COMPATRIOTS SHALL NOT RETURN
Kommersant, Russia
June 28 2006
Isolationist idea of “returning the compatriots” should be juxtaposed
to the idea of Big Russia President Putin urged the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to work with Russians living abroad “on a higher and more
substantial level.” This task is much more important and ambitious
than earlier promoted program of returning expatriates to Russia.
The idea of “returning the compatriots” is certainly more advantageous
for Russia’s domestic policy. The return of fellow countrymen is
seen as the unification of Russian nation and the general rise of
the country. Yet, the practical impact of the program of returning
will be insignificant. There are no more compatriots to return from
former Soviet republics, and not many would be willing to come back
from non-CIS countries. The program is rather image-oriented. Its
political popularity is the echo of isolationist ideology. For Russia’s
strategic interests, it would be better not to return compatriots,
but, strangely enough, to leave them abroad.
Russia does not have more or less exact data on the total number
of Russian emigrants of all waves, which alone tells much of its
attitude to Russian diaspora. According to Alexander Chepurin, head of
Foreign Affairs Ministry department for work with compatriots, Russian
diaspora amounts to 25-30 million people. According to the Center of
Demography and Human Ecology, some 20 million Russians live in CIS
and Baltic countries. So, 5-10 million live far abroad. The data of
US Bureau of Census for 2000 showed that 3 million people indicated
they are of Russian descent, and 706,000 people put down Russian as
the language they speak at home. President of the American University
in Moscow Eduard Lozansky, estimated that if linguistic proficiency
is the criterion, then Russian diaspora can reach 3-6 million people.
Despite such a big diaspora, Russia is practically indifferent to it,
and does not work with it. Meanwhile, a diaspora can play a very
significant role for the developing counties of the modern global
world. It may become a source of influence, a mechanism of building
relations, a bridge for technology import.
The economy of many countries relies greatly on the emigrants. Thus,
India received $21.7 billion through money transfers in 2005. World
Bank estimated that Russia received only $1.81 billion, which is very
little even compared to such countries as Serbia ($4.1 billion) and
Brazil ($3.6 billion). Many countries directly borrow from emigrants.
In the 1950s, Israel issued sovereign bonds for Jewish diaspora
in the U.S. and collected nearly $50 million. Later, China, India,
Pakistan, and other countries successfully obtained state loans from
their diasporas.
However, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Charles Sabel of World Bank believe the
influx of expatriates’ money is the least effective way of using fellow
countrymen who live abroad. They name Armenia as a bad example, where
nearly 3.5 million Armenians lived in 1990, and almost the same number
of Armenians lived abroad. The diaspora was organized well, it had
enough intellectuals and businessmen, but this did not help Armenia
to begin rapid modernization. One of the reasons is that Armenian
government regarded foreign Armenian elite as their competitors,
and was interested only in money influx, but did not want to involve
the diaspora into the life of Armenia.
China, on the contrary, is a good example. Researchers from World
Bank write that Chinese authorities managed to link the country to
global network of value added formation with the help of diaspora.
Foreign companies, owned by Chinese expatriates, joined into world
process of goods production in the course of many years of their
existence in the conditions of global economy. When Deng Xiaoping
proclaimed open-door policy in 1978, emigrants’ companies began
purchasing assets in China, move part of their productions there,
etc. Thus China established connections between itself and global
economy.
In a similar way, the success of Indian diaspora in Silicon Valley
and its connections in the U.S. attracted many foreign orders to
Indian IT-companies. It is notable that India did not need to draw
highly educated migrants back to their homeland. On the contrary,
migrants served India best being abroad.
The success of such strategies shows that a country should not isolate
itself from the outer world in the conditions of globalization. It
should not either regard its emigrants as casts-off, or try to make
them return. Russians in Russia and abroad should be regarded as
members of Big Russia, the borders of which in global economy exceed
its national frontiers.

