TRAGEDIES TEST FAITH, HUMANITY
By Rabbi Garry Loeb
For the Times Herald-Record
Times Herald-Record, NY
April 2 2006
Do not stand idle while your neighbor bleeds.
– Leviticus 19:16
As spring comes to Orange County, the days warm and lengthen,
birds sing, flowers and trees bloom. It is a sweet time. Two great
religious festivals mark this season. Christians celebrate rebirth at
Easter and Jews celebrate freedom at Passover. Yet for many of us,
our hearts and minds are turned to a faraway place, halfway around
the world to Darfur, in Sudan.
The genocide there mars our springtime. Hundreds of thousands are
dead. Millions have been driven from their homes into refugee camps.
The world has looked on, at first indifferently, then with grudging,
ineffective gestures. Slowly, we are beginning to respond with
real help.
Throughout the past month, members of the Monroe-Woodbury Clergy
Association have attempted to educate their faith communities about
Darfur. We represent a tapestry of religious traditions, but we are
united in our belief that the injunction from the book of Leviticus,
above, has real meaning.
Our clergy members have seen many world horrors in their lifetime:
the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, the Killing Fields of Cambodia,
the slaughters in Bosnia and Kosovo, the mass murder in Rwanda.
In each of these cases people said, “We didn’t know! There was nothing
we could do.” People weep at memorials, shake their heads and wonder
how people could let such things happen.
What if, instead of mourning a new tragedy, we could prevent one?
Darfur has been called the first genocide of the 21st century. We see
it as a test of our faith and our humanity. At a time when religion
is often seen as the root of much misery and strife, we know that
religion can also bring people together and call to the best in us.
Our traditions give us the moral center and ethical strength to speak
out and teach. Darfur is an opportunity to make real the declaration
“Never Again!”
All across the country, Americans are raising their voices about
Darfur. On April 30, many of us will go to the nation’s capital to
march and urge our leaders to take strong, effective and urgent action.
In the Monroe-Woodbury area, congregants from our different
faith communities have written to our officials and government
representatives. We have worn pins, green bracelets and ribbons,
displayed banners and signs with the message “Save Darfur!” The work
continues and calls to all of us. We challenge all of you: What are
you doing about Darfur?
It is spring, a time of hope and new beginnings. Let’s give hope and
a new beginning to the people of Darfur.
Rabbi Garry Loeb, of Monroe Temple Beth-El, coordinates the Darfur
Project of the Monroe-Woodbury Clergy Association.

AZERI, US OFFICIALS DISCUSS IRAN, KARABAKH IN WASHINGTON
Azartac news agency, Baku
31 Mar 2006
Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has expressed concern
about Iran’s “some moves” in the Caspian Sea. In an interview with
the state-run news agency Azartac after his recent visit to Canada
and the USA, Azimov said that US experts will visit Baku to examine
Azerbaijan’s opportunities to join ” the G8’s nonproliferation
initiative” and favoured stronger ties with the USA in the sphere of
security. Speaking on the Karabakh settlement, Azimov said the USA
should “realize” and Armenia has to bear in mind that Azerbaijan will
never agree to the division of its territories.
The following is excerpt from report by Azerbaijani news agency
Azartac; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov wrapped up his working
visit to Canada and the USA on 30 March. [Passage omitted: background
information on US-Azerbaijani security dialogue since 1996]
Azimov has given an interview about the results of his visit to North
America to an Azartac correspondent.
[Correspondent] You are Azerbaijan’s first official representative
to have visited Canada. How high is interest in Azerbaijan in that
country? What can you say about talks held?
[Azimov] Indeed, this was the first visit of a high-ranking delegation
from the Azerbaijani Republic to Canada. [Passage omitted: background
information on bilateral ties]
It was impossible to discuss all issues during the two-day visit. But
we were able to touch on main problems that concern us. Canada’s
position on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan is not always explicit. As an OSCE member state, Canada
has so far offered only superficial moral and political support. But
Canada can gradually come closer to this issue in the future.
Issues of concern in ties with Canada
In our region, there are some Canada-related issues that concern us,
such as the participation of several Canadian companies in some illegal
projects in Turkmenistan, and also in the exploitation of gold mines
in the occupied Kalbacar District. We brought this to the attention
of the Canadian government.
