Author: Torgomian Varazdat

STRUGGLE AMONG PRO-GOVERNMENTAL POLITICAL FORCES WILL PROCEED DURING FORTHCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, RPA BOARD MEMBER SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Mar 14 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The opposition should have united on
the threshold of forthcoming parliamentary elections and should have
struggled for not receiving mandates, but for establishing lawfulness
in Armenia, including holding of legal elections. Former RA Deputy
Prime Minister, non-partisan Vahan Shirkhanian stated this at the
March 14 dispute organized at the Hayeli (Mirror) club.

In his words, there are three directions in the opposition field. The
first group includes oppositionists who struggle for receiving
mandates, the second those who take part in the elections for the
purpose of implementing programs aimed at country’s well-being and the
third those who do not take part in the elections and consider them
"farce and a senseless thing." By the way, in V. Shirkhanian’s words,
the first group also includes "opposition" forces who have made a
bargain with the authorities.

In the opinion of RA MP Samvel Nikoyan, member of the Republican
Party Board, not ideological, but purely political struggle proceeds
in preelectoral processes. "Preelectoral processes go on rather by
the logic "what to do to have a bigger electorate," he stated.

According to S. Nikoyan’s observations, the characteristic of the
forthcoming parliamentary elections differs from the previous ones:
there is no sharp struggle between the authorities and the opposition
this time. For instance, "the Republican Party of Armenia considers
as its rivals Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia), ARFD and United
Labor Party." "At the May 12 elections the main struggle will proceed
among the political forces of pro-governmental system," S. Nikoyan said
adding that this time each political force will strive for achieving
more and will not permit another one to commit falsifications.

VARTAN OSKANIAN: "TALKS WERE SLOW TO MOVE DESPITE EXISTING GROUNDWORK:" NEXT MEETING OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS TO BE HELD IN APRIL

Noyan Tapan
Mar 14 2007

GENEVA, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan
Oskanian, concluded a regular meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs, together with the Azerbaijani FM, in Geneva on March 14.

As NT was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, the Minister explained that Armenia remains committed
to the principles in the document that is being negotiated. In his
words, although there are many secondary issues outstanding still,
the principles contained in the document address the fundamental issues
with the right trade-offs, that could lead to a lasting resolution.

In Oskanian’s words, "the talks were slow to move, despite the
existing groundwork, as attempt was made to discuss second-layer
details pertaining to the principles in the document. Although there
is clearer understanding of each other’s positions, one thing is
evident that there are deep differences. We believe that there can
still be enough progress to warrant a meeting of the presidents,
and for that reason we agreed to another meeting in April."

This meeting followed a recent visit to the region by French co-chair
Bernard Fassier, who, on behalf of the other two co-chairs Yuri
Merzlyakov of Russia, and Matthew Bryza of the US, attempted to
ascertain the positions of the two presidents, in the run-up to this
meeting of foreign ministers.

US ADMINISTRATION TO TRY TO BLOCK PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN BILL – US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 14 2007

( Cihan ) – US Deputy Secretary of State Nick Burns said that the
US administration would do its best to block the passage of Armenian
resolution in the US House of Representatives.

Headed by Turkey-US Parliamentary Friendship Group chairman
Egemen Bagis, a delegation from Turkish Parliament met Burns, the
undersecretary of state for political affairs. The meeting in the US
capital Washington lasted one and a half hours.

Burns assured the Turkish officials that the US government would try
to prevent the passage of the controversial bill in the House.

The second Turkish delegation, which is in Washington to lobby the US
congressmen against the Armenian claims, also came together with the
representatives of Jewish community in the US and attended Turkey-US
Council meeting.

Turkish MPs will also meet US congressmen today and tomorrow to convey
Turkey’s thesis on the so called genocide and stress that Turkish
archives are open for historians and researchers to examine the events.

Late in February, the first of the three delegations from Turkish
parliament to lobby American congressmen prior to the voting of
a resolution on so-called Armenian genocide in the US House of
Representatives held talks with US officials.

In addition to this delegation, a third will also leave for the US
during the last week of March to press the congressmen.

DISCUSSION ON GENOCIDES OF THE 20TH CENTURY TO BE HELD IN HAGUE

ArmRadio.am
13.03.2007 14:28

On March 15 in Hague a discussion on "The genocide has no statute
of limitation" will be organized by "Gladzor" and "Mesopotamia"
Armenian Student Unions. It will be dedicated to the genocides of
the 20th century, among which special attention will be paid to the
Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust.

