IRAN AND ARMENIA COMMENDED LEVEL OF PARTNERSHIP
Lragir.am
06 July 06
The presidents of Armenia and Iran uphold development of partnership.
Referring to the Iranian news agency IRNA, ARKA reports that this was
affirmed in the first round of the Iran-Armenia top-level negotiation
in Tehran. President Robert Kocharyan stated during the negotiations
that Armenia and Iran have signed over 90 documents on partnership,
which must be brought into being as soon as possible. Besides, Robert
Kocharyan expressed interest in expanding partnership with Iran in the
sphere of energy, electricity and transport, namely railroad between
the two countries. Robert Kocharyan invited Iranian President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad to Armenia for an official visit. The invitation was
accepted. The president of Iran appreciated the Armenian and Iranian
partnership and highlighted a more intensive use of the potential of
Armenia and Iran in further development of partnership.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pointed to fostering cooperation in culture,
tourism and especially energy. The president of Iran commended
the work of the Iran-Armenia Intergovernmental Committee. During
the negotiations Armenia and Iran signed several documents on
humanitarian and economic partnership, as well as cooperation in the
sphere of energy. One of the documents is an agreement on financing
the construction of the third high-voltage transmission line.

7 INSTEAD OF 5 BILATERAL DOCUMENTS SIGNED WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF RA PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO IRAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 6 2006
TEHRAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Relations between
Iran and Armenia are friendly, stable and developing. President of
Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared this
at the July 5 press conference held after the ceremony of signing
bilateral documents within the framework of Armenian President Robert
Kocharian’s two-day working visit to Tehran.
According to reports of Armenian and Iranian media, the Iranian
President expressed the hope that the signed documents will be a big
step in the direction of further development of interrelations of
the two countries. 7 instead of 5 planned documents on partnership
were signed as a result of the negotiations – “Memorandum of Mutual
Understanding Between Iranian and Armenian Governments on Aid Provided
by Iran for Armenia’s Development,” “2006-2011 Cooperation Program of
Preservation of Cultural Heritage Between Armenian Ministry of Culture
and Youth Affairs and Iranian Organization of Cultural Heritage and
Tourism,” “Contract Attached to Financing Agreement of High-Volt
Electric Conductivity 3rd Line,” “Agreement on Legal Cooperation
Between Armenia and Iran by the Civil and Criminal Code,” “Mutual
Understanding Memorandum Between Armenian and Iranian Ministries
of Energy,” “On Financing of Construction of the High-Volt Electric
Conductivity Line Between Armenia and Iran.”
In response to the question, how much these documents will contribute
to promotion of Iranian investments in Armenia, RA President Robert
Kocharian emphasized that the first precondition for the investments
is the formation of a full-value legal-contractual field. He mentioned
that the signed agreements replenished over 100 bilateral documents
ratified earlier.
As Robert Kocharian evaluated, the mutual disposition of both countries
is very favorable and this is one of the single cases in history
when neighboring countries have no disputable issues as a heritage
of history.
The same day the delegation led by the Armenian President had a
meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and Secretary
of Iranian National Security Supreme Council Ali Larijani. At the
meetings, discussing international and regional issues, the sides
stressed that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be solved with
the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as expressed the hope
that the disagreements relating to the Iranian nuclear technologies
will have a good end.
The delegation also visited Imam Khomeyni’s tomb, where RA President
laid a wreath and made notes in the book of honorable guests.
On July 6, RA President Robert Kocharian met with the representatives
of the Iranian Armenian community, after which returned to Armenia.

