Author: Vardanian Garo

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
20-12-2006
Minister Oskanian Meets with Peter Semneby,
EU Special Representative

On December 18, Minister Oskanian received Peter Semneby, EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus, who was in Armenia on a
regional visit.

During the meeting, the two discussed the EU-Armenia relations, and
the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan.

Minister Oskanian and Ambassador Semneby spoke of the upcoming
Parliamentary elections in Armenia, stressing the importance of
their meeting international standards. The Minister reaffirmed the
position of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia towards inviting
international observers.

The interlocutors exchanged views on Armenia’s relationship with its
neighboring countries in the light of Minister Oskanian’s December
17 visit to Iran. While speaking of the Armenia-Turkey relations,
Peter Semneby mentioned the position of the European Union, referring
to the European Commission’s Turkey report.

The EU Envoy also spoke of his meeting with Arkady Ghoukasian,
President of Nagorno Karabakh, which took place the previous day. The
two went on assessing the latest developments of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement process.

Ambassador Heike Peitsch of Germany, which is taking up the EU
presidency on January 1, was present at the meeting.

REINFORCEMENT OF TIES WITH THE SOUTH CAUCASUS TO BE ONE OF EU PRIORITIES IN 2007

ArmRadio.am
20.12.2006 13:45

In 2007 Germany will preside over the European Union. What will be
Germany’s policy towards the South Caucasus and Armenia, in particular?

German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Armenia Haike
Peitsch responding to the questions of "Armenpress" agency.

In response to the question about Germany’s assistance to Armenia in
the framework of the EU-Armenia Action Plan in the framework of the
European Neighborhood Policy, Ambassador Peitsch said that Germany
and other European states are holding consultations to choose the
best way of accomplishment of the Action Plans with the countries
of the South Caucasus. In the course of weeks the program will be
ratified. "However, the question is what Armenia should do for the best
accomplishment of the Action Plan," says the Ambassador, adding that
in this sense one of the most essential events are the forthcoming
parliamentary elections. "We require our partner countries to hold
elections in compliance with international standards. The European
Neighborhood Policy and the Action Plan signed in the framework of
it suggest high standards to Armenia, and we should get convinced
that Armenia will meet this in the future," the Ambassador noted.

What will e the EU’s role in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
during Germany’s chairmanship? What is Germany’s stance on the current
format of the talks and in which frameworks does Germany see the
resolution of the issue?

Haike Peitsch responded that "the organization that is entitled and
is engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh issue is the OSCE with
the Minsk Group represented by three Co-Chairs coming from Russia,
France and the US. The European Union assists in every possible way and
backs the resolution of the NK conflict in this very framework." She
stressed that the position of the OSCE is definite, and Germany also
stands for the settlement of the issue exceptionally in a peaceful way.

Turning to the Armenian-German political and economic cooperation,
Ambassador Haike Renate Peitsch said Armenia can always rely upon
the assistance of Germany. "We promote also Armenia’s integration
into Euro-Atlantic structures.

After the United States Germany is the second country providing
grants to Armenia. With respect to economy, Germany has two very
large investments in Armenia. We are working in the direction of
further enlargement of these investments," noted the German Ambassador
extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia.

MINISTERS OF BOLOGNA PROCESS PARTICIPANT COUNTRIES TO MEET IN LONDON IN 2007

Noyan Tapan
Dec 20 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Minister of Education and Science
Levon Mkrtchian as well as Ministers of other countries – Georgia,
Moldova and Ukraine – joined the Bergen declaration in May, 2005,
took part in the meeting of the Ministers of Education of the new
member countries of the Bologna process taken place in Strasbourg
on December 12-13. The Azerbaijani delegation was absent because
of being present at the discussion of the law "On Education" at the
Government. According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by
the Press Service of the RA Ministry of Education and Science, summing
up of the Bologna process principles, the process of implementation of
the reforms of the higher education sphere, exchange of experience and
preliminary estimation of results of the present stage took place in
Strasbourg. Besides, new programs to be implemented with the Council of
Europe as well as issues relating to development of cooperation with
other countries were discussed. The Ministers signed in Strasbourg
final principles of the meting by which the sides re-affirmed their
readiness to implement the Bologna process principles to build
a European territory of higher education till 2010. According
to it, the Ministers agreed to stregthen in their countries the
structures securing the education quality, stimulating the process
of increase of the education quality, within the framework of the
European all-embracing demands of the higher education, to work out a
national system of qualifications, to study reformation of educational
programs, to pay special attention to the social orientation of the
higher education, guaranteeing its accessibility, to take steps in
the direction of securing activeness of students and professors and
lecturers staff of institutions of higher education. According to the
same source, a meeting of Ministers of all the participant countries
of the process will take place in London in May, 2007.

