Author: Maghakian Mike

KARABAKH ARMY PART OF ARMENIAN ARMY – CHIEF OF STAFF

Arminfo, Yerevan
25 May 07

Yerevan, 25 May: New Chief of Staff of the Armenian Army Lt-Gen Seyran
Ohanyan is getting accustomed to his position. He said this speaking
to journalists today. This is Seyran Ohanyan’s first communication
with media after his appointment to the post of chief of staff of
the Armenian army. Earlier, Ohanyan was the commander of the Nagornyy
Karabakh defence army.

"Military service is not something new for me. However, every new
position is connected with difficulties of the first period and getting
used to it," Ohanyan said. He said that although he is generally
acquainted with the divisions of the Armenian armed forces, he intends
to get to know them better and has already started the process.

Answering the question whether his appointment was an order, he said,
"it was an invitation, to which I agreed".

Ohanyan said that the Nagornyy Karabakh defence army is also part
of the Armenian army. He noted the presence of some deficiencies and
stressed that the Armenian army has gone through a good path through
the 15 years since its establishment.

[Arminfo, Yerevan, in Russian 0933 gmt 25 May 07 reported that
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan conferred the rank of Col-Gen on
Seyran Ohanyan]

DOCUMENT BETWEEN MATENADARAN AND HILL OFFICIALLY STOPPED, MATENADARAN IS PROPOSED TO WORK OUT DETAILED PROGRAM OF DIGITIZATION

Noyan Tapan
May 24 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The agreement signed between
the Hill Museum Manuscript Library attached to the Saint John
monastery-university of the U.S. state of Minnesota and M. Mashtots
Matendaran (repository of ancient manuscrips) is illegal, so it
is stopped. Such a decision was made at the May 23 sitting of the
professional commission held at the RA Ministry of Education and
Science. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Gevorg Gharibjanian, RA Deputy
Justice Minister Gevorg Malkhasian, NAS Chairman Radik Martirosian,
YSU Rector Aram Simonian, historians, literary critics, representatives
of the high technologies sphere and others were present at the sitting.

Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchian, opening the
discussion, stated that he met with Prime Minister Serge Sargsian,
then with President Robert Kocharian as well on the occasion of the
issue of interpretations of different types arisen by specialists
on digitization of the manuscrips of Matendaran. In the Minister’s
words, R. Kocharian approved the program and expressed his assistance,
saying that one must implement the program step by step.

The future discussion was continued without journalists. It was found
out after the sitting from the participants’ explanations that not
all members of the professional commission welcame the affair of
implementation of the agreement in the created situation.

Minister Levon Mkrtchian stated that they will send a letter to the
Hill directorate, stating that this issue will be discussed at the
RA Government. And it was demanded from the Matenadaran to present
a business plan concerning the proposal of the Hill museum within a
20-day term. "This issue was to have just such a progress as only
the agreement on intentions was still signed, and the three-stage
agreement itself was to be signed after successive discussions. Simply,
by a mistake instead of memorandum on intentions it was written
"agreement" in the document: no agreement was signed yet and no
bargain was concluded," the Minister assured.

He also added that if proposals are got from Armenian organizations
during the discussion, "naturally, priority will be given to Armenian
organizations."

To recap, two weeks ago the Matenadaran directorate made a statement
where the mentioned agreement was also announced invalid. "For I
have a rest from the noise arisen on digitization of the Matenadaran
manuscripts and criticisms of different types, I announced invalid the
agreement-contract of intentions signed with the Hill Museum Manuscript
Library, but the Ministry has its viewpoint on this occasion, so it
invited this working visit," Matenadaran Director Sen Arevshatian
said. In Sen Arevshatian’s words, today’s discussion is very useful:
"It is what we wanted: a competent commission which will give a correct
solution with the help of discussions. And, that the program is useful
for keeping and security of the manuscripts, it is unequivocal."

In Gevorg Gharibjanian’s opinion, the reason for such a situation is
not the issue of digitization of the Matenadaran manuscripts and not
so much the issue of the agreement, as much that "the wide society
is not aware who signed that agreement." Besides, in his words,
this issue was not corectly covered for the society.

Garegin Chugaszian, the Director of the Information Technologies Fund,
who has more radical approach, stated that during the commission
sitting, Deputy Justice Minister Gevorg Malkhasian explained that
the agreement signed with Hill is stopped as it opposes the RA laws.

