GEORGIAN-ARMENIAN AVIATION PARTNERSHIP
Lragir.am
03 April 06
In May Armavia will start scheduled flights Yerevan-Tbilisi-Amsterdam
and Yerevan-Tbilisi-London. The owner of Armavia Mikhail Baghdasarov
says they had reached an arrangement with Georgian airlines.
“When the flights to these European cities are from Armenia or Georgia,
passengers are few, but together flights become profitable,” says
Mikhail Baghdasarov. Armavia will also have scheduled flights together
with a more authoritative company, Air France. Three times a week,
Yerevan-Paris-Yerevan and Paris-Yerevan-Paris.
“Partnership with an authoritative company improves our image.
Air France is not our rival, it is our partner,” says the owner of
Armavia. In the nearest future he plans to have scheduled flights to
Beijing, Delhi, Los Angeles. Baghdasarov is hopeful that the first
flight to Los Angeles will be in 2006. Armavia is now looking for a
new aircraft for the transatlantic flight.
“We have opened an office in America. We have negotiated and everything
is alright. With regard to flights to America, you know, the most
complicated problem is safety. Our company was checked for safety,
and we have complied with all the standards of security,” says Mikhail
Baghdasarov. According to him, the only problem is profitability of
the scheduled flight.
“I would prefer a Yerevan-New York-Los Angeles scheduled flight.
But there is a problem of profitability. Therefore, the scheduled
flight Yerevan-Amsterdam-Los Angeles is preferable, because in
Amsterdam there will be a number of passengers leaving for Los
Angeles,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov. According to him, only in the
month of February Armavia suffered losses of 600 thousand dollars.
Mikhail Baghdasarov says, however, that the reason is the season,
which is the problem of all the airlines. “The best time for airlines
is summer,” says Baghdasarov. He mentions that Armavia suffers
losses in all European directions, but the other scheduled flights
are profitable.
“Usually, airlines in the world receive state subsidies. Such as,
Lufthansa, Air France and other famous airlines. An airline is the
so-called continuation of the foreign ministry. When the plane lands
in a country, it is like an ambassador. Its condition creates an
impression of the country,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov.
THE STORY OF AN AIRCRAFT
The negotiations between Armavia and the Armenian International
Airlines were fruitless. And the talks were for an aircraft, the Airbus
of the Armenian International Airlines. The Armenian International
Airlines is not carrying out flights, and Airbus is idle, whereas
for the owner of the Armenian International Airlines Versand Hakobyan
the Airbus is even a burden.
“We want to offer help to Versand and rent the Airbus,” says Mikhail
Baghdasarov. But Versand does not seem to have appreciated our help. He
demanded too high a price for a 10-year-old aircraft than Armavia pays
for the new Airbus. “The price offered by Versand is much higher than
the aircrafts we are renting now, more by 600 dollars per an hour of
flight,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov.
PILOTS AGAINST FOG
They offer a salary of 10 thousand dollars to Armenian pilots in
Dubai. In Kazakhstan they are offered 7 thousand dollars. The owner
of Armavia Mikhail Baghdasarov says they intend to raise the salary
of the pilots of the company to prevent them from leaving abroad.
“We want to pay a higher salary to our pilots, to prevent them from
leaving the company for they receive good offers from abroad,” says
Mikhail Baghdasarov. According to him, Armenian pilots are demanded
abroad, because conducting an Airbus is requires great skills, and
top-level Airbus pilots are highly demanded. Our pilots not only
have high skills but they are improving. Armavia is going to send
its pilots abroad for qualification and get the second degree. Such
a pilot can land in the thickest fog, says Mikhail Baghdasarov.

GAS MIRRORS CONTRADICTION WITHIN GOVERNMENT
Lragir.am
03 April 06
The expensive Russian gas will not impact the economy of Armenia
as it would seem. Despite the pessimistic feelings before the New
Year, over the recent weeks the government has been making optimistic
statements. Another optimist is the president of Mika Limited Mikhail
Baghdasarov, it “slipped out” during his press conference on April
1 that at the border of Armenia the price of Russian gas will be
68 dollars instead of 110 dollars per 1000 cubic meters. “It will
be even favorable for us, because Armenia will buy cheaper gas than
the other South Caucasian countries, and our production will be more
competitive,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov.
When later the news reporters wondered why Baghdasarov mentioned this
definite price of 68 dollars, the president of Mika Limited said simply
he had heard that the price would not go above 70 dollars. Of course,
if nothing changes, adds Mikhail Baghdasarov. “You know that anything
may happen,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov.
He also refutes the forecasts that the increase of the price of
gas will result in a higher price of such an important material as
cement. The owner of the factory of cement in Hrazdan says if the
price of gas is much lower than 110 dollars, naturally it will have
a little influence on industry.
