Author: Nahapetian Boris

HRAYR KARAPETYAN: ARMENIA WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RAISE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CSTO ACTIVITY

Armradio.am
24.09.2008 16:37

Under the conditions of controversial public interests and the
threat of international terrorism the security of a separate state
can be ensured only thanks to collective efforts. The Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) provides that opportunity to
its seven members, Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia
Hrayr Karapetyan noted during the sitting of the Defense and Security
Commission of the CSTO Interparliamentary Assembly held at the National
Assembly today.

According to him, besides the cooperation in the military-technical,
military-economic and military-education spheres, one of the main
functions of the CSTO is fighting against corruption, illegal
drug trafficking, and illegal migration. Besides, creation of the
information security system is in the focus of attention today.

NA Vice-Speaker attached importance to the activity of the
parliamentary body of the CSTO, which should ensure the legal side
of the organization’s activity.

Turning to Armenia’s presidency of the CSTO, Hrayr Karapetyan quoted
Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha as saying that Armenia is a
reliable partner checked by time and the main role-player of the CSTO
in the region.

The Vice-Speaker reminded that a number of arrangements were held in
Armenia within the framework of the CSTO in 2008, "Ru bezh 2008" joint
military exercises were successfully conducted, and on September 5
Armenia assumed the presidency of the CSTO. He also reminded the words
of the Armenian President that during its presidency Armenia will make
every effort to raise the effectiveness of the organization’s activity.

BRYZA ON KARABAKH: IT SHOULD BE A FAIR DEAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.09.2008 18:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan should mature
for resolution of the Karabakh conflict, said the U.S. Co-chair of
the OSCE Minsk Group.

"There is nothing more important than resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and the U.S. will help the sides to achieve an
agreement," Matt Bryza said, adding that it should be a fair deal,
Trend Azeri news agency reported.

DEADLINE FOR CANDIDACY WITHDRAWAL EXPIRES FOR CANDIDATES TO RUN IN SEPTEMBER 28 ELECTIONS TO LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES

Noyan Tapan

Se p 18, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 18, NOYAN TAPAN. The deadline for candidacy
withdrawal by the candidates to run in the September 28 elections to
local self-government bodies to be held in 6 communities of Yerevan
expired on September 18, at 6 pm.

NT was informed by chairwoman of the district electoral commission
(DEC) No 10 Silva Markosian that within the envisaged period two
candidates for the post of Kentron (Center) district head – member of
the Armenian National Movement (ANM) David Arakelian and member of the
Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), deputy head of the district Gagik
Gyanjumian withdrew their candidacies. Thus the current head of the
district, RPA member Gagik Beglarian and the chairman of the ANM board,
former head of the district Ararat Zurabian will run in the election.

According to chairman of DEC No 2 Gurgen Khachatrian, non-party man,
unemployed person Karen Grigorian withdrew his candidacy within the
envisaged period. Thus two candidates: RPA member, current head of
the district David Petrosian and RPA member, unemployed person Melik
Gasparian will run in the election of head of Nor Nork district.

3 candidates in Nor Nork district and 3 ones in Davitashen district
to run in elections of aldermen withdrew their candidacies within the
envisaged period. As a result, 11 candidates will run for 11 seats
of aldermen in Nork-Marash district, 40 candidates for 15 seats in
Kentron, 36 candidates for 15 seats in Nor Nork district, 22 for 15
seats in Davitashen, 45 for 15 seats in Shengavit, and 17 candidates
for 15 seats of aldermen in Avan district.

BERNARD FASSIER: IN CASE OF GOOD WILL, A GOOD COMBINATION OF PRINCIPLES FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT CAN BE FOUND

ArmInfo
2008-09-17 10:37:00

ArmInfo. Bernard Fassier, OSCE Minsk Group French Co-chair told
media in Stepanakert that recognition depends on many factors. It
is necessary to carefully evaluate every situation and its specific
aspects. Sometimes situations have some similarities but there are
often significant differences, B. Fassier said when asked about dual
standards in recognition of newly established states. B. Fassier
arrived in NKR Tuesday, ArmInfo correspondent to Stepanakert reports.

