Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America in National Assembly
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
July 7 2006
On July 6 the RA NA President received Bryan Ardouny, Executive
Director of the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). Arpi Vartanian,
the AAA Regional Director participated in the meeting.
Mr. Ardouny informed the NA President about the AAA undertaken steps,
the aim of which is to deepen Armenian-American relationships.
He highlighted the holding of 2007 Parliamentary elections by
democratic standards, which is highly expected not only by the AAA
but also by the U.S. Government, European Union. On his request the NA
President referred to the preparation of national elections, mentioning
that the conformity to democracy standards, first of all, is necessary
for Armenia and Armenian society, because it will predetermine the
future and the development of the country. Besides, the availability
of election legislation, to-be-adopted in October and reformed by
international standards, Mr. Torosyan highlighted the consolidation
and creation of understanding atmosphere of political forces (power
and opposition), which is a difficult task, and is connected with the
changing of public consciousness. The NA President also highlighted
the assistance of the AAA by specific programs in formation of civil
society and development of political science in Armenia, positively
evaluating activity of the AAA, which is undertaking steps toward
development of Armenia within the framework of their opportunities.
During the meeting issues of mutual relations between Armenia and
its neighbors, issues of solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem were
also debated.
Referring to the interview of Matthew Bryza, OCSE Minsk Group
Co-Chair, where the regulation of the Armenian-Turkish relations
is stipulated by the solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem, the NA
President noted that the approach of this type raises surprise, since
the opportunity to solve problems is stipulated by the availability of
good relations. With the same logic, the fact that there is propaganda
of war and hatred towards Armenians in Azerbaijan should not be
omitted from the attention of co-chairs, calling for the peaceful
conflict resolution. It is evident that people are not getting ready
for a solution in places where the hatred is deepened.
Other issues were also discussed during the meeting.
From: Baghdasarian

Condoleezza Rice: Taking the Southern Cypriots into EU was wrong
Hurriyet, Turkey
July 7 2006
With Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul having met this week in Washington,
DC with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as well as President
George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, observers
in Ankara agree that the US has struck a more favorable stance on
two matters in particular sensitive to Turkey:
Cyprus and Kirkuk. In the case of Northern Cyprus, for which the
US administration has pledged to help lift isolationary economic
measures currently in place, US Secretary of State Rice said during
Gul’s visit to the US capital, “Accepting Southern Cyprus into the
EU was not right. Had the Greek Cypriots not entered the EU, solving
this problem would be easier.”
Gul: Cyprus matter requires patience, persistance, and the correct
approach
Gul, during a press conference in the US capital, confirmed US support
for Turkey on the question of Northern Cyprus, saying “Turkey’s stance
on this matter was understood very well by Rice, and looking at the
“Strategic Vision Document” this can be seen very clearly. We are
insistent and correct in our Cyprus views. The important thing is
to be able to explain our side of this case to the international
community. It is not enough to announce that we are right, and then
to just speak to eachother in Turkey. This matter requires patience,
persistance, and the right approach. We will continue this stance
without giving up any concessions.”
On the subject of the Northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, which lies close
to Turkey’s southern borders, Rice told Gul that the US had warned
Kurdish groups in the region, and that if necessary, the United
Nations could be involved in delivering these warnings.
One more subject that was raised during talks between Gul and Rice was
that of the so-called Armenian genocide, a matter which has been at
the forefront of recent international movement. Gul thanked Rice for
preventing Armenian lobbies from being able to pass legal decisions
against Turkey in the US Congress, and noted “For such a law to pass
through Congress would hurt US-Turkish relations.”

Armenian Intellectuals will take Part in 8th Championship in Intellectual Games in Georgia
The Messenger, Georgia
July 7 2006
Seven Armenian teams will participate in the 8th South Caucasian
Championship in Intellectual Games that will be held in Georgia
on July 7-9, Karen Kocharian, chairman of the Armenian Association
‘What? Where? How?’ stated to Novosti Armenia news agency.
Kocharian said that the participating teams occupied the first seven
places in the [Armenian] Republican Championship in Intellectual
Games, and include the current champions of the South Caucasus –
the team of the Republican Party of Armenia.
“Armenian teams are tuned for victory. We are going to maintain the
title of champion”, he stressed.
Kocharian noted that Armenian teams would compete with each other at
the forthcoming championship. Among the other competitors, he pointed
to Tanakhard – the Azeri team from Baku.
Over 30 teams from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, as well as from
Tskhinvali and Sokhumi will take part in the championship.
Alexei Paevski from Moscow will lead and judge the games. (Black
Sea Press)