They explained that the Canadian government has no connection with
those companies and that it is trying not to interfere in these
issues. Having heard their explanation, we said that Azerbaijan will
continue to express its concern to the Canadian government, and ask
Canada for help in these issues.
Of course, you won’t get anything by just keeping aside and watching.
It is already two years that our embassy in Canada has been operating
very well. It has been able to breathe some life into Canada’s
Azerbaijan community. These are what we have done. We are waiting
for action from Canada too. Above all, we would like Canada to open
its embassy in Baku.
Security dialogue with USA
[Correspondent] You are the co-chairman of the US-Azerbaijani security
dialogue, which is a framework mechanism. Projects that are initiated
here are brought to the attention of the [US and Azerbaijani]
governments for their approval. What specific projects you take to
Baku after the current stage of the dialogue?
[Azimov] The security dialogue, which started in 1996, enabled us to
explore security issues between Azerbaijan and the USA. We should
improve this dialogue further. Azerbaijan will see more threats to
its security as its international authority and capabilities are
becoming stronger. Azerbaijan should be prepared for this. Azerbaijan
and the USA mainly cooperate in the military, political and security
areas. They are doing practical work in these spheres.
The US support for Azerbaijan in these areas is at the needed level.
But our demands are much greater. The US approach to our demands
shows that it is ready for a closer cooperation.
As a whole, the dialogue goes well. We had the same issues on our
agenda this time: Azerbaijan’s national and regional security,
relations within NATO, the OSCE’s growing role in processes, the
settlement of regional conflicts, relations between the Caspian
littoral states, and military and political situation in the Caspian
basin.
The complex of risks and threats in the Caspian region is quite
complicated. It has military, terrorism and environment elements. In
this respect, the USA will closely cooperate with Azerbaijan.
We achieved some agreements. Several expert groups will visit Baku.
They will explore Azerbaijan’s opportunities to join an energy and
maritime security initiative, and also the G8’s nonproliferation
initiative.
Baku concerned about Iran’s actions in Caspian
[Correspondent] Did you discuss Iran?
[Azimov] While considering the situation in the region, we discussed
the situation on the Azerbaijani-Iranian border. We said that a
130-kilometre stretch of the [Azerbaijani-Iranian] border is under
occupation. We certainly had to discuss threats coming from here
[the occupied stretch of the border].
We also discussed the situation in the [Azerbaijani] section of
Caspian Sea that borders Iran. Azerbaijan is concerned about some
moves of Iran there. We have repeatedly said that calmness should
reign on borders of neighbouring countries. These borders should be
respected and be inviolable.
We also said that we maintain ties with neighbouring Iran in various
fields, including trade ties. We have many compatriots in Iran.
Therefore, Azerbaijan is watching the developments in Iran with
interest and concern. We would not want that a crisis occur here. We
favour a peaceful resolution of issues.
US role in Karabakh settlement
[Correspondent] [Armenian Foreign Minister] Vardan Oskanyan has
recently said in Washington that Armenia views the Nagornyy Karabakh
issue from the position of defining this region’s the self-governing
status. But Azerbaijan has repeatedly said it is dealing with a
separatist regime in Nagornyy Karabakh. How does the USA consider
this conflict given these viewpoints ?
[Azimov] The USA is directly involved in the settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The USA is for a speedy settlement of
the conflict, and is ready to step up its efforts in this direction.
Although various expressions are being used, the situation is however
the same. This is all about Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity,
a conflict on Azerbaijan’s territory, and its settlement.
Azerbaijan maintains that the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities
should peacefully co-exist in Nagornyy Karabakh, and that they should
be given the necessary guarantees. I am confident that Azerbaijan
will achieve this at some stage because there is no other way out.
The USA has to realize, and Armenia should bear in mind that Azerbaijan
will not agree to the division of its territories and will prevent
this.
This should not be perceived as the toughening of our position. This
is a principled position, which Azerbaijan has maintained from the
very beginning, from the first day of the conflict. We will remain
in this position. We are ready to display the needed flexibility
in the settlement of the conflict. I say this, also appealing to my
compatriots – the Armenian community living in Nagornyy Karabakh should
be provided with some form of self-government. Armenians are claiming
that political circles in Azerbaijan are calling for the expulsion of
Armenians from Nagornyy Karabakh. This is not true. We have never been
against the existence of Armenians in Nagornyy Karabakh as Azerbaijani
citizens. On the contrary, we believe that these people should have the
necessary social, public and political rights, which should be ensured.
