KARABAKH CONFLICT PROBLEM MAINLY DISCUSSED AT VARTAN OSKANIAN’S MEETINGS IN BRUSSELS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 06 2006

BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vartan Oskanian, participating in the OSCE Foreign Ministers’ Council
sitting in Brussels had a number of bilateral meetings on December 4
and 5. At the meeting with Daniel Fried, the U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State, the interlocutors discussed a wide circle of issues on
bilateral cooperation. Issues relating to development of democracy
in Armenia, the coming elections were also discussed.

The sides agreed that proper organization and holding of
the parliamentary elections will support deepening of the
Armenia-U.S. cooperation and implementation of bilateral programs. At
the meeting in which Matthew Bryza, the Deputy Assistant of State
took part, it was separately spoken about the recent developments of
the negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. The
interlocutors also touched upon the regional issues, possibilities
of settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations. Jean Asselborn,
the Foreign Minister of Luxemburg was the RA Foreign Minister’s next
interlocutor. At the latter’s request, Minister Oskanian presented
results of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’ meeting taken
lace in Minsk, emphasizing the side’s readiness to continue the
negotiations at the Foreign Ministers’ level. The interlocutors
emphasized activization of the bilateral cooperation within the
framework of the Armenia-EU Actions Plan. It was mentioned that
the latter gives wide possibility for promoting mutually beneficial
cooperation in different spheres.

The European theme was the pivotal one during the conversation with
Urmas Paet, the Foreign Minister of Estonia. The Ministers agreed
to touch upon practical steps of the bilateral cooperation during
the Armenian Foreign Minister’s official visit to be paid to Tallinn
which will be scheduled for the first quarter of 2007. Possibilities
of bilateral visits were spoken about during the meeting with Noel
Treacy, the Ireland State Minister for European Issues.

Relations with Armenia with Ireland, the leader of democracy on the
European continent are still at the embryonic stage and agreements
to widen the legal-contractual field and assists business contacts
reached during the conversation are addressed to its change. By the
Ireland Foreign Minister’s invitation, Armenia Foreign Minister’s
visit is scheduled for the first quarter of 2007.

Bilateral relations and initiatives to be moved forward during the
Spain chairmanship were touched upon at the meeting with Bernardo Leon,
the Spain State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, undertaking the OSCE
chairmanship in 2007.

The State Secretary expressed his country’s readiness to assist as
much as possible peaceful settlement of conflicts existing in the
region, particularly, in the direction of making additional efforts
in the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

For this purpose, the Spanish Foreign Minister’s visit to the region is
scheduled for February of the next year. Minister Oskanian presented
in his turn the recent developments and existing possibilities to fix
progress in the NKR peaceful process. The Spanish side stated about
its intention to open the Embassy in Armenia. The EU chairmanship will
pass from Germany to Portugal in the second half of 2007. Prospects
of development of the cooperation and bilateral relations of Armenia
with the EU within the framework of the EU New Neighbourhood Policy
were discussed at the meeting with Manuel Lobo Antunes, the State
Minister for European Issues of Portugal. Issues relating to the
OSCE reforms and Nagorno Karabakh problem were discussed at the
meeting of Vartan Oskanian and OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de
Brichambeau. At the end of the day, the Armenian Foreign Minister
met with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen. The state created after
the RA and Azerbaijani Presidents’ last meeting was estimated, coming
events were discussed. The text of the statement on Nagorno Karabakh
adopted on December 5 by the OSCE Foreign Ministers’ Council was also
worked out and given its final appearance at the meeting. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information
Department, Minister Oskanian met on December 5 with Dr.Kinga Goncz,
the Foreign Minister of Hungary. The sides appreciated the bilateral
relations, agreeing to implement concrete programs for their future
development. The Foreign Minister of Hungary emphasized its country’s
readiness to support efforts of Germany undertaking the EU chairmanship
to activize the EU cooperation with the South Caucasian countries. He
expressed intention to visit Armenia in future. At the meeting with
Goran Lennmarker, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Speaker, opinions
were exchanged concerning prospects of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement. Minister Oskanian’s last meeting was with Christian
Strohal, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(ODIHR). The interlocutors discussed organization issues relating to
the coming elections in Armenia as well Mr.Strohal’s coming visit to
Armenia and possibilities of cooperation with Armenia of the structure
headed by him. In the second half of the day the RA Foreign Minister
left for Antwerp where Minister Oskanian’s speech at the Antwerp
Lessius University is envisaged. The delegation headed by Minister
Oskanian was to leave for Strasbourg late in the evening where meetings
with Terry Davis, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
Mateo Sorinas, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe, and the members of the group (Ago’s group)
observing implementation of Armenia’s obligations of the Council of
Europe Ministers’ Council.

