Author: Tavakalian Edgar

OBAMA WELCOMES THE RECENT RESTORED ARMENIA-TURKEY DIALOGUE

armradio.am
17.02.2009 17:46

U.S. President Barack Obama called Turkish President Abdullah Gul
and Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and had two "warm and productive"
conversations, the White House said late on Monday.

According to the statements issued by the White House, and both
Gul and Erdogan’s offices Obama and Turkish officials discussed
the Middle East, including Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan and Armenia,
Hurriyet Daily reported.

"In both calls, the leaders discussed a number of current issues,
including U.S. support for the growing Turkish-Iraqi relationship,
the importance of cooperation in Middle East peace efforts, and the
U.S. review on Afghanistan and Pakistan policy," the White House said
in a statement.

This is the highest level contact of the new administration in
Washington with Ankara since Obama took the office in Jan. 20. Earlier
in February U.S.

Vice President Joe Biden met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan
on the sidelines of a security conference.

Gul told the U.S. president that a legislation that would recognize
the Armenian claims regarding the 1915 incidents should not be put
before Congress.

The issue of 1915 incidents was high on the agenda of Obama-Erdogan
discussion. The Obama administration is seen as the most pro-Armenian
administration in Washington. Obama, Biden and Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton pledged to rec ognize the Armenian Genocide, which
has caused major concern in Turkey.

Erdogan underlined the importance of the strategic cooperation.

"Turkey’s stance on policies regarding the Middle East and Armenia
is clear. America’s fair and impartial approach (to these issues) is
important in order to prevent any damage to the bilateral relations,"
Erdogan was quoted as telling to Obama.

The U.S. president welcomed the recent restored dialogue between
Turkey and Armenia, signaling under the existing circumstances he
would refrain from taking any step that would harm these efforts.

The statement said Obama expressed willingness to work with Turkey
on many issues such as maintaining peace in the Middle East, ending
PKK terrorism and relations with Armenia.

POLISH, ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRIES SEAL COOPERATION

PAP News Wire, Poland
February 16, 2009 Monday

Polish and Armenian Foreign Ministers Radoslaw Sikorski and Edward
Nalbandian Monday in Warsaw sealed a cooperation memorandum foreseeing
closer ties between both countries in commerce, science and education.

At a following press conference both ministers stressed that today’s
act confirmed the close ties between their countries.

Sikorski reminded that Armenia and Poland had had good relations for
the past thousand years and that both countries "had undergone much
suffering over history".

Sikorski also praised Armenia’s decision to join Poland’s and Sweden’s
Eastern Partnership integration programme.

Launched last year as a Polish-Swedish EU project, Eastern Partnership
is a multi-phase European integration scheme for Ukraine, Moldova,
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Belarus.

Sikorski said he and Nalbandian had also discussed Armenia’s relations
with Turkey and Georgia and informed that the Armenian minister had
declared the will to strike up normal relations with Turkey.

The conflict between both countries dates back to the World War One
massacre of 1.8 million Armenians in Turkey.

Turkey claims the victim count was 200,000.

Referring to political tension in Armenia’s region, Sikorski said
Armenia was in an area which needed stabilizing and that Poland
"wanted to play a role in this mission".

Between 1988 and 1994 Armenia and Azerbaijan waged heavy battles for
the enclave Nagorno-Karabakh, which eventually joined Armenia. In
the war, which cost 34,000 lives, Azerbaijan also lost control over
seven neighbouring provinces.

Nalbandian said Polish-Armenian relations were developing "very
dynamically’ and expressed hope that the memorandum with Poland would
help tighten cooperation.

NALBANDIAN BEGINS TITLE DEFENSE AT HOME
Kelli DeMario

tennistalk.com
2/16/09 5:05 AM

Defending champion David Nalbandian kicks off his Copa Telmex title
defense in Buenos Aires on Monday. The Argentine will battle Nicolas
Lapentti in the opening round.

The world No. 10 returns to competition for the first time since a
shocking second-round exit at the Australian Open in January.

Nalbandian, a 2006 semifinalist in Melbourne, lost a heartbreaking
five-set match to world No. 61 Yen-Sun Lu of Chinese Taipei. The
Argentine, seeded first in Buenos Aires, hopes to snag his 11th
career title in front of a partisan crowd this week. Nalbandian has
one title to his credit in 2009, capturing the championship in Sydney
over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland.

Veteran Nicolas Lapentti, ranked 85th in the world, has struggled to
find decent form in 2009, failing to reach the second round in four
consecutive tournaments. The 32-year-old Ecuadorian crashed out of
the Copa Telmex early in 2008, losing a first-round match to Argentine
Juan Pablo Brzezicki in straight sets.

Nalbandian and Lapentti have played three times in total, with the
Argentine a perfect 3-0 in the head-to-head series. The two last
met in the round of 64 at the 2007 Australian Open, with Nalbandian
winning in three comfortable sets.

