PHOTO-REPORT FROM DAY OF RUSSIA’S CELEBRATION IN ARMENIA: SUN, DOMES, MATRYOSHKAS, AND YEREVAN-MOSCOW PLANE
Regnum, Russia
June 13 2006
On June 12 – the Day of Russia, children competition of crayon
drawing on asphalt and mass festive entertainment took place in Svoboda
(Freedom) Square in the Armenian capital. The children tried to express
‘Russia seen by children eyes” drawing topic, using their fantasy and
associations, which appear, when Russia is mentioned. The competition
was accompanied by festive entertainment, dance and song compositions,
performed by young Armenian artists.
As a REGNUM correspondent informs, the competition began and one of
Yerevan central squares grew many-colored 1h later. Sun, clouds,
domes of cathedrals and churches, matryoshkas, and, of course,
Russian and Armenian tricolors are main subject of children drawings.
One of Yerevan school children associated two peoples’ friendship
with Yerevan-Moscow plane. According to one of competition’s female
participants, who drew the whole terrestrial globe, embraced by round
dance, “her drawing symbolizes friendship of all peoples in the world,
but not only ones of Russia and Armenia.”
Festive concert was performed by “Golden voices of Armenia” young
singers, as well as dancers, who danced Russian and Armenian
folk dances. Young artists, singers, dancers received memorable
diplomas; all event’s participants – gifts. Russian non-governmental
‘Caucasian Democracy Institute’ Development Foundation organized
both the competition and the entertainment. As the organization’s
South-Caucasian branch Director Armenika Kiviryan informed, the action
is aimed at developing of Armenian children’s creative potential,
as well as supporting of peace and friendship between growing up
generations of Armenia and Russia.
The holiday’s special guest – Counselor of Russian Embassy,
Representative of Russian Center of International, Scientific, and
Cultural Cooperation at Russian Foreign Ministry Anatoly Nikolayev
stressed that Day of Russia, which is celebrated in Armenia, is
evidence of “centuries-old friendship of long standing and spiritual
closeness of two peoples,” and it will happen “as successful as
Year of Armenia in Russia and Year of Russia in Armenia.” It is
worth reminding that Russian Federation celebrates Day of Russia on
June 12, which became holiday in 1994, when first Russian President
Boris Yeltsin signed decree on anniversary’s celebration of Russia’s
Independence Declaration, adopted in 1990.
Photos at

MAMMADYAROV: AZERBAIJAN GIVES PREFERENCE TO NK CONFLICT SETTLEMENT THROUGH PEACEFUL WAY
Today, Azerbaijan
June 13 2006
Foreign affairs minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov has received
the delegation of South Africa Foreign Ministry Center and South
Asia Office associates headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of South African Republic to Kazakhstan, Beki Gila.
Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry press service has told APA that the
ambassador stated the main objective of the visit as development
of relations between two countries on different fields and serving
investigation of these kinds of chances.
In his turn, the minister stating South Africa to be one of the leading
countries in the world and the UNO, stated for further possibilities
for future cooperation. The sides came to an agreement on studying
political, economic, tourism fields’ cooperation and for development
of consultation of relevant state structures, and mutual exchange of
visits of businessmen.
Elmar Mammadyarov in the reply to questions interested the guests
concerning Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, stated the 20 percent of
territories being occupied by Armenia Armed Forces, ethnic cleansing
policy was implemented in this territories. The minister stated that
Azerbaijan gives preference to solving the conflict through peaceful
way, pointed out the necessity of liberating occupied territories
from the occupation, returning refugees and internally displaced
people to their lands.
URL:

NK CONFLICT SHOULD BE RESOLVED UNDER TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN – POLISH MP
Author: J.Shahverdiyev
TREND, Azerbaijan
June 13 2006
The [Armenian-Azerbaijani] Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved
with in the framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
Karol Karskiy, the chairman of the commission on the European Union
affairs of the Polish Saim [parliament], stated in Baku on 12 June in
a meeting with the members of the Azerbaijani-Polish interparliamentary
friendship group, Trend reports.
