WHAT DOES THE UN HAVE TO DO WITH THE FIRES IN KARABAKH?
Tatul Hakobyan
“Radiolur”
21.08.2006 16:12
Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees is paying a
working visit to the South Caucasus. In Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Armenia the Commissioner had meetings with the authorities of the
three countries. Although this is Guterres’ first visit to Armenia,
the Office headed by him has done much for the integration of refugees
into the Armenian community. Today’s meeting with the Foreign Minister
of Armenia was followed by a joint press conference.
“I would like first of all to say that we have an excellent cooperation
with the Armenian Government in the support of people that have
been refugees or are still refugees. I would like to express our
appreciation for the decision that was taken to grant temporary
protection to all people coming from Lebanon both Armenians and
Lebanese, in the recent crisis,” the Commissioner said.
In his turn Vardan Oskanian noted that they discussed all the questions
connected with refugees, focusing particularly on the issues of
Armenian refugees.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union over 1.5 million people
became refugees in the South Caucasian region, that is to say about
10 percent of the region’s population has lost shelter and has no
permanent place of residence.
About one third of the refugees – 500 thousand people – are
Armenians, who left their homes in Azerbaijan still preceding the
Karabakh conflict. They were subjected to massacres, brutalities
and persecution. Unfortunately, nobody remember them today, while
the question of 750 Azerbaijani refugees is still on the agenda,
and Baku articulates this for political aims.
In response to the question whether the property rights of the
Azerbaijani refugees will be resumed, Commissioner Guterres said,
“From our perspective when there is a peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the property rights of both sides [Armenian
and Azerbaijani] should be respected.”
Turning to the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Vardan
Oskanian noted that that the mediators have not suggested any new
ideas, adding, however, that “new ideas can be expected any time. At
this point they speak about the meeting of the Foreign Ministers. The
Co-Chairs are trying to fix the possible place and the time of the
meeting. There is nothing concrete so far.”
As for the arsons on the territories bordering Nagorno-Karabakh,
Oskanian said, “Mr. Guterres is a Portuguese, and he can assert that
every year great inflammations occur in Portugal because of the summer
heat. A similar phenomenon is observed on the territories bordering
Nagorno-Karabakh.”
In response to the Azerbaijan’s intention to transfer the question to
the UN, the Armenian Foreign Minister noted, “The discussion of the
question in the UN is not understandable for us. If such an attempt
is made, a question arises – what does UN have to do with the all
this. The issue should be considered from the practical perspective. We
should try to resolve the question locally, particularly considering
that there has been nothing intentional.”
A few days ago Armenian lobbyist organizations of the US applied the
US Administration, complaining of the possibility of sending Turkish
peacekeeping forces to Southern Lebanon. What is the position of the
official Yerevan regarding the question?
“We have one position: any country having foreign peacekeeping
forces on its territory should agree to the presence of this or that
country. It is the sovereign decision of the Lebanese Government
and it should be respected and not imposed by anyone,” the Foreign
Minister said.

KALONSKA: GERMANY SHOULD RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Yerkir
21.08.2006 16:22
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Germany should recognize the Armenian
Genocide unreservedly, Hans Kalonska, the director of Germany’s
Marborg-Bidenkopf Red Cross said when speaking to reporters in Yerevan.
The German Red Cross delegation visited Sunday the Armenian Genocide
Memorial to pay homage to the 1915 Genocide victims.
Kalonska said the Armenian Genocide resolution passed by the German
Bundestag should have had described the events of the past century
in more precise legal terms.
“The resolution has not found adequate resonance in the German society
though Germany shares a responsibility for the crime,” Kalonska
said. He added that only 10 percent of the German youth have some
idea of Armenia and even less are aware of the Armenian Genocide.
Kalonska also said that Turkey cannot join the European Union until
it has recognized the Armenian Genocide.

WHY DO WE WANT TO CHANGE THE ANTHEM?
Yerkir.am
August 18, 2006
One of the issues most widely discussed in the country recently is
the national anthem, “Our Motherland”. As always, these discussions
are passionate, emotional and full of contradictory statements,
mutual accusations and insults.
Unfortunately, very little attention is paid to the essence of the
issue – which is why do we want to change the national anthem? Why
are we not satisfied with it?
