MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COURIER: BLOWS TO IRAN MAY PROVOKE OPERATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
Yerevan, May 25. ArmInfo. Blows to Iran may provoke operations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is said in Aleksey Matveyev’s article,
published in the Russian “Military-Industrial Courier”.
According to Matveyev, a n unexpected power scenario may appear in
the Karabakh problem solution where Iran, USA and, possibly, other
countries of the region may be involved in addition to Armenia and
Azerbaijan. This scenario is connected with the beginning of possible
operations of Pentagon against Iran under the stipulation that
Azerbaijan will come out here as its ally as it was already during
Iraq occupation. In reply to such service, the USA will support Baku
in attempts to solve the Karabakh problem in military way. In its
turn, Baku, having seen the Americans favour to it, could have secret
contacts with Pentagon.
As the author notes, Aliyev welcomes the Iranian contacts even
outwardly. On the other hand, he has no reasons to quarrel with
Tehran, after all, a mutually beneficial cooperation is being
developed with the neighbor, including natural gas transportation
from Iran to Azerbaijan. Iran and Azerbaijan are connected with
ethnic ties (about 16 mln Azerbaijanians live in Iran, that is twice
more than the number of Azerbaijan itself ). Aliyev-younger follows a
different-vector policy, which means that good-neighbor relations of
Baku with Tehran are supported by Moscow and do not break the safety
balance, though Americans, interested in strengthening the influence
on Caspia, would like to break it. On the other hand, Aliyev assumes
that Americans may be on the side of Baku in the Karabakh conflict
in response to loyalty. It is quite clear that it cannot be expected
from Moscow. Aliyev had never refused from the American assistance and
hopes for more, i.e. the USA assistance in the recreation of country’s
integrity. However, no efficient assistance, including the military
one, to Baku is observed yet from the Americans. In case of operations
beginning against Karabakh and Armenia, it will need an international
support. Washington can render such assistance. The author dos not
rule out that in case of entering into an alliance between Baku
and Washington and operations beginning from the USA against Iran,
Tehran will help Armenia in the struggle against Azerbaijan Army.
According to the source, the 2006 military budget of Azerbaijan is $600
mln, budget of Armenia – $150 mln. According to the western sources,
number of Azerbaijan’s AF is 69 900 (people). Meanwhile, rather great
forces are concentrated in Karabakh, i.e. 20 000 – 25 000 people of
crew, 316 units of tanks, 332 of artillery (122 mm and higher).

BLOODLESS WEAPON FOR THE CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
A1+
[08:55 pm] 25 May, 2006
“I see Armenia’s face in Haik. His work promotes the activity of
the country. Such books are proper and bloodless weapons,” said
the first Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan today in the hotel “Yerevan”
during Haik Demoyan’s monograph presentation titled “Turkey and the
Karabakh conflict.”
The book which is published in Russian is a historical comparative
analysis of 20-21 years. According to Haik Demoyan, the author of
the book, the monograph is an analysis of the Turkish position on
the Karabakh conflict and views the conflict in the framework of the
regional security and Armenian – Turkish relations.
The sources of the book are multiple. The author made use of Armenian,
Russian, English, French and Turkish sources and on their grounds
he revealed that Turkey had a negative impact on the conflict
peaceful settlement. Haik Demoyan noted, “Azerbaijan and Turkey had
an aggressive position towards NKR and Armenia regardless of many
international agreements and liabilities.’
The conclusions of the author are as follows; by the act of proclaiming
a country named “Aderbaijan” in 1918 Turkey paved a way for the
emergence of the Karabakh conflict, and now Turkey is one of the
conflict sides taking into account the policy of the country and not
a participant of the conflict.
The book was published with the financial support of the RA Defense
Ministry. Arthur Aghabekyan, deputy Defense Minister noted that
their cooperation has started long ago and added that the book will
be translated into Armenian as well.
By the way, Haik Demoyan is the author of 4 monographs and about 40
scientific articles.

