Israeli minister offers security cooperation to Azerbaijan
ITV, Baku
8 Jun 06
[Presenter] Mutual interests of Azerbaijan and Israel involve
cooperation not only in energy and other economic spheres, but also in
security, the minister of national infrastructure of Israel, Binyamin
Ben-Eliezer, has said at a news conference he held on the outcomes of
his visit to Azerbaijan. The minister also said that the gas exported
to Europe via a gas pipeline under the Caspian Sea is of great
importance for Israel.
[Correspondent] Along with cooperation in energy and other economic
spheres, Israel and Azerbaijan share common strategic interests.
Therefore, Israel is interested in cooperating with Azerbaijan in all
areas, the minister of national infrastructure of Israel, Binyamin
Ben-Eliezer, said.
Israel is a potential buyer of the high-quality Caspian oil
transported to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, he said. In addition, like
many other countries, Israel wants to base its energy consumption on
gas.
[Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, captioned, speaking in English with Azeri
voice-over] We have researched the importance of Caspian gas which is
to be transported to Europe via the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline. Hence,
we came to Baku with leaders of the business community. I believe that
before I leave for Israel, my visit will achieve its task of taking
relations between Azerbaijan and Israel to a higher level. From now
on, Israeli businessmen are ready for broader cooperation with
Azerbaijan.
Since Azerbaijan is a strategically important country for us, we can
cooperate not only in energy and other economic spheres, but also in
security. [Correspondent] The minister also said that the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main [oil] export pipeline is crucial not only for
Azerbaijan and the region, but also for a number of leading Western
states and for Central Asia.
[Binyamin Ben-Eliezer] The pipeline is not important for one nation or
one country. Azerbaijan and Turkey, which currently ensure the
security of the pipeline, are independent states and are able to see
the difference between economy and security issues.
[Correspondent] The minister said he was satisfied with the rapid pace
of development in Azerbaijan over the recent years and with the
results of his visit.

Schweizerische Depeschenagentur AG (SDA)
SDA – Service de base français
9 juin 2006
Micheline Calmy-Rey en Arménie Conflit du Nagorny Karabakh: le
pétrole pourrait changer la donne Eclairage Par Anja Germond, ATS
Berne (ats) Le conflit du Nagorny Karabakh, que Micheline Calmy-Rey
devrait évoquer lundi lors d’une visite en Arménie, est l’un des plus
anciens du continent européen. Aucun accord n’est en vue, après
l’échec des dernières négociations en janvier à Paris, mais le
pétrole de Bakou pourrait changer la donne.
L’Azerbaïdjan connaît actuellement un boom économique en raison des
revenus de l’or noir. L’oléoduc Bakou-Tbilissi-Ceyhan, qui relie le
pays à la Turquie, est entré en service le 27 mai et sera inauguré
mardi prochain. Il s’étend sur 1767 km et transportera jusqu’à 50
millions de tonnes de pétrole par an.
Intérêts américains
“La croissance économique pourrait jouer un rôle en faveur des
Azéris” dans le conflit gelé du Nagorny Karabakh, qui oppose
l’Azerbaïdjan et l’Arménie depuis 1988, explique à l’ATS l’ancien
secrétaire d’Etat aux affaires étrangères Edouard Brunner.
L’ex-diplomate s’est rendu dans les pays du Caucase du Sud en 1995
comme envoyé spécial du secrétaire général de l’ONU en Géorgie.
Soutenu par le gouvernement américain, le pipeline renforcera les
relations économiques avec Washington. Selon des analystes cités par
l’AFP, les Etats-Unis sont particulièrement intéressés à résoudre le
conflit pour éviter que le transport du pétrole soit perturbé par le
déclenchement d’une nouvelle guerre.
Par ailleurs, gce à “sa remontée en force”, l’Azerbaïdjan serait en
mesure d’améliorer son armement, souligne M. Brunner.
Racines historiques
Le conflit actuel a démarré juste avant la chute de l’Union
soviétique, mais il puise ses racines dans des circonstances plus
éloignées. Le Nagorny Karabakh, territoire historiquement arménien, a
été annexé par Lénine à l’Azerbaïdjan dans les années 1920.
De 1988 à 1994, année du cessez-le-feu, des dizaines de milliers de
personnes ont été tuées dans les deux camps. Le Haut Commissariat de
l’ONU pour les réfugiés (HCR) dénombre 830 000 déplacés azéris et 360
000 arméniens. Bien qu’actif en Azerbaïdjan, le HCR ne soutient pas
les autorités financièrement en raison de leurs revenus issus du
pétrole, indique son porte-parole William Spindler.
Propagande
Plusieurs observateurs notent que malgré ses ressources et ses
récents efforts pour réduire le nombre de camps, Bakou utilise les
personnes déplacées comme un outil de propagande.
Le pays ne fait rien pour améliorer la situation, “car il souhaite
montrer à l’étranger que ce problème est très lourd et qu’il faut
résoudre le conflit”, estime l’ancien membre suisse du Conseil de
l’Europe Ernst Mühlemann et actuel vice-président du Forum Est-Ouest.
“Symétrie”
Les autorités ont d’ailleurs invité la conseillère fédérale Micheline
Calmy-Rey à visiter un camp lors de son voyage à Bakou fin février.
La ministre a jugé peu “compréhensible” que des personnes vivent dans
de tels endroits depuis treize ans.
A la suite de cette visite et après avoir indiqué aux autorités de
Bakou que la Suisse était disposée à faciliter les rencontres entre
les deux parties, la cheffe du département fédéral des affaires
étrangères (DFAE) a annoncé qu’elle se rendrait aussi en Arménie pour
“faire la symétrie”.
NOTE: – encadré suit – infographie disponible – le DFAE devrait
publier en soirée un communiqué sur cette visite