The supporters of a new anthem have so far failed to give a logical
answer to this question. There were some justifications that the
music is not very solemn and inspiring, that the lyrics were taken
from a song of some Italian girls, and many other equally ridiculous
“justifications”.
It is interesting who is not inspired by the existing anthem? How
come the Armenian voluntary troops were singing this song when going
to war where they would sacrifice their life for their motherland
while today’s intellectuals and artists with a “high test” are not
inspired by it to work for the benefit of the country?
Is it the music that hinders the development and flourishing of
the state?
Or maybe the hindering factor is that these people are more passionate
about changing the anthem than about improving our life? Is it that
difficult to accept that the question of the national anthem is not
something to be solved by a competition committee’s votes?
Before it became the national anthem of the First Republic of Armenia,
“Our Motherland” was selected by the nation, by those who were singing
this song when defending the country’s independence sacrificing their
lives, by those who were building the state, by several generations
of those who were dreaming about restoration of that independence. Can
you think of a more authoritative committee to make the choice?

BAKU PLOTTING ATTACK AGAINST ARMENIAN DIASPORA AND MEDIATORS
By Gayane Movsessian
Yerkir.am
August 18, 2006
Baku has discovered a new scapegoat for its diplomatic failures –
the Armenian Diaspora.
The activities of the Armenian Diaspora aimed at moral and material
support to the policies of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic have
been bothering Azerbaijan and Turkey for a long time. The latter have
been trying to oppress politically and economically the two Armenian
states for more than ten years.
There are very few people in Baku who do not talk about the
“omnipresent and omnipotent Armenian lobby”. The Azeris have been
trying in vain to mobilize their nationals living abroad for the
benefit of the homeland.
At last, Ilham Aliyev decided to mobilize his diplomats against the
successors of those who survived the Turkish yataghan and escaped to
different parts of the world from the Western Armenia. At a meeting
with representatives of diplomatic missions in Baku Aliyev expressed
his concern that the international community’s sympathy lies with
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. He demanded that all Azeri diplomats
exert their best efforts to change the situation.
“We have to launch an information attack and reveal the true nature of
Armenia’s policies,” Aliyev stated expressing his discontent with the
fact that the Azeri diplomacy fails to counter the activities of the
Armenian Diaspora and change the international community’s sympathy
towards Azerbaijan. “The international community sympathizes with
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,” Aliyev stated in a very nervous manner
and demanded that his diplomats do everything to change this situation.
One can easily make guesses as to how this will be achieved: the
Azeri propaganda machine will most likely increase the flow of lies
and dirt poured against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic in
an attempt to present Azerbaijan as “the unfortunate victim of the
Armenian aggression”. Baku does not seem to care that Azerbaijan,
with its population of 7-8 million people, its oil reserves and
increasing wealth, sounds ridiculous because of its constant weeping
and complaints against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its
tendency of accusing everyone for its failures.
OSCE Minsk Group might become another target for activation of Azeri
diplomacy. At the same meeting with the Azeri diplomats a proposal was
made that USA, Russia and France chair the Minsk Group on a rotation
basis. Of course, the proposal was not made with the purpose of making
the negotiation process more efficient. On the contrary, the Azeri
diplomats are looking for a scapegoat to blame for the failures in
the Karabakh negotiation process. Official Baku believes USA, Russia
and France can be such scapegoats. It is interesting to know who will
be the first one?

NEWS NOT ONLY FROM LIFE
Yerkir.am
August 18, 2006
Samark Publishing House has published the “News from Life,” a book by
Susanna Harutiunian, containing stories and novels. This is the third
book by this author, reinforcing her place in the modern Armenian
literature.
Fresh story-telling style, rich language, and vivid dialogues: these
are the features that emphasize Susanna Harutiunian’s style. But what
makes her stand out is her talent to come close to the heavenly doors
through stories taken from our earthly life.
For the author, simple dusty roads of a town or a village are her
ways to the space. A human is in the center of the book. A human
living on this soil that is called Armenia.
Is seems that simply our life is covered in a book that is called
“News from Life,” but her pretty stories do not copy the life, they
are not mere photos of the everyday life. We see the God-human being
relations in each level of her stories.

