Author: Nanijanian Alex

TURKISH THINK-TANK LOOKS AT STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF CAUCASUS

Anatolia news agency
9 Jul 07

Ankara, 9 July: "Caucasus is a strategic region, the importance and
priority of which are gradually increasing," Faruk Logoglu, retired
ambassador, who is actually the chairman of the Eurasia Strategic
Studies Centre (ASAM), said on Monday [9 July].

An international workshop on "Expectations in the Caucasus and
possibilities -Turkey’s role as a regional force and an element
of guarantee" was held in Ankara by Konrad-Adanauer-Stiftung (KAS)
Association and ASAM.

"Some regional problems that require solution, relations of regional
countries with Russia, the USA and Europe, its function as an
intersection point for communication and transportation between Asia
and Europe, its location as a shipment corridor for oil and natural
gas resources make the Caucasus a focal point," Logoglu stressed in
the opening session of the workshop at Ankara’s Bilkent Hotel.

According to Logoglu, Turkey’s Caucasus policy aims to create a stable,
secure and prosperous region. "In this context, our Caucasus policy is
based on the understanding that regional countries can reach better
conditions by not only fulfilling democracy, rule of law and human
rights but also establishing close relations with the Western world,"
he stated.

Turkey favours peaceful settlement of disputes

Logoglu said that Turkey favours peaceful settlement of regional
disputes, and pursues an active policy.

Turkey’s policy is to support and strengthen territorial integrity
and independence of south Caucasus republics, Logoglu noted.

"Turkey, which aims to ensure Russia’s constructive contribution,
also wants to take role in production and transportation of energy
resources of the Caspian basin. Within this framework, Turkey was the
first state acknowledging the independence of south Caucasus republics
in 1991 without any discrimination and has supported reconstruction
of these republics since then. Turkey not only conveyed its own
experiences for reconstruction of civilian bureaucracy but also played
an important role in establishment of armed and security forces of
particularly Georgia and Azerbaijan, and their organization in line
with NATO standards," he said.

Logoglu added, "Turkey wants settlement of frozen clashes in Caucasus
within the framework of international laws and territorial integrity
of these countries. It has backed Georgia’s territorial integrity in
every occasion and platform. Similarly, Ankara has argued that Armenia
has to end its occupation and annexation of Azerbaijani territories
under UN Security Council and OSCE resolutions in order to solve
Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute."

Economic relations with Caucasus

On the other hand, Logoglu pointed out that economic relations between
Turkey and Caucasus are gradually improving.

Logoglu said that Turkey is making serious contribution to Armenian
economy by providing employment for more than 50,000 Armenian citizens
and by indirect trade although the two countries do not have diplomatic
relations.

Also, Caucasus has key role for Turkey as a transportation corridor
for oil and natural gas pipelines, ASAM chairman underlined.

Turkish-Armenian relations

Logoglu said that Turkey was one of the first countries that recognized
Armenia’s independence and extended humanitarian aid to this country
which was facing economic problems. However, Armenia’s Turkey policy
has hampered any diplomatic relationship between the two countries,
he stressed.

"Among the factors which hamper normalization of Turkish-Armenian
relations are the expressions in Armenia’s independence declaration and
Constitution which question Turkey’s territorial integrity, Armenia’s
stance of not officially recognizing the 1921 Kars agreement which
draws the border of this country with Turkey and former Soviet Union,
its prior foreign policy target of making international arena adopt its
genocide allegations and its decision not to withdraw from Azerbaijani
territories despite UN Security Council resolutions," Logoglu said.

Logoglu noted that Turkey favours solution of all problems with
Armenia through dialogue.

EU can show more interest in Caucasus

Stating that the EU can show more interest in the Caucasus, Logoglu
said that Europe, which needs foreign energy resources, has to deal
with peace and stability of Caucasus for energy safety reasons.

On the other hand, KAS Secretary-General Wilhelm Staudacher underlined
increasing strategic importance of Caucasus and said that Europe
should deal with this region more.

Staudacher added that Turkey can have a role in stability of Caucasus
as it is a NATO member and an important partner of Europe.

The workshop will end after a reception on Monday evening.

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region

104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200

Glendale, California 91206

Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353

[email protected]

PRE SS RELEASE
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

Three Generations of Armenian Americans Support The ANCA-WR

Los Angeles, CA – In a remarkable illustration of faith, dedication and
continuity, an Armenian American grandfather, his daughter and his
granddaughter all have dedicated their lives to advancing the Armenian Cause
and supporting the work of the Armenian National Committee of America –
Western Region (ANCA-WR). The trio, who call Glendale, California home,
recently marked the 100th anniversary of Ghazaros Kademian – the family
elder – by making a generous donation to the ANCA-WR.