ADDITIONS AND AMENDMENTS ENVISAGED IN 2006-2007 PROGRAM ON STATE PROPERTY PRIVATIZATION

Noyan Tapan
Dec 06 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly on December
6 passed in first reading the government’s draft law which envisages
additions and amendments to the RA Law on the 2006-2007 Program on
State Property Privatization. Particularly, the government proposes
adding another 5 companies, including 3 companies and the Hrazdan
Sports Complex under the jurisdiction of the RA Defence Ministry, to
the list of companies with a state share to be privatized. Besides,
it is proposed that about 10 companies, most of which are cultural
facilities, should be taken off the program’s list. The opposition
factions – Justice, Orinats Yerkir and National Unity – and some
independent deputies were against adoption of the draft law.

ARMENIA REFUSES TO WITHDRAW FROM OCCUPIED LANDS
by Nurani

Source: Ekho (Baku) December 1, 2006, EV
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
December 6, 2006 Wednesday

"Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan" are playing their part in the
PR campaign

A VIEW FROM BAKU: ARMENIA IS NOT GOING TO WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM
AZERBAIJANI LANDS; Official Baku is convinced it is no use waiting
for Armenia to let go of the occupied lands.

The Prague Process intensifying, official Yerevan keeps making
statements implying that there is no use waiting for any concessions
from Armenia. The accord on the return to Azerbaijan of territories
controlled by the Karabakh army is unlikely, Defense Minister Serj
Sarkisjan told journalists in Yerevan. (Along with everything else,
Sarkisjan is regarded as President Robert Kocharjan’s potential
successor.) Sarkisjan said, however, that he had no information on
existence of accords on the return of the lands. Commenting on the
possibility that Armenia could also agree to return Kjalbajar to
Azerbaijan in the negotiations, Sarkisjan said that he had never
spoken of specific territories and that he did not want to discuss
the matter now. In other words, Armenia will never withdraw from the
occupied territories if it can help it. And since nobody seems to be
prepared to put Armenia under pressure over it, expediency of future
talks is at least questionable.

There is one other nuance to be mentioned as well. The so-called "civil
network" specializing in "promotion of Armenian refugees’ interests"
drew attention to itself in Yerevan practically simultaneously
with Sarkisjan’s statement. Its activists released a statement to
remind the negotiating parties that stability and lasting peace were
impossible without putting on the agenda the issue of "deportation of
Armenian refugees from the Soviet Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan". That
"Nakhichevan" is not mentioned as a part of "Soviet Azerbaijan"
is symbolic. Armenia aspires for these lands too.

Even more thought-provoking is the phrase that "it should be
clear to everyone that Armenian refugees would never return to
any Azerbaijan-controlled territory where their very lives will be
forfeit. Anti-Armenian bias in Azerbaijan is worsening. We maintain
that Armenian refugees have the right to move to the former Agdam and
Fizuli, Kashatag (Lachin – editorial office) and Karvachar (Kjalbajar –
editorial office), to all territories that are known as the security
zone. It is the Armenian authorities’ duty to help them."

Activists promise to forward to the "parliament" of the self-proclaimed
"Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh" a new draft law on citizenship. The
document will grant Nagorno-Karabakh citizenship to all Azerbaijani
Armenians.

