LATVIAN PRESIDENT VOICED SATISFACTION WITH LEVEL OF POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 14:22 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ June 27 Armenian Ambassador to Latvia Ashot Galoyan
handed his credentials to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, reported the
RA MFA press office. During the meeting Vaira Vike-Freiberga voiced
satisfaction with the level of the political dialogue between the two
states and expressed hope that in the near future the potential will be
used for expanding cooperation between Armenia and Latvia. For his part
Ashot Galoyan remarked that Armenia sees Latvia as a reliable partner
within the European Neighborhood Policy and in the cooperation between
the Baltic and South Caucasian regions. Within the visit framework
Ashot Galoyan met with members of the Armenia-Latvia parliamentary
friendship group, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the Minister of Economy. The latter said Latvia is ready to form
an Armenian-Latvian intergovernmental committee for the elaboration
of economic programs and development of cooperation in various fields.

PUBLICATION OF KARABAKH PRINCIPLES WASN’T BRYZA’S PERSONAL DECISION
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 14:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group is expecting the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan to make decisions or proposes on the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, OSCE MG U.S. Co-chair
Matthew Bryza said in an interview with Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper. In
his words, the mediators say they cannot go forward without any
decision by the Presidents.
Bryza said the publication of the principles of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict was the decision by all of three Co-chairs taken before he
assumed the post. Some Armenian forces say I am trying to exert press
on Armenia, he remarked. “It’s impossible. My duty is to explain the
decision taken by the Co-chairs to the people,” he said. In his words,
the publication of the settlement principles cannot cause crisis in
any of the conflicting states. “This is a framework agreement and
the consent of the Armenian and Azerbaijani President is essential
for it. I cannot imagine how it can cause change of power, moreover
if the agreement is the consequence of the ongoing process,” Bryza
underscored adding that the agreement is not being imposed on any of
the sides in the conflict.

IS THERE PRESSURE ON BARGAVACH HAYASTAN?
Lragir.am
05 July 06
The Lragir.am has learned that recently Member of Parliament Ruben
Hairapetyan suggested in a friendly way that Gagik Tsarukyan, the
sponsor of the Bargavach Hayastan Party (Prosperous Armenia Party),
change his mind to open an office in Avan, the “native” community of
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.
For his part, Gagik Beglaryan, the head of the community of Center
also suggested that Gagik Tsarukyan should stop opening offices of
the Bargavach Hayastan Party in the Center of Yerevan and even close
down some offices.

PLACE OF REPUBLICANIZATION IS HARSNAKAR HOTEL
Lragir.am
05 July 06
The Lragir.am has learned from a source, who is aware of the movement
inside the government connected with the 2007 and 2008 elections,
that a meeting of Republican heads of communities and Republican or
Republicanized businessmen led by Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan took
place in mid-June. According to the same source, they will round up
again till July 10 at the Harsnakar Hotel owned by businessman, Member
of Parliament Ruben Hairapetyan, who is ready to be Republicanized
for the sake of Serge Sargsyan.
The Lragir.am has learned that these meetings are in the context of a
general “mobilization” of Republicans. In particular, Serge Sargsyan,
who also knows that some people hesitate over whose instructions
to carry out, Robert Kocharyan’s or Serge Sargsyan’s, wants to get
clear guarantees. Besides, the heads of communities must report on
the process of Republicanization. Besides, the final scenario of the
extraordinary conference of the Republican Party will be confirmed
at the Harsnakar Hotel.
Finally, our source assures that Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepyan
will also show up at the “rendezvous” at the Harsnakar Hotel.
And it means that the activity of the Union for Armenia Party
he initiated will diminish, or this political party will run
for parliament together with the Republican Party, although in a
recent news conference Member of Parliament Vahram Baghdasaryan,
a representative of the Union for Armenia Party, sounded quite
indefinitely about cooperation with the Republican Party.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IRAN DOES NOT BELIEVE ARMENIA?
Lragir.am
05 July 06
The Lragir.am has learned interesting details about the Iranian visit
of President Robert Kocharyan. Our source informs that the visit is
determined by the developments connected with the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline. It is not a secret that Armenia and Russia are negotiating
the sale of a section of the gas pipeline to the Russians, and quite
recently Gazprom has affirmed its likelihood to buy the gas pipeline.
Iran dislikes this. Our source assures that about 20 days ago the
secretaries of national security of Armenia and Iran had a phone
talk. Serge Sargsyan, the secretary of national security of Armenia
tried to persuade the Iranian side that Armenia is not likely to sell
its section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, our source said. We have
learned, however, that the Iranian party said directly that they do
not believe Serge Sargsyan and proposed discussing the question on a
presidential level, and Robert Kocharyan will personally refute the
news that the gas pipeline will be sold to the Russians.

