Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

NKR CEC REGISTERED PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 14 2007

Today the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic Central Electoral Commission has
rendered a decision to register all the five presidential nominees.

To remind, Presidential elections will be held in NKR current July 19.

The presidential nominees are an MP Armen Abgarian, a lecturer of the
Artsakh State University Vania Avanesian, NKR deputy FM Masis Mailian,
the first secretary of the NKR Communist Party CC Hrant Melkoumian
and Head of the NKR National Security Service Bako Sahakian.

None of the presidential nominees has violated a qualification of
settled life, NKR CEC Head Sergey Nasibian told DE FACTO today.

Sergey Nasibian noted according to the NKR Civil Code and the
government’s resolution on a passport regime ‘~Rpermanent or primary
residence in the Republic during 10 years’~R was considered permanent
residence.

Agitation campaign will be held June 20-July 17.

GOVERNMENT DECIDES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID TO FAMILIES OF MILITARY SERVANTS

Panorama.am
16:54 14/06/2007

The inaugural government session today decided to release 10,000
Armenian drams to families of military servants once per year. The
families may also apply for a bigger 100,000 Armenian drams which they
may get upon the approval of the minister. This was done because some
6000 families applied to the defense minister for financial assistance
in the past. The defense ministry will also provide free of charge
tickets to resort houses within Armenia to military servants, disabled
military servants or to families with perished military servants. All
other family members may get 50 percent discount.

ACTRESS MIA FARROW TO KICK OFF TORCH RELAY TO PROTEST CHINA’S FAILURE TO PUSH SUDAN ON DARFUR

International Herald Tribune, France
The Associated Press
June 13 2007

NEW YORK: Actress Mia Farrow unveiled plans Wednesday for an
Olympic-style torch relay beginning this summer as part of a campaign
aimed at shaming China into cutting support for Sudan over its role
in the Darfur conflict.

Farrow, a U.N. goodwill ambassador, and a new activist group
called Dream for Darfur are hoping to use the spotlight of the 2008
Beijing Olympics to draw attention to China’s economic and diplomatic
support for Sudan. China buys two-thirds of Sudan’s oil and has close
commercial ties with Khartoum.

They are asking China to suspend debt relief for Sudan, end arms
transfers to the regime, and increase diplomatic pressure on the
Sudanese government.

Jill Savitt, director of Dream for Darfur, said the organization
hopes China will act before the games, reaffirming the Olympics as
a symbol of "world peace through sporting."

"It’s irreconcilable for the host of the Olympics to also be complicit
in an ongoing genocide," Savitt said on a telephone news conference
Wednesday.

More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million made homeless
in Darfur during four years of attacks by Arab militias known as
the janjaweed and allegedly backed by President Omar al-Bashir’s
government. The government denies the charge.

The torch relay will begin Aug. 8 in Chad near the Sudan border and
make its way through countries associated with genocide: Rwanda,
Armenia, Bosnia, Germany and Cambodia, before ending up in December
in Hong Kong. Farrow will attend the launch in Chad and will travel
to Rwanda.

"It’s apparent now that there’s one thing that China holds more dear
than its unfettered access to Sudanese oil," Farrow said. "And that
is their successful staging of the 2008 Olympic Games."

After several months of delay, Sudan said Wednesday it would accept
a joint United Nations-African Union force of between 17,000 and
19,000 troops.

As a veto-wielding permanent member of the U.N. Security Council,
Beijing has blocked efforts to send U.N. troops to Darfur without
Sudanese consent.

Wenji Gao, the chief press officer at China’s Consulate in New York,
said China had played a "positive and constructive role in solving
the issue," pointing to its participation in negotiations at the
U.N. and the ongoing dialogue between Beijing and Khartoum.

"It’s totally groundless to connect the Olympics with Darfur," Gao
added. "The basic Olympic spirit is that the Olympic Games are not
to be politicized."