Official Yerevan hasn’t supported the "civil initiative" so far. On
the other hand, initiatives like that never appear without an
encouraging nod from the authorities, particularly initiatives put
forth by self-proclaimed "political technologists". Firstly, all this
screaming on "promotion of Armenian refugees’ rights" is but a PR
trick, an excuse to refuse to withdraw the troops from the Azerbaijani
territories. Secondly, papers of "citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh" that
will be issued to all Armenians are but an element of preparations
for a referendum the political establishment of both countries is
actively discussing these days. The lack of official support is not
the reason for taking the "initiative" lightly.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NON-COMBAT LOSSES; … ARE SUBSTANTIAL
R. Orujev

Source: Ekho (Baku), December 1, 2006, EV
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
December 6, 2006 Wednesday

SITUATION IN THE AREAS WHERE AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN TROOPS FACE
EACH OTHER REMAINS TRICKY; Update on the situation in the areas where
Azerbaijani and Armenian regular armies face each other.

Another episode of the cease-fire regime violation is reported.

Azerbaijani positions came under automatic rifle fire from the
territory of the settlement of Bash Gervend in the Agdam district
occupied by the Armenians. It began at approximately 2315 hours on
November 29. No information on casualties is available.

It is common knowledge that violations of this kind occur regularly,
at least once a week.

Ramiz Melikov of the Press Service of the Defense Ministry told Ekho
that the Armenians kept violating the cease-fire regime. "I do not
see any improvement from past years," Melikov said.

According to Melikov, the Defense Ministry is not counting loss of
life in provocations engineered by the Armenians. "We do not reveal
this information," he said. "As for the losses, they are quite frequent
on both sides."

"Some tranquility in areas in question always follows the coming of
cold," independent military expert Uzeir Jafarov told this newspaper.

"By late December, however, we will probably see mass violations of
the cease-fire regime. It happens every year. Generally speaking,
the situation there is not any better than it was these last 3-5 years.

Skirmishes continue all along the front. They are sometimes mass,
sometimes episodic… They usually happen when replacement of the
troops is carried out. Young soldiers right from boot camp want to
see how their weapons work. With commanders’ permission of course. It
is usually true of sharpshooters. I’m under the impression that the
Armenian side will try to escalate tension now that the latest round
of the Karabakh talks is over. The cease-fire regime will be frequently
violated now."

"Our Organization of Retired Officers monitor the state of affairs
with Azerbaijani losses when the cease-fire regime is in effect,"
Jafarov said. "We draw our conclusions from what is published in
the media and what our comrades-in-arms tell us. The Armed Forces
of Azerbaijan lost 50 servicemen this year. Discounting the wounded
and those who triggered landmines. Most men were lost to Armenian
sharpshooters. The 2005 figures were more or less similar. We’ve been
compiling this information since 1994. The Defense Ministry classified
these figures, but I’m telling you right here and now that we lost
several thousands men. They are the so-called non-combat losses."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND YOUTH ISSUES BUYS FAMOUS WORKS OF 11 ARMENIAN COMPOSERS AT 3 MLN DRAMS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 06 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Culture and
Youth Issues bought from the Union of Composers and Musis Experts
works of 11 modern composers at 3 mln drams to propagandize them in
the republic and out of its borders. Robert Amirkhanian, the Chairman
of the Union of Composers and Music Experts stated about it at the
December 5 meeting. He stated that works of Martin Israyelian, Anna
Azizian, Geghuni Chtchian, Melik Mavisakalian, Zohrab Pahremuzian
and others were sold. In R.Amirkhanian’s words, works presented for
sale were chosen by the especially formed commission. It was mentioned
that the Union has cooperated in this sphere with the Ministry already
for 3 years.

R.Amirkhanian stated that during those 3 years works of about 30
authors were already performed by the RA State Chamber Orchestra,
Komitas quartet, ensemble of the "Narekatsi" cultural union and other
music groups. "Though the presented works have a much higher price in
the world practice than the money proposed today, but in the union
chairman’s words, strengthening of the tie among the ministry and
cultural unions and showing proper attitude towards modern good works
are of greater role," Robert Amirkhanian emphasized.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRIENDS WITH NATO FOR RUSSIA’S SAKE?
by Karen Abramjan
Translated by A. Ignatkin

Source: Severny Kavkaz (Nalchik), No 47, November 28 – December 4, 2006, EV
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
December 6, 2006 Wednesday

REGARDLESS OF THE SELF-PROCLAIMED POLICY OF EQUIDISTANCE FROM ALL
CENTERS OF POWER, YEREVAN IS ON ITS WAY TO FULL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
WITH NATO; Armenia drifts in the direction of NATO.