THE CO-CHAIRS HAD NOTHING TO SAY EXCEPT DISTRIBUTING PAPER
A1+
[08:46 pm] 25 May, 2006
The diplomats announced in Armenian that they have a “surprise” for
the journalists. The “surprise” was that 6 members of the delegation
read a small announcement for the journalists made at the end of
the meetings. By the way, the reading was divided into “roles;” the
announcement was divided into three parts which were introduced in
Russian, English and French.
It is noteworthy that the readers were not the OSCE Minsk group
Co-chairs, but they were Daniel Fried, assistant of US State Secretary,
Grigori Karasin, Russian deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Pier
Moriel, representative of the French Foreign Ministry who came to
the region with the Co-chairs of the Minsk group.
“We, the representatives at the Deputy level of the Russian Federation,
United States, and France, together with the Co-chairs and Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, have come together
in this joint diplomatic mission because of the need to promote a
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and because now
is the time for the sides to reach agreement on the basic principles
of a settlement.”
We were received by President Kocharyan and met earlier with Foreign
Minister Oskanyan. As we did yesterday in Baku, we have discussed
important aspects of a future settlement. We have worked to create
the conditions for a meeting of the two presidents in the near
future. We have stressed the belief of our nations and, more widely,
of the international community that the conflict can be resolved in
no other way than a peaceful one. Both countries should, moreover,
prepare their publics for peace and not for war.
Our discussions, both today in Yerevan and yesterday in Baku, were
constructive. We met yesterday with President Aliyev and Foreign
Minister Mammadyarov.
Tomorrow we will return to our capitals to brief our leaders. The
Co-chairs will, as well, brief the OSCE and the international
community.
A joint mission such as this one is a special event.
It must be taken as a sign of the seriousness with which we approach
the issue and, in particular, a belief that we are at the point where
a mutually beneficial agreement is achievable. What happens now will
be up to Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are pleased to be in Yerevan and
wish to express our gratitude to President Kocharyan and people of
Armenia for receiving us.

NEW PARLIAMENT GROUP “ENTREPRENEUR ” APPEARED IN ARMENIA’S PARLIAMENT
Yerevan, May 25. ArmInfo. A new Parliament group “Entrepreneur”
appeared today in the RA Parliament, vice Speaker of the RA Parliament
Tigran Torossyan stated today in the Parliament.
It is emphasized in the statement that the group intends to more
actively participate in the processes for the development of the
country, political life, development of free economy and strengthening
of democracy. The Parliament deputy Grigor Margaryan is elected the
group leader, Mekhak Mkhitaryan – a secretary. Nine parliamentarians,
who left the “Orinats Yerkir” party earlier, have signed under the
document.

“IRAVUNK” BRINGS AN ACTION AGAINST SASHIK SARGSYAN
A1+
[07:48 pm] 25 May, 2006
“Iravunk” weekly is going to appeal to the Prosecutor’s Office
demanding to institute proceedings against Sashik Sargsyan who is
accused of violating the right of a journalist in the NA.
Let us remind you that that two days ago Alexander Sargsyan, NA deputy
and brother of RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan cursed and threatened
Taguhi Tovmasyan , reporter of “Iranunk” for the material he “didn’t
like” and made attempts to find out the source of information.
Today Haik Babukhanyan, deputy chairman of Constitutional Rights
Union and secretary of the editorial council of “Iravunk” informed
that he was the main source of information and Sahik Sargsyan can
turn to him in case he has got any question.
I see a group of criminals connected with the act of this deputy
and the editorial staff of the newspaper will bring an action on
this score,
“We can hardly have any expectations from the Prosecutor’s Office and
from Courts but we keep silent,” informed the editor of the newspaper
Hovhannes Galadjyan.
Ashot Abgaryan, lawyer and representative of the newspaper will deal
with the legal issues. He is already preparing material and he will
likely present them to the Prosecutor’s Office.
By the way, the Mass Media are going to submit a joint announcement
condemning the attempts of breaching a journalist’s activity.
Of course we can anticipate how many of them will sign the announcement
and who will be offered to put his signature on the whole, and we
assume that once more the field of journalism will be divided nearly
the same way it was after the announcement on the embattlement of
“A1+.”

CONFLICT INSIDE ARMENIAN OPPOSITION GROWING
Yerevan, May 25. ArmInfo. The secretary of the opposition People’s
Party MP Grigor Haroutyunyan accuses the leader of the opposition
National Unity party Artashes Gegamyan of distorting historical facts.
Haroutyunyan was surprised to hear Gegamyan saying during his
Wednesday TV debates with the leader of the Orinats Yerkir party Artur
Bagdassaryan that during the Sept 2005 elections of Yerevan Center
community prefect his party supported Gagik Beglaryan as in Sept
Gegamyan publicly said that he was going to support the opposition
candidate from Justice bloc Ruzan Khachatryan.
Besides, Haroutyunyan refutes Gegamyan’s statement that the former
speaker of the Armenian parliament karen Demirthyan, killed in Oct 27
1999 terrorist act, sought or was offered the post of prime minister.
In his turn, oppositon MP Arshak Sadoyan says that the debates of
Gegamyan and Bagdassaryan was a squabble rather than polemics.