POLICY WATCH: AZERBAIJAN’S GEOPOLITICS
By Mark N. Katz
United Press International
Aug. 20, 2006
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) — The geopolitics of Azerbaijan are
complex. And they could become even more so.
But first, something must be said about what exactly geopolitics are,
and what is involved.
1. Identifying a country’s strengths and weakness vis-a-vis others,
but also the rivalries and alliances of that country, its neighbors,
and global and regional powers concerned with it;
2. Assessing whether these strengths and weaknesses, rivalries and
alliances are stable or likely to change; and
3. Exploring the impact of change in any of these on the existing
rivalries and alliances concerning a country.
Complicating all this is that a country’s geopolitics can be different
with regard to different issues. This applies to Azerbaijan, where
there are five important geopolitical issues: pipelines, division of
the Caspian, Nagorno-Karabakh, Southern Azerbaijan, democratization.
Pipelines: When first proposed, it was uncertain whether the
Baku-Ceyhan pipeline from Azerbaijan’s oil fields through Georgia and
Turkey to the Mediterranean coast would ever be built, or whether Azeri
oil would continue to be exported via the existing pipeline through
Russia — with all it implied for continued Russian predominance in
Azerbaijan. But Baku-Ceyhan was built, is functioning, and Azerbaijan
is less dependent on Russia.
On the pipeline issue, Azerbaijan’s allies are the U.S., EU, Turkey,
and Georgia, while its rivals are Russia and Iran (both of which
would have preferred Azeri oil to transit their territory).
The issue now is: Can a pipeline under the Caspian be built so that
Kazakhstan can export oil via Azerbaijan, thus also reducing its
dependence on exporting via Russia? Russia could block this project if
it wanted. But this would be self-defeating since Kazakhstan can also
export its oil eastward to China. Azerbaijan is in a good position
regarding its own oil exports.
Possible side effect?
A U.S.-Iranian rapprochement: Azeri oil could then also be exported
via Iran since the U.S. would no longer object. But a U.S.-Iranian
rapprochement does not seem likely any time soon.
Turmoil in Turkey and/or Georgia: Either would shut down Baku-Ceyhan.
Both are possible. Indeed, Russia seems to be working for this in
Georgia. Azerbaijan would then have to export oil either via Russia
or Iran. Absent a U.S.-Iranian rapprochement, its oil would probably
have to go through Russia — and be subject to Russian obstruction.
Caspian Delimitation: Ever since the collapse of the USSR, the
maritime border in the Caspian between Iran and Azerbaijan has been
in dispute. Further, significant oil deposits are believed to be in
the disputed area. Since July 2001 when Iran successfully employed
gunboat diplomacy to halt British Petroleum exploring in the disputed
area on Azerbaijan’s behalf, no further exploration has been possible.
On the Caspian delimitation issue, Azerbaijan’s allies are Russia,
Kazakhstan, Turkey, and the U.S., while its rivals are Iran and
Turkmenistan (which also has a boundary dispute with Azerbaijan in the
Caspian). Neutral (or more accurately, neutralized) parties include
EU countries with oil interests in Iran that they do not wish to risk
by supporting Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s allies here, though, are not all allied with each other.
Russia in particular does not want “outside” powers (the U.S. and
Turkey) to be involved. Azerbaijan is nervous about depending solely
on Russia for support against Iran. It is possible that Azerbaijan and
Iran could reach a compromise on this issue. Until then, stalemate
is likely to continue. A U.S.-Iranian rapprochement would probably
result in the U.S. being less an ally of Azerbaijan on this and more
of a neutral.
Nagorno-Karabakh: Azerbaijan lost this region as well as other
territory to Armenia in fighting that took place in the years just
before and after the breakup of the USSR. A cold peace has lasted up
to the present with Azerbaijan unable to get back any of the territory
occupied by Armenia.
On the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Azerbaijan’s only real ally is Turkey,
while its rivals are Armenia, Russia, and (because of the Southern
Azerbaijan issue that will be discussed next) Iran. Torn between the
desire both to please their influential Armenian diaspora communities
and to obtain Azeri oil, the U.S. and the EU have made efforts to
resolve this conflict, but so far without success.
Azerbaijan might hope one day to use its increasing oil wealth to
build up its forces vis-a-vis Armenia, but Azerbaijan’s unfavorable
geopolitical position vis-a-vis Armenia casts doubt on its ability
to regain any territory from Armenia by force.