G. Chugaszian is sure that before signing an agreement with
Hill, Matenadaran has no program concerning digitization of the
manuscripts. "When you ask what 80-90 mln there were, on what they were
to be spent, nobody is able to clearly explain." And responding the
question if those mentioned millions are realistic or not, he said:
"One may speak about the price only when a clear program will be." In
his words, the program to be presented by Matenadaran must be discussed
by numerous professional groups after what it will enter the government
and again be discussed with the Prime Minister’s participation.

Qualifying the present document as an "Utopian," Chugaszian attached
importance to the circumstance that Matendaran today has no specialists
of that sphere, can not say a based work on those issues. "We think
that digitization is not a need, but is an obliged thing and it demands
a serious professional approach," he said, adding that the Information
Technologies Fund is ready to cooperate with all organizations,
including Hill as well."

PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN SHOULD DEMONSTRATE POLITICAL WILL IN RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT OSCE MG

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 24 2007

French Ambassador Bernard Fassie, an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,
stated at a news conference in Yerevan on 24 May that the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan should demonstrate a political will in the
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Íîâîñòè-À& #xF0;ìåíèÿ reports.

He stated that the co-chairs are attempting to assist the conflicting
sides to reach a compromise. Whilst none of the three co-chairing
countries can wave their magic wand, they are unable to offer the
sides an easy solution.

"To achieve progress within the resolution process, the two sides
must demonstrate political will. We cannot make a decision for them.

The proposals by the co-chairs are very important, but there is
something more important – to what extent are both sides prepared
to demonstrate their political will to understand each other,’ the
diplomat emphasized.

In his turn the Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov noted that the
co-chairs believe that 90% of the conditions are impartial in the
resolution of the conflict.

The OSCE Minsk Group Chairs from France and Russia have been visiting
Armenia from 23 May as part of a tour of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflicting region. During their visit they held meetings with the
President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian
and the Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

On 24 May the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will leave for Baku.

–Boundary_(ID_cjdRck7F+qUe9NjI3E/Qsg)–

AZERI MASS MEDIA’S AWKWARD PROPAGANDA ACTION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 23 2007

According to the head of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic MOD Press
Office sub colonel Senor Asratian, the information circulated by
the Azeri mass media concerning the fact that RA Armed Forces "again
set fire to the territories of the Fizuli and Jebrail regions" is an
"awkward propaganda action’.

Today, in an interview with DE FACTO agency, Senor Asratian said the
information did not correspond to reality. In his words, undertaking
such steps, Azerbaijan is trying to discredit the Nagorno-Karabagh
before the international community. "Last year they also resorted to
such measures, however, OSCE mission formed by independent experts
confirmed the artificiality of the Azeri party’s accusations of
deliberate arsons", Senor Asratian underscored.

The head of the NKR MOD stated Nagorno-Karabagh was interested
in stability in the conflict zone, so it had no intention to take
measures that can threaten it.

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN EBRD ECONOMIC FORUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.05.2007 16:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The economic forum of the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development will be held in Kazan May
30-31. Businessmen and representatives of authorities from various
countries will be present at the forum. The central topic of the
forum is "Financing of New Boundaries". The forum will consist from
3 sessions, a number of press conferences and discussions. Besides,
presentations of different countries will be held in the framework
of events.

Russia’s presentation will take place upon the opening of the forum,
its subject is "Diversification of Economic Competitive Ability of
Russia". Besides Russia Azerbaijan, Armenia, Byelorussia, Bulgaria,
Georgia, Kyrgyzia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Montenegro and other
states will also hold presentations, "Kavkaz-Press" reports.

MEDIATORS TO MEET WITH RA PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER

armradio.am
23.05.2007 10:17

The Russian and French Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri
Merzlyakov and Bernard Fassier will meet with RA President Robert
Kocharyan and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian today.

According to the Acting Spokesman of RA MFA Vladimir Karapetyan,
the discussions will focus on the new suggestions the mediators made
in Belgrade.

On May 11 in Strasbourg Minister Oskanian presented the approaches
of the Armenian side; the discussions will continue in Yerevan.

Vladimir Karapetyan noted that the meetings are also targeted to
prepare the meting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. As
it is known, the recurrent meeting of the Presidents is scheduled
for June 10 in Saint Petersburg.

The Co-Chairs will depart from Yerevan tomorrow, but they will return
early June

No visit to Stepanakert and meetings with NKR authorities are
envisaged.

