MORE COUNTRIES RATIFY GLOBAL TREATY BANNING NUCLEAR TEST EXPLOSIONS
AP Worldstream
Jun 27, 2006
Seven countries have ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty since November, the Vienna-based organization that administers
the accord said Tuesday, bringing to 132 the number of nations that
have endorsed the pact.
The countries were Antigua and Barbuda, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Haiti,
Suriname, Vietnam and Zambia, said Volodimir Yelchenko, chairman of
the organization’s preparatory commission established to prepare for
the treaty’s entry into force.
However the treaty, which bans all nuclear explosions, will not enter
until it has been ratified by 44 states _ listed in an annex _ who
participated in a 1996 disarmament conference and who possess nuclear
power or research reactors
Only 34 of those have so far done so, Yelchenko said. The holdouts
include the United States, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North
Korea.
According to the organization’s Web site, Haiti ratified the treaty
_ adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and opened for
signature in New York in September 1996 _ in December 2005 and the
rest this year.
Yelchenko said Vietnam’s ratification was “very crucial” because the
country was listed on the annex.
“All of us think that ratification by Vietnam will also give a very
powerful signal to some other countries of the region, for example
Indonesia, who are quite close to the completion of the ratification
process,” Yelchenko said.
Ethiopia and Armenia also have ratified the treaty but have yet to
deposit official legal papers at United Nations headquarters, said
Tibor Toth, the preparatory commission’s executive secretary.

ERDOGAN’S ISLAMIST PARTY LEADS STATE TO DEMOCRACY
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 15:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ I should say that changes take place in Turkey. How
much paradoxical it may sound but the Islamist line pursued by
Recep Tayyip leads the country towards democratization. Islamists
wish to limit the role of the General Staff in the home and foreign
policy. The period launched by the young Turks and Kemal Ataturk
comes to an end, Head of the Department of Turkey of the National
Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Doctor Ruben Safrastyan stated in an
interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
The incumbent government stands for Islam which promotes the process
of European integration. Erdogan can become Turkey’s new president
and this will mean the final end of Kemalists represented by President
Ahmed Necet Sezer. Of course there is a risk. If the positions of the
military weaken we will have to deal with unpredictable Turkey. But
it’s premature to speak of it yet.

“ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS NOT SUBJECT TO DISCUSSION,” CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS STATES IN ISTANBUL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 27 2006
ISTANBUL, JUNE 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “The Armenian
Genocide is a reality of 90 years. This issue is not subject to
discussion for our people,” Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians
stated at the press conference taken place in Istanbul.
Karekin II Catholicos emphasized that “similar events must be condemned
by all peoples for the mankind escapes their repetition.”
According to the Istanbul “Marmara” daily, His Holiness mentioned
that all countries, except Turkey, accept the fact of the Armenian
Genocide, as, according to him, there are numerous facts proving the
reality of the Genocide.
Responding the question on the occasion of the last conferences on
the Armenian cause held in Turkey, His Holiness stated that if those
scientific conferences are held to arise the society’s awareness
about the truth, then it is very good, “but if they are organized
for political purposes, they may not serve their goal.”
The Istanbul visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians was covered
by the Turkish press as well. The material relating to the press
conference of His Holiness is entitled in the “Zaman” daily like this:
“The Armenian Patriarch’s Exciting Commentary;” “Radical” used the
title “Karekin II – Genocide is Truth;” “Miliet” wrote “Patriarch:
Recognize the Genocide.” It is interesting that the Turkish newspapers
used the word “Patriarch” instead of the word “Catholicos.”
Turkish newspapers mention that the Armenian Patriarch expressed
satisfaction with the air flights being continued between Turkey
and Armenia. Catholicos of All Armenians mentioned that Armenia has a
great wish to settle its relations with Turkey. His Holiness Karekin II
reminded that Armenians, how much they are spread all over the world,
have their state, so, according to him, the Republic of Turkey must
speak with the state of Armenia.
Responding the question concerning demonstrations of complaint
organized by Turk nationalists on the first day of his visit, His
Holiness mentioned that he visits Constantinople for the first time,
and that those demonstrations had no influence on his impressions. He
expressed a hope that no similar demonstrations will be during the
next visit.

U.S. INTERESTED IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS NORMALIZATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:07 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “From the geopolitical standpoint, the
U.S. is interested in normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey. The U.S. really considers normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations within the context of the Nagorbno Karabakh
conflict settlement. This is one of the fundamental issues of the
American-Turkish consultations. I think normalization of relations
is more profitable for Armenia rather then for Turkey,” Head of the
Department of Turkey of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia,
Doctor Ruben Safrastyan stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
“As for the Russian-Turkish relations, they can be characterized
as geo-strategic armistice which may result in signing of an
agreement. Presently the situation in the South Caucasus is like that
of December 1917. History proves that when Russia leaves the South
Caucasus Turkey occupies its place immediately. Now the U.S. joined
the process. Using the Iranian factor Turkey will increase influence
with the U.S. assistance. Who will replace Putin? Much depends on
this fact. If a man like him comes to power the priorities will be
preserved. If others come everything will become unclear. I do not
rule out return of oligarchs,” he underscored.