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD: THE RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND ARMENIA ARE FRIENDLY, STABLE AND DEVELOPING
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 11:22
“The relations between Iran and Armenia are friendly, stable and
developing,” President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad said yesterday after the press conference held after
the ceremony of signing bilateral documents in the framework of RA
President Robert Kocharyan’s working visit to Iran.
In his words, the similarities, contacts, friendship and geographic
position have always linked the two countries.
“Now our relations are developing in diverse directions. We are
decisive and willing to develop bilateral relations,” Ahmadinejad
noted, according to ” Armenpress.”
During the President’s visit reference was made both to bilateral
relations, regional developments and international questions.
“We have reflected on the whole package of our bilateral relations. We
have common views and opinions on a number of international issues,”
the Iranian President said.
He expressed the hope that the documents signed will become an
important step in the direction of further development of ties between
the two countries.
The parties arranged to accomplish the joint projects as soon as
possible.
In the result of the talks yesterday the officials of the two
countries signed seven memorandums of understanding instead of the five
envisaged. These include: “The Memorandum on understanding between the
Governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Armenia
on the assistance provided by Iran for the development of Armenia,”
“2006-2011 cooperation program between RA Ministry of Culture and
Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Cultural Legacy and Tourism of Iran
on protection of cultural heritage,” “Agreement on financing the third
electricity power line,” “Agreement on legal cooperation between Iran
and Armenia,” “Memorandum of understanding between Energy Ministries
of Iran and Armenia.”
In response to the question to what extent these documents will
promote the Iranian investments in Armenia, RA President Robert
Kocharyan noted that the first precondition for investments is the
establishment of a favorable legal field.
“The increasing volume of trade shows that the documents are
functioning and I thing it is the proper time to think about the
accomplishment of more investment programs. We are ready to discuss
diverse programs related to Iranian investments. We are open in this
regard, and this issue was touched upon during today’s talks,” Robert
Kocharyan said.
According to President Kocharyan’s assessment, the mutual disposition
of the two countries is favorable and this is one of the unique cases
when neighboring countries have no disputable questions inherited
from history. Although there have been cultural relations coming
from the depth of centuries, the new history of development is only
15 years old.
“We have not had even a highway, the bridge was built only in 1990s.
Actually, we started our new history and relations from the very
beginning, and if we look back what we have achieved during these five
years, we’ll see that an immense work has been done,” RA President
noted.
In his words, if this pace maintains, than in a few years the field
of economic cooperation will be fully establishment.
Yesterday the delegation headed by RA president had meetings with
the Foreign Minister of Iran Manoucheher Mottaki and Secretary of
the supreme Council of National Security of Iran Ali Larijani.
Today RA president is scheduled to meet representatives of the
Iranian-Armenian community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BRYZA MAY VISIT STEPANAKERT
Lragir.am
06 July 06
Ashot Ghulyan, Speaker of the NKR National Assembly, commented on the
statement of the foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan that
the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are unacceptable
for Armenia. “Vardan Oskanyan said the proposals are acceptable as
a starting point in the talks. There are worries in both Armenia and
Karabakh that not all the points are acceptable for us,” said Ashot
Ghulyan. In answer to the question of the Lragir.am if there is a clear
stance on this in Karabakh, and why it is not expressed openly, the
minister of foreign affairs of NKR Georgy Petrosyan said the Karabakh
government did not find it expedient to express a standpoint on the
statement of the OSCE Minsk Group since Karabakh does not take part in
the talks. “The agreement of Azerbaijan to the engagement of Karabakh
in the talks may signal the commitment of Baku to compromise. However,
the talks have not produced any results so far because Azerbaijan is
not ready to negotiate. And the necessity of participation of Karabakh
is determined by several important circumstances. First, by signing
the armistice Karabakh assumed obligations and is also responsible
for lasting peace in the region. Second, participation will enable
Karabakh to defend own interests directly. Third, the normal format
of the talks will thereby be restored,” said Georgy Petrosyan.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF INVESTMENT VACUUM IN KARABAKH?
Lragir.am
06 July 06
NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulyan and Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan
gave a news conference about their recent visit to the United
States. They said one of the aims of their visit was to meet with
potential investors.
Over the past few years the influx of investments to Karabakh
has declined significantly. “In this sense there is a real vacuum
in Karabakh. It is true that serious investments have been done
already but we have to confess that there is a lot to do in terms
of information. It is impossible to meet with everyone, we need a
normal information network,” said Ashot Ghulyan. He also informed
that a group of businessmen are going to visit Karabakh soon, who
want to monitor the environment for investments in Karabakh.
Foreign Minister Petrosyan agreed with the reporter of the Karabakh
Open that it is time to open a department of foreign trade in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of NKR.