THE MONTENEGRIAN INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM IS COMMENTED ON IN KARABAKH
A1+
[04:20 pm] 25 May, 2006
“The fact of holding a Montenegrin independence referendum and the
readiness of the international community to recognize its results
is a positive step on the whole. We are convinced that the respect
of national self determination expressed through national spirit
serves as a cornerstone for the regulation of such situations and is
a real means to enhance political stability in any conflict region,”
this is a quotation from the speech of the NKR Foreign Minister.
The Ministry deems it appropriate to remind that the violation of
the rights of the Karabakh residents who voted for the independence
on December 10, 1991 made a ground for the exertion of the Azeri
further military aggression towards the NKR residents which resulted
in a multiple human losses and ruins.
The announcement of the MKR Foreign Minister said, “The
self-determination and political independence of the NKR population,
the further neglect of the right on economic and military guarantees
delay the prospect of mutually admissible solutions and stable peace
in the region.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE PROTECTION OF SEVAN WILL ACTIVIZE THE CIVIC SOCIETY
A1+
[03:21 pm] 25 May, 2006
With the assistance and cooperation of Jinishyan Fund, “Public
Dialogues and Initiatives Centre” NGO, the State University of Gavar
and the Pedagogical Institute of Gyumri the program “Civic dialogue
and practical steps” has initiated in these two establishments since
June of 2005. The program is aimed at raising the level of students’
awareness and engaging them into the development of civic society.
Dialogues were held on 20 themes chosen by the students
beforehand. Experts were invited to participate in the discussions;
they introduced themes and commented on the issues arousing interest
among the students. The meetings were held through using interactive
methods.
The students of the two establishments worked out a joint
environmental-protection action with the slogan, “The environment
will keep its existence without us but we- will not.” The action was
held in Sevan and turned into a real holiday. The students planted
trees on their way to the Hayravank chapel.
The participants also visited the environmental museum of national
park “Sevan,” got acquainted with the problems of the lake and with
the measures which are being taken for recovering the ecological
balance of the lake. As a result of joint discussions a group was
formed which worked out the preliminary version of the protection
message of the lake.
TV Company “Kyavar” of Gavar

THEY DON’T WANT TO SEE THE FILM “THE DA VINCI CODE”
A1+
[02:47 pm] 25 May, 2006
Today a number of organizations released a joint letter to RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margaryan with the request to prohibit the screening
of the film “The Da Vinci Code” in the Armenian cinemas.
The content of the letter was as follows, “Don’t let them scold our
God, the faith of our ancestors for the sake of which Vardanants
saints died in the field of Avarair. Keep our children away from that
guilty temptation.” The letter was signed by the representatives
of the Armenian Constitutional Remedial Centre, Armenian Centre of
Integration and Democracy, “Husaber” Charity Fund and the Organization
“Mission to Armenia.”
“St. Echmiadzin Cathedral clearly announced about the inadmissibility
of the demonstration, but we need your order to prevent that God –
denying act. We beg you to prohibit the screening of the film as
quickly as possible,” said the letter.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIGHT AGAINST XENOPHOBIA SHOULD START AT SCHOOL
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
26/05/2006
The Union of Armenians of Russia held a sitting in Moscow yesterday to
present a report on 5 years of the Union’s activity and to elect a new
chairman and a central supervision commission of the UAR. UNESCO Good
Will Ambassador and Ara Abrahamyan was re-elected chairman of the UAR.
Making the summary report, the Armenian community leader said that
he considers “contribution to strengthening of the Russian state,
international peace and accord in the society” as a major task.
Besides, the largest NGO representing interests of 2.5 million
Armenians intends to “actively participate in the public and political
life of Russia, building of civil society valuable institutions,”
PanARMENIA.net reports.
“We also consider boosting and developing self-organization of our
Diaspora, which is the largest in the world, for the benefit of Russia
and Armenia,” Ara Abrahamyan said. In his words, the UAR also intends
to counteract to demonstrations of ethnic extremism, xenophobia,
racial and national intolerance and terrorism. “Our task is to bring
up the young in an environment of tolerance, as well as to strengthen
centuries-old traditions of friendship and fraternity of the Armenian
and Russian peoples. Meanwhile, if there are extremist organizations
that means they enjoy someone’s support. Many would like to see Russia
burdened with interethnic issues and would like to see instability
here,” Abrahamyan PanARMENIAN.net report referring to Interfax.
Ara Abrahamyan stated that the Armenians have no problems in the
sphere of interethnic relations.
“Armenians live in Russia since the 9th century; this is our home,”
he said.
Russia and Armenia are equally interested in maintaining the power
balance in the South Caucasus, in fostering stability and security
in the region, the UAR chairman stated. “In this regard, Russia is
not indifferent to the situation in the region and Armenia’s role in
it. The Armenians of Russia are also able to foster stability in the
South Caucasus.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress