Author: Tambiyan Samvel

ARMENIA THIS WEEK
Monday, May 16, 2005
 
In this issue:
Karabakh gears up for tightly contested parliamentary election
No follow-up in Armenian-Turkish relations after letter exchange
KARABAKH GEARS UP FOR TIGHTLY CONTESTED PARLIAMENTARY POLL
Pre-election campaigning officially began this week in the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, which is set to hold a parliamentary election on
June 19, its fourth such poll since independence in 1991 and most
contested to date. Seven political parties and blocs have registered
to compete for eleven seats to be awarded through proportional
representation and 127 individual candidates are set to run in 22
electoral districts. Majoritarian races are expected to be especially
close in the Karabakh capital of Stepanakert, where 79 individual
candidates are running in eight constituencies. As in past elections
international observers are due to monitor the election.
The Democratic Party of Artsakh (AZhK), which is the main political
support base for the incumbent President Arkady Ghoukasian, will seek
to maintain its majority status. AZhK was established following the
recent merger between the Democratic Artsakh Union and Karabakh’s
Social Democratic Party that gave the new party 20 seats in the
33-member National Assembly. The party is led by Education Minister
Ashot Ghoulian and head of the “Democracy” parliamentary faction
Vahram Atanesian. Interviewed this week, Atanesian praised the
incumbent government’s record, including strong economic growth and
reforms that have helped harmonize Karabakh’s laws with Council of
Europe recommendations. According to local reports, AZhK is facing
strong challengers, particularly the Bloc of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (HHD) and Movement-88, and the Free
Motherland Party.
After backing Ghoukasian’s re-election in 2002, HHD had a falling out
with the President over policy and personnel issues, backing one of
the Movement-88 party leaders, parliamentarian Eduard Aghabekian in
Stepanakert mayoral elections last August. Aghabekian, who went on to
win the run-off elections, co-founded Movement-88 in early 2004 as a
public organization dedicated to reform in the spirit of the Karabakh
liberation movement launched in February 1988. The HHD-Movement-88’s
pre-election program focuses on the need for Karabakh’s more active
participation in the peace process, increased social spending,
stronger parliamentary supervision of the government and improved
business climate.
The right-of-center Free Motherland Party (AHK) has a four-person
collective leadership comprised of Professors Arpat Avanesian and
Artur Tovmasian (former Parliament Speaker and 1997 presidential
candidate), and businessmen Araik Harutiunian and Rudolf Hiusnunts.
AHK is seen as a pro-establishment party which could potentially
create a coalition with AZhK.
President Ghoukasian stressed in an interview last month that the
elections must be “honest and free.” Speaking at the Council of
Europe over the weekend, Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian urged
the organization to find a formula for Karabakh’s participation in
the process of European integration as a de-facto established,
although formally unrecognized, state. In addition to forming a new
Nagorno Karabakh legislature, the upcoming parliamentary election is
expected to set the stage for presidential succession in Karabakh, as
President Ghoukasian completes his second term in office in 2007.
(Sources: Armenia This Week 1-24; Azat Artsakh 4-15; Regnum.ru 4-16,
22, 5-16; Kavkaz.memo.ru 5-16; Mediamax 5-16)
NO PROGRESS IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS FOLLOWING EXCHANGE OF LETTERS
There appeared to be no follow-up on the recent exchange of letters
between President Robert Kocharian and Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan as the widely anticipated meeting between the two
leaders this week failed to take place. Turkish official sources,
cited in the press last week, claimed that Erdogan would seek Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev’s permission to meet with Kocharian.
In an apparent ploy to thwart Genocide affirmation, Erdogan made a
widely publicized offer to establish a joint commission of historians
to “study” the Genocide. Kocharian responded with a counter-offer to
normalize relations without pre-conditions. But Turkish officials,
while admitting that their efforts to deny the Genocide have not been
effective, pledged to continue their denial along with the
anti-Armenian blockade.
On a visit to Ankara earlier this month, Deputy Assistant Secretary
of State Laura Kennedy reiterated U.S. support for normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations, adding that Kocharian’s proposal
“certainly has merit” and that the exchange of letters was
“promising” and should be followed-up. Kennedy further denied that
Armenia has territorial claims against Turkey and that that was the
reason for the campaign for international affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide.
On the same day, speaking at a public event in Washington, DC, former
Secretary of State Madeline Albright said it would be a “good idea”
for Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide, in order to improve
its stature in the region and “put the past behind.” (Sources:
Armenia This Week 4-25; Brookings.edu 5-3; U.S. Embassy in Turkey
5-3; Turkish Daily News 5-5; Zaman 5-13)
A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
1140 19th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202)
393-3434 FAX (202) 638-4904
E-Mail  [email protected] WEB 
–Boundary_(ID_NFSRUzeTWKc1F7pBtJztuQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARCHED FRONT OF HOUSE-MUSEUM OF FAMOUS ARMENIAN COMPOSER ARAM
KHACHATURYAN NOT TO BE REPAIRED
YEREVAN, MAY 16. ARMINFO. As ARMINFO was informed in Armenian
Town-planning Ministry, the House-museum of an Armenian famous composer
Aram Khachaturyan (Yerevan) is not included in the list of buildings
subjected to repairs.
According to the source, ministry’s 2005 budget did not provide
financing of repair works in the museum. Meanwhile, museum’s director
Armine Grigoryan confirms that the Ministry for Culture and Youth
Affairs has guaranteed to include the museum in the list subjected to
repairs this year. To note, the arched front of the museum is fallen in
little by little. It has never been repaired since its opening in 1984.