This should not be viewed as Azerbaijan’s weakness. As a powerful,
modern and democratic state, Azerbaijan is ready to ensure a normal
life for each of its citizens of any ethnic origin. It is true that
there are extreme points on both sides [as published]. We should give
them up and come to common ground.
Azerbaijanis in Karabakh
Armenia’s extreme position is that Nagornyy Karabakh has not been and
will never be part of Azerbaijan. One should give up this position,
and the government of Azerbaijan should guarantee a model of
self-government for the Armenians living in Nagornyy Karabakh.
This model should be based on European models. It must recognize
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the inviolability of its
borders.
One should not forget that Azerbaijanis have also lived in Nagornyy
Karabakh along with Armenians. Vardan Oskanyan and other Armenian
politicians distort facts in their statements. They claim that a
small number of Azerbaijanis lived in Nagornyy Karabakh.
Firstly, this is not true. Nearly 50,000-60,000 Azerbaijanis lived
there. And secondly, number is immaterial. One should not deny
the importance of this issue even if 1,000 people lived there. The
Azerbaijani community must be returned to Nagornyy Karabakh. We should
make sure that both communities benefit from the same self-government
model within Azerbaijan’s law. This is the constructive position of
the Azerbaijani side.
[Passage omitted: repetition; Azimov says Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act banning US aid to the Azerbaijani government does not
hinder Azerbaijani-US cooperation]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SKELTON CLAIMS KALACHYAN VICTORY
BBC Sport, UK
April 2 2006
Skelton Will Face Danny Williams Again This Summer
Matt Skelton bounced back from his defeat by Danny Williams with a
fourth-round knockout victory over Suren Kalachyan on Saturday.
Skelton had to overcome a gutsy display from the French-based Armenian
before finishing the non-title fight strongly.
Skelton will face Williams again at Manchester’s MEN Arena on 15 July.
Meanwhile, Stephen Foster Jnr retained his WBU featherweight title
with a unanimous points win over Glasgow’s John Simpson.
Skelton, in action only five weeks after losing to Williams, took time
to get into his stride but floored his opponent with a body-shot in
the third round.
The Bedford fighter was determined to finish the job in the fourth
and fired in two damaging punches which forced Kalachyan to take the
full count after 30 seconds of the round.
After losing his unbeaten record last time he met Williams, Skelton
is keen for better next time.
“I was back in the gym training a few days after the Williams fight
and wanted to get back as soon as possible,” he said. “I’m ready for
the rematch and believe I can put the record straight by beating him
next time.”
But Williams, who was ringside at York Hall was unimpressed by
Skelton’s display against Kalachyan.
“He didn’t show me anything I haven’t seen from him before and I’m
confident I can do a better job next time,” he said.
“I shook him badly in the final round and I’ll try to get to him
earlier when we meet again.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA TO POST DRUGS POLICE ABROAD
Gazeta.ru website, Moscow
28 Mar 06
Russia’s counternarcotics agency is to send 50 of its staff abroad to
work out of Russian embassies, with the first representatives going to
the Russian embassy in Kabul. Later, staff of the Federal Service for
Control over the Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
will be sent to Armenia and Belarus, and to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and
Tajikistan, countries which the service says are now staging posts on
the drug-trafficking route from Afghanistan northwards. The following
is the text of report by Russian Gazeta.ru website on 28 March:
Staffers of Gosnarkokontrol [Federal Service for Control over the
Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances] are going to be
working under Russian diplomatic missions abroad. The relevant edict
has been signed by [President] Vladimir Putin. Experts are doubtful
whether these people will succeed in halting the flow of narcotics.
On the other hand, human rights champions believe that maybe this
will teach the narcotics control service how to work and not to just
hound veterinary surgeons through the courts.
