BAKU PROTRACTS KARABAKH SETTLEMENT OVER POLITICAL WEAKNESS OF AZERI AUTHORITIES
PanARMENIAN.Net
09.06.2006 15:31 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The protraction of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement by Baku is conditioned by the political impotence of the
Azeri authorities, RA President’s Advisor Seyran Avagyan told reporters
in Yerevan. “The inconsistency of the incumbent Azeri leadership is the
only obstacle to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,” he said.
Besides, Avagyan remarked that the militaristic statements by
formal Baku proceed from this uncertainty and a wish to restore its
undermined authority. “However I should mention we are not frightened
by Azerbaijan’s statements, we just rate them as political blackmail,”
RA President’s Advisor said, reported Novosti-Armenia.

IMPLEMENTATION OF KARS-AKHALKALAKY PROJECT IS STILL DOUBTFUL
PanARMENIAN.Net
07.06.2006 GMT+04:00
Official Tbilisi proposes to recalculate profitability of
Kars-Akhalkalaky project, which is fraught with the strengthening of
Armenia’s transport isolation.
Something has again come between the initiators of Kars-Akhalkalaky
railroad construction project. This can be judged by the recent
announcement of the general manager of “Georgian Railroad” company
Irakly Ezugbaya, through whom the Georgian party openly declared the
distrust towards Turkish experts who were committed to carry out the
feasibility study of the project. Georgians suppose that Turks and
Azeris are trying to economize on them.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ To all appearances the participants of the project
have quite essential contradictions. If things were that serious,
it would not be necessary to cancel the trilateral meeting of the
ministers of transport which was planned in the beginning of June
in Baku. It was expected that during the meeting in Baku parties
would give final approval to the feasibility study and would decide
on the funding and sign appropriate decisions. The newly aggravated
contradictions do not allow to believe in the optimistic forecasts of
Ilham Aliev who had promised to announce the start of works by the end
of this year. In Baku and Ankara they are doing everything in order
to smooth the situation. Azeri and Turkish press calls attention on
the fact that ministers are nevertheless ready to meet and continue
negotiations.
Preliminary agreement on holding a meeting has already been
reached. But now it is already clear that it will not be a final, but
a regular meeting and it is still very early to talk about the final
stage of works on the project. To all appearances during the second
round of ministers’ consultations the Georgian party will raise the
issue of the necessity to announce a new tender for the feasibility
study. “If the Turkish party is not able to carry out feasibility
study, it can be done by Georgia”, Irakly Ezugbaya recently said.
The Georgian party has notices contradictions in the calculations
presented by the tender-winner Turkish “Exel Domonic” company. Company
experts presented two versions of calculations – for 365 and 420
million dollars. The difference is connected with the expenses on the
development of Georgian railroad infrastructures. Turks and Azeris are
insisting on the point that funds necessary for the infrastructures
should not be included in the main budget of the project and should
be found already in the course of project implementation. It is
quite evident that Ankara and Baku are striving to begin railroad
construction as soon as possible in order to prevent the start of
the non-functioning Kars-Gyumri railroad, exploitation of which will
make Armenia a transit country. It is fairly obvious that if certain
progress is observed in the opening of Armenian-Turkish border, no
one will give money for the implementation of the project, which is
doubtful in all senses. Georgians, noticing political implications in
their partners’ activities, wish to have guarantees that the project
will not be stopped in case the situation in the region changes. This
is why, Tbilisi demands to begin construction works only when all
the expenses are approved and necessary funds are found.
Besides, Georgians have an impression (to all appearances objective)
that their partners are trying to economize exactly on those sections
of the project that touch with Georgia. For the construction of
the 68km long section of the road running through the territory of
Turkey it is planned to spend much more money than the 30km long
Georgian section.
Insufficient amount of money is also planned to spend for the
renovation works of the 160km long railroad from Akhalkalaky to
Tbilisi. What is more important is that the budget for the wheel-change
station, which will be built on the border between the two countries,
is too small. (As it is known, in Turkey, unlike Georgia and Azerbaijan
the railroad lane is of European standard, which is much narrower
than that in the countries of the former Russian empire.)
Georgians also doubt about the validity of forecasts.
Turkish experts suppose that the first year’s turnover of goods
will be 2-3 million and will reach 8 million in the course of
time. But this calculation has been done taking into consideration
the non-functioning of Kars-Gyumri railroad. Thus, initiators of the
project become interested in the blockade of Armenia.
Otherwise profitability of the project will become doubtful. But
Georgians, unlike Azeris and Turks want to have a concrete idea about
what will happen when there is alternative to the built railroad. As
for the too optimistic forecasts announced in Baku and Ankara, it
looks like Georgians have learned to distinguish propaganda from real
pragmatic forecasts.

