WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN ARMS FROM GEORGIA NOT TO DESTABILIZE SITUATION
RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
May 31 2006
RBC, 31.05.2006, Baku 16:36:47.The withdrawal of a small portion
of military equipment and assets from the Georgian military base in
Akhalkalaki to the Russian base in Gyumri, Armenia, cannot destabilize
the political-military situation in the region, Vice Minister and
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told a press conference in Baku,
noting that it was not so much equipment, but rather military assets
that were being removed from Georgia. At the same time, he stressed
that this did not go against Russia’s obligations under the Treaty on
Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), Azeri information agency
Trend reported.
Most of the military hardware will be withdrawn from the Russian
military base in Akhalkalaki through Azerbaijan to Russia, according
to the minister. As for the Russian peacekeeping presence in Georgia,
Moscow has no plans to cancel their 6-month rotation, and will continue
to follow all the procedures in this regard as stipulated in respective
agreements, Ivanov stated.

TURKEY: ERDOGAN-US CONGRESSMEN OVERVIEW CYPRUS ISSUE
Reporter, Greece
May 31 2006
16:20 – 31 May 2006 – It is a must to lift unfair isolations and
embargoes imposed on self-declared, so-called “Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan when he met the members of a US House of Representatives
delegation in Ankara. Erdogan and delegation members focused on
Cyprus and allegations regarding the so-called Armenian genocide,
during the meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIA SUPPORTS ANY DECISION ON NK SUITABLE FOR BOTH PARTIES – STATE DUMA OFFICIAL
Author: À.Mamedov
Trend, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006
Russia is not aiming to achieve its own interests in the process
of settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and it will support any
decision suitable for Armenia and Azerbaijan alike, reportedly
said Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of State Duma’s committee
for foreign affairs, commenting the statement by Russian Defense
Minister Sergey Ivanov for the possibility of bringing peace forces
in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains real difficult and Russia
is eager to support any decision suitable for both the parties”,
– Kosachev said. “In case the parties’ mutual agreement for peace
forces in the region is achieved, Russia shall maintain the relevant
statement and promote the process itself”, – Russian official said.
Sergey Ivanov, now at the meeting of CIS Defense Ministers in Baku,
suggested bringing peace forces in the region. “As to Nagorno-Karabakh,
I do not rule out bringing peace forces there to guarantee all
political agreements to be achieved sooner of later”, – he said today.
“The situation is neither fish nor fowl, excuse my French, and it
could not last forever”, – he said.
He reminded that fragile cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh area has
lasted over 12 years. “Hot spots like Nagorno-Karabakh get more and
more over years, and it is a pity”, – Ivanov said.
–Boundary_(ID_7+kHBo5jnD+VA4SQzsTWHQ)–

AZERI DM ON POSSIBLE PARTICPATION OF UKRAINE IN THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
ForUm, Ukraine
May 31 2006
Defence Minister of Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev does not rule out that
the peacekeeping corps of ODED-GUAM may engage a peaceful settlement
mission in Nagorny Karabakh. He has revealed it Wednesday at a press
conference after a session of CIS Defence Ministers’ Council.
He emphasised the question has been under consideration for many years
and now ODED-GUAN experts are addressing it. Yesterday the issue has
been discussed by Ukrainian and Azeri Defence Ministers.
“The issue is being worked out,” mentioned Abiyev.
Azeri Defence Minister stresses that a formation of such unit stands
beyond ministerial authority, the issue will be considered at the
presidential level.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TOROSYAN: MURDER OF FOREIGNERS IN RUSSIA REACHED HORRIBLE LEVEL
PanARMENIAN.Net
31.05.2006 16:30 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Murder of foreigners in Russia reached horrible
level, Vice-Speaker of the Armenian NA Tigran Torosyan stated in
Yerevan today, when commenting on murder of a 19-year-old Armenian in
Moscow. “I would not like to say Russia pursues a purposeful policy
against Armenians,” Torosyan stressed at that. In his words the
information the Armenian party has on the matter is not sufficient
for making comments.
“We need additional data that must be fully grounded, as the issue is
rather delicate,” Torosyan underscored. The Vice-Speaker also said
that Russian official authorities should not decline deep coverage
and discussion of facts of murder of other nationals, Novosti-Armenia
reports.
May 25 unknown persons killed Artur Sardaryan, a native of Armenia,
who was returning from Moscow to Pushkino town by electric train. A bit
more than a month ago, on April 22, in the presence of many witnesses
skinheads slaughtered Vigen Abrahamtsyan, a 17-year-old Moscow
Management Academy student, at Pushkinskaya Moscow metro station.

