OSCE MONITORING MISSION REGISTERED NO VIOLATION OF THE CEASE-FIRE REGIME
ArmRadio.am
28.06.2006 17:56
At the request of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today the Office
of the Permanent Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office carried
out monitoring of the borderline between the Armed Forces of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in the direction of Aghdam, near Yusifjanlu settlement.
Press Service of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that the
monitoring was held according to the preset schedule and no breaches
of the cease-fire regime were registered.
Representatives of NKR Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs
accompanying the OSCE Monitoring Mission noted that despite the
assertions of the Azeri side on arsons on territories under NKR
control, the monitoring did not reveal such facts.

ROBERT KOCHARYAN SENT A TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE TO RF PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN
ArmRadio.am
28.06.2006 18:10
Today President Robert Kocharyan sent a telegram of condolence to
RF President Vladimir Putin connected with the death of the Russian
diplomats kidnapped in Baghdad.
“Dear Vladimir Putin,
It was with pain and irritation that Armenia learned about the harsh
treatment of the Russian diplomats in Baghdad, who became innocent
victims of terrorism.
The accident once again confirms the inhuman nature of terrorism and
proves the undelayable necessity of fighting all of its expressions.
Let me express sincere sympathy and condole with you, the families
and friens of the victims, as well as the whole people of the Russian
Federation.

INTERIOR MINISTER SAYS RUSSIA CONCERNED ABOUT ILLEGAL MIGRATION
RIA Novosti, Russia
June 28 2006
YEREVAN, June 28 (RIA Novosti) – Illegal migration has become one of
the most pressing problems facing the world today, Russia’s interior
minister said Wednesday.
Russia has seen an unprecedented inflow of illegal migrants following
the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Interior Ministry estimates
the number in Russia’s Far East alone at between 400,000 and 700,000,
but the true figure may be higher.
“Illegal migration has become a serious problem, as it is closely
related to terrorism, international organized crime, drug trafficking
and trade in people,” Rashid Nurgaliyev told a joint Russian-Armenian
interior ministries’ session in Yerevan, the Armenian capital.
He said that, as a transit country, Russia was particularly interested
in cooperation in the field, both multilateral and bilateral, and
added that interaction with Armenia would be prioritized.

ARMENIA’S OCCUPATION OF 20 % OF AZERI LAND NEGATIVELY AFFECTS NARCOTIC SITUATION IN THE REGION
Author: R.Agayev
TREND, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
Armenia’s occupation of 20 percent of Azeri land negatively
affects narcotic situation in the region. One of popular
routes of drugs transportation is Afghanistan-Iran-occupied
Azeri grounds-Nagorno-Karabakh-Armenia-Georgia-Europe and
Afghanistan-Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia. These statements have been made
in the report performed by Colonel Mazahir Aliyev, deputy Chief of
Anti-Drug Board, at international conference “Routes of drugs delivery
from Afghanistan” in Moscow.
The reports states “Azerbaijan’s geostrategic location is very
attractive for drug dealers trying to use its territory for drugs
transportation to Europe”. Aliyev said Azerbaijan repeatedly raised
and raises the question of joint monitoring at its occupied grounds
by international structures but no such structure responds to its
incentives. “There are most favorable conditions in Nagorno-Karabakh
to plant drugs. Armenia conceals this fact and we are to suggest it
makes a good business with that”, – he outlined.
Aliyev said also occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and 7 adjacent areas
resulted in loss of control over 123km long section of Azeri-Iranian
border. He highly appraised the interaction between Azerbaijan and
Iran. Iran, he said, was highly appraised by UN too for its struggle
against drug dealing. However, some problems, including those on
Azeri-Iranian border, that shall be solved in cooperation.
Speaking of reports by UN, OSCE, EU, NATO, Interpol, CSTO and a
number of other international organizations, Aliyev said ‘we do not
oppose the facts international authorities reveal. Just contrary,
it is good for Azerbaijan, as well as al such conferences”.
During 2001-2005, Azerbaijan’s law-enforcement authorities revealed
10,709 cases linked to illegal turnover of drugs. 822kg of various
drugs have been ceased. From this amount 554kg is marijuana, 119kg
opium and 35kg heroine and so.

NO FACTS OF ARSON REPORTED
Lragir.am
28 June 06
The news agency ARKA, referring to the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
reports that no violations of the ceasefire were reported during the
monitoring of the Karabakh and the Azerbaijani front line near Aghdam
on June 28. On the side of Karabakh the monitoring was conducted
by the field assistants to the Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Peter Keen, U.K., Jiry Aberlen, Czech, and Gunter
Volk, Germany. They were accompanied by the representatives of the
NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense.
Despite Azerbaijan’s statements, the participants of the monitoring did
not find facts of arson of settlements in the territories controlled
by the Armenian forces.

