Armenian minister denies telecom firm to be sold to Russians
Yerkir website
13 Jul 06
Yerevan, 13 July: Armenia cannot hand over the ArmenTel company
to Russia, because 90 per cent of its shares belong to the Greek
company OTE, the Armenian defence minister and co-chairman of the
Armenian-Russian intergovernment commission on economic cooperation,
Serzh Sarkisyan, said at a news conference on 12 July.
Noting the participation of some companies in a competition to buy
ArmenTel shares, the minister denied the report that Armenia is going
to hand over ArmenTel to Russia’s largest mobile operator Mobile
TeleSystems (MTS), which is a part of the AFK Sistema financial
corporation.
According to the same report, the AFK Sistema financial corporation
is obliged to put into operation the Mars plant that was handed over
to Russia within the framework of the property-for-debt programme.
In turn, the Russian co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernment commission and Russian transport minister, Igor
Levitin, noted that the AFK Sistema financial corporation intends to
take over the Mars plant in the long-term. He also said that at the
moment, the Russian government is discussing the issue of handing
over the Mars plant to the AFK Sistema financial corporation.

Georgian leader hails regional cooperation in oil pipeline inauguration speech
Channel 1, Tbilisi
13 Jul 06
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has said that the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is opening new prospects for regional
cooperation. He was speaking at the pipeline inauguration ceremony
in the Turkish port of Ceyhan on 13 July. Saakashvili said that the
pipeline project had led to “a completely new political situation”
in the region in which there was no longer any place for “a policy of
diktat”. He also said that regional economic projects were transforming
their participants into “some of the most dynamically developing
countries in the whole world”. The following is an excerpt from
Saakashvili’s speech, which was broadcast live by Georgian Public
Television Channel 1:
[Saakashvili] Your excellencies, esteemed President Sezer, President
Aliyev and Prime Minister Erdogan, ladies and gentlemen.
For us, today’s ceremony and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
mean far more than an economic, political or energy project. This is
a historic prerequisite for our countries’ freedom and independence
and a solid foundation for our future success. This project is very
important because – together with the [Sah Daniz] gas pipeline project
which is also very important for Georgia – it marks the end of an era
of one type of relations and the beginning of a completely new era in
relations and a completely new political situation in our region. From
now on, the possibility of confrontational methods and a policy of
diktat being used is ending and a completely new era is starting
in the Caucasus and the wider region which includes Central Asia,
post-Soviet space and Turkey. A new political reality is emerging,
which is based on cooperation and respect for mutual interests.
During the discussion of this project, my country Georgia has often
been referred to as a corridor. [Smiles] I would like to state
categorically that Georgia is not a corridor. Generally, I do not
accept the concept of a corridor. A corridor is surrounded by walls and
is an enclosed space, no matter now big the building is. In reality,
what is happening today means that we have created one large space
rather than corridors and terminals. This is a space for cooperation,
mutual understanding and friendship between our countries.
A completely new reality has formed within Georgia as well. We have
been cooperating very well with BP and other companies working here.
A completely new economic reality is emerging. I can tell you frankly
that for several years, before the Rose Revolution in 2003, the oil
pipeline project was the only source of Georgia’s economic growth.
The project has effectively been completed, yet this year the Georgian
economy will grow much faster thanks to other local economic factors.
A synergy has emerged. We have managed to create a completely new
reality. Not only have we changed our strategic energy [supply] lines,
but we have also completely changed the domestic energy distribution
system in Georgia and created a new investment climate.
The fact that there is no longer corruption in Georgia – I declare this
with a full sense of responsibility – has allowed us to achieve this:
whereas a year ago we were unsuccessfully pleading with several large
foreign companies to buy our power grid for one dollar and operate it,
several weeks ago, that is a year later, we sold just a part of the
same grid for several hundred million dollars. That is the result of
more effective administration and a more transparent environment free
of corruption.
We are moving into a new era. In the Soviet period we were told who
we were supposed to like and who we were not supposed to. Not only
were we forbidden to have warm relations with Turkey, but the Soviet
regime’s ideology was that Turkey was the Georgians’ enemy. Today
and yesterday I have been telling our Turkish brothers that in the
space of just a few years Turkey’s consistent, generous, friendly
and fraternal attitude has completely negated many decades of work
by Soviet ideologists.
For Georgia today, Turkey is a most important partner and a great
friend. We have entered a phase of great cooperation with Turkey.
Turkey is fast becoming Georgia’s leading trading partner. Turkey
is fast becoming, and will probably become, the leading investor
in Georgia.
I remember well that when two years ago Prime Minister Erdogan arrived
for the first time in a destroyed and devastated Batumi, we together
went to the border crossing where there were long queues of suffering