Sudanese officials in Khartoum did not return calls for comment
on Wednesday.

In what appeared to be a response to international pressure, last
month China appointed a special representative for Africa to focus
on Darfur, and has publicly urged Khartoum to give the U.N. a greater
role in trying to resolve the conflict.

WE HAVE MORE GOLD THAN WE KNOW

Lragir.am
11-06-2007 20:07:25

The Armenian representative of the Iberian Resources Company Manvel
Bagratyan told Regnum the gold reserves in the region of Syunik are
twice as much as it is mentioned in the documents. According to
Bagratyan, the gold reserves of only Terterasar and Lichkvaztey total 3
and 17 metric tons respectively. However, these data are the findings
of a survey of the 1980s, when 3 percent ore was not used, whereas the
new technology enables recovering gold from this type of ore. The
Iberian Resources got the license of the ministry of environment of
Armenia for a new survey.

Besides, Manvel Bagratyan said they are likely to build a new factory.
The new factory will enable producing copper, zinc and other metals
besides gold. The construction of the factory will cost 50-70 million
dollars and will last from 18 to 24 months. Manvel Bagratyan said there
are problems with the tax legislation of Armenia in the sphere of gold
mining.

Doubts on Russia missiles offer
By Demetri Sevastopulo and Guy Dinmore in Washington, and,Daniel Dombey
in London

FT
June 9 2007 03:00

After months of escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow over
US plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, President Vladimir
Putin this week surprised George W. Bush with an offer to co-operate
with the US.

While President Bush welcomed the offer, it was unclear if Russia was
making a serious proposal that the US could accept. The Pentagon wants
to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a powerful radar in
the Czech Republic. The US says the system is aimed at missile threats
from Iran. Moscow says there is no imminent threat from Iran,
suggesting that the system is aimed at Russia.

At the G8 summit on Thursday, Mr Putin proposed that the US and Russia
jointly host part of the system at a former Soviet radar station in
Azerbaijan. He added yesterday that, instead of Poland, the US could
host interceptors in Turkey, Iraq, or at sea.

US and Russian officials are expected to meet later to discuss the
idea. But questions already exist as to whether the Russian proposal
would be a substitute for the US plans. The radar in Azerbaijan, for
example, is not the kind of radar the US wants to place in the Czech
Republic.

"It is an early warning radar there, not an X-band of the type we are
proposing for the Czech Republic, but that type of radar can be used to
cue [point] an X-band at a hostile missile," said Richard Lehner,
spokesman for the US Missile Defense Agency.

It is also not clear whether the US would be willing to give up the
idea of putting missile interceptors in Poland, which the Pentagon says
is the best location in Europe.

Mr Putin said yesterday the radar in Azerbaijan "completely covers the
whole region that worries the Americans". But Jaap de Hoop Scheffer,
Nato secretary general, suggested that the proximity of Iran made Mr
Putin’s proposal less feasible.

While Mr Putin also suggested sea-based interceptors, the US is several
years away from even testing long-range missile interceptors, although
they are in development.

While military experts debate the technical merits of using Azerbaijan
as a forward radar base, Russia’s offer is possibly more significant in
geo-strategic terms if it leads to a closer partnership with the US in
countering Iran’s emergence as a regional power.

For Azerbaijan, the development could fit nicely with Baku’s strategy
of courting ties with both Moscow and Washington, but runs the risk of
antagonising Iran, which is said by opposition members in Azerbaijan to
be already active in backing Islamists there.

The Czech Republic was generally favourable toward Mr Putin’s offer,
relieved that Russia appeared to have accepted that there is a danger
of a potential missile attack from rogue states. In Poland, the
reaction was muted, although Anna Fotyga, the foreign minister, said
Russian threats were prompting Poland to strengthen its military
potential.

