U.S. INTERESTED IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS NORMALIZATION
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:07 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “From the geopolitical standpoint, the
U.S. is interested in normalization of relations between
Armenia and Turkey. The U.S. really considers normalization of the
Turkish-Armenian relations within the context of the Nagorbno Karabakh
conflict settlement. This is one of the fundamental issues of the
American-Turkish consultations. I think normalization of relations
is more profitable for Armenia rather then for Turkey,” Head of the
Department of Turkey of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia,
Doctor Ruben Safrastyan stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.
“As for the Russian-Turkish relations, they can be characterized
as geo-strategic armistice which may result in signing of an
agreement. Presently the situation in the South Caucasus is like that
of December 1917. History proves that when Russia leaves the South
Caucasus Turkey occupies its place immediately. Now the U.S. joined
the process. Using the Iranian factor Turkey will increase influence
with the U.S. assistance. Who will replace Putin? Much depends on
this fact. If a man like him comes to power the priorities will be
preserved. If others come everything will become unclear. I do not
rule out return of oligarchs,” he underscored.

MONUMENT TO A-320 CRASH VICTIMS TO BE INAUGURATED IN YEREVAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The commission formed over the crash of Armavia-owned
A-320 held a sitting in Yerevan today, reported the RA government’s
press service.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Pavel Safaryan said over 88
million drams was transferred to the account opened for the relatives
of those killed in the crash. The commission decided to pay 1 million
drams for each victim. Besides 2 million will be assigned as financial
aid to the relatives of two Georgian citizens killed in the crash,
since the Georgian government has not renders any assistance.
1 million 400 thousand drams will be assigned for the erection of
a monument to the crash victims. The monument will be presumably
inaugurated near the Church of Surb Sargis, Mayor of Yerevan Yervand
Zakharyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERGEY TARAN: RUSSIA MAINTAINS INFLUENCE ON AZERBAIJAN THROUGH KARABAKH PROBLEM
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh problem doesn’t find solution
since Russia tries to maintain its influence upon Azerbaijan, Director
of the Ukrainian International Institute of Democracy Sergey Taran
stated. In his words, with the GUAM membership Azerbaijan has created
the possibility to counterbalance Russia’s influence.
“Besides, energy issues are important both for Azerbaijan and
Ukraine. If the GUAM accomplishes its energy projects, for example oil
and gas delivery to Europe, it will mean that Russia’s influence will
face serious alternative. Thus Azerbaijan will have the possibility
to solve the problems, including the Karabakh one,” Taran remarked.

FIRE IN KARABAKH SET BY AZERIS?
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the very first day of the PACE session the
members of the Azeri delegation spread documents, photos and videos
on the fires in the NKR security zone. As head of the RA parliament
Tigran Torosian told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, this was a predictable
move. “I know that materials of the kind will be spread and had a
conversation with NKR parliament speaker Ashot Ghulian. It would be
good if the NKR officials comment on the issue, because press reports
of igniting bullets with the help of which Azeris set fire to dry
glass,” Torosian said.
According to head of the information and propaganda department at
the NKR Defense Ministry, colonel lieutenant Senor Asratyan, these
rumors are not confirmed. “The Ministry has not registered any arsons
of grass and woods,” he said.
To note, the Azeri delegation to the PACE has launched collection of
signatures among the PACE members.
Parliamentarians from Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Canada and some other
states have already put signatures to the document.

SITTING OF PACE SUBCOMMITTEE ON KARABAKH TO BE HELD JUNE 29
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 16:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The sitting of the PACE Subcommittee on Nagorno
Karabakh will be held June 29 within the framework of the PACE
summer session, deputy head of the Azeri delegation to the PACE
Gyultekin Hajiyeva said. She said Azeri delegation head Samed Seidov
and Armenian delegation head Tigran Torosian will be present at the
sitting. “Lord Russell Johnston and co-rapporteurs of the OSCE MG
will also take part in the sitting,” Hajiyeva said. In her words,
the issues referring to Nagorno Karabakh will be discussed with the
participation of representatives of Finland, Italy, Turkey and other
states, reported Trend news agency.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA TO CONTINUE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS IN CIS, VLADIMIR PUTIN SAID
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 17:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia will continue peacekeeping mission in the CIS
member states despite provocations, Russian President Vladimir Putin
said at a conference in the RF Foreign Ministry. At that the Russian
President remarked that presently Russia immediately takes part in
the settlement of conflicts in the post soviet space. Mr Putin also
stated of the necessity of opening talks on the replacement of the
American-Russia treaty on strategic offensive armament, which expires
in 2009. In Putin’s words, “standstill is expected in the disarmament
field” and the dialogue should be resumed, reported Echo of Moscow.

