MOSCOW CANNOT RECOGNIZE NAGORNO-GARABAGH
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
May 23 2006
The official Moscow, concerned with serious steps taken by South
Caucasus countries for integration to NATO, is trying to exert upon
them pressure. Reinforced pressure upon Ukraine and Georgia due to
enlargement of their cooperation with NATO the official Moscow is
dissatisfied with Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation.
Recently one of political scientists of Russia stated that if
Azerbaijan becomes a Member of NATO, Russia will recognize so-called
“Nagorno-Garabagh Republic”. Such statements made by Russia can be
regarded just as bluff, as membership to NATO has not any attitude
to settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict. In turn, experts inform
that this statement concerns mainly Armenia, but not Azerbaijan.
Mubariz Ahmedoghlu, Chairman of Political Technologies & Innovations
Center, notes that this statement is directed to Armenian community.
According to him, Armenian public opinion is predisposed to Russia and
for further existing of this factor Caucasus Institute of Democracy
brings the distinguished scholars from Moscow monthly.
Political expert notes that the statement concerning recognition of
“NGR” by Russia if Azerbaijan to accede to NATO, was made by one of
these scholars. In general, the official Moscow maintains very careful
position on this point. Russia does not recognize Nagorno-Garabagh
as Azerbaijan can accede to NATO, says M.Ahmedoghlu.
Talking of NATO-Russia relationship M.Ahmedoghlu noted the fact that
Russia has unfavorable attitude to NATO’s endeavor to collaborate
with the countries of East. According to him, Russia is concerned
with that in NATO autumn session Georgia and Ukraine will sign an
official agreement on accession. In addition, in due time Russia
opposed accession of Baltic States to NATO. “I heard such statements
when the countries of Eastern Europe acceded to NATO, but I do not
remind that Russia has taken any concrete steps. I think that Russia
will oppose accession of Georgia and Ukraine to NATO, but I do not
believe its determination. As the experience proves, when Russia
speaks, NATO acts”.
Regarding Azerbaijan’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures M.
Ahmedoghlu reminded that our country is cooperating with NATO within
the framework of Partnership for Peace Programme. He informed that he
does not expect that the official Baku will apply for accession to
NATO: “Azerbaijan’s foreign policy is well-balanced. Azerbaijan can
think about membership to NATO when it meets all standards of this
organization. If Azerbaijan is not yet ready to take such a step,
there is no need to create problems in relationship with Russia. Our
country desires to collaborate with West as well as with Russia. Our
policy is the integration into the western countries but this process
implies a number of various versions. For instance, Georgia has chosen
such version albeit is obliged to be at enmity with Russia.
Azerbaijan won’t do it in order to keep the friendliest relations
with Russia. From point of this view, Azerbaijan does not hasten to
accede to NATO”.
–Boundary_(ID_hZKSRIrMs3l8MRosBjNBzQ)–

HOUSE FOREIGN AID PANEL REINSTATES US POLICY ON SECURITY PARITY APPROVES $62 MILLION FOR ARMENIAIN FY FOREIGN AID BILL
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 23 2006
The Armenian Assembly praised members of a key foreign aid subcommittee
today for reinstating U.S. policy to maintain military aid parity
between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Foreign
Operations bill. Earlier this year, the Administration submitted a
request for Azerbaijan that exceeded security assistance to Armenia
by $1.095 million.
Lawmakers approved a symmetrical appropriation that amounts to $3.5
million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and an additional $790,000
in International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance
to both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We appreciate the efforts of the House Appropriations Committee
and credit its Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Jim
Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)
for maintaining equal security assistance between Armenia and
Azerbaijan,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We
especially appreciate the outstanding leadership of Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair and Committee Member, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), for his
efforts in restoring parity and protecting the fragile cease-fire
at a time when Azerbaijan continues to threaten a resumption of war
against Nagorno Karabakh.” Following the vote, Knollenberg told the
Assembly that “It is vitally important that Congress maintain military
assistance parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We do not want to
unintentionally disturb the delicate balance of power that exists
in the South Caucasus nor weaken our credibility as an impartial and
leading mediator in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process.”
