Author: Khondkarian Raffi

BAKU OFFERS TO DISCUSS CAUCASUS PLATFORM IN UN

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.09.2008 17:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan proposes to discuss the Caucasian
Stability & Cooperation Platform in the UN, Elmar Mammadyarov,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said in the London Strategic Intelligence
Institute.

Mammadyarov called the initiative relevant to ‘fill the gap occurred
in the region after the recent developments in Georgia’.

Following hostilities in South Ossetia, Ankara offered formation of a
Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, which could unite Turkey,
Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Azerbaijan supports Turkey’s initiative and suggests it be considered
in the UN," said Mammadyarov. Separately, the issue will be discussed
during the meeting btween Azerbaijani and Turkish Foreign Ministers
within the UN General Assembly in New York.

Establishment of the Platform will help restoration of peace and
stability in the region, the Azerbaijani Minister said, Azeri Trend
news agency reports.

RA President Serzh Sarsgyan welcomed the initiative as an attempt to
create a favorable atmosphere in the region.

SERZH SARGSYAN MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE "RUSSIAN RAILWAYS" COMPANY

armradio.am
19.09.2008 16:20

President Serzh Sargsyan received Vladimir Yakunin, the President of
the "Russian Railways" Company, the concession manager of the railway
system of Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed the current state and perspectives of
development of the Armenian railway.

Noting that Armenia has great expectations that under the management
of the Russian company the Armenian railway will become an effectively
functioning infrastructure, President Sargsyan attached importance
to the transparency of its activity and proper control over the
accomplishment of investment programs.

Vladimir Yakunin said that the Russian side is currently taking
stock of the whole system and analyzing the situation to raise
the effectiveness of management. He guaranteed the full and timely
accomplishment of all the commitments assumed.

During the meeting reference was made to alternative routes of
communication.

THE FIRST PROGRAMS OF SUBREGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ARE BEING DISCUSSED

Azat Artsakh Daily
12 Sep 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

On September 8th in Arevshat village of Hadrut region assizes
of government took place, by the head of NKR prime minister Ara
Harutyunyan. As the NKR prime minister informed, on the basis of the
government activity, which includes the pre-election program of the
NKR President Bako Sahakyan, was the principle of territorial balanced
development of Artsakh’s economy.

The carrying out of the enlarged assizes in Banadzor subregion
of Hadrut region and devotion of the first program of subregional
development to the village group of this region was not accidental,
because from the point of view of prosperity today the villages of
this region are in the worst conditions. It is the third program
worked out by the Ministry of agriculture and is called a program
of 2009-2013 of the development of agriculture in the communities
of Banadzor subregion of Hadrut region. The aim of the program
Representing the agricultural program of the subregion’s development,
the NKR prime minister noted, that it is directed to the effective
use of today’s agrarian, working, material and technical resources,
as a result of which perequisites will be created directed to the
increase of living standard of the population, prevention of flowing
out, improvement of demographical indices. Parallely the problems of
employment of the population, restoration of village substructures,
reprocessing and realization of agricultural provisions will be
solved. A socio-economical and cultural program will be also NKR
prime minister informed, that the program of subregional development
won’t be limited only by agriculture. Parallel with it programs of
socio-cultural, development of substructures are also foreseen. After
the assizes the prime minister and the officilas accompanied him
had a walk in Arevshat village. They were in the school: it is in
unsafe condition. This year here the construction of a new school
building will begin, which will be finished next year. A meeting of
the population of Arevshat took place with republican and regional
leaders. The prime minister Ara Harutyunyan briefly represented the
programs realized by the state.Speaking about demographical situation,
NKR prime minister informed, that in the villages of subregion works
of flat construction would be realized briskly.It is foreseen to
construct in Arevshat a great residential district. In two weeks
the workers of the ministry of agriculture will be here again, and
the discussion will be promoted within the circles of the people,
who had already studied the program deeply.