Additional reporting by Jan Cienski in Poland

The Advertiser (Australia)
June 8, 2007 Friday
State Edition

EURO QUALIFIERS Armenia grabs upset victory;
Poles sent packing

MIKE COLLETT, LONDON

EUROPEAN champion Greece along with other group leaders France,
Germany and Romania all moved closer to a place in next year’s
European Championship finals with end-of-season qualifying wins
yesterday.

With a year and a day to go before the Euro 2008 finals begin in
Austria and Switzerland, Greece beat Moldova 2-1 in Iraklion, France
saw off Georgia 1-0 in Auxerre, Germany overcame Slovakia 2-1 in
Hamburg and Romania defeated Slovenia 2-0 in Timisoara.

But there was no joy for Poland, which stayed five points clear at
the top of Group A despite a shock 1-0 loss to lowly Armenia, whose
Scottish boss Ian Porterfield described the victory as one of the
biggest in the country’s history.

Group E leader Croatia also failed to pick up maximum points when
held to a 0-0 draw at home by Russia – allowing Israel, which won 2-0
in Andorra, to pull level with it at the top of the group on 17
points.

There was a change at the top of Group F with Northern Ireland (who
did not play) slipping to third as Sweden beat Iceland 5-0 to become
leaders. Spain, which won 2-0 in Liechtenstein, moved into second.

Sweden has 16 points, one more than Spain, but its points tally could
change after UEFA decides this week how to allocate the points from
Denmark’s abandoned 3-3 draw with Sweden last weekend.

World champion Italy maintained its push for the finals with an
impressive 2-0 win in Lithuania. with Fabio Quagliarella scoring two
fine goals in his first run-on start for his country.

But it was Armenia’s 1-0 win over Poland that delivered the biggest
shock of the night with Hamlet Mkhitaryan scoring the only goal of
the Group A match in Yerevan with a 70th-minute free kick.

Poland, which with Ukraine will co-host Euro 2012, has never reached
the European finals. Finland also moved on to 14 points after beating
Belgium 2-0 in Helsinki.

The round was almost overshadowed by a medical emergency when
Bosnia’s coach Fuad Muzurovic was rushed to hospital a few hours
before kick-off with a heart complaint. Bosnia went on to beat Malta
1-0.

Muzurovic’s condition was later said to be stable and he should be
released in the next few days.

France stayed top of Group B with a 1-0 win over Georgia with Samir
Nasri scoring his first international goal. France remains two points
clear of world champion Italy and its next game features a rematch of
the 2006 World Cup final.

Scotland moved on to 15 points in the same group with a 2-0 win in
the Faroe Islands.

Greece secured all three points in its Group C 1-0 win over Moldova.

It moved five points clear of Turkey, who did not play, Bosnia and
Norway, who beat Hungary 4-0.

In Group D Germany opened up a five point lead over the non-playing
Czech Republic after the only match in the group – a laboured 2-1 win
over Slovakia.

The next round of qualifiers takes place at the end of August.

FORMER POLICE CHIEF OF TOVUZ: I AM GLAD THAT TO RETURN TO HOME COUNTRY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 8 2007

The arrest of former police chief of Tovuz region, living in Turkey
Novruz Hasanov has been commuted and the decision on his search has
been annulled, member of the working group on human rights Chingiz
Ganizade told the APA. The rights defender said that former chief’s
family got a letter about the abolition of the decision, signed by
Deputy Prosecutor General Rustem Usubov on June 6.

"Rights defenders appealed to the government on commuting the decision,
our appeal was considered and positive decision was made.

We are grateful to the representatives of the government," he said.

Noting that Hasanov faced charges under articles 167.1 (abuse of
power), 172 (negligence) of the Criminal Code efficient by 2000
Ganizade said that these articles have been included in all amnesty
acts passed since 1998.

"Therefore, I consider that after Novruz Hasanov returns to Azerbaijan
he will be interrogated and the efficient amnesty act will be
applicable for him," he said.

Novruz Hasanov told the APA that his migratory life is about to end.