Mikhail Baghdasarov says the cheapest cement in the region is in
Armenia, and since it is so, Armenia cannot keep the price of cement
too low, for they will come from our neighbor countries and buy all
the cement, and nothing will remain for our construction, since the
capacity of our factories cannot supply such a great demand. “In Iran,
for instance, cement costs higher, and they can come and buy all our
production, and nothing will remain for Armenia. Presently, Georgia
buys as much cement as the demand of the domestic market of Armenia
is,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov. According to him, the entire amount
of cement produced in Georgia goes to Azerbaijan, where the volume
of construction is very big, and Georgians buy cement from Armenia.
“We will export 30 per cent more cement to Georgia,” says Mikhail
Baghdasarov, adding that even if the price were 110 dollars, it would
not impact the export of cement, for the price of gas is going high
not only for Armenia, but also Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Baghdasarov’s statement actually contradicts to the forecasts of
the officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry that the growth
of the price of gas will impact the volume of production of cement,
because the high cost will cause the exports to drop. However, in
the recent months there is a good deal of contradiction in Armenia,
and the problem of gas actually mirrors this state of things.
OIL INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA
Investments in the oil sector are foreseen in Armenia. This became
known during the April 1 news conference, when the president of Mika
Limited Mikhail Baghdasarov spoke about his plans. “Yes, I am eager
to invest money in a new branch of the Armenian economy. In the
oil sector,” stated Mikhail Baghdasarov. He explained to the news
reporters, who were a little surprised, that oil sector does not
necessarily imply production of oil. “I mean chemistry,” mentioned
Mikhail Baghdasarov, telling about his plans to found a new chemical
company.
Mikhail Baghdasarov assures that the turnover of his companies counts
hundreds of millions, but the profit is much lower than it seems to
be. “For instance, my petrol company’s turnover is 87 million dollar,
but the profit is 1-2 per cent. A higher percentage of profit is in
markets and shops,” says the president of Mika Limited.
According to him, the turnover of Armavia owned by Baghdasarov is 108
million dollars, but the company still requires great investments,
and it has not reached the level of profitability. He refutes the
information that he is going to sell Armavia, although there is
already a buyer. “There is a buyer, a foreign company, but we are
not selling the shares of Armavia. It is to be done when the company
starts generating profit. Generally, there are buyers for all my
companies but I am not selling them,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov.
He thinks the company should be sold when it generates profit.
“For this one has to think and be creative,” says Mikhail
Baghdasarov. He brings the example of Kirk Kirkoryan, who buys
companies, which are in a bad condition, rehabilitates them and sells
them at a higher price.

WHICH POLITICAL FORCE WILL SUPPORT MIKHAIL BAGHDASAROV?
Lragir.am
03 April 06
Heading for the election 2007, more than the forces called political,
the big representatives of the economic sector are preparing for it.
Some of them already have set up political parties, others are just
setting up, yet there are others, who are likely to give financial
support to some political parties. The actions of these businessmen
are determined, not necessarily openly, by the concern to protect
their businesses and property.
In this connection, there is a fourth type of businessmen who do not
publicly do something that would allow accrediting them to the first
three types of oligarchs. Probably, the most vivid representative of
this fourth conventional type of oligarchs is Mikhail Baghdasarov.
According to the famous Western magazine Forbes, the turnover of
his companies totals 200 million dollars, but he not only confirms
figure offered by the Forbes, but also mentions that the turnover
may be over 200 million dollars.
But the owner of this turnover does not take part in the “great
movement” of oligarchs for the protection of their property. And
since he is one of the biggest businessmen of Armenia, the society
may wonder why he does not display a political compulsion to protect
himself. “There are several ways of protection, with a gun or by
supporting one political force or another, which is close to your
heart. It is not necessary to set up a political party,” says Mikhail
Baghdasarov. However, he does not say which party he is going to
support if he is not going to set up his own political party. He
explains this silence by the young age of our political parties,
which, except the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, are hardly
10 years old, and have not even made up their mind what to want or
what to choose. “We are now studying the conditions. Yesterday we
liked one party, today we like another party, tomorrow we may choose
yet another one. The political party that will develop the economy,
with actions and not words,” says Mikhail Baghdasaryan. He says when
something is done in Armenia, it is not spoken about.
“Therefore, many people think that here it is worse than elsewhere. But
it better to act and keep silent than to speak and not do anything. In
other words, when we have something, we do not keep it, we appreciate
it when we lose it,” says Mikhail Baghdasarov.
“Today so many political parties are set up, parties of sportsmen,
businessmen, law enforcement bodies, and one can hardly make head or
tail of it, but we will support those who want to develop economy,
science, sports,” says the president of Mika Limited. Gagik Tsarukyan
perfectly complies with these criteria; he set up the Prosperous
Armenia Party, owns big companies and the president of the National
Olympic Committee. Not denying Tsarukyan’s contribution to economy
and sport, Mikhail Baghdasarov, however, reminds that Tsarukyan is
not alone to support sport.