citizens who needed to get Turkish or Georgian visas. We promised
each other that there would be no visas needed for travel between
Georgia and Turkey.
Now Georgia and Turkey have one of the most transparent and free
borders. This used to be a border between NATO and the Soviet bloc,
a border with the largest number of restrictions and bans, but now it
is one of the most transparent, easily negotiable and friendly borders
in the region between two fraternal states. That is the result of a
decision by politicians who care about their people.
The prime minister and I also decided that Batumi airport would
be in joint use. This decision was taken, and Batumi airport will
open in November, as will a new Tbilisi airport terminal, which is
being built by Turkish companies. It means that Batumi and Tbilisi –
especially Batumi from November, which is a new development – will be
linked to the whole world via Istanbul with daily services or perhaps
several services a day.
I talked earlier about our experience with Turkish business and
the arrival of many business people in Georgia. Many construction
companies have arrived. In these companies, side by side with Turkish
engineers, Georgian specialists are working and learning to use modern
working methods. This happened during the oil pipeline project and is
happening now in the wider construction industry. [Passage omitted:
more on Turkish business involvement in Georgia]
That is real cooperation, a real synergy. We no longer have corruption,
we have reduced taxes, and we have opened borders. The governments
have done everything possible to facilitate access to markets. For
the first time, under a low taxation regime, 1m bottles of Georgian
wine will enter Turkey this year. That will be the first time in
history. Georgian agricultural produce is also entering Turkey at a
time when it faces certain problems on other markets.
I think that this kind of cooperation as well as the development we
are witnessing in Azerbaijan – [changes tack] We are very pleased about
that because, again, no other state is closer to us. Such development
and mutual assistance will allow us to create completely new prospects
for our people.
We have arrived here after going through a very difficult period. We
were in a very difficult situation. But the situation is changing
radically. We are happy about it, our people are happy about it,
although there may also be forces that do not particularly like that.
Likewise, the Kars-Akhalkalaki railway project we are currently working
on is a new transport link. The Kars-Akhalkalaki railway means the
creation of hundreds or thousands of jobs in the Javakheti region
of Georgia [area in southern Georgia populated mainly by ethnic
Armenians], a completely new transport infrastructure, and a new
strategic significance for the region.
The oil and gas pipelines, new airports, new railways – it was hard to
imagine all that not so long ago. Not so long ago our countries were
described as weak, flawed and unstable countries whose prospects were
poor. Now these are some of the most dynamically developing countries
in the whole world, which have become examples of development,
consolidation and vision of the future for many other nations and
countries.
[Passage omitted: switches to English and the broadcast continues with
a Georgian translation superimposed; Saakashvili thanks BP for its
courage and long-term vision, welcomes the creation of alternative
energy routes, looks forward to new projects]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA IS HOPEFUL OF BRYZA BUT HAS NO MESSAGE FOR HIM
Lragir.am
14 July 06
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan announced July 14 Armenia
is hopeful that during the regional visit of Mathew Bryza the future
of settlement of the Karabakh conflict will become definite to some
extent. The minister announced, nevertheless, that at the moment
it is difficult to predict the next steps in the settlement. Vardan
Oskanyan says Bryza is visiting the region in late July.
Vardan Oskanyan announced that the revelation of the details of
the talks was not unexpected because they knew the co-chairs were
considering declassification of the talks.
“In the long run, I cannot see any problems. I even think that this
enables us to start healthy public debate on these issues,” says Vardan
Oskanyan. For the mood of the public opinion, Vardan Oskanyan thinks
it is normal that some people will disagree to the offered settlement,
others will accept it.
“You see, I am not making efforts and I will not make efforts to
persuade anyone, particularly the public that the principles of
this document must be accepted. Because the Azerbaijani side has
not accepted them yet. We should we persuade our public now that the
document is good, if the Azerbaijani side has not agreed yet. We are
not in that stage. When we enter this stage, when the two parties,
the three parties reach agreement, we will start persuading the public,
the political forces. We are not in this stage yet,” announces Vardan
Oskanyan.
He disagrees that official Stepanakert rejects this document, which was
proposed and endorsed by Armenia. Vardan Oskanyan says the leadership
of Armenia is fully aware of the content of the talks. “I think in
the long run the principles in this document are acceptable for the
Armenian side,” says Vardan Oskanyan.
The Armenian foreign minister says the Armenian party will reassert
its stance to Bryza during the American co-chair’s visit.
“We will reassert that these principles, which are not ideal for
us, they are difficult to fulfill, it is difficult to persuade the
political forces, the public, but we are ready to assume political
responsibility and continue the talks on the basis of these principles
and reach a peace settlement. We are hopeful that Mathew Bryza will
arrive from Baku with positive messages. We, however, do not have
anything new to tell him,” says Vardan Oskanyan.

