Russia to re-equip its new mobile ICBMs with multiple warheads -1

14:20|15/ 12/ 2006

MOSCOW, December 15 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces
are set to start re-equipping their single-warhead mobile Topol-M
(SS-27) intercontinental ballistic missile systems with multiple
re-entry vehicles, the forces’ commander said Friday.

Colonel-General Nikolai Solovtsov said: "We will begin to equip the
Topol-M mobile missile system with multiple re-entry vehicles in a few
years."

Solovtsov said his forces conducted six ICBM launches in 2006, and 12
launches are scheduled for 2007.

The latest firing was held in November to test the performance
characteristics of the RS-18 (SS-19 Stiletto) to extend its service
life by one year, from 29 to 30 years.

Following numerous test launches, RS-18 missiles are considered to be
highly reliable. About 360 silo-based Stiletto missiles are currently
deployed in the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, with each missile
carrying six warheads.

A total of six ICBM systems of the fourth and fifth generations are on
active duty, including four silo-based, RS-18, RS-20B (SS-18 Satan),
RS-20V(modified SS-18 Satan), RS-12M2 (Topol-M), and two mobile
systems RS-12M (Topol) and RS-12M2 (Topol-M), Solovtsov said.

President Vladimir Putin has said the deployment of mobile Topol-M
systems contributes a great deal to Russia’s national security.

The first regiment of Topol-M mobile ICBMs was put on active duty in
the Ivanovo region in Central Russia in early December.

"This is a significant step forward in improving our defense
capabilities," he said while inspecting the regiment Thursday.

Russia currently has five missile regiments equipped with silo-based
Topol-M missiles, and one regiment equipped with mobile Topol-M
systems. The total number of Topol-M ICBMs, including three silo-based
systems to be deployed at the Tatishchevo base, will reach 48 by the
end of the year, according to the Strategic Missile Forces Command.

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said earlier that Russia is planning to
purchase 69 silo-based and mobile Topol-M ballistic missile systems in
the next decade.

Vladimir Putin said last month that developing Russia’s strategic
forces is the main priority on the national defense agenda.

"Maintaining a strategic balance will mean that our strategic
deterrent forces should be able to guarantee the neutralization of any
potential aggressor, no matter what modern weapons systems he
possesses," the president told a meeting with top military officials.

As of January 1, Russia possessed 927 nuclear delivery vehicles and
4,279 nuclear warheads for strategic offensive weapons, while the
United States owns 1,255 and 5,966, respectively, according to the
Russian Defense Ministry.

The Russian military will mark Strategic Missile Forces’ Day, a
professional holiday, December 17.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 15 2006

Samvel Babayan threatens Georgia with war

[ 15 Dec. 2006 12:26 ]

`We wish Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as Nakchivan and
Javakhety problems to be settled. These regions, of great importance
to Armenia, are in our focus’, said Samvel Babayan, ex-commander of
false Nagorno Karabagh Army, APA reports.

He said that Armennians were not able to realize their claims to
Nakchivan and Javakhety during 1988-1994.
`It would have caused a war with Georgia if we had attempted to
realize it. Besides, north of Armenia would have been blockaded
completely. The policy of Armenian government is wrong and does not
satisfy Armenians. The government does not understand the essence of
Javakhety and consider it as an unborn child. Armenia must make
military interference to Javakhety if Armenian-Georgian conflict
begins in Javakhety’, he noted. /APA/

Hürriyet, Turkey
Dec 15 2006

Armenian leader Mesrob II tells EU: Get Turkey relations back on track

Mesrob II, the Patriarch of the Turkish Armenian religious community,
has written a letter to leaders of Europe calling for pressure to be
put on EU leaders at today’s summit in Brussels to get relations
between Turkey and the EU back on track. The letter, which was sent
not only to heads to state, but also to royal family members across
the EU, said in part:

"Turkey’s EU accession process is a matter of primary importance for
the Turkish people. Promises to Turkey that it might one day become
an EU member have played a crucial role in encouraging economic and
political reform in our country. Due to reforms which have taken
place in these past years, the basic human rights of not only
religious minorities, but all Turkish citizens, have improved. The
founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, turned the
face of this country during the 1920s towards the West. The Turkish
people long ago made their choice for political and economic
modernity. The EU should not make decisions which will push Turkey’s
accession process off the tracks, or which force it to carry out very
one-sided sets of pre-conditions."