ONE AZERI SOLDIER KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN ARMENIAN CEASEFIRE VIOLATION
ANS TV, Baku
3 Apr 06
[Presenter] Armenian troops subjected the Azerbaijani positions and
the village of Cafarli of the Qazax District to fire from automatic
and machine guns at 2305 [1905 gmt] last night.
The Armenian troops fired on the Azerbaijani positions near the
village of Asagi Abdurrahmani in Fuzuli District at 2145 [1645 gmt].
One Azerbaijani solder was martyred and another wounded when repulsing
an attack from the Armenian troops. The correspondent of ANS’s Karabakh
bureau, Sahin Rzayev, has the details.
[Correspondent by phone] The Armenian armed forces have subjected the
Azerbaijani positions and settlements in Fuzuli District to heavy
fire four times over the last 24 hours. Azerbaijani soldier Saban
Yagubov from Zaqatala District was seriously wounded and died.
Soldier Niyamaddin Sirinov from Goranboy District was badly wounded.
It must be noted that the Armenians primarily fired on the Azerbaijani
positions in Asagi Abdurrahmanli and the Azerbaijani soldier was
martyred on the territory of this village.
The Armenian armed forces carried out their last attack against
Asagi Abdurrahmanli at 2145 [1645 gmt]. Residents of the villages of
Sukubayli and Alxanli said that the Armenians had subjected them to
fire from automatic weapons and machine guns for about half an hour.
The Armenians fired on the Azerbaijani positions in Alxanli from the
village of Qaraxanbayli in Fuzuli District, which is under Armenian
occupation, from 2315 [1915 gmt]. Single shots can be heard on the
contact line even as we speak.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ICRC PRESIDENT VISITS BAKU
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 3 2006
President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Jakob Kellenberger has arrived in Baku for a two-day visit at the
invitation of the government of Azerbaijan. The ICRC representative
office in Azerbaijan informed APA that Mr.Kellenberger’s visit will
be followed by visits to Georgia and Armenia.
The ICRC president will have talks with Azerbaijan’s President
Ilham Aliyev, deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev and other
officials.
The talks are expected to focus on missing persons and their
families, the conditions of people detained in relation to the
unresolved conflicts of Nagorno Garabagh, and other humanitarian
issues. Training of the Armed Forces in international humanitarian
law and its application will also be discussed. In addition, the ICRC
president will make visits to ICRC-supported projects in the field.
During his visit, Mr.Kellenberger will meet the presidents of the
Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society.

GENERAL CONSULATE OF AZERBAIJAN IN ISTANBUL ORGANIZES SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AGAINST TURKS – AZERI CONSUL IN ISTANBUL
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 3 2006
The General Consulate of Azerbaijan in Istanbul organized a scientific
symposium entitled “Armenia’s genocide policy against Turks and future
of the Turkish-Azerbaijani mutual relationships.
Ibrahim Nabioglu, the General Consul of Azerbaijan in Istanbul, told
Trend that attending the event were over 500 scientific and public
figures of Turkey, heads of diplomatic missions, MPs, officers in
reserve, representatives of the Azerbaijani Diaspora.
The speakers to the event were the head of Marmara society, Akkin
Suver, ex-head of the gendarmerie forces, General Shener Eyruyrug
and Prof Shener Ushumezsoy.
The symposium was divided into three plenary meetings – first dedicated
to the anniversary of the Azerbaijani Genocide Day 31 March, the
second on the development of the Azerbaijani-Turkish relationships,
the third – general discussions. There was an exchange of opinions
on the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ by the Osmanly Emore in 1915.
“Such events will continue. Armenians’ bloody policy on the termination
of Turks, in particular, criminal acts committed 88-year ago when the
Armenian nationalists killed ten thousands of innocent Azerbaijani
civilians are stick on memory of the nation of Azerbaijan and Turkey,
Nabioglu underlined, marking the importance of the organization of
such events abroad.
“Istanbul for the first time saw such a scaly event. The current
symposium was of great interest, as we desired,” the General Consul
underlined.

RUSSIAN COMMANDER SAYS HARDWARE TO BE MOVED TO NORTH CAUCASUS, ARMENIA
Interfax-AVN military news agency website, Moscow
31 Mar 06
Sochi, 31 March: The Russian forces will be withdrawn from
Georgia to the North Caucasus and Armenia, Col-Gen Aleksey Maslov,
the commander-in-chief of the Russian Ground Troops, told a news
conference in Sochi held on Friday [31March] after signing agreements
with Georgia on the withdrawal of forces.
