DECLASSIFIED KARABAKH
by Arkady Dubnov
Translated by Pavel Pushkin
Source: Vremya Novostei, June 29, 2006, p. 5
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
July 3, 2006 Monday
BITTER POLEMIC RESTARTED BETWEEN BAKU AND YEREVAN WITH REGARD TO
RESOLVING THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT; For three days Baku and
Yerevan have been officially continuing the restarted bitter polemic
related to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. An interview of new
American co-chair of the Minsk group of the OSCE for Nagorno-Karabakh
Matthew Brize (two other co-chairs represent Russia and France) served
as a pretext. Brize released this interview after a report about the
course of the negotiation process between the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan released by co-chairs of the Minsk group at a meeting of
the permanent council of the OSCE in Vienna on June 22. The American
diplomat disclosed some details of the framework agreement proposed
by the Minsk group to the parties of the conflict for the first time.
For three days, Baku and Yerevan have been officially continuing the
restarted bitter polemic related to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. An interview of new American co-chair of the Minsk group
of the OSCE for Nagorno-Karabakh Matthew Brize (two other co-chairs
represent Russia and France) served as a pretext. Brize released
this interview after a report about the course of the negotiation
process between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan released by
co-chairs of the Minsk group at a meeting of the permanent council
of the OSCE in Vienna on June 22. The American diplomat disclosed
some details of the framework agreement proposed by the Minsk group
to the parties of the conflict for the first time.
According to Matthew Brize, Baku and Yerevan are currently “discussing
the clauses of the agreement according to which Armenian armed forces
should leave the territory of Azerbaijan.” This document reflected
the issues of deployment of the peacekeeping forces in the conflict
zone and international economic aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. In the final
stage, it is planned to organize a referendum about the future status
of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian co-chair of the Minsk group of the OSCE
Yury Merzlyakov reported yesterday that the statement of his American
colleague was coordinated with the other co-chairs and represented
their common evaluation of the current stage of negotiations.
Yerevan was the first to react to the interview of Brize. The Armenian
Foreign Ministry announced that principles of the conflict regulation
were disclosed in the interview only “partially” and the interview
did not touch on the problem of a corridor between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh and the interim status of Nagorno-Karabakh before
organization of the referendum. Yerevan emphasizes that “for the
first time co-chairs of the Minsk group state that the problem of
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh can be solved through a referendum.”
The disputes that exist in the negotiation process do not deal with
the referendum and the presidents have already approved this issue.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry added, “The disputes deal with the
schedule for liquidation of consequences of the armed conflict.”
Yerevan calls the principles of regulation proposed by the Minsk group
“a serious basis for continuation of negotiations with Azerbaijan”
and confirms readiness to continue them. Armenia could not do without
the familiar notes of belligerence. Azerbaijan was reminded that
“regardless of the size of its military budget it will never manage
to force the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to give up the right for
freedom and independence.”
The response from Baku followed immediately. The Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry called the statement of Yerevan “a traditional attempt at
deliberate distortion of the course of the negotiation process”
and “speculations.” The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan added,
“Determination of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is impossible in
circumstances of continuing occupation and ethnic purge and implies
liberation of the occupied territories and demilitarization of the
entire conflict zone, which in case of international guarantees of
security will create conditions for return of the forcefully expelled
Azerbaijani population.”
Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev added fuel to the fire.
Yesterday, he announced, “Degree of the combat readiness of the armed
forces of Azerbaijan allows liberation of our land by a military way.
Only time is needed for this and Armenians are afraid of war.” Abiyev
accused of the interest in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict some “powerful
world powers that wish to retain Azerbaijan in the sphere of their
influence.” Azerbaijani news agency Day.az quoted Abiyev as saying,
“When they see our force they will give up their intention and we
will prove this.” Very few observers doubt that this hint is addressed
to Russia.
Neither of the parties of the conflict points at the main stepping
stone of the negotiations. According to informed sources close
to negotiations, in the first stage Armenia is prepared to let
Azerbaijani refugees and administration return to the occupied
Kelbadzhar District. Armenia is prepared to make this concession under
condition that Baku names an acceptable date for the referendum in
Nagorno-Karabakh at least in a few years. However, Baku refuses to do
this. The same sources presume that conversations about a possible
meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in the framework of
the G8 summit in St. Petersburg at which both Baku and Yerevan hint
are unfounded. They add, “A new meeting of Aliyev and Kocharjan is
hardly possible earlier than in autumn.”
With regard to the unexpected declassification of the course of
negotiations, Allen Deletroz, president of the international crisis
group, remarked that “intermediaries grew tired of negotiations and
took a correct step that would contribute to broad and open national
dialog dedicated to the essence of the problem.” According to Deletroz,
“Henceforth Azerbaijanis and Armenians will be able to form their own
opinion about what is on the table of negotiations of there presidents
who have until recently had a private but unsuccessful dialog.”

