VARTAN OSKANIAN: THE LASTING SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT CAN BE BASED ON THE SECURITY OF KARABAKH

ArmRadio.am
05.12.2006 10:33

Speaking at the sitting of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers,
Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian turned to the activity of the OSCE,
the Belgian Chairmanship, Armenia-OSCE relations. The minister dwelt
on the political and economic situation in Armenia, noting that our
county is registering double-digit economic growth annually. Armenia
is the leader in the region with the UN development index.

The Foreign Ministers dedicated part of his speech to the Karabakh
issue. " The last meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
showed that agreement is possible even on the most disputable
questions. All of us understand that the lasting settlement of
the conflict can be Based on the security of Karabakh and in case
of determination of its status, since these are the cores of the
conflict," said Vartan Oskanian.

The Foreign Minister also emphasized that in a week Artsakhi Armenians
will hold a Constitutional Referendum. "A referendum on Constitution
and not independence," Vartan Oskanian stressed. He remarked that
during the past 15 years Artsakhi Armenians have formed political
system, they are periodically holding democratic elections and are
decisive to have a full political field.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NEGOTIATION PROCESS DISCUSSED AT NKR SECURITY COUNCIL SITTING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. An extended sitting of the
NKR Security Council chaired by the NKR President Arkady Ghukasian
with the participation of government members and the heads of the
NKR National Assembly took place on December 4. At the beginning
of the sitting, A. Ghukasian heard the reports of the heads of
the respective departments on the sitiation in the contact line of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces. A. Ghukasian presented
the results of his visit to the US in November and his meetings
with religious, social-political, cultural and business circles
of the Armenian community there. The NKR President appreciated the
participation of American Armenians and the Armenians in general in
the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s television marathon for restoration
of the NKR’s Hadrut region. He said that the results of the money
raising and the constant interest in NKR’s revival show once again the
Armenian people’s faith and confidence in the future of Artsakh and
its people. On behalf of the Artsakh people, he expressed gratitude to
all participants of the marathon once again. Then the Security Council
discussed issues on the agenda. Those present spoke about the latest
developments of the negotiation process, discussed the process of
preparing for the referendum on the NKR Constitution and exchanged
opinions about the 2007 draft state budget of the NKR developed
by the government. After becoming acquainted with the government’s
report on the work done in the last period and the current issues,
the NKR President gave respective instructions.

VALERI MKRTUMIAN APPOINTED RA CONSUL GENERAL TO SAO PAULO

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. By the RA Foreign Minister’s decree,
Valeri Mkrtumian was appointed the RA Consul General to the city of Sao
Paulo, Brazil, starting from December 1. According to the information
submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, V.Mkrtumian was born in 1948, in Dresden,
Germany. He graduated from the English Language Department of the
Romanic-German Faculty of the Yerevan State Institute of Foreign
Languages after V.Brusov in 1971, and from the Two-year highest
courses of the Moscow Institute of Foreign Languages after M.Torez,
getting the senior lecturer’s title. V.Mkrtumian has been in the RA
Foreign Ministry’s system since 1992. He occupied posts of the Europe
Department and America Department Chief, was the Foreign Ministry’s
Deputy Secretary General. He worked as the RA Charge d’Affaires to
Canada in 1999-2000, and was the RA Consul General to Los Angeles
in 2000-2003. He was elected the Deputy Chairman of the UN Committee
for Programme and Coordination in 2004. He has occupied the post of
the Foreign Ministry’s International Organizations Department Chief
since 2003. V.Mkrtumian was conferred the diplomatic level of the RA
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in 2001.

ARMEN SHAHGELDIAN RECOGNIZED BEST FOOTBALL-PLAYER OF 2006

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. According to the results of
the survey conducted by the Armenian Football Federation Press
Secretariate, Armen Shahgeldian, a member of Yerevan’s Mika team (191
points) was recognized as the best football-player of 2006. Noyan Tapan
was informed about it from the Press Secretariate of the Armenian
Football Federation. According to their points, Robert Arzumanian
(Pyunik, 161 points) and Samvel Melkonian (Banants, 108 points)
took second and third places.

GENOCIDE RECOGNITION ISSUE NOT DOMINATING IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS

ArmRadio.am
05.12.2006 10:50

"I have always said and I will say that the Genocide issue is not
dominant in Armenia-Turkey relations," Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian said in an interview with the Turkish "New Anatolian"
periodical.

IN the Minister’s words, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is
not a precondition for the establishment of bilateral relations. "The
recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a moral responsibility,
but is should not become an obstacle in the improvement of relations
between the two countries. Since the Armenian side does not present
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide as precondition, Turkey
should not require Armenia to refuse from demands on the issue,"
the Minister added.

According to Vartan Oskanian, neither Turkey not Armenia should present
preconditions. "We carry out the policy of Genocide recognition, Turkey
is implementing denialist policy. I really see no reasons, which would
prevent opening of the border and cooperation of the peoples. It would
create more favorable conditions for more constructive resolution of
existing questions," the Foreign Minister underlined.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’S IGNORING KARABAKH POPULATION’S DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS IS NOT CONSTRUCTIVE, V.OSKANIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

BRUSSELS, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
made a speech on December 4 at the OSCE Foreign Ministers’ Council
sitting being held in Brussels. The Minister spoke in his speech about
the OSCE reforms, presented Armenia’s position, then touched upon
priorities of deepening democracy in Armenia, economic achievements
and development of the state. Touching upon the negotiations proceeding
round the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, the Minister mentioned:
"We are well aware that the world observes our region arising of other
reasons as well. Nobody wants to reach the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement as much as we do. The Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’
last meeting gave us hope that it is still possible to reach agreement
even on those principles concerning which we still have difference of
opinions. We know that the long-lasting solution will depend on the
Nagorno Karabakh people’s status and security. The conflict started
when their security was subjected to violence, and their right to
self-determination was defied. The discussed principles attempt to
satisfy the Nagorno Karabakh people’s right to self-determination,
at the same time, liquidating consequences of the conflict. We
expect that Azerbaijan, really, will find will to recognize and
respect the Nagorno Karabakh people’s own rights to decide its own
future, status, security system. The constitutional referendum will
be held in Nagorno Karabakh in few days. Political institutes were
created, authorities were formed with the means of elections, the
legislative field developed in Nagorno Karabakh during the recent
15 years. They understand the necessity of the fundamental law and
accept that the referendum is the only admissible way to universally
adopt that law. The international community’s ignoring the Karabakh
population’s democratic aspirations as well as accusing them of being
democratic is not constructive. Azerbaijan’s insistences that holding
of the referendum will lay obstacles for the negotiation process,
are far from the reality. But the real obstacle is their intolerant
response to democratic actions of Karabakh, their refusal to involve
Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiation process, repeated martial calls
and efforts to avoid the Minsk Group negotiation process."

Within the framework of the OSCE Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the
Minister had a number of bilateral meetings: with Daniel Fried, the
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State; Urmas Paet, the Foreign Minister
of Estonia; Jean Asselborn, the Foreign Minister of Luxemburg; Noul
Treacy, the Ireland State Minister on European Issues; Lobo Antunes,
the Portugal State Minister on European Issues; Bernardo Leon, the
Spain State Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Marc Perrin de Brichambeau,
the OSCE Secretary General; Goran Lenmarker, the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly Speaker. The RA Foreign Minister’s meeting with the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairmen also took place. As Noyan Tapan was informed by
the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and Information Department, the OSCE
Foreign Ministers’ Council sitting will discuss the OSCE reformation
package on decisions concerning strengthening of the OSCE efficiency,
including the OSCE regulations. It is expected that, particularly,
the decision on the organized crime, decisions concerning illegal
circulation of small and light armament, OSCE future transport
dialogue, struggle against intolerance and discrimination and
concerning spreading mutual respect and mutual understanding will
be agreed.

MPs PROPOSE PROLONGING OPERATION TERM OF LAW "ON RESTORATION OF TOWN OF GYUMRI"

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 4 sitting, RA
National Assembly in first reading discussed the bill "On Making
Amendments and Additions to the Law "On Restoration of the Town
of Gyumri." Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) faction members Samvel
Balasanian and Hovhannes Margarian, who are from Gyumri, submitted
a draft, according to which it is proposed prolonging the operation
term of the above mentioned law from 2007 January 1 to 2014 December
31. The MPs expect to discuss a new draft envisaging making amendments
and additions to the same law in the future. The draft is aimed at
giving all-embracing solution to problems faced by Gyumri, including
creation of jobs, reduction of unemployment.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HEAD OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION DELEGATION IN ARMENIA ARRIVES IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The Head of the European Commission
delegation in Armenia Ambassador Per Eklund handed on Decemeber
4 a copy of his credentials to the RA Deputy Foreign Minister
A. Bayburtian. A. Bayburtian welcomed the newly appointed ambassador,
wishing him success in implementing his high mission. Ambassador Eklund
in his turn expressed a willingness to promote the development of
the EU-Armenian relations as much as possible. During the meeting,
the sides spoke about the EU-Armenia Action Plan approved on
November 14 and discussed issues related to its implementation. It
was noted that the Action Plan will form a basis for deepening the
EU-Armenia relations, which have entered a new stage, in the next
five years. Reference: Per Eklind was born in 1945 in Sweden. In
1971 he graduated from the Department of Political Science, History,
Literature History and Scandinavian Languages of Umea University
(Sweden). In 1973-1992, he worked at Umea University first as the
executive director of the extra-mural studies council, then as the
administrative director of the territorail higher education council
and the head of educational technologiies unit. In 1992-1995, he was
the chief advisor to Scandinavian countries’ minister in Demark. In
1997-1998, he was the chief administrator of the European Commission
TACIS Program. In 1998-2000, he worked as the head of SCR A3 Group
in Russia. In 2000-2003, he was the acting head, then the head of of
AIDCO unit. In 2003-2006, he was the head of the European Commission
delegation in Caribbean countries. He is fluent in English, German,
French, Danish and Russian.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: YEAR OF ARMENIA BECAME A NEW STAGE IN HISTORY OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 04 2006

SAINT PETERSBURG, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Official closure ceremony
of Year of Armenia in Russian Federation took place in the evening of
December 2 at the Yekaterinskaya Palace of Saint Petersburg. RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian and First Vice-Chairman of RF Government
Dmitry Medvedev made speeches at the ceremony. The latter in his speech
emphasized the high level of Year of Armenia in Russia. "We once more
made sure that the Armenian people is very talented, it subtly feels
the art, takes care of values and achievements of culture, science
and education," D.Medvedev said. At the same time, he emphasized that
Armenian and Russian peoples kept the experience of tolerance between
different nations for many centuries, and today no manifestations of
xenophobia can exist in the two peoples’ cooperation. "Unfortunately,
we come across such hideous manifestations lately, but I am convinced
that such ideas cannot find support in Russia where 160 nations live,"
the First RF Vice-Prime Minister said. M.Margarian in his turn said
that Year of Armenia in Russia became a new stage in the history of
Armenian-Russian relations. He expressed the hope that Year of Armenia
gave Russians the opportunity to reveal Armenia with its potential
and abilities. In the Prime Minister’s words, the events organized
within the framework of the year gave the opportunity to enrich
many-sided Armenian-Russian cooperation, opened good prospects for
mutually beneficial unification of trade and economic, educational,
scientific and cultural potential. "In the modern world, together
with political relations, economic relations are also the basis of
mutually beneficial long-term partnership.

Russia is the biggest trade and economic partner of Armenia. At the
same time, I would like to mention that there is unused potential
in this sphere and active mutual steps should be taken in this
direction. We attach primary importance to development of further
cooperation with Russia in such spheres as energy, metallurgy,
transport, chemistry, etc," A.Margarian said. He also mentioned that
the biggest Armenian Diaspora lives in Russia. It was formed during
centuries. In A.Margarian’s words, in all periods of history Armenians
made a contribution to establishment and development of the Russian
state as far as possible, in which there were all conditions for
keeping the national originality, language and culture. "We are sure
that problems and aspirations of our compatriots in Russia continue to
be in the focus of attention of the Russian leadership. Exclusion of
any manifestation of national intolerance is an issue of responsibility
of all of us. In this context we are too anxious about cases of
violence towards our compatriots in RF. Armenians in Russia just like
Russians in Armenia are bearers of centuries-old traditions, the bridge
of friendship between the two countries we should strengthen and keep
with all possible means," RA Prime Minister emphasized. According to
the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from RA government Information
and Public Relations Department, in connection with closure of Year
of Armenia a concert was held at the Yekaterinskaya Palace and a
reception on behalf of RA Prime Minister at the Gilded Hall, which
was concluded with fireworks.

240 STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS IN SYUNIK BAPTIZED AT ONE TIME

Armenpress
Dec 04 2006

KAPAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Over 240 students and professors of
the branches of the Yerevan Engineering University in Kapan, the
administrative center of the Syunik province and the Russian-Armenian
Humanitarian University in Goris, the second largest town of the
province, were baptized in a mass ceremony on December 1-2 in two
churches in Kapan and Goris.

The mass baptism was part of a series of events steered by the
provincial governor’s office and called ‘A Pilgrimage to the
Light.’ The godfathers were local governor Surik Khachatrian, chief
manager of Zangezour metallurgical plant Maxim Hakobian and Kapan
mayor Armen Karapetian.

An official of the governor’s office in charge of culture issues,
said to Armenpress the ultimate goal of such events is to advertise
the teaching of Armenian Apostolic Church among young people and keep
them away from various religious sects.