OPPOSITIONIST: GOVERNMENT OF ARMENIA COALESCED WITH BUSINESS, FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION POPULIST

Regnum, Russia
Nov 28 2006

It is not for the first year that the government of Armenia is ruling,
thus it should know very well where the shadow sources are, member
of the Justice parliamentary faction Vardan Lazarian said during
discussion with chairman of the permanent commission on state-legal
issues of the Armenian National Assembly Rafik Petrossyan Nov 28.

The issue arises, why wasn’t it announced earlier about the budget
revenue of 70bn drams, and why have they started to talk about it right
now, REGNUM reports Lazarian to say. "It looks like bureaucratic
administration is more profitable for Armenia than the economic
growth," he observes. All this shows that the country’s government
has coalesced with business, and all the statements of the fight
against corruption are merely populist rhetoric, the deputy argues.

Rafik Petrossyan says that whatever definitions one would give
to Armenian budget 2007, the budget is a planned one. He says the
government is aware of the fact that shadow economy makes about 40%
of the whole national economy; however, the fight against corruption
is not an easy one, and the government should conduct this fight
gradually. "Moscow was not built in one day," the head of the
commission adds.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS XENOPHOBIA PROBLEM WITH POLICE AND POLITICAL PARTIES SOON

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 28 2006

YEREVAN, November 28. /ARKA/. Russian President Vladimir Putin
intends to convene a meeting with law enforcement authorities and
the leaders of country’s twelve political parties soon to discuss
xenophobia-related problems, Russian Duma’s Speaker Boris Grizlov said
Thursday as met his Armenian counterpart Tigran Torosyan in Moscow,
Armenian National Assembly press office reports.

Grizlov admitted that crimes against strangers had become dangerously
commonplace in Russia.

He pointed out the jurors’ recent acquittal of the murderers in St.
Petersburg saying it had prompted serious discussions.

Armenian speaker, in his turn, said Russia is a large country where
numerous incidents happen. He doesn’t think these crimes are motivated
by anti-Armenian sentiments. Each of these cases must be considered
separately and wrongdoers must be tracked down and prosecuted to the
full extent of then law.

SOVA Russian analytic center’s figures show that the biggest number
of racism-grounded attacks, especially deadly, against Caucasianshas
been recorded between 2004 and 2006.

Of them, seven homicides have been recorded over a period between
January and May 2006, nine homicides in 2005 and 14 murders in 2004.

SOME LEGISLATIVE AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS BAR ARMENIAN RUSSIA-RUN ENTERPRISES FROM RE-LAUNCHING

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Nov 28 2006

YEREVAN, November 28. /ARKA/. Some legislative and technical problems
bar Armenian enterprises handed over to Russia for in exchange for
debt remittance from re-launching, Russian Duma Speaker Boris Grizlov
said as met with his Armenian counterpart Tigran Torosyan on Thursday
in Moscow.

In his words, no solutions are found for these problems.

He thinks Russian and Armenian governments will think over the mater
and find ways for overcoming these obstacles with joint efforts.

Property-for-debt agreement was signed in 2002 between Armenia
and Russia. Under the agreement, Mars plant, Yerevan mathematical
equipment research institute, Yerevan automotive administration systems
researches institute, Yerevan materials institute and Hrazdan Thermal
Power Plant’s property were handed over to Russia for $93-million
state debt remittance.

SABINA FRAZER: "INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT RECOGNIZE NAGORNO KARABAKH REFERENDUM"

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 28 2006

International Crisis Group does not intend to publish new reports,
because no improvement has been made concerning the situation.

Project director of the International Crisis Group on the Caucasian
region Sabina Frazer told the APA Georgian bureau that the group
would prepare a report concerning the situation on the region in 2007.

Estimating Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents’ meeting to be held
within CIS head of states’ summit in Minsk Sabina Frazer said she
does not believe important decision will be taken on the settlement
of the conflict.

"Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian are not resolute in compromising.

They have not prepared the society for the possible compromises. If
the problem improves as far as the agreement of principles, the
presidents will have to explain the essence of agreement elements
and the necessity of compromise to the public," she said.

Sabina Frazer said the statements of both presidents on the conflict
do not harm the talks.

"Both parties have different interpretation on the history of Nagorno
Karabakh, but I do not think the different views are important.

International community recognizes Nagorno Karabakh as part of
Azerbaijan, but the talks include the refugees’ conditions, economic
cooperation and other details," she said.

Touching upon the referendum to be held in the occupied Azerbaijani
territories on December 10, Sabina Frazer said that analogous steps
are very popular in the Post Soviet countries.