Schweizerische Depeschenagentur AG (SDA)
SDA – Service de base français
9 juin 2006
Micheline Calmy-Rey en Arménie Le CICR seule organisation
internationale au Nagorny Karabakh Encadré
Berne (ats) Le Comité international de la Croix-Rouge (CICR) est la
seule grande organisation internationale active au Nagorny Karabakh.
Présent sur le terrain depuis 1992, il encourage les autorités à
rechercher les personnes portées disparues suite au conflit et rend
visite aux détenus.
Durant les combats et la période qui a suivi le cessez-le-feu en
1994, de nombreuses organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) se sont
installées au Nagorny Karabakh, explique le Suisse Djordge Drndarsky,
chef de mission du CICR dans la capitale de la république
auto-proclamée: Stepanakert en arménien ou Khankendi en azéri.
Aujourd’hui, seule l’ONG Halo Trust, active dans le déminage, et des
organisations françaises et américaines liées à la diaspora
arménienne sont encore présentes dans ce territoire de 137 000
habitants. Le CICR, qui compte aussi une délégation à Erevan et une
autre à Bakou, n’entend pas quitter la région avant que le conflit
soit résolu.
Projets de la DDC
La Direction du développement et de la coopération (DDC) intervient
pour sa part en Azerbaïdjan et en Arménie dans le cadre d’un
programme régional commun avec le Secrétariat d’Etat à l’économie
(seco) pour le Caucase du Sud. En 2004, l’aide publique de la Suisse
s’est montée à 6,5 millions de francs pour l’Azerbaïdjan et à 3,8
millions pour l’Arménie.
En Azerbaïdjan, la DDC co-finance trois projets pour les personnes
déplacées ou réfugiées et fournit une aide humanitaire aux
populations vulnérables. Elle participe également à des programmes
visant à promouvoir les bonnes pratiques en matière de gouvernance et
de relations internationales.
En Arménie, la DDC soutient un programme du Haut Commissariat de
l’ONU pour les réfugiés (HCR) ainsi qu’un projet onusien de
nutrition. Elle participe à un projet du gouvernement visant à loger
des réfugiés. Enfin, conjointement avec une ONG arménienne, elle met
sur pied un centre médico-social et répare des habitations pour
personnes gées.

