Lragir, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
OSKANYAN WILL NOT BE IN NEW GOVERNMENT
The foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan stated December 1
that after the parliamentary election in 2007 there will be a new
prime minister, a new government with its new perceptions of all the
policies, including the foreign policy. However, if Vardan Oskanyan
is offered to be part of the new government, he will refuse. `10
years is the maximum for a post. A new, fresh force is needed, fresh
thoughts are needed.’
Lragir, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
WHO APPOINTED ARMEN SMBATYAN
After the murder of 6 citizens of Armenia in Russia the ambassador of
Armenia to Russia Armen Smbatyan graded the relations between the two
countries as excellent. Is this the official stance of Armenia or the
personal opinion of the ambassador? If this is the personal opinion
of the ambassador, how should such an ambassador be assessed? We
asked these questions to the minister of foreign affairs of Armenia
Vardan Oskanyan.
According to him, it is possible that the ambassador generalized.
`Our relations with Russia are really very good, profound and
strategic,’ stated Vardan Oskanyan. According to the foreign minister
of Armenia, these murders are painful, but it is a serious problem
and worries not only Armenia but also Russia, because not only
Armenians are killed. `This is a problem that must worry Russia, and
the Russian government needs to make very serious efforts to prevent
this, otherwise it may aggravate.’ This adds another question,
another concern to the agenda of our relations, but it does not
impact the Armenian and Russian relations, it is not an obstacle in
the two-party relations, Vardan Oskanyan says.
If problems and concerns occur, why Armen Smbatyan, who lacks
diplomatic experience, is not replaced by a more experienced
diplomat? Vardan Oskanyan declined to answer our question. However,
the answer is clear – the president of Armenia appoints ambassadors
of Armenia. The uncle of Armen Smbatyan’s wife is the head of the
Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography of the Russian
Federation, and has connections in the Kremlin. Our sources say that
the Kremlin has `facilitated’ the appointment of Armen Smbatyan.
Lragir, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
A BETTER THING – RECOGNITION OF KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE
The meeting of Kocharyan and Aliyev in Minsk for the settlement of
the Karabakh issue was positive, the atmosphere was constructive, the
presidents focused on the problems which remain unsettled, the talks
have not reached a deadlock, but it would not be precise to state
that the presidents reached agreement on these questions because
there are still controversies, stated the Armenian minister of
foreign affairs Vardan Oskanyan December 1 in Yerevan.
With regard to the statement of the Azerbaijani president that
Azerbaijan will not change its stance, and this stance is the
principle of territorial integrity, Vardan Oskanyan stated that
Armenia will not change its stance either, which is the right of the
nations for self-determination. `These two principles could be
combined in a referendum. It is necessary to enable the people who
live and used to live in Nagorno Karabakh to decide and choose
between territorial integrity and self-determination,’ Vardan
Oskanyan stated, adding that he means a right for self-determination
without any restrictions. Armenia may reject the proposal on holding
a referendum in Karabakh in case something better is offered, a good
alternative. For instance, if the independence of Karabakh is
recognized.
The president of Azerbaijan had also stated that the negotiations
have reached the final stage. The minister of foreign affairs of
Armenia finds it difficult to enumerate the present stage, however,
he thinks, this is not the last stage. The question of engagement of
Karabakh in the talks remains. If it were the last stage, Karabakh
would also take part in the talks for settlement. `Settlement is
impossible without the participation of Karabakh.’
The International Crisis Group has announced that the outcome of the
referendum on Constitution to be held in Karabakh will not be
recognized internationally. With regard to this Vardan Oskanyan
suggests realizing that the independence of the people of Karabakh
and their independent existence is a fact. Everyone who understands
this cannot make such statements which may frustrate the people of
Karabakh and lose their reputation among the people of Karabakh. They
cannot make statements which `encroach on the achievements of the
people of Karabakh.’
Vardan Oskanyan describes the mentioning of the right of nations for
self-determination in the EU-Armenia action plan as positive, and the
mentioning of the territorial integrity in the NATO statement on the
South Caucasus as standard. If NATO decided to dwell on the problem
of Karabakh in detail, it would mention that the problem should be
settled through negotiations between the sides, Vardan Oskanyan says.
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
ARMENIAN PREMIER INVITED TO IRAN
YEREVAN, December 1. /ARKA/. Iranian Agriculture Minister Mohammad
Reza Eskandari, who met Tuesday Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan in Yerevan, passed on Iranian Vice-President’s invitation
to him, Armenian government press office reports.
The Iranian minister expressed gratitude to Armenian government for
balanced stance on Iran.
A wide range of issues related to Armenian-Iranian cooperation was
discussed at the meeting. M.V.-0—
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Lragir, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
RAMKAVAR PARTY OF ARMENIA DOES NOT ALLOW ARA ABRAHAMYAN TO LOSE THEIR
EMBLEM
The Ramkavar Party of Armenia called Ara Abrahamyan not to use the
symbols of the political party.
To the chair of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan
Although you have stated to the Armenian media that you are not using
the emblem and the name of the Liberal Democratic (Ramkavar Azatakan)
Party of Armenia, the sign on the office of the Azg Daily owned by
you bears the emblem of the Ramkavar Azatakan Party and the phrase
`Ramkavar Azatakan’. We are sure that the name `Ramkavar Azatakan’
and the emblem are not found in the bylaws of the Union of Armenians
of Russia and the Azg Daily. Moreover, the republic administration of
the Ramkavar Party of Armenia did not authorize any person outside
the political party to use our emblem.
