ARMENIA SEEKS RUSSIAN BACKING TO THWART US-BACKED KARABAKH TALKS – EXPERT
Noyan Tapan news agency
12 Apr 06
Yerevan, 12 April: The latest accord on selling the fifth unit of
the Razdan thermal power station, as well as the property-for-debt
programme, is in no way beneficial for Armenia’s national or state
interests, Stepan Safaryan, leading expert with the Armenian Centre
for Strategic and National Research, has told Noyan Tapan news agency.
The deal is linked with the current geopolitical situation in the South
Caucasus, he said. In his opinion, the Nagornyy Karabakh problem is
the prevailing one and it has subordinated to itself all other issues
concerning Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The USA has considerably stepped up its role in the Nagornyy Karabakh
peace talks and, in this context, the governments of the two countries
have found themselves in an extremely “pathetic” state. In order to
take advantage of this “pathetic” state, the superpowers, including
Russia, seek to “obtain maximum benefits”. By handing over to Russia
facilities of strategic importance Armenia once again expects Russian
assistance to derail or avoid settlement [of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict]. The expert is certain that the position of Armenia, as
well as that of Russia, have been formed in the face of pressure from
America regarding resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh problem.
In this sense, it is remarkable that the balance which once existed has
been destroyed and President Bush officially invited the Azerbaijani
president to the USA, Safaryan said. He recalled the 2001 Key
West talks when President Bush received [Armenian President Robert]
Kocharyan and [late Azerbaijani President] Heydar Aliyev “on the sole
condition that they agree to implement the Key West agreements”.
“There was certainly a lot of disappointment later when Heydar Aliyev
rejected this option and thus saved Robert Kocharyan. However, in
any case, it is obvious that this time the USA bets on Azerbaijan,”
the expert said.
The current processes concerning the Nagornyy Karabakh talks can
be described as “Key West – 2” but in an improved way when the USA
and the West use in the negotiations techniques which “reduce the
room for manoeuvre to the minimum as opposed to the 2001 Key West
talks. However, it is somewhat difficult to imagine the ways and the
pressure under which these techniques will be used”, the expert said.

THE OMBUDSMAN REALIZED HIS UNIQUENESS
A1+
[07:52 pm] 13 April, 2006
Today the Parliament Deputies discussed the “annual review of the
Human Rights Protector referring the violation of human rights and
the RA Human Rights Protector’s activity during in the year 2005.” It
was presented by the Human Rights second Protector Armen Haroutyunyan.
His review didn’t relate to the protection of human rights in
the previous year but it was merely a lecture on the human rights
institute. Armen Haroutyunyan brought certain data, “The Protector
got about 1551 written complaints and the number of applicants reached
1842. Such difference is the result of group complaints existence. 533
complaints were discussed, 188 applicants were given an opportunity
to protect his rights, 159 complaints were given to other bodies for
further discussion and 77 are still being considered.”
Only 10 NA deputies listened to Armen Haroutyunyan’s speech. Only
Victor Dallakian from the Opposition was present. Later Hrant
Khacahtryan and Aram Sargsyan joined him.
After the Ombudsman’s speech the first Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan
entered the hall. She was given only 7 minutes to make her
speech. First of all Larisa Alaverdyan mentioned that her presence
in the discussion does not give ground to legalize the illegal
procedure. Then she thanked Armen Haroutyunyanan for “bringing
statistic data and not making his speech materialized” as the review
was to be presented by her – the Ombudsman of 2005. She also added
that next week she is going to present her report to people and
invited the Deputies to participate in the discussion.
She focused on the spheres where human rights are greatly breached;
the economic, speech freedom and official spheres. “The authorities
seek an appropriate moment to violate human rights,” she said. The
rights of the poor are violated from economical point of view. Larisa
Alaverdyan couldn’t be asked questions according to the law – agenda.
By the way, before being appointed the Human Rights Protector Armen
Haroutyunyanan called the Protector an “Ombudsmen” whereas today he
used the word “Ombudsman.” The difference comes from English where
“men” is the plural and “man” – singular. Thus, Armen Haroutyunyanan
realized his uniqueness.