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SET TO VISIT IRAN ON JULY 5-6
RIA Novosti, Russia
July 03, 2006
YEREVAN, July 3 (RIA Novosti) – Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
will visit Iran on July 5-6, the president’s press secretary said
Monday.
Armenia and Iran are currently constructing a pipeline with a projected
annual capacity of 1.2 billion cubic meters that will be commissioned
in 2007. Russia’s energy giant Gazprom said last week it wanted to
acquire the pipeline “to ensure a reliable supply of natural gas
to Armenia.”

ARMENIA POSTS 1.2% DEFLATION IN JUNE
Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
July 3, 2006 Monday 11:24 AM MSK
Armenia had deflation of 1.2% in June but inflation of 4.3% in the
first half of 2006, the national statistics service told Interfax.
Foodstuffs fell 2.1% and services 0.2% in June, however nonfood goods
rose 0.3%.
Average monthly price growth was 0.7% in January-June, which was 0.5
percentage points higher than in the same period of last year.
Armenia had 0.2% deflation in 2005. An additional 70 goods have been
included in then consumer basket since then.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A320 D’ARMAVIA: RECONSTITUTION VIRTUELLE DU VOL A TOULOUSE
RIA Novosti, Russie
3 Juillet 2006
EREVAN, 3 juillet – RIA Novosti. Le chef adjoint du service de securite
des vols de la Direction principale d’aviation civile d’Armenie,
Gaguik Galstian, s’est envole pour Toulouse afin de participer a la
reconstitution virtuelle du vol de l’A320 qui s’etait ecrase en mer,
a annonce lundi la porte-parole de la DPAC, Gayane Davtian.
“La reconstitution qui sera effectuee sur la base du decryptage des
boîtes noires permettra une analyse factuelle du vol. Le travail
demandera plusieurs jours, après quoi le Comite aeronautique
international (MAK) donnera sa conclusion definitive sur les causes
de la tragedie”, a annonce Gayane Davtian.
Le 17 juin, le MAK a acheve le dechiffrage des boîtes noires et
la synchronisation des enregistrements effectues par les moyens de
contrôle objectif de bord et terrestres.
L’Airbus A320 de la compagnie Armavia, accomplissant un vol
Erevan-Sotchi, s’etait abîme en mer Noire dans la nuit du 3 mai alors
qu’il s’appretait a se poser sur la piste de l’aeroport d’Adler. Les
113 personnes qui se trouvaient a bord de l’appareil avaient peri
dans l’accident.
–Boundary_(ID_+fLmWeEQm4TXy4bq/+YnVg )–

LES JACKPOTS DE KIRK KERKORIAN
La Tribune , France
3 juillet 2006
Des debuts de l’aviation commerciale a l’explosion de Las Vegas, il
est une des legendes des affaires americaines et, a 89 ans, n’a pas
l’intention de s’arreter. Le pari que Kirk Kerkorian a tente en prenant
près de 10 % de General Motors il y a un an est le dernier d’une
longue serie qui a fait de ce fils d’immigre armenien la dix-neuvième
fortune americaine avec 10 milliards de dollars, selon Forbes Magazine.
Pilote d’avion pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Kerkorian rachète
en 1947 pour 60.000 dollars un avion avec lequel il transporte les
riches parieurs entre Los Angeles et Las Vegas. Lorsqu’il revend la
compagnie, onze ans plus tard, il empoche 107 millions de dollars.
Naît alors Kerkorian-le-raideur, faiseur de deals hors du commun.
L’an dernier, avant de partir a l’assaut de General Motors, il a
vendu MGM a Sony pour près de 5 milliards de dollars. C’etait la
troisième fois qu’il vendait le studio hollywoodien depuis sa première
acquisition, en 1970.
S’il n’a rien d’un reclus a la Howard Hughes, Kirk Kerkorian cultive
la discretion, voire le secret. Très populaire en Armenie pour y avoir
fait de très genereux dons, il ne s’y est pourtant rendu que pour
une seule et courte visite. On lui connaît un goût prononce pour le
tennis, auquel il continue de jouer. S’il mène toujours ses affaires,
il en a laisse la gestion quotidienne a des proches, comme Jerôme
York, qui le represente au board de General Motors. Cette discretion
contraste avec le goût du clinquant dans ses investissements. Outre
le cinema, cet ancien joueur repenti fait partie des visionnaires
qui ont faconne le Las Vegas moderne. Il a ete le premier a croire
aux gigantesques hôtels-casinos, qu’il n’a cesse de construire,
de vendre ou d’acheter depuis trente-cinq ans.
Son empire MGM Mirage est a la tete de 75.000 chambres sur le celèbre
strip.
La tentative de secouer GM n’est pas sa première aventure dans
l’automobile. À la fin des annees 1980, il est entre dans le capital
du constructeur americain Chrysler. Ses efforts pour en prendre le
contrôle ont echoue, mais lors de la fusion du troisième constructeur
americain automobile avec Daimler-Benz, en 1998, la valeur de son
investissement a plus que double. Cela ne l’a pas empeche de poursuivre
la firme allemande, qu’il accuse de l’avoir trompe sur les conditions
de la fusion. La justice l’a deboute en avril 2005. Preuve qu’il lui
arrive aussi de perdre des paris.
–Boundary_(ID_az95Vcsn4Y88GjJ28DuB0A)–

