RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN ARMENIA THINKS XENOPHOBIA NOT EXCLUSIVELY RUSSIAN PHENOMENON
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2006
YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. Russian Embassy in Armenia is convinced
that xenophobia is not exclusively Russian phenomenon, it was said
during meetings in the Embassy with Armenian participants of the first
Forum of CIS Member Countries’ Intellectuals held on April 14 and 15
in Moscow.
The Embassy expressed regret at several cases of violence committed
by Russian citizens against Armenians.
It was said at these meetings that this evil is often seen in
multinational countries, even those having highly developed democratic
and social institutions.
Russian side also denied allegations appearing in media outlets that
Russian law enforcement agencies are deliberately slow in preventing
violence against Armenians. It also said that statements about some
officials’ complicity in the crime are completely groundless.
Russian diplomats said that many facts proved polar-opposite thing.
They pointed out Armenian community involvement in all areas and
institutions, including state governing bodies and said that this
involvement would be impossible without the reasonable policy pursued
by Russian authorities.
The press release received by ARKA News Agency from Russian Embassy
says that the meeting participants stressed the necessity of uniting
efforts to make ties between the two nations closer.
The meetings were held on June 23 and 30. Issues related to bi-lateral
ties were discussed at the meetings as well.

NKR DELEGATION MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LEGISLATIVE BODY AND KNOWN US ORGANIZATIONS IN WASHINGTON
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2006
STEPANAKERT, July 4. /ARKA/. The Speaker of the NKR National Assembly
Ashot Gulyan and NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgy Petrosyan
held a number of meetings with representatives of the legislative
body and US known organizations in Washington.
On June 28, Gulyan and Petrosyan met with the Head of Eastern
(Clinician) Eparchy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Arch-Bishop
Oshakan Choloyan within the framework of their working visit to USA,
the NKR Foreign Ministry reports.
During the meeting Gulyan expressed Choloyan gratitude for constant
support to Artsakh, expressing belief that warm relations developed
during many years and cooperation will have their continuation in
the future as well.
On June 29, NKR delegation met with the US Congressman, Chairman of
subcommittee on foreign assignments Jim Colby. On behalf of people
and authorities of Karabakh Gulyan and Petrosyan expressed gratitude
to the US Congress for the fidelity to principles shown in the course
of rendering assistance to the NKR.
Presenting humanitarian needs of Nagrono-Karabakh, the delegation
representatives called to go on with the support, covering newer
directions, including spheres of democracy development, strengthening
of market economy and human rights.
On June 29, the NKR delegation met with the Chairman of Marshall Legacy
Institute organization Perry Baltimore. During their conversation
sides discussed issues relating to implementation of programs on mine
clearing in Karabakh and perspectives of possible cooperation in the
humanitarian sphere.
Besides that In the Armenian Embassy in USA was held a reception in
the honor of the NKR delegation, in which took part; members of the US
Government, American and foreign diplomats, heads and representatives
of international and Armenian organization, journalists and members
of the Armenian community.
Presenting officials of Nagorno-Karabakh to gathered people, the
Ambassador of Armenia in US Tatul Margaryan pointed out achievements
of the people and authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh in years of
independence.
In his turn Gulyan, when making a speech, positively estimated results
of the delegation’s visit, assuring gathered people in adherence
of people and authorities of NKR to values of independence, freedom
and democracy.
Working visit of the delegation of Nagorno-Karabakh ended on June 30.

MONITORING OF FRONTLINE BETWEEN ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES HELD WITHOUT BREAK OF CEASEFIRE REGIME
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2006
STEPANAKERT, July 4. /ARKA/. Another monitoring of the frontline
between Armenian and Azerbaijani Armed Forces on Aghdam-Hindarkh road
and in the vicinity of Novruzlu settlement passed without break of
the ceasefire regime.
The Press Service of the NKR Foreign Ministry reports that, the
observations group from the side of the NKR Armed Forces was led
by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-office Anjey
Kaspshik. The group included Kaspshik’s field assistants from Great
Britain and Germany.
The monitoring was held according to the schedule; however the
Azerbaijani side, unlike Karabakh side, did not lead out the OSCE
mission to its frontline.
Representatives of the NKR Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs
accompanying the OSCE mission emphasized that despite messages
exaggerated by the Azerbaijani side about arson of settlements within
the security zone of the NKR, participants of the monitoring haven’t
registered such facts. On one of districts between positions of the
sides have been found traces of arson sourcing from a territory which
is under the control of Azerbaijan, and this fact proves earlier
version of the NKR Government regarding burning of grass by the
Azerbaijani side.
Monitorings will be held on different parts of the frontline on July
4 and 5 as well.
On June 15, 2006, the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs turned
to Kaspshik’s office with a request to hold a monitoring on the
frontline between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to estimate the
situation and make sure that accusations of Baku about alleged arson
of settlements next to the frontline ad under control of the NKR are
made up.