TAKE YOUR PLACE, QUICKLY, GO!
Melik Avanyan
Lragir.am
28 June 06
The most recent statement of the new co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Mathew Bryza set the societies of the conflict parties on alert.
First, the Armenian government had a nervous breakdown, then Azerbaijan
went for its hobby – militaristic statements. Safar Abiyev, the
Azerbaijani minister of defense, directly addressed his Armenian
counterpart Serge Sargsyan, proposing him not to “show off”. He even
called on the co-chairs not to go that far.
However, the most worrying thing is that everything that is going on
does not seem to concern certain Armenian high-ranking officials,
who are responsible for the security of the country. Let alone the
commissioned officers, who are busy reaping their wheat fields. They
are simply the product of the general atmosphere, and one cannot
demand anything from them. It is not surprising either that Arkady
Ghukasyan cannot make himself stay at his office.
However, when the minister of defense acts as if enhancing the
effectiveness of the army is not his duty, it cannot be explained in
any way. Well, they played chess, before that they had attended to the
university. However, it appears that even this threat is unable to make
him give up political games. Or maybe he thinks that defense is not
his job. His friends may keep saying that own future is more important
than the security of the country. Everything is clear about them. He
is going to answer for every consequence of these games, however,
and at that time he is sure not to find these friends beside him.
The fear for one’s own future and temptation not to miss the chance
of improving their lives is typical of many people. However, there
is a measure to everything, and nobody wants to suffer because of
the criminal indifference of officials. It is unclear why the former
ministers of defense Vazgen Manukyan and Vagharshak Harutiunyan, who
announced several months ago that Serge Sargsyan’s activities weaken
the morale of the army, and it is necessary to depose him, suddenly
became silent. Is it possible that they cannot see the threat that
emanates from the behavior of this irresponsible person?
The election of 2007 made the political beau monde of Armenia blind.
The fear of losing their offices and wealth made most people forget
about the country and people. Everything that happens around is viewed
in the light of their own future. This is their problem however,
and destiny will give their answer. But should the others necessarily
lose something to think about punishing these officials?
In the meantime, the losses may be strategic, it is possible to lose
everything that people achieved over the past years. If those who are
supposed to realize their responsibility fail to realize, others should
realize it and explain it to the former, for it is possible that over
the years of total irresponsibility they could have lost efficiency.

GULIYEV: “HUNGARY COURT OF APPEAL CAN CHANGE RAMIL SAFAROV’S SENTENCE WITH 10-15 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
“Struggle is on in legal sphere in Hungary Court of Appeal for
relieving Ramil Safarov from his sentence.
We think that this might change Ramil Safarov’s sentence with 10-15
years of imprisonment.” This statement was made to journalists by
Ramil Safarov’s Rights Defense Coordinating Council member Azay
Guliyev.(APA). Azay Guliyev has stated that no announcement is given
to press related to the activity of Coordinating Council. Because,
some groups make use of it. The experience showed that these kinds
of things did not help Ramil Safarov. Armenians made use of Court
process and achieved the most hard punishment to Ramil Safarov.
Everybody knows that the punishment given to Ramil Safarov is not
adequate to his deed.

SIX BACHAUER FINALISTS GET THE NOD FOR THE FINALE
– Jennifer Barrett
Salt Lake Tribune, UTAH
June 28 2006
After deliberating for more than an hour, jury members from the Gina
Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition on Tuesday night
selected six performers to advance to the final round.
They are Hinrich Alpers from Germany; Stephen Beus, Washington state;
Vadym Kholodenko, Ukraine; Ka-ling Colleen Lee, Hong Kong; Jue Wang,
China; and Takashi Yamamoto, Japan.
Two Utahns – Aram Arakelyan, a native of Armenia and a student at Utah
State University in Logan; and Jonathan Bowman, raised in Santaquin
but now studying in Italy – did not make the cut.
Kholodenko, Alpers, and Yamamoto will perform with the Utah Symphony
beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, while Lee, Beus and Wang will play
with the orchestra at the same time Friday. The concerts will be
at Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City. For ticket
information, visit or call 801-355-2787.

STORM HITS ARMENIA, CAUSING DEVASTATIONS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006
The storm hitting Armenia early this morning caused devastations
(APA). Strong winds caused serious damage to apartments and state
establishments in Ararat and Vayoch-Dzor provinces.
Armenia’s Rescue Service reports the storm ruined the cultural house
and kindergarten in Artashat region, “Armish” rehabilitation center
and a maternity hospital in Vedi region. The storm caused collapsing
of roofs of two buildings in Vaychor-Dzor province. No casualties
were reported. The cost of the damage caused to Armenia is being
calculated now.

PATRIARCH MESROB II: I DO NOT AGREE WITH KAREKIN II’S COMMENTS ON GENOCIDE
Hurriyet, Turkey
June 28 2006
Patriach Mesrob II, the leader of the Armenian Orthodox community
in Turkey, has commented on his differing views from those expressed
last week by Catholicos Karekin II, the world leader of the Armenian
Orthodox Church, who was in Istanbul last week for a visit.
Karekin, who came to Istanbul as the guest of Greek Fener Patriarch
Bartholomeus and as well as of Patriarch Mesrob II, held a press
conference at the Armenian Patriarchate on Sunday during which he
called on Turkey to officially recognize the events of 1915 as a
genocide against the Armenians. Mesrob II had subsequently commented
to the press that his perspective on the matter differs from that
of Karekin II’s, and that the Turkish-Armenian relationship is not
soley based on incidents which took place between 1890-1923.
Responding to reporters’ questions about what he thought of Karekin
II’s statements about genocide, Mesrob II said: “How can I comment
on those statements? I guess I could say ‘They were as I expected
they would be.’ At the press conference at which Katekin II spoke,
TV cameras from the Armenian station Shoagat were present. All of
the diaspora watches Shoagat TV. So Karekin knew the public he was
addressing with his comments. I think differently on the matter, as
I have said many times in the past. The disaster of 1915 should be
examined on separate platforms by politcians, historians, diplomats,
and sociologists. This would be very helpful in terms of creating
empathy and understanding, rather than enmity.”