On Tuesday [28 March] Vladimir Putin signed an edict “On official
representatives of the Russian Federation Federal Service for Control
over the Trafficking of Narcotics in Foreign States”. According to this
document the service is authorized to have official representatives
and their deputies abroad numbering a total of 50 persons. These
staffers are to work as part of the diplomatic missions but without
being included on the embassy staff roll. It is assumed that this
will simplify the service’s contacts with their foreign colleagues.
A mission of the Gosnarkokontrol, as one of the first, will open in
Afghanistan from where the main mass of heroin makes its way both
onto the Russian and the world drugs markets.
As Gazeta.ru was told by Oleg Kharichkin, deputy director of the
Russian Federation Federal Service for Control Over the Trafficking
of Narcotics, staffers periodically travel as it is to that country
but they will now stay in Kabul on a permanent basis. Later, the
service’s missions will also be opened in states belonging to the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – Armenia, Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. According to Kharichkin,
“this will be especially timely in those countries which are becoming
staging posts on the northern route for the movement of narcotics into
our country. That is, on the route for the trafficking of narcotics
out of Afghanistan. It is also assumed that Gosnarkokontrol staffers
will be sent to other Asian states and also to countries of Latin
America and Europe.
The service director will decide who will be going abroad, after which,
as Kharichkin explained, “the candidacies of these staffers will have
to be coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and with the states to
which they are being sent”.
According to Kharichkin, it is assumed that two staffers will work
in the missions. “Most likely people able to speak the language of
the country where they will be working will be sent there,” he added.
According to Kharichkin, the experience of such missions is not
unique. The DEA – the American Drug Enforcement Administration –
works according to the same principle. The Russian office of the US
drugs police is in the embassy building in Moscow.
In the opinion of human rights champions, there will certainly be no
harm done by the new Gosnarkontrol subdivision, but at the moment it
is not clear how much benefit will derive from it.
“International contacts are necessary and there can be no particular
objections here. After all, these drugs police will not be keeping
tabs on the staffers of the embassies,” Gazeta.ru was told by Lev
Levinson, head of the New Drugs Policy public organization. “It is
better to direct one’s efforts at something serious than to engage
in dubious affairs in one’s own country.” Especially as, according
to him, other countries also have an interest in this: After all,
Russia is also a transit zone for narcotics. “Apart from Afghanistan,
‘synthetic drugs’ are brought into Russia from Poland, Germany, and
the Baltic States, and cocaine is brought in from South America. So
there is certainly something to work on,” he believes.
Oleg Zykov, president of the No to Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
Foundation is of the same opinion. “I welcome any structural
subdivision if it is going to be effective. I hope that this is a
movement in the direction of control over hard drugs,” Zykov says.
“In any case, if these representatives are going to end up in
countries where there is a positive experience of, and not repressive
technologies for, combating drugs, they might at least borrow their
experience.”

AZG Armenian Daily #059, 01/04/2006
Economy
ROGER ROBINSON: NEW GAS TARIFFS WILL HAVE NO AWFUL
IMPACT
Roger Robinson expressed this opinion in response to
the question put by the journalists at yesterday~Rs
press conference. He said that the World Bank experts
haven~Rt completed researches on the future impact of
the new gas tariffs on the Armenian economy yet. He
added that the negotiations of RA Government with the
Russian side of the abovementioned issue haven~Rt
completed either. At the same time, he expressed the
opinion that certainly, the increase in tariffs for
gas will have some impact on the economy of Armenia,
but that will not be that awful as some people expect.
Naturally, it will have negative impact on socially
insecure class and the prices for some goods. The rise
in tariffs will not have big impact on the industrial
sector, as the industrial companies will apply
economical energy regimes.
Robinson also stated that the rise in gas tariffs
would have no impact on the prices for imported goods,
either.
By Ara Martirosian

Armenian scandal at UN
Hurriyet, Turkey
April 1 2006
A general sense of trouble was felt at the so-called “Genocide forum”
held at the United Nations, following Turkish Professor Turkkaya’s
disagreement with allegations by Armenians who had organized the
event. Turkkaya Ataov’s defense against the allegations caused the
unsettled behaviour. While the UN was staging an “Armenian show”,
a New York Times journalists attempted to prevent Prof. Ataov from
talking causing a scandal at the forum.
