Author: Tambiyan Samvel

Iran’s Diplomacy in Action
In this insider’s assessment of Iran’s long-awaited response to the
incentive package offered by the United States and other world powers,
Abbas Maleki and Kaveh Afrasiabi argue that this is an opportunity for
diplomacy that could actually halt Iran’s nuclear enrichment and address
the concerns of the West.
Agence Global
23 August 2006
By Abbas Maleki and Kaveh L. Afrasiabi
After months of delay in responding to the package of incentives offered
by the UN Security Council’s Permanent Five plus Germany (P5+1), Iran
has submitted a detailed and comprehensive response that puts the
diplomatic ball squarely back in the court of the P5+1.
While rejecting the UN’s demand for an immediate halt to its
uranium-enrichment activities, Iran’s response still leaves the door
open for serious negotiations, and perhaps an acceptable resolution of
the nuclear showdown for all parties.
By agreeing to put the issue of suspension of enrichment activities on
the table and to commence the talks immediately, Iran has sent a strong
signal that the internal debate between power centers in Iran’s
leadership has ended in favor of voices of moderation seeking a mutually
satisfactory resolution of the nuclear standoff with the West. It will
be a pity if Washington overlooks this opportunity for a fair
negotiation with Iran, especially considering the details of Iran’s
response.
Iran has, expectedly, sought clarification on a number of issues,
including the following:
– The incentive package mentions respecting Iran’s rights under the
nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), yet the only NPT articles
mentioned are Articles I and II, pertaining to non-proliferation, and
not Article IV, pertaining to a country’s “inalienable right” to acquire
nuclear technology;
– Iran wants firm guarantees on the proposed offers of nuclear
assistance, such as the sale of light water reactors to Iran, as well as
a secured nuclear fuel supply;
– Iran seeks clarification on the status of U.S. sanctions which
presently prohibit those offers of nuclear and technological assistance
to Iran: Is the United States willing to lift some if not all of those
sanctions?
– The package’s promise of an Iran-EURATOM cooperation agreement needs
to be fleshed out;
– The package’s brief reference to security and its hint of Iran’s
participation in a “regional security” arrangement needs further
clarification; and,
– The timeline on the promised incentives, including the economic and
trade incentives, has to be made specific.
Furthermore, Iran’s response indicates that Iran is willing to re-adopt
the IAEA’s Additional Protocol and to take the steps toward legislating
it as part and parcel of a final agreement.
Meanwhile, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has declared
Iran¹s willingness to use its influence in Lebanon for an
Israeli-Hezbollah prisoners’ exchange, reminding the world of Iran’s
stabilizing role.
Clearly, given the tight interplay between the nuclear issue and Iran’s
political identity, no one should be surprised that Iran’s leaders have
opted against committing political suicide by giving in to international
pressure and suspending the nuclear fuel cycle. But, far from rejecting
this demand, Iran’s response makes rather clear its feasibility as a
result of the proposed talks, which Iran is willing to commence
immediately, particularly if Iran¹s abstract rights under Article IV of
NPT are explicitly recognized by the P5+1.
In light of the rights-sensitive Iranian public, Tehran will seriously
entertain suspending the fuel cycle if and when it feels vindicated as a
matter of principle, in a manner which creates conditions conducive to
the idea of suspensions. A face-saving solution appears in which Iran
could decide against implementing as an abstract right hitherto thwarted
by the P5+1.
And now the UN Security Council, which had given Iran until the end of
August to halt its nuclear fuel cycle, has a unique role to play either
as spoiler or catalyst with respect to the opportunity afforded by
Iran¹s response — to put the genie of Iran’s nuclear crisis back in the
bottle. Already Kofi Annan is directly involved in intense negotiations
with Tehran, and, indeed, resolving the nuclear row may turn out to be
one of the enduring legacies of the departing Secretary General.
Should the United States and its UN envoy, John Bolton, decide to ignore
this opportunity and push for UN sanctions against Iran, despite the
positive dimensions of Iran’s offer, the stage will be set for a
full-scale international crisis.
Abbas Maleki is the Director of the International Institute For Caspian
Studies in Tehran and currently a senior research fellow at Harvard
University’s Kennedy School of Government. Kevah Afrasiabi is a
political scientist and author of Iran’s Nuclear Program: Debating Facts
vs. Fiction.
For rights and permissions, contact:
[email protected], 1.336.686.9002 or 1.212.731.0757
Agence Global
1.212.731.0757 (main)
1.336.286.6606 (billing)
1.336.686.9002 (rights & permissions)
Agence Global is the exclusive syndication agency for The Nation and The
American Prospect, as well as expert commentary by William Beeman,
Richard Bulliet, Mark Hertsgaard, Rami G. Khouri, Tom Porteous, Patrick
Seale and Immanuel Wallerstein.

AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBER 13 DELEGATION OF THE IMF IS TO VISIT ARMENIA
Yerevan, August 26. ArmInfo. On August 31 – September 13 the delegation
of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will visit Armenia. The
delegation will be lead by Hassan Al-Atrasha, head of the Armenian
quarter of Department for Middle East and Central Asia.
During the visit the process of realizing the economic growth and
poverty reduction programs will be discussed.
To be reminded, in the frameworks of the poverty reduction program
Armenia is to receive SDR 23 million ($32,8 million). The credit is
to granted for 10 year term with 0,5% annual interest rate.

“AZERBAIJAN CAN NOT START WAR IN COMING 20 YEARS,” POLITICIAN LEVON
MELIK-SHAHNAZARIAN STATES
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The process of the Karabakh
settlement entered at present a new stage when the Co-Chairmen’s
“imagination run short” and the problem is put on shoulders of the
three parties: Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. Politician
Levon Melik-Shahnazarian expressed such an opinion at the August
25 press conference. In his words, today “the economy of Azerbaijan
was so involved in the European economy” that the country lost its
independence and may not “make any decision.” The speaker mentioned
that till now the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen’s task was not to
allow re-start of the war as it is not advantageous for big states
having their own interests in the region. And, as the Baku-Jeihan oil
pipeline will be the property of the British Petroleum company till
2026, according to the politician’s words, Azerbajian can not start
a war in coming 20 years. In his words, Baku was simply prohibited
to make even an attempt to solve the Karabakh issue in the military
way. Touching upon return of territories being under control of
the Armenian armed forces, in the name of peace or defining the
NKR status, the speaker said: “The only reasoning based on which a
territory may be returned, is the one that no Armenians have lived
in those territories during the recent few dozens of years. If we
may lead negotiations for returning land based on that reasoning,
then it means that we give up, from the legal and moral viewpoints,
all those territories where no Armenians live, both in Western and
Eastern Armenia.” In L.Melik-Shahnazarian’s words, in the 20th century
the Armenian people three times struggled with the Caucasian Tatars:
in 1904-1905, 1918-1920 and 1988-1994, and “three times we reached
successes in the war field, but then, at the negotiations table, we
lost territories, so, our every victory ended with loss of Armenian
territories.” According to the speaker’s words, Armenia must take
lessons from all those, and now, when Azerbaijan is not ready for a
war, the Armenian side must make its demands stricter at the expected
September meeting of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
L.Melik-Shahnazarian expressed an opinion, that Armenians, as an
eastern people, must see in the role of a strategic partner such a
country which has rich civilization. Responding the question “Can
Iran be such a country?” the politician said: “The Persian nation is
our natural ally but we have religious problems with Persians which
are artificially strained in our days in all over the world.”
He stated that besides Iran, Russia, Belarus, Syria as well as Iraq
can also be potential allies of Armenia.

ISNA, Iran
Aug. 25, 2006
Iran -Armenia to boost its trade cooperation Service: Economy
ISNA – Tehran
Service: Economy
TEHRAN, August 25 (ISNA)-Iran-Armenia’s shared chamber of commerce
manager noted that the 200 million dollar trade figure between the
two countries illustrated that 17 percent of the products imported
to Armenia were from Iran.
“The commercial ties between Iran and Armenia have shown a good
progress. We started with 20 million dollars and now we have reached
200 million dollars,” he commented.
This official also among reporters commented that the noted 17 percent
has the ability to reach 40 percent, but this required that Iran
introduced its industrial and production capacities and potentials
to Armenia.
“Iranian merchants through identifying the requirements of the market
must open a good placing for Iran in CIS markets,” he said.
This official also gave news on the inauguration of new Iranian trade
center in Armenia and hoped the at hand obstacles would be removed
through the cooperation of both sides.

OVER 3,5 THOUSAND ENTERPRISES WITH FOREIGN CAPITAL PARTICIPATION
OPERATE IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Over 3.5 thousand companies with
the participation of foreign capital are now operating in Armenia,
which is by 2,000 more than in 2003. RA Deputy Minister of Trade
and Economic Development Tigran Davtian told NT correspondent about
it. According to him, in 2003, the amount of foreign investments
in Armenia made about 200 mln USD (without the banking system and
official transfers), in 2005, this amount increased to 500 mln USD. It
is expected that by results of 2006, these investments will amount to
over 500 mln USD. According to expert opinions cited by T. Davtian,
in 1998-2004, 60-70% of foreign investors operating in Armenia were
Diasporan Armenians or foreigners having business links with them,
while the share of investments made by Diasporan Armenians over the
indicated period made up 25-30%. The deputy minister said that the
Diaspora’s activity is especially considerable in opening small and
medium enterprises in food industry, jewelry making, diamond cutting
and tourism, and investing in these sectors. In T. Davtian’s opinion,
the Diasporan Armenians’ potential for making investments in Armenia
is much greater. He said that in 2005, the amount of remittances
transferred to Armenia by Diasporan Armenians and Armenian citizens
working abroad made about 1 bln USD, while investments made in the
country by Diasporan Armenians totalled 150 mln USD. “A few years ago
this amount of investments in case of annual GDP of 1 bln USD was a
considerable result, whereas the same amount cannot be considered
large in ratio to GDP of 6 bln USD forecast for 2006,” the deputy
minister said.