CONFIRMATION OF THE NEW US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DESIGNATE POSTPONED
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 12:20
“Senate has postponed the confirmation of the new US Ambassador to
Armenia Designate, considering the criticism voiced by Congressmen
and mass media connected with the recall of John Evans,” wrote the
Los Angeles based ” California Courier.”
The periodical noted that last week the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee discussed the candidacies of new US Ambassadors to Ireland,
Switzerland and Armenia. The same day the new Ambassadors to Ireland
and Switzerland were confirmed by the Committee, later by the Senate.
While Senate has postponed the confirmation vote for US Ambassador
Designate to Armenia, and it is not known when the Committee will
turn to the issue again.
The Armenian National Committee of America informs that a number of
Committee members, including former candidate for President John Kerry,
submitted a series of detailed written questions asking the nominee
to explain the guidance he has received from the State Department
concerning its policy on the Armenian Genocide.
According to the newspaper, last week Senators asked some harsh
questions connected with recalling John Evans ahead of time.
Publisher of the “California Courier” Harut Sasunyan told “Radiolur”
correspondent Marlena Hovsepyan that the confirmation hearing on
Richard Hogland’s candidacy has been postponed for an unknown period,
negotiations in the backstage are still expected. IN Harut Sasunyan’s
words, non-confirmation of an Ambassador is not an unprecedented
phenomenon. Such cases have been registered before.
According to the publisher of the “California Courier” Harut Sasunyan,
“the Senators pressed Hoagland into a hard situation. Ambassador
Designate Hoagland had to say that in case his candidacy is confirmed,
he will take steps to change US position in regard to the Armenian
Genocide.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST SECTOR OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE TO BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER, 2006
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 12:37
It is envisaged to complete the construction of the first section of
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline by October of the current year, a source
close to diplomatic circles told “Arminfo.”
He noted that due to intensive work it has become possible
to considerably reduce the term of exploitation of the first
segment. Earlier it was envisaged to complete the construction by
January 1, 2007.
As for the second sector, Armenia anticipates that Iran and Russia will
reach mutual concessions on the issue. The major touchstone between
the parties is the opportunity of construction of a transit gas route.

OSCE MISSION HELD MONITORING OF THE FRONTLINE
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 12:53
On July 5 the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office held monitoring of the frontline between NKR and
Azerbaijan to the South of Kuropatkino settlement.
Participants of the monitoring revealed no facts confirming the
Azeri reports on intentional arsons over the territories under NKR
control. At the same time, representative of the NKR Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, who was accompanying the OSCE Monitoring Mission,
called the attention of the members of the group to the extensive
burnt area of the field three kilometers away from positions of the
Azeri Army.
>From the positions of NKR Defense Army the Monitoring Mission was
headed by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Andrzej Kasprzy. The group comprised field assistants of the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Peter Keey (Great
Britain) and Gunter Folk (Germany).

HEARINGS ON NKR CONSTITUTION TO BE HELD IN AUGUST
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 13:00
Early August it is envisaged to hold hearings on NKR Constitution,
featuring the political parties functioning in Artsakh, NGO
representatives and experts. Currently the NKR draft Constitution is
under consideration of the NA Standing Committee on State-Legal,
Official and Security Issues, which should study it and draw
conclusions, Press Service of the NKR Parliament told ” Armenpress.”

EDGAR YENOKYAN THE 5TH IN THE EUROPEAN YOUTH FREE STYLE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
ArmRadio.am
06.07.2006 14:05
Edgar Yenokyan of Yerevan took the 5th place at the European Youth
Free Style Wrestling Championship held in Budapest, Hungary. Other
sportsmen of Armenian lost in the primary round of the contest.
RA Wrestling Federation informs that the chief trainer of the youth
wrestling team is Arayik Baghdatyan.