Fassier emphasized that conflicts generally and particularly in the
area of the former Soviet Union cannot be compared. He reiterated
that the conflict in Kosovo was a conflict inside the country with
involvement of many international organizations. As regards Karabakh,
he said, it is not a conflict inside one country. Though, in conformity
with international law, Karabakh is still officially considered as part
of Azerbaijan, but there is a conflict between parties simultaneously,
he said. B. Fassier outlined another aspect i.e. absence of direct
actions by international organizations like the UN and others. At the
same time, he said, that the law is important but not enough since
confidence and good will of the parties is necessary as well. He is
sure that in case of good will, a good combination of principles for
peaceful settlement can be found.

To recall, OSCE MG French Cochairman Bernard Fassier arrived in the
NKR capital Stepanakert on September 16. The French diplomat had
over a two-hour meeting with NKR President Bako Sahakyan after which
B. Fassier gave a briefing for the local and accredited journalists.

STATE COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC COMPETITION PROTECTION INITIATES PROCEEDINGS IN AVIATION FUEL, FLOUR AND RICE MARKETS

Noyan Tapan

Se p 17, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. At the September 17 sitting, the
RA State Commission on Protection of Economic Competition initiated
proceedings in the aviation fuel, flour and rice markets based on the
possible facts of keeping the pices unreasonably high or raising them.

According to monitoring of the commission’s staff, the dynamics of
the sale prices of wheat flour are not in line with the dynamics
of prices in international market. Salex Group and Manana Grain
companies have a dominating position in the market. The Commission
registered facts of anticompetition agreement in the flour market on
July 22 during a discussion with the sector’s economic entities. At
that time the Commission warned the economic entities not to reach
anticompetition agreements and established a period for eliminating
the possible violations.

As a result of the military operations launched in Georgia on August 8,
a force majeure situation formed for Armenia’a market and there were
problems with transportation of goods to Armenia. Based on this, the
Commission postponed its decision on initiating proceedings until the
situation is stabilized, however, by preliminary estimates, the fall
of prices in Armenian market is not adequate to the fall of flour
prices in international market.

According to the Commission’s press service, the monitoring revealed
the raising of prices in the rice market as well. Kari Tov and
Mokonat companies have a dominating position: they occupy 59.6%
of the rice market. However, taking into account the fact that the
growth of rice prices in Armenian market has widespread character,
the Commission’s proceedings will include studies of the behavior of
the economic entities occupying at least 90% of the market.

The Commission also decided to initiate proceedings for examination
of prices in the aviation fuel market because there was a decline in
aviation fuel prices in international market.

OH-02: TURKS, ANGRY ARMENIANS, AND CONGRESS
by Matt Hurley

Sept 16 2008

Oh, where to start…

Well, this answers a question that BizzyBlogger Tom Blumer and I
had during an off-the-air discussion about the Enquirer: Malia Rulon
still has a job. For some reason.

I really have a difficult time understanding why a cash-strapped news
organization would waste time on the political ramifications of a
grand total of 549 (297 Turks and 252 Armenians) people in the 2nd
District, but you know the Enquirer…they like to throw everything
but the kitchen sink at Republicans out of desperation.

Wow…for once Wulsin mouthpiece Kevin Franck makes a good point…:

"The conflict between Turks and Armenians is serious and deserves
discussion, but I think families in Southern Ohio care more about
lowering gas prices, fixing our economy and making health care more
affordable," spokesman Kevin Frank said.

…which I note because that will never happen again…

But since the Angry Armenian is what this piece is really about,
let’s bring on David’s failure to take his latest chance to say,
"No comment."

"How can you deny a historical fact? She does it simply to get bought
off," he said. "It has nothing to do with why I am running for office,
but it does speak volumes about her. … She’s a scary lady."