ARMENIA DIASPORA CONFERENCE
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
The third Armenia Diaspora conference will convene on September 18-20
in Yerevan.
This year will also mark the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence. In that context, ArmeniaDiaspora III will examine,
analyze, assess our past and consider how history and current
geo-political realities raise new issues before our nation, and how
the possibilities and prospects for resolving them together.
The agenda of ArmeniaDiaspora III will consist of various strands.
On September 18, at the first plenary, we will explore the
current condition and future prospects for Armenia-Diaspora
relations and cooperation – a traditional concern which requires
new approaches, taking into consideration ever-changing geopolitical
development. During this session, speakers will include the leadership
of the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the Catholicos of
All Armenians, the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as
other spiritual leaders, and the heads of all Diaspora-wide structures.
During the second half of the day and on the next day, we will focus
on the second agenda item – rural development in Armenia. To secure
Armenia’s total development, and from the perspective of certain
strategic concerns, the comprehensive development of Armenia’s rural
communities must be assured.
Therefore, our objective is to rally the resources of the Armenian
government and Armenia’s business community, the Diaspora and
international organizations, to renovate rural infrastructure,
facilitate economic development and create the necessary contemporary
conditions to live and work in rural communities.
As a starting point, and for obvious strategic reasons, we have
decided to begin with Armenia’s border villages.
Participating in this agenda item will be the representatives of
those communities, organizations, groups as well as those individuals
who have already agreed to take part in this program. Of course,
those conference participants who are interested in this topic may
also attend.
Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday, September 20,
there will be a forum entitled “New Answers to Old Questions for a New
Nation-State in the 21st Century.” Armenian identity in the context
of globalization – preservation, language, culture, education, dual
citizenship, repatriation as a phenomenon, the history of Armenian
repatriation, its organization, new repatriation possibilities,
prospects, as well other issues will be on the agenda.
Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Ministry
of Trade and Economic Development will be holding a forum on economic
developments and prospects.
On Thursday, September 21, independence day celebrations will take
place throughout the capital.
All conference participants are invited.
On Friday, a major exhibition on Armenia’s economic activity,
agricultural development, prospects and partners will take place in
the same venue as the conference, at the Demirchian Sports Complex,
and all conference participants will be encouraged to attend.
Additional information about the agenda, registration forms, as well
as modalities of participation will be available over the next several
weeks at or at
The conference is open to all who wish to be present and take part
in Armenia’s future.

AZERBAIJAN TO ACCEPT BSEC PA ROTATING PRESIDENCY FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS
By Nana Petrosian
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
The 27th session of Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation is currently running in Yerevan with the participation
of 11 states (except for Serbia and Montenegro). In his greeting
speech President Robert Kocharian said: “Our countries face common
challenges of organized crime and terrorism.
Meanwhile it’s obvious that our nations strive for the European
integration. This means that we can unite our efforts for a large-scale
regional cooperation.”
“Economic cooperation of the region’s states and development of
communication infrastructures will create an atmosphere of trust thus
contributing to solving of regional problems,” parliament speaker
Tigran Torosian said in his opening speech. All participating
delegations agreed that the BSEC PA represents interests of
the entire region and is a good ground for fostering economic
relations, implementing joint economic projects and attracting new
investments. During the 6 months of running the BSEC PA presidency
Armenia took steps in direction of spurring economic cooperation
and strengthening legal foundation of the structure, Gagik Minasian,
head of the Armenian delegation to BSEC PA, and speaker Torosian said.
By the end of the session Armenia will hand over the rotating
presidency to Azerbaijan, representatives of which stated on June
7 that feel safe in Armenia and had a chance to get in touch with
the Armenians. Musa Guliev accompanied by deputy Samvel Nikoyan
visited his native home in a village of Sisian region. At any case,
the National Security Service provided the Turkish and Azerbaijani
delegations with special security guards.
Besides session-related questions journalists asked Turkish and
Azerbaijani delegates about the Nagorno Karabakh issue and Armenian
Genocide recognition thus transform the interview into an emotional
dispute.
Aside from this, the representatives of the not-so-friendly
states stressed the importance of economic cooperation. Turkish
deputy Mehmed Sevige avoided a direct answer to a question about
Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway construction but emphasized that
his country’s Foreign Ministry and Communication Ministry are looking
into this issue and assured that a beneficial decision will be taken.
Georgia’s representative, Davit Saganelidze, said answering the same
question that if the two options are put on the table Georgia will
accept the one that includes Gyumri railway but disagreement of Turkey
and Azerbaijan can halt the project which is vital for the region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA RELATIONS
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
On June 7, Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian received Enver
Khalilovic, newly appointed ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina to
Armenia, residing Moscow.
Oskanian said at the meeting that relations between the two states
are in the stage of development and underscored the need signing
intergovernmental agreements.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM IN NAGORNO KARABAKH DEC. 10
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
President of Nagorno Karabakh, Arkady Ghukasian, has signed a decree on
holding a constitutional referendum on December 10 2006, RFE/RL quoted
Rudik Hyusnunts, vice-speaker of NKR parliament, as saying. In his
words, President Ghukasian is going to submit the draft constitution
to parliament speaker Ashot Ghulaian after which discussions will
start in September.
Interestingly, the people of Karabakh will go to the polls the same
day that it said “yes” in the referendum for independence 15 years ago.

KARABAKH AN INDEPENDENT STATE ON THE AIR OF IRAN TV1
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
Baku has voiced dissatisfaction for representing Nagorno Karabakh as an
independent state on the air of the Iranian State Television. Referring
to Ali Nijat, head of the press service of World Azerbaijanis’
Congress, Day.az reports that in the coverage of Kocharian-Aliyev
meeting by the Iranian TV it was said that Nagorno Karabakh declared
independence 15 years ago and today Azerbaijan lays territorial claims
to this republic. Azerbaijan views such statements by the Iranian TV
as a threat.

ALIYEV SOUNDS PEACE-LOVING ON AMERICAN AIR
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
“We will never agree to Nagorno Karabakh’s separation or independence
from Azerbaijan. We can grant the Armenians of Karabakh the highest
status of autonomy that exists in the world,” RFE/RL quoted Azerbaijani
president as saying in an interview with NBC US television.
It would be strange if Aliyev juniors forgot to remind
that Azerbaijan’s territorial wholeness is no subject of
discussion. “Azerbaijan’s territorial wholeness is recognized by all
states, the international community and UN and only Armenia neglects
it,” Aliyev stated.
Though in Aliyev’s words the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict will be
settled only based on international principles and regulations,
the Azeri president sees Nagorno Karabakh’s autonomy only within
Azerbaijan.
Clearly outlining Azerbaijan’s position, Ilham Aliyev puts forward
another prerequisite for the settlement: “Immediate withdrawal of
Armenian occupying forces from our (Azerbaijani – A.H.) lands.”
Interestingly, in the interview with the American TV Aliyev seems to
tend to a peaceful regulation and does not use militant language. In
Aliyev’s words, Azerbaijan is recommended not choose a military
solution. “We find that as long as the dispute persists we should
stick to the peaceful settlement,” he stated.
It’s not hard to notice that Aliyev junior’s statements were
specifically designed for the US audience to represent him as a
peace apologist.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LUFTHANSA READY TO ENLARGE ITS MARKET IN ARMENIA
By Tamar Minasian in Munich
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
Lufthansa airline’s jetliners welcome football fans hurrying for the
World Cup in Germany with “football noses.” Football balls adorning
the aircrafts, special in-flight meals and “sports” looking cakes will
await passenger of Lufthansa. The airline, which has been conducting
Yerevan-Munich and Munich-Yerevan flights from last June, is ready
to safely transport Armenian football fans to Germany.
Today, Lufthansa has one scheduled flight from Yerevan to
Munich. Airline’s executive director for Ukraine and Armenia, Antonio
Kuoko, is satisfied with their activity in the Armenian market and
looks forward to wider activity. “We conduct flights with Armenia in
accordance with an agreement between the two states.
We are hopeful that authorities on both sides will take a positive
decision on increasing the number of flights and satisfying passengers
demands. That will be mutually beneficial. We are ready to satisfy
market’s demands,” Antonio Kuoko said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VIVACELL, YOUR CHOICE
AZG Armenian Daily
09/06/2006
Coverage extends to Armenian-Azeri border
Having finished the extension of mobile phone coverage to the
Armenian-Georgian border, VIVAcell informs its subscribers that it has
finished coverage extension works in another strategic sector. Starting
from June 8 VIVAcell mobile phone operator’s coverage will extend to
villages of Sevqar, Paravaqar, Chinchin, Berd and other villages of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.