ARMENIA-DIASPORA THIRD FORUM GIVES NEW IMPETUS TO UNIFICATION OF ALL ARMENIANS WORLDWIDE
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2006
YEREVAN, July 4. /ARKA/. Armenia-Diaspora third forum gave a new
impetus to unification of all Armenians worldwide, Dashnaktsutyun
party said Monday in its statement.
The statement says that Armenian people will mark 15th anniversary of
independence declaration with determination to keep building democracy
and prosperity. It also says the forum will be held right at the time
of the independence celebration.
The forum will be focused on searching money for the development of
Armenia’s border areas, for rural infrastructures modernization and
for dealing with population social problems.
The party urged all institutions, organizations and individuals to
take active part in these programs implementation.
“We must prove that we can build a mighty homeland that will be able
to join world nations fold”, the statement says.
The third economic forum Armenia-Diaspora is to be held in Yerevan
on September 20, 2006.

ABKHAZ POLITICIANS AT ODDS OVER RAILWAY
Civil Georgia, Georgia
July 4 2006
The Abkhaz authorities are thoroughly considering proposals over
resumption of railway connection between Georgia and Russia via
Abkhazia and are ready to contribute only if the project coincides with
the Sokhumi’s interests, a statement issued by the breakaway region’s
government on July 4 says, according to the Apsnipress news agency.
The statement follows after a Forum of Abkhaz People’s Unity,
which includes three opposition parties and nine public movements,
said on June 30 that an agreement on setting up of the international
consortium on railway rehabilitation uniting the Russian, Georgian,
Abkhaz and Armenian sides, pose threat to the Abkhazia’s sovereignty.
Forum of Abkhaz People’s Unity said in a statement that it is
not against of rehabilitation of the railway, but it categorically
opposes handing over property of the Abkhaz state-run railway to the
international consortium.
Some opposition parliamentarians, including Kesou Khagba, alleged that
Abkhaz and Russian criminal interests are behind the railway project.
The Abkhaz government denounced the opposition’s allegations as
groundless and said in the statement that talks over the consortium
are of “consultative nature” and no legally binding document has been
signed yet.
The government of the breakaway region also noted that the process
is transparent and open for public discussions.

PATRIARCH MAXIM OF BULGARIA CALLS ON ALL RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO DEFEND BULGARIAN NURSES IN LIBYA
Focus News, Bulgaria
July 4 2006
Moscow. A delegation of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, headed by
Bishop Kiril, which takes part in the First World Summit of Religious
Leaders in Moscow, called for justice for the Bulgarian medics in
Libya. The Bulgarian Orthodox representatives delivered a message
by the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Maxim,
who expresses gratitude for the support of many Orthodox churches,
of Catholic, Muslim, public organizations and scientific figures,
who believe that the Bulgarian nurses are innocent.
“Is it possible that the Bulgarians, who had rescued 50,000 Jews and
80,000 Armenians from genocide, could be involved in what they were
accused of? We call on all religious leaders to support the Bulgarian
Church and for the sake of justice, to defend the Bulgarian nurses
in Libya”, Patriarch Maxim said in his message, BNR reported.

PM MEETS WITH NEW US AMBASSADOR
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade July 4 met with newly
appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the United
State of America in Baku Mrs. Anne Derse.
The Ambassador said America attaches importance to development of
relations with Azerbaijan and the country’s role in the regional and
global politics. She described the recent visit of the Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev to the United States as successful noting it
has opened a new page in history of bilateral relationship. Mrs.
Derse pointed out that her activities as the US Ambassador will
mainly focus on the issues concerning the fight against terrorism,
ensuring global energy security and support in Azerbaijan’s joining
the World Trade Organization.
Prime Minister Rasizade congratulated Mrs. Anne Derse on the
Independence Day and wished success in her new office. He informed
the Ambassador in detail on the situation over the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict pointing out the double standard approach of
the international community to this problem. The Premier reaffirmed
Azerbaijan’s commitment to peaceful resolution of the conflict, and
urged the USA to intensify its efforts for the problem to be solved
on the basis of internationally recognized legal norms and principles.

KOCHARIAN GEARS UP FOR IRAN VISIT
By Ruzanna Khachatrian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 4 2006
President Robert Kocharian will fly to Tehran Wednesday on a two-day
visit which officials in Yerevan hope will cement Armenia’s close
economic and political ties with Iran.
Kocharian is scheduled to hold his first face-to-face talks with
Iran’s controversial President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and meet other
senior Iranian officials. A statement by his press office did not
list the Islamic Republic’s powerful supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei, among them.
The statement said a number of unspecified “bilateral agreements” will
be signed during the trip. Kocharian’s spokesman Victor Soghomonian
could not give their details, telling RFE/RL only that the Armenian
leader will discuss a “broad range of issues” in Tehran.
The presence in the Kocharian-led Armenian delegation of Energy
Minister Movsisian, who visited Iran as recently as in late May,
suggests that growing Armenian-Iranian cooperation in the energy
sector will be high on the agenda. Movsisian and Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian were already in Tehran on Tuesday,
making last-minute preprations for Kocharian’s arrival.
According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Movsisian met with Iran’s
Oil Minister Vaziri Hamaneh and Energy Minister Parviz Fattah to
discuss multimillion-dollar Armenian-Iranian energy projects, notably
the ongoing construction of a pipeline which is due to start pumping
Iranian natural gas to Armenia next year.
“The Tehran Times” daily reported on June 13 that Yerevan and
Tehran will soon sign an agreement to build a third high-voltage
transmission line that will connect the power grids of the two
neighboring countries. The paper said the $80 million project will
be financed by a state-run Iranian bank.
The Iranian government t has already provided a separate $35 million
loan to finance the ongoing construction of Russia’s state-run
gas monopoly, Gazprom, announced earlier this week plans to buy the
Armenian section of the pipeline which was supposed to ease Armenia’s
strong dependence on Russian energy resources. The issue may also be
discussed during Kocharian’s visit.