AZERI FOREIGN MINISTRY ISSUES STATEMENT ON RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT
Author: E.Huseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
Statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry dated June 26, 2006 is
yet another testament to the regretfully unchanging non-constructive
position of the Armenian side on the conflict resolution, Trend cites
a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and, notably, the US Co-Chair Matthew Bryza
have indicated only the general outline of the individual principles of
stage-by-stage peaceful settlement, currently under discussion, which
can not be taken out of general context of the proposed document. This
creates prerequisites for lack of understanding or overlapping notions,
as well as for speculations such as the ones reflected in the statement
by the MFA of Armenia.
Definition of status is impossible under the conditions of continuing
occupation and ethnic cleansing and, accordingly, envisages liberation
of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and demilitarization of the
whole conflict zone, which, provided that appropriate international
security guarantees are in place, will create conditions for return of
the forcibly displaced population of Azerbaijan to their homes. This
is acknowledged by the Armenian leadership as well, the document
underlines.
The Azerbaijan side once again re-affirms being prepared to grant
Nagorno Karabakh highest status of self-rule within the framework of
the internationally-recognized territorial integrity of the Republic
of Azerbaijan and based on the current Constitution of Azerbaijan.
Such an approach, based on the norms and principles of international
law and constitutional, is the only possibility to reach durable
solution. With the aim of establishing inter-communal peace and
harmony, as well as creating objective conditions for defining the
region’s status, and also taking into consideration the perspective
of the region’s further development, Azerbaijan will be prepared
to review, in conformity with the precedents as existing in the
international practice, implementation of a complex of economic and
other incentives for the population of Nagorno Karabakh after the
restoration of its ethnic composition as of the pre-conflict period.
Position of Azerbaijan at the negotiations remains constructive and
meets interests of not only our multi-ethnic state, but also of the
international community as a whole. Any attempts to achieve changes
in the position through blackmail and threats, by using the tactic
of turning the occupied territories of our country into a hostage
and the element of bargaining, are doomed to failure. Territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan is not the subject of negotiations and will
never be. Along with that, the Ministry re-affirms Azerbaijan side’s
adherence to continuing talks to achieve lasting and fair peace in
the region. All blame and responsibility in case the peace process
is undermined will fall on Armenia, the statement emphasized.

ARMENIAN JUSTICE WALK BEGINS: MARCHERS LEAVE L.A. FOR WASHINGTON, D.C.
By Connie Llanos, Special To The Daily News
Los Angeles Daily News, CA
June 28 2006
Nearly a century after the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, the
descendants of those victims are finding new ways to heal old wounds.
Water coolers in hand and painful memories in their hearts, members
of the United Armenian Students kicked off their 3,000-mile Journey
for Humanity on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall on Tuesday. The
group, made up of Armenian college students, is marching 20 miles a
day until it reaches the nation’s capital in the hopes of educating
people about the Armenian genocide, as well as other atrocities
occurring throughout the world today.
“We have carried this pain for 91 years,” said Vahe Abovian, project
director for Journey for Humanity.
“We kept hearing `never again, never again,’ but it keeps happening,”
he said.
Abovian, 29, has taken a leave of absence from his job as deacon of
the Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church and has sent his wife and
two daughters to Armenia to reduce his expenses so he can afford his
five-month trip.
He feels compelled to make this sacrifice not only as an Armenian,
but as an ethical human being, he said.
“It is personal to me as an Armenian, but the issue of genocide is too
big to be trademarked as an Armenian or a Jewish issue,” Abovian said.
With the death toll in the Darfur region of the Sudan nearing 400,000,
Abovian stressed that recognition of genocides can lead to their
prevention in the future.
“The reasons for doing this are twofold,” Abovian said.
“We are trying to keep the memories of all genocide victims alive
and educating our society and we are demanding that no more crimes
against humanity happen,” he continued.
Richard Hovannisian, chairman of modern Armenian history at the
University of California, Los Angeles, said for many Armenians it is
the unresolved aspect of the genocide that causes the hurt to remain.
“It is 90 years after the fact, and the Turkish government will not
go on the record,” Hovannisian said.
Hovannisian also said that much of the drive behind the genocide
awareness movement stems from a belief that had the world paid
attention to the Armenian genocide, many other genocides could have
been prevented, including the Jewish Holocaust.
He added that youth involvement in the issue is important. “Their
idealistic streak should be encouraged,” Hovannisian said.
By Tuesday afternoon Glendale Community College student Albrik
Zohrabayan had marched 11 miles in 90-degree heat.
“I’m tired,” Zohrabayan said in a weakened voice. But he isn’t nervous
about his trip, despite the unknown territory and summer heat; he
only hopes people are open to the message he carries.
“We just hope they are going to support us. That’s all we care about.”