Armenpress was told from the "Abovyan" culture union of the Netherlands
that reports will be made by ex-Minister of Cooperation Development of
Holland Jean Pronk, member of the "Other Jewish voice" organization
Hayo Meyer,Associate Professor at the Amsterdam University Ton Zwan
and Presidnet of the Dutch "Amnesty International" organization Lars
van Trust.

DEFENCE EXPENDITURES OF RA DECLINE BY 12.7% IN JANUARY 2007 ON SAME MONTH OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Mar 13 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 13, NOYAN TAPAN. In January 2007, the RA budgetary
expenditures made 18 bln 595.1 mln drams (over 51 mln 126 thousand
USD), increasing by 8.4% on the same month of 2006. The ratio of
these expenditures to GDP made 23.6% in January 2006 against 22%
in January 2007. According to the RA National Statistical Service,
defence expenditures of Armenia amounted to 4 bln 335.2 mln drams
in January 2007, declining by 12.7% on the same month of last year,
while the ratio of these expenditures to GDP made 6.8% in January
2006 against 5.1% in January 2007. Expenditures on keeping the
public order, and on national security and judicial systems made 1
bln 482.2 mln drams (6.3% growth, 1.9% agianst 1.8%), expenditures
on education and science – 1 bln 25.3 mln drams (119.3%, 0.6% against
1.2%), health care expenditures – 208 mln drams (1,407.2% growth, 0%
against 0.2%), expenditures on social insurance and social security –
4 bln 137.1 mln drams (14.2% growth, 5% against 4.9%).

ARMEN AYVAZIAN: ONE MUST SOLVE STATE SECURITY PROBLEMS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OF THIRD FORCE

Noyan Tapan
Mar 12 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Advices, analyses of any other
state, military-political alliance, experts’ group in the security
issues may only hinder us as those third forces will always
pursue their own interests which will for the most part contradict
Armenian interests. Armen Ayvazian, the Director of the "Ararat"
Strategic-Scientific Center, Doctor of Politics stated about it at the
presentation of the book entitled "Strategy and Security Issues" which
took place in Yerevan on March 10. The book is the 2nd volume of the
"Hayrenatirutiun" series of books which was formed and edited by Armen
Ayvazian. An attempt is made in the book to analyse security issues of
Armenia with own efforts. A number of issues are examined here which
relates to the armed forces and military conceptions of Armenia and its
probable opponents, Azerbaijan and Turkey, possibilities of development
and improvement of relations between the Armenian society and the state
of Armenia, especially, army, activity of Turkish special services,
urgent problems of information security of Armenia, etc. The 1st volume
of the series of books entitled "Liberated Territory of Armenia and
Artsakh Problem. Analytical and Documentary Selected Materials" was
published in February, 2006. It is envisaged to publish the 3rd volume
of the series of books as well. Other issues relating to strategy and
security of Armenia will be touched upon in it. Samvel Martirosian,
an expert on information security issues, touched upon problems of
information security of Armenia.

In his words at the time, when Turkey and Azerbaijan, in a regulated
way, implement obvious anti-Armenian propaganda by internet, the
Armenian side can oppose only activity of individuals living in
Diaspora and Armenia to that propaganda. In the consequence of it,
dozens of thousand of people in the world have a notion about the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict only getting acquainted with the
Azerbaijanl side’s viewpoints. "Azeris broke about 15 Armenian web
sites on February 26, one of which was the RA Ombudsman’s site.

After it Turks smashes 35 Argentinian web sites connected with the
events in Khojalu," S.Martirosian said. In his words, Azeris distort
also the materials relating to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict involved
in one of the famous internet encyclopedias, "Wikipedia." And, in
Samvel Martirosian’s words, it is worrying in that sense that "there
are references to "Wikidepia" in scientific articles being published
in Armenia, and Armenian newspapers placing their publications in the
internet as well simply quote from those publications of Azerbaijani
web sites which have obviously anti-Armenian contents.

U.S. CONSUL SAYS ARMENIAN BILL WOULD BE UNHELPFUL TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BETWEEN TURKEY, ARMENIA

Anatolian Times, Turkey
Turkish Press
March 12 2007

ADANA – "We do not believe that an Armenian bill submitted to the
Congress would help solving problems between Turkey and Armenia,"
US Consul to the southern city of Adana Eric Green said Monday.