KARABAKH WAR VETS REJECT ARMENIAN LAND CONCESSIONS
By Ruzanna Stepanian and Anna Saghabalian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 4 2006
A group of prominent Armenian veterans of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh
on Tuesday warned Armenia’s leadership against returning any territory
to Azerbaijan, saying that would be tantamount to high treason.
In a statement which they claimed was signed by some two thousand
rank-and-file veterans, the former field commanders warned that the
authorities in Yerevan will earn the “status of Turkish occupiers
with all consequences stemming from that” if they agree to liberate
any of the seven Azerbaijani districts surrounding Karabakh. “At this
critical moment we are urging all patriotic forces to unite and defend
our endangered homeland,” they said.
None of the known signatories of the statement is affiliated with the
Yerkrapah Union, the biggest and most influential of groups uniting
Karabakh war veterans. The Yerkrapah leadership, which is loyal to
the Armenian government, has not commented on the latest Karabakh
peace initiatives so far.
The angry statement was apparently prompted by the publication of the
main principles of the most recent international plan to resolve the
Karabakh conflict, which envisages Armenian withdrawal from at least
six of the occupied districts. The Lachin district, which serves as the
shortest overland link between Karabakh and Armenia, would remain under
Armenian control at least until a future referendum on the disputed
enclave’s status. Official Yerevan has largely accepted this plan.
“This is not mutual compromise, this is a surrender,” said Manvel
Yeghiazarian, the former commander of the now disbanded Arabo militia
that fought in the Karabakh war. He warned that President Robert
Kocharian will be considered a “traitor” and incur his and many other
veterans’ ire if he signs such a deal.
“Twenty one fighters of Arabo went missing on June 29, 1992 [and
remain unaccounted for]. What should I say to their mothers?”
Yeghiazarian told reporters.
“Nobody must dare surrender those territories, whether he is a
president or a minister,” said Levon Sahakian of the Independence Army,
another former paramilitary group. “Our brothers died there and those
lands are very important for us.”
Ashot Bleyan, a former education minister and the most famous proponent
of far-reaching Armenian concessions to Azerbaijan, scoffed at such
arguments, challenging Armenian hardliners to settle in the largely
deserted Azerbaijani lands with their families. Bleyan, had served in
the administration of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian, rejected
their claims that the Armenians already resolved the Karabakh dispute
on the battlefield and must not concede anything.
“Before saying that we won, every Armenian must ask themselves:
What are they ready for? Are they ready to die? Are they ready to
send their boy to death?” he told a roundtable discussion in Yerevan.
Bleyan raised eyebrows in Armenia and Karabakh when he visited
Baku on a peace-making mission in late 1992, at the height of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani war. He declared on Tuesday that he is ready
to make another trip to Azerbaijan, describing it as a “potential
strategic partner” of Armenia. “If we don’t want to respect a
neighboring state and have relations with it, we can’t be serious,”
he said.
Yerevan’s apparent acceptance of the peace plan put forward by the
OSCE Minsk Group contrasts with serious reservations expressed by the
ethnic Armenian leadership of Karabakh. Samvel Babayan, the former
wartime commander of the Karabakh Armenian army, echoed Stepanakert’s
concerns in an interview with RFE/RL last week, saying that the plan
is too risky for the Armenian side because it calls for the return
of Azerbaijani refugees to Karabakh and Lachin.
“One small incidents, and all roads leading to Stepanakert would
again be blocked and we would return to 1988,” said Babayan.

ISTANBUL PROSECUTION OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE ELIF SAFAK
By Cihan News Agency
Zaman Online, Turkey
July 4 2006
Istanbul Beyoglu Prosecution Office has decided to open an
investigation against author Elif Safak for her book “Baba and Pic –
literally Father and the Bastard”.
Ultra-rightwing Turkish Lawyers Association Chairman Kemal Kerincsiz,
infamous for filing charges against journalists and authors, filed
a complaint against author Elif Safak.
Kemal Kerincsiz, who has prosecuted novelist Orhan Pamuk and
ethnic-Armenian writer Hrant Dink, accused Elif Safak of ‘insulting
Turkish character’ – for her inclusion of remarks made by Armenian
characters in her latest book.
The prosecutor decided to investigate the book for certain statements
quoted from the Armenian characters.
“Baba and Pic” describes the relationship between an Armenian and
two Turkish families.
Elif Safak, who also writes for Zaman daily, said that the remarks
of Diaspora Armenians in her book were wrongly attributed to her.