MONUMENT TO A-320 CRASH VICTIMS TO BE INAUGURATED IN YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The commission formed over the crash of Armavia-owned
A-320 held a sitting in Yerevan today, reported the RA government’s
press service.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Pavel Safaryan said over 88
million drams was transferred to the account opened for the relatives
of those killed in the crash. The commission decided to pay 1 million
drams for each victim. Besides 2 million will be assigned as financial
aid to the relatives of two Georgian citizens killed in the crash,
since the Georgian government has not renders any assistance.
1 million 400 thousand drams will be assigned for the erection of
a monument to the crash victims. The monument will be presumably
inaugurated near the Church of Surb Sargis, Mayor of Yerevan Yervand
Zakharyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERGEY TARAN: RUSSIA MAINTAINS INFLUENCE ON AZERBAIJAN THROUGH KARABAKH PROBLEM
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh problem doesn’t find solution
since Russia tries to maintain its influence upon Azerbaijan, Director
of the Ukrainian International Institute of Democracy Sergey Taran
stated. In his words, with the GUAM membership Azerbaijan has created
the possibility to counterbalance Russia’s influence.
“Besides, energy issues are important both for Azerbaijan and
Ukraine. If the GUAM accomplishes its energy projects, for example oil
and gas delivery to Europe, it will mean that Russia’s influence will
face serious alternative. Thus Azerbaijan will have the possibility
to solve the problems, including the Karabakh one,” Taran remarked.

FIRE IN KARABAKH SET BY AZERIS?
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the very first day of the PACE session the
members of the Azeri delegation spread documents, photos and videos
on the fires in the NKR security zone. As head of the RA parliament
Tigran Torosian told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, this was a predictable
move. “I know that materials of the kind will be spread and had a
conversation with NKR parliament speaker Ashot Ghulian. It would be
good if the NKR officials comment on the issue, because press reports
of igniting bullets with the help of which Azeris set fire to dry
glass,” Torosian said.
According to head of the information and propaganda department at
the NKR Defense Ministry, colonel lieutenant Senor Asratyan, these
rumors are not confirmed. “The Ministry has not registered any arsons
of grass and woods,” he said.
To note, the Azeri delegation to the PACE has launched collection of
signatures among the PACE members.
Parliamentarians from Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Canada and some other
states have already put signatures to the document.

SITTING OF PACE SUBCOMMITTEE ON KARABAKH TO BE HELD JUNE 29
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sitting of the PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno
Karabakh will be held June 29 within the framework of the PACE
summer session, deputy head of the Azeri delegation to the PACE
Gyultekin Hajiyeva said. She said Azeri delegation head Samed Seidov
and Armenian delegation head Tigran Torosian will be present at the
sitting. “Lord Russell Johnston and co-rapporteurs of the OSCE MG
will also take part in the sitting,” Hajiyeva said. In her words,
the issues referring to Nagorno Karabakh will be discussed with the
participation of representatives of Finland, Italy, Turkey and other
states, reported Trend news agency.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA TO CONTINUE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS IN CIS, VLADIMIR PUTIN SAID
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 17:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia will continue peacekeeping mission in the CIS
member states despite provocations, Russian President Vladimir Putin
said at a conference in the RF Foreign Ministry. At that the Russian
President remarked that presently Russia immediately takes part in
the settlement of conflicts in the post soviet space. Mr Putin also
stated of the necessity of opening talks on the replacement of the
American-Russia treaty on strategic offensive armament, which expires
in 2009. In Putin’s words, “standstill is expected in the disarmament
field” and the dialogue should be resumed, reported Echo of Moscow.

ISA GAMBAR: BAKU GAVE OK ON REFERENDUM IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 17:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The latest statements by OSCE Minsk Group
U.S. Co-chair Matthew J. Bryza prove that the Azerbaijani authorities
gave ok on conduction of referendum in Nagorno Karabakh, Musavat party
leader Isa Gambar stated in Baku. In his words, every time before
elections the ruling power promises international organizations to
agree with the proposes on the conflict settlement, which “damage
national interests of Azerbaijan.” “However after the elections the
authorities understand that they cannot keep the promises and try to
change their position and justifying themselves to the international
organizations,” Isa Gambar.
He also stressed that the statements that 2006 will be the decisive
year for the settlement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict prove that
some promises were received from the Azerbaijani leadership. “Now
the experts are disappointed and urge the authorities to fulfill the
obligations. They anchor hopes with the meeting of the Presidents
likely to be held within the framework of G8 summit in Saint
Petersburg,” Isa Gambar said.