Author: Varosian Antranik

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR JOINT SETTLEMENT OF PROBLEMS

KarabakhOpen
19-04-2008 16:51:15

Yesterday Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan met with the Armenian
parliamentary delegation including the speaker of the Armenian
parliament Tigran Torosyan, members of parliament Larissa Alaverdyan,
Artashes Avoyan, Lilit Galstyan, Areg Ghukasyan and Ernest Soghomonyan.

In the context of the Karabakh settlement Prime Minister Ara
Harutiunyan noted the importance of economic development. Soon the
members of the Armenian government will arrive in Karabakh, and the
interstate cooperation will receive a new impulse.

The speaker of the Armenian parliament Tigran Torosyan said favorable
conditions have emerged for joint solution of problems of mutual
interest.

At first it is necessary to focus on defense and security of Artsakh.

According to the Armenian speaker, the National Assembly and government
of Armenia should focus on the interstate loan and its spending.

Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan said the people of Karabakh are ready
to protect their achievements, there are serious preconditions for
social and economic progress.

They discussed some drawbacks for the elimination of which a series of
parliament acts should be passed. They also discussed the drafting of
the interstate agreement between Armenia and Karabakh, the Department
of Information and Public Relations of the NKR government reports.

Cost of bread may rise to 50 qepicks (over 50 cents) in Azerbaijan

19 April 2008 [13:05] – Today.Az

If the government takes correct steps, there will be no problems with
supply of grain to the population in Azerbaijan.

The due announcement was made by MP Vahid Ahmedov, member of the
permanent parliamentary commission on economic policy, commenting
on Kazakhstan’s application of a four months ban on grain import to
protect local consumers from global grain deficit. According to him,
the restrictions, applied by Kazakhstan, may influence grain supply
of our country.

"The Ministry of Agriculture assures that grain reserves are sufficient
for meeting the demand, nevertheless, the situation on the global
market is too complicated, in particular, the European countries face
problems in this area". He said anyway Azerbaijan has no problems
with finances, therefore, it may import grain from any region of
the world grain market. But according to him it is necessary to pay
more attention to agriculture, invest into development and expansion
of strategic production in the future. "We are raising this issue
for the second year, yet we feel no due attention to the problem of
agricultural development.

Sayad Verdiyev, entrepreneur and leader of the Head Department of
Union of Agricultural Farms, considers that entrepreneurs, engaged
in grain business, expect rise in the cost of grain.

"The most important which is expected is the further rise in the
cost of bread up to 40-50 qepicks for a loaf". He said along with
restrictions applied by Karabakh, Russia also restricts export of
production, therefore, it is difficult to imagine possible results
of such state.

It should be noted that Kazakhstan is the fifth larger grain exporter
on the global market, which produces nearly 20,000,000 tons of
grain per year. The main part of production is exported to the world
market. By official data, Azerbaijan imported nearly 250,000 tons of
mostly Russian grain in January-March of this year.

A week ago Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Makhimov stated possible
restriction or ban of grain export. He instructed the government to
consider possible application of export tariffs on grain and prepare
due proposals by the end of the week. In March of this year Kazakhstan,
being one of the biggest grain exporters to Azerbaijan, considered
possible application of export tariffs. The prices on worls markets
have already risen by 25% after the official information about
Kazakhstan’s intention.

However, official circles of Azerbaijan consider that the
restrictions will not influence grain supply of the internal market
of Azerbaijan. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, even in case
of restriction of Kazakh grain import to Azerbaijan the country will
not face problems with meeting internal demands for this strategic
product, as last year the country produced over 2,000,000 tons of grain
on the whole existing area of over 739,000 hectares. On the whole,
the grain productivity has risen by 0.6 centner per a hectare and
reached 27.1 centners per hectare from two years ago. At the same
time, greater part of grain production fell on wheat production,
making up 1,321,000 tons which is 64.4% of grain production.