“Most of the military hardware and personnel now stationed in Georgia
will in 2008 be withdrawn to the North Caucasus Military District,
while part of the equipment will be dispatched to arm the 102nd
Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia,” Maslov said.
According to him, the agreements will provide legal framework for
cooperation with Georgia in domains determined in the documents.
Georgian First Deputy Defence Minister Mamuka Kudava, who signed the
agreements on behalf and for Georgia, estimated the importance of
the documents as very high.
“We will stick to the provisions outlined in the papers and assist
the Russians in preparing and organizing the withdrawal,” he said.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES BREAK CEASE-FIRE IN AGHDAM
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 3 2006
Armenian armed forces violated the cease-fire in the direction of
Azerbaijan’s region of Aghdam yesterday.
The Garabagh bureau of APA reports that the companies of the Armenian
forces fired on the old state farm in the occupied part of Aghdam,
the opposite positions of Azerbaijani forces as well as Chiragli and
Orta Gishlag villages of the region from their positions in Shikhlar
village from yesterday evening until early morning. No causalities
have been reported. The enemy was silenced by response fire.
Frontiersmen say that the enemy’s armed equipment and trucks are in
motion across the contact line. The local residents also said that the
Armenian military men are pulling down houses and public buildings,
which they used for shelter in Azerbaijan’s territories they have
occupied.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES VIOLATE CEASE-FIRE 75 TIMES, SHOOT 6 SOLDIERS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 3 2006
Azerbaijani military men and wounded 6 ones in first quarter of
this year.
Armenian Armed Forces violated cease-fire in the frontline 75 times
during first quarter of this year.
APA monitored the information confirmed by the Defense Ministry and
published in the media that the most intensive cease-fire violations
have happened in March and sometimes in January. Armenian Armed Forces
fired on Azerbaijani Army’s positions and residential zones 10 times
in January, 14 times in February and 50 times in March.
Cease-fire was violated 48 times in March last year. The most violated
areas are Gazakh -32 times, Aghdam -14 times, Terter-12 times, Tovuz- 6
times, Fuzuli – 5 times, Jebrail- 2 times, Geranboy -2 times, Gadabey –
1 times, Khojavand – 1 times. Armenian violations were more active in
Gazakh-Tovuz frontline in early March and in Fuzuli-Jebrail frontline
in late March.
The “hot violation” areas of the frontline are: In the Azerbaijan’s
state BORDER- Mezem, Gizilhajili and Balajafarli villages in Gazakh
region; Hasangaya, Chayli, Jerabert and Gapanli villages in Terter;
Ashagi Seyidahmadli village in Fuzuli.
The OSCE monitored Azerbaijani-Armenian frontline 5 times within
the passed three months. One monitoring was postponed due to bad
weather, and one was postponed due to violation of the cease-fire by
Armenians. But OSCE managed to monitor three times without incidents.
Azerbaijani Armed Forces’ 18 military men were killed and 6 were
wounded. 4 of them were killed in fire, 5 in auto-accident, 1 committed
a suicide, 2 in avalanche and 6 were shot by the enemy.
5 of the killed are officer, 2 is ensign, 1 is sergeant the rest are
soldiers. 5 of them were killed in battle area. Totally, Azerbaijani
Armed Forces lost 11 military men in January, 2 in February, and 5 in
March. All the casualties are those who are serving under auspicious
of the Defense Ministry.

ARMENIAN CEASE-FIRE VIOLATION KILLS ONE AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER AND INJURES ONE
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 3 2006
One Azerbaijani soldier was killed and one was heavily wounded as
a result of cease-fire violation by Armenians. Azerbaijan’s Defense
Ministry informed that the companies of Armenian armed forces fired
on the opposite positions of Azerbaijani armed forces from their
positions in 1.3 km of Ashaghi Abdurrahmanli village of Azerbaijan’s
region of Fuzuli at 9.00a.m on 2 April.
As a result, Azerbaijani Army serviceman, 19-year-old soldier
Yagubov Shaban Mahammad, who was drafted by military registration
and enlistment office of Zagatala region in April, 2005, was killed.
Another Azerbaijani soldier, 27-year old Shirinov Niyameddin Asad ,
who was drafted by military registration and enlistment office of
Goranboy in January, 2005, was heavily wounded. The enemy was silenced
by response fire.
The Armenian side violated the cease-fire yesterday evening again.
The Defense ministry reports that the companies of the Armenian
armed forces fired on the opposite positions from their positions
near Ashaghi Abdurrahmanli village of Fuzuli region at 21.45 and the
enemy forces again, from their positions in Jafarli village of Gazakh
region, fired on the opposite positions of Azerbaijani forces as well
as Jafarli village with submachine and machine guns at 23.05.
The enemy was silenced by response fire. No causalities were
reported.