Felicia Garver, whose grandfather Ghazaros is a genocide survivor, recently
started working at the ANCA-WR offices in Los Angeles. "By serving as an
ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern I learned a great many things about Armenians, our
culture, our history, and our country," she commented. "I have met many ANCA
leaders that have influenced my life a great deal, and they helped make me
into the person that I am today. Being only half-Armenian, and being raised
19 years in a non-Armenian environment, I felt it necessary to learn about
Armenians. Ever since my first phone call, and my first visit to the ANCA-WR
office in Los Angeles, I felt a belonging, and a necessity to participate in
the Armenian Cause," Garver added.

The grandfather is Ghazaros Kademian, a 100 year old survivor of the
Armenian Genocide. To mark his 100th birthday this past April and as cited
above, Kademian insisted on making a very generous donation to the ANCA-WR
to support the organization’s education and outreach efforts. Born in the
beautiful village of Zeitoun in 1907, Kademian miraculously survived the
Armenian Genocide and found a new home in Baghdad, Iraq. While in this
newfound country, he helped the Armenian community by being an advisor and
leader. A strong survivor of the genocide, Ghazaros and his wife Azadouhi
raised three wonderful children; Ohannes Kademian, Asdghig Kaladjian, and
Anahid Kademian.

On May 18, 2005 as a part of the Congressional Record, Congressman Adam
Schiff (D-CA-29) honored Kademian noting that, "The courage of survivors
like Ghazaros Kademian reminds all mankind of the extraordinary strength and
determination of the Armenian people who endured the unspeakable atrocities
perpetrated against them by the Ottoman Empire. .It is our sacred obligation
to honor the memory of the one and a half million men, women, and children
systematically murdered during the Armenian Genocide. .The story of Ghazaros
Kademian’s family is terrible and tragic, but not uncommon. It is our
responsibility to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and collectively demand
reaffirmation of this crime against humanity."

The daughter is Anahid Kademian, the youngest daughter of Ghazaros Kademian.
She was born in Baghdad, Iraq and came to the United States as a graduate
student. Later, she became a United States Citizen in 1987, and has been a
strong advocate for Armenians and non-Armenians alike; serving her community
in appointed positions and in volunteer organizations. She has been a
longtime supporter of the ANCA-WR and its grassroots efforts in the Western
United States.

The granddaughter is Felicia Garver, who recently was hired to serve a
summer fellowship at the ANCA-WR offices in Los Angeles. Felicia has been a
Girl Scout since she was six years old and has served her community through
several volunteer organizations. She has earned a number of awards,
including the high honor of being cited as a Girl Scout Gold Award Young
Women of Distinction. In 2005 Felicia served as an ANCA Leo Sarkisian intern
in Washington D.C. where she contacted and researched each state’s
Department of Education in regards to which genocides each state was
teaching as well as the curriculum, mandates, and materials that they were
utilizing. Felicia’s project was further distributed to STAND (A Student
Anti-Genocide Coalition).

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.

ARMENIA LOSES MUCH MONEY BECAUSE OF VIOLATIONS OF COPYRIGHTS TO "NARINE"

Noyan Tapan
Jul 10, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia is losing much money because of
violation of copyrights to use of the "Narine" medicinal, biologically
active dairy product and due to non-regulation of conditions of
that dairy product’s production. Elmira Yerznkian, the daughter of
"Narine’s" inventor, Levon Yerznkian, expressed such an opinion in
her interview to a Noyan Tapan correspondent.

She said that a great number of companies both in Armenia and abroad,
in Russia, Moldova, the Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Holland, and
other countries are engaged in "Narine’s" production, However, an
official contract on using the name of "Narine" and passing that dairy
product’s right was signed only with the Miki Corporation Japanese
company in Soviet years, in 1986. After the collapse of the USSR,
the Microbe Depository Republican Center of the RA National Academy
of Sciences signed the respective contract (its operation term expired
in 2004) with that company.

In E. Yerznkian’s words, the respective payments were sent to the
Bacteriology Institute, then to the above mentioned center. Some
percents from that money were given to the Yerznkians’ family.

E. Yerznkian has applied to the Armenian proper structures demanding
to give her "Narine’s" patent, but they refused her with the motivation
that the validity term of L. Yerznkian’s copyright certificate towards
"Narine," which was given in 1964, has expired. E. Yerznkian has also
appled to several Armenian businessmen with the suggestion of passing
rights towards "Narine" or its joint use, but it was also in vain.