Kasrkiy noted the dynamic development of Azerbaijani economy, as well
as the upgrade of the interparliamentary relationships.
Members of the Azerbaijani-Polish interparliamentary friendship group,
Sabir Hajiyev and Eldar Guliyev were also in attendance.

AGO GROUP EN ROUTE
Author: E.Huseynov
TREND, Azerbaijan
June 13 2006
On 13 a mission of AGO Group will visit Baku. The Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry told Trend the mission is headed by Roland Wegener, the
German Ambassador at the CE.
The program of the visit envisages a meeting with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev, the head-of-staff of the President’s Executive Apparat,
Ramiz Mehdiyev, the Foreign Minister Emar Mammdyarov, the Justice
Minister Fikret Mammadov, the chairman of the Central Elections
Commission (CEC), Mazahir Panahov, members of the parliamentary
commissions of the Parliamentary Commission of the Council of Europe.
The mission includes Ambassadors of Switzerland, Sweden,
Austria, France and Romania at the CE, as well as employees of the
administration of the AGO group. The key objective of the visit is
to discuss the current level of relationships between Azerbaijan and
CE, the sate of the fulfillment of CE commitments, in particular,
on elections legislation, reforms in the legal system, as well as
the Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ago Group was established in January 2001 simultaneously with the
entrance of Armenia and Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe. It
is involved in the monitoring of fulfillment of CE commitments and
functions under the CE Committee of ministers.

AZERI FM RECEIVED BSEC ORGANIZATION SECREATRY GENERAL LEONIDAS KHRISANTOPULAS
Today, Azerbaijan
June 13 2006
Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organization Secretary General Leonidas
Khrisantopulas.
According to the information given to APA from Foreign Ministry press
service, the minister stated Azerbaijan to be reliable partner in BSEC.
In his turn, secretary general said within the BSEC organization one of
the problems is not having thorough information on the organization
among the population, for this purpose he stated necessity of
implementing series of projects. He added that for strengthening the
organization and increase of role, series of measures are implemented,
as well as brought to the attention the meetings between European
Union and BSEC organization.
Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his confidence to BSEC to be prestigious
regional economic organization, support the projects that the
organization planned. The minister stated that within BSEC stability
and talks opens wide perspectives to cooperation in the region,
and Azerbaijan attaches more attention to the cooperation with this
organization. The only problem as an obstacle in the region to the
stability is Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, occupation of Azerbaijani
territories by Armenians, ethnic cleansing policy against peaceful
population being inadmissible. The minister said that Azerbaijan is
ready for continuing the talks on establishing the peace in the region.
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NATO PA DELEGATION’S MEETING IN PARLIAMENT
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 13 2006
On June 12 the delegation of the NATO PA Subcommittee on Democratic
Governance and (CDSDG) Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence
Capabilities (DSCFC) met with the Armenian delegation in NATO PA.
Welcoming the guests Mher Shahgeldyan, Head of the Armenian delegation,
highlighted Armenia- NATO partnership, observing it as the most
important component of the regional security. In Armenia-NATO
relationship Armenia’s participation in the Individual Partnership
Actions Plan was highlighted. Mher Shahgeldyan noted that along
with the development of democracy and establishing peace in the
region Armenia tries to more increase the democratic control and
transparency in the spheres of defense and security. The development
of parliamentarism in Armenia was highlighted. It was noted that
Armenia is seeking in intensifying the parliamentary control toward
the security sphere. The development of Armenia-NATO PA relationship
Mr. Shahgeldyan sees in a number of directions: security, civil
defense, antiterrorist fighting, development of democracy, etc. In
this context the role and importance of the parliamentary diplomacy
was highlighted.
Touching upon Armenia-Turkey relations, Mr. Shahgeldyan noted that
Armenia repeatedly stated about the readiness of beginning relations
without any preconditions.
