Author: Maghakian Mike

Pilot Error Blamed In Armavia A320 Accident
Aero-News Network, FL
July 27, 2006
Russian investigators say it was pilot error that caused the crash
of an Armavia Airlines Airbus A320 back in May… killing all 113
people on board the plane.
As Aero-News reported, the accident happened during foul weather as
the Armenian aircraft was on approach to the airport in Sochi… a
Russian seaside resort.
A spokeswoman for the civil aviation authority that links Russia with
eleven of its former republics says a terrain avoidance alarm sounded
in the cockpit shortly before the crash… but the crew was unable
to add power and pull up in time to avoid crashing into the Black Sea.
Of the 113 people on board that flight… 26 were Russian citizens.
Their families will receive about $3,800 from the state… on top of
the $8,900 already paid out by the airline.

The International Herald Tribune: “Dutch Disease” Threatens Azerbaijan
PanARMENIAN.Net
26.07.2006 16:34 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ For Azerbaijan, the biggest question at present
is what to do with the so-called “wall of money” that will start
to accrue once the oil begins to flow. Some observers are already
predicting a bad case of pending “Dutch disease”- by which an increase
in oil revenues renders a country’s manufacturing less competitive
by raising the exchange rate – unless Baku manages to divert both
state and private investment into the non-oil sector and addresses
the subject of income disparity between the new rich and the growing
number of disgruntled or desperately poor,” Thomas Goltz wrote for
The International Herald Tribune.
“For now, the question of the political ramifications of future
oil-related wealth is on hold as investors, citizens and former
pipe-dreamers celebrate the realization of what is now a “pipeline
to somewhere.” I hope my zany motorcycle circus of six years ago
played some little part in this process. I also hope that the current
leadership of Azerbaijan will use the occasion of its new-found wealth
to win more than just fair-weather friends and address some of the
urgent social issues at play here on the shore of the Caspian,”
the observer wrote.

Ruling party booklet on EU prefaces premier, lists Turkey’s “red lines”
Anatolia news agency
26 Jul 06
Ankara, 26 July: [Ruling] Justice and Development Party (AKP) Foreign
Relations Department prepared a booklet – “EU in 100 questions” –
aiming to introduce Turkey’s European Union (EU) adhesion process to
the society.
One hundred questions have been asked in the booklet as well as
the answers regarding the foundation of the EU, its history, motto,
decisions, consultative and jurisdictional bodies, enlargement process
and screening process as far as Turkey is concerned.
“Turkey’s unifying identity appears to be an important asset at a
time when efforts are underway to polarize the world in the axis of
civilizations and at a time when terrorism gradually became more
destructive and merciless,” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan wrote in the preface of the booklet.
Erdogan also reaffirmed that Turkey’s EU perspective was always
“full membership”.
In the booklet, Turkey’s red lines are listed such as:
-“Turkey cannot recognize Cyprus Greek Cypriot administration under
the name of Cyprus Republic. A political recognition is only possible
after a comprehensive and durable settlement.
-“Acknowledging ‘so-called Armenian genocide’ can never be a
pre-condition in the negotiation stage. No concessions will be made
from the Lausanne Treaty and (Turkey’s) territorial integrity.
-“It is out of question for Turkey to accept ‘Privileged Partnership
Status’ (offered by some European politicians). Screening process is
expected to be concluded at the end of this year.
“Agriculture and environment will be the two topics that will strain
most Turkey at the negotiation process,” it was also underscored at
the booklet.

Karabakh Conflict Sides Fail to Fulfill Obligations on Settling Military Incidents
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.07.2006 13:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sides in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict have
undertaken to quickly settle all the incidents at the contact line,
however they fail to fulfill this obligation, OSCE Minsk Group former
Russian Co-chair Vladimir Kazimirov told PanARMENIAN.Net.
“Let’s suppose that the implementation of the agreement has uncovered
its shortcomings, but there should be political will and protection
of lives of the civilians living near the contact line. However the
matter was reduced to holding of selective monitorings which cannot
secure either direct contacts between the sides or supervision of the
contact line. Meanwhile the incidents still claim lives and aggravate
tension and distrust between the sides,” Kazimirov underscored.
The Russian diplomat remarked that Armenian Defense Minister
Serge Sargsyan has publicly announced the readiness to fulfill the
obligations undertaken if the Azeri side acts the same way. Karabakh
joined the position and reiterated it in May 2006, however Baku keeps
silent for years already. “Baku’s negative approach was conditioned
by the unwillingness to maintain immediate contact with the military
of the opposite side, moreover with Nagorno Karabakh a party to the
agreement,” he said.
To note, the proposals on strengthening the ceasefire were sent by
Vladimir Kazimirov to the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on
February 3, 1995. The consent of the parties was received February 4,
1995 from the Defense Ministers of all the conflicting sides.

Cyprus and the 300 Soldiers of Leonidas
Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
July 23 2006
By Nicos Rolandis
A WAVE of merciless carnage, destruction and despair has again
reached our shores. It has inundated the Middle East and the Eastern
Mediterranean. July 1982 comes back to my mind, when Beirut was in
flames and I convened here in Cyprus a conference of the Non-Aligned
Movement to express solidarity to the Palestinians. The international
community was as frigid and nonchalant as it is today.
Solidarity is always welcome in circumstances such as the above.
Practical results however are almost non-existent. The flames which
burn the flesh and the soul cannot be put out by words and wishes. As
Pope Benedict said when he visited Auschwitz “In a place like this,
words fail. In the end there can only be a dreaded silence – a silence
which is itself a heartfelt cry to God: Why, Lord, did you remain
silent? How could you tolerate all this?”
The Middle East and Cyprus have followed parallel paths in the past.
We both have unresolved national problems, military confrontations,
occupied territories, human losses, refugees, missing persons. We also
have a number of other common traits: extreme nationalism, lack of
moderation, stubborn pursuit of the absolute and a tendency to overlook
the political balances in our area, in which might creates right.
If both in our case and in the case of the Middle East, the love for
our country was not going only through our hearts but through our
minds as well, we would have all ended up in a much better position.
The recent meeting of President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader
Talat was a step in the right direction. It took place, however,
after a long and unwarranted delay. I hope it is not too late. For
the past three years the trains leading to a possible solution were
loaded only with dreams and hopes – nothing else. They left Cyprus
behind, in a misty atmosphere, with new settlers coming in, replete
with pain for properties lost in the occupied north. We now need
positive developments. If nothing happens, I fear that we shall move
into a new adventure with unpredictable consequences.
Former President of Greece Costis Stephanopoulos, a mature politician,
has warned about a possible armed conflict with Turkey if the
national issues remain unresolved. The appraisal of former Prime
Minister of Greece Costas Simitis is similar to the above. The two
distinguished Greek politicians know very well how inflammable our
area may become. They both lived through the incidents with the Imia
islands and the S300 missiles, which almost led to war. I was in
Geneva when the decision was taken not to import the missiles into
Cyprus. I had meetings with Greek Minister and Simitis “confident”
Alecos Papadopoulos at the residence of Archbishop Damaskinos of
Switzerland. I know that we got very close to war.
As I have written in the past, Cypriots never assessed correctly the
danger of military conflict. After the coup in 1974, many people
here excluded the possibility of invasion. They considered that
Turkey would not dare to move against Cyprus, because the latter
was a member of the United Nations, of the Council of Europe, of the
non-Aligned Movement, of the Commonwealth and furthermore Cyprus had
signed an Association Agreement with the European Communities. They
also relied on the Guarantees of Greece and the United Kingdom. Our
political demeanour however in the 1960s, the various warlords and
their followers and the coup d’etat which ensued, constituted an
explosive brinkmanship. We avoided the invasion in 1964 and in 1967;
we did not avoid it in 1974. In addition Makarios himself believed
that there wouldn’t be a coup against him; but the coup took place.
We are now of the impression that, irrespective of our political
behavior, Europe will always avert threats against us. If this
was the case Greece would not face any danger in 1996 with the Imia
islands and in 1998 with the S300 missiles. The warnings of President
Stephanopoulos would not be valid either.
Greek politicians were much more prudent than their Cypriot peers in
this regard. They had made it clear since the 1960s that Greece could
not be drawn into armed conflict, whenever Cyprus decided unilaterally
to follow her own course. Georghios Papandreou, Constatinos Karamanlis,
Andreas Papandreou, George Rallis, Constantinos Mitsotakis and Costas
Simitis gave discreetly the above message to us. Andreas Papandreou
was particularly cautious. In April 1983, when we were in Athens on a
state visit, there were rumours about a probable military operation
by the Turks, as a result of the activities of Armenian fighters in
Cyprus. The Prime Minister considered the situation as very grave,
so he convened an urgent meeting. I set out here below the exact
contents of a note prepared by the then Director of my office (and
recently Minister) Alecos Shambos.
“On the 12/4/83, before lunch, a meeting was held at the residence
of Ambassador Mr Hadjimiltis; Messrs Papandreou, Kyprianou,
Haralambopoulos, Skoularikis, Drosoyiannis, Rolandis, Veniamin, D.
Michaelides and service personnel participated. The subject examined
was the security of Cyprus, especially in the light of Turkish threats
related to the Armenians. It was clear that the Prime Minister
wanted to ascertain to what extent Greece would be implicated in case
Cyprus was struck by a limited Turkish military operation (bombing
or occupation of the Melkonian School etc).
At no stage of the meeting Greece undertook a commitment to support
Cyprus militarily in case of military operation of any nature. It
became clear though, that there was an intention of military support
of a certain nature by Greece, without a clear definition of such a
support. It was decided that in case of a limited Turkish operation
our own reaction should also be limited and not extend beyond the
space which Turkey would strike. In this regard Papandreou mentioned
that Greece might send approximately 300 men for the support of Cyprus.
When we finished, the atmosphere was frigid. One of the Cypriot
participants whispered in my ear: “Nicos, does he mean he will send
to us the 300 fighters of Leonidas?” (Leonidas was a legendary king
of ancient Greece who fought the Persians with 300 men).
So, President Papadopoulos, watch your step. I do not think that you
have convinced either the government and certainly not the opposition
in Greece about your line of thought. Moreover you have not convinced
the Europeans and the Americans. So do not set the measure higher
than you can jump. If we have a serious military problem, Europe is not
going to attempt to save us, unless we convince her that we work in a
correct way to save ourselves. Thus far we have not convinced her. ??
NICOS A. ROLANDIS POLITICAL BUREAU

Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkmenistan not to attend CIS summit
ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
July 21, 2006 Friday 08:25 AM EST
The CIS informal summit to begin later on Friday will not be attended
by Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian and Turkmen presidents.
Turkmenistan’s President Saparmurat Niyazon, who is holidaying at
the Caspian seaside, said he would not participate in the summit
beforehand, while Ukraine’s Yushchenko, Georgia’s Saakashvili and
Armenia’s Kocharian decided on this spontaneously.
These changes did not affect the summit’s agenda. The assessment of
international situation and the CIS upgrading and reforming will be
of priority.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin invited his counterparts to meet
in Moscow on July 21-22 to discuss the CIS reform informally ahead of
the regular summit in autumn,” presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said.
Ukraine’s Viktor Yushchenko hesitated for a long while, as his
participation in the forum depended on Ukraine’s political situation.
Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian presidential press service said
Yushchenko has strong intention to come, but a few hours after press
secretary Irina Grishchenko announced of Yushchenko’s refusal.
“Taking into account Ukraine’s internal situation, the president
decided he should stay in the country,” she said.
Yushchenko will wrote a letter to Putin explaining the reason of his
refusal and confirming that Russia remains Ukraine’s strategic partner,
she said.
“In his letter Yushchenko will also invite Vladimir Putin to visit
Ukraine. He hopes that his Russian counterparts will understand his
decision,” Grishchenko said.
Georgia’s Saakashvili, who earlier on Friday dismissed the government,
and soon after re-appointed all ministers, except from state minister
for conflict settlement – Georgy Khaindrava and environment protection
minister – Georgy Papuashvili, decided not to go to Moscow, although
his plane was ready to land off.
Merab Antadze, who replaced Khaindrava and was preparing
Putin-Saakashivili meeting in Moscow said “he failed to agree on the
bilateral meeting within the framework of the CIS summit.”
“However, we’ve agreed to hold such a meeting in the near future,
and the two presidents will be able to consider Tbilisi’s proposals,”
he said.
Armenia’s Robert Kocharian got heavy cold and will not take part.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who currently presides over
the CIS, confirmed his participation and prepared a program document
on the CIS reform for the Moscow summit, Kazakh Foreign Minister
Kasymzhomart Tokayev said.
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin will also attend the summit. On
July 19, he said he “was not satisfied with current relations with
Russia.”
“Most problems the two countries face are concentrated on the Dniester
region conflict settlement,” he said.
Voronin sees no political undertones in Russia’s gas export price
hikes.
“Russia is reconsidering its economic policy in the CIS, not only in
relation to Moldova, but also to other countries of the CIS increasing
gas export prices for them,” he said.
As for Russia’s ban on import of Moldovan wines, Voronin expressed
the hope that this step “will make Moldova’s winemakers to look for
new markets.”
The schedule of Voronin’s bilateral meeting is now being coordinated,
the Moldovan presidential press service said.
“The Belarussian delegation led by President Alexander Lukashenko will
arrive in Moscow on Friday,” the Belarussian Foreign Ministry’s press
secretary, Andrei Popov, told Itar-Tass. “The program of Lukashenko’s
visit is now being finalized.”
He pointed out that Lukashenko believes that “the CIS has the future
and it is necessary to define areas for further cooperation once
again.”
Azerbaijan’s Ilkham Aliyev will arrive in Moscow after a short
vacation, the head of the presidential administration’s foreign
affairs department, Novruz Mamedov, said.
Aliyev will express “his attitude to cooperation prospects within
the CIS framework,” he said.
Tajikistan’s Emomali Rakhmonov, who also confirmed his participation in
the upcoming summit, believes that “it is too early “to decommission”
the CIS.”
The Kyrgyz and Uzbek presidents are also expected to take part.

TO CREATE SYNERGY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIMINALITY OF THE POLITICAL AREA
Margaret Yesayan
Aravot.am
21 July 06
PPA leader Stepan Demirchian thinks that this must be the aim of the
opposition powers.
Mr. Demirchian, how duo you describe political situation of Armenia
today, it is already obvious that parties from the authority and
political powers prepare for the coming elections more actively.
It’s a pre-electoral year and everyone prepares for the elections. It’s
obvious that the authority will make all efforts for reproduction. But
it isn’t workable because there is no positive improvement in the
country in these years: neither people’s life has improved nor
complaints has reduced and nor injustice. People won’t vote the
representatives of this authority though all their efforts. As regards
the opposition, it will say its word. The PPA is busy in its inter
party problems, strengthening its structures, and we prepare for the
coming session of our party in autumn.
Will you participate in the elections alone or with the bloc?
I haven’t decided yet.
There are analyzes that the current opposition can’t be in the
Parliament 2007, do you agree with this opinion?
You shouldn’t pay attention to those analyzes and
predictions. According to ”Gelap” polling the PPA has no problem
for entering the Parliament and only 7% of society won’t give votes
to the PPA.
There is an opinion that the opposition has never been so weak and
passive than it is now. How do you explain it?
I should remind that same opposition won both in presidential and
parliamentary elections in 2003, now it will also win in a fair
fight. It’s another matter that the society doesn’t believe that
something is possible to change in this country in civil way. The
overwhelming majority of the society doesn’t believe in fair
elections. The reform of “Electoral Code” is meaningless here. It’s
very amusing, every time they rig the elections and speak of “EC”
reforms. And the problem is still the same, as it was before, this
is the problem of the whole society: to prevent falsifications and
forbid reproduction of the authority in illegal way. I’m sure, we
can solve that problem.
It seems the oppositionist parties will find effective mechanisms of
collaboration. It is spoken a lot about the necessity of formation of
ideological unions, it is important, but first of all serious political
powers must create synergy against criminality of the political area.
But the authorities don’t hide that they will do their best for
reproduction.
We also must do our best to give the authority back to the people,
because reproduction of such authority will bring misfortune to
the people.
–Boundary_(ID_YZdH3pJrUl1Z9IZDRSR+BQ)–

