ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 27 2006
MONUMENT FOR VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND HOLOCAUST OPENS IN YEREVAN
“A crime against a whole nation cannot be forgotten,” said Chief
Rabbi of Armenia Gersh Meir-Burshtein at the opening of a Monument
for the Victims of Armenian Genocide and Holocaust in Yerevan.
He said that the Monument will serve a farewell speech for the
generations in order that they do not allow repetition of such
tragedies in future. “The silence on the point of Armenian Genocide
of 1915 led to the repetition of the tragedy during the World War II.
However, neither the Ottoman Turkey nor the Nazi Germany managed to
eradicate the cultural heritage of the Armenian and Jewish peoples,”
he said. “The world community must understand at last that conflicts
must be settled in a democratic way only,” Gersh Mein-Burshtein said.
In her turn, Head of the Department for Religion and National
Minorities, the Armenian Government, Hranuysh Kharatyan, indicated at
the indifference of the leadership of a number of countries to the
problem of xenophobia. Despite the public speeches of many public
organizations against this terrible phenomenon, no one is safeguarded
against racism, she said.
To recap, 6 million of Jews fell victim to the Holocaust during the
World War II. Earlier in 1915, 1,5 million of Armenians were killed
in the Ottoman Empire.

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 27 2006
PROTEST RALLY IN AKHALKALAKI AGAINST LOCAL OPPOSITION LEADER’S ARREST
IN ARMENIA
Today, a protest rally was held on the Square of Liberty in
Akhalkalaki (Georgia) against Vahagn Chakhalyan’s arrest in Yerevan,
October 11. Chakhalyan is one of the presidium members of the “United
Javakhq” Democratic Bloc.
Javakhq-Info says that the population of the nearby villages
participated in the rally. The demonstrators expressed indignation at
the absurd charge instituted against Chakhalyan for trespassing the
Georgian-Armenian border, and claimed his immediate release.
At the end of the rally, the demonstrators made a statement that they
will take more rigid measures if their claims are disregarded.