Zaman, Turkey
Dec 16 2006

American Historian, Known for his Work on Ottomans, Dies
By Anadolu News Agency (AA), Ankara
Saturday, December 16, 2006
zaman.com

Known for his works on the field of Ottoman history, Prof. Stanford
Shaw died yesterday.

A statement made by the Turkish Academy of Science said that Shaw,
who was made an honorary member of the academy on Dec. 16, 2005, and
who was granted the `Medal and Certificate of Service’ in September
along with Prof. Halil Inalcik due to his contributions to Turkish
history passed away at the age of 76.

Shaw, the first historian to benefit from the Ottoman archives,
demonstrated that the Ottoman state granted the Jews who had been
oppressed in both Western and Eastern Europe the right to take refuge
in the Ottoman lands.

As a result, the Jews, who escaped the tyranny in Europe, helped the
Ottoman economy to develop and made contributions to the diplomatic
and cultural life of the Ottoman Empire.

In his 2000-page work on the Turkish War of Independence, Shaw talked
about how the Turks were able to get rid of the European exploitation
and economic hegemony partly due to Ataturk’s charismatic leadership
and partly because of the weakness of the Allies.

Shaw also underlines in the work that the Ottoman administrative
reforms of 1839 fell short of reaching success because it almost
completely imitated the Western institutions and when the reforms
were adapted to the Ottoman realities of the day, the modernization
efforts turned out to have long-lasting effects.

Professor Shaw, whose house was bombed in 1977 when he was working
for the University of California, had also proved the Armenian claims
of an alleged genocide wrong by presenting various documents from the
period.

A1+

NCTR MUST RESIGN
[07:46 pm] 15 December, 2006

The initiative «Cooperation for the sake of open society» which
represents more than 60 organization of the civic society has sent an
open letter to the members of the National Committee of TV and Radio
urging them to resign.

The letter says, «According to the article N83.2 of the RA amended
Constitution, half of the members of the Committee are appointed by
the President for a term of six years, and the other half are elected
by the Parliament, again for a term of six years. At the same time,
according to the 117th article of the Constitution, the members of the
Committee remain in office until the term is over. In case the term is
over or some of them leave office early, their posts are given to
people either elected by the Parliament or appointed by the President.

Today, the different terms of office of the members of the Committee
create a situation where six years will be needed in order to secure
the balance demanded by the Constitution.

The only way to settle the situation is to resign all the members of
the Committee at once and to create a new Committee in compliance with
the Constitution. We call on the members of the National Committee of
TV and Radio to leave office after which the President and the
Parliament will form a new Committee.

We believe that you will demonstrate political will and will make the
right choice».

DEFENCE EXPENDITURES OF ARMENIA GROW BY 11.2% IN JANUARY-OTOBER 2006 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 13, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-October 2006,
the budgetary expenditures of the RA made 354 bln 442 mln drams
(about 833.5 mln USD), growing by 18% on the same period of last
year. The ratio of these expenditures to GDP made 17.4% against 17.5%
in January-October 2005. According to the RA National Statistical
Service, in the first ten months of this year the defence expenditures
of Armenia amounted to 61 bln 97.4 mln drams (a 11.2% growth on the
same period of last year, the ratio of these expenditures to GDP –
3% against 3.2% in January-October 2005). Expenditures on keeping
public order, national security and judicial system made 30 bln 172.5
mln drams (26.7% growth, the ratio of these expenditures to GDP made
1.5% against 1.4% in the same months of last year). Expenditures on
education and science amounted to 56 bln 815 mln drams (24.6% growth,
their ratio to GDP – 2.8% against 2.7%), health care expenditures made
27 bln 136.7 mln drams (23.1% growth, ratio of these expenditures
to GDP remained at the same level – 1.3%), and social insurance and
social security expenditures – 42 bln 832.7 mln drams (20.4% growth,
their ratio to GDP remained the same – 2.1%).