"I was very glad to hear the news. I knew that NGOs appealed to
law-enforcement bodies for commuting the decision. I was accused
of giving passports to Turkish citizens who came to fight against
Armenians. Though it was in motherland’s favor it is a crime. I
understand it. I am grateful to the law-enforcement bodies, government
for passing this decision," he said.

Hasanov said he is thinking of returning to Azerbaijan, he did not
tell the exact date.

CPJ URGES AZERBAIJAN TO END PERSECUTION OF IMPRISONED EDITOR

CPJ Press Freedom Online, NY
June 8 2007

New York, June 7, 2007-The Committee to Protect Journalists is calling
on Azerbaijani authorities to release an editor imprisoned on libel
charges who says he has been denied food and water, and has received
death threats.

Eynulla Fatullayev, editor of the independent Russian-language
weekly Realny Azerbaijan and the weekly Azeri-language daily Gundalik
Azarbaycan, told presiding judge Hamid Hamidov that he has been kept
in inhumane conditions since his transfer to the National Security
Prison from the Bailov Prison in Baku on May 29.

"For nine days, I have been hungry and thirsty," Fatullayev was
quoted as saying by the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety,
a local press freedom group. The journalist has been forced to sleep
on an iron bed without a mattress and has received multiple death
threats from unknown persons, according to the Moscow-based news
agency Regnum and local press reports.

The judge upheld his libel conviction in the court session Wednesday.

CPJ called on Azerbaijani authorities to investigate the threats and
release Fatullayev from prison.

"The Azerbaijani government jailed Eynulla Fatullayev on a spurious
libel charge, then filed a vague terrorist charge against him,
and harassed and intimidated his staff to the point they could
no longer work. Now they have forced him to suffer while in their
custody," said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. "We call on
the Azerbaijani authorities to end their relentless persecution of
a critical journalist and release Eynulla immediately."

National Security Ministry spokesperson Arif Babayev dismissed the
journalist’s statements, calling them a "subjective opinion," the
news Web site Lenta reported. "Former ministers have served time in
our cells and they didn’t complain," Lenta quoted Babayev as saying.

In April, Fatullayev was sentenced to 30 months in prison on charges of
libeling and insulting Azerbaijanis by saying in an Internet posting
that Azerbaijanis were responsible for the 1992 massacre of residents
of Khodjali, a town in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh
claimed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan. In a March interview with CPJ,
Fatullayev said he never made the Khodjali statement, which was later
posted on other Web sites.

Authorities filed an additional charge of terrorism against Fatullayev
on May 22. Government officials claim the journalist, a persistent
government critic, assisted Armenian Special Forces, but they have not
elaborated on the charge, according to CPJ sources and local press
reports. The new charges came only days after fire officials sealed
the papers’ offices, claiming the building housing the publications
violated fire safety regulations.

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information,
visit

azer07jun07na.html

KARABAGH WILL NEVER AGREE TO BE WITHIN AZERBAIJAN

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 6 2007

"The first and principal issue is Nagorno-Karabagh’s status. Unless
there is an agreement on this issue, it is useless to discuss other
problems", Nagorno-Karabagh Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian
stated in the course of a briefing held in Yerevan June 5 after a
meeting with OSCE Chair-in-Office Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Answering a question if the problem could be settled so that both
Armenian and Azeri party are satisfied, Arkady Ghoukassian stated,
"First of all I am interested in a decision that will satisfy
Nagorno-Karabagh people. I do not believe I must think of a decision
that will satisfy Azerbaijan. It is Azerbaijani leadership’s matter".

Arkady Ghoukassian reaffirmed the Karabagh party’s principal stand.

"As for our stand, you know it: Nagorno-Karabagh will never agree
to be within Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabagh will never deny its
independence. All other issues may be on the agenda, and we are
ready to discuss them. It is our stand, and if Azerbaijan accepts
it, I will be glad. Unless they agree, it is Azerbaijan’s problem",
Nagorno-Karabagh President underscored.