ARMENIAN MFA DOES NOT DENY OR CONFIRM REPORTS ON ARMENIA-TURKEY SECRET TALKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
31.05.2006 16:36 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia does
not deny or confirm reports on secret meetings between diplomats of
Armenia and Turkey, acting Spokesperson of the Armenian MFA Vladimir
Karapetyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.
“Armenian and Turkish diplomats contact at various levels,” he said.
According to Turkish sources, after the letter sent by Turkish PM
Erdogan to Armenian President Kocharian “three secret meetings” were
held between diplomats of those countries. “The latest round of talks,
was held under the auspices of the European Troika in Vienna in closed
regime,” the New Anatolian agency reports.

PILOTS OF A-320 SPOKE ARMENIAN BEFORE CRASH
PanARMENIAN.Net
31.05.2006 16:40 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Specialists from Armenia will take part in decoding
of speech recorder of crashed A-320 liner, as pilots spoke Armenian
before the crash, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin said.
Decoding and analysis of flight recorders of A-320 started at the
Inter-State Aviation Committee (ISAC) in Moscow on Monday. According
to Chair of ISAC Technical Commission for investigation of A-320 crash
Leonid Kashirsky, records of the recorders are in a satisfactory state.
On the night of May 3 a Yerevan-Sochi flight of Armavia national
carrier crashed in the Black Sea 6 km away from Adler airport killing
all of 113 people aboard, including 6 children and 8 crewmembers. Among
them were 26 Russian citizens, one Ukrainian and one Georgian citizen,
while the rest of the passengers were Armenian citizens.

AZERI PM RECEIVES PARTICIPANTS OF THE 50TH MEETING OF COUNCIL OF CIS DMS
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006
Premier of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade on 31 May received participants of
the 50th anniversary meeting of the Council of CIS Defense Ministers.
Head of the Azerbaijan Government, noting the contacts established
among numerous departments in the frame of Commonwealth, assessed
activity of the Council of Defense Ministers as one of the necessary
element in cooperation within CIS structures.
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, speaking on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno Karabakh conflict, stressed deconstructive position of Armenia
in this question. He said Azerbaijan adheres peaceful settlement of
the conflict in the frame of international law, ensuring territorial
integrity of country.
Chairman of Council of CIS Defense Ministers, Deputy Premier of
Russian Federation, defense minister Sergey Ivanov expressed gratitude
to the Azerbaijani side for well-organized meeting of the Council
and informed the Premier of Azerbaijan on the questions of Agenda,
reached agreements, including the planned joint exercises in 2007.

‘WE DECIDED TO MURDER ARMENIAN RESIDENTS OF ISTANBUL’
By Hakob Chakrian
AZG Armenian Daily
31/05/2006
On May 17, Alparsalan Arslan, member of Grey Wolves group, rushed into
the Ankara’s Supreme Court Council and opened fire on the officials
of the council’s third department.
This terrorist act aroused the indignation both in Turkey, and in USA,
in EU and other countries. On May 25, the Turkish Police arrested
Erhan Timurogli, one of the allies of Arslan, in Ankara. He admitted
the accusations brought by the court and was imprisoned.
Timurogli was accused of murder, of preserving and using explosive
materials, of attempt to seize the power by violence.
According to “Yeni Sharaf” newspaper, Timurogli stated in the court
that he is the old friend of Arslan and they were going to carry out
a number of terrorist acts in Istanbul, including the murder of the
Supreme Court’s Third Department’s Head, and murders of the Armenian
residents of Istanbul.

AJARIA AUTHORITIES WANT AN ARMENIAN CONSULATE IN THE REGION
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
31/05/2006
A delegation of the Armenian Embassy to Georgia head by ambassador
Hrach Silvanian visited the Autonomous Republic of Ajaria on
May 27-29. The delegation met with authorities of Ajaria and
Batumi. Head of Ajarian government Varshalovidze suggested opening
Armenian consulate in Batumi. The Armenian ambassador welcomed such an
intuitive and promised to discuss the issue with his Foreign Ministry
and to decide the format of representation.
At the meeting the sides discussed various issues connected with
the Armenian community of Ajaria. They also discussed opening of the
tourist season and other issues requiring urgent solution.
The delegation met members of the Armenian community in the Armenian
church, visited the Armenian school and got acquainted with problems
facing the community.
The delegation also took part in celebration of the First Armenian
Republic Day on May 28 organized by the Union of Armenians of Ajaria.