One possible change that could affect this calculation would be
the rise to power of a nationalist or Islamist government in Turkey
alienated from America and the EU — which is something that might
well occur if Turkish aspirations to join the EU are spurned. Such
a Turkey might threaten the use of force against Armenia unless it
relinquishes the territory it captured from Azerbaijan. Under these
circumstances, Russia, the U.S., and even Iran might support Armenia.
A regional war could develop.
Southern Azerbaijan: There are more Azeris living in Iran than
in independent, former Soviet Azerbaijan. Baku has been extremely
self-restrained about the “Southern Azerbaijan” issue. But unrest
among Azeris in Iran has been increasing.
If the situation worsens, Tehran is unlikely to blame itself for
this state of affairs but to blame Azerbaijan. If Tehran believes
(whether accurately or not) that Baku is seeking the breakup of Iran,
it might well behave threateningly toward Azerbaijan.
Although no other country supports Azeri secession from Iran,
Azerbaijan’s allies in any Iranian-Azeri confrontation would be the
U.S. and Turkey, while its principal rival would, by definition,
be Iran. Russia would oppose both Iranian meddling in Azerbaijan
and an American presence there too. The risk that this scenario
might develop does not seem high at present, but Iran’s mercurial
president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has already demonstrated a proclivity
for confrontational behavior.
Democratization: Here we need to focus on the perceptions of
the current authoritarian Azeri government — which has already
demonstrated its disinclination toward democratization as well as
its inclination to halt meaningful progress toward it.
On the democratization issue, the Azeri government’s main allies
are Russia and Iran (which equate democratization with the spread of
American influence), while it perceives as rivals the U.S., neighboring
Georgia (where the “Rose Revolution” ushered in democratic government
in 2003), and the EU.
The current Azeri government fears that a democratic “color revolution”
would lead to its downfall. Strong U.S. support for an Azeri democratic
movement (or even the perception of it) could lead Azerbaijan to
move closer to Russia and even make concessions to it in other areas
in exchange for protection. The U.S. might even be pushed out of
Azerbaijan. On the other hand, if a democratic revolution does occur
— either with or without much U.S. support, the U.S. probably would
become closely allied to the new government.
What this analysis shows is that, with the exception of Armenia, none
of Azerbaijan’s rivals are always rivals. And the Azeri government
undoubtedly feels that none of its friends are always friends either.
—
(Mark N. Katz is a professor of government and politics at George
Mason University.)

ARMENIAN COUPLE ARRESTED FOR STEALING GOLD CHAINS FROM SHOP; EGYPTIAN GIRL FOILS MOLESTATION BID
Arab Times, Kuwait
Aug. 20, 2006
KUWAIT CITY: Police have arrested an Armenian couple for stealing gold
chains worth KD 1,400 from a jewelry shop in Fahaheel in addition
to 210 grams of gold from another shop, reports Al-Rai Al-Aam
daily. Acting on a complaint securitymen disguised as women set a
trap for the suspects and arrested them. During interrogation the
couple admitted to committing the crime and guided police to their
accomplices. However, the Al-Anba daily said one of the arrested
persons is a transvestite who distracted the salesman by pretending
to flirt with him while the other stole the gold.
The daily also said the suspects were caught red-handed when they
tried to play the same game with another gold shop in the area. The
salesman was suspicious of the couple and without their knowledge
called police. Meanwhile, police are looking for an unidentified
person for attempting to molest an Egyptian girl, reports Al-Rai
Al-Aam daily. In his complaint to police the girl’s father said
his daughter was on her way home from a club in Salmiya, when an
unidentified person laying in wait in a deserted area surprised her
and ordered her to remove her clothes. The girl screamed for help
and the panicked attacker escaped from the scene.
3 sought for shooting in air: Sulaibiya police are looking for three
unidentified persons for shooting in the air, reports Al-Rai Al-Aam
daily. The daily quoting eyewitness reports said the men were seen
driving in a black 4×4 vehicle. After receiving information about the
incident the Interior Ministry pressed a helicopter into service but
failed to nab the men. The daily quoting unidentified police source
said one of the suspects is wanted by law for a criminal offence
and the men allegedly fired in the air when they approached a police
checkpoint.