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Azeri FM still in Germany
Source: Trend
Author: S.Agayeva
07.07.2006
The official visit of Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov to
Germany is on. Head of press and information policy with Foreign
Ministry Tahir Tagizadeh told Trendon the second day of the visit
Mamedyarov took part in the meeting arranged by Marshall Fund.
At the meeting were also taking part representatives of Germany
government, NGOs, research institutes, as well as ambassadors of
foreign countries, mass media representatives and so. Speaking at the
meeting, Azeri minister provided detail on the current economical
and political development of Azerbaijan, implemented economic
projects, including oil and gas pipelines Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan,
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, planned railroad Baku-Tbilisi-Ahalkalaki-Kars,
the country’s integration with Euro-Atlantic space and its
participation in the EU and so.
The most of his speech Azeri diplomat devoted to Azerbaijan’s most
complicated problem – peaceful settlement of Azeri-Armenian conflict.
Stating the tragic consequence of Armenian aggression, minister said
the conflict prevents ensuring peace and security in the region. He
also said Armenians adhere to illegal settling and ethnic cleansing
policy on Azerbaijan’s occupied grounds, Azerbaijan’s culture
and historical monuments in Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh are
demolished and set on fire.
On the same day, Mamedyarov met with members of German-Caucasian
friendship group with Bundestag of Germany. The group chairman Stefan
Reichel informed the minister of enlarging the group, estimating this
as an increase of interest in Azerbaijan. In turn, Azeri Minister
stated his satisfaction with dynamic development of mutual relations
between Germany and Azerbaijan, underlined the necessity in further
collaboration.
Within the visit, Minister attended the new building of Azeri Embassy
to Germany. The same day, at the invitation of Prime Minister of
Baden-Wurttemberg Federal Land Mamedyarov visited the reception at
the Land’s representation in Berlin.
The Azeri Foreign Minister’s visit to Germany is going on.

Armenian Prime Minister To Pay Working Visit To Adjara
Daily Georgian Times, Georgia
July 7 2006
Andranik Marganian, Prime Minister of Armenia will pay a three-day
working visit to Batumi.
The Armenian Prime Minister will arrive in the Autonomous Republic
of Adjara on Friday, say the Armenian news agencies.
According to them, Andranik Margarian is to take part in the fifth
session of the Georgian-Armenian Inter Governmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation.
Within the frameworks of his visit Andranik Margarian will meet his
Georgian counterpart Zurab Noghaideli. The meeting will be dedicated to
priorities in economic and humanitarian cooperation and urgent issues
with that regard, as well as elaboration of a better legislative base.
Andranik Margarian is accompanied by the delegation, which includes
Vardan Khachatryan, Finance and Economic Minister, Gegam Garibjanian,
Deputy Foreign Minister, Armen Avetissia, Head of the Customs
Department of the Armenian government, Areg Galstian, Deputy Energy
Minister, Stepan Marganian, Advisor of Prime Minister, Ararat Khramian,
Executive Director of JS Armenian Railways and other officials.
The Armenian MPs and businessmen are also paying visit to Batumi.
The visit by the Armenian delegation lasts through July 10th.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Creative opportunities of mediators exhausted, leaders of confect
countries should take initiatives – U.S. Amb at OSCE MG
Source: Trend
Author: E.Huseynov
07.07.2006
The statements by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in a meeting of the
OSCE permanent committee, who stated that they ‘can’t do anything more
in the definition of peaceable principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict’ do not mean a deadlock, U.S. Ambassador Matthew Bryza,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair told Azerbaijani Service of BBC.
The statement means the creative opportunities of mediators have
exhausted and therefore, there is necessity for initiatives in decision
making by leaders of the confect countries. “It is not a deadlock. It
is the moment in the negotiation process when the co-chairs say the
leaders can take a resolution that they want,” Bryza underscored.
Both leaders possess political will, wish cooperation, but we still
do not know whether they are ready to take final and difficult steps
to summarize the major principles of frame agreement, he said. “Now
it is high time when the leaders should explain their nations the
benefit of the peace plan, show the way for progress with the help
of compromises. This is the way of diplomacy,” the mediator emphasized.
Bryza underlined that thee are fair and encouraging principles.
“These are the best of all proposals put so far. I’d say that we are
too far to peace as never. But I can’t guarantee that the Presidents
using their sovereign rights will accept these proposals or inject
changes, which would satisfy both sides,” he stressed.
According to the co-chair, the statement by the United States on
support to territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and a principle on
self-determination do not contradict each other. “If you pay attention
to the statements by the co-chairs, they refer to both principles. The
most important is to find the contacts between these principles at
the table of talks.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Majority of participants of meetings of PA OSCE committees in
Brussels positively assessed appearances of Azeri representatives
Source: Trend
Author: V.Sharifov
07.07.2006
All members of Azerbaijani delegation delivered a report on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during the meetings of the committees of the
Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE in Brussels. The member of Azerbaijani
delegation in PA OSCE Eldar Ibrahimov noted that during the meeting
of the economic committee of PA OSCE, the participants were informed
about the fires committed by Armenians in Azerbaijan’s occupied
territories and destruction of the flora and fauna, cultural and
historical monuments, Trend reports with reference to ATV TV channel.
A majority of the participants positively assessed the appearances
of Azerbaijani representatives, Ibrahimov told.
On July 6, the meetings of the OSCE committees were completed. And on
July 7, the head of this organization will be elected and a Brussels
statement will be adopted.

ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER TO TRAVEL TO GEORGIA FOR 3-DAY VISIT
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 7 2006
YEREVAN, July 7. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister, Andranik Margaryan,
to head to Georgia on Friday for three-day visit, governmental press
service reports.
The premier is set to attend the fifth regular session of
Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation
to be held on June 7 to 10 in Batumi, Georgia.
Priorities in economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two
countries are planned to be outlined at the commission’s routine
session. Other issues are also to be discussed.
A business forum will be held as part of the session.
The forth session was held in last September in Yerevan. The countries’
Foreign Ministers signed an agreement on launching a vigorous joint
crackdown on car hijacking.
Besides, it was decided at the then session to draw an agreement on
geographic names and trade marks recognition and protection and to
set up a group for working out a package of proposals on trade and
economic cooperation as well as to spur cooperation between the two
countries’ trade-industrial chambers. M.V. -0–

AB Haber, Belgium
EU-Turkey News Network
July 7 2006
STATEMENT BY PROF. YAKUP KEPENEK, MEMBER OF THE TURKISH DELEGATION TO
THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
PLENARY SESSION
(6 JULY 2006)
15TH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
(3-7 JULY 2006, BRUSSELS)
Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,
In our deliberations throughout the week, we have taken a number of
significant decisions for strengthening human security in the OSCE
region. The debate on the resolutions and the supplementary items has
given us the opportunity to exchange views on issues of common
concern and to reinforce our dialogue in order to address challenges
we all face. We thank all the rapporteurs and the authors of the
amendments for their hard work. We also welcome Montenegro as a new
participating State in this dialogue.
In our debate, it has become clear once again that the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly is a unique platform for sincere and
constructive political dialogue for enhancing peace and security.
Most of the interventions have lived up to that standard and
expectations. There were only a few who regrettably have chosen to
use the proceedings of this august body to extend biased and
misleading allegations. To facilitate smooth running of the Committee
proceedings we have not responded to those unwarranted allegations
one by one.
Allow me now to make a few comments on what one delegation has said
on the Cyprus question in all three Committee meetings. They talked
about the so-called “Turkish occupation” of the northern part of the
island as a violation of the international law and commitments.
Furthermore, they referred to Turkey’s EU accession process and
claimed a link between this process and the Cyprus question. I have
to be straightforward to get my messages through:
Cyprus question did not start when Turkey intervened in the island in
1974. The question started much earlier and in 1963 the Turkish
Cypriots were ousted by force from all organs of the Republic of
Cyprus established as a partnership state in accordance with the 1960
London and Zurich Agreements. The intervention in 1974 based on
Turkey’s rights emanating from the international treaties of 1960 was
a reaction to the attempt by the military regime in Greece to annex
the island through a military coup. The Turkish intervention brought
peace to the island which lasted until today.
Since 1974, both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have supported the
efforts carried out under the good offices mission of the United
Nations Secretary General towards finding a just and viable
settlement to the Cyprus question. However, the Greek Cypriot side
rejected various draft proposals for settlement, more recently the
Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem, the well-known Annan
Plan in April 2004. The Turkish Cypriot people approved the Annan
Plan by a clear majority (over 64 per cent). The affirmative vote has
been applauded by the UN and the rest of the international community