AZG Armenian Daily #162, 26/08/2006
Europe
PORTUGAL PROFITS BY GULBENKIAN INHERITANCE
Daniel Silva, correspondent of Agence France-Presse, writes from
Lisbon that though Portugal does not produce oil it nevertheless
profits by oil riches in the last 50 years. Those riches played a
big role in development of diverse spheres of the country.
The article that The Armenian Mirror Spectator published in its August
12 issue touches upon the Galust Gyulbekian Foundation. The Foundation
established in 1956 has brought the country a profit of 2 billion
euros by financing a number of rehabilitation centers, the country’s
philharmonic orchestra, libraries and educational establishments.
“The Foundation was a wonderful luck in the history of our country,”
sociologist Antonio Berton who is writing a book about the influence of
the Foundation on the country said last month during the celebrations
of the Foundation’s 50th anniversary.
Fleeing the Nazi occupied France at the age of 73, Gyulbenkian spent
the last 13 years of his life in a hotel in Lisbon and as an expression
of his gratefulness he handed down his fortune and the huge collection
of art works to the country with a hope that a charity foundation will
be founded. Thanks to correct handling assets initially estimated at 14
million euro rose to 3 billion that totals to 2 percent of Portugal’s
GDP and makes the Foundation the 6th biggest charity organization in
Europe. Among its holdings is Partex oil company that produces 13.5
million barrel of oil annually and exports it to Abu Dhabi, Angola,
Algeria, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Oman. 80 percent of revenue is spent
in Portugal, 20 percent in African colonies.
One of the first initiatives of the Foundation was creation of a
network of “mobile libraries” that provided Portuguese regions with
literature during the right-wing dictatorship in the country. The
second important task was providing scholarships to students. To date,
65.000 students, including Portuguese president Anibal Cavaco Silva,
benefited from the scholarship.
“I think we can never be sufficiently grateful to him for his
generosity,” Rui Vilar, president of the Foundation, said in an
interview with JL literary journal.
By Hakob Tsulikian

RA PARLIAMENTARIANS AND EXPERTS OF CE VENETIAN COMMISSION TO DISCUSS
REFORMS OF ARMENIA’S ELECTORAL CODE
Yerevan, August 25. ArmInfo. RA Parliamentarians and experts of the CE
Venetian Commission will discuss the supposed reforms of the country’s
electoral code.
As Galust Sahakyan, the leader of the Republican party of Armenia,
said in an interview to “Hayots Ashkhar”, the proposals of experts,
approved by Parliamentarians, will enter the draft changes. In
particular, the Venetian Commission proposed to bring back the
practice of using portable electoral boxes during elections, for
the invalids and the persons being in hospitals the election day,
could vote. This proposal is disputable, Sahakyan said as, in the
opinion of the opposition representatives, using of portable boxes
is an efficient mechanism for falsifications.
He also noted it would be interesting to know the opinion of
international experts regarding the issue of implementing a system of
electronic voting, which the opposition insists on. As for the issue
of ink marking of the voters’ fingers, Sahakyan said that it does
not protect the elections from a “roundabout” and delays the process.