Armenian and Azeri leaders meet in Warsaw
Mediamax news agency
16 May 05
Yerevan, 16 May: The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, Robert
Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev, have held talks in Warsaw, where both
leaders are taking part in a summit of the Council of Europe.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents had made no statements for
the press after their meeting in the Polish capital in the evening,
on 15 May, a special Mediamax correspondent reported from Warsaw.
Kocharyan and Aliyev started their meeting in the presence of
the Russian and French foreign ministers, Sergey Lavrov and Michel
Barnier; the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers and also the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group. Half an hour later the Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents continued the meeting for another two
hours on a one-to-one basis.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov refrained from making any
comments. “I cannot comment on the issues which are being discussed
by the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents,” the head of the Russian
Foreign Ministry said.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that during the
meeting with the Russian and French ministers, Kocharyan and Aliyev
“summed up some results of the discussions within the Prague process”.
Mammadyarov noted that the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders should
have discussed some aspects of the Prague process. At the same time,
the Azerbaijani foreign minister said that the presidents have not
been discussing any specific plans for settling the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. “The main problem is in the detail. We have managed to
reach agreement on many issues, but there are some issues on which
the positions of the sides differ strongly,” Elmar Mammadyarov said.
The head of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry expressed the hope that
Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev’s meeting in Warsaw “would allow
them to look at what has been done up until now”.

24.3 BLN DRAMS ALLOCATED FROM STATE BUDGET IN 2004 FOR STATE
INSTITUTIONS EMPLOYEES SALARIES
YEREVAN, MAY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. At the May 13 joint meeting of the RA
National Assembly standing committees with the participation of
representatives of the executive power, the dicsussion of the report
on the fulfilment of the 2004 state budget was continued. According to
RA Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy, Chief Treasurer Atom
Janjughazian, in 2004, the allocations of the social security and
social insurance spheres made 35 bln drams (about 77 mln USD). The
planned index was fulfilled by 95.8%. The deviation is mainly
conditioned by saving funds envisaged for family poverty benefits and
pensions. In particular, out of 139,000 families eligible for poverty
benefits, 132,626 ones actually received benefits due to being left
out of the system as a result of an increase of pensions. Pension
allocations were fulfilled by 96.4%, making about 13 bln drams.
Allocations to pay salaries of the state institutions’ employees made
24.3 bln drams. The planned index was fulfilled by 99.5%. These
allocations increased 10.4 bln drams or 75.2% compared with 2003. The
planned index of allocations to solve migration and refugee problems
in 2004 was 93.6 mln drams, which was actually allocated. Besides, the
government provided an additional amount of 6.9 mln drams from the
reserve fund. The health sphere was allocated 24.7 bln drams, which
makes 99.7% of the planned amount. The environmental sphere was
financed by 100%, including the implementation of 29 programs. The
fulfilment of programs implemented with foreign assistance is a little
lower from the planned level.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PARLIAMENT OF AMERICANA, BRASILIAN CITY, RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
UNANIMOUSLY
BRASIL, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Parliament of Americana, a Brasilian
city having population of about 300 thousand people, adopted the
resolution No 268 “Solidarity with Armenians on Occasion of 1915-1917
Genocide” at the April 28 sitting. Main episodes of the Armenian
people’s history as well as of the fight for freedom during the period
from the early times to the beginning of the 20th century are
presented in the detailed text. The policy of mass violations and
massacres conducted by the Ottaman Turkey against Armenians late in
the 19th century, which reached its top with the Genocide of May 24,
1915 (1.5 mln victims) was particularly mentioned. As Noyan Tapan was
informed from the Press Office of the State Committee on organizing
events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
Osvaldo Nogeyra, a Deputy of the Labour Party, the leading party of
the country was the author of the initiative. The resolution was
adopted by unanimously voting.