NATO Command has planned a major strategic exercise for April 27 –
May 13, 2007. Joint Aspiration’2007 will be coordinated from the
territories of Armenia and Germany. According to Colonel Samvel Atojan,
Chief of the Directorate of Communications and Automatic Systems of the
Armenian General Staff, the exercise will be run "to maintain reliable
communications between the armies of the participants." The exercise
planning conference that took place in the middle of November, in
Yerevan, attracted more than 260 servicemen from 38 countries. Armenia
has participated in the exercises of the series since 2002, first as an
observer and as a full member afterwards. Atojan made special emphasis
on the choice of Armenia as the location of the planning conference.

Observers comment in the meantime that Yerevan’s once veiled
geopolitical flirting with the Alliance is rapidly evolving
into a devastating obsession. Regardless of the self-proclaimed
policy of "complementary" equidistance from all centers of power,
representatives of the Armenian establishment angle for what is known
as Mr. Saakashvili’s position. Namely, for full strategic partnership
with the Alliance. The only difference is that the president of
Georgia openly admits it while the Armenian authorities camouflage
their drift with not particularly convincing rhetoric on "advantages"
of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization. Defense Minister
Serj Sarkisjan returned from Iraq the other day and said, "I’ve always
maintained that Armenia’s membership in the CIS Collective Security
Treaty Organization and cooperation with NATO are a continuation of
our mutually complementary policy. Military-political blocs are set
up for and not against something…" This is it then.

Judging by his logic, the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization
was established for the sake of NATO and NATO exists for the sake
of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization. Well, founders
of these organizations will be horrified to hear of this "NATO for
Russia’s sake" hypothesis.

Presentation of the The National Security Concept took place in the
Yerevan State University, the other day. Armenia’s strategic partner,
Russia was mentioned only on the 21st page of the document. Georgia,
the country where the Armenian population of Djavahetia is under
constant pressure, on the first. Richard Kirakosjan, an American
military expert who visited YE not long ago, said that "Armenia’s
dependence on Russia is a major obstacle preventing its integration
into European structures. Instead of emulating relations, Armenia
should become more self-sufficient." That’s what official Yerevan
has been doing.

POET SARO GYUMRETSI ANNOUNCED "MAN OF YEAR OF GYUMRI"

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Dec 06 2006

GYUMRI, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Saro Gyumretsi
(Gyodakian), the editor-in-chief of the "Hamaynapatker" (panorama)
literary-cultural magazine, a poet, publicist was announced "Man of
Year of Gyumri" of 2006. Such a decision was made as a result of
the sitting-vote of the commission conferring the above-mentioned
title. The sitting-vote took place on November 30 in the hall of the
Gyumri Arts’ Institute. The solemn ceremony of giving the corresponding
medal and certificate will take place in April, 2007, in Gyumri.

Noyan Tapan whole-heartedly congratulates Saro Gyumretsi on the
occasion of being conferred the "Man of Year of Gyumri" title.

SETTLEMENT IN ARMENIAN MANNER OR TERRITORY IN RETURN FOR REPRODUCTION
Hakob Badalyan

Lragir, Armenia
Dec 6 2006

The stances of the Armenian political forces, both the opposition and
pro-government forces, as well as the the mixed ones, have similarities
along with differences. They all consider the return of the liberated
territories possible, some to a greater extend, others to a lesser
degree. The fact is, however, that if in 1997 Levon Ter-Petrosyan
and his team were alone in their approach on reaching settlement by
returning teritories, now Robert Kocharyan has a number of supporters,
including voluntary and unintentional supporters because the former
government is also a supporter, in fact: it is necessary to return the
territories to reach settlement. Of course, the political forces also
say that their return differs from Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s return, and
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters say their return was a better option
than Kocharyan’s return. It is a fact, though, that all this talking
involves return of territories, and the details are not essential
because the territories are essential which they are ready to return.

