WELCOME UPWARD?
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
19 June 06
The great American maneuvers are gathering momentum. While the Armenian
community was speaking about the recall of John Evans, the United
States took up the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, and replaced Stephen
Mann by Mathew Bryza. At first the rotation of the co-chair seems
to be determined by the aspiration of the United States to reach a
breakthrough in the settlement. It is interesting, however, why the
United States trusts the settlement of the conflict over Karabakh to
a State Department official, who deals with the energy sector. Either
Bryza’s profile changed, or the United States is changing the profile
of the settlement of the conflict over Karabakh.
The latter seems to fit the political strategies of the United States
better, which is based on the energy infrastructures of the region.
And it is not surprising or strange. After all, what is the most
powerful weapon of Russia in the South Caucasus? Of course, the
“switch.” Consequently, in order to undermine Russian influence the
United States needs to seize the switch from Russia or supply the
region from another switch. The United States has probably chosen
the second. It was not accidental that the United States was highly
interested in eliminating or relieving consequences, when the Russian
gas pipeline was blown up in January.
Even there was information that the United States mediated Azerbaijan
to supply gas not only to Georgia but also Armenia. This information,
by the way, was not refuted officially. Besides it is important that
during Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the United States neither Iran nor
Karabakh was the primary issue. Bush’s announcements during Aliyev’s
visit were mostly on partnership in the sphere of energy. Hence, it is
not unexpected that an official specializing in energy is engaged in
the settlement of an ethnic confrontation. By the way, the “evolution”
of the OSCE Minsk Group American co-chairs displays the dominance of
energy-based moods of the United States in this process.
Rudolf Perina was replaced by Stephen Mann, the special envoy of
the U.S. President to the Caspian region and the “godfather” of
Baku-Ceyhan. Mann’s specialization is further developed by Bryza.
Therefore, for the United States the conflict over Karabakh as such
does not need a settlement any more. It does not damage the energy
interests of this country.
On the contrary, every effort for settlement may become a serious
obstacle or threat for the energy policies of the Unites States.
Hence, in the framework of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
the Unites States is regulating other processes. It was not accidental
that Bryza’s appointment to Armenia aroused a rather nervous reaction
of the government.
Everything looked differently, however. The minister of defense
had an unprecedented visit to Brussels, where he smiled a wider
and longer smile shaking hands with NATO officials than even his
smile at Azatutiun Square on the occasion of the victory on the chess
olympiad. Perhaps only Mathew Bryza had smiled a wider smile in Yerevan
when he announced on March 7 that the United States started building
upward democracy, which was perceived as a call for revolution. Maybe
it was worthwhile to smile a wider smile than Bryza’s in Brussels to
have the West believe that his smile was frank, and to announce in
Yerevan that there is no demand for revolution, for the community to
be convinced that the smile was not frank.
However, it is certainly very difficult to smile in Brussels and make
a statement in Yerevan at the same time. However, a friend in need is
a friend indeed. On June 16 Artashes Geghamyan announced in Yerevan
that the results of a poll conducted by Gelap suggest that 70 percent
of the population of Armenia is against revolution. In other words,
why are you coming, Bryza? However, lo and behold, Bryza is not coming
alone, and the new ambassador to Armenia is coming along. More exactly,
the former is leaving. As well as new representatives of American
organizations are coming. And it is at least strange that the leader
of an opposition party announces at this moment that the public does
not want a revolution. But who said that the new Americans are coming
for a revolution? Maybe they are just replacing the old ones. Why are
our old ones anxious and smiling “downward”? They say they laugh in
the end. But how did they know that it is the end?
From: Baghdasarian

RA FOREIGN MINISTER OFF TO UKRAINE
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 10:26
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan will start on an official visit
to Ukraine today. During the visit the Foreign Minister is scheduled
to meet the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, Prime Minister
Yuri Yekhanurov and Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyuk.

CONSULTATIONS TO BE HELD AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 10:55
Groups and factions of the National Assembly will hold consultations
today to decide the future steps over the draft law on “Implementing
amendments in the Electoral Code.”
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has already drawn
its conclusions about the bill. It is expected that during summer
months the Parliamentary groups and factions will adjust the draft
of amendments to the Electoral Code, considering the conclusion of
European experts.

FIVE SPORTSMEN OF ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD YOUTH GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIP
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 11:05
Five sportsmen of Armenia will participate in the World Youth
Gymnastics Championship to start today in Portugal.
The Armenian team comprises Rudik Balasanyan, Armen Baldryan, Hripsime
Hovhannisyan, Nune Arevshatyan and Ani Kosakyan.

BAKU SUGGESTS SHORT TERMS OF RESOLVING THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 12:27
“Baku is ready to provide the highest level of autonomy to
Nagorno-Karabakh, including the status equal to the one of Tatarstan
within the Russian Federation,” the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Elmar Mammadyarov said, Day.az. informs.
“The Constitution of Tatarstan, for instance, allows opening
representation of the republic in a foreign country,” Elmar Mammadyarov
noted, adding that the issue of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh
should be resolved earlier or later, and Baku suggests settling
the question within short terms. For this, however, it is important
to create necessary conditions to allow Azerbaijanis residing here
participate in the process. Mammadyarov declared that in the course
of time Azerbaijan will get even more powerful, therefore “Karabakh
Armenians should realize that for their own prosperity they had better
stay Azeri citizens.”

OSCE MEDIA FREEDOM REPRESENTATIVE TO VISIT ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 13:48
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, will
visit Armenia from 19 to 21 June to collect first-hand information
on the media in the country.
The visit, which comes at the invitation of the Armenian Foreign
Ministry, will help assist the country in further promoting free and
pluralistic media in pursuance of its OSCE commitments.
The Representative will meet President Robert Kocharyan, the Chairman
of the National Assembly Tigran Torosyan, Deputy Foreign Minister
Armen Baibourtian, and Deputy Justice Minister Gevorg Kostanyan.
Miklos Haraszti will also have discussions with the President of the
Council of Public TV and Radio Company of Armenia, and the President
of the National Commission for Television and Radio, as well as
representatives of State and independent media, international and
non-governmental organizations.

SAFAR ABIEV: NO RESULTS IN THE SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT SO FAR
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 14:08
“Despite the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, there are no results in
the settlement of the Karabakh issue so far, and it makes necessary
the activation of mediator countries,” declared Azeri defense
Minister Safar Abiev during the meeting with the Commander of US of
Transportation Command, General Norton Schwartz, Day.az reports.
“Considering that the US is one of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,
I would like that it activated the efforts in this direction to find a
fair resolution to the conflict within the norms of the international
law,” Abiev underlined.

DECODING OF THE BLACK BOXES OF THE CRASHED A-320 COMPLETED
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 14:32
Decoding of the parameter recorder of the crashed A-320 was completed
at the Interstate Aviation Committee. In the result it was confirmed
that “the plane did not crash in the air.” The fuel would suffice
to safely complete the flight. At the last minute of the flight the
autopilot was tuned off.
The Committee undertook the complex analysis of the means of objective
control recording, durimg which it is planned to “hold modellling of
the flight on the A-320 flight simulator.
In the result of analysis and investigation conclusions will be
drawn about the reason of the air-crash and instructions will be
given regarding the security of the flight. The Interstate aviation
Committee did not inform when the conclusion will be ready.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO MEET IN VIENNA
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 14:42
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are expected to meet in Vienna, Russian
Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov told “Trend”Agency.
The meeting will be held in the framework of the sitting of the OSCE
Permanent Council. Mattew Bryza will replace Steven Mann as US Co-Chair
of the Minsk Group. He will be officially presented in Vienna.
Merzlyakov noted that it will be possible to make any comments on
the current situation of the Karabakh conflict settlement and the
further steps only after the meeting in Vienna.

PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS AND FACTIONS DISCUSS THE AMENDMENTS TO RA ELECTORAL CODE
ArmRadio.am
19.06.2006 15:23
June 13 the preliminary conclusion of the Venice Commission on the
draft of amendments in the Electoral Code of Armenia was placed on
the official website of RA National Assembly. However, the groups
and factions of the National Assembly received the above-mentioned
document on June 15. Today representatives of the Parliamentary groups
and factions expressed their opinion about the suggestions of the
Venice Commission.
One could infer from the answers that only those from the “Justice”
block were familiar with the preliminary conclusion of the Venice
Commission.
According to Stepan Demirchyan, most of the Venice suggestions are
acceptable.
“However, in case our suggestions are not accepted by the majority,
we’ll withdraw our signatures from the bill,” Stepan Demirchyan said.
Head of the “Justice” block calls attention to another issue. It is
noted in the same conclusion of the Venice Commission that at last
the most essential is the implementation of the Electoral Code.” “It
can be changed endlessly. The same European observers were saying
in 2003 that the Electoral Code in force provided the opportunity
to hold normal elections. Not only the Law guarantees the conduct of
fair election,” Stepan Demirchyan noted.
Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation faction Hrayr Karapetyan
promises to express his opinion after the discussions.
The “National Unity” will also speak after the discussions, during
the fall session of the National Assembly.
Artashes Geghamyan considers that expressing opinion about the
suggestions from Venice is a matter of concern, “It means we have
reached a stage when any news from Venice is either a ring-buoy
or a verdict for us. It is very troublesome, since it means that
the Armenian legislative mind has been exhausted, as there are no
corresponding lawyers in Armenia, who will be able to develop an
Electoral Code in commitment to international standards and present
it to the consideration of its own people, and not Europe.”
Head of the Republican Party faction Galust Sahakyan promises there
will be no obstacles on the part of the Republican Party and the
coalition, and the Electoral Code will include all those suggestions,
which will be adopted through a political consensus.