Green noted that the they understood Turkish concerns that the bill
might damage relations between Turkey and the US.

"We prefer historians would tackle with these issues because relations
might be hurt when politicians and diplomats get involved in such
discussions. We want to focus on preserving and continuing cooperation
with Turkey," Green told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting at
a local journalists’ association in Adana.

Green also said that the US government has been exerting every effort
in its capacity to avert the Congressional approval of the bill,
but added that problems between Turkey and Armenia should "somehow
be solved."

"We would like Turkey to assume a critical approach to its own past,"
he stated.

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
March 9, 2007 Friday

NATO Week in Armenia

The Foreign Ministry of Armenia, jointly with the U.S. Embassy, is
launching a “NATO Week in Armenia”, which is to begin on Monday.
“It does not pursue the aim of our membership in NATO,” Armenian
Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan stated here on Friday. The
week includes “a visit of high-ranking NATO representatives, some
information functions, TV programs, and meetings with journalists”,
he stated.

It is envisaged to arrange a TV bridge with Kosovo to guarantee the
contacts of Armenian servicemen, stationed in that region of former
Yugoslavia, with their relatives at home. A film on the republic’s
relations with NATO will be shown on the principal TV channels of the
republic.

Director of the NATO Information Centre in Armenia and Head of the
“Armenian Centre of Trans-Atlantic Initiatives” Ara Tatevosyan
reported that another public organisation, namely the “Atlantic
Association of Armenia”, would arrange “An Information March of
Young People”. A microbus, decorated with NATO symbols will visit
different regions of the republic to inform the population on the
goals of that alliance.

In addition to information functions and publication of different
materials, The NATO Information Centre is planning to launch some
education programs, too. Lectures on the alliance’s activities will
be delivered to cadets of the Military Institute of the Armenian
Defence Ministry. Agreement was reached on NATO’s contacts with the
International Relations Department of Yerevan State University.

The “Armenian Centre of Atlantic Initiatives” is cooperating with
the NATO Information Centres in Moscow and Kiev. This organisation is
in charge of the Yerevan NATO Information Centre and is cooperating
with the government of Armenia, which is paying rent for the Centre’s
building.

Armenia is not pursuing the purpose of joining the North Atlantic
Alliance, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan stated here on
Friday. “The key principles of our relations with that organisation
include mutual supplementation of our foreign policies and
cooperation,” he noted. “Cooperation with NATO is important for our
republic, especially with a view to reforming and modernising the
national army,” he stated. Kirakosyan noted that Armenia’s
cooperation with NATO was “a component part of the multi-structural
system of the republic’s security”.

"AGAINST LEGAL WILFULNESS" ORGANIZATION TO BE ENGAGED IN CASES OF
VIOLATION OF LABOUR AND PROPERTY RIGHTS AS WELL

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Against Legal Wilfulness"
organization starts struggle against violations of the labour and
property rights, a completely new direction for it. As Larisa
Alaverdian, the Executive Director of the organization, first
Ombudsperson mentioned in the interview to the Noyan Tapan
correspondent, the program is implemented with the grant given by the
Government of Netherlands, with the assistance of the Open Society
Institute. The program implementation will last 3 years. She
mentioned that issues of the social labour and property rights are not
paid attention in Armenia: it is enough to mention that there are the
number of organizations engaged in the person’s civil rights, but
there are only few organizations engaged in social issues. In
L.Alaverdian’s words, free trade relations are not formed in Armenia,
monopolies quickly develop what deepens such negative phenomena as
corruption and social polarization. In L.Alaverdian’s opinion,
national programs on overcoming poverty and anti-corruption struggle
are dangered just by it. The "Against Legal Wilfulness" public
organization had meetings at the preparatory stage of the
above-mentioned program with heads of the RA State Labour Inspection
and "State Employment Service" agency. L.Alaverdian hopes that
cooperation with that structure will give positive results. In his
words, the great part of citizens turning with issues of violation of
the labour right is not simply aware which state bodies are engaged in
issues relating to the labour right. "The public organization’s duty
is to build a bridge, make closer and increase confidence towards
state bodies," Larisa Alaverdian said, emphasizing that she expects if
not quick but deep changes. Responding the question if the candidate,
registered as No2 in the proportional list of the "Zharangutiun"
(Heritage) party for the coming parliamentary elections, finds that
the mentioned sphere needs legislative improvement, L.Alaverdian
mentioned that when agreeing to be involved in the party list she took
into consideration that the human rights and then improvement of the
legislative field as well, starting from the constitution, are
attached importance in its program.