Vahit Erdem (Turkey), Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Future Security
and Defence Capabilities, noted that during its history NATO with
its structure and peculiarity proved that can create opportunities
for the countries having key problem, in particular, bringing as an
example the development of the relations between Turkey and Greece. It
was noted that NATO continues the policy of open doors. He noted that
Turkey is ready to develop the relations with Armenia, and it’s not
conditioned by the solutions of the conflicts. In Turkey they find
that in the 21st century we should look at the future, not – at the
past, we should develop the relations coming from the centuries,
restoring the friendship.
During the meeting of Frank Crump, Deputy Head of the OSCE office in
Yerevan, Carel Hofstra, politico-military officer, OSCE office in
Yerevan, Varuzhan Nersisyan, OSCE Division head of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs issues concerning the regional conflicts and Black
Sea regional cooperation were discussed. The OSCE representatives
introduced the programs implementing in Armenia in the directions of
human rights and democratization, military-political and environmental,
economic security.
Varuzhan Nersisyan touched upon the problem of Karabakh conflict,
presenting Armenia’s official position and the current stage of the
negotiation process. The sides noted the establishment of tolerance
important, considering unacceptable the war-like calls, the campaign
of war and hatred.
Other issues of bilateral interest were also discussed during the
meeting.

REORGANIZATION IN THE GOVERNMENT: TWO MINISTRIES TO BE ABOLISHED?
By M. Alkhazashvili
The Messenger, Georgia
June 13 2006
Big changes are planned in the government. State Minister of Reforms
Coordination, Kakha Bendukidze, states that by the end of 2006 the
Energy Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development should be
closed. Bendukidze argues that the technical rehabilitation of the
energy sphere-the responsibility of the energy minister-has already
been accomplished; and that as soon as the privatization process is
complete the Ministry of Economic Development will be obsolete as
well. The newspaper Rezonansi quotes Bendukidze as saying flatly that
“Possibly by 2007 the Ministry of Economic Development will no longer
be necessary in Georgia.”
This statement led to something of a media hullabaloo, with journalists
rushing to the respective ministries to get the reactions of the soon
to be ex-ministers. However, neither Nika Gilauri (Minister of Energy)
nor Irakli Chogovadze (Minister of Economic Development) objected to
ttheir possible redundancy “I will welcome any rational solution,”
said Chogovadze.
Not everybody approves Bendukidze’s statements. Economist Soso
Tsiskarishvili says that the closure of these ministries will have
dire results for the country. Analysts point out that if the closures
do go ahead, a reshuffle of the cabinet will be necessary, and that
this is likely to lead to other staff changes as well.
According to the local press-pack the Minister of Agriculture and
Food, Mikho Svimonishvili, may also have to look for a new job. The
president is said to be discontented with his style of working,
he recently inquired why Georgian production techniques were more
expensive than Armenian, and a short while ago made him taste some
of the now infamous “Svanchkara” falsified wine-it that there may be
some things on the horizon that are even more difficult for Mr.
Svimonishvili to swallow.

RA NA PRESIDENT TIGRAN TOROSYAN’S CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO ANDRANIK MARGARYAN, PM OF THE RA
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 13 2006
RA NA President Tigran Torosyan addressed congratulatory message to
Andranik Margaryan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia on the
occasion of the 55th birthday. It says:
“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of your 55th Birthday.
I wish you happiness and health, success in state-political
activities. I am sure, your activity from now on will also be directed
toward economic development of Armenia and increase of people’s
prosperity, strengthening of the Armenian statehood.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGREEMENT ON INTERPARLIAMENTARIAN COOPERATION BEING PREPARED
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 13 2006
On June 12 RA NA President Tigran Torosyam received Bulgarian
Ambassador to Armenia Mr.Stephan Dimitrov.
