OSCE CAN KEEP PLAYING MEDIATOR ROLE IN FROZEN CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2006 17:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE can keep playing the important role of the
mediator in the so-called "frozen conflicts" in the South Caucasus
and Moldova, State Minister of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany
Gernot Erler stated during his speech at the session of the OSCE
Council of Foreign Ministers. "We urge the parties to use the available
opportunities for talks and implement agreements made. Thereupon we
welcome the process of withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgia. It
is important now that Istanbul commitments be fulfilled there, as
well as in Moldova," he remarked, reports Trend.

SARGSYAN PROPOSES EXTENDING ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN IRAQ FOR ANOTHER YEAR

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2006 17:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping mission in
Iraq promotes enhancement of international authority of the Republic
and its Armed Forces, Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
stated at the Parliament Tuesday, when proposing to extend the term
of the peacekeeping mission of the Armenian contingent in Iraq for
another year. The Defense Minister remarked that since 2000 Armenia
participates in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, then in Iraq. Armenia
cannot stay aside of international integration processes in defense
that continue today, the Armenian Defense Minister said. Sargsyan
added that active participation of the Armenian contingent in the
peacekeeping mission in Iraq provides additional levers for protecting
national interests in relations with international organizations.

Sargsyan reminded that along with Armenia the other two South Caucasus
republics also take part in the peacekeeping mission. Azerbaijan
is represented by 151 servicemen, while Georgia has 864 servicemen
in Iraq.

At that in the words of the Armenian Defense Minister, as different
from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia directly participate in armed
operations in Iraq. "In this respect Armenia remaining neutral may
have a negative impact on some directions of military cooperation
with some countries," Sargsyan remarked, reports Novosti-Armenia.

The third shift of Armenian peacekeepers, being in Iraq, involves
three staff officers, two medical officers, 10 sappers and a transport
platoon (31 drivers).

OVER 100 FOREIGN OBSERVERS TO FOLLOW NKR REFERENDUM

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2006 17:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Over 100 foreign and 114 local observers are expected
to follow the course of the constitutional referendum in the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. 12 foreign observers and 44 journalists are already
accredited. 278 polling stations are opened for holding the referendum,
one of these being in Yerevan, Mediamax reports.

EUROCOMMISSION: BUDGET FOR ENP COUNTRIES ~@12 BILLION IN 2007-13

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2006 18:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Commission today proposes new ways
to strengthen the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), reported the
Press Office of the Eurocommission delegation to Armenia. The new
proposals are accompanied by progress reports on the Neighborhood
partners. The Communication will feed into work during the incoming
German Presidency in the first half of 2007.

European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy
Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: "I believe that our Neighborhood Policy
is bringing real benefits to Armenia and today we are offering to the
country even more attractive incentives. An important contribution
will be a new Neighborhood Investment Fund. The Neighborhood Policy
has made a positive start, but the EU can do much more. We must
rise to the challenge of promoting peace, stability and economic
prosperity of our neighbors. There is no better way of doing this
than by supporting their political and economic reforms."

>>From 2007-13 the budget foreseen for the countries of the ENP is
~@12 billion, 32% more in real terms than in the last budget period.

FRENCH FM: LATEST TALKS ON KARABAKH HELD IN CONSTRUCTIVE ATMOSPHERE

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2006 18:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I believe that talks [over settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict], held within the past months helped achieve notable
progress owing to mediation of the OSCE MG co-chairs and were held in
a constructive atmosphere," French FM Philippe Douste-Blazy stated
at the session of the OSCE Foreign Ministers. He urged parties to
continue moving along the way chosen.

Luxembourg Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Jean Asselborn
also addressed the issue of unsolved conflicts in his speech. "The
increase of tension in Georgia, delay of search for a solution of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, separatism, the so-called referendum
and elections in Transnistria and South Ossetia hamper solution of
"frozen" conflicts," he noted. He welcomed OSCE efforts to search for
an agreement. In his opinion, the OSCE can form a favorable atmosphere
for search for a lasting solution of conflicts, reports Trend.