Armenians in the US attempted to take the notion of “genocide” to the
UN by organising the forum entitled, “Genocide: Then and Now. Lessons
Learnt in the 21st Century”. Political Affairs Assistant to UN General
Secretary Kofi Annan, Ibrahim Gambari’s name was also mentioned at the
forum co-organised by Armenian, Rwandan Ambassadors and the Armenian
General Benevolent Union.
However, on discovering that Turkey was targeted at the forum, Gambari
stated that his name was placed on the list of speakers by mistake,
and declined from making a speech.
Director of Genocide Research at the Zoryan Institute, Prof. Vahak
Dadrian, put forward that the Armenian massacre had begun with the
death of 200,000 Armenians during the reign of Abdulhmit. Dadrian also
claimed that militant Islamists systematically massacred Armenians
living in Anatolia, between 1918 and 1920.
Turkkaya Ataov, a Turkish Historian also attending the forum,
took the floor and asked, “You say that you are referring to secret
reports from German sources stating that Ottoman rulers gave orders
for genocide. You claim that the documents have been seen. Who has
seen these documents and where are they?” causing a stir.
The forum Chairman, New York Times journalist, Andrea Kannapell
attempted to stop Turkkaya Ataov from speaking. Ataov responded to this
by saying, “You are taking sides. Dadrian gave a 40-minute speech,
but you do not want someone of the opposite opinion to speak”, then
went on to describe the important place Armenians held in Ottoman
society, holding government positions amongst many others.
Following Kannapell’s second attempt to quiet Ataov, a group of
Armenians in the room began to scold him.
Directing his words at the Rwandan Ambassador, Ataov complained, “This
forum is just for show.” Turkkaya Ataov declared that the purpose of
the forum was to take this “supposed genocide” to a global platform.

Dartmouth Conference Can Promote Karabakh Problem Peaceful Settlement
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2006 01:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ March 31 head of the President Administration of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Secretary of the Security Council Karen
Baburyan met with Co-chairs of the Russian-American working group of
the Dartmouth Conference on the regional conflicts Vitaly Naumkin and
Harold Saunders, who arrived in Stepanakert within the regional visit
framework, reported the information and analytical department of the
NKR MFA. Representing the position of official Stepanakert on the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement Karen Baburyan highly evaluated
the efforts of the Dartmouth Conference for the establishment of
dialogue and mutual trust between the neighbor societies. Karabakh
is ready to sign the agreement which would oblige the parties to put
an end to national hatred and adhere to the peaceful resolution of
the conflict.
The interlocutors confirmed the importance of the process at the
public level and noted that the Dartmouth conference format can
have a positive impact upon the talks and contribute to the peaceful
resolution of the problem.

Millennium Challenge Corporation Executive Director to Visit Armenia April 10-15
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2006 02:23 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ John Danilovich, the Executive Director of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation will pay a visit to Armenia April
10-15, Armenian Minister of Economy and Finance Vardan Khachatryan
stated at a press conference in Yerevan today. John Danilovich intends
to discuss the Millennium Challenge Compact and get familiarized
with the preparation works, specifically the establishment of the
Corporation Office scheduled to open in June 2006.

Kiro Manoian: Bulgaria Not Going to Recognize Armenian Genocide Yet
PanARMENIAN.Net
01.04.2006 02:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The possibility of second introduction of draft
bill on the Armenian Genocide to the Bulgarian parliament is small,
ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Office Director Kiro Manoian told
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, the party that submitted the
bill is radical and its proposals are usually not considered. “The
coalition government is not going to spoil relations with Turkey,”
he noted.
To remind, the Bulgarian parliament voted down the bill on the Armenian
Genocide recognition, since one of the most influential parties of
the Bulgarian parliament – Movement of Rights and Freedoms – has
Turkish ethnic roots.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Interview
Victor Krivopuskov:
Russia Responsible for fair Settlement of Karabakh
Conflict
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict has been much spoken
about recently. 2006 was declared the “year of final
deal”. In this view the opinion of a person, who was
in Stepanakert at the very beginning of the conflict
and is well aware of the history and development of
the opposition between Nagorno Karabakh is important.
PanARMENIAN.Net requested chief of the staff of the
investigation-operation group of the Nagorno Karabakh
Autonomous Region in 1900-1991 and presently President
of the Society of Friendship and Cooperation with
Armenia Victor Krivopuskov to answer a number of
questions.