The issues of strengthening the interparliamentarian relations
were discussed during the meeting. Mr. Dimitrov conveyed Bulgarian
Parliament Speaker Georgi Pirinsky’s congratulatory message to RA
NA President T. Torosyan on the occasion of assuming office and
readiness of cooperation deepening between two Parliaments. The
issues of signing the Cooperation Agreement between Armenian and
Bulgarian Parliaments was discussed as well, which will become as a
legal basis for the development of ties between friendship groups,
standing committees and staff.
RA NA President T. Torosyan highlighted the steps that will
follow the signing of the Agreement: the specific work both in
the sphere of interparliamentarian relations and in international
structures.The issues of deepening bilateral ties, exchange of
legislative experience,solidarity and cooperation of two Parliaments
were mutually evaluated.

AFTER ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHERNOGORIA
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 13 2006
Interview of a political scientist, professor Alexander Minassyan
Mr. Minassyan, some home politicians predict drastic amplification of
pressure on Armenia and Azerbaijan by the OSCE MG cochair-countries
within the next three months in Karabakh issue. They motivate their
opinion by the fact that the OSCE MG Cochairman Stephen Mann had
predicted a break-through achievement in the negotiation process for
the Karabakh conflict settlement just for summer, 2006. What is your
vision of the existing situation?
I cannot say how much strong is the pressure. Those, who put pressure
and those who undergo pressure, can shed a light on it. However,
I should say that both the Russian, French and American Co-chairmen
permanently emphasize in their official statements that they do not
want to press down on the parties and they have to reach settlement
by themselves. By parties one should imply three parties, as it
has already been determined by the OSCE Minsk Group. The third
party is NKR. But how many years the meetings of the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which cannot be called negotiations, have
been taking place. These are meetings which prepare a wide format of
negotiations. Many political scientists and many in Karabakh perceive
the last negotiations just so. The NKR authorities had made it clear
more than once that no issue will be resolved without taking their
opinion into consideration and that they are a full-value negotiation
party.
As for the pressure, availability of balance of global geopolitical
forces on a region scale should be noted. Suffice it to say that the
cease-fire regime is maintained since 1994 without interference of
outer forces and without presence of peace-making forces. It means
that the region is in the area of forces balance and undertaking of
drastic steps is favorable to no of any great powers. It is quite
another matter that it has been ten years already we observe how each
of the great powers, I mean the USA, Europe, Russia, try to enter the
region, strengthening their positions by invisible successive steps,
prima facie, in order to change the balance of forces in the region.
The official meeting of the Presidents of USA and Azerbaijan, held at
the end of April, was in the center of attention of the regional Mass
Media. The meeting was followed by the letter of George Bush to Ilham
Aliyev. Do you consider this letter as an evidence of realization of
the White House’s plans with respect to Iran?
The open letters do not coincide with the reality in times and purpose
agitation aims in times, though I cannot apply it all particularly to
this letter. It’s not the first time the Co-chairmen state that some
months are left till the Karabakh conflict settlement, however, nothing
of the kind happens. Such a tendency gets explanation through the prism
of the political line of the USA, European Union and Russia, aimed at
the strengthening of own positions in the South-Caucasian region. As
for Azerbaijan, one should not forget that the republic itself is
an explosive formation, where there are numerous contradictions
between the Shiites and non-Shiites, Azerbaijan Turks and non-Turks:
Lezghins, Tats, Talyshes, Avars, which can become vitally important
for Azerbaijan if Baku undertakes a gamble.
How much important is the Iranian factor in Azerbaijan? I mean a
political and religious influence of Iran.
The recent years, Turkey is working more actively in Azerbaijan than
Iran. It is quite clear since collision of interests takes place
today between Azerbaijan and Iran, there are contradictions in
definite programs, in the oil one, in particular. Mosques not for
Shiites are built in the present Azerbaijan with special aplomb,
it is permanently advocated that Azerbaijanians are Turks, though
Azerbaijanians do not represent themselves, even today, as a society
with a homogeneous origin. I think, the anti-Armenian hysteria in
Azerbaijan is partly explained by a strive to join all these ethnic
groups into a united nation under pretence of unification necessity
in the face of the common enemy.