NO DROUGHT HAZARD CURRENTLY IN ARMENIA: AGRICULTURAL MINISTRY REP
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 3 2006
YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. There have been no occurrences of drought
hazard to irrigated lands of Armenia, and it is not expected, chief
of the department for land use and development, Armenian Ministry of
Agriculture, Mamikon Gasparyan told reporters today.
According to him, the water storage satisfied all the needs of
Armenian farmers.
“The drought in highland areas was due to the simultaneous beginning
of farmers’ land irrigation. Farmers hoped that heavy rains would
be enough for ripening of the crops, and they did not begin timely
artificial irrigation,” he said.
He pointed out that panic shortly occurred, however, it was overcame,
also due to the efforts of the Union of Water Consumers.
Heavy rains were continuing from April 20 to the mid of May in Armenia,
and high humidity rate was recorded. A high temperature rate has been
recorded in Armenia since the mid of May.

PRESENTATION OF “TRAFFICKING: CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS” MANUAL FOR CONSULS HELD IN ARMENIA
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 3 2006
YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. The presentation of “Trafficking: Contemporary
Problems” manual for consuls was held in Armenia on June 30. US
Vice-Ambassador to Armenia Anthony Godfrey pointed out that the
manual is designed for organizing the work of consuls and assistants
of consular offices to confront trafficking, find and help victims
of trafficking.
“Consular offices of Armenia abroad play an enormous role in finding
victims of trafficking. And a proper organization of their work will
encourage reduction of trafficking,” he said.
According to Godfrey, the US embassy is ready to render any assistance
in finding and helping victims of trafficking. At the same time,
he expressed gratitude and welcomed the work of the government and
relevant authorities as to the combat against trafficking.
Head of the department of international organization, Armenian Foreign
Ministry, Valery Mkrtumyan pointed out that trafficking poses threat
not only to Armenia, but also to the entire region.
“The first step on the way of combat against trafficking should be
proper awareness among the Armenian population, punishment of guilty
persons, and trafficking victims protection,” he said.
At the same time, Mkrtumyan reported that the combat against
trafficking after the publication of the manual will have a more
targeted character.
According to chief of the consular department at the Armenian foreign
ministry Tigran Seyranyan, while combating trafficking, of great
importance not only is the work of consular offices, but also their
cooperation with other authorities, including police.
“Trafficking: Contemporary Problems” manual was published by the
department of migration of the consular division at the Armenian
foreign ministry in association with the Armenian office of
international organization for migration, funded by the US Embassy
in Armenia.
The manual is designed for consular office assistants and assistants
at consular departments of diplomatic representatives.

STRUGGLE FOR JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Every step, every breath in and out testify to the increasing gap in
the layer of ozone of the government. Naturally, it causes sudden
temperature changes inside the government, and sudden changes in
temperature can make everyone unpredictable. Therefore, the different
branches of power had better be careful with one another and not rely
on others, for there are serious reasons to be cautious. Recently,
especially over the past few weeks, threats have been heard inside
the government. For instance, we had not seen the Attorney General
threaten the Ministry of Justice so openly before. We saw what we
had not seen before. Celebrating the day of the procuracy on July 1,
Aghvan Hovsepyan announced that the procuracy needs reforms and does
not stick to the idea of keeping extra levers but the procuracy will
not tolerate dominance of interest groups, stated Aghvan Hovsepyan.
It was strange to hear such a categorical and threatening expression
from a humanist, who thinks about nation. But one starts thinking about
the nation as soon as one does not have to think about themselves,
but when one’s own fate is on the table, there is no time to think
about the nation and unity. And the reform in the judicial system is,
in fact, struggle for fate. The legislative package of the reform is
being worked out by the Ministry of Justice.
It provides for cutting the powers of the Procuracy, essential powers,
such as investigation. This power will be delegated to the Ministry of
Justice. In fact, Aghvan Hovsepyan definitely addressed the hint at
interest groups and threats of intolerance to Davit Harutiunyan. It
is not excluded that both used to dance in the same round dance, but
now both are worried about their prospects. Both public officials,
who do not hide their political aspirations, are likely to multiply
their levers before the election, especially that one will not let
the other grow at their expense. Moreover, the game is apparently
wider than just the Procuracy-Ministry of Justice format.
And it means that people, who think that they deal with the
presidential aspirations of Aghvan Hovsepyan and Davit Harutiunyan,
are mistaken. Several weeks ago Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
announced definitely and categorically that investigation will not
be delegated to the Ministry of Justice. Perhaps, it means that the
prime minister is not with Davit Harutiunyan, if we decline to say he
is with Aghvan Hovsepyan. However, being with one or the other is not
essential. It is essential that the redistribution of powers among
the law-enforcement agencies gives rise to serious controversies,
including involvement of top officials in the process.
It seems that the power pyramid must be more integrated with regard to
the law enforcement system because this system is the only reliable
instrument for the government, guaranteeing the reproduction of the
system. And if now a tense race between the systems of law enforcement
and justice is underway, the government forces may not be relying on
this system for reproduction. Perhaps, it is the contrary.
The danger of losing power makes everyone undertake changes inside the
judicial system to become invincible for this system, in other words,
to prevent the application of this system against them.
Consequently, there is danger that it will be applied. If they threaten
each other, they may take definite actions, considering that the
necessity, to all appearances, is gradually maturing. Someone will
be picking the harvest this fall. It is interesting to know who will
be packing their things.

