Author: Nahapetian Samvel

EDWARD NALBANDIAN: THERE IS NO REAL OBSTACLE TO THE NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

armradio.am
28.10.2008 13:13

I don’t think there is a real obstacle to the normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Mr. Edward
Nlabdnian, told the Turkish Section of the BBC World Service.

"We are first of all waiting for the normalization of relations,
establishment of diplomatic ties and opening of the border. After
that we are ready to establish an intergovernmental commission to
discuss all issues," the Armenian Foreign Minister said.

Edward Nalbandian spoke about the Karabakh issue, the activity of the
OSCE Minsk Group, the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, the factors of
Russia and the Diaspora, the trilateral meeting between Armenian,
Turkish and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers, Turkey’s proposal of
establishing a Cooperation and Stability Platform.

Turning to the Minks process, the Armenian Foreign Minister underlined
that the questions between Armenia and Azerbaijan find assessment
"within the framework of that influential structure enjoying the
support of the international community," and the Armenian side does
not look for an alternative to it.

Asked whether it is possible to interconnect the normalization of
the Armenian-Turkish and the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Edward
Nalbandian gave a negative answer.

"Presidential elections took place in Azerbaijan on October 15. We
expect that the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict settlement will
restart. However, I think that there is no connection between those
and the Armenia-Turkey dialogue. The process of normalization of our
relations with Turkey has started and I’m very optimistic about it,"
Edward Nalbandian noted.

Speaking about the role of the Russian Federation in the Karabakh
conflict settlement, the Armenian Foreign Minister noted that Russia’s
approach towards the issue has always been constructive.

"The Russian Federation has always been very constructive in the
Karabakh talks. One should not forget that in 1994 the cease-fire was
signed with the mediation of Russia," Edward Nalbandian noted, adding
that the parties were close to the peaceful resolution in 2001 due to
the support of France, especially President Jacques Chirac. However,
Azerbaijan turned it down. "President Heydar Aliyev declared the
Azeri society is not ready for that."

Asked whether the Azerbaijani society is ready for that today, the
Armenian Foreign Minister said: "Unfortunately, the public opinion
polls in Azerbaijan show that 30% of the population stands for military
solution of the Karabakh conflict. This is very dangerous: you will
not find even 1% of the Armenian population supporting the military
solution to the issue. I don’t think you will find any in some other
country. It’s a result of militaristic propaganda," Nalbandian noted.

According to the Foreign Minister of Armenia, the events in
South Ossetia will have a cold shower effect on the Azerbaijani
administration, making it stop the militaristic propaganda and assume
a peaceful and political approach to the Karabakh conflict settlement.

At last, speaking about the role of the Diaspora in the normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations, Edward Nalbandian declared that the
opinion of the Diaspora cannot be ignored, just like the opinion of
the Armenian and Turkish societies cannot be ignored.

According to Edward Nalbandian, the reconciliation of Armenia and
Turkey cannot make everyone happy. However, the Minster considers
that the leaders of the two countries should assume the responsibility
and make decisions for the benefit of the two peoples and the region.

KARABAKH IS CONSIDERING AVIATION

Lragir.am
17:03:15 – 28/10/2008

In a few months planes will start flying between Stepanakert and
Yerevan, offering an alternative to coaches. In the beginning,
there will be planes for 10 to 18 passengers, stated the minister
of economic development of NKR Benik Babayan, presenting the bill on
aviation to the government.

Benik Babayan said the specialists of the Civil Aviation Department of
Armenia and the relevant agencies in NKR have studied the airport of
Stepanakert. Mapping and geodesic study is over, and according to the
minister of economic development, flights may be launched in 6 months.

The operation of the airport of Stepanakert started being considered
last year. At that time, President Bako Sahakyan stated that it
would be operated in autumn 2008. The president also informed that
part of the old equipment of the airports of Stepanavan and Gyumri,
Armenia will be provided to the airport of Stepanakert.

COMMISSION OF CIS INTERSTATE COUNCIL FOR STANDARDIZATION, METROLOGY AND CERTIFICATION MEETS IN YEREVAN

ARKA
Oct 24, 2008

YEREVAN, October 24. /ARKA/. The 12th sitting of the scientific and
technical commission of CIS Interstate Council for Standardization,
Metrology and Certification opened in Yerevan Thursday.