OSCE URGES ARMENIAN AND AZERI PRESIDENTS TO REDOUBLE EFFORTS IN KARABAKH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.12.2006 19:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We are encouraged that negotiations [over settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict] in 2006, facilitated by the Co-Chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group and supported by the OSCE Chairman in Office,
have brought the sides closer to agreement on the basic principles for
the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," says a statement
of the Council of OSCE FMs over the NK conflict, reports the Press
Office of the Armenian MFA. We welcome the support of the leaders of
the G8 to these efforts, expressed at the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg
in July. We urge Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to redouble
their efforts in the coming year to finalize these basic principles
as soon as possible. We call on the sides, with the assistance
of the international community, to extend co-operation to conduct
an environmental operation to suppress the fires in the affected
territories and to overcome detrimental consequences.

These measures can constitute significant steps toward restoring
confidence between the sides. The OSCE is available to assist.

We also express our continuing support for the Personal Representative
of the OSCE Chairman in Office and his mission to the region and
particularly for their efficient assistance to the environmental
Assessment Mission and for their ongoing monitoring of the
cease-fire. We regret that incidents along the front lines continue
occasionally to result in loss of life on both sides and we urge the
parties to adhere strictly to the cease-fire."

ARMENIAN OFFICER WOUNDED IN IRAQ RECUPERATING

Armenpress
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenian defense minister Serzh
Sarkisian said today senior lieutenant Georgi Nalbandian, who had
been wounded while on duty in Iraq in early November, was recuperating.

Nalbandian was transported to Germany for treatment in an American
military hospital.

The 25-year-old senior lieutenant of the Armenian peacekeeping
contingent in Iraq lost his right leg below the knee in a mine
explosion and received fragmentation wounds to his left leg.

The minister said today that after recuperation Nalbandian will return
to Armenia to continue his service to the homeland. The minister said
Nalbandian may recuperate in 2-3 weeks, but added that he may go to
another country for prosthesis. He also said Nalbandian’s brother
may soon fly to Germany to see him.

Sarkisian went today to parliament to ask the lawmakers to extend
the presence of a small Armenian peace-keeping contingent in Iraq
for another 12 months. Yerevan’s small contingent of 46 non-combat
servicemen operates in a multinational division headed by Poland. It
comprises military trucks drivers, sappers and medics.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALL GEORGIAN MALES TO HAVE MANDATORY MILITARY TRAINING

Armenpress
Dec 05 2006

TBILISI, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Georgia’s president Mikhail asked a
parliament committee on defense and security issues to draft a bill
on mandatory 18-day military training of all males aged 27-50.

Under the bill all males between 27-50 will have to spend 18 days every
year in military camps to refresh their war skills. The committee
chairman, Givi Targamadze, was quoted by Georgian media as saying
the bill was prompted by ‘increasing threats.’ The only exception
are clergymen, court judges and students. The bill also suggests that
those students who will have this course for 3 consecutive years will
be expected from mandatory military service. Failure to turn in will
be considered as desertion.

Georgia’s defense ministry has set up three special camps to train
reservists. The bill is expected to go through in several days.

ARMENIA HARVESTS 483,000 TONS OF POTATO

Armenpress
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: Potato growers in Armenia have
harvested 483,000 tons of potato, 6 percent down from what they
gathered last year, agricultural ministry said.

Arsen Avakian, a senior official of the ministry, said the bulk of the
potato crop , almost 54 percent-was gathered in Gegharkunik province,
followed by Armavir where 44,000 tons of potato were harvested and
Lori with 38,000 tons.

Growth of 13 percent was reported in Gegharkunik, 41 percent in Kotayk
and 10 percent in Ararat, whereas in all other provinces the amount
of harvest fell down.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THOUSANDS IN GYUMRI STILL LIVE IN DOMIKS

Armenpress
Dec 05 2006

GYUMRI, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS: The municipality of the northwestern
town of Gyumri in Shirak province has registered over 1,000 people
eligible to a 10,000 Dram assistance of the city hall to survive
harsh winter months this region is famous for.

In the past the authorities provided these families, which still
live in so-called domiks, temporary dwellings, 18 years after the
destructive earthquake of December 7, 1988, with wood.

However, only part of such families can hope for 10,000 drams,
precisely, families with three and more children and those made up
of old-age pensioners, lonely senior citizens and disabled. The city
hall has been providing this assistance for six consecutive years.