DIASPORA IS CONCERNED ABOUT WEALTH ACCUMULATED IN ARMENIA
Lragir.am
14 July 06
This fall is going to be a rather dynamic period of work for the
foreign ministry of Armenia, said Vardan Oskanyan July 14 at the
Hayeli Club. He hints at both relations with foreign countries and
foreign relations with our compatriots, i.e. the third Armenia-Diaspora
forum. The minister says the forum will differ from the first two by
its economic component. This component refers to the investments of
the Diaspora in rural communities. Vardan Oskanyan says there will
be an arrangement during the forum and 50 border villages will have
sponsors. However, besides investing the Diaspora asks questions
as well. Vardan Oskanyan does not hide that Diasporan investors are
concerned about the wealth that is accumulated in Armenia, and wonder
why it is not invested in Armenian villages.
“If you propose us sponsoring 50 villages, they say, we would like
to see if the Armenian businessmen are engaged as well.
Fortunately, we are starting to learn to give. The foundation is the
vivid example, different charity programs are also evidence to this,
and my consultations, preliminary, with our businessmen connected
with these rural projects are quite encouraging and reassuring,”
says Vardan Oskanyan.

WHO WOULD TER-PETROSYAN ALLY WITH?
Lragir.am
14 July 06
Hovanes Hovanisyan, the leader of the Liberal Progressive Party,
believes that there is public and political demand for ex-president
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s return.
“We must be honest. Everything Levon Ter-Petrosyan said in 1997-1998
came true. He is not Nostradamus, simply he is a serious, far-sighted
political political figure and he realized what may happen. And he
openly told the society.” Hovanes Hovanisyan would be happy if Levon
Ter-Petrosyan returned to big politics because, in fact, big politics
needs him in this situation. “And it is his problem how and whom he
will ally with.”

STRUGGLE AGAINST COUPS FROM THE INSIDE
Lragir.am
14 July 06
“We think that both the internal and external political state of
Armenia are rather complicated and difficult. They require solutions,
but unfortunately the government does not offer solutions, they do
not think about these solutions or they are afraid of thinking,”
Hovanes Hovanisyan, the leader of the Liberal Progressive Party,
stated July 14.
He believes that the problem is becoming deeper, unsettled issues
become more complicated, and the situation is becoming complicated.
“There is no political dispute in the country, there is no political
thought, there is no debate on the political thought, and there are
no real political processes,” says Hovanes Hovanisyan.
The leader of the LPP says they will ally with other liberal parties
and notes that the government is preparing to fight coups from the
inside, perceiving the internal situation. The opposition is also
getting ready for this.

DEFENSE MINISTER SUBMITTED APPLICATION
Lragir.am
14 July 06
The minister of defense Serge Sargsyan told news reporters in the
evening of July 14 that he submitted an application with the Republican
Party for membership. As for rumors that he is going to occupy the post
of prime minister, Serge Sargsyan said they are not true. The minister
also answered the question whether he will be named president, saying
it would become clear after the parliamentary election in 2007. Why
not if the Republican Party gets the support of the public after
the election, said the defense minister. He said an extraordinary
parliamentary election is impossible. The minister of defense also
considered it natural that certain businessmen rely on him.

CLOSING VERIN LARS WAS INTENDED
Lragir.am
14 July 06
The decision of Russia to close the checkpoint of Verin Lars at the
Russian-Armenian border was intended to keep the dependence of the
Armenian government on the Russian leadership, says the leader of
the Liberal Progressive Party of Armenia.
The leader of the Liberal Progressive Party Hovanes Hovanisyan reminds
that Georgia has routes by sea and by land, and Georgia does not use
the checkpoint of Verin Lars often, “it is not a road of life. Verin
Lars is the only road connecting Armenia and Russia.” Look what is
happening, “two friendly countries, strategic partner, it is elementary
ethic. If they are going to close Verin Lars, they can make a call
and warn that they are going to close Verin Lars in 3 or 10 days for a
certain priod of time. Our Russian partners or friends do not respect
our country and do not even warn that they are going to repair.”

RA MFA issues a statement connected with the hostilities in Lebanon
ArmRadio.am
14.07.2006 18:00
Armenia is extremely concerned about the military actions in Lebanon
and their escalation, as well as the great loss of civilian life.
Armenia condemns any violence whether it be abduction or use of
force. We particularly denounce the use of such disproportionate
force intended solely to collectively punish civilians and damage
infrastructure.
This kind of reaction by Israel is particularly difficult to understand
given the fact that the Lebanese government has clearly distanced
itself from the abduction incident.
We hope that there will be restraint in the region and also hope there
will be an immediate ceasefire so that the issues can be addressed
by peaceful means.

RA PRESIDENT VISITS EMBASSY OF FRANCE ON OCCASION OF FRENCH NATIONAL HOLIDAY
YEREVAN, JULY 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TPDAY. On July 14, RA
President Robert Kocharian and Mrs Bela Kocharian visited the Embassy
of France to Armenia on the occasion of the French National Holiday.
According to RA President’s Press Office, congratulating the Embassy
staff, Robert Kocharian expressed satisfaction with the fact that
Armenian-French cooperation develops rather efficiently.
2006-2007 has been announced Year of Armenia in France, which, as
the sides evaluated, is evidence of high-level relations established
between the two countries. According to Robert Kocharian, Year of
Armenia in France will be an occasion for the French people to have an
opportunity to more closely get acquainted with the Armenian cultural
heritage having centuries-old traditions.