Moreover, allocation of additional subsidies to grain producers in the
amount of AZN 40 per each hectare also had a positive influence. The
wheat sown area expanded by 114,000 hectares and exceeded 600,000
hectares last year. The sown area of barley and other autumn cultures
expanded by 134,000 hectares last year.

/Echo/

Azerbaijan’s ex-minister of defense: Armenians become more active in the frontline during the third ten-day of April

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 19 2008

[ 19 Apr 2008 14:25 ]

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov-APA. "In the third ten-day of April every
year, Armenians become more active and try to commit diversion in
the frontline. This year is likely to be not an exception," warned
Major-general Dadash Rzayev, Azerbaijan’s ex-minister of defense and
chairman of the Confederation of Officers in Reserve.

He attributed Armenians’ awakening to the so-called false "Armenian
genocide" that is marked in the third ten-day of April. "From my
experience, I can say Armenians make attempts not only violate the
cease-fire but also to give Azerbaijani side the maximum damage,"
he noted. According to him, Azerbaijani Armed Forces is capable of
repelling any diversion and attacks. He says Armenian Government may
decide to repeat the diversion again they did in early March this
year to divert attention from riots in Yerevan. Eldar Sabiroghlu,
Press secretary of Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, said Armenian Armed
Forces have started to violate the cease-fire regularly. He added
that Azerbaijan’s armed Forces stand ready to repel any diversion or
attack by he enemy. "If they make such an attempt, they will get a
deserving retaliatory response," he added.

PACE observers to visit Armenia in near future

Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 18 2008

YEREVAN April 18 — Members of the monitoring commission of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), co-authors of
the resolution on the democratic institutions in Armenia John Prescott
and George Columbier will visit Armenia before June 2008 in order to
see the progress made toward the country’s democratization.

The purpose of the resolution is not at all forcing certain steps on
Armenia, Prescott said.

We are simply expressing our ideas in case Armenia really wants to
move towards democracy, on which it signed a document in 2001 when
it joined the Council of Europe, Prescott said.

According to head of the Armenian delegation David Arutiunian, the
resolution passed at a PACE plenary session on Thursday is balanced,
Armenian media outlets said. "Though I disagree with some of the
provisions, we must be clearly aware of what this resolution is about.

This resolution is about the state of democracy in our country. We
must take steps toward democratization of the society and the country,"
Arutiunian said.

The violence that occurred in Yerevan on March 1 was the result of
mistakes, he said. "The political system in Armenia is not yet fully
formed," he added.

The resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia
was passed at a PACE plenary session on Thursday. The document calls
on Armenia to hold an independent, transparent inquiry into the March
1 events in Yerevan, to drop all charges against supporters of the
opposition and parliamentarians, if these people committed no offense,
to free all inmates whose arrest might have been politically motivated.

PACE has also called on Yerevan to urgently modify the changes made
recently to the law on assemblies, rallies, marches and demonstrations,
which it said undoubtedly contradict the European standards.

GROWTH OF CRIME RATE IS THE RESULT OF EFFECTIVE WORK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

KarabakhOpen
18-04-2008 10:48:35

On April 17 Prosecutor General Arshavir Gharamyan held a news
conference and summed up the activities of the investigative
departments of the office of prosecutor general in the first quarter
of 2008.

In the accounting period 147 crimes were reported compared with 135
in the first quarter of 2007.

"There were 33 misdemeanors (compared with 31 in the same period of
2007, 51 (50) heinous crimes and 1 (2) felony," said the Prosecutor
General.

According to the office of prosecutor general, 23 cases of embezzlement
of public and municipal property were reported compared with 4 in
the first quarter of 2007.

"The rate of crimes involving growing and spreading narcotics was
6 compared with 4 in the past year. Road accidents also increased,
and all the three accidents caused death of people," said Arshavir
Gharamyan.

The prosecutor general explained the growth of the rate of crime
by effective activities of law enforcement agencies. The prosecutor
general meant the growth of rate of revealed crimes.

PACE SUB-COMMITTEE ON NAGORNO KARABAKH HOLDS SESSION IN STRASBOURG

Azeri Press Agency
April 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli-APA. Sub-Committee on Nagorno Karabakh has
held its session under Lord Russell Johnston’s chairmanship within the
spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE).

Samad Seyidov, Chief Delegate of Azerbaijan to PACE told APA
European Bureau, the Sub-Committee had conducted discussions over the
planned meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations in the
Sub-Committee in June. "It was considered to hold this meeting in June,
but we decided not to hold it, because everyone knows the situation
in Armenia. We, Azerbaijani side showed our constructiveness. I
don’t believe in this meeting to take place even in October. The
presidential elections will take place in Azerbaijan in October and
we will have huge work. Maybe this meeting can be realized within
the January session and it is clear it will not take place this
year". Samad Seyidov said regarding the current situation in Armenia,
PACE Sub-Committee on Nagorno Karabakh didn’t include the visit to
the region in the agenda.

MORE THAN 110 AIRPLANES AND HELICOPTERS WILL TAKE PART IN COMMAND STAFF EXERCISES OF THE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM OF THE CIS

DEFENSE and SECURITY
April 16, 2008 Wednesday
Russia

Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky, aide to the Russian Air Force
Commander for information support, reports that Russia, Belarus,
Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
will take part in the exercises. Drobyshevsky says, "More than 20
various issues of strengthening the air borders of the CIS countries
will be worked out in the course of the command staff exercises."

According to Drobyshevsky, more than 110 airplanes and helicopters
MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27, Su-24, Tu-95, Tu-22, A-50, Mi-8 and Mi-24 will
take part in the exercises. The exercises are planned in accordance
with the plan of joint measures of the united air defense system of
the CIS member states.

PRIME MINISTER RE-INTRODUCES AGRICULTURAL MINISTER

ARMENPRESS
April 17, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS; Prime minister Tigran Sarkisian
re-introduced today agriculture minister David Lokian to high-ranking
members of the ministry.

David Lokian was reappointed to his position on Wednesday. He is a
member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

The prime minister said it was an honor for him to present the minister
to the staff saying there was no need to dwell upon his merits and
professional skills, which are well known to the staff.

The prime minister said David Lokian and the ministry’s staff should
be able to solve the priority tasks which are spelled out in the
government’s plan of actions.

He said this plan of actions defines in clear term the targets for
the next five years. As another priority he mentioned introduction
of effective management system.

"The minister and the ministry should be able to describe clearly the
outcome which is to result from their work," the prime minister said.

Tigran Sarkisian then referred to global financial and economic
processes’ impact on Armenian economy, saying the major task is to
drastically increase the volume of domestically produced agriculture
goods.

Thanking the president and the prime minister for their trust in him
David Lokian said,’ We should do everything so that the new start,
new relationships and demeanors be accepted by as many of our staff
a possible to become tour working style."

MUSICAL PLAY ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO BE PRESENTED IN CANADA

Noyan Tapan
April 16, 2008

TORONTO, APRIL 16, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Center for
Holocaust Studies of Brookdale Community College will present the
musical play "Georgetown Boys" that tells about 109 children who were
sent from an orphanage to Canada after the Armenian Genocide to work
as farmers in Georgetown region of Toronto.

The youth theatrical company from New Jersey is engaged in the play
staged by Hrant Margarian.

The cost of the performance is covered by the Center for Holocaust
Studies.

AZERBAIJAN: IT’S BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR KARABAKH TALKS
Rovshan Ismayilov

EurasiaNet
April 16 2008
NY

Tensions have subsided between Azerbaijan and the mediation group
charged with overseeing talks with Armenia over the breakaway region
of Nagorno-Karabakh. Even so, any progress that had been made toward
a lasting peace settlement appears to have been lost.

At an April 15 meeting of the regional cooperation bloc GUAM (Georgia,
Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) in Baku, Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan expects new proposals from the current
international mediators for continuing the negotiations with Armenia on
a Karabakh settlement. Mammadyarov also expressed willingness to meet
with Armenia’s newly appointed foreign minister, Eduard Nalbandian.

"If the ministers will come to an agreement, the meeting of the
presidents could happen," Mammadyarov said, referring to Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and recently inaugurated Armenian President
Serzh Sarkisian. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

In recent weeks, Azerbaijani officials have complained about
deficiencies in the peace process, venting much of their frustration
on the OSCE Minsk Group, the entity co-chaired by France, Russia and
the United States. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Now Baku may be willing to engage Armenia in the so-called Prague
Process, but the Azerbaijani government insists that peace talks must
start from scratch. At several points in recent years, it appeared
that Baku and Yerevan had sketched out the parameters of a deal. That
no longer seems to be the case.

"It is important for us that Armenia will accept the conflict
resolution principle within the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. The international community accepted it, and Armenia
has to do the same," Mammadyarov said. Autonomy for Karabakh within
Azerbaijan is one possible topic for discussion, he continued. In
the past, Karabakh’s separatist leaders and Armenian officials in
Yerevan have categorically rejected such an arrangement.

Chances for any discussion getting off to a dramatically fresh start
appear slim, as enmity between the two neighbors remains high. For
example, Aliyev refused to meet with Sarkisian at the April 2-4
North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Bucharest. In addition,
each side blames the other for a series of cease-fire violations in
February and March. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

While Baku has refuted reports that it intends to push for the
mediators’ immediate replacement, some experts believe that the
government is keeping its discontent in reserve, to bring pressure
on the Minsk Group in the future as needed.

Public and government frustrations with the mediators have not
abated since all three Minsk Group co-chair countries voted against
a March 14 United Nations resolution that recognized Karabakh as
part of Azerbaijan. In an interview with the Interfax news agency,
Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan had expected the countries to abstain,
not to oppose the measure.

Political analyst Rasim Musabekov believes that the UN resolution was
the result of Azerbaijan’s dissatisfaction with the latest proposed
terms for a conflict resolution, including continuing Armenian control
over the Lachin corridor linking Karabakh with Armenia.

"Azerbaijan does not agree with these proposals and the UN resolution
in fact toughened its position," Musabekov said.

While maneuvering on the diplomatic front, Azerbaijan is proceeding
with a rapid military buildup. An increase in state revenues means
that the government plans to increase military spending in 2008 from
an initially planned $1.3 billion to $2 billion, Aliyev announced at
an April 14 cabinet meeting.

Musabekov contends that a $2 billion military budget is a factor
that both Armenia and the Minsk Group mediators will need to take
into account. As energy revenues continue to flow, Baku’s military
spending is only likely to increase. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive]. The spending will put Azerbaijan within range of
larger countries such as Ukraine, "which obviously has a much larger
military capacity," he said.

Sizeable military spending does not mean a move in the near future to
retake Karabakh by force, experts said. "An imitation of negotiations
will continue for some time, the presidential elections in Azerbaijan
will happen, and so on," commented Elkhan Shahinoglu, director of
the Atlas political research center.

Government officials have not responded to a March 25 comment by US
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Matthew Bryza that "some political forces in Azerbaijan for some reason
are trying to create tension in relations between Baku and Washington."

Experts have dismissed the remark as "not serious."

"Most likely it was a diplomatic move aimed to reduce tension and to
switch public attention in Azerbaijan from criticism of the Minsk Group
to debates over the existence of some pro-Western and anti-Western
forces in the government. It is not serious," Shahinoglu said.

Rasim Musabekov agrees: "Of course, there are champions of closer
relations with the United States [within the Azerbaijani government]
and those who are against it. However, in the context of the UN
resolution and generally the Karabakh conflict, Baku’s dissatisfaction
with Russia is much higher than with the United States."

"We have a wide partnership in many areas and it is developing,"
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Khazar Ibrahim stressed.

Editor’s Note: Rovshan Ismayilov is a freelance correspondent based
in Baku.