Oh, David… My advice is to stop saying things like this if you
ever want to be taken seriously. This is the kind of stuff that real
politicans don’t get caught up in because it makes them look bad. Did
you not learn a lesson from the fallout of Jean Schmidt’s comments
regarding Rep. Murtha? Character assassination is not a good way to
win friends and influence people.

Anyway, let’s finally get to what this is all about…

[T]he Miami Township Republican has praised the founding of Turkey on
the House floor, marched as grand marshal in the Turkish Day Parade,
opposed legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide, joined the
Caucus on U.S.-Turkish Relations, lunched with a group of Turks at
Cafe Istanbul in Newport, Ky., and raised nearly $20,000 in campaign
contributions from Turkish sources.

And apparently, in certain corners, that makes a person "scary."

What’s so scary, you might be asking yourself…

"Congresswoman Schmidt is one of the few members of Congress who
actually read Guenter Lewy’s book about the genocide and is one of
the few members of Congress who actually doesn’t believe that it was
genocide," the e-mail said. "We have a member of Congress from Ohio
who is willing to stand up to the Armenian lobby and it is important
for the Turkish American community to support her."

G. Lincoln McCurdy, who is treasurer of the Turkish Coalition USA
PAC, said Schmidt first appeared on the PAC’s radar after she was
criticized by Armenian groups for opposing a House resolution that
recognizes the Armenian genocide.

"The Turkish community thought we should support her, because of this
harassment. … that’s the primary reason why the Turkish-Americans
have been supporting her," McMurdy said.

I don’t know about you, but I’m prtty frightened by all of this…

Pfaff said Schmidt read books about the Turkish-Armenian history,
met with the Turkish ambassador, an Armenian group and an official
from the State Department before making up her mind on the issue.

"She believes that there were certain atrocities committed but that
they were committed on both sides," Pfaff said. "She just doesn’t
believe that it was a state-sponsored act, which is the definition
of genocide."

Beyond that, Schmidt "doesn’t believe that we should slap an ally like
Turkey in the face with this type of resolution," Pfaff said. "It’s
not good for our national foreign policy."

Rep. Schmidt has actually read up on this stuff and has made an
informed decision! If only all of our elected officials would do so…

By the way, when will Malia and the Enquirer be doing full exposes
on Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American — John
Boehner — and his colleagues Steve Chabot and Geoff Davis?

Again, Wulsin mouth Kevin was right: This stuff is a waste of time…of
course, I just killed more time retelling it… God help me, I want
this election to be over…..

IMF REDUCES ITS ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS

ArmInfo
2008-09-16 17:54:00

ArmInfo. IMF will provide Armenia with $14mln-15mln in the framework
of its new three-year PRGF program, IMF Mission Chief for Armenia
Marta Castello-Branco said during a press-conference in Yerevan today.

The new program was discussed with the Government of Armenia Sept
3-16 2008.

Castello-Branco hopes that it will be submitted for the consideration
of the IMF Executive Board by the end of this year.

The new assistance will be provided on preferential terms. The program
will be monitored twice a year. PRGF is aimed at reducing poverty and
completing reforms in the field of tax and customs administration. In
the coming three years poverty rate in Armenia is supposed to be
reduced from present 26.5% to 20%. Armenia will receive less money
because it has risen from the group of countries with low incomes to
the group of countries with medium incomes.

The total cost of PRGF 2006-2008 was 23mln SDR ($37.3mln). The loans
are provided to poor countries for 10 years at 0.5% a year with grace
period of 5.5 years.

HIKMET HAJIZADE: "RUSSIA MAY IMPEDE THE PEACEFUL AND JUST RESOLUTION OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today.Az
politics/47557.html
Sept 15 2008
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with famous political scientist Hikmet Hajizade.

– What do you think is the earlier planned, working visit of
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Moscow connected with?