31.03.2006 GMT+04:00
How well is the Russian political elite informed of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?
Information blockade over the Nagorno Karabakh problem
has been created in Russia. In general the Russian
political elite is badly informed of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict. “Publications are few in number,
not to mention TV programs. The situation with
websites has improved a bit lately, but they do not
change the whole picture.
The Russian state media trying not to arouse
Azerbaijan’s discontent do not call things by their
proper names and thus prefer to write nothing about
the conflict. “Over this reason the major part of our
political elite and the society have poor knowledge
not only of Karabakh’s present problems but also of
the true causes of the conflict.
A new generation of Russians grew up during the recent
15 years. It means a new generation of politicians who
are unaware of the conflict. I have many times heard
people say that Karabakh is inhabited by Azerbaijanis
and that Armenians are Muslims. People are unaware of
the age-old friendship between the Armenian and
Russian people, of the significant role the Armenians
of Karabakh played 200 years ago in the liberation of
Armenia from the Persian and Ottoman yoke and
self-willed joining Russia.
What is the role of Russia in the conflict settlement?
I would like to believe that Russia deals with the
Karabakh settlement not only as the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chair. Russia as no other party is first of all
interested inn maintenance of peace in the Caucasus.
Being the assignee of the Soviet Union Russia is
responsible for the alienation of Nagorno Karabakh
from Armenia in 1992 that took place through the fault
of Bolshevik Russia and consequently for the fair
resolution of the Karabakh problem.
I also regret over the exchange of welcome telegrams
between the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Turkey on
the anniversary of Moscow Treaty signed on March 16,
1921. “To put it mildly, it was odd to mark the date
when the Western Armenian territories as well as the
Kars region and Surmalu district belonging to Russia
were conveyed to Turkey
Everyone, who knows the history a bit understand that
it was a hazardous agreement concluded without
participation of representative of Armenia of that
time in order to involve young Turks in the promotion
of world socialist revolution in the Near East. As
result Turks behaved with traditional eastern
delicacy. They not only saved Sultan Empire from
division but also received from Soviet Russia new
territories and succeeded in smashing Eastern Armenia
to three pieces. And now it would be appropriate to
renounce the historical venture of Bolshevik
predecessors and keep silent. By the way I won’t be
surprised if October 13 our MFA will celebrate the
85th anniversary of the Kars agreement that confirmed
the outcomes of the shameful Moscow agreement.
In your opinion what can the Karabakh conflict
settlement model look like?
The conflict settlement model should necessarily
provide for reasonable and bloodless approach
proceeding from the true but not distorted history of
the region with the complete maintenance of human
right including the right to self-determination. As a
man well aware of the history of Karabakh and as the
author of “Rebellious Karabakh” book I want to believe
in a fair settlement model, the fairest model that
will bring people back to peaceful and friendly
co-existence. But such model seems to be doomed to
failure in the near future.
The history will severely punish the politicians, who
in response to fair aspiration of the Armenian
population of Nagorno Karabakh, provoked and allowed
bloody national collision between two peoples in
Azerbaijan since 1988.
Armenian lobby is active in the United States, France
and other countries. How strong is the Armenian lobby
in Russia?
Judging from the development of the Russian-Armenian
relations the Armenian lobby in Russia is probably
absent. Even if it exists its role is unnoticeable.
Despite the successful development of relationships
between the two states the potential of friendship is
not fully used, Armenians within the Russian public
and political elite are not to blame for it.
First of all because the notion of lobbying in Russia
is still too young. Lobbying implies open contribution
to the power bodies in taking favorable decisions
excluding bribery. Unfortunately, today pushing of
interests at any level in Russia has acquired the form
of shadow lobbying. At that Russia lacks the law on
lobbying and the attempts to introduce the bill to the
Russian State Duma in 1992, 1995 and 2000 were a
failure. Thus, with the transparent and public form of
lobbying it’s improperly to speak of the availability
of Armenian lobby in Russia, the Russian politician
considers. Armenians independently of citizenship are
always potential lobbyists of Russia’s interests both
within the society and at the international level.
“PanARMENIAN.Net”, 31.03.2006