HMAYAK WAS TURNED DOWN AGAIN
Lragir.am
05 July 06
Member of Parliament – political scientist – analyst Hmayak Hovanisyan
is said to have offered his membership and service to Samvel Babayan,
leader of the Dashink Party, on the condition that Babayan will charge
him with the ticket of the party, personnel problems and the power
of leading the ideological line of the party.
Our source says it is possible that Hmayak Hovanisyan’s step was not
voluntary, it was dictated by the link of the government, whom Hmayak
Hovanisyan traditionally served directly or indirectly. Thus both
home political problems and the question of the parliament mandate
of Hmayak Hovanisyan in 2007 is solved. Most probably, however,
the question is up in the air, because we have learned that Samvel
Babayan has rejected Hmayak Hovanisyan’s offer.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT OFFICIALLY WELCOMED BY IRANIAN COUNTERPART
IRNA website
5 Jul 06
Tehran, 5 July: Visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharyan was
officially welcomed by Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad at the
Presidential Office here on Wednesday [5 July].
In the welcoming ceremony, the national anthems of the two countries
were played and the two presidents reviewed a guard of honour.
The ceremony will be followed by a private session between the two
presidents.
The first round of official talks of the two countries’ delegations
will be held this afternoon. The talks will be presided by the two
presidents.
President Kocharyan arrived here at the head of a high-ranking
politico-economic delegation for a two-day official visit this morning.
On hand to welcome the Armenian president and his entourage upon
their arrival at Mehrabad International Airport here was Iranian
Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Energy Armen
Movsisyan and Deputy Foreign Minister Armen Kirakosian are accompanying
the president in this visit.
The Armenian president, during his two-day stay here, is scheduled
to hold separate meetings with senior Iranian officials including
Foreign Minister Mottaki.

IRAN POSTPONES EU DISCUSSIONS BY A DAY
By Slobodan Lekic
Associated Press Writer
AP
Wednesday July 5, 2006 1:01 PM
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) – Iran has postponed its talks with the European
Union on a package of incentives designed to defuse the standoff over
Tehran’s atomic program by a day, the EU said Wednesday.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who had been scheduled to
meet Wednesday with Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani,
said he was surprised by the move.
“I had made it clear to the Iranians and to Dr. Larijani that we want
to proceed rapidly to examine together the ideas I put to him early
last month,” he said in a statement.
He added that Larijani had assured him they would meet in Brussels
on Thursday.
There was no immediate explanation as to what had caused the delay
over what could be a crucial round of talks on the package put forward
by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.
In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki confirmed
there would be no talks Wednesday, but gave no reason or a new date.
“Today there will be no negotiations between Larijani and Solana,”
Mottaki told the official Islamic Republic News Agency on the sidelines
of a ceremony to welcome the president of Armenia to Iran.
The offer, delivered to Tehran by Solana early last month, includes
incentives for Iran such as nuclear expertise and reactors if it
accepts international oversight of its disputed nuclear program.
Iranian government officials have insisted they need to clear up
“ambiguities” contained in the package, and have brushed aside demands
that they respond by July 12, when foreign ministers of the five
permanent U.N. Security Council nations and Germany consult in Paris.
Earlier, EU officials said they did not anticipate Larijani to formally
respond to the offer, but only to seek clarification of several points
of the package – and perhaps to come up with a counterproposal.
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Iran to accept
the package, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair also pushed for
a quick reply.
Tehran repeatedly has asserted that its nuclear program, which includes
uranium enrichment, is peaceful and aimed at generating power.
But the U.S., Israel and the EU fear the research program is a cover
for the development of nuclear weapons.
Western diplomats have increased the pressure, saying they would
restart efforts to punish Iran through a possible Security Council
sanctions unless Tehran stops its nuclear activities and agrees to
talks by July 12.
Work on a Security Council resolution was suspended May 3 to allow the
six powers to draw up the plan of perks if Iran agrees to a long-term
moratorium on enrichment – or punishments that include the threat of
selective U.N. sanctions if it does not.
Possible U.N.-mandated sanctions include a visa ban on government
officials, freezing assets, blocking financial transactions by
government figures and those involved in the country’s nuclear program,
an arms embargo and a blockade on the shipping of refined oil products
to Iran.

CARDINAL OPPOSES TURKEY JOINING EU
Yerkir
05.07.2006 14:28
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The recent stabbing of a Catholic priest in Samsun,
northern Turkey, shows that Turkey is not ready for European Union
membership, according to the head of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Walter Kasper.
“It is not the right moment for Turkey to join the European Union. What
is still missing [in Turkey], is a secular state capable of assuring
real religious freedom, and this is a long process which needs time,”
he said on Tuesday.
Referring to the stabbing by a Turkish suspect of French priest Pierre
Brunissen late on Sunday, Kasper said the Catholic church believes that
“every act of violence committed in the name of God is an insult to
Him and to every religion.”
“Islamic fundamentalism is growing in Istanbul and there is hostility
towards foreigners,” Kasper explained.
“Europe can have a ‘special’ relation with Turkey, but this is not
the right time for more – Turkey should adapt to European culture
beforehand,” he concluded.

ESTONIAN LEADER STANDS FOR CLOSE COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA IN VARIOUS FIELDS
Yerkir
05.07.2006 16:37
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – June 29 Armenian Ambassador to Estonia Ashot
Galoyan handed his credentials to President Arnold Ruutel, reported
the RA MFA press office.
During the meeting Arnold Ruutel remarked that Estonia is ready to
cooperate with Armenia is political, economic and cultural fields. He
also expressed readiness to visit Armenia and give lectures on the
problems available in Armenia and ways of their solution.
During the visit to Estonia the Armenian Ambassador met with the
Estonian Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Vice-speaker of
the parliament and Political Director for External Affairs at the
Estonian MFA.