Koha Jone, Albania
26 Oct 06
Commentary accuses Albanian foreign minister of “negligence” on
Kosovo issue
by Donat Syla “Failed diplomacy”
At a meeting with a Serbian politician, Albania Foreign Minister
Besnik Mustafaj said, among other things, that “the question of the
status of Kosova [Kosovo] should not affect the process of bilateral
cooperation” and that “the relations we are building between our two
countries must be durable and long-term regardless of the positions
adopted by the two sides over Kosova’s status.” As the head of
Albanian diplomacy, Mr Mustafaj must know the saying that the enemy
of my friend is my enemy. Or, in other words, the enemy of my brother
is my enemy. This is what the Canon of the Mountains [traditional
social/legal code] said.
Yet, without overcharging the issue with nationalist ideology, as we
are being told that it is not fashionable to mention that in the 21st
century, we must remark that, besides the Kosova issue, bilateral
relations between Albania and Serbia contain many elements that
undermine Albania’s position with regard to Serbia, especially in the
economic and diplomatic fields.
Why is it so? Because, despite all the destruction the Serbian
economy has suffered in the past few years, it still has the
necessary infrastructures to rise, to recover and to advance, also
with the help of the international community. In other words, the
Serbian economy will be the main one in the Western Balkans. US
diplomacy is also interested in its revival, as Daniel Fried [US
assistant secretary of state] stated during a visit he paid to
Belgrade recently, when he said that the United States wished to have
Serbia as a strategic partner and a leader in the region.
However, Albania has been showing immaturity in the diplomatic field
too, although it knows full well that, during the war in Kosova,
Serbia provoked it more than once in border incidents.
Besides, Serbia is facing criticism from international opinion and it
has not yet met its most elementary obligations under international
justice, as it has not handed over some of its main criminals
responsible for genocidal campaigns in the former Yugoslavia.
Here it is worth recalling that a little while ago France condemned
the Turkish genocide of the Armenians, although this issue directly
affects not the French, but a nation in a corner of Europe that is
striving to become a member of the European Union.
Foreign Minister Mustafaj stated recently that the issue of Kosova’s
final status would be postponed to next year. What is upsetting in
our foreign minister’s statements is that the man has been preaching
something that is not good for Kosova, something that also implies
Albania’s responsibility in this issue, which is a manifestation of
utter negligence in so important a matter.
To a certain extent, Mustafaj has paved the way for the international
factor to work for a solution to the Kosova issue that does not take
into consideration the interests of the Albanians, still less of the
Albanians who live outside Albania’s borders.
It is rather surprising that Albania has taken some bold steps in its
foreign policy towards another Balkan state – Macedonia, in this case
– knowing that backing the request of the Macedonian Albanians to
have their own flag or the request of most Macedonians to have their
country named Macedonia runs counter to Greece’s aspirations to the
territories to the north of its borders. If Albanian diplomacy had
not backed down on its statements on this issue, Albania would have
risked losing a very important economic source, taking into account
that Greek investors play a major part in the Albanian economy and
also that there are a considerable number of Albanians living and
working in Greece.
At a news conference during a Balkan conference held in Serbia a few
days ago, President Moisiu said in so many words that there could be
no compromise over Kosova’s final status. This he did in an exchange
with Serbia’s President Tadic who, among other things, tried to
present Kosova as a country in which terrorism and crime thrived. And
despite all that, Serbia wants to have Kosova back in its midst.
It follows that Serbia has nothing against dealing with “terrorists,”
or rather, terrorizing those it calls terrorists.
This can well be expected from a Serbian president. However,
considering how Albanian diplomacy has been acting over the Kosova
issue, one can clearly say that it has failed in defending the
interests of the Kosovars, as according to the head of Albanian
diplomacy the Kosova issue should not affect Albania’s relations with
Serbia.
In the meantime, Serbia is resorting to all manner of pressure to
present Kosova in the worst possible light to the international
community. The “revolted” Albanian president has, however, seen the
mistakes of Albanian diplomacy.
A sinister fate is, as always, following us both in Kosova and
Albania and, what is worse, this is due to the political
shortsightedness of our politicians.

Rompres news agency, Romania
27 Oct 06
Romanian EU commissioner nominee denies collaborating with Securitate
Bucharest, 27 October: Liberal Senator Varujan Vosganian, who was
nominated for European commissioner from Romania, on Friday [27
October] rejected accusations of having collaborated with the
Securitate, the communist-era secret police. “I never had any kind of
collaboration with any Securitate bodies,” said Vosganian, adding
there is no document to prove the accusations levelled against him.
He said the whole affair was a manipulation stirred amid his having
been nominated for European commissioner.
Vosganian stressed that his post-1990 incomes came from the senator’s
pay, the Armenians’ Union, the Romanian Authors’ Union where he is a
vice-president, and from the two micro-enterprises where he is a
major shareholder.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
October 27, 2006 Friday
TURKEY WANTS TO GAIN A STRONG FOOTHOLD IN THE CAUCASUS;
The vice president of the parliamentary assembly of NATO thinks that
issue of the Gabalinskaya radar station may be raised when
development of Azerbaijan with NATO are developed
by Dzhasur Mamedov
CHAIR OF TURKISH DELEGATION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF NATO
VAHID ERDEM SPEAKS ABOUT MILITARY COOPERATION WITH AZERBAIJAN;
Interview of Vahid Erdem, chair of Turkish delegation to the
parliamentary assembly of NATO.
Question: There is no agreement on military and strategic alliance
between Azerbaijan and Turkey now. What do you think is the reason
for this?
Erdem: Turkey and Azerbaijan are natural strategic allies. I believe
that very soon this fact will be reflected in a certain agreement.
Question: Which place in the military policy of Turkey is assigned to
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia?
Erdem: Relations of the West and Turkey with Azerbaijan and Georgia
are developing in a very positive aspect. Oil and gas reserves gain
additional strategic positions for Azerbaijan. Integration of both
countries into Euro-Atlantic structures has huge importance for
security and social and economic development of the South Caucasus.
It would be possible only to welcome development of similar processes
in Armenia. However, occupation of a territory of Azerbaijan by this
country and hostile attitude to Turkey hinder development of their
relations.
Question: It is known that on the territory of Azerbaijan there is a
military object of Russia, namely the Gabalinskaya radar station. To
which extent do you think existence of such an object hinders
integration of Azerbaijan into NATO?
Erdem: In the framework of Partnership for Peace agreement NATO also
has relations with Russia. Russia withdraws its bases from Georgia. I
think that at the current stage the Gabalinskaya radar station is not
an obstacle for development of relations between NATO and Azerbaijan.
When Azerbaijan gets integrated into NATO it may put this issue on
the agenda.
Question: Which assistance can Turkey provide to Azerbaijan if it
starts combat operations for the purpose of liberation of its land?
Erdem: I hope that there will be no need for combat operations for
liberation of occupied territories. Armenia is in isolation now.
Yerevan has good relations only with Iran and Russia. Openness of
Armenia to the West and its social and economic development will be
possible after normalization of relations with Turkey. Turkey is
prepared to provide comprehensive support to fraternal Azerbaijan for
removal of the occupation.
Question: Quite recently, Azerbaijan established Ministry of Defense
Industry. What do you think can cooperation of the two countries in
the defense sector be like?
Erdem: Turkey is developing defense industry establishing joint
ventures and consortiums in cooperation with the US and European
countries. Getting integrated into Europe Azerbaijan can pass this
path together with Turkey. In the future it will be able to establish
joint ventures with Turkey.
Source: Voenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No, 40, October 18-24, 2006, p. 3