We give you two days, and if you fail to replace the sign of the Azg
Daily within two days, we will `erase’ the emblem of the Ramkavar
Azatakan Party from the office of the Azg Daily.
We have to take this step, first, because of your speeches, second,
none of the shareholders of the Azg Daily is member of the Ramkavar
Azatakan Party.
Arthur Gevorgyan
Secretary
Public Radio, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
Next sitting of the CIS Economic Council will be held November 15
01.12.2006 17:37
The recurrent sitting of the CIS Economic Council will be held
December 15 in Moscow. CIS Executive Committee reports that during
the sitting it is envisaged to discuss issues of improvement,
reformation and rise of efficiency of the CIS adopted during the
sittings of the CIS Councils of Presidents and Heads of Governments.
Public Radio, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
Vartan Oskanian: The talks are not in a deadlock, the window of
opportunity is open
01.12.2006 17:35
Tatul Hakobyan
"Radiolur"
Only two days have passed after the meeting of Presidents Robert
Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev, and in this period there have been
diverse analyses and statements regarding the negotiations on the
Karabakh issue. Azerbaijan is making optimistic statements on the
highest level, asserting that the parties are close to the settlement
of the conflict. What is the position of the Armenian side? In
response to the question, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
said, `the Minsk meeting was positive. It was held in a rather
constructive atmosphere. The Presidents mainly focused on the
questions, which remain unsettled. Despite the fact that the positive
course of the talks is obvious, it would not be correct to say that
the Presidents agreed upon the disputable questions. There still
remain discrepancies on some principles. Nevertheless, the talks are
not in a deadlock. We did not have the confidence after the previous
meetings, but this time we can assert that the negotiations are not
in a deadlock. The Presidents will soon give instructions to the
Foreign Ministers to continue the talks and there will be precise
instructions on which issues to focus and what kind of approach to
take in order to register further progress in the negotiation
process.’
The Foreign Minister noted that there is a 2.5-page document on the
bargaining table. Azerbaijan’s position is the same, Armenia’s
position has not changed either. Baku insists on territorial
integrity, while Yerevan adheres to the right of self-determination
of peoples. `There is only one way of combining these two seemingly
contradicting principles, and this way is the referendum. And since
the idea of referendum has found expression in the document on the
table, I can say that we see the perspective that these two
principles can be combined. Thus, NKR people should be given the
chance to determine which one they prefer: the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan or the self-determination of Nagorno Karabakh.’
Turning to the contemporary topic of open windows, Vartan Oskanian
said, `Even if the window is closed, it can always be opened.
Progress can always be achieved under the conditions of existence of
political will. I think the window is open.’
Minister Oskanian turned also to the topic of murders of Armenians in
Russia, characterizing these as painful phenomena.
What kind of shifts will be registered in Armenia’s foreign policy
after the parliamentary elections in 2007 and the presidential ones
in 2008? Vartan Oskanian does not think there will be abrupt changes
in the foreign policy priorities.
Public Radio, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
Armenia not discussing the opportunity of joining the GUAM
01.12.2006 16:55
RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said in a press conference today
that as before the Armenian side opposes the GUAM initiative to
transfer the issue of frozen conflicts to the UN General Assembly.
The Foreign Minister mentioned that adoption of such a resolution
could seriously harm the process of the Karabakh conflict resolution,
which has been proceeding in a constructive course recently.
Vartan Oskanian stated also that `putting in one basket’ all the
conflicts on the post-Soviet space is unacceptable for Armenia. `The
mediators have been repeatedly saying that the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict substantially differs from other confrontations,’ declared
Vartan Oskanian.
The Foreign Minister declared that `Armenia is not discussing the
opportunity of joining the GUAM, since the ideological basis of the
organization does not proceed from our interests.’
Public Radio, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
Namik Tan: The instructions to suspend EU-Turkey talks were hasty
01.12.2006 16:29
Press Secretary of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Namik Tan
characterized the instructions of the European Commission to suspend
the talks with Turkey as hasty and `dictated by a number of visible
and invisible reasons.’ He underlined that no decision was taken,
there were only instructions.
According to Namik Tan, `these are not objective and were adopted in
the conditions of negative conjuncture in Europe, which often hampers
the fair approaches.’ `There are hasty actions, absence of field for
diplomacy and application of means of political pressure,’ he said.
Tan noted that Turkey does not intend to involve into dispute with
the European Union. `The main purpose of Turkey are the modifications
that will correspond to the people’s interests,’ he said.
Public Radio, Armenia
Dec 1 2006
Armenian-Russian intergovernmental negotiations held in Moscow
01.12.2006 15:20
The Armenian-Russian intergovernmental negotiations, featuring the
Prime Ministers of Armenia and Russia Andranik Margaryan and Mikhail
Fradkov, started in Moscow today.
`I’m sure your visit will promote the further deepening of ties
between the two countries,’ said Mikhail Fradkov, noting that the
main purpose of the Armenian Prime Minister’s visit to Russia is the
participation in the official closing ceremony of the Year of Armenia
to be held in Saint Petersburg.
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan thanked for reception and
expressed confidence that that the constructive meetings and
negotiations will be continuous. He stressed the importance of the
Year of Armenia in Russia, which was the result of efforts of the two
countries.
`Today we can say that all the arrangements in the political,
economic and humanitarian spheres enabled to deepen bilateral
relations,’ said RA Prime Minister.
The intergovernmental negotiations were followed by the joint press
conference of the two Premiers.