– Probably, the visit is connected with the strained situation in the
region, established following the Russian-Georgian conflict. Perhaps,
Moscow will again ask Azerbaijan to support Russia’s policy in
Georgia or demand not to help Georgia. Perhaps, the sides will discuss
numerous energy problems. Unfortunately, we have not so much official
information about the visit. We can only guess about it.

– How did Russian-Azerbaijani relations change following Russia’s
military aggression against Georgia and West’s reaction to it?

– Though Moscow has recently declared that it has no problems with
Azerbaijan and that Karabakh differs from Abkhazia and South Ossetia,
it should be admitted that after Russia’s actions in Georgia, neither
Azerbaijan nor Ukraine or other countries can treat it without
concerns, for the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan declared in open
that by its actions in Georgia Russia gave a lesson to other countries:
here Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova, which have conflicts in their
territories, are implied.

Perhaps, in the result of increased confrontation between the West
and Russia in our region these forces will not accept Azerbaijan’s
neutrality and each of the sides will try to draw over Azerbaijan
and here we will have to choose, which is always painful.

– President of Turkey Abdullah Gul told Turkish reporters that Armenia
promised to release the occupied lands of Azerbaijan. Can his words
be trusted?

– These words need explanation, as they are too vague. Perhaps,
Gul, who are unaware of the details of talks, misunderstood this
phrase. Armenia has earlier stated its readiness to release the
occupied lands around Nagorno Karabakh only in exchange for the
independent status of Karabakh.

Perhaps, Sargsyan meant that Armenia will release the aforementioned
regions in exchange to the "firm guarantees of security of Karabakh
Armenians". Perhaps, it implies the deployment of peacekeeping forces
on the borders of Nagorno Karabakh. Much is unclear in this case.

– Can Russia impede the peaceful and just resolution of the conflict?

– Certainly it can and it does in the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh, Crimean and Transdniestrian conflicts and we have already
seen what it has done in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia needs
such conflicts to blackmail and control the independent republics of
the former USSR.

– What will be the future of the whole South Caucasus region in
case Armenians liberate at least the adjacent regions around Nagorno
Karabakh?

– This is a difficult question and it seems that Armenians will hardly
agree to release our lands around Nagorno Karabakh without the complete
settlement of the issue on the status of Nagorno Karabakh. But let’s
imagine that Armenians are liberating the occupied regions around
Nagorno Karabakh, and at the same time Azerbaijan stops Armenia’s
economic blockade, but the status of Karabakh will be defined after
10 years and international peacekeeping forces are deployed on the
borders of the Nagorno Karabakh.

In this case the situation can be the same as in Cyprus and last
long until West and Russia reach consensus regarding principles of
the conflict resolution or until one of them completely expels the
other from the region.

BACK TO THE COLD WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST? MAYBE
By Konstantin Von Eggert

The Daily Star
Sept 12 2008
Lebanon

Although there is seemingly no direct link between the Russia-Georgia
conflict and Russia’s policy in the Middle East, the conflict could
well lead to significant shifts in Moscow’s posture in the region. If
the current tendencies in the Kremlin’s foreign policy prevail, the
Middle East may return to a situation resembling that of the Cold War,
with Moscow trying to make life difficult for Washington by supporting
regimes the United States considers hostile. It is the US that Russia
holds primarily responsible for what it terms the "aggressive policies"
of Mikheil Saakashvili, the Georgian president, and it is America’s
support for Tbilisi – including promises to re-equip Georgia’s armed
forces – that rattle Moscow the most.

It is interesting that one of the first politicians to support Russia’s
actions was Syria’s President Bashar Assad. There have been reports
in the Russian press that Moscow may increase its naval presence in
the Mediterranean through the use of Latakia and Tartus, Syria’s two
ports. New arms deliveries to Damascus could well be another response
from Moscow to what it perceives as America’s unfriendly policies in
the Caucasus.