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
October 27, 2006 Friday
MILITARY BUDGET OF AZERBAIJAN WILL CATCH UP WITH BUDGET OF ENTIRE
ARMENIA
President of Azerbaijan Ilkham Aliyev announced, “Our military budget
will catch up with the budget of entire Armenia and will exceed it in
the future. Naturally, this circumstance will play a key and
indispensable role in search for a just solution for the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict about Nagorno-Karabakh.” Aliyev
released this statement speaking at a meeting of the cabinet of
ministers dedicated to discussion of social and economic results of
the first nine months of 2006. According to Aliyev, the state pays
much attention to military development. He said, “Next year, our
military budget will exceed $1 billion. I set this task two years
ago. Then our military budget amounted to $150 million.”
Source: Kommersant, October 24, 2006, p. 9

National Assembly of Armenia
Oct 26 2006
Ambassador of Kingdom of Sweden at National Assembly

On October 25 the President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran
Torosyan received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of
Sweden in Armenia Mr. Hans Gunnar Adén. The honorable consul of the
Kingdom of Sweden in Armenia Edit Khachatryan also attended the
meeting.
Mr. Hans Gunnar informed the President of the National Assembly about
the redistribution of political forces as a result of the September
elections noting, that four parties have formed a coalition. The
President of the Swedish Parliament was also newly elected. The
Ambassador noted that his appointment proves the intention of Sweden
to develop relations with Armenia. He also stressed the importance of
including Armenia in the New Neighbourhood Programme of the European
Union and expressed a hope that the Action Plan to be signed in
November will be implemented most efficiently and will launch new
opportunities of development for Armenia, contribute to the
strengthening of democracy and economic progress. The Ambassador of
the Kingdom of Sweden also touched upon the forthcoming general
elections noting that the elections themselves, as well as the
pre-electoral period are going to be at the center of attention of
Europe, and it is expected that Armenia will show political will in
order to provide elections complying with democratic standards. Mr.
Hans Gunnar Adén considers as the purpose of his mission the
deepening of Swedish-Armenian cooperation and the development of
inter-parliamentary relations.
The President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosyan noted that
there are certain relations between the two countries, but the
inter-parliamentary relations are not sufficiently developed and are
still being established within the framework of cooperation through
international organizations. The two parties also stressed the
importance of the development of inter-party relations, which will in
its turn contribute to the strengthening of relations between the two
countries. Highlighting the importance of the success of the European
integration policy adopted by Armenia, the President of the National
Assembly informed the Ambassador about the ongoing parliamentary
debates on the Electoral Code. He noted that in elaborating the draft
of amendments to the Electoral Code, the National Assembly closely
cooperates with the experts of CE and OSCE, and that there are all
the bases for adopting the Electoral Code till the end of the year,
and thus creating good legislative grounds for holding the elections.
Anyway, only the law is not enough for holding the elections in
compliance with democratic standards, and the political forces have
to create a favorable atmosphere in the country in order to succeed.
Both parties stressed the importance of the observers’ participation
in the elections and the objectivity and impartiality of their
evaluations.
During the meeting the parties also touched upon the works of
complying the legislation with the Basic law after the constitutional
amendments, which comprise the human rights protection, judicial and
self-government systems. The President of the National Assembly
highlighted the importance of these legislative reforms from the view
of political, social and economic development and noted that during
the last 5-6 years Armenia has reached good indices of economic
development, and that the social and political changes of the coming
3-4 years have to target the strengthening of democracy, and thus to
contribute to the further economic development.
During the meeting other issues of mutual importance were also
discussed.