"These may be the results of referendum in Montenegro. But there is
no resemblance between the situation there and conflicts in the Post
Soviet countries. Because Serbia said in advance that it will recognize
the referendum results. So it is clear that international community
will not recognize the results of Nagorno Karabakh referendum,"
Sabina Frazer said.

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FARUK LOGOGLU: "INACTION IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT FAVOURS NEITHER ARMENIA, NOR AZERBAIJAN"

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 28 2006

"Inaction is observed in settlement of Nagorno Karabagh conflict. It
causes anxiety, constraint and Nagorno Karabakh conflict waits for
its settlement for many years," said former Turkey ambassador to Baku
and Washington, Faruk Logoglu.

"The problem does not diminish, but rise up. Minsk group co-chairing
countries need to bring new dynamism to the case. I think inaction
favors neither Armenia, nor Azerbaijan. Both the sides consider the
problem finished. I do not think so. Both UN Security Council and
OSCE do not doubt it," he told the APA Turkish bureau.

"According to Azerbaijani view point Azerbaijani economy is damaged
by occupied territories and refugees. The unsettled conflict is
contrary to the interests of both sides. UNO Security Council has four
resolutions for liberating Azerbaijani territories. The international
pressure is necessary to implement the resolutions. But the great
countries did not exert pressure on Armenia. No sanction documents
were adopted after these resolutions. That is why Armenia continues
invasion of Azeri lands," Logoglu said.

He thinks that Minsk Group is not active enough in the settlement of
the conflict.

"Minsk Group was not active enough in settlement of the conflict;
the main obstacle is Armenia’s position. Armenia will not change its
position until the pressure on Yerevan is not increased," he said.

Faruk Logoglu said that Turkey tried to take active part in OSCE
Minsk Group.

"Turkey only confided to the information after US, France and Russia’s
initiative in the OSCE. But Turkey’s initiative was not acceptable,"
he said.

The diplomat said that Azerbaijan and Turkey share the same view
points towards many issues.

"Azerbaijan and Turkey should always keep Nagorno Karabakh conflict
on the agenda and act together. The claims on so-called Armenian
Genocide will be on the agenda after the elections in the USA. Both
countries need to support each other in these processes," he said.

"I love Azeri nation. I am sure that Azerbaijan will use its resources
for welfare of its nation. I am sure that Nagorno Karabakh conflict
will be solved according to the rights if Azeri people," he said.

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DEVELOPMENT BUDGET NORMAL IN NKR

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 28 2006

November 27 a Draft Law "On the NKR’s State Budget for 2007" was
considered in the course of a sitting held in the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic /NKR/ Government.

While presenting the Draft Law to the Government’s members, the NKR
Minister of Finance and Economy Spartac Tevossian stated the state
budget’s revenues had been provided in the amount of 30902, 4 millions
drams, while expenditures – 32893, 9 millions drams. Deficit will
make 1991, 5 millions drams. 19402, 4 millions drams of the revenues
are expected to be received from RA as an interstate credit under
condition of repayment until January 1, 2010, rate 0, 01 % a year.

Summing up the sitting’s results, the NKR PM Anoushavan Danielian
took a favorable view of the measures taken on providing high rates
of the economy’s development and voiced confidence "as a result we’ll
have a normal development budget".

November 28 a government’s sitting will be held, after which the NKR
state budget will be brought before the Republic’s Parliament.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA REACHES OUT TO YOUTH TO PROMOTE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 28 2006

To expand the active involvement of young adults in the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA), Intern Coordinator Joseph Piatt met with
college students to introduce them to the Assembly’s Intern Programs.

According to the information DE FACTO got at the AAA, the eight-week
summer programs provide college students of Armenian descent the
opportunity to intern in Washington, DC and Yerevan while taking part
in a full schedule of educational, social and cultural activities.

Piatt has been traveling to several East Coast universities to meet
with Armenian student organizations, provide them with informational
materials and discuss his own experiences as a 2004 intern in
Washington, DC.

Concurrently, Assembly intern alumni joined Western Office Director
Lena Kaimian to help promote the internship programs to prospective
students. In California, Gregory Bandikian, Armine Bazikyan, Shant
Norhadian, Cate Norian and Nareeneh Sohbatian shared with students
their first-hand experiences as Assembly interns while Joel Cretan
provided a briefing on the program.

In addition, George Houhanisin and Harry Kezelian met with students
in Michigan while Arpi Paylan discussed her back-to-back internships
in Washington and Yerevan with Chicago area students.