Another and potentially more serious step Russia could take is to adopt
a more assertive stance over Iran’s nuclear program and international
sanctions against Tehran. It is interesting that in the wake of the
crisis in Georgia, US military action against Iran, which some people
claimed to be imminent before the end of the year, looks less likely as
Washington has to tackle the Caucasus problem first. Iran’s President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed some support for Russia’s actions at the
recent summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe,
though Tehran did not rush to recognize the breakaway republics of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Indeed, Moscow got some moral support
but nothing much in terms of real political solidarity from those
it counted on, especially China and Iran. Yet these countries would
appear to be among the few to which Russia will turn to for support
in case its standoff with the West over Georgia continues.

Overtures could also be made to Libya’s maverick leader Colonel Moammar
Gadhafi. A high-ranking Russian delegation paid Tripoli a visit
to attend the 39th anniversary of the coup that brought Gadhafi to
power. It was headed by Vladimir Yakunin, the boss of Russia’s state
railways and a man trusted by Vladimir Putin. Not much is known about
the contents of the conversations in Tripoli, and it is doubtful that
Gadhafi will take up a confrontational course with regard to US and
Europe, as he cherishes his newly found public acceptance by the West
and even more so the economic benefits such acceptance could bring.

In the wider region, Russia is already taking steps to counter
America’s possible moves to secure a pipeline network in Caucasus
and Central Asia. Putin has signed an agreement with Uzbek President
Islam Karimov to build a new pipeline that will carry natural gas
from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan to Russia. Karimov, whose relations
with America are tense over his harsh treatment of the opposition,
was no doubt glad to get this shot in the arm from Moscow, which will
be supplemented by massive Russian arms deliveries, if one believes
what Putin said in Tashkent.

Another country that could get extra attention from Moscow is
Azerbaijan, which has so far managed to maintain a precarious balance
between Russia and the US. President Ilham Aliev had mostly let his
officials support Georgia’s territorial integrity (rather than condemn
Russia’s actions). However, a more pro-Western tilt in Azeri policies
is becoming visible, as Baku feels that events in Georgia could have a
direct influence on its own frozen conflict with Armenia over Nagorno
Karabakh. At the same time, there is a growing feeling in Washington
that drawing Azerbaijan closer into the US orbit is in Washington’s
major interest. This will hardly be to Russia’s liking. Iran, with its
Azeri minority, also watches events in the neighboring country closely
and will no doubt be unhappy if Baku strengthens its ties with the US.

It seems that a round of the 21st century version of the "Great Game"
has just begun.

Konstantin von Eggert is the Moscow bureau editor of the
BBC Russian Service. This commentary first appeared at
bitterlemons-international.org, an online newsletter.

orgia_South_Ossetia_conflict/

Sep. 11, 2008

Georgian Opposition Eyes Presidency

// After the war in South Ossetia

The Georgian Defense Ministry yesterday denied information published
in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that ministry
representatives spoke against the actions of Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili in South Ossetia at a recent meeting at NATO
headquarters in Brussels. Nonetheless, that information bolstered the
spirits of the Georgian opposition, which demanded Saakashvili’s
resignation. Kommersant decided to measure the depth of the internal
division in Georgian society and the presidential prospects of
opposition leaders.

Schism

According to the German newspaper, high-placed representatives of the
Georgian armed forces told their colleagues at NATO that they "were
against the military invasion of South Ossetia and tried to convince
Saakashvili not to start a war," since they understood their
"powerlessness in a confrontation with Russia." The same publication
quotes diplomats in Brussels as saying that the statements were
perceived as "attempts to shed the blame for Saakashvili’s lost war."

Those quotations, reprinted yesterday in the Georgian and Russian
press, are evidence of a schism in the Georgian elite. Considering the
recent shakeup in the Georgian military, that attitude was to be
expected. Immediately after the end of the war in South Ossetia,
Saakashvili dismissed commander of the National Guard David
Aptsiauria, who was well respected within the military. Deputy chief
of the unified staff Alexiy Osepaishvili was demoted for "poor
organization of the movement of forces during the war." Infantry
commander Mamuka Balakhdze was sent to Germany for retraining. The
Defense Ministry made no secret of the fact that those change were
only the beginning of a coming reform, leaving the military ripe for
dissatisfaction.