A1plus
| 18:56:47 | 13-05-2005 | Official |
IN GENERAL FEATURES ONLY?
Today Robert Kocharyan has received PACE Observation Committee secretary
Boni Teofilova and reporters Yeji Yaskernia and George Kolombie.
The process of Constitutional amendments has been discussed. A reference has
also been made to the regional problems and the NKR conflict settlement has
been spoken about.

A1plus
| 19:00:12 | 12-05-2005 | Official |
LET’S WAIT TILL END OF YEAR
Today Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan received PACE Monitoring
Committee rapporteurs for Armenia Jerzy Jaskiernia and Georges Colombier.
The parties discussed the issues referring to the constitutional amendments.
In this view Vardan Oskanyan pointed out to the importance of the referendum
to be held this year. Thus the last obstacles will be removed and Armenia
will completely fulfill the commitments to the CE, the Minister noted.
Vardan Oskanyan also stressed Armenia’s involvement into Wider Europe: New
Neighbors EU program.
By request of the guests the Armenian FM presented the current stage of the
Karabakh conflict settlement process and Armenia’s position on this issue.
He also touched upon the Turkish-Armenian relations.

Baltic News Service
May 11, 2005
RUSSIAN OFFICERS INSPECTING ESTONIAN DEFENSE FORCES
TALLINN, May 11
Officers of the Russian armaments control center Wednesday and
Thursday inspect defense force units in North Estonia.
Russian officers are carrying out the inspection in the framework of
the OSCE Vienna document, the defense forces information service told
BNS.
The Russian group of four inspectors is entitled to visit defense
forces units, training centers and grounds in Tallinn, Paldiski and
Tapa.
In accordance with the security and confidence-building measures of
the OSCE Vienna document member countries of the organization may
stage inspection visits of up to 48 hours.
The inspectors check whether military exercises subject to preminary
notification under the Vienna documents are not carried out, the
report being sent to all OSCE member countries.
The present one is the third Russian arms control inspection or visit
to Estonia. The previous such visit took place in South Estonia last
December.
Arms control inspectors of the Estonian defense forces have this year
inspected Armenian and Russian armed forces.

NKR [Nagornyy Karabakh Republic] marks “triple” holiday
Arminfo, Yerevan
9 May 05
STEPANAKERT
Festivities are in process in the NKR [Nagornyy Karabakh Republic] on
the occasion of a triple holiday in the country – the Day of Victory
in the Great Patriotic War, the liberation of Shushi and the
establishment of the defence army.
According to ARMINFO’s special correspondent in Stepanakert, on 9 May
the NKR leadership, headed by President Arkadiy Gukasyan, will visit
the local memorial complex to pay homage to those killed in the
wars. An official delegation is expected to arrive in the republic
from Armenia. A festive fireworks display is expected at the central
square of revival, with festivities being held in Shushi as well.
Speaking of the holiday of 9 May, the defence minister and commander
of the NKR defence army, Lt-Gen Seyran Oganyan, pointed out that one
of the important factors in Nagornyy Karabakh’s success in the war it
was dragged into by Azerbaijan was that the new generation of Karabakh
people received education in the spirit of their fathers and
grandfathers. He pointed out the peculiarity of the NKR army as it had
been established simultaneously with the military actions. “Today we
have military units which do not yield to the former Soviet army in
terms of their fighting preparedness,” the minister said.

Azerbaijan News Service
May 10 2005

AZERBAIJANI POSITIONS IN AGHDAM REGION SUBJECT TO SHOOTING
2005-05-10 15:56
Press service of the defense ministry informs that on May 9 at 20.30
PM armed forces of Armenia in occupied Seyidli and Sarijanli village
of Aghdam region fired at Azerbaijani positions in Qaradaqli village
of the same region. On the same day military forces of Azerbaijan in
Ahmadagali village of Aghdam region was also subject to shooting from
machine guns. There is no report of human loss or casualties.