In his words, there is another option – not to settle anything. "To
settle the issue without settling anything; it is another approach,
and some are of the opinion that is the way the situation should
develop. Our approach is the following: it is impossible to get 100
percent of what we wish to get in the negotiation process. It concerns
all the parties – Nagorno-Karabagh, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On the other hand, we cannot deny talks and should be always ready
for them", Arkady Ghoukassian noted.

According to NKR President, the talks’ limit is infinite, taking into
consideration that there is no alternative to the talks. "I believe
we should all be interested in the rapid settlement of the issue.

Everyone wishes it. I do not think Azerbaijan is not interested in
it. It is another thing that Azerbaijan’s leadership wants to get
everything without conceding anything. If that is Azerbaijan’s stand,
I do not think the issue can be settled in the near future".

Arkady Ghoukassian ruled out possible alternation of NKR’s stand after
NKR new President is elected. "I am sure NKR’s position will not be
changed, as Karabagh’s stand does not depend on separate persons. It is
not the position of Ghoukassian or someone else: I express NKR people’s
position. I have no right to speak on my behalf; I speak on behalf
of the people. I know what the people want. Whoever becomes Karabagh
President, he must take into account the Karabagh people’s opinion".

THE ETERNAL PROBLEM OF UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
06-06-2007 12:06:15

The president of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghukasyan righteously
complained the day before that the Armenian oligarchs or the Armenians
worldwide do not assist in the reconstruction and resettlement of
the liberated territories, and tiny Karabakh has to cope with this
challenge all alone, whereas it has so many more vital problems
to solve. Tiny Karabakh cannot solve the problem of resettlement
of the territories because it takes a lot of money. Actually, the
problem can be solved through the Armenian oligarchs. If each of them
abstains from renewing their motorcades for at least a month, a small
community can be set up in the liberated territories with dozens of
families. So, the principle "one oligarch, one village" set forward
by Arkady Ghukasyan is quite rational. It is also obvious that the
Armenians worldwide do not use their potential fully, not even one
quarter of it, to reconstruct the victory in the war of Karabakh.

However, besides voicing protest it would be helpful to ask why it
is so.

Why the oligarchs and the Diaspora do not take an active part in the
reconstruction and resettlement of the liberated territories. The
answer is obvious. If the statesmen, from the president of Armenia
to the president of Karabakh, announce that after settling the issue
of status they are ready to discuss the question of territories,
which means they are ready to return the territories, no one will
agree to give money for their resettlement. The Armenian oligarchs
should be pushed to take this step by the government they serve. The
government must advise the oligarchs to make investments or donations
to create infrastructures in these territories. Hence, the concern of
the NKR president is relevant but misaddressed. Before complaining
it is necessary to ask what the government of Karabakh and Armenia
do to ensure donations and investments for the reconstruction and
resettlement of these territories.

Are there guarantees that the Diasporan who is expected to assist will
not run into the business interests of a general or a high-ranking
official in making investments or donations for the liberated
territories, trespass on their estate and have to apologize and
leave? Have the government of Armenia and Karabakh conveyed to the
oligarchs and Diasporans their plans regarding the territories? Have
they presented a clear-cut action, what they expect after each step,
and how much money these expectations require to come true?

The government of Karabakh and Armenia avoid attending to these
issues on a government level to avoid problems with the world. Arkady
Ghukasyan is also speaking about it. But do the problems with the
world disappear when the officials of Armenia and Karabakh state
their readiness to return the territories? Does the world appreciate
this modesty and tolerance and say "no, dear Karabakh, or Armenia,
or Armenians, you can have these territories. We appreciate your
readiness to return them, but you can keep them." No, of course. The
world can see that the Armenian side does not need these territories,
otherwise there would be life in these territories.

Nevertheless, the world gives us a chance. It gives a chance without
imposing a solution. Meanwhile, we again face up to the Armenian
problem of understanding the world.