The aim of the two-day meeting is to arrange coordination of quality
control works, development of a uniform inspection strategy and
legislative mechanisms, as well as exchange of experience within the
CIS, said Ashot Ghazaryan, Head of Quality Inspectorate of Armenian
Ministry of Economy.

The meeting participants are to discuss introduction of an interstate
system of prompt exchange of information on dangerous products,
quality inspection results for toys produced and sold in the CIS and
elaboration of criteria for classification of dangerous products to
carry out special inspection visits in 2008-2009.

The problem of incompliance with certification standards exists not
only in Armenia, but also in practically all CIS countries, Ghazaryan
said. This problem is recorded in Armenia in almost all the fields,
production of toys, shoes and services sector in particular, he said.

Ten representatives of CIS countries participate in the 12th sitting
(apart from representatives of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and
Ukraine).

The CIS Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and
Certification is forming and conducting coordinated policy on
Standardization, Metrology and Certification in the territory of the
Commonwealth of Independent States.

The Council sittings are held twice a year in CIS-member countries
by turn.

The previous sitting was held in Saint Petersburg in May this
year.

DIMITRY MEDVEDEV: WE PAY FOR GROSS FINANCIAL MISTAKES MADE BY A NUMBER OF STATES, FIRST OF All, THE U.S.

Noyan Tapan
Oct 21, 2008

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. The international financial crisis,
which is currently at its active stage, gladdens no one as it results
in a decline of economic growth rates and the loss of investments,
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who was on an official visit to
Armenia, said at the October 21 press conference. According to him,
the goal of any government is to try to get out of this unpleasant
situation with minimal losses.

D. Medvedev noted that perhaps 15 years ago such a crisis would not
affect Russia so much but today the reality is different. "We have an
open economy and we have to respond to all the challenges facing us,
just as other countries do. This is the advantage of an open economy
and also its difficulty, it develops according to its laws, cyclic
laws: in the long run, we must take it into account as well. It is
clear that we pay for the gross financial mistakes made by a number of
states, first of all, the U.S, taking into consideration the fact the
share of the U.S. financial market and its impact on global economy
are quite considerable," the Russian president said.

In his words, the solutions used to overcome the crisis are
satisfactory but it does not mean that the list of solutions has been
exhausted. "Life makes its corrections, often more complex corrections,
and we will respond to them, if necessary, by new organizational,
financial and structural solutions. Our purpose is to reduce the
consequences of the global financial and economic crisis to a minimum,"
D. Medvedev stated.

ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS LAUNCH WIMAX NETWORK IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 21, 2008

YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. Presidents of Armenia and Russia Serzh
Sargsyan and Dmitry Medvedev launched WiMAX in Armenia Today.

"This is a unique network launched for the first time in Armenia. It
is a national network covering not only Yerevan, but also 18 cities
of the country," President of "Komstar-OTS" Russian company Sergey
Pridantsev said at the launching ceremony. The network provides
access to wideband Internet, voice services, videoconferencing and
these services in mobile communication, he said.

President Medvedev, in his turn, said that it is a good event giving
an opportunity to connect almost all Armenian regions with each other.

After the launching ceremony, a videoconference was held together
with the Yerevan Medical Diagnostics Center and an opportunity to
get connected to the network while driving was demonstrated.

Modems for getting connected to the network were presented to the
Armenian and Russian presidents.

Major operator of integrated telecommunication services in Russia
"KOMSTAR-OTS" and its daughter company "Cornet.AM" started commercial
operation of a communication network using WiMAX technologies of
802.16e standard within 3.6-3.8 gigahertz frequency range Tuesday.

Investments n the project totaled $4.6mln.

Currently, in the first stage of the project, WiMAX network consists
of 24 multi-sector basic sta tions covering Yerevan and 18 cities in
the country’s regions (60% coverage).

"Cornet.AM" daughter company of "KOMSTAR-OTS" was founded in
2000. It provides advanced technological solutions to its clients in
telecommunications field. In 2006 the company joined "KOMSTAR-OTS"
Group and represents the interests of the Group in the territory
of Armenia.