Turkish Daily News
March 8 2007

The best Turkey can hope…
Thursday, March 8, 2007

The best we can hope for during the year 2007 is damage control
rather than constructive policies

Cengiz ÇANDAR

Turkey is increasingly turning inwards. Despite the
intense diplomatic activity in the Middle East that it is also
considered a major trouble, its increasingly inward looking posture
is a fact and it will remain to be so for the rest of the whole year.
2007 is a very crucial election year for Turkey. We are only two
months away from knowing who will be the heir to Kemal Atatürk at the
most venerable post in the Turkish political system, the post of the
president, for the next seven years. There will be no time for
sobering. The presidential election will be followed by an intense
campaign for the parliamentary elections due to be held in fall.
Until the last month of the year, we will be unable to know what kind
of a government Turkey will have, possibly, for the next five years.
That is not the ideal climactic period for bold initiatives in the
area of foreign policy, and the politicians would tend to respond to
the appeals of populism more than anytime else. The overall Turkish
political climate is intoxicated by a heavy dose of ultra-nationalism
that no political party or personality could ignore during a quixotic
election period. Tayyip Erdoðan, above all, is not an exception as he
has strong aspirations for the presidential post, nor Abdullah Gül,
the likelier next prime minister, in the case Erdoðan climbs up to
the highest post in Turkish political hierarchy. The immediate victim
to Turkish domestic agenda and political priorities would be the
option of Turkey’s rapproachment with the Iraqi Kurdish leadership.
The issue is already a controversial one and the Iraqi Kurdish
leaders, particularly of Massoud Barzani’s latest statements were not
helpful at all for Erdoðan and Gül to initiate a dialogue with him.
The best we can hope during the year 2007 is damage control rather
than a constructive Turkish-Iraqi Kurdish relationship. Such a
constructive relationship, seemingly, has to await the first months
of 2008, just like the Turkish-EU relations would be in the waiting
lounge until then.

Iran and Saudi Arabia: That realism dictated by the domestic
political environment in Turkey may not be corresponding to the new
parameters of the Realpolitik that seems to dominate the region
during the year. Iran and Saudi Arabia are emerging as the major
regional powers over a vacuum that Turkey’s inaction would leave
behind. Despite its high-profile diplomacy in the Middle East in the
preceding months – during which we have seen a continous flow of
heads of states, prime ministers and foreign ministers flowing into
Turkey, and while Erdogan and Gül were undertaking initiatives
ranging from starting a dialogue with Hamas to participating the Arab
League summits, from talking to every party in Lebanon to shuttling
between the odds, Tehran and Jerusalem – Turkish diplomacy could not
deliver anything to the extent that the latecomer and a generally
prudent Saudi diplomacy did during the last weeks. Lebanese daily The
Daily Star, in its editorial, was generous to Turkey though, in the
following lines: `It has been instructive in recent weeks to watch
three major local powers – Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia – each in
its own way step up and assert both interests ant its capacity to
positively influence others in the region. The noteworthy aspect here
is that Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey have opted for engagement, calm
discussions and multilateral coordination as their preferred means of
action – in sharp contrast with the Anglo-American-Israeli tendency
to shoot or change regimes first, and then sit down to chat.’
Notwithstanding with this praise, when it comes to a problem that it
is a direct party, Turkey does not act much in contrast with that
Anglo-American-Israeli tendency. It is not quintessentially eager for
engagement with Iraqi Kurdish authorities opting for calm discussions
when it comes to discuss how to tackle the PKK presence in northern
Iraq and what to do in resolving a potential conflict on Kirkuk or to
probe the possibility of a multilateral coordination. For
multilateral coordination, the United States, whose participation is
a sine qua non, will, instead, be the focal point of Turkish anger,
if the Armenian Genocide Resolution comes to the floor of the
Congress. Under such adverse circumstances, some of which is its own
making, what Turkish diplomacy could hope for the best is to host the
international meeting on Iraq, next month in Istanbul. And, of
course, the damage control for the rest of the year in an extremely
volatile region where damage might prove uncontrollable.