which was accompanied by calls for restoration of direct economic,
trade and cultural activities of the Turkish Cypriots. Until today,
not much has changed in the daily lives of the Turkish Cypriots and
the forty-year long isolation and embargoes imposed on them continue
unabated.
The accession of the Greek Cypriot Administration into the European
Union without a comprehensive settlement played a significant role in
increasingly uncompromising policy of the Greek Cypriot side who
rejected the Annan Plan. We regard fairness and objectivity as our
guiding principles in the relations between Turkey and the EU. We
also expect our partners in the EU to fulfil their commitments they
have made both towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Putting an
end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots including starting
direct trade is but one of them. Turkey is determined to continue its
efforts towards the solution of the Cyprus problem under the auspices
of the good-offices of the UN Secretary General based on the Annan
Plan.
Mr. President,
In conclusion, a few words on the Southern Caucasus. Southern
Caucasus region is strategically important for Turkey and for the
entire Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian region not least because of the
energy and transport corridors between Europe and the Caspian basin.
The “frozen conflicts”, including in Upper-Karabakh, obstruct
regional cooperation perspectives and initiatives. The peaceful
resolution of the Upper-Karabakh conflict would not only contribute
to the regional cooperation but also to the normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations.
The Turkish people is united in its determination to foster peaceful
relations with all its neighbours based on mutual respect and the
spirit of cooperation for a better future. With this conviction, we
will continue to support the activities of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly in fostering dialogue and cooperation across the OSCE region
and particularly in the zones of conflict.
Thank you.

Russian VimpelCom cell giant 2005 net profit rises 130%
14:56 | 07/ 07/ 2006
RIA Novosti, Russia
July 7 2006
MOSCOW, July 7 (RAIA Novosti) – VimpelCom (RTS: VIMP) said Friday
its net profit calculated according to Russian accounting standards
increased by 130% to 16.73 billion rubles ($621.66 million) in 2005
year-on-year.
Russia’s second largest mobile phone operator said its 2005 revenues
had risen three times to 72.89 bln rubles ($2.71 billion), and the
gross profit increased by 190% to 51.72 bln rubles ($1.92 billion)
year-on-year.
The VimpelCom group includes cell phone operators in Russia, Kazakhstan
and, following recent acquisitions, in Ukraine, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan. The group is licensed to provide mobile phone operations
to a region home to 232 million people, and covers 94% of Russia’s
population in 78 out of 88 regions.
VimpelCom is listed in the Russian Industrial Leaders Index (RUXX)
– a composite economic index of 20 Russian companies with financial
instruments (shares and depository receipts) placed on bourses,
including the New York Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange,
the Nasdaq and AMEX.
The company, which operates under the Beeline trademark in Russia,
said in June it would be among four bidders for a 90% stake in Armenian
telecom company ArmenTel, which with about 330,000 users as of late
March 2006 counts just over a tenth of the country’s population as
its clients. The winner of the tender is expected to be announced
after July 20.
The announcement came in the wake of a recent demand for 1.91 billion
rubles ($70.5 million) in back taxes for 2003-2004 by Russia’s tax
authorities. The demand included 1.5 bln rubles ($55.5 mln) in tax
arrears, as well as 405 mln rubles ($15 mln) in fines and penalties.
VimpelCom said it would contest the results of tax authorities’
checks for 2003-2004. The company said its tax records showed it had
over-paid for 2003 and 2004 by 796 mln rubles ($29.44 mln), and that
it had sent its demands to the tax authorities.
The authorities accepted the company’s claim, the statement said,
and informed VimpelCom that it would refund 795 mln rubles ($29.4 mln).