AZERBAIJANI FM: AZERBAIJAN WILL OFFICIALLY PROTEST TO PRESENCE OF SINGERS IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONTEST IF THEY ARRIVE AT LEVEL OF THEIR GOVERNMENTS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 22 2007

Armenian separatists will hold traditional Armenian contest-festival
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan on June 1-5.

Representatives from Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia, US, Bulgaria, Ukraine,
Georgia and Iran will participate in the contest, APA reports quoting
Regnum News Agency.

Khazar Ibrahim, head of press centre of Foreign Ministry touching
upon the participation of foreign singers in the contest in Nagorno
Karabakh said if foreign cultural representatives arrive in Nagorno
Karabakh at the level of their governments, Azerbaijan will send
official protest to those countries.

ARMENIA CALLS GEORGIA ITS ‘STRATEGIC PARTNER’
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

The Messenger, Georgia
May 21 2007

"The Georgian-Armenian relationship has always been what can be called
a ‘strategic partnership’," stated Armenian President’s Assistant
Vigen Sarkisian commenting on the differences that exist in Georgia’s
and Armenia’s concepts of national security.

In Georgia’s national security strategy, Armenia is listed as one of
those countries Georgian should have ‘pragmatic relations’ with, while
in Armenia’s national security plan, Georgia is considered Armenia’s
‘strategic partner’.

"No one in Armenia nor in Georgia doubts that we are very close
neighbours and have an historic partnership," stressed Sarkisian.

Sarkisian was asked if Georgia’s strengthening relationships with
Azerbaijan and Turkey as well as its participation in cross-border
transportation projects that further isolated Armenia could be
considered a danger to Georgian-Armenian relations.

"No," he answered, adding that the only danger could be stopping
current projects on which Georgia and Armenia cooperate. Future
projects that did not include Armenia’s cooperation would not
present a barrier to the relationship he said implying the recent
initiative that will construct the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railway
line connecting Azerbaijan to Turkey bypassing Armenia and instead
running through Georgia.

AZERBAIJAN INCREASES MILITARY EXPENSES AND MOVES TOWARDS NATO STANDARDS
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)

The Messenger, Georgia
May 21 2007

"Azerbaijan has recently increased its military spending," states
a report prepared by the international organization Forecast
International. Forecast International, Inc. provides market
intelligence and analyses for the aerospace, defense, military
electronics, and power systems industries.

"The goal of the Azeri leadership is to drive defense spending upward
to the point where it will break the back of Armenia’s will to continue
the impasse between the two countries over territorial issues," said
Forecast International Military Markets Analyst Dan Darling as quoted
by the news agency Today.Az. "The possibility of that happening,
however, is unlikely in the near term, as the capabilities of the
Armenian forces are believed to exceed those of Azerbaijan."

The report also states that Azerbaijan is focused on integrating into
NATO but stressed if they don’t implement the military reforms more
quickly, they will not likely integrate into the organization any
time soon. The organization estimates that the country’s military
reforms will be fully implemented by 2015.

The Azeri Ministry of Defense however disagrees with the report’s
conclusions. According to the Head of the ministry’s press service
Eldar Sabiroglu, Azerbaijan is doing its best so that the local army
will meet NATO standards as soon as possible. He thinks that the
authors of the report did not have enough information regarding the
work done by Azerbaijan.

According to the figures mentioned in the report, Azerbaijan’s military
expense growth is dramatic.

NICOLAS SARKOZY CHARGED PATRICK DEVEDJIAN TO LEAD RULING PARTY OF FRANCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.05.2007 18:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Former Industry Minister of France Patrick Devedjian
will occupy the post of Secretary General of the ruling UMP party. This
post was vacant after former UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy was elected
France’s new President. At the meeting with Devedjian held on May 17
Sarkozy noted that charges him with the job of party leader and by
doing that he lays on Devedjian a great responsibility. Sarkozy also
wished the ex-Minister of Industry to take his new responsibilities as
soon as possible, IA Regnum reports citing Armenian Public Television.

The newly elected French President today on May 18 formed the
new government, which includes 15 ministers. Seven ministers are
women. Particularly ex-Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie is
appointed as Minister of Interior and Overseas Territories.

Rachida Dati is appointed as Justice Minister. The portfolio of Foreign
Minister received socialist Bernard Kouchner and Herve Morin became
the Defense Minister.