"As a former Assembly intern, I am thrilled to see so many young
adults interested in the Internship Program and I hope, a future that
includes community and public service," said Board of Trustees Member
Lisa Esayian. "As the Washington Program prepares to enter its 30th
year, I urge students to invest in themselves, and sign up for this
once in a lifetime opportunity."

Students who are accepted into the Washington program will be
placed in congressional offices, think tanks, media outlets and
governmental agencies. Interns will have the opportunity to discuss
Armenian-American issues during meetings with U.S Representatives,
Senators, other government officials and noted academics through the
Capitol Ideas and Lecture Series programs as well as gain a better
understanding of the inner workings of the Nation’s Capital.

Meanwhile, students enrolled in the Yerevan program are typically
placed in Armenian governmental offices and inter-governmental
agencies. They will have the opportunity to experience life in their
ancestral homeland while gaining valuable work experience.

Applications for the Washington program, known as the Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program, as well as the Yerevan program, are
available online at Application deadlines are January
15 and February 15 respectively.

"ZERKALO": HUNDREDS OF AZERBAIJANIS LIVE IN EUROPE IN THE GUISE OF ARMENIANS

Democratic Azerbaijan
Nov 28 2006

It takes place in Holland to gain political asylum "Hundreds of
Azerbaijanis live in Holland who gained political asylum there
in the guise of Armenians", Nazim Ibrahimov, chairman of the
State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the issues of
Azerbaijanis living in foreign states, made such statement at the press
conference. Accordingly to him, recently he has been to Holland within
the frames of constituent conference of the Congress of Azerbaijanis
living in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg. Right there chairman
had opportunity to follow Azerbaijanis who gained political asylum,
dragging out a miserable existence. Many our compatriots left their
homes in Azerbaijan and under the guise of opposition representatives
with forged documents came to this country.

"The most deplorable fact is that some forces make these people
slander Azerbaijan state system, Azerbaijani authorities", N. Ibrahimov
said. Accordingly to him, recently group of Azerbaijanis in Netherlands
gathered at dinner and expected coming of chairman of Democratic
Party of Azerbaijan, Rasul Guliyev. "But Rasul Guliyev didn’t come. He
deceived them, as he did before", N. Ibrahimov underlined.

At the same time head of the Committee pointed to the circumstance
that such dinners and different kinds of events are organized
purposely. "Organizers of such events, under veil of diaspora
organizations, invite representatives of the Embassy of Azerbaijan
and our committee. When they come there they witness very doubtful
events", N. Ibrahimov said. Being in Holland head of the Committee
urged Azerbaijanis who gained asylum in Europe as opposition
representatives to return to Azerbaijan and start living here
normally. Further N. Ibrahimov expressed his concern about situation
of Azerbaijanis living in Russia. The matter concerns quite tough
decisions of Russian authorities with regard to non-Russian migrants.

Nevertheless head of the committee holds that the wish of Russia to
restrict activity of migrants in commerce doesn’t mean they want to
expel Azerbaijanis from this country. Accordingly to him decision of
the government concerns not only Azerbaijanis but also representatives
of other nations.

Registration of Azerbaijanis in Russia will solve the problem. In this
connection Azerbaijanis from Georgia are less lucky, as they may face
problems concerning registration. "And I’m afraid we can’t help",
N. Ibrahimov said. He also underlined that President of Azerbaijan
issued decree on "Solving problem of citizens of Azerbaijan involved
with commerce on the territory of the Russian Federation", in this
connection special commission was created.

Accordingly to him, delegation comprised of representatives of
the state committee visits Russia in 2 days to discuss problems
of Azerbaijanis living in Russia. During meetings with Russian
representatives I made certain that Government of Russia doesn’t
want to expel Azerbaijanis from country", he said. Accordingly to him
double citizenship is not way out. "We are not ready for it. Double
citizenship may cause many problems", N. Ibrahimov underlined.

REFUGEES FROM AZERBAIJAN SETTLING IN NKR

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 28 2006

Since the beginning of the current year about 240 families (over
600 people) have moved to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic /NKR/ from
RA and CIS countries for permanent residence, Head of Department for
migration of refugees and settlement of NKR Government Pavel Najarian
told DE FACTO agency.

In his words, most migrants are refugees from Azerbaijan of Karabakh
origin. One third of them are children.

The NKR state budget have allocated 1 milliard drams for the
settlement of migrants and refugees, which is 200 million drams more
as compared with the last year’s level. A family is given housing with
all conveniences and personal plots and allowances at a rate of 20,
000 drams per head. Besides, 0, 6 hectares of land are given to each
member of the family and loan to purchase a cow, seeds and diesel
fuel for the sowing.