Meanwhile, another source said the three men might have been either
hunting for birds, trading in alcohol or even attempting to smuggle
weapons out of the country.
In other news, as police patrols searched for the ‘black’ vehicle, they
arrested two Lebanese men for photographing sensitive establishments
in the area and referred them to the State Security Department,
reports Al-Watan daily.
Maid missing in Egypt: A Kuwaiti woman has filed a missing persons
report on her Sri Lankan maid with the police in Alexandria, Egypt,
reports Al-Rai Al-Aam daily. The daily quoting the woman said the
family was vacationing in Egypt and the maid allegedly escaped from
‘home’ after picking up a quarrel with one of the members of the
family.
GTD prepares violators list: The General Traffic Department is
preparing a list of names of employees in governmental departments
who had earlier been fined for committing traffic violations,
reports Al-Watan daily. Traffic sources said letters have been sent
to employees requesting them to pay the fines before Sept 15, or they
will be referred to the Traffic Court. The sources added the GTD will
not entertain any transactions unless the fines are paid.
Woman foils kidnap bid: A Kuwaiti woman, in her 30s, recently field
a complaint with the Khaitan Police Station accusing an Iraqi man of
assaulting her following a vain attempt to kidnap her, reports Al-Rai
Al-Aam daily. The complainant told police the suspect, identified
only as K.S., forced her into his car and drove off to South Surra.
When she discovered his plans she resisted him and jumped from the
car. A Kuwaiti motorist drove her to the police station.
Cash, jewellery stolen: Police are looking for an unidentified
person for breaking into the home of a Kuwaiti man in Taima, Jahra
and stealing KD 5,800; 31 million Iraqi dinars, jewelry, a mobile
telephone and two Saudi passports, reports Al-Rai Al-Aam daily. The
victim said the suspect climbed the fence and entered his home.
Syrian boy drowns: A 14-year-old Syrian boy drowned off a beach in
Abu Halifa, reports Al-Rai Al-Aam daily. The daily quoting eyewitness
reports said the victim was swimming with two other compatriots and
when he cried for help they tried in vain to save him. Several men
enjoying an evening out on the beach rushed to the rescue of the two
other youths and pulled them to safety. The boys have been admitted
to the Adan Hospital. The Coast Guard patrol boats and Sea Rescue men
searched the area and found the corpse of the victim among the rocks
on the beach. It has been reported the victim was pulled under water
by strong currents.
Army man rescued: A first lieutenant in the Kuwait swimming off
a beach in Julaiya suddenly felt weak and could not swim himself
to the shore. He cried for help and his friends pulled him ashore,
reports Al-Watan daily. The daily without going into details said the
army man was rushed to a hospital for medical checkup. In a similar,
unrelated incident, a five-year-old Iranian boy was rescued by an
unidentified person while swimming in the sea off Blajat Street. The
boy was unconscious and was surprisingly floating on water, reports
Al-Anba daily. It has been reported the victim was with the family
enjoying an evening out when suddenly went missing and the family
raised an alarm. The boy has been referred to the Amiri Hospital.
Sponsor’s house set on fire: An unidentified Asian man has been
detained for interrogation for allegedly setting fire to his sponsor’s
house in Al-Rabiya, reports Al-Qabas daily. The daily quoting a
security source said the male servant had an argument with his boss –
the daily did not give details about the argument – and in revenge
set the house on fire. The Fire Service Directorate after receiving
news of the fire dispatched fire engines, moved the occupants of the
house to safety and put out the fire.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LINES DRAWN IN THE SAND IN FORMER SOVIET REGIONS
By C.J. Chivers The New York Times News
New York Times
Aug. 20, 2006
Every summer the Russian tourists arrive by the thousands at a Black
Sea resort area they regard as their own. They come with urges shared
by tourists the world over, for sun and drink and days lounging on
the shore. Their destination is officially Georgia. But in their
minds it is not Georgia at all.
It is Abkhazia, one of the thorniest issues dividing Russia and
Western-supported Georgia in the volatile Caucasus. And it is one of
four small regions in the southwestern reaches of the former Soviet
Union whose status remains unresolved 15 years after the Soviet
disintegration. The others – South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh and
Transnistria – are in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova, respectively.