CAUCASUS TENSIONS PREGNANT WITH STRENGTHENING ON U.S. POSITIONS IN BLACK SEA REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.02.2009 15:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The mechanism of the Russian-Turkish political
consultations is far from being perfect, a Russian expert said.

"Although Ankara seems to alienate from the U.S. and Europe,
it still remains NATO key member in the region," Andrey Areshev,
expert at Strategic Culture Fund, said in a peace of opinion titled
"Russia-Turkey: preparation for breakthrough?"

Big politics affects bilateral relations, according to him.

"Just remember the maneuvers of NATO armada in the Black Sea in
August-September 2008. To alleviate tensions, which could inflict
huge losses on Russian and Turkish companies, Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov paid an extra visit to Turkey," he said.

"The current situation in the Caucasus is unstable. While the new
U.S. administration is developing its foreign policy, Tbilisi is trying
to pose as a victim of aggression. The risk of new tensions still
persists. It can help the U.S. strengthen positions in the Black Sea
region, what is neither in Moscow or Ankara’s interest. In this case,
Turkey will have to choose between loyalty "to the elder brother"
and friendly relations with Russia," Areshev said.

He also emphasized that according to bilateral political agreement on
security in the Black Sea Region, parties "confirm the importance of
strengthening cooperation" within the framework of the Black Sea Naval
Co-operation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR), Black Sea Harmony operation
and other mechanisms combating asymmetrical challenges.

"Russia and Turkey endorse regular contacts between Defense Ministers
and General Staff Chiefs of Black Sea countries," Areshev said.

RUSSIA TO CREATE JOINT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM WITH ARMENIA

RosBusinessConsulting
Feb 13 2009
Russia

RBC, 13.02.2009, Moscow 13:42:11.Russia is poised to create a joint
air defense system with Armenia, Secretary General of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha told a press
conference in Moscow today. He indicated that the possibility of
building an air defense system for data exchange in Central Asia
was also being considered at the moment. Bordyuzha pointed out that
this would be the first stage in the creation of three air defense
systems – in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia – that
would be followed by the second stage, involving the coordination
of all regional systems and the establishment of a system for data
exchange. The official added that such work was part of military
cooperation within the CSTO.

‘ANKARA NOT PART OF CAUCASUS DEAL’

Hurriyet
Feb 12 2009
Turkey

ANKARA – Turkey is not part of a plan for a settlement to the dispute
over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory occupied by Armenia,
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

"The Nagorno-Karabakh problem concerns Turkey but Turkey’s involvement
in a plan for a solution is not under consideration. We only receive
information from the parties concerned," Foreign Ministry spokesman
Burak Ozugergin was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.

His remarks came after daily Hurriyet published an article that
revealed a number of settlement areas would be handed over to
Azerbaijan under a reconciliation plan on the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem discussed between Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Armenian
and Azerbaijani officials. Babacan held talks with his Armenian
counterpart as well as the Armenian president on the sidelines of
a security conference in Munich over the weekend and flew to Baku
for further consultations with his Azerbaijani counterpart and the
Azerbaijani president. On route to Baku, Babacan revised the latest
stage of the talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Memmedyarov,
with whom he was on the same plane.

Following the diplomacy traffic on the Munich-Baku track, Armenia was
reported to be looking warmly toward the handover of six settlement
areas densely populated by the Azeris to Azerbaijan stage by stage,
said the daily.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry denied the report and said it had not
conducted negotiations for a settlement with Turkey’s mediation. Tigran
Balaian, spokesman for the ministry, said negotiations had been
conducted through the mediation of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation Group’s Minsk Group based on the Madrid proposals.

MONEY TRANSFER TURNOVER OF UNIBANK THROUGH UNISTREAM AMOUNTS $802MLN IN 2008

ARKA
Feb 12, 2009

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. In 2008 the turnover of money transfers
of Unibank CJSC through Unistream payment system amounted to $802mln,
the bank’s press-service told ARKA News Agency. The system’s share
in Armenia’s money transfer market is over 50%.

According to the official website of Unibank, transfers through
Unistream remain in top levels this year as well. Over 33,000 transfers
to the amount of $26mln were made in January alone.

According to the assessment of experts, Unistream has the lowest
interest rates – from 1.1%, moreover the bigger the sum, the lower
the interest rate.

Unistream is introduced in 90 countries.

Unibank CJSC was founded in 2001. It is co-owned by the Uniastrum Asset
Management Ltd (50%) and the resident company Evainvest Ltd (50%).

On December 31 2008, the bank’s assets reached 68.8bln AMD, with
liabilities being 59.3bln AMD, capital 9.5bln AMD, credit investments
46.1bln AMD, liabilities to clients 47.7bln AMD, and net profit for
Jan-Dec 2008 amounting to 1.8bln AMD.

Unibank has 30 branches.