POPE SEEKS BROTHERHOOD IN HOSTILE TURKEY
Richard Owen in Ankara and Sam Knight

The Times, UK
Nov 28 2006

"No red carpet for the Pope" said one Turkish headline today – and
indeed there were no banners, portraits or flag waving crowds of
the kind you normally see on papal trips abroad as Pope Benedict XVI
arrived for the most hazardous and delicate trip of his pontificate
so far.

But equally, despite noisy protests against the Popes visit over the
past few days and threats of violence, the streets of Ankara were
also devoid of demonstrators, partly because of a ferocious security
clampdown by Turkish police.

The Pope stepped from his Alitalia plane to meet Tayyip Erdogan,
the pro-Islamic Prime Minister, wearing a heavy white topcoat which
may or may not conceal a bullet proof vest. Vatican officials admit
the question of whether he should wear one was raised, but that the
pontiff was reluctant to do so.

The Pope appeared to nod understandingly when Mr Erdogan, who only
agreed to meet the pontiff at the last moment, explained that he had
leave immediately for the NATO summit in Riga.

The two men then spoke for twenty minutes in the VIP lounge of Ankara
airport and appeared keen to dispel tensions that have surrounded
the Pope in the Islamic world since he appeared to conflate Islam
and violence in a speech at the University of Regensburg in September.

The Pope said that he wanted to visit Turkey to "reiterate the
solidarity between the cultures" adding: "It is a democratic, Islamic
country and a bridge… I wanted to come to Turkey since becoming
Pope because I love this culture."

Mr Erdogan, a moderate leader who told the Turkish parliament
that he expected the rest of the country to welcome the Pope "with
our traditional hospitality", affirmed the pontiff as a figure of
tolerance.

"I explained to him that Islam is a religion of love and tolerance,
and the Pope agrees with me," he said. "He too gave the message that
Islam is a religion of love and peace."

But the first misunderstanding was not far away. After their meeting,
Mr Erdogan told journalists that the Pope, who as a cardinal said
that admitting predominantly Muslim Turkey to the EU would be "a grave
error against the tide of history", had now told him he hoped Turkey
would join.

"He told me, ‘We want Turkey to be part of the EU,’" said Mr Erdogan.

"It is an honourable commendation."

Vatican officials offered a slightly different version, saying the Pope
had told the Turkish leader that the Vatican "views with favour the
steps Turkey is taking toward fulfillment of the requirements of the
EU body", and had stressed that the Vatican was not a political entity.

Despite the miscommunication, the Pope’s remarks on a trip originally
intended to reconcile Roman Catholicism and the Orthodox church
but which has been overshadowed by the wider unease surrounding
Christianity and Islam, managed to strike a conciliatory note from
the start.

That good impression was followed by his first formal act on Turkish
soil, the laying of a wreath at the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder
of modern secular Turkey.

At the huge granite mausoleum, high on a hill in Ankara, we watched
the Pope listen attentively to an account of Ataturk’s life and the
significance of the mausoleum as a focus of Turkish national unity
before he mounted the steps in brilliant winter sunshine to lay
the wreath.

As he did so the muezzin call to prayer drifted across the rooftops
of Ankara, as if to remind the pontiff that he is in a predominantly
Muslim country – and that quite apart from the political question
of Turkey’s relation with the rest of Europe, Turks are also looking
to him to make amends for Regensburg, when he quoted a 14th century
Byzantine emperor criticising Islam for its lack of reason and amenity
to violence.

In an early attempt to undo the damage, he told the President of
Turkey, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, that Christians and Muslims enjoyed "a
mutual respect" based on the importance they attached to the sacred
and "the dignity of the person".

The Pope also recalled that one his predecessors, Gregory VII, had
told a North African Muslim prince in the eleventh century that they
both worshipped "the one God".

Tomorrow, the Pope will make the first of a number of Christian
appointments on his visit, travelling to celebrate mass at Ephesus,
the ancient city where St Paul lived for three years and where the
Virgin Mary is said to have lived after the death of the Christ.

He will be based for the rest of his visit in Istanbul, where police
said today that all "the necessary measures and observations of the
route the pope (will travel)" had been taken.

In the official climax to the visit, the Pope will be welcomed
by Bartholomew I, the leader of the world’s 250 million Orthodox
Christians, and, reflecting the Christian importance of Istanbul,
once the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, he will spend the next
two days meeting members of Turkey’s small Catholic community and
the leaders of the Armenian Orthodox church.

In Istanbul, Benedict XVI will also make the second papal visit to a
mosque, after John Paul II prayed in Damascus in 2001. And he will go
to the Haghia Sophia, the once Christian basilica that was converted
to a spectacular mosque but made a museum during the secular rule
of Ataturk.