Gazeta.KZ, Kazakhstan
Dec 15 2006

Kazakhstan opens embassies in Armenia, Qatar

Kazakhstan today

ASTANA. Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, has signed
orders on opening embassies of Kazakhstan in Armenia and Qatar and
reorganizing the diplomatic missions to Singapore and Netherlands,
Kazakhstan Today reports.

In particular, as per the presidential orders, the diplomatic
missions to Singapore and Netherlands will be transformed into
embassies of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The embassy of Kazakhstan to Armenia will be opened in Yerevan. The
embassy of Kazakhstan to Qatar will be opened in Doha.

The new embassies will be opened "to strengthen the diplomatic
relationship", the documents say.

All four orders come into effect as from 1 January, 2007.

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 14 2006

UPCOMING DECADE TO BE PERIOD OF CONTINUED PROGRESS FOR ARMENIA:
VARDAN OSKANYAN

YEREVAN, December 14. /ARKA/. The upcoming decade will be a period of
continued progress for Armenia, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan reported at the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) in the Versailles Palace.
In his speech, Oskanyan presented new priorities of Armenia, the
Armenian people and Diaspora, as well as his ideas of the
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation under the conditions of the independent
Armenian state.
"The Diaspora is a means of expansion of our people’s residential
area, a means of increasing our cultural wealth and exchange or
knowledge, a solid footing for economic and political investments
through which it can participate in awakening our country and
people," Oskanyan said.
He pointed out that since the proclamation of the Armenian
independence AGBU has become one of the nation-wide structures to
actively take part in Armenia’s restoration.
Celebration of AGBU’s 100th anniversary was held in the Versailles
Palace on December 9-11. R.O. –0–

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: NO COLORED REVOLUTIONS ARE EXPECTED IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "No colored revolutions are
expected in Armenia. This wave passed through several CIS countries,
not leaving good memories about itself, and I’d advise the sponsors of
revolutionaries not to waste money: it would be better to build
something good in Armenia," the RA President Robert Kocharian said
this in his interview to three Armenian TV companies on December
15. He did not rule out the possible influence of external forces at
the upcoming parliamentary elections. "It would be even offensive if
the countries having interests in this region did not try to have some
influence. It would mean that nobody needs us and it is not an
important country," R. Kocharian expressed an opinion. According to
him, after observing what kind of conferences and seminars are
organized in Armenia, the subjects under discussion and those who
finance, it becomes clear from where and what kind of influence
various external forces want to have on Armenia’s poilitical field.

In the president’s opinion, it is enough to examine the directions of
grant programs and some mass media and everything becomes clear. "It
certainly causes a problem for the Armenian national security. We
cannot confront all this by imposing restrictions rudely," the
president stated. In his words, this should be done by using "more
reasonable and flexible versions and great explanatory work." "Our
people should realize that the political forces who get powe r with
the financing from outside and the support of external forces are
dangerous to the country. The country’ leadership should be
pro-Armenian and devoted to our national interests," Robert Kocahrian
stated, adding that this is the only direction guaranteeing the
country’s safe future.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: MAIN PLEDGE OF PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY’S SUCCESS IS
SIMPLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE SLOGANS

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The sibject of charity has been
recently discussed more actively especially in connection with the
activities of the Prosperous Armenia Party, the RA President Robert
Kocharian stated this in response to a reporter’s question during his
interview to three Armenian TV companies. According to him, the
growing prestige of this party caused some excitement in the political
field. He also noted that he does not beleive that the increased
rating of Prosperous Armenia is the direct result of its charity
actions. "It would be a simple explanation, and many would start doing
the same," the president said. In his opinion, in the society there is
a demand for a new political force that "functions in the constructive
field, using simple and undersatndable slogans," with the main slogan
being "We think about the people". "Everybody likes being thought and
cared about. In my opinion, it is the main pledge of Prosperous
Armenia’s success," R. Kocharian said.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 15 2006