AZERBAIJAN TO VIOLATE CEASEFIRE

Panorama.am
16:21 12/02/2009

On 11-12 February the armed forces of Azerbaijan have violated the
regime of ceasefire, reports the press service of the NKR Defense
Ministry. According to the press release, the Azeri armed forces
fired from Nouzger, Yusufdjanlu, Levonarch, Mehdili, Horadiz, Carvend,
Djraberd and Seisulan military points.

The NKR defense army took appropriate measures and the rival stopped
shooting. Nagorno Karabakh armed forces did not suffer losses.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

February 9, 2009

ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Presents Briefing at Yerevan State
University

Yerevan–In a presentation at a round table discussion organized by
the Center for Civilization and Cultural Studies at Yerevan State
University and the Cultural Council of the Embassy of the Islamic
Republic of Iran, Armenian Center for National and International
Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian reviewed the outlook for
US-Iranian relations and assessed the implications for Armenia.

Referring to "the new message of hope and promise for change"
expressed in recent statements by American President Barack Obama,
ACNIS Director Giragosian pointed to a "new opportunity, not to be
missed" in launching a fresh dialogue between the United States and
Iran.

The ACNIS Director added that the Obama Administration was preparing a
new effort of "vigorous diplomacy that includes direct talks with
Iran." Giragosian noted that "Armenia was in a unique position to
help support such a dialogue," explaining that "Armenia, and no other
country in this region, holds the strategic potential as a neutral
broker, capable of serving as a bridge or platform for the West to
engage Iran."

But the ACNIS Director further stated that it was "imperative for
Armenia to be included in regional economic and energy plans" and
warned that, after years of blockade imposed by Turkey and Azerbaijan,
"the international community should not squander the chance to provide
landlocked Armenia with a direct role in regional development."

The round table event was held at Yerevan State University’s Center
for Civilization and Cultural Studies and convened to coincide with
the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran.

Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi
K. Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors,
ACNIS serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public
policy challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the
post-Soviet world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative,
strategic thinking and a wider understanding of the new global
environment. In 2009, the Center focuses primarily on civic education,
democratic development, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the
nation.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit

Goran Lennmarker in interview: ‘Good possibility’ for solution on
Nagorno-Karabakh

2009-02-06 13:15:00

ArmInfo. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on
Nagorno-Karabakh and Special Envoy to Georgia, Goran Lennmarker, said
that there is a "good possibility" for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to
be solved this year, but "time is scarce" and it is now "critically
important to seize the opportunity."

Mr. Lennmarker, President Emeritus of the OSCE PA, will visit all three
countries in the South Caucasus next week. He made the statement in an
interview for the OSCE PA web site ()
published today.

Goran Lennmarker said the purpose of the visit is to meet with the
leadership of the three countries of the Southern Caucasus – the
Parliaments, the Governments, the Presidents, as well as with NGOs,
and to discuss the situation in general in the three countries in the
Southern Caucasus, and particularly the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with
the Armenians and Azerbaijanis, and the conflicts in South Ossetia and
Abkhazia with the Georgians. ‘I hope the result will be positive
signals that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is on its way to a peaceful
resolution, where the two countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan, are
prepared to agree on a solution that is mutually beneficial for both of
them, particularly for the peoples of the two countries, especially the
refugees and the internally displaced persons (IDPs)’, he said.

Asked if Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be solved in 2009, G.
Lennmarker said: ‘ I think there is a good possibility for that. It is
very much up to the leadership of the two countries to take
responsibility for resolving it. We from the outside can support and
help and also give support after a solution. But it’s the
responsibility of the two countries, particularly the leadership and
also the two parliaments to actually reach a peaceful solution.

But I would like to add something about time. Time is a scarce
commodity. I think it’s important that solutions are reached early-on
because dragging on and on, the situation on the ground deteriorates
and people have less and less hope. There is a feeling that you
negotiate and you negotiate and nothing happens – a lot of talk,
delegations come, but nothing is delivered. And this reflects not only
on us from the international side, but also on the national leadership
at the political level. And I think that is critically important now to
seize the opportunity. Time is not unlimited’.

As regards the future development of Armenia and Azerbaijan in case the
conflict is resolved, Goran Lennmarker said: ‘I think that would give
an enormous impetus to the two countries in all aspects of
societal life. First of all, things that actually reflect on the
conflict itself – refugees, IDPs, not least the number of young men who
now spend months and months in the trenches who could be relieved
and do other things – studies, useful work, and the economy that is
afflicted by the conflict. But also in the broader sense, the societies
at large, not to have politics in both countries fixated on the
conflict, but could use their political energy to develop their
nations, their democracy, their economy, and their co-operation with
the outside world, and particularly with themselves. That would give an
enormous boost.

That is, of course, our European experience, going from a situation
with conflict to a situation of co-operation, even between countries
which sometimes have hundreds of years of conflict behind them. We know
from our European experience that it is extremely important’.