RA FOREIGN MINISTRY HOT LINE SERVICE FOR CURRENT SITUATION IN LEBANON
AZG Armenian Daily #135, 20/07/2006
Emergency Actions
Today, RA PM Andranik Margarian held a consultation for rendering
assistance to the Armenians who wish to leave Lebanon RA Territorial
Management Minister
Hovik Abrahamian, RA Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatrian,
RA Deputy Foreign Minister Gegam Garibjanian, head of RA Civil
Aviation Department Artem Movsisian, and other officials participated
in the council.
RA Government’s press service informed that RA Prime Minister expressed
anxiety about the events in Middle East, where a considerable number of
Armenians live, and emphasized the importance of assisting them. RA
Deputy Foreign Minister Garibjanian informed that the diplomatic
representatives of Armenia in Syria, Lebanon, Aleppo are working 24
hours a day and are ready to render any available assistance. The
Foreign Ministry organizes transportation of Armenian citizens from
Lebanon to Armenia. Mr. Garibjanian said that already 160 citizens have
reached Armenia through Syria. He also said that those ethnic Armenians
who do not have Armenian citizenship, can also enter Armenia, being
given free visas for 3 months. Head of RA Civil Aviation Department
Artem Movsisian represented the opportunities to organize charter
flights to Beirut and Syria.
The relevant departments of RA Foreign Ministry were ordered to
find out the exact number of Lebanese Armenians who want to move to
Armenia and create a telephone hotline. RA Civil Aviation Department
was ordered to start negotiations with ArmAvia company for organizing
special flights to Syria. The Government is ready to partly finance
the flights.
By Ara Martirosian

OSKANYAN AND “SKINHEAD PRESS”
Lragir.am
19 July 06
Last week Vardan Oskanyan, the minister of foreign affairs of
Armenia, made an unprecedented statement about the internal political
developments in Armenia. It is not clear what made the foreign minister
take that step. For in Armenia they do not announce every day that
a political reform is necessary, which not only intends to upgrade
the country but also strikes the economic and political interests of
the elite.
Considering that Mr. Oskanyan emphasized for several times that
his words must be viewed from the point of view of international
developments, his words appear to be quite serious. We do not think
that someone perceived his words as a joke. It became clear from the
reaction of a number of opposition newspapers “washing the shores” of
Serge Sargsyan. These newspapers, which have been recently referred
to as “skinhead press” very typically, tried their hardest to hide
Vardan Oskanyan’s statements “terrible” for their boss.
Well, it is already good that they understood what Oskanyan said. It
is bad, however, that now they again failed to draw a conclusion for
themselves. And now, as it usually happens, they will say we did not
know how it happened. Oskanyan is perhaps happy that he could convey
the “challenge” to the “elite”. Reading his statements is useful for
the “elite”, the others understand everything perfectly.
They also undersand that the “skinhead press” serving the criminal
downplays street skinheads who threaten unbiased reporters. They can
also understand the fear of this press that it is also going to undergo
the second surge of reforms in Armenia. Go “reform-Oskanyan”! Skinheads
cannot stop you.

Plane of the Syian airlines to land in Yerevan tonight
ArmRadio.am
19.07.2006 15:11
Currently names of 200 RA citizens and Armenians willing to leave
Lebanon are included in the list of RA Embassy in Beirut, acting
Press Secretary of RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Karapetyan
informed, noting that the number is not final.
According to him, up to now 160 people have arrived in Yerevan
from Lebanon. “Today the plane of the Syrian airlines will arrive
in Yerevan. Armenian citizens may be among the passengers,” Vladimir
Karapetyan noted.
The Press Secretary informed that the Armenian side intends to organize
one or two charter flights to Aleppo tomorrow.