These four are the breakaways, regions that do not recognize the
governments of the nations they find themselves in. All have declared
independence. These frozen conflicts, as the disputes are called,
have undermined the stability and development of a large swath of
former Soviet territory.
All were the scenes of short, vicious wars that ended in the 1990s in
cease-fires that so far have mostly held. The status quo in all four
has assumed an enduring form: centralized local rule with intensive
foreign support (from Russia, in all but Nagorno-Karabakh, where
Armenia is the principal patron), indigenous security forces and
carefully cultivated identities.
Each has had multiple forms of conflict: Not just wars fought for
territory and ethnic solidarity, but trade wars and wars of perception
and for outside support. What exactly are these places?
The answers, always passionate, depend on who is asked. Nations?
States? Ethnic statelets? Offshore investment regions, away from the
eyes and reach of regulators? Lawless zones for black marketeers,
fugitives and terrorists?
In the case of Abkhazia, where tourists blithely treat the beaches
of another nation as if they were their own, the answers show how
peculiar these enclaves are, and how elusive solutions will be.
For a Russian tourist, Abkhazia is a semi-tropical paradise, a lush
territory where the sky-high Caucasus ridge falls swiftly to the sea.
Many Russians regard Moscow’s interests in the region as irrefutable.
The Abkhaz shore, after all, was developed by czars and later by
Lenin himself. Stalin and Laverentiy Beria, his sinister chief of
the secret police, spent their holidays at state dachas in Abkhazia,
lending the Abkhaz coast its distinction as the Soviet Union’s most
desired retreat.
The local crops, which include tangerines and tea, draw an implicit
contrast with other Soviet climes. Think of a semi-developed Soviet
Florida, the Red Riviera, albeit now with bombed-out hulks.
To the Abkhaz, who welcome Russian tourists and their cash, their
land is more than a playground. Abkhazia regards itself as a nation.
It issues visas, has an elected president, operates ministries and
fields a military it claims can be augmented with a reserve force
modeled after the Swiss, with thousands of armed and trained citizens
ready to muster at tactically important locations on short notice.
But a nation it is not. It is an ethnic enclave, held by those who
occupied the ground when the cease-fire was reached in 1993. No
other country recognizes it. The cease-fire remains monitored by
U.N. observers.
To the Kremlin, Abkhazia is a protectorate. In recent years, as
Georgia has drifted Westward and its military abilities have improved,
in part with Pentagon aid, Russia has granted citizenship to most of
Abkhazia’s inhabitants. It is a policy akin to annexation.
The Abkhaz have become, at least in terms of the documents they carry,
“Russians” living abroad.
This support leaves the Kremlin open to charges of hypocrisy, given
that Russia regards its own territorial integrity as inviolable and
not open to discussion, even with a people, the Chechens, who wanted
to secede.
Russia has leveled much of Chechnya and killed at least tens of
thousands of people to make this point at home. The Kremlin has also
stood firm on other territorial disputes. Just last week in the Kuril
islands, off Russia’s eastern coast, its border guard fired on a
Japanese fishing vessel harvesting crabs in a contested border area.
A Japanese fisherman was killed. Russia blamed Japan.
With Russia becoming more emboldened on the world stage, the summer
frolicking on the Abkhaz shore belies the tension that surrounds
the place.
Mikheil Saakashvili, the Columbia-educated president of Georgia who
came to power in 2004, has made national reunification a central aim.
He is armed with the world’s map, which shows Abkhazia as Georgian
land. Abkhaz leaders, feeling secure under the protection of Moscow,
treat talk of restoring Georgian authority as a call to war. And not
just Abkhazia simmers. This year has brought fresh troubles in all
four enclaves.
Ukraine and its West-leaning president have supported Moldova and
cracked down on illegal exports from Transnistria, a manufacturing
zone controlled in part by shadowy Russian interests. Russia, angry
at Georgia and Moldova, has banned imports of both countries’ wines
and spirits.
The Azeri and Armenian leaders, even after years of prodding from
France, Russia and the United States, failed to find a settlement for
Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian-controlled enclave within Azerbaijan
where a long and mountainous frontline bristles with Armenian and
Azeri troops. Their occasional shelling and sniping at each other
has claimed lives on both sides. Azerbaijan plans to modernize its
military, using surging oil revenues.