“Given the fact that relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue
to be tenuous, it is imperative that the U.S. maintain a
balanced approach,” said Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ). “Furthermore, I am pleased that the Committee called
for a higher allocation to Armenia than that requested by the
Administration.”
The FY 2007 foreign aid bill also includes $62 million in economic aid
to Armenia and up to $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Nagorno
Karabakh. The level of funding for Armenia, although less than the
amount Congress appropriated in FY 2006, is $12 million more than
that requested by the Administration in February. In that request,
the Administration also called for an additional $1 million in FMF to
Azerbaijan over Armenia and suggested $885,000 for Azerbaijan versus
$790,000 for Armenia in IMET assistance.
The overall request level reflects a $41 million drop in assistance
for the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union, from $482
million in 2006 to $441 million in 2007.
During the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee
hearing in April, the Assembly submitted testimony for the hearing
record, outlining the need for Congress to continue funding to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Additionally, the Assembly supported
a letter initiated by Pallone and Armenian Caucus Member Rep. George
Radanovich (R-CA) and co-signed by 48 additional Members of Congress,
highlighting important priorities for Armenia and Karabakh.
The bill will be considered by the full House Appropriations Committee
this week. Once the House of Representatives and Senate complete
action on their versions of the bill, a joint House-Senate Conference
Committee will reconcile the differences.

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICIALS TO HOLD TALKS ON TOP IN BAKU
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 23 2006
During the two-day visit to Azerbaijan the US Assistant Secretary of
State, Daniel Fried, and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, US Ambassador
Steven Mann , are scheduled to hold meetings at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the Azerbaijani President Apparat.
Jonathan Henick, the spokesman for the US embassy in Baku, told
Trend that no event with the participation of the US officials has
been scheduled.
Along with US officials, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir
Karasin and the Director of the French Foreign Institute for political
issues, Stanislav D’Labule will pay a visit to Azerbaijan on 24 May.
The two-day visit will focus on the situation with the resolution of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
They will be accompanied by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Russian
Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, and French Ambassador Bernard Fassie.
Earlier, the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said that the
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group visit Armenia on 25-26 May.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY OUSTED AFTER JUST EIGHT MONTHS
By Jean Christou
Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
May 23 2006
TWO of the three religious minority incumbents were re-elected
on Sunday as observers in parliament, while the third Armenian
representative Dr Vahakn Atamyan, only elected last October in a
by-election, was ousted by newcomer Vartkes Mahdessian.
Atamyan, who was not available for comment yesterday, lost his seat
by only 89 votes. He garnered 47.3 per cent of the Armenian vote,
which translated into 810 voters compared to 52.6 per cent, or 899
votes, for Mahdessian.
The Armenian community is split on a number of issues, not least the
closure of the Melkonian Educational Institute.
Prior to the election, Atamyan had admitted he was not too happy about
having to through another election so soon. He told the Cyprus Mail
that he only had eight months to show some progress, and that time
was too short.
Along with the Armenians, Maronites and Latins voted on Sunday.
Maronite incumbent Antonis Hadjiroussos beat out three other candidates
to hold on to his seat with 43.7 per cent of the vote.
His nearest rival was Ioannis Poyadjis who secured 29.6 per cent.
Poyadjis was the Maronite representative in the House from 1991
to 1996.
Hadjiroussos said yesterday he owed a debt of thanks to those who
supported him. “I will now work to bring together the Maronite people
so that they can be united,” he said. “There is a lot of work to
be done.”
Just over 3,000 Maronites voted, around half of their number on the
island, although many live in the north.
The Latin community, which had two candidates to choose from, voted
for incumbent Benito Mantovani, who secured 61.8 per cent compared
to 38.1 for rival Maria Markou. Mantovani and Markou fought it out
for a total of 372 votes.