Panorama.am
16:07 09/06/06

FORMER PRISONERS INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY WITH DIFFICULTY
50 families of former prisoners live in a dormitory in Barzrashen
community. They publish their own newspaper `Return.’ Gevorg
KOSHKARYAN, head of public organization dealing with former prisoners’
protection told a press conference today that they have no means to
publish the last issue of the newspaper. `We have no computers and
have difficulties in publishing the paper,’ he said adding that the
Republican Party has promised to donate them a computer.
The library after Avetik Isahakyan has donated them with 20 pieces of
books, PO head said, also sharing the joy as the children read them
with delight. He, however, said that the dormitory is in very bad
conditions. He said in case construction material is provided they can
reconstruct the dormitory using their own resources.
`When people leave a prison and are not accepted in the society the
society pushes them back to crime for the second time,’ Armen
MAZMANYAN, an actor said. Being a former prisoner himself, Mazmanyan
is very concerned with the fate of former prisoners. `If a prisoner is
not integrated into the society, the bomb will blow up one day,’ he
said. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am
14:33 09/06/06

DID EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VICE SPEAKER GIVE EMPTY HOPES?
Just two days ago the Vice Speaker of the European Parliament said
that he does not see any obstacles for Armenia to join EU within next
10 years. Speaking about this statement, Armenian Republican Party
member Armen Ashotyan told a press conference today saying that `the
statement was made to establish some positions in the Armenian
political market. It is obvious that Armenia cannot manage to meet
Copenhagen standards neither in economy nor in politics or law.
Besides, there are unresolved conflicts in the region. Those people
who believe in such statements are hopelessly optimistic.’
He noted that in near future three groups of countries can join EU –
developed European countries that have failed to join the organization
thus far, Baltic states which are in the stage of negotiations and
countries which are already in the process of membership, including
Turkey.
Ashotyan had made earlier forecasts saying that Armenia may join EU
only after 50 years. Those forces which promise membership to EU in
nearer future are only collecting votes, the young politician had
said. /Panorama.am/
From: Baghdasarian

FOE OF REGIME INVITES TO COOPERATE, EXCEPT SERGE SARGSYAN
Lragir.am
10 June 06
Gurgen Yeghiazaryan, the former deputy minister of national security,
stated June 10 at the Azdak Club that he will ally with any political
force, which is against Robert Kocharyan. Gurgen Yeghiazaryan thinks
Kocharyan’s regime ruins the country.
`The exchange rate of the dollar is falling day by day, and some fools
are getting ready for the election. At the expense of our children and
us,’ says Gurgen Yeghiazaryan. He has not offered his proposal of
partnership to any political force. `I will offer when it is time,’
said the former national security official. He states that he is even
ready to ally with the Republicans if they are against Robert
Kocharyan. Serge Sargsyan does not have a chance of partnership with
Yeghiazaryan, however, even if he opposed Robert Kocharyan.
According to him, the president has not set up a team, which would
guarantee his leave and rest. The former national security official
considers the option of Serge Sargsyan impossible, even in a country
with such an obedient public as Armenia. He says the regime also
realizes this.
`I think they have calculated that this is impossible to fulfill even
in Armenia. Even in Armenia, because we are one of the most obedient,
most compliant, most lamb nations of the world,’ says Gurgen
Yeghiazaryan.

Armenpress
FARMERS ANTIICIPATE GOOD FRUIT YIELD

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS: A senior official of
Armenia’s agriculture ministry said today heavy rains
in late spring coupled with a string of surprise
touches of frost in sub-mountain areas of the country
have caused lesser than supposed damage to fruit
orchards.
Garnik Petrosian, head of a department in the
ministry, said experts predict that farmers will
collect overall at least 200,000 metric tons of fruit,
with apricots to make the bulk. Last year Armenian
framers collected a record-high crop of
apricots-80,000 tons.
Petrosian said a good yield is expected also from
peach orchards, as much as last year-around 40,000
tons. Apple, peach and plum orchards will also make
farmers happy. He said overall the fruit yield will be
15-17 percent less than last year and enough to meet
domestic demands.