TURKISH CULTURE MINISTRY WISHES TO COOPERATE WITH ARMENIA IN RESTORATION OF THE RUINS OF ANI

armradio.am
17.09.2008 15:02

Turkish Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay responds warmly to Armenian
Culture Minister Hasmik Bogosyan’s call for greater cultural
cooperation. "We would like to establish friendly relations with
our neighbors," said Turkish Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay in an
interview with Turkish Daily News, adding that Turkey was ready to
embark on more cultural cooperation with Armenia.

"President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan was a significant
development in terms of Turkey-Armenia bilateral relations," said
Gunay. "At this point, steps Armenia will take are highly significant.

These steps will shape the cultural and political cooperation between
the two countries."

Gunay’s warm response came shortly after Armenian Culture Minister
Hasmik Poghosyan called for more cultural cooperation between the two
countries in an exclusive interview with the Turkish Daily News last
week. "Let’s start working collaboratively in the cultural realm to
help new generations overcome the trauma," she said.

Gunay said the Turkish Culture Ministry was ready to cooperate
with Armenia in the cultural realm if bilateral political relations
normalize.

"Hostility benefits no one. Our door is open to everyone. We
definitely wish to have cooperation with Armenia’s Cultu re Ministry
in restoration of the ruins of Ani and unearthing the monastery on
Akdamar Island," said Gunay.

IRAN, ARMENIA OFFICIALS DISCUSS CAUCASUS CRISIS

Islamic Republic News Agency
Sept 16 2008
Iran

Tehran, 16 Sept: Iranian and Armenian foreign ministers in Tehran
on Tuesday [16 Sep 08] exchanged views on the latest developments in
the Caucasus region and reviewed ways out of the current crisis.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Manuchehr Mottaki [Iran’s
foreign minister] said that in his meeting with Edward Nalbandian,
the two ministers also discussed promotion of Tehran-Yerevan relations.

Mottaki added that the visit to Tehran by his Armenian counterpart
was a chance to maintain Iran’s diplomacy of easing tension in the
Caucasus region and also in pursuit of Iran’s talks with the Russian,
Azeri and German officials to this end.

Referring to his Monday visit to Germany, Mottaki said his visit to
Berlin took place in line with Tehran’s shuttle diplomacy to promote
peace and stability in the Caucasus region.

In the aftermath of Georgia war, Iran has started an initiative
by making visits to Russia and Azerbaijan to mediate peace in the
Caucasus region.

He also met with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
to encourage the European countries to help solve the Caucasus crisis.

The Armenian minister, for his part, told reporters that he was
satisfied with his talks with Mottaki.

He wished that the current regional crisis would be solved through
peaceful negotiations.

Nalbandian also voiced Yerevan’s support for Tehran’s detente
diplomacy stressing that Armenia would always welcome sustainable
peace in the region.

ENVOY SAYS USA TO GIVE "ANY SUPPORT" ON TURKEY’S CAUCASUS INITIATIVE

Azerbaijani Public TV (ITV)
Sept 16 2008

[Presenter] The recent events in Georgia once again proved that the
frozen conflicts in the Caucasus, in particular the Nagornyy Karabakh
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, should be resolved soon, US ambassador
to Azerbaijan Anne Derse has said. She also expressed the attitude of
the United States to the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform.

[Correspondent] The Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform,
initiated by Turkey is [words indistinct]. US ambassador to Azerbaijan
Anne Derse said that the USA is following this process attentively.

[Derse speaking to reporters in English, with Azerbaijani translation
overlaid] We are ready to provide any support on this issue. The United
States of America wants to see the Caucasus and Caspian countries
developing, democratic and stable. The position of the US government
is that sovereign and independent Caucasus states should choose
their ways themselves, and they do so. We believe that the Caucasus
Stability and Cooperation Platform will have a positive impact on
the resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus in particular.

[Correspondent] The ambassador expressed her country’s concern over
the recent events in Georgia. She said that after these evens the USA
has decided to further step its efforts regarding the resolution of
other conflicts in the Caucasus.

[Derse] The recent events in Georgia proved that it is very important
to resolve conflicts in the region as soon as possible. In particular,
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict should be resolved
as soon as possible. In particular, US Vice-President Richard Cheney
noted, while visiting Azerbaijan, that the USA recognizes Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and wants the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict to be
resolved only and only on the basis of the principle of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. The USA has always shown activeness in this
area, and from now on this activeness will further increase.

FRANCE WELCOMES ANY INITIATIVE HELPFUL FOR KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.09.2008 13:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ France, as co-Chair with the Russian Federation
and the United States of the OSCE Minsk Group in charge, on behalf
of the OSCE, to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan to achieve a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, welcomes any initiative
of good will which could be helpful in the ongoing negotiation process,
Nicolas de Lacoste, a deputy spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry,
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"In this respect Turkey, as a prominent member state of the
Minsk Group, has always supported the efforts of the tripartite
co-Chairmanship which presented to both sides involved in the conflict,
last November in Madrid, a written document of "Basic Principles for
a peaceful settlement of the conflict". This document, result of
three years of intense negotiation between the sides, with direct
involvement of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, is still
under discussion and remains on the table," he said.

Earlier, Turkish President Abdullah Gul announced his intention
to mediate between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents. "The
OSCE Minsk Group failed to produce effect during 17 years of its
mediation. Turkey-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Armenia issues are not
only bilateral but also territorial. The situation in the region has
changed. Resolution of conflicts will lead to political and economic
stability," he said.

Turks and Armenians to unite for wine production

armradio.am
13.09.2008 12:33

As tensions between Turkey and Armenia have been slightly reduced as a
result of last week’s football game between the two countries,
businessmen are feeling encouraged to participate in joint projects.

`The Turkey-Armenia match has given us hope. Production projects have
gathered pace. Some day, it may be possible to establish a joint
facility,’ said Noyan Soyak, co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian
Business Development Council, the Turkish Daily News reported.

Businessmen, who have used indirect means to continue trading with
Armenia despite an embargo imposed since 1993, started to display their
partnership-based projects more bravely after the game. Believing that
a more comfortable environment for business affairs may now come about,
businessmen have made a decision to launch a joint wine production.

Turkish, Armenian and Georgian businessmen had already launched a
collective cheese production last year under the leadership of the
Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council.

The historic World Cup playoff has begun a new period for the project,
said Ä°lhan Koçulu, a businessman from Turkey’s northeastern city of
Kars. `We were very nervous during the first months following the
launch of the project. The meeting of the two countries’ president has
relieved us. We will continue our partnership, which started with
cheese, with wi
ne now.’

`This game marks the starting point of a new period for our projects.
The mild winds after the match have encouraged us. When we first set
off, we had in mind to accomplish what politicians fail to do; because
the conflicts between the countries may be settled, not via
bureaucratic paths, but through economic and cultural dialogue,’ said
Koçulu.

Besides wine production, there is also a joint project for medicinal
herbs, said Koçulu. `Herbs constitute another common aspect of the
Caucasus. We know that there are several types of herbs, on which there
are scientific studies, in Kars. But Georgia and Armenia are very
advanced in this field. The classification and the purposes are well
known. Within this scope, a plant was established in the BoÄ?aztepe
village of Kars. In the pilot program, which features 36 women,
medicinal herbs are farmed and dried. There is ongoing work on 25 types
of herbs.’

Just like Koçulu, who believes that communities have become familiar
with each other due to cheese production, Soyak said the project loomed
large for the dialogue of the people in the region. The cheese produced
by Turkish, Armenian and Georgian dairymen would not be consumed just
on the domestic market, but also be exported, said Soyak. `We aim to
see patents completed by 2009. We would like to see the consumption of
this product, particularly amongst the
diaspora.’

FRANK PALLONE CALLS ON TURKEY TO END ITS DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.09.2008 18:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) welcomed Armenia’s diplomatic outreach to Turkey
and called on Turkey to reciprocate this gesture of good will with
concrete steps toward an enduring peace based on truth and justice,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The New Jersey legislator’s House floor statement comes in the wake of
the recent Armenia-Turkey World Cup soccer qualifying match in Yerevan
that Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul attended at the invitation of his
Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan. In his remarks, the Congressman
specifically calls upon Turkey to end its denial of the Armenian
Genocide, to remove Article 301 and other free speech restrictions
on the discussion of this crime, and to lift its illegal 15-year old
blockade of Armenia.