ISSUE ON AZERBAIJAN TO BE DISCUSSED IN PACE WINTER SESSION

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 13 2006

The meetings of the Monitoring, Migration, Refugees and Population
and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men committees of the PACE are
held today, APA reports.

The members of delegation of the Azerbaijani parliament to PACE
Aydin Mirzezadeh, Elmira AKhundova and Aydin Abbasov participated
in the meetings. Aydin Mirzezadeh said that the issue on Azerbaijan
was raised at the meeting. But as the co-rapporteur on Azerbaijan
Tony Lloyd and the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Samad
Seyidov did not attend the meeting the discussions are decided to be
held within winter session of PACE. Andres Herkel another co-rapporteur
on Azerbaijan spoke about the processes in Azerbaijan.

Noting that there are some problems concerning the freedom of press
and speech, Andres Herkel welcomed the restart of ANS. Answering his
critical notes concerning Azerbaijan Aydin Abbasov said that chairman
of the Monitoring Committee Edward Lintner was satisfied with the
meetings held in Azerbaijan and his talks with the President.

Participating in the meeting of PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees
and Population Aydin MIrzezadeh said that Leo Platvoet’s report
on missing people in the South Caucasus was discussed there. The
parliamentarian said that some changes were made in the report. Aidin
Mirzezadeh considers Leo Platvoet’s report objective. The occupation
of the Azerbaijani territories and stationing Armenian Armed Forces
in these territories were stressed in the report. Captivity of
about 5000 Azerbaijan citizens was also noted in the report. Aydin
Mirzezadeh also confessed that there are points in the report that
do not satisfy Azerbaijan. He said he rejected these points and noted
that Leo Platvoet’s report will be again discussed at the meeting of
the committee in January next year.

ARMENIAN PRELACY OF CANADA TO HOST ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

ArmRadio.am
13.12.2006 13:18

The second annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be held at
the Armenian Prelacy of Canada under the Auspices of His Eminence,
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, on the evening of December
15, 2006.

A night of caroling and treats await the invited guests, including
members of Prelacy Religious and Executive Councils, representatives
of sister organizations, youth associations and recipients of honorary
medals bestowed by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia.

DURING THREE YEARS TURKEY-EU NEGOTIATIONS WILL UNDERGO ANNUAL EXAMINATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.12.2006 18:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU partially freezes negotiations with
Turkey. Besides EU Foreign Ministers’ decision about halting the
negotiations with Ankara on 8 of 35 subjects, also an agreement was
adopted to expose to annual examination the process of talks during
the upcoming three years. According to some representatives of European
countries, the partial delay of negotiations on Turkey’s bid to enter
the European Union is unacceptable. They say, that the talks should
be frozen only on 8 of 35 subjects. The other part of states, at the
head of the Netherlands and Greece, insisted on tougher measures and
wanted to halt the talks on 10 subjects.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bernd Bot thinks that Turkey should begin
the fulfillment of Customs protocol directions. In his part the
Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn warned the EU of
open dispute with Turkey. He thinks, that Europe should not permit
one more strained summit as in 2004. "I think, the current debates
concern not only Turkey, but also the trustful attitude towards the
EU. We should show that the European Union is not only a community of
national interests. It is very important for us how we are accepted,"
reports Deutsche Welle.

98.6% OF NAGORNO KARABAKH’S VOTERS CHOOSE INDEPENDENCE

Tiraspol Times & Weekly Review, Moldova
Dec 11 2006

Voters in unrecognized Nagorno Karabakh went to the polls Sunday
to confirm their wish for independence. Nearly 99% approved a new
constitution declaring NKR an independent country. The result of the
vote echoes a similar referendum held in Pridnestrovie in September.

The government of Nagorno-Karabakh has been de facto independent
for more than 15 years, with U.S. and Armenian support STEPANAKERT
(Tiraspol Times) – The population of Nagorno-Karabakh has
overwhelmingly approved a new pro-independence constitution, returns
from a Sunday referendum showed. According to official preliminary
figures released on Monday, 98.6 percent of voters approved the
constitution, which describes Karabakh as a sovereign state. Turnout
was 87.2 percent.