“I am happy that the Latin community has approved of my work and
approved of what I said in my campaign,” Mantovani told the Cyprus
Mail yesterday. One of the big issues for the Latin community was
the creation of a cemetery in Nicosia.
Mantovani said he had already persuaded the government prior to the
election, to give land for the cemetery, and also a grant of £5,000
from the £20,000 he asked for. He said he kept pressing for the other
£15,000. “Today they sent us the other £15,000,” he said.
The three minority candidates do not have a vote in the House,
although all three said before the election that it was something
they would consider pushing for.
–Boundary_(ID_IeOIabqfkXzG82uyYw0j2Q)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN GOVERMENT CALM AFTER COALITION BREAK-UP
Haroutiun Khachatrian for Eurasianet
ISN, Switzerland
May 23 2006
The resignation of Armenian parliamentary speaker Artur Baghdasarian
may signal his preparation for a higher office. But, even though he
has left his post, the effect on the government appears to be minimal.
Artur Baghdasarian formally vacated on 22 May his post as Armenia’s
parliamentary speaker, completing the withdrawal of his Orinats Yerkir
Party from the country’s governing coalition. Experts in Yerevan don’t
expect the shake-up to have much of an immediate impact on government
policy, but suggest that the withdrawal could boost both Baghdasarian’s
and his party’s political fortunes in upcoming elections.
Addressing MPs after the acceptance of his letter of resignation,
Baghdasarian sounded like a politician already on the campaign trail.
Armenia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in 2007 and a
presidential poll the following year. “Social surveys show that 70
per cent of Armenia’s population is afraid […] We will fight for a
free society,” Baghdasarian said, according to a report distributed
by the A1-Plus web site. “When we said that the state must support
young families, they [political rivals] said it was populism. It is
not populism; it is the road to the development of our country.”
Baghdasarian also maintained it was in the country’s best interest
to pursue integration with Western economic and security structures,
while attempting to cast Orinats Yerkir’s departure from the governing
coalition as the party leadership’s choice. “Many good things have
been accomplished, but many have been left out,” Baghdasarian said,
referring to his party’s participation in the governing coalition. “Now
we have decided to follow our own route.”
In addressing parliament, Baghdasarian studiously avoided criticism
of President Robert Kocharian.
Baghdasarian signaled on 12 May his intention to resign as speaker,
a day after party leaders voted to pull out of the coalition. Although
seeking to portray themselves as the initiators, many experts believe
that Prime Minister Andranik Markarian pushed Orinats Yerkir, or the
Country of Law party, out of the coalition for conduct damaging to the
government’s interests. In the weeks leading up to his resignation,
the former speaker had been outspoken in his criticism of the
government’s continued reliance on a special political relationship
with Russia. Starting with an 19 April interview published in the
influential German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he began to
make forceful appeals for Armenia to turn away from Russia and toward
the European Union and NATO.
Markarian has maintained that Baghdasarian’s actions constituted
a violation of a 2003 power-sharing agreement, which stated that
coalition members would attempt to reconcile policy differences in
private before making them public. Baghdasarian evidently made no
attempt to do so before the newspaper interview’s appearance. Orinats
Yerkir was created in 1998, thrusting Baghdasarian, who was at the
time only 30 years old, into the center of Armenian political life.
The party, with apparently strong backing from Kocharian and other
top leaders, gained eight seats in the 1999 parliamentary vote,
and went on to secure 20 in the 2003 elections.
Over the near term, experts in Yerevan believe few, if any policy
changes will occur, as the government retains a solid majority
in parliament. On some issues, including the political future of
Nagorno-Karabakh, Orinats Yerkir’s position remains closely aligned
with those of the governing coalition, which also includes Markarian’s
Republican Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Following
the 2003 parliamentary elections, Orinats Yerkir had the second largest
parliamentary faction, and it received three ministerial portfolios
under the power-sharing agreement. Amid Baghdasarian’s spat with other
governing coalition leaders, the party experienced a considerable
number of defections. The 10 lawmakers who left Orinats Yerkir’s
parliamentary faction have established themselves as independents,
retaining a pro-government orientation.
