which are linked with these developments. They must have
possibility to meet with all those people who have connection with
"March-1" developments.

It is presumed that two candidates from the coalition, one candidate
from Armenian National Congress and one candidate from "Heritage"
party will be involved in the committee. The Human Rights Defender will
also be represented in the fact-collecting group. "It is the problem
of the opposition whether or not they will participate in the works
of the group, I will not make predictions. Anyhow in case of th eir
participation if they have desire to publish certain facts found by
themselves, no one can stop them. I don’t see any obstacle here.

According to Shahbazyan their investigations are based on the morning
of March-1 developments: "We must make investigations of the same
volume and profundity, regarding the other parts of the day as
well. Maybe time will give us possibility to go deep into the facts.

The expansion of the time is also good because the court proceeding
will soon start and the conclusions will soon be clear for
everyone. Maybe this time-expansion is not very good for society,
but in my view the process will benefit from it. The information base
will become complete for us."

As regards the adequateness of the actions taken by the police, the
member of the committee states that for better assessments "we need
better investigation of the facts."

He assured us that the competent bodies that can help find the complete
picture of March 1 developments will be invited to the sessions of the
committee. "It is not excluded that the ex Chief Police Officer and
other officials be invited in the session. But we can invite these
people only after we have clear questions to ask them. The work is
not over yet.

But it will happen because we don’t have any complications regarding
that issue."