" – The constitution is adopted and December 10 from now can be
declared as a Constitution Day," election commission chief Sergey
Nasibyan told Reuters by telephone.

The vote was held on the 15th anniversary of a referendum in which
Karabakh, which split from Azerbaijan in a 1990s war that killed
35,000 people, declared independence.

The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous territory about
half the size of Cyprus, is still unresolved. The majority of people
in Nagorno-Karabakh are Christian ethnic Armenians who associate
themselves with neighboring Armenia rather than Azerbaijan, a majority
Muslim state.

The new plebiscite sends an important signal to the rest of the
world of a commitment to continued de facto independence by the young
country. A political expert explains that its "Soviet-style" result
of nearly 100% approval is not surprising, in view of the animosity
between the two sides in the conflict and the lives that were lost
in the war for independence.

The Nagorno Karabakh vote echoes a similar referendum where
Pridnestrovie voted 97% in favor of independence on 17 September. In
that vote, more than 94% also rejected unification with Moldova,
making it clear to the world that future talks of a joint state are
fruitless and that the wounds from the Moldovan 1992 invasion of
Pridnestrovie have not yet healed.

Like Moldova, Azerbaijan calls a basic human right "illegitimate"
Azerbaijan and the so-called "international community" do not
recognize the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh’s to live in
independence. Azerbaijan is determined to restore its control over the
country, whose population has repeatedly said that it does not accept
to live under Azerbaijan. An official statement from Azerbaijan said
that the referendum was illegitimate, copying a phrase which Moldova a
few days earlier had used to describe the peaceful democratic election
in neighboring Pridnestrovie.

" – But how can it be illegitimate for us to simply express our vote,
peacefully and democratically?" asked a resident as she went to the
polls. "It is not as if we are killing anyone, which is what they do
when they want to impose their rule on a people that doesn’t want it.

Democracy can never be illegitimate. It is a basic human rights."

The fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh was the bloodiest of the
independence wars that broke out when the Soviet Union disintegrated.

A fragile ceasefire has been in force since 1994 but there are still
occasional exchanges of gunfire.

Ethnic clashes in the late 1980s escalated after the collapse of the
Soviet Union into full-scale fighting. Though Azerbaijan lost that war,
it is now threatening a new military campaign to crush the dream of
freedom of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh if stalled peace talks
do not soon produce the results that Azerbaijan wants.

Nagorno-Karabakh differs from other "frozen conflicts" in the ex-Soviet
Union in that it has repeatedly received funding from the United
States Congress. Throughout the 1990s, NKR’s independence leaders
collaborated with other unrecognized countries but at the advice of
American consultants, they withdrew their close ties.

Washington felt that it was not beneficial for NKR to be lumped with
Abkhazia and Pridnestrovie (Transdniester), and the consultants held
out the promise of quick international independence recognition if
Nagorno-Karabakh would seek its own way.

No such promise materialized, and Nagorno-Karabakh is now again
inching closer to the other unrecognized countries in the region.

Pridnestrovie had representatives at the vote Representatives from
Pridnestrovie, or Transnistria as some call it, were on the scene in
NKR during Sunday’s vote.

" – We have come here, first of all, in order to support the people
of Nagorno Karabakh, who came to the referendum to express their
thirst for freedom. The result of the referendum is already known:
the people of Nagorno Karabakh confirmed their desire to live
independently and freely, and we congratulate them for that," one of
the representatives of Tiraspol, the PMR Member of Parliament Lubomir
Rybyak, told reporters in Stepanakert.

" – We visited a small Karabakh village not far from the Iranian
border. I went up to two elderly women and introduced myself. One of
the women hugged me and said: ‘You are our brothers.’ I was amazed and
touched that in such a remote village they know about Pridnestrovie,"
Lubomir Rybyak said. In his opinion, the national referendum for
approving and adopting the new Nagorno Karabakh Constitution was held
in accordance with international norms.

Few countries in the world use the figure of a nationwide democratic
referendum to approve a Constitution. Pridnestrovie did so in 1995,
as one of the first of its time. Venezuela did it in 1998, and now,
in 2006, Nagorno Karabakh has successfully done it, too. (With
information from Reuters; Regnum)