ISA GAMBAR: BAKU GAVE OK ON REFERENDUM IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 17:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The latest statements by OSCE Minsk Group
U.S. Co-chair Matthew J. Bryza prove that the Azerbaijani authorities
gave ok on conduction of referendum in Nagorno Karabakh, Musavat party
leader Isa Gambar stated in Baku. In his words, every time before
elections the ruling power promises international organizations to
agree with the proposes on the conflict settlement, which “damage
national interests of Azerbaijan.” “However after the elections the
authorities understand that they cannot keep the promises and try to
change their position and justifying themselves to the international
organizations,” Isa Gambar.
He also stressed that the statements that 2006 will be the decisive
year for the settlement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict prove that
some promises were received from the Azerbaijani leadership. “Now
the experts are disappointed and urge the authorities to fulfill the
obligations. They anchor hopes with the meeting of the Presidents
likely to be held within the framework of G8 summit in Saint
Petersburg,” Isa Gambar said.

PACE: AZERBAIJAN EXPERIENCES SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH DEMOCRACY
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 18:18 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The hot debates on Azerbaijan’s fulfillment of
obligations to the Council of Europe were not much different from
the previous ones.
Rapporteurs Herkel and Gross again said Baku neglects its commitments
to the CoE. They also pointed out to the unwillingness of the
authorities to conduct democratic elections and secure rights and
freedoms of the citizens.
Gross said the authorities try to justify the problems available
by the presence of refugees and consequences of war. They think
that if they have oil they can neglect the laws and the opinion of
the international community. This was the reason for the falsified
parliamentary election in 2005 and similar election in May 2006.
During the debates some parliamentarians from Eastern Europe and
Turkey supported Azerbaijan and offered to recognize the Azeri
delegation mandate.
As for the speeches of the Azeri delegation members, they were
remarkable with emotionality and absence of arguments. The speeches
assured that the Council of Europe should understand that Azerbaijan
is a young state and he should be assisted but not criticized.
With majority of votes the resolution and recommendations submitted
by Gross and Herkel were adopted. The rapporteurs said Azerbaijan
experiences serious problems with democracy and fundamental freedoms
such as elections, freedom of speech and other fields. In spring
2007 the PACE will again revert to the commitments to be fulfilled by
Azerbaijan. Till that time the PACE will proceed with the monitoring
of all the spheres of life, reported Turan.

COE SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS KARABAKH PROBLEM MILITARY SETTLEMENT INADMISSIBLE
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.06.2006 18:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Council of Europe stands for the soonest peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict and both Azerbaijan and Armenia
should be interested in it, CoE Secretary General Terry Davis stated
at a news conference in Strasbourg.
Terry Davis voiced regret over the protraction of the settlement
process. “The resolution should be quick but appliance of force
is inadmissible. Too many people died during the recent years. I
negatively treat any idea of military resolution and emphasize that the
war caused great sufferings to both conflicting parties, Mr Davis said.

‘BRIDGE OF UNIFICATION’ FROM GYUMRI TO SHUSHI
By Gegham Mkrtchian
AZG Armenian Daily
28/06/2006
The Gyumri Municipality and “ART” company are going to hold “Bridge
of Unification” from Gyumri to Shushi.
Artyom Toumanian, chairman of “ART” company, said this at yesterday’s
press conference at “Asparez” pres club. The initiative is aimed to
contribute to the establishment of cultural, sports and other relations
between these two cities. It is envisaged that an expedition from
Gyumri will launch. Twenty people will participate in the expedition,
which will last 10 days. The expedition will include famous art
workers, singers, freedom fighters, physicians and other specialists.
Gyumri-Shushi foot expedition will launch on July 15.
The expedition will pass through Aragatsotn, Ararat and Syunik
regions. A gala concert will be held in Shushi on the occasion of
the expedition members’ arrival.
The initiators of the arrangement hope that that will be a success
and will become an annual tradition.