However, Georgian experts say, the information about the disloyalty of
the military leaders is unlikely to be true. "Of course, in the army,
as in society, there are many people who are dissatisfied with the
outcome of the war," Merab Pachulia, director of the Gorbi
sociological center, observed for Kommersant. "But the officers
Saakashvili sent to Brussels would not dare to speak against him
there." Another well-known political scientist, president of the
Georgian Foundation for Strategic Studies Alexander Rondeli said that
"The officers in Brussels talked only about how Georgia had no
interest in that war, because everyone understood that it was
senseless to go to war with Russia, but journalists interpreted that
phrase the way they wanted to."

The Georgian Defense Ministry called the information in the German
newspaper "complete disinformation." Nana Intskirveli, head of the
ministry press center, told Kommersant that "There were no
consultations in Brussels in which our officers would have taken part.
Moreover, not a single officer from the general staff has left the
country recently."

Waiting for the Winter

By the time the Defense Ministry made its denial, the Georgian
opposition had picked up on the disillusionment with the president.
David Gamkrelidze, leader of the New Right Party, demanded
Saakashvili’s resignation and early parliamentary and presidential
elections. "If Saakashvili remains president and commander in chief,"
he said, "even more problems and catastrophes will arise for us. The
citizens of Georgia should decide what has priority – the country or
Saakashvili." Gamkrelidze laid the blame on the president for the fact
that "prospects for Georgia’s accession to NATO are now more distance
because no one knows what borders to accept it with." Opposition Labor
Party leader Shalva Natelashvili echoed similar ideas, saying that
South Ossetia and Abkhazia were lost due to Saakashvili.

If other parties support those leaders’ demands, the massive protests
that were seen almost all year in Georgia may begin again. "That is
what is holding us back," Republican Party leader David Usupashvili
told Kommersant. "We understand that such actions in a situation like
the one Georgia is in today will harm the country and ordinary
citizens. So we favor early parliamentary elections in the autumn of
2009. There should be a change of government and a change of
parliament. And, with new legislative and executive power, we should
decide on the issue of the president’s resignation. The demand for the
president’s resignation will not find much support in society today."

Sociologist Pachulia agrees. "It is senseless to demand Saakashvili’s
resignation today. His approval rate is higher than before the war,"
he said. "The clash with Russia, in the opinion of many citizens, was
provoked by Russia itself."

Nevertheless, the Georgian opposition has begun consultations
overseas, which, many experts say, is evidence of a change coming in
Georgian politics. In the last month, the leaders of the Labor,
Republican and New Right Parties have all been to Europe or the United
States. Former speaker of the parliament Nino Burjanadze also traveled
to Washington, where she met with representatives of John McCain and
Barack Obama. Experts say she is preparing for her own presidential
campaign. Burjanadze admits the possibility of returning to politics.
She has been cautiously speaking about forming her own party, which
would happen closer to 2010, when the country prepares for elections.

Experts say Burjanadze’s discretion is explained by the fact that the
U.S. has not decided whether it is satisfied with Saakashvili. "The
statements of the Georgian opposition are only the beginning of the
political fight in the country," said Pachulia. "And now everything
depends on who the West stands behind. It is too early to say whether
that will be Burjanadze or someone else." Rondeli added that "I don’t
think the replacement of Saakashvili is an issue right now. The
opposition wants to think that, so it is going to the U.S. for
inspection. Washington wants to keep Saakashvili. They understand that
elections and a change of power would weaken the country more at a
time when it has to be restored."

Almost all experts agree that, if there is a change of government in
Georgia, it will not take place earlier than the winter, after the
U.S. elections, "when Saakashvili may receive an offer from Washington
that he can’t refuse." Until then, Georgian authorities have time and
Western money to use for their political rehabilitation.

Olga Allenova; Georgy Dvali, Tbilisi