If Turkey has an influence in the so-called South Azerbaijan, and in
your opinion, if the Turkish special services can be connected with
escalation of the situation in Eastern Iran?
Undoubtedly, they are. But I think, Iran is not the country, with
respect to whom adventurous steps can be undertaken. Although,
the case with Yugoslavia and Iraq indicates that there are forces
in the USA, ready to make such crazy attempts. Having not digested
Yugoslavia, the United States launched a war against Iraq, having not
digested Iraq, they started to undertake steps against Iran. However,
it cannot last endlessly. Especially as voices are heard in Europe,
which call up to a common sense in order to sober up Washington. Of
course, peace is favourable for the whole region and economies of
all countries of the region are need of peace.
Contradictory opinions are heard with regard to the geopolitical
situation in the South Caucasus. Some people say the great investments
in Azerbaijan and the problem of Baku-Tbilisi-Jeikhan oil line safety
will force the West to hinder from attempts of destabilization in
the region. Others assure that the USA will try to use the security
area around Nagorno Karabakh as a base in possible operations against
Iran, emphasizing that in view of the Law adopted by Azerbaijan’s
Milli Mejlis on prohibition of foreign military bases disposal in
the country’s territory, allocation of peace-makers is the only
possibility for the American military men to take stands on the border
with Iran.
There are many players in the region, therefore, it can be affirmed
that political forecasts concerning the regional development are
an ungrateful thing. The matter is that each side has its scenario,
and not one but tens of possible scenarios and it is difficult to say
which scenario will be used by either. In my opinion, sober analysis
of events for the recent two years indicates that Azerbaijan does
not want to have peacemaking forces in its country, Baku understands
the danger of such a step. It proceeds from the vital interests of
Azerbaijan, since it is obvious that blood was inevitably shed where
the so-called peacemaking forces were allocated. The fact that official
Baku shows caution and even adopted a Law on prohibition of foreign
military bases disposal, allows to hope that one will be sober enough
in Azerbaijan not to make drastic steps, in the issue of peace-makers
allocation, in particular. Although, I have to repeat that it is not
easy to make forecasts regarding such an intricate region.
One question more, which had bored to death but which did not loose
its urgency, nevertheless. A precedent, created by separation of
Chernogoria from Serbia and, in future, gaining of independence
by Kosovo autonomy. What can the Armenian party undertake in this
direction?
Undoubtedly, efforts are required from us to give a correct comment
to the events in the former Yugoslavia for the welfare of Nagorno
Karabakh. Certainly, the President of Russia and other high-ranking
persons stated that the approach to the Kosovo problem should
become universal for the conflicts in the post-Soviet territory
for recognition of unrecognized states. We have to activate our
efforts and I treat with comprehension those means of agitation and
those state officials who emphasize the significance of Chernogoria
precedent. However, I should note that encouragement of Chernogoria was
a political decision. I think it’s incorrectly to make a political
precedent a corner stone. We should permanently emphasize legal
aspects of the Karabakh problem and to represent these events as
legal precedent. However, I should note that gain of sovereignty by
countries based on a political decision cannot be considered as a
precedent. A precedent is, first of all, a category of law and not
politics. Therefore, we have to emphasize, first of all, the legal
aspect of the problem to represent the precedent in a worthy manner.
Yet, it is evident, the Great Powers say the conflict has its
specific character, attaching the conflict resolution to political
aspects. There is a great number of such precedents and it is necessary
to represent them as a regularity. If we give an example of Eritrea,
Eastern Timor, etc., one cannot say there are precedents, but we
must say all this is considered a regularity in the modern field of
international relations, in which Karabakh should be also included. We
have to be guided by this formula. But, at the same time, we must
represent the legal bases up to the mark. Undoubtedly, Karabakh
has more powerful bases for international recognition, it is a more
legitimate state than in all the above-mentioned cases.