RIA OREANDA
Economic News
October 27, 2006 Friday
Board of Directors Approves Acquisition of Additional Shares in
Armrosgazprom
Moscow. OREANDA-NEWS. The Board of Directors of Gazprom approved
Gazproms acquisition of additional shares in ArmRosgazprom.
As a result, the share of Gazprom in ArmRosgazprom will grow from 45
to 58 per cent.
ArmRosgazproms major business line is natural gas supply to Armenias
internal market. In addition, ArmRosgazprom is engaged in natural gas
transmission, storage, processing, distribution and marketing, gas
transmission system and UGS facility upgrading and expansion in the
Republic of Armenia.
The Board of Directors also agreed on Gazprom (UK) Ltds acquisition
of shares in UrdanetaGazprom-1 S.A. and UrdanetaGazprom-2 S.A.
(Venezuela).

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 27 2006
SERGE SARGSYAN MET WITH NATO CONSULTATION GROUP
October 26 Secretary of the Security Council under RA President, RA
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan met with the members of the NATO
international consultation group.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MOD Press
Service, Slovenia’s Plenipotentiary FM Damian Bergant, Advisor to
Lithuania’s National Defense Minister James Gribovsky, the U. K. MOD
official John Drievinkievich, Baltic Defense College Senior
Scientific Worker Margus Colgan, Director of Latvia’s Foreign Affairs
Institute Atis Lejins and others are in the foreign delegation.
In the course of the meeting the representative of the U. K. noted
the consultation group approved all the provisions of the RA national
security strategy draft referring to the development of the state and
civil society. Touching on the security issues the delegation’s
members discussed the geopolitical situation in Armenia and stated
two of four neighbor states – Azerbaijan and Turkey had blockaded the
border with Armenia, while other vitally important ways passed via
Iran and Georgia, where the situation is complicated too. Speaking of
Armenia’s foreign political course the delegation’s members remarked
it was mainly conditioned by the two issues, which are very important
for any Armenian – Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian Genocide in
Turkey. The guests stated under the circumstances Armenia had decided
to pursue a balanced policy.

Prime-Tass English-language Business Newswire
October 27, 2006 Friday 5:34 PM EET
Russia’s Gazprom brd OKs increasing stake in ArmRosgazprom to 58%
Russia’s natural gas monopoly Gazprom’s board of directors has
approved increasing the company’s stake in Armenia’s ArmRosgazprom to
58% from 45%, Gazprom said in a statement Friday.
Gazprom plans to purchase additional shares of ArmRosgazprom, the gas
giant said.
ArmRosgazprom, created in 1997, has a monopoly on imports and
distribution of Russian natural gas in Armenia. It also specializes
in transportation, storage, processing, distribution and sales of
gas, as well as in reconstruction and expansion of underground
storage facilities and gas transportation systems in Armenia.
At the present time Armenia’s Energy Minister owns a 45% stake in
ArmRosgazprom, while Russian natural gas producer Itera holds 10%.