OSCE MONITORING MISSION REGISTERED NO VIOLATION OF THE CEASE-FIRE REGIME
ArmRadio.am
28.06.2006 17:56
At the request of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today the Office
of the Permanent Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office carried
out monitoring of the borderline between the Armed Forces of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in the direction of Aghdam, near Yusifjanlu settlement.
Press Service of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the
monitoring was held according to the preset schedule and no breaches
of the cease-fire regime were registered.
Representatives of NKR Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs
accompanying the OSCE Monitoring Mission noted that despite the
assertions of the Azeri side on arsons on territories under NKR
control, the monitoring did not reveal such facts.

ROBERT KOCHARYAN SENT A TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE TO RF PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN
ArmRadio.am
28.06.2006 18:10
Today President Robert Kocharyan sent a telegram of condolence to
RF President Vladimir Putin connected with the death of the Russian
diplomats kidnapped in Baghdad.
“Dear Vladimir Putin,
It was with pain and irritation that Armenia learned about the harsh
treatment of the Russian diplomats in Baghdad, who became innocent
victims of terrorism.
The accident once again confirms the inhuman nature of terrorism and
proves the undelayable necessity of fighting all of its expressions.
Let me express sincere sympathy and condole with you, the families
and friens of the victims, as well as the whole people of the Russian
Federation.

INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS RUSSIA CONCERNED ABOUT ILLEGAL MIGRATION
RIA Novosti, Russia
June 28 2006
YEREVAN, June 28 (RIA Novosti) – Illegal migration has become one of
the most pressing problems facing the world today, Russia’s interior
minister said Wednesday.
Russia has seen an unprecedented inflow of illegal migrants following
the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Interior Ministry estimates
the number in Russia’s Far East alone at between 400,000 and 700,000,
but the true figure may be higher.
“Illegal migration has become a serious problem, as it is closely
related to terrorism, international organized crime, drug trafficking
and trade in people,” Rashid Nurgaliyev told a joint Russian-Armenian
interior ministries’ session in Yerevan, the Armenian capital.
He said that, as a transit country, Russia was particularly interested
in cooperation in the field, both multilateral and bilateral, and
added that interaction with Armenia would be prioritized.

ARMENIA’S OCCUPATION OF 20 % OF AZERI LAND NEGATIVELY AFFECTS NARCOTIC SITUATION IN THE REGION
Author: R.Agayev
TREND, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
Armenia’s occupation of 20 percent of Azeri land negatively
affects narcotic situation in the region. One of popular
routes of drugs transportation is Afghanistan-Iran-occupied
Azeri grounds-Nagorno-Karabakh-Armenia-Georgia-Europe and
Afghanistan-Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia. These statements have been made
in the report performed by Colonel Mazahir Aliyev, deputy Chief of
Anti-Drug Board, at international conference “Routes of drugs delivery
from Afghanistan” in Moscow.
The reports states “Azerbaijan’s geostrategic location is very
attractive for drug dealers trying to use its territory for drugs
transportation to Europe”. Aliyev said Azerbaijan repeatedly raised
and raises the question of joint monitoring at its occupied grounds
by international structures but no such structure responds to its
incentives. “There are most favorable conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh
to plant drugs. Armenia conceals this fact and we are to suggest it
makes a good business with that”, – he outlined.
Aliyev said also occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 adjacent areas
resulted in loss of control over 123km long section of Azeri-Iranian
border. He highly appraised the interaction between Azerbaijan and
Iran. Iran, he said, was highly appraised by UN too for its struggle
against drug dealing. However, some problems, including those on
Azeri-Iranian border, that shall be solved in cooperation.
Speaking of reports by UN, OSCE, EU, NATO, Interpol, CSTO and a
number of other international organizations, Aliyev said ‘we do not
oppose the facts international authorities reveal. Just contrary,
it is good for Azerbaijan, as well as al such conferences”.
During 2001-2005, Azerbaijan’s law-enforcement authorities revealed
10,709 cases linked to illegal turnover of drugs. 822kg of various
drugs have been ceased. From this amount 554kg is marijuana, 119kg
opium and 35kg heroine and so.

