Armenian deputy speaker against extraordinary election
Mediamax news agency
26 Aug 05

YEREVAN
The deputy speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, Tigran Torosyan,
today spoke out against the Armenian opposition’s proposal to hold an
extraordinary parliamentary election after the constitutional
referendum, which will probably be held in late November.
Torosyan said this at a session of the parliamentary commission on
Armenia’s integration into Europe in Yerevan today.
Torosyan said that the next parliamentary elections are planned to be
held in the middle of 2007 and we should make efforts to hold a
transparent, fair and honest election.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

International antitorture body urges Azeri authorities to free youth
leader
Turan news agency, Baku
26 Aug 05
Geneva, 25 August: The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) has
issued a statement calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to end the
persecution of activists of the Yeni Fikir [New Thought] youth
movement and members of their families.
The statement says that Yeni Fikir leader Ruslan Basirli was arrested
on 3 August on charges of a coup attempt. The Prosecutor’s Office says
that Basirli wanted the Armenian special services, whose
representatives he allegedly met in Tbilisi on 28-29 July, to be
involved in his attempt.
Basirli could not meet his lawyer for two days after the arrest. After
that, members of his family were persecuted. His father was sacked
from a school and crowds threw stones at their house in the town of
Zardab [central Azerbaijan]. Basirli’s uncle was also fired from the
tax inspection department of [central Azerbaijani district of] Goycay
on 8 August.
[Passage omitted: unconfirmed reports of torture against a Yeni Fikir
member] “The OMCT is seriously concerned over the physical and
psychological condition of Ruslan Basirli and his family, as well as
the condition of Sarvan Sarxanov [who was allegedly beaten up at the
Prosecutor-General’s Office]. The organization is also concerned about
the general atmosphere of persecution against members of Yeni Fikir”,
the statement says.
[Passage omitted: another Yeni Fikir member has been expelled from
university] The OMCT has appealed to the international community in
connection with the situation in order to protest against the
Azerbaijani authorities and urge them to ensure decent physical and
psychological conditions for Basirli, his family and Sarvan Sarxanov.
The statement urges Basirli’s immediate release on the grounds that
the charges against him are illegal. It also called for a fair
investigation and asked to ensure Basirli’s rights and freedoms if
there are such charges.

Nagornyy Karabakh Republic plans “special economic policy” for Shushi
Azat Artsakh, Stepanakert
20 Aug 05
Text of unattributed report by Nagornyy Karabakh newspaper Azat
Artsakh on 20 August headlined “New