In her opinion, "Narine’s" imitations are often produced from
"mother’s" culture taken allegedly for scientific researches, but
in the future they are used in production, without state payments,
copyrights, and observance of production norms.

It was mentioned that without consent given by the Yerznkians "Narine"
was registered by some economic entity, but another economic subject
challenged "Narine’s" copyright at one of Novosibirsk courts. However,
in E.

Yerznkian’s words, the court considered the parties’ demands as
ungrounded, deciding that the rights towards Narine belong to
Yerznkians. By the way, "Narine" is being widely used within the
framework of one of the health programs regarding Siberia.

As E. Yerznkian evaluated, the circumstance of illegal production of
"Narine" by a great number of non-specialized economic entities has
discredited it, as a result of which big specialized companies’ wish
to get the licence giving rights to that biologically active dairy
product, and, consequently, also the possibility of its recognition
as a serious Armenian brand has decreased.

GORAN LENNMARKER: "THE NEW WAR BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IS INCONCEIVABLE"
By Nana Petrosian

AZG Armenian Daily #128
Karabakh Issue
10/07/2007

The 16th session of OSCE PA took place in Kiev, Ukraine. OSCE
PA President Goran Lennmarker announced in his speech: "The new
war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as an alternative of Karabakh
conflict resolution, is inconceivable. The peaceful settlement of
Karabakh conflict will be of great benefit not only to Azerbaijan,
but also to Armenia".

Then Mr. Lennmarker touched upon the issue of refugees: "Hundred
thousands of migrants and refugees of both sides will be able to
return to their homes and restart their normal lives. With the help
of peaceful agreement Armenia and Azerbaijan, also Georgia, will be
able to build a safe, prosperous and democratic region."

According to the President of OSCE PA, the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk
Group have presented a draft of agreement, in which the main interests
of the participants is developed. "The document is ready for signing
by the presidents of two states. Only a political will is needed."

Mr. Lennmarker evaluated the current situation as a "golden
opportunity" for the settlement of Karabakh conflict, according to
Azerbaijani Day.az agency.

BEGGARS "ATTACK" TOURISTS AT EVERY STEP

A1+
[02:20 pm] 09 July, 2007

As soon as tourists visit Armenian sights they "are attacked." Arayik
Vardanyan, the Chairman of the Tour Operators’ Union, states that
beggars’ behavior greatly affects tourism in Armenia. In mere
disappointment tourists give up the idea of visiting Armenian in
the future.

"Cadging is well-organised in Armenia. Beggars work in groups and
don’t leave tourists alone unless they are given some money," Arayik
Vardanyan told A1+.

Mekhak Apresyan, the head of the RA Ministry of Economy and Trade
Tourism Department, is also concerned with beggars’ number.

"This is a delicate matter and needs thorough consideration. We cannot
simply drive beggars away," Mekhak Apresyan told A1+.

Tour-operators state that tourists are discontent with poor-quality
services and anti-sanitarian conditions of toilets.

"Obviously, employees aren’t explained their duties, therefore we
have low-quality services in Armenia, Mr Vardanyan said.

The service quality is determined by an employee’s relevant
education. Each institute of higher education has a tourism department
but the methods of teaching are far from being perfect, Arayik
Vardanyan said.

It is noteworthy that despite all the above-mentioned problems related
to tourism, the number of tourists to Armenia keeps increasing. Last
year over 382 thousand tourists visited the country. According to
statistics, most of them are Diaspora representatives or people of
Armenian descent.

SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

Yerkir.am
Editorial
July 06, 2007

Armen Rustamian’s statement at the session of the Socialist
International’s Council Geneva, June 30, 2007

My today’s speech will concentrate on the South Caucasus, a region that
was part of the Soviet Union for seven decades, a region where there
are three internationally recognized republics – Armenia, Azerbaijan,
and Georgia. There are also several so-called "unrecognized states"
in this region, states that emerged after conflicts that were either
frozen during the Soviet period or were aggravated by the Soviet
Union. The South Caucasus is often viewed as a uniform political
region, but this is more a wish than reality.

The three republics in the region are at different levels
of development as states, as democratic systems and as
economies. According to American analytical centers Georgia occupies
the 58th place in the list of the world’s "failed states", Azerbaijan
occupies the 62nd position while Armenia is the 112th.

GUAM comprised of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova is trying
to become more active in this region politically dividing it.

Our region is a geographical crossroad. It is also a crossroad
of the political interests of global and regional forces. The
strategic interests of Russia and the United States cross in
this region. Russian military bases are located in Armenia based
on Armenia’s invitation. Russian troops are withdrawn from Georgia
based on the latter’s demands. American armed forces are dislocated in
Georgia to train the Georgian army. The Azeri armed forces are trained
by the Turkish army and the Russian anti-missile radar proposed for
joint Russian-American exploitation is located in Azerbaijan.