HAYASTAN ALL ARMENIAN FUND LAUNCHES TWO PROJECTS IN TAVUSH REGION’S DITAVAN VILLAGE

armradio.am
22.10.2008 12:21

Hayastan All Armenian Fund continues its work in Armenia’s border
communities – villages that today face a whole host of infrastructure
and economic challenges. Focusing on six border communities in
Armenia’s Tavush region, the Fund is working on effectively tackling
these challenges and ensuring the people living in these villages a
better life. As part of this on going initiative, the Fund signaled
the launch of two projects in the community of Ditavan. Thanks to
Argentinean Armenian benefactors Armen and Nadya Ekserciyan, the
village will soon have access to natural gas and a reconstructed
community administration building.

The parallel launch of these two projects is part of the Fund’s
comprehensive strategy of tackling the whole spectrum of challenges
that the people living in the beneficiary villages face today. In this
sense, the gasification of the village was the first on the priority
list for the community where people depended almost solely on the
neighboring woods for a source of heat in the long winter months. This
has brought to a serious damage to the environment of the region. The
lack of access to natural gas has also become a catalyst of emigration
from this tiny border village with people escaping the dread of yet
another cold winter. This year, all this20is about to change – the
community will receive gasification and people will no longer have
to make long trips to the nearby woods just to heat their homes.

The community administration building restoration project is
designed to incorporate the features of the village mayor’s office,
the community center as well as the health care point, becoming a
social and administrative hub of the village. The renovated building
will also be fully refurbished and reequipped.

"There is a lot of excitement in the village," says Seyran Sargsyan,
the mayor of Ditavan. "People are finally starting to feel that
things are changing for the better thanks to the Hayastan Fund,
and our benefactors Armen and Nadya Ekserciyan."

"The completion of these two projects will not solve all the problems
facing Ditavan today but we will instead become a strong and positive
signal for the families living in the village that their community
has a future.

These projects will become the firm base upon which we together with
the people of Ditavan and the support of the benefactors will build
a thriving community," says the Acting Executive Director of the Fund
Ara Vardanyan.

A LA UNE РINDEPENDANCE DU KARABAKH: D̩CLARATION DE KIRO MANOYAN

CollectifVAN.org
22-10-2008
France

Info Collectif VAN – – Le Collectif VAN vous
soumet la traduction de cet article en anglais du journal arménien
Radiolour publiée sur le site de la Fédération Euro-Arménienne
pour la Justice et la Démocratie du 21 octobre 2008. "Il n’y aura
pas d’avancée sérieuse dans les négociations sur le règlement
du conflit du Karabakh avant l’entrée en fonction du nouveau
président américain en Janvier 2009", a déclaré le responsable
du Bureau de la Cause arménienne et des Affaires politiques de la
Fédération Révolutionnaire Arménienne (FRA), Kiro Manoyan, lors
d’une conférence de presse aujourd’hui.

"Nous devons dire a la communauté internationale que si l’Azerbaïdjan
continue sa politique agressive, l’Arménie devra reconnaître
l’indépendance de la République du Haut-Karabakh (RHK)", a-t-il
précisé.

–Boundary_ (ID_Y5e1ORbRCZFuZLjZaTF5BQ)–

THE "SUPER-PROJECTS" OF SARGSYAN, AND ENERGY DEPENDENCE ON RUSSIA

AsiaNews.it
10/20/2008 17:35
Italy

ARMENIA

Armenian President Sargsyan announces "ambitious economic projects,"
like a new rail line to Iran, and a nuclear power plant. Debate
is growing over whether this means an intention to break free from
Russian control, or to solidify it. Experts: Yerevan does not import
gas from Iran because Moscow "doesn’t want this."

Yerevan (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,
speaking to parliament on October 2, stated that "the time has come
for Armenia to implement ambitious economic projects, super-projects,"
including a new rail line to Iran and a new nuclear power plant,
which will soon be begun by an investment foundation "that will fund
large-scale programs." Meanwhile, no details are being provided about
these projects, and discussion is growing about whether they represent
a desire to break free from Russian hegemony, or to solidify it.