Hungarian Appeals Court to consider complaints on Ramil Seferov’s
case on Feb 22, 2007

[ 15 Dec. 2006 13:50 ]

The date of Appeals Court on complaints of Azerbaijani Army officer
Ramil Seferov, sentenced to life imprisonment on accusation of
killing Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan in Hungary, is set,
Ministry of Justice, International Law Cooperation Department chief
Zafer Gafarov told APA.

Advocate Ikram Shirinov said that they have not received a summons
concerning the court date.
`So, the date is not precise’, he noted. The advocate will visit
Hungary on Jan 15 to meet with Ramil Seferov. /APA/

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Dec 15 2006

Armenian Patriarch backs Turkey’s EU bid
The EU’s leaders should not impose unilateral conditions on Turkey.
Mesrob said.

Güncelleme: 03:45 ET 15 Aralık 2006 Cuma
ISTANBUL – The head of the Armenian church in Turkey has called on
the leaders of the European Union not to undermine Ankara’s bid for
membership of the bloc.

A letter released by the office of Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II late
Thursday, sent to the leaders of the EU’s 25 member states, said that
efforts should be made to overcome a critical period in Turkey’s
accession process.

The letter was made public on the day that the EU leaders endorsed a
recommendation by the European Commission to partially suspend
Turkey’s membership negotiations in response to Ankara’s refusal to
open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot trade. `The EU’s leaders
will make a critical decision in Turkey-EU relations, which will have
broad consequences,’ Mesrob II said in his letter. `My concern about
this decision is that current unsolved problems could jeopardise the
country’s membership process and Turkey-EU relations in general.’

Turkey was committed to becoming a member of the EU and was enacting
the political and economic reforms required under the accession
criteria, the Patriarch said. `These reforms have improved the basic
rights of Turkish citizens including religious minorities,’ wrote
Mesrob. `This positive process will of course continue.’ The EU
should not derail Turkey’s membership negotiations by imposing
unilateral conditions without taking into account Turkey’s other
commitments, he said. `Your leadership is of utmost importance in
preventing the European Council from taking a negative decision,’
Mesrob wrote. `I hope that your strategic vision would mediate
putting the process back on track.’

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)

Dec 15 2006

OSCE Office presents publication on main aspects of cyber security in
Armenia

YEREVAN, 14 December 2006 – Cyber security and cyber crime, including
the global threats in this respect and their relevance for Armenia,
international standards and Armenian efforts to combat it are the
focus of a publication, presented in Yerevan today.

Supported by the OSCE Office, it included the conclusions of a recent
roundtable discussion on cyber security, as well as recommendations
from an OSCE-supported cyber security task force.

"The importance of cyber security management continues to grow as the
global digital economy develops. The inadequate protection of
information technology could hinder the development of Armenia and
not only in the information and communication sectors," said
Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office.

"Best international practices offer Armenia models that can be
applied to fill in the practical gaps. An important step in this
respect was the ratification by Armenia in March 2006 of the Council
of Europe Convention against Cyber Crime. The publication presented
today can help Armenia in its efforts to safeguard cyber security,
combat cyber crime and adopt policies to foster technological
innovation."

Ara Yeremyan, Head of the Criminal and Administrative Law Unit of the
Legislative and Analytical Department at the National Assembly,
added:

"It is crucial for Armenia to create a comprehensive approach, taking
into account international standards and other countries’ experience.
This publication is a useful tool in that work."

The Task Force on Cyber Crime and Cyber Security was created at the
initiative of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and includes members from
the Police, the National Security Service, the National Assembly and
the Presidential Administration. It was designed to co-ordinate
efforts in this area, raise awareness on the issue and propose
concrete steps to improve the situation.

Limited copies limited copies are available at the OSCE Office in
Yerevan.