In the days prior to the soccer match, the ANCA circulated a letter
explaining to every Member of Congress that, "for this initiative to
succeed, Turkey’s leaders need to view this as a true opportunity for
enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity to help alleviate
the growing international pressure it is under to recognize the
Armenian Genocide."

Rep. Pallone said in his address:

"Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Armenia and its president,
Serge Sargsyan, on the historic soccer match between Armenia and
Turkey this past weekend.

On July 9th, President Sargsyan, in the Wall Street Journal Europe
Addition, took a surprising and historic step, by inviting President
Abdullah Gul of Turkey to sit with him and watch the two nations play
a World Cup qualifier match in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

In an effort to warm relations between the two countries, President
Sargisian wrote, ‘…just as the people of China and the United
States shared enthusiasm for ping pong before their governments fully
normalized relations, the people of Armenia and Turkey are united in
their love for football.’

President Gul accepted the offer, and on Saturday, September 6th,
he became the first Turkish leader to visit Armenia.

Armenia initiated soccer diplomacy with Turkey despite nearly a
century of Turkish genocide denial and 15 years of an economic
blockade. For years, Armenia has been ready to establish relations
with Turkey without preconditions and President Sargsyan’s recent
efforts reinforced this commitment. President Gul must also be
commended for his efforts to see past the opposition of some in his
country to attend the match.

With the recent violence between Russia and Georgia, further steps
to promote stability in the Caucasus must be taken. Strengthening
Armenian and Turkish relations is essential to these efforts.

Turkey can strengthen its relationship with Armenia by ending its
policy of genocide denial; policy that is imposed both globally and
domestically. The Turkish government lobbies heavily against the
international community’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Domestically, Turkey should lift all restrictions imposed by Section
301 of the Turkish penal code on individuals who study, discuss,
or recognize the Armenian Genocide. Silencing academics and writers
limits freedom of speech and makes any serious discussion of the
Armenian Genocide within Turkey taboo.

To improve relations, Turkey must also lift its stifling economic
blockade on Armenia. The State Department estimates that the blockade
inflates Armenia by 30 to 35 percent. Removing the blockade will
enable the development of needed infrastructure projects and regional
communications, energy, and transportation in the Caucasus. The removal
of the blockade would also do much to catalyze global investment in
Turkey and Armenia.

With the recent conflict between Russia and Georgia, Armenia
proved itself to be a constructive partner to Georgia. The Armenian
government provided safe transit for U.S and international officials
and thousands of Georgian nationals, and non-governmental organization
representatives.

But Armenia experienced significant economic distress due to the
conflict. The country lost an estimated 650 million dollars and
shortages in fuel and wheat were rampant. With renewed volatility
in the Caucasus, Armenia can no longer afford to suffer from duel
blockades.

President Sargsyan’s initiation of soccer diplomacy and President Gul’s
reciprocal invitation to watch a game next year in Turkey is a positive
breakthrough in a region of historic violence and tense emotions.

As President Sargisian wrote, ‘A more prosperous, mutually beneficial
future for Armenia and Turkey, and the opening up of a historic
East-West corridor for Europe, the Caspian region and the rest of
the world, are goals that we can and must achieve.’ As a Congress,
we must do all we can to support these efforts. Thank you."

ARMENIA INCLINED TO FREE AZERBAIJAN’S LANDS: TURKISH PRESIDENT

Trend News Agency
Sept 11 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 September/ TrendNews/ President of Turkey
Abdullah Gul has stated that Armenia is inclined to free occupied
lands of Azerbaijan, Dunya bulteni news agency of Turkey reported.

Abdullah Gul said to journalists after his visit to Baku that Armenia
is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan and that Sarkisyan
understands significance of resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict.

"Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan. I witnessed
it during my meeting with Sarkisyan," Gul said.

Gul said he believes Russia also has a positive attitude toward the
resolution Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "I think
Russia also wants Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to be solved. Because
Russia will not accept its isolation in the region," he added.