Most people are saying that the conflict has shifted from the problem
of Karabakh to the problem of territories, which they think is
negative. First, if the problem has been shifted to the territories,
it already means that Karabakh is not a problem any more. Is it
positive or not? Of course, it is positive because the independence
of Karabakh does not arouse two opinions in one person any more. In
this case, shifting the problem back from the territories to Karabakh
means endangering the existence of the state of Karabakh. And it is
stunning but this is what the government and the political forces
of Armenia are busy with. They are doing everything to show that the
territories are not a problem for them, the problem is Karabakh. The
purpose is clear: if the problem is shifted to Karabakh, returning the
territories becomes easier because it is presented as the price for the
independence of Karabakh. Meanwhile, a difficult situation is emerging
for the government if the territories become the problem. In this case,
it is clear that the public will be demanding a favorable settlement
of the problem, meanwhile, neither the previous government and the
present government have made any efforts to solve the problem in our
favor. No step has been taken to show the international community that
the Armenian side would govern these territories more effectively
than Azerbaijan. Instead, these territories were used by a group of
people to accumulate wealth, and the last use that the ruling elite
is hoping to get from the territories is an arrangement with the
international community – territory in return for reproduction. And
they are going to blame the opposition for the national tragedy.

In addition, in Armenia all this is served under the peace loving
icing, as if this were the only way of reaching lasting peace. In
reality, the return of the territories does not provide any guarantees,
and it even creates an excellent precondition for war.

The point is that the liberated territories are a security area, which
gives the Armenian force a strategic advantage in case Azerbaijan
steps up an offensive. The Armenian positions are highly favorable
for effective defense and prevention of the military actions in
the territory of Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. It is known that
in case of aggression the force of any country faces one problem –
moving the military actions from the territory of their own country
to the territory of the foe. The Armenian side has already solved
this problem. Of course, it is possible to rely on the law of nations,
trust the force of diplomatic relations, the recognition by Azerbaijan,
the so-called international guarantees of security.

However, first of all it is necessary to get acquainted with the
distant and recent history of the world. If someone does not fancy
going too far, they can remember the recent clash of Isreal and
Lebannin, when no international guarantee prevented Israel from
demolishing the south of Lebanon. By abandoning these positions of
strategic importance for the Armenian force excellent conditions
are created for Azerbaijan at least to think about military actions
against Karabakh. Of course, now Azerbaijan is not the country which
can make an independent decision on starting war, but the factor of
oil may enhance its geopolitical importance and military potential.

In this case, the international community may help force out Azerbaijan
from Karabakh, and it is possible that the force of the Republic of
Armenia will lead the international peacekeeping contingent stationed
in Karabakh, but the commander will wonder: "How shall I keep peace
in this wilderness?"

VALIDITY TERM OF LAW ON RECONSTRUCTION OF CITY OF GYUMRI PROLONGED TILL DECEMBER 31, 2014

Noyan Tapan
Dec 06 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. On December 6, the eve of the
18th anniversary of the Spitak earthquake, the RA National Assembly
adopted in the 2nd reading and completely the amendment to the acting
law "On Reconstruction of the City of Gyumri." According to it, the
validity term of the law, the deadline of which is January 1, 2007,
is prolonged till December 31, 2014.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EXHIBITION OF PHOTOS OF ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS IN TERRITORY OF WESTERN ARMENIA OPENED AT NA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 06 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. An exhibition of photos taken
during the 2004-2006 scientific expeditions in the territory of
Western Armenia opened in the "Green" foyer of the RA National
Assembly. Authors of the photos are members of the public organization
studying the Armenian architecture. The goal of the organization
founded about 30 years ago is to reveal and study monuments of the
Armenian architecture out of borders of present Armenia, that’s,
of historic Armenia as well as in the territory of neighbouring
countries, as well as to publish results of those studies to present
them to the Armenian and foreign society.