South Ossetia, a land-locked region in Georgia on the Russian border
that Georgia regards as a smugglers’ haven, has had mysterious
explosions. And Abkhazia has said that a recent Georgian special
operation to clear a defiant paramilitary group from a gorge near
its demarcation line signals preparation for war.
Georgia denies that, but last week Saakashvili ordered a doubling
of Georgia’s military reserves, to 100,000 soldiers, a move Abkhazia
characterized as militarization. And on and on.
But now is summer, still. The tourists come to the beaches. While
fewer than last year, they suggest how firmly the enclaves remain in
the grips of those who control them. Each arriving train also reflects
how the enclaves’ complicated histories and entrenched interests make
solutions unlikely any time soon.

U.S. NOT TAKE NOTICE OF ARMENIAN LOBBY’S LETTER ON LEBANON
ArmRadio.am
19.08.2006 14:46
U.S. Department of State has not taken notice of the letter of Armenian
lobby –addressed to U.S. President George W. Bush– requesting that
Turkey should not participate in UN Peace Force in Lebanon.
Replying to a question on the letter sent by Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Chairman Ken Hachikian to U.S. President
Bush, State Department’s Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said he did not
read the letter, Turkish media reported.
Stating that talks regarding peace force in Lebanon are under way at
the UN in New York, Casey noted that the U.S. administration wished
that countries which are eager to contribute to this force would be
included in negotiations, as well as Turkey.
ANCA’s letter claimed that Ottoman Empire ruled the Middle East
violently for centuries, asserting that Turkey’s participation in
peace force in Lebanon did not comply with national interests of the
United States.

US-AZERI RELATIONS DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON
ArmRadio.am
19.08.2006 15:00
UN ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse has highlighted the main aspects
of bilateral economic relations during a meeting at the US-Azerbaijani
Chamber of Commerce in Washington, Baku based ANS TV reported.
Derse recalled that during his visit to Washington Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev had said that Azerbaijan was developing as a
modern and democratic country with a market economy. She added that
both president and his team had said during this visit that Azerbaijan
aimed to use oil revenues as a major source to develop the non-oil
sector and expand trade relations with the USA.
ANS’s special correspondent Ali Ahmadov has the details.
[Ali Ahmadov, ANS’s special correspondent, captioned, speaking over
phone over his still picture and video of meeting] The key speaker
at the presentation ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Business Centre
in Washington was US ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse. She gave
an update on US-Azerbaijani economic relations. She said that the
two countries cooperate in different areas such as energy security,
the fight against terrorism and democracy. Generally, the USA views
Azerbaijan as its major partner in the economic area, as well as in
other areas. The main challenge is to further develop economic ties
and provide mutual assistance. Naturally, one of the main issues was
to increase the volume of US investments in Azerbaijan.
Derse said that the Azerbaijani government intended to develop the
non-oil sector. Being situated at the crossing of Asia and Europe,
Azerbaijan is a vital transport corridor. Derse mentioned the newly
commissioned Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline [designed to carry
Caspian oil to world markets] and the [Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum] gas
pipeline which is under construction. She said that these pipelines
would increase Azerbaijan’s role in the region. Touching on the
economic situation in Azerbaijan and US investment in the country,
Derse mentioned the non-oil sector. She said that the Azerbaijani
government wanted to develop the non-oil sector, including
telecommunications, agriculture and energy.
The business environment in Azerbaijan was immediately mentioned. It
was noted that there were certain problems in Azerbaijan such as
corruption and problems related to transparency. But the government
is already stepping up the fight against corruption and plans to
improve the situation in this area in accordance with international
standards. Corruption must also be tackled so that it does not prevent
Azerbaijan from spending its huge oil revenues in a very efficient way.
Investors who attended the meeting were interested in the situation
in Azerbaijan. They asked about how the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
affected the investment climate in Azerbaijan. The ambassador said that
the conflict did not create problems for the investment climate in
Azerbaijan on the whole. There were other questions, too. It emerged
at the end of the meeting that a group of US businessmen and experts
from the US administration were expected to visit Azerbaijan soon to
hold talks with the government to resolve the problems of US companies
in Azerbaijan.