The party also lost three cabinet portfolios allocated to it under
the 2003 power-sharing agreement.
Though currently operating in a severely weakened state, many observers
expect Orinats Yerkir to quickly recover, and, ultimately, benefit
from leaving the coalition. Re-casting itself as an opposition force
will likely increase the party’s competitiveness in the 2007 vote,
analysts say. “It will be beneficial to create an image of a party
that suffered due to the actions of authorities,” said a commentary
published by the Iravunk opposition weekly.
Iravunk went on to suggest Baghdasarian likely has his eye on
the presidency, saying that he “may have good chances later to
follow the path of Viktor Yushchenko and Mikheil Saakashvili, to
make a turn from the ‘internal opposition of the authorities’ to an
‘orange opposition'”. But Baghdasarian has steadfastly sought to avoid
comparisons with the leaders of the recent revolutions in Ukraine and
neighboring Georgia. At a 12May news conference, he did not seek to
antagonize his erstwhile political allies, and insisted it was “too
early” to discuss the possibility of his candidacy for the presidency.
EurasiaNet () provides information and analysis
about political, economic, environmental, and social developments in
the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as in Russia,
the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. The website presents a variety
of perspectives on contemporary developments, utilizing a network
of correspondents based both in the West and in the region. The aim
of EurasiaNet is to promote informed decision making among policy
makers, as well as broadening interest in the region among the general
public. EurasiaNet is operated by the Central Eurasia Project of the
Open Society Institute.

POVERTY LEVEL REDUCTION OBSERVED IN ARMENIA
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 23 2006
YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. A considerable reduction in the poverty
level has been recorded in Armenia as a result of implementation
of the poverty reduction program in 2003-2005, says a report on
the program for 2004 and for the 1st half of 2005 approved by the
Coordinating Council.
During the period under review the situation was generally more
favorable than had been expected under the program. Specifically,
the actual per capita GDP index in 2004 met the forecasts for 2007,
and that for 2005 ($1,524) met the forecasts for 2011.
The poverty level was to be reduced to 39% in 2006, and that of abject
poverty was to be reduced to 7.2% in 2013.
The increase in the poor population’s incomes and the government
expenditure policy remain the principal factor in poverty reduction The
report points out that the poverty reduction policy was a success due
to active involvement of the political community and private sector
as well as of donor organizations.
The RA Government’s strategic program for 2003-2015 envisages the
reduction of poor population from 50% to 19.7%. In the medium-term
period, (before 2006), 6% economic growth is expected, and 5-5.5 per
cent economic growth in the long-term period. Foreign funding of the
strategic program is to make about $1.2bln.

RUSSIAN, GEORGIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS CONFLICTS
Civil Georgia, Georgia
May 23 2006
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described as “constructive” the
recent the talks with his Georgian counterpart Gela Bezhuashvili, which
took place on a sideline of a session of the Committee of Ministers
from the Council of Europe member states in Strasbourg on May 18-19.
Sergey Lavrov and Gela Bezhuashvili discussed bilateral relations and
conflict resolution issues, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“I asked him [Bezhuashvili] not to create artificial problems around
the peacekeepers… We want that the peacekeepers to have normal
working conditions there,” Lavrov said.
Sergey Lavrov welcomed the creation of a joint Georgian-South Ossetian
working group, which will develop a joint peace program on conflict
resolution.
He also hailed setting up a consortium by the Georgian, Abkhaz,
Russian, and Armenian sides, which will rehabilitate the Abkhaz
section of the railway linking Russia with Georgia and Armenia.
However, the Russian Foreign Minister expressed concern over
“Tbilisi’s refusal” to approve the documents on security guarantees
and non-resumption of hostilities both regarding the Abkhaz and South
Ossetian conflicts.
Lavrov said that Bezhuashvili promised to accelerate the process
aiming at new registration of the internally displaced persons in
the Gali district of breakaway Abkhazia.