DEFENSE MINISTER IS WAITING FOR G8
Lragir.am
03 July 06
We have learned from well-informed sources that the timing of the
assembly of the Republican Party was connected with the G8 Summit,
which will be held in St. Petersburg on July 17 and 18. The point is
that the settlement of the conflict over Karabakh will be discussed
during the summit, and it is possible that an important decision will
be made, which may also be unofficial and will not be published. It
is supposed to set long-term policies of the countries, which have
interests in the region or are involved directly or indirectly in
the settlement of the conflict.
Therefore the minister of defense Serge Sargsyan is said not to hurry
to announce about his affiliation with the Republican Party until
the G8 Summit. This is the reason why the assembly will take place
immediately after the summit.

THREAT AGAINST NATIONAL SECURITY
Hakob Badalyan
Lragir.am
03 July 06
Fluctuations in the rhythm of settlement of the Karabakh conflict
cause a feeling of insecurity in the society that the war may start.
And it is not important whether the danger is real or invented. In
such a situation the society is mostly interested to what degree
the country is defended, which is quite natural. It is also natural,
when officials who are in charge of defense of the country react to
the expectations of the society.
The reaction of the minister of defense came soon, and on June 30
Serge Sargsyan delivered diplomas to the graduate officers of the
Military Institute and made several important statements about the
effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Armenia and further enhancement.
He also stated that recent activity in the settlement of the conflict
is not a reason to think that the war will start again. However, not
all the statements of Serge Sargsyan arouse a feeling of confidence
in the society that their security is guaranteed. Moreover, certain
statements of the defense minister cause worries about the country’s
security and reliability of the system of defense generally. It is
not just a matter of effectiveness of the army.
No doubt, the Armenian army is not weaker than our neighbors’, it
may even be stronger. The problem is quite different. The ministry
of defense is building a new administrative compound. Serge Sargsyan
announced that it will be ready by the fall of 2007. The compound
costs several millions of dollars, even several tens of millions. The
minister of defense announced June 30 that the compound is not funded
from the state budget. In other words, the taxpayers do not cover
the expenses. This is strangely accepted positively in Armenia. In
case of immense expenditures the government announces consciously or
subconsciously that the budget money was not spent. In other words,
the money of taxpayers was not spent. In fact, it would be quite
logical if the money of taxpayers was spent for the country, because
it is said that the one who pays orders music. Consequently, the
expenditures of the government that are not covered by taxpayers are
not for the state or will be controlled by the source, which gave the
money. If the government does something, which is not for the state,
who is it for? And if it is for the state, on what conditions does
the government borrow the money and how is the state going to repay?
This fact appears more important for such a sphere as defense. In
fact, the building of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia is not
built by our taxpayers. So it is interesting to know who builds and
if there is a guarantee that the Ministry of Defense of Armenia
will first defend the interest of the builder, then the citizens
of Armenia if necessity arises. Logically, the citizens must feed
the system of defense with the taxes they pay, including buildings,
weapon, etc., for the ministry of defense to be accountable before
the citizens. There is no other mechanism of accountability between
the government and the citizens. If a citizen refuses to sustain this
government, naturally it cannot demand accountability. Most probably,
this is the reason why our public officials make a statement that the
money of taxpayers was not spend, which is illogical on the one hand,
but quite logical on the other hand. Hence, the public officials
avoid coming up before citizens, and in this case it is unimportant
who they are responsible before. For we have already a direct threat
against our national security.