The news agency Eurasianet reports that opposition member of
parliament Stepan Safarian, a supporter of closer relations with
the West, maintains that "an attempt is being made to strengthen
Armenia’s foreign policy." Armenia’s invitation for a visit from
Turkish President Abdullah Gul last September is also interpreted in
this light.

But Sevak Sarukhanian, deputy director of Yerevan’s Noravank
Foundation for Strategic Research, observes that "on the contrary,
it will deepen Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation, since Russia
will have its share in both construction projects." He notes that
the country’s railway system is already managed by Russian Railways,
and that Armenia depends on Moscow for nuclear fuel and technology
for its existing nuclear facilities.

And above all it must be remembered that about 80% of Armenia’s
electrical grid is under direct Russian control, including the
hydroelectric facility in Hrazdan, one of the largest in the southern
Caucusus.

Years ago, Yerevan announced the opening of the 140-kilometer
gas pipeline from Iran, to bring 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas
into Armenia each year, to be increased to 2.3 billion by 2019. The
project is strongly supported by Tehran, which is believed to want to
create a pathway for its own gas into Europe. On October 7, Rasoul
Salmani, director of Iran’s national gas company, announced that
it would begin working on October 13. For each cubic meter of gas,
Armenia must pay 3 kilowatt hours of electricity. But following this,
Lusine Harutiunian, a spokeswoman for Armenia’s energy ministry,
said that the country already has enough energy provided by Russia
through Georgia (2 billion cubic meters of gas in 2007), and that
"there is no need to import additional gas," adding that she does not
know when Iranian gas would begin to be used. In any case, it would
be converted to electricity and given back.

Analyst David Petrosian comments that "it is clear that Armenia
refused to receive Iranian gas as a result of Russian pressure. Russia
controls almost the entire energy system of Armenia through its state
corporation. It seeks to keep Armenia in a state of dependence. Armenia
will receive gas from Iran only when Russian gas is in short supply."

ROBERT SIMMONS: KARABAKH ISSUE SHOULD BE SOLVED PEACEFULLY

armradio.am
20.10.2008 18:10

The Nagorno Karabakh issue should be solved peacefully, Special
Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the Caucasus and
Central Asia Robert Simmons said during today’s meeting with the
students of the Yerevan State Linguistic University. According to him,
the issues should be solved by Armenia and Azerbaijan, while external
forces can only advise.

Speaking about Armenia’s cooperation with NATO, he noted that
it is very important in current hard times for the region. "This
cooperation should be put on a firm basis, continue and develop it,"
Robert Simmons said.

He said the military exercise held in Armenia with participation of
NATO servicemen was a real progress. According to him, the exercises
will help the army be organized and manage to effectively act in
crisis situations. It will also contribute to maintaining peace and
stability in the region and will develop multinational cooperation.

Robert Simmons attached importance to the cooperation between NATO
and other countries of the region and underlined that it does not
mean they should tear their ties with other structures they cooperated
wit. NATO is not going to sent troops to the South Caucasus. "The main
task for NATO is to ensure stability, we cooperate with different
international structures, particularly the EU and UN, towards this
end,9 D he said. In the context of ensuring stability in the region,
Simmons attached importance to the normalization of relations with
Turkey and noted that solutions can be found to all issues.

UAR PRESIDENT TO LAUNCH PROJECTS IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Oct 20, 2008

YEREVAN, October 20. /ARKA/. President of the Union of Armenians of
Russia (UAR), World Armenian Congress (WAC) and of the Accord concern
(Russia) Ara Abramyan stated his intention to invest $150mln in the
construction of a hotel and a cannery in Armenia.

"We plan the construction of a 5-star hotel in Yerevan for next year,"
he said. This is a response to the Armenian President’s appeal to
Armenian businessmen to exercise initiative in development projects
in Armenia.

Abramyan also reported his plans to construct a cannery near
Yeghegnadzor, Vaiots Dzor region.

Among the businessmen who responded to the Armenian President’s
appeal are the American-Armenian businessman, Executive Director of
the Metal Prince Company Serob Ter-Poghosyan and his partners, who
expressed their willingness to invest $50mln in industrial, tourism
and social development programs in the Lori region of Armenia during
the next three years.

Also, the Russia-based Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan is
ready to invest $200mln in business and social projects.