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT RATIFIES DEAL ON RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE WITHDRAWAL
AP Worldstream
Apr 13, 2006
The Georgian parliament on Thursday ratified an agreement on the
withdrawal of Russian military bases from the Caucasus Mountain nation.
With opposition legislators boycotting parliament over unrelated
issues, lawmakers voted 132-0 to back the deal that obliges Russia
to complete the pullout of the bases, leftovers from the Soviet era,
by the end of 2008.
Russia and Georgia agreed on the pullout last May, and military
officials from the two former Soviet republics signed a deal laying
out details late last month.
Under pro-Western President Mikhail Saakashvili, Georgia is seeking
to shed Russian influence after centuries of domination by Moscow.
About 3,000 troops are stationed at bases in the southern city of
Akhalkalaki and the Black Sea port of Batumi; two others were closed
over the past decade. Under the deal, the Russian military is to
complete its withdrawal from Akhalkalaki by the end of 2007 and from
Batumi by the end of 2008.
Opposition lawmakers said they favor the withdrawal but oppose
plans to establish a joint anti-terrorist center in Batumi after the
withdrawal. Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze said the deal only
envisages talks about the creation of such a center.
Opposition leaders also questioned why the agreement allows Russia
the right to send military equipment and personnel through Georgia
to Armenia _ the site of another Russian base _ for five years,
when the bases must be withdrawn within about three years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMINCO AND ARMENTEL ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE DOMINATING POSITIONS
By Karine Danielian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/04/2006
The results of the research made in the market of telecommunications
were discussed at yesterday’s sitting of RA State Commission for
Protection of Economic Competition. The commission carried out the
research in accordance with the application of ArmenTel. The company
suggested considering Arminco a leading company in the market of
Internet services, including rent of routes for database exchange
and the satellite services for receiving information.
The research showed that 213 economic entities that have license
for providing Internet services carry out indirect services. They get
Internet not from ArmenTel but from 10 other big indirect providers. It
was calculated that the latter provided Internet services amounting
to AMD 1,9 billion in 2005. Particularly, 37,1% of the market services
are provided by Arminco.
Thus, the commission recognized and registered Arminco as the leading
company. According to their activities, Netsys, Cornet-AM, Exolt and
Web companies are also recognized among the leading companies of the
telecommunication sphere.
21 economic entities functioning in the sphere of the international
satellite services provided services amounting to AMD 454,6
million. But there is no leading economic entity among them.
The research showed that ArmenTel has occupied a dominating position
in providing with services for the rent of routes envisaged for
database exchange.
ArmenTel makes Internet accessible for the providers through these
very routes.

TURKEY: POLISH MINISTER PROPOSES HISTORIANS TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIM
Anatolia news agency
13 Apr 06
Ankara, 13 April: Polish Foreign Minister Stefan Meller suggested
Turkish, Armenian and Polish historians to meet to discuss so-called
Armenian genocide allegations.
Turkish deputy Parliament Speaker Sadik Yakut received Meller in
Ankara on Thursday [13 April].
Yakut said: “Turkey expects support from Poland during EU membership
process.” He also said: “We felt very sorry over Polish parliament’s
decision (in April 2005) about so-called Armenian genocide. This
distressing development against Turkish nation emerged after Armenia’s
unilateral propaganda which deteriorates the realities. I believe
Poland will not allow the initiatives of marginal Armenian groups
against the relations of the two countries. I believe such groups
will not be supported by Polish parliament.”
Regarding cartoon crisis, Yakut said: “The cartoon crisis in
Denmark brought clash of civilizations onto agenda again. Those
who used freedom of expression irresponsibly depressed billions
of Muslims deeply. We believe that Poland’s exerting efforts to
end anti-Islamic winds by using its influence within EU will have
important consequences.”
Meller said that both the prime minister of Poland and himself
released the necessary statements to apologize from the Muslim
world for the cartoon crises. Referring to a decision approved by
the Polish parliament last year to recognize the events in 1915 as
genocide, Meller said that Armenian people had been living in Poland
for centuries.
Recalling that a number of Polish citizens of Armenian origin have
carried out significant duties, Meller said that they considered that
decision of the Polish parliament as a compensation for suffering
and pain stemming from 1915 events.
Noting that the decision did not have any binding impact on Poland’s
foreign policy, and it did not reflect the view of their government,
Meller said that the decision was not against Turkey.
Meller said that he proposed Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy
Prime Minister Abdullah Gul to undertake a good-will mission and
bring together Turkish, Armenian and Polish historians.
Stressing that they did not aim to give lessons to the others, Meller
said that Poland had earlier succeeded in resolving the problems with
Germany and Ukraine through dialogue.

THE PARTY “ORINATS YERKIR” IS AGAINST WHAT IT WAS ONCE FOR
A1+
[06:28 pm] 13 April, 2006
Today the party “Orinats Yerkir” (“Country of Law”) was in an awful
state in the Parliament as completely realizing the fact that in
case they vote against the bill “on the program of 2001 – 2003
privatization revenue” criticized by them it will be approved they
chose that version.
By the way, in 2003 and in 2001 “Orinats Yerkir” and “Dashnaktsytyun”
voted for the same program. The party “Orinats Yerkir” was against
of the program only in 2002. Thus, it becomes clear that the party
will vote for the privatization program only in the years preceding
the elections. The member of the “Republican Party” Manvel Badeyan
said that the behavior of “Orinats Yerkir” is determined by the fact
that it is a pre-election year.
The Vice-Deputy of the “Justice” Fraction Victor Dallakyan mentioned
that in the pre-election year “they try to purify themselves and
put away their dust and garbage but people see both the garbage and
the dust.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE REFUGEE ISSUE WAS HEARD IN THE OSCE ASSEMBLY
A1+
[05:13 pm] 13 April, 2006
Today the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly voted the review of the Latvian
Deputy Boris Tsilejevich on “the state of Southern Caucasus refugees
and forcibly displaced people.”
The UNO data was quoted in the review according to which in 2005
there were 235 thousand 235 refugees in Armenia and 578 thousand 545
displaced people in Azerbaijan. The last number has decreased in recent
years. The following was stated, “The Assembly turns to Armenia and
Azerbaijan to give refugees such a legal status which will be based
on the International Human Right and will comply with the status of
refugees.” It is also stated that today the Southern Caucasus refugee
issue hinders the economic, social and political development.
The author claims that the measures taken by the leaders of the
above – mentioned countries for conflict settlements haven’t had
any positive effect yet. On this score he focused on the Nagorno –
Kharabakh conflict. “The incidents on borderlines still continue,
and the fortune of missing people is still vague,” noted Boris
Tsilejevich. The latter also mentioned that the Nagorno – Kharabakh
conflict resulted in the increase of the refugees and displaced people.
The OSCE Assembly turned to the European member countries to have
financial contribution in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia so that
the countries could solve the issue of refugees and displaced people.