“I regret that the Georgian side drags out the process of registration
of those persons, who have already returned to the Gali district,”
Lavrov said.

SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK: “US SHOULD SEEK NEGOTIATED NK SETTLEMENT”
Today, Azerbaijan
May 23 2006
The Bush administration’s new strategy on the Caspian region is known,
said US Senator Sam Brownback, who authored the draft law on supporting
the South Caucasus and Central Asian states in the US Senate.
Brownback said pipelines of critical importance for the transit of oil
and gas pass through these countries. “The United States should also
beat Iran to its nuclear ambitions as well as station new military
bases in the region.”
The bill also cited the US aspiration to forge closer relations with
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, AssA-Irada informs.
As for the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, the
Senator said the USA should work to achieve a solution through peace
talks. It should also counter what he called Russia’s geo-political
ambitions in the region.
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

A 320 FLIGHT DATA RECORDER FOUND AT THE CRASH SIGHT SERIOUSLY DAMAGED
Regnum, Russia
May 23 2006
By calculations of experts from the Russian Transport Ministry,
flight data recorder of the A 320 belonging to Armavia Armenian
Airlines can be lying within a radius of five meters from the place
where the flight communication recorder was found. Search operation
to find the second flight recorder has continued at present moment.
Earlier, on May 22, flight communication recorder was found.
Theoretically, first results of decoding the tape can appear as early
as within 10-14 days. The flight recorder was seriously damaged.
The A 320 passenger aircraft crashed while approaching the airport of
Adler in the night of May 3. 113 people aboard died. The investigation
names several reasons for the tragedy; however, as experts point
out, a grounded conclusion can be made only after data of the flight
recorders are decoded.

SPEAKER OF MILLI MAJLIS MEETS STATE SECRETARY OF VATICAN
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
May 23 2006
Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic (Azerbaijan
Parliament) met with the State Secretary of Vatican for Relations
with States archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, 22 May.
Speaker of Azerbaijan said Vatican is one of the first states, which
have recognized independence of Azerbaijan. ‘We are interested in
development of communications with this European country. Azerbaijan
by the geopolitical position historically was a place of coexistence
of religions, cultures. Here always dominated tolerance, respect to
representatives of various religions. The first Catholic communities
in Azerbaijan have appeared in the middle of XIX century. And in
beginning of 20th century in Baku has been constructed the first
Catholic Church. The Catholics have all rights and freedoms, given to
citizens of Azerbaijan by the Constitution. The negotiations lead by
the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham
Aliyev during meetings with heads of the State of Vatican, have created
favorable circumstances for development of our communications. We very
highly estimate mutual visits from the point of view of expansion of
our relations’, the Speaker stressed.
Chairman of Milli Majlis has informed, that during visit of the Pope
of Rome John Paul II to Azerbaijan in May 2002 has been consecrated
a stone to be in the base of the Baku Catholic temple, also held a
number of meetings with figures of religion, science and culture. And
official visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Vatican
in February 2005 has given a new impulse to development of cooperation
between two countries.
Then, Ogtay Asadov has in detail told about the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has stopped on the decisions accepted by the
authoritative international organizations and the resolutions connected
with the given problem, disclosed fair position of Azerbaijan which
is based on international law. The State of Vatican always condemned
all forms of terror, he noted.
Chairman of Milli Majlis has expressed confidence that the State of
Vatican will condemn the Armenian terror and take a fair position in
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Giovanni Lajolo has expressed gratitude for warm reception and
detailed information. ‘We are satisfied with the level of friendly
communications between Azerbaijan and Vatican’, he underlined.
‘Azerbaijan really is a place of merge of religions and cultures. We
highly estimate tolerance existing here. And we are very glad
with intensive development of Azerbaijan. Vatican is interested in
expansion of relations with Azerbaijan, and the purpose of my visit to
Baku consists in carrying out of exchange by opinions on the further
development of our ties.
At the meeting, also took place wide exchange of opinions on other
questions representing mutual interest.