PRESS RELEASE
“YERKIR”, UNION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
FOR REPATRIATION AND SETTLEMENT
20 Bakunts str.,Yerevan, Armenia
Contact: Robert Tatoyan
Tel. +(374 1) 21 10 21
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST PHASE OF ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS OF THE CITY OF
TIGRANAKERT IN ARTSAKH
Yerevan, August 19, 2006
Through an initiative and the financing of the “Yerkir” Union of
Non-governmental Organizations for Repatriation and Settlement,
an expedition of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the
National Academy of Sciences (headed by Hamlet Petrosyan) achieved from
August 3-18, 2006 the first phase of the archeological excavations of
the city of Tigranakert and its surroundings, built in Artsakh by the
Armenian king Tigran the 2-nd, better known as Tigran the Great. Prior
to the excavation works themselves, the same team of researchers had
visited and studied the area in March 2005, to determine the exact
location of the city of Tigranakert.
Excavation works led to the discovery of the fortified outer wall of
a citadel, as well as the supporting wall of one of the terraces,
a basilica of the 5-6 centuries, and hundreds of archeological
artifacts. A church complex carved in the rock has also been studied
in the valley of Khachenaget, in the vicinity of the city.
The preliminary study of the findings has shown that since its
foudation in the 1-rst century B.C. until the 13-14 centuries A.D., the
city of Tigranakert has continued to exist without interruption. The
discovered buildings and pottery are similar to the ones found in other
Armenian areas, and in particular, to those discovered in the plain of
Ararat, a fact which corroborates once more the testimony of Armenian
medieval historians concerning the Armenian ownership, the Armenian
nature of the city of Tigranagert and of its surrounding areas. The
excavations also confirm that this area is part of our Homeland,
or in other words, part of that territory, where the Armenian people
has been formed and has built its history.
The findings have an exceptional historical, cultural and religious
value not only for Armenians, but also internationally speaking,
in terms of mankind’s patrimony. For example, the remains of the
early medieval basilica of the 5-6th centuries found in the inhabited
neighbourhoods of the city and the church complex carved in the rock
prove that Tigranakert has been one of the centers of the oriental
christian civilization.
The study of the findings will follow the excavation works, and the
results will be published in an illustrated book.
“Yerkir” Union will ensure the pursuit of the excavation works in
Tigranakert, as well as of the study of the findings.
To get Tigranakert excavation photos, please, visit
.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANC of West San Fernando Valley Leads Meeting with Congressman Sherman
– Congressman expresses commitment to be at the forefront of Armenian
American issues
SHERMAN OAKS, CA – The Armenian National Committee of the West San
Fernando Valley met with U.S. Representative Brad Sherman (D-Sherman
Oaks) in his district office last week to discuss issues of concern
to the local Armenian American community. The delegation was led by
the West San Fernando Valley Chairman, Ara Papazian who was joined
by Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR)
Board Member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, ANCA-WR Community Relations
Director Haig Hovsepian, and ANCA-WR Intern Allen Yekikan.
The meeting attendees expressed appreciation for the Congressman
Sherman’s record of support for Armenian American issues. Various
topics were discussed including Armenian Genocide legislation,
the controversial nomination of Richard Hoagland as the next
U.S. ambassador to Armenia, and congressional efforts to support
regional cooperation and integration in the Southern Caucasus Region.
Mrs. Zerounian-Khanzadian, a constituent of Rep. Sherman, explained
that the Armenian American community is extremely disturbed over
Richard Hoagland’s evasive and outright genocide denial leading
up to, during, and following his hearing in the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. Rep. Sherman expressed his concern and agreed
to write a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, opposing
Richard Hoagland’s confirmation as the next Ambassador to Armenia.
The Congressman noted that “Ambassador Evans was a great ambassador
who should not have been recalled.”
Papazian, a constituent of the Congressman, thanked him for his
continued support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution as well as
his co-authorship of the Crowley Amendment, an amendment to the
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006. The Crowley Amendment,
authored by New York Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and
co-authored by Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) and Rep. Brad Sherman,
prohibits the Export-Import Bank from providing any assistance “to
develop or promote any rail connections or railway-related connections
that traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars,
Turkey, and that specifically exclude cities in Armenia.” The bill
to which it was amended was approved by the House of Representatives
in July and will go to the Senate for consideration. Rep. Sherman
expressed his commitment to the amendment and promised to work closely
with his collegues in the Senate to make certain the amended bill does
not get altered or excluded from the fi! nal draft of the legislation.
Mrs. Zerounian-Khanzadian invited Representative Sherman to both the
ANCA-WR Annual Banquet in November and the ANCA Leadership Conference
in Washington D.C. scheduled for September 14-17th. The Congressman
expressed his gratitude for the invitations and promised to attend,
even offering to lead a workshop during the conference.
Congressman Brad Sherman represents California’s 27th district,
home to a large Armenian American community. Since being elected
to Congress in 1997, Representative Sherman has worked to continue
building U.S. relations with Armenia, co-sponsored previous Armenian
Genocide recognition legislation, including the resolutions introduced
in the 109th Congress. He is also an original co-sponsor of the South
Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, H.R. 3361 as well as
the End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act, H.R.3103.
The ANCA 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.
Editor’s Note: Photo attached: (left to right) ANCA-WR Intern Allen
Yekikan, ANCA-WR Board member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Congressman
Brad Sherman, ANC West SF Valley Chairman Ara Papazian, and ANCA-WR
Staff Haig Hovsepian.
###

NEW RADIO TO OPEN IN JAVAKHETI
Lragir.am
23 Aug 06
A-Info, Akhalkalaki, 23 August. Since October 1 a new radio station
will start operating in the region of Ninotsminda, Javakheti. The
radio station was set up by the Tbilisi office of the BBC.
The radio station of Ninotsminda will broadcast news, music,
sport programs, programs for women. The staff including 13 people
participated in trainings by a number of experienced journalists.
Laura Varjapetyan is the coordinator of the radio, Ararat Ptetyan is
the editor.