Finally, the region is bordering Iran military actions against which
on the part of the US cannot be considered unlikely.

Nevertheless, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have similarities. All
three of them are members of the Council of Europe and the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe. All three states are part of
the EU’s New Neighborhood Policy and have developed their individual
action plans for cooperation with the EU in the framework of this
policy. All three countries are part of NATO’s Partnership for Peace
Program and have their individual action plans for cooperation with
NATO. All three countries receive military aid from the US.

There are three unresolved conflicts in this region that constitutes a
crossroad of strategic interests of regional states as well as regional
and global powers. These conflicts are the Nagorno Karabagh conflict
with Azerbaijan, and the Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts
with Georgia.

These conflicts might seem similar but if you go a bit deeper into
the nature of each of the conflicts you will understand that they
are different.

The conflict of Nagorno Karabagh on the one hand and the conflicts of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the other are fundamentally different
both in terms of their nature and expression, and in terms of their
current status and most importantly, the bases, means and levels for
fulfillment of the involved nations’ right for self determination.

The fact is that a ceasefire has been in effect on the
Karabagh-Azerbaijan front for 13 years without any external
peacekeeping force even though the ceasefire was violated from time
to time. Meanwhile, in Abkhazia and South Ossetia there are Russian
peacekeeping forces that have international mandate.

The peace talks of the three conflicts are also different. United
National and the OSCE participate in the settlement of the South
Ossetian conflict and the negotiations are held not at the level of the
highest rank officials. The OSCE’s Minsk Group with its co-chairing
countries, Russia, United States and France, is the mediator for the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.

Armenia, as the main guarantor for the security of the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic and its population is actively participating in the peace
talks. In fact direct negotiations on the level of the presidents
and foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been held in
the past 8-9 years.

All state structures are functioning in the Nagorno Karabagh Republic
including the President, the parliament, the government, the armed
forces, the education system, the elected local self-government bodies,
public and independent media. The constitution of the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic was adopted last year at a constitutional referendum. The
third President of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic will soon be
elected. The economy is developing, there are foreign investments.

The Nagorno Karabagh Republic has its representations in Europe,
USA, and the Middle East. The Republic receives direct assistance
from international organizations and the United States of America.

I stated all these facts to explain that the three conflicts are
different, and therefore, their settlement requires different
approaches. Turkey’s role cannot be ignored in the process of
settlement of the conflicts in the South Caucasus. Being one of the
countries that has a land border with the South Caucasus Turkey has
had and continues to have a highly negative role for establishing
security and stability in the region. This country that strives for
EU membership rejected to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia
since the first day of Armenia’s independence in 1991. Turkey has
blockaded Armenia since 1993 to support its kin-nation, Azerbaijan.

This state that has committed the Armenian Genocide and ethnic
cleansing of the largest part of Armenia in 1915-1923, the state
that denies its responsibility for this crime against the humanity,
the state that violates the international agreements, this state
is imposing preconditions for opening its border and establishing
diplomatic relations with Armenia.

Moreover, Turkey is actively involved in regional initiatives that
isolate Armenia including the Baku-Tbilisi, Jeyhan oil pipeline,
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku
railroad.

We are not speaking about the policy of destruction of thousands of
Armenian religious and cultural monuments on the territory of the
present Turkey and violation of the rights of the Armenian minority
living in Turkey.

Summing up my statement and concentrating on the search for solutions
in the South Caucasus, we propose,

a) Not to support any initiative resulting in military, strategic,
economic, energy or transport divisions in the South Caucasus. Such
initiatives not only fail to settle the existing problems but also
create new tensions and conflicts.

b) Viewing the South Caucasus as one geographic region where a
unified political, economic, transport and energy system as well
as new security architecture is desirable, to be more active in the
South Caucasus developing relations with the three countries in the
region based on the peculiarities of each of them.

c) To reject and prevent the dangerous formula stating that "no
cooperation between the parties is possible until the final settlement
of the conflict". It should be noted that it was this approach that
served as the main reason for freezing the conflicts up to date.

d) The solutions for the conflicts in the South Caucasus must be
sought to correspond to the peculiarities of each of the conflicts
and must be based exclusively on peaceful means. Such solutions
must be based on the undeniable principle of respect for the human
and the nations recognized by the international law, must take into
consideration the challenges for security and stability in the region
and get rid of the Soviet heritage of the creation and deepening of
the conflicts. Threats to resort to military measure for conflict
settlement and attempt to use the conflicts for pursuing other goals
must be considered unacceptable.

e) Development of democracy in the three countries and the region in
general must be considered the only way for the peaceful settlement
of the conflicts and peaceful coexistence of the nations.

f) To make sure that the political, socio-economic, cultural and
educational problems of national minorities in the countries of the
region are solved based on the accepted international standards to
ensure that these problems do not escalate into new conflicts.