NO FACTS OF ARSON REPORTED
Lragir.am
28 June 06
The news agency ARKA, referring to the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
reports that no violations of the ceasefire were reported during the
monitoring of the Karabakh and the Azerbaijani front line near Aghdam
on June 28. On the side of Karabakh the monitoring was conducted
by the field assistants to the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Peter Keen, U.K., Jiry Aberlen, Czech, and Gunter
Volk, Germany. They were accompanied by the representatives of the
NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense.
Despite Azerbaijan’s statements, the participants of the monitoring did
not find facts of arson of settlements in the territories controlled
by the Armenian forces.

TAKE YOUR PLACE, QUICKLY, GO!
Melik Avanyan
Lragir.am
28 June 06
The most recent statement of the new co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Mathew Bryza set the societies of the conflict parties on alert.
First, the Armenian government had a nervous breakdown, then Azerbaijan
went for its hobby – militaristic statements. Safar Abiyev, the
Azerbaijani minister of defense, directly addressed his Armenian
counterpart Serge Sargsyan, proposing him not to “show off”. He even
called on the co-chairs not to go that far.
However, the most worrying thing is that everything that is going on
does not seem to concern certain Armenian high-ranking officials,
who are responsible for the security of the country. Let alone the
commissioned officers, who are busy reaping their wheat fields. They
are simply the product of the general atmosphere, and one cannot
demand anything from them. It is not surprising either that Arkady
Ghukasyan cannot make himself stay at his office.
However, when the minister of defense acts as if enhancing the
effectiveness of the army is not his duty, it cannot be explained in
any way. Well, they played chess, before that they had attended to the
university. However, it appears that even this threat is unable to make
him give up political games. Or maybe he thinks that defense is not
his job. His friends may keep saying that own future is more important
than the security of the country. Everything is clear about them. He
is going to answer for every consequence of these games, however,
and at that time he is sure not to find these friends beside him.
The fear for one’s own future and temptation not to miss the chance
of improving their lives is typical of many people. However, there
is a measure to everything, and nobody wants to suffer because of
the criminal indifference of officials. It is unclear why the former
ministers of defense Vazgen Manukyan and Vagharshak Harutiunyan, who
announced several months ago that Serge Sargsyan’s activities weaken
the morale of the army, and it is necessary to depose him, suddenly
became silent. Is it possible that they cannot see the threat that
emanates from the behavior of this irresponsible person?
The election of 2007 made the political beau monde of Armenia blind.
The fear of losing their offices and wealth made most people forget
about the country and people. Everything that happens around is viewed
in the light of their own future. This is their problem however,
and destiny will give their answer. But should the others necessarily
lose something to think about punishing these officials?
In the meantime, the losses may be strategic, it is possible to lose
everything that people achieved over the past years. If those who are
supposed to realize their responsibility fail to realize, others should
realize it and explain it to the former, for it is possible that over
the years of total irresponsibility they could have lost efficiency.

GULIYEV: “HUNGARY COURT OF APPEAL CAN CHANGE RAMIL SAFAROV’S SENTENCE WITH 10-15 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
“Struggle is on in legal sphere in Hungary Court of Appeal for
relieving Ramil Safarov from his sentence.
We think that this might change Ramil Safarov’s sentence with 10-15
years of imprisonment.” This statement was made to journalists by
Ramil Safarov’s Rights Defense Coordinating Council member Azay
Guliyev.(APA). Azay Guliyev has stated that no announcement is given
to press related to the activity of Coordinating Council. Because,
some groups make use of it. The experience showed that these kinds
of things did not help Ramil Safarov. Armenians made use of Court
process and achieved the most hard punishment to Ramil Safarov.
Everybody knows that the punishment given to Ramil Safarov is not
adequate to his deed.