Armenpress
ROAD POLICE WARNS AGAINST JUVENILE DRIVING

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS: In connection with a
school-leaving ceremony called ‘The Last Bell’
Armenian road police have undertaken a set of special
measures aimed at ensuring safe traffic until June 13.
The ceremony to take place across the country is
slated for June 10. On that day many young boys are
driving carelessly their parents’ cars through the
city streets. Norik Sarkisian, a senior road police
officer, urged today parents not to allow their sons
to drive their cars on June 11 overnight, warning also
that all drunk drivers will be subjected to most
severe punishment.
Sarkisian said out of 1,312 road accidents
registered by police in 2005 164 involved youngsters
below 16. In the first ten days of June last year 50
road accidents involving youngsters below 16 were
reported, 15 boys received injuries and 341 cars were
taken to penalty lots because their drivers were
drunk.
Sarkisian said all road accidents involving
juvenile drivers will be taped and offenders will be
subjected to severe administrative penalties. He said
not only the juvenile drivers who will be driving cars
without having a permission will be punished but also
their parents in the amount of 50,000 drams.

Armenpress
BANK GOVERNOR PREDICTS FURTHER GAIN OF DRAM OVER US
GREENBACK

YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS: The president of one
of the leading Armenian commercial banks predicted
today that Armenia’s national currency, Dram, will
continue to gain over the US Dollar.
Ashot Osipian, the governor of Armeconombank, cited
global depreciation of the greenback, saying this
trend has played a role in strengthening of Armenian
Dram. Other factors, accounting for continued
strengthening of Dram according to Osipian, are
domestic developments, particularly, growth in the
amount of money remittances from abroad. “The demand
for US Dollars in Armenia has cut back drastically. In
May alone the amount of money transfers from abroad
through our bank increased 35 percent, which in
concert with cut of natural gas consumption are adding
to the fall of US Dollar’s value,” he said.
Osipian also commended the Central Bank policy to
curtail ‘dollarization’ of Armenian economy and
described the decision of Fitch Rating to assign on
June 5 Armenia foreign and local currency Issuer
Default Ratings (“IDR”) of ‘BB-‘ (BB minus) with a
Stable Outlook as ‘very positive.’ Fitch Ratings said
Armenia’s sovereign credit ratings are supported by
prudent macroeconomic policies and a declining public
and external debt burden that compares favorably with
rated peers.
Fitch said ‘impressive economic performance has
been underpinned by a robust and coherent
macroeconomic policy framework and wide-ranging
structural reforms that have enhanced the capacity of
the economy to absorb adverse shocks.’
Osipian said Armeconombank has applied to Fitch
Ratings to be granted its own credit rating which is
expected to come in August.

Panorama.am
14:00 09/06/06

AZERBAIJAN’S BLACKMAIL DOES NOT FRIGHTEN US
Prolongation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict cannot be in the interest of
conflicting parties, Seiran Avagyan, president’s adviser told a
discussion with professor Alexander Manasyan today.
Avagyan mentioned that Armenia seeks to settle the issue via peaceful
methods and to sustain stability in the region. `In our region
military solutions have found their end. They will not be repeated any
more,’ he said. In his opinion, any element of postponing the
resolution will affect negatively especially the party that postpones
it.
His opponent Alexander Manasyan did not agree and said that Azerbaijan
purposefully postpones the conflict resolution meanwhile engaging in
large-scale propaganda. `Azerbaijan changes the nature of the problem
based on his own considerations,’ he noted.
S. Avagyan said that lead-time is a method of covering the
incapability to solve an issue. `Obviously, Azerbaijan takes his time
waiting for more favorable situation for it. But the blackmail of
Azerbaijan does not frighten the Armenian authorities,’ he
concluded./Panorama.am/