We are sure that the Socialist International, both as a unified
structure and as individual parties working in different countries
and international organizations, has a great role in the settlement
of all issues pointed out by us.

Thank you for your attention.

NKR PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER STANDS UP FOR ACTIVATION OF FIGHTS AGAINST CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY

arminfo
2007-07-06 12:46:00

The election campaign of presidential contenders in Nagorno Karabakh
goes on.

As ArmInfo’s special correspondent in Stepanakert reports, the
presidential contender, professor of the Artsakh State University
Vanyan Avanesyan reminded the voters of the basic provisions of his
election programme. "Establishment of justice, fight against the
official abuse, corruption and bribery. The Law must work equally
for all.

The complaints and applications of citizens should be considered
quickly and responded. The guilty must be brought to trial", the
candidate said. He said that the minimum pension should be raised
from 10-15 thsd drams to 40-50 thsd drams, and the lowest salary –
from 20,000 drams to 50-60 thsd drams started January 1. In case V.

Avanesyan is elected the president, provision of the population with
housing will be in the center of his attention.

To recall, the stage of the election campaign of the presidential
contenders in NKR will last till July 17, the participants in which
are Vanya Avanesyan, Armen Abgaryan, Masis Mailyan, Hrant Melkumyan
and Baki Sahakyan. All the contenders, except the Karabakh communists’
leader, have been nominated on the basis of civil initiative.

ARMENIA-GEORGIA RELATIONS ARE NORMAL, EVEN GOOD, WHILE AZERBAIJAN-TURKEY RELATIONS DID NOT CHANGE: PACE PRESIDENT

arminfo
2007-07-04 21:51:00

"I see no progress in the relations of Armenia with the neighbouring
countries since the period of my visit to the South Caucasus
region two years ago", PACE President Rene van der Linden said at a
press-conference in Yerevan.

He also said that he assesses Armenia-Georgia relations as normal, even
good, while Azerbaijan- Turkey relations did not change. "Nevertheless,
I cannot say what are the present relations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan. It will be clear after my visit to Azerbaijan. However,
I am not full of optimism", PACE President said.

RA GOVERNMENT SHOULD START REDUCING GAS SUBSIDIES AS SOONAS POSSIBLE, IMF
OFFICIAL SAYS

Noyan tapan
Jul 3, 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. Marta Castello-Branco, the head of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, which is in Armenia from
July 26, at the July 2 press conference, said that the RA government
should start reducing gas subsidies as soon as possible to soften
the consequences of growth in gas prices for vulnerable strata.

It should be mentioned that in 2006, the RA government, handing over
Hrazdan TPP’s 5th energy unit to Russia, received the possibility to
keep the price for 1 cubic meter of gas imported from Russia at the
level of 55 dollars for final consumers through subsidizing.

In her words, the operation term of the current gas subsidy will
expire in late 2008. From the begninning of 2009 prices for gas could
grow abruptly and make more than 200 USD, and in order to soften
the consequences of the latter, gas subsidies should be gradually
reduced. M. Castello-Branco said that the steady appreciation of the
dram should help smooth this process by making gas import cheaper in
dram terms.

RIA Novosti, Russia
July 5 2007

Second Russian military convoy leaves Batumi base in Georgia
16:12 | 05/ 07/ 2007

TBILISI, July 5 (RIA Novosti) – Twenty-eight rail carriages carrying
military equipment from the second Russian military base in Georgia
left the city of Batumi by railroad heading for Russia, the Georgian
Defense Ministry said Thursday.

The convoy containing mainly radio and communications equipment
departed for Russia at 1.20 a.m. local time (9.20 p.m. Wednesday
GMT), the hardware will travel through Azerbaijan, because there is
no direct rail link between Russia and Georgia.

This is the second convoy to leave from Batumi for Russia. The first
military cargo was transferred June 28 from Batumi to Gyumri in
neighboring Armenia, where Russia retains its Military Base 102. The
next train is expected to leave Batumi on July 12.

The pullout is part of Russia’s commitment made at the 1999 OSCE
summit in Istanbul where Moscow promised to withdraw from its two
military bases in Georgia by the end of 2008.

One of the bases, in Akhalkalaki, southeast of Georgia, was vacated
late last month.