AZERI PRESSURE GROUP VOWS TO HINDER TIES WITH HUNGARY
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
13 Apr 06
[Presenter] The chairman of the Karabakh Liberation Organization, Akif
Nagi, regards as unjust the Hungarian court ruling [against Azerbaijani
officer Ramil Safarov sentenced to life for killing Armenian officer
in Budapest]. Akif Nagi believes that it is important to ensure Ramil
Safarov’s safety during his imprisonment.
[Correspondent] The fact that the Budapest court passed
an unjust ruling in Ramil Safarov’s case will deal a blow to
Azerbaijani-Hungarian ties. The chairman of the Karabakh Liberation
Organization, Akif Nagi, said that his organization will try towards
the freezing of ties between Azerbaijan and Hungary.
[Nagi] First, as an organization, we will hinder the development of
ties between Azerbaijan and Hungary. We will do our best towards this
end. If there is a will and determination, an organization can also
do much enough.
[Passage omitted: Safarov’s safety needs to be ensured as he will be
held in one prison cell with other prisoners]

AZERI IMPROMPTU DEMO PROTESTS AT HUNGARIAN COURT RULING AGAINST OFFICER
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
13 Apr 06
Reaction to the court ruling against Ramil Safarov [Azerbaijani officer
charged with killing Armenian officer in Budapest and sentenced to
life in prison] did not keep people in Baku waiting. A protest has
been held in Narimanov Avenue against the ruling by the Hungarian
court. Representatives of the Karabakh Liberation Organization and
other NGOs, as well as students, took part in the protest. They chanted
the following slogans – “The Court Ruling Against Ramil Safarov Is
Unjust” and “Freedom To Ramil Safarov”.
Protesters then marched towards the Martyrs’ Alley. We should note
that police did not thwart the protest.
The protesters said that a greater number of people will participate
in demonstrations from tomorrow and the demonstrations will cover
the whole country.
[Video showed protesters marching with flags and slogans, chanting
“Freedom” ]

IT IS EASIER TO SPEAK IN THE CORRIDOR
A1+
[05:58 pm] 13 April, 2006
The club of young political figures is going to organize a protest
in front of the RF Embassy against the Russian policy towards the
RA. But so far they won’t do it as according to the Club Chairman
Arman Vardanyan “we don’t want to play into the hands of people who
arouse false hysteria against Russia.”
“Just imagine whenever the RA speaks of its interests they qualify it
as anti – Russian hysteria,” mentioned the NA Deputy Arshak Sadoyan
in his speech. The latter was also astonished why we shouldn’t arouse
hysteria if “as a result of Russian position Nakhidjevan and Kharabakh
were given to Azerbaijan, and Ghars and Ardahan – to Turkey.” “You
get off the point,” the organizers reminded Arshak Sadoyan who didn’t
agree with them. Today the young political figures gathered a number of
elderly and sophisticated political figures to comment on the details
of the Hrazdan 5th energy block and Iran – Armenia gas main sales.
Nothing new was said at the meeting; the participants merely repeated
the ideas of April 6 said after the treaty between “GasProm” and the
RA Government.
“This deal has no economic grounds, it was aimed at making Armenia
dependent of its elder brother from the point of view of energy,”
said the economist Edward Aghadjanov. He thinks that Armenia had
an alternative in case “the elder brother didn’t give gas” but we
didn’t use it. The alternative was to remain the owner of the Iran –
Armenia gas main, as a result of which Armenia would also become a
transit country for exporting Persian gas to Europe. According to him
Armenia lost most of its shares of the company “ArmRusGasArd” and the
right on veto and thus can do nothing in case the company activities
contradict our interests. “The Persian gas will not penetrate to
Europe if Russia doesn’t want it,” said the member of the Republican
Party Armen Ashotyan and added, “How can Armenia take Persian gas to
Europe if the Ukraine gas main belongs to “GasProm?”
He thinks that energy dependence does not mean a full dependence
from Russia, as Germany, Austria and Finland also get their gas from
Russia. A serious dispute began between Ashotyan and Aghadjanov when
Ashotyan informed that “he is aware of Aghadjanov’s dream land” and
ended his speech with the following words, “The sun is not guilty
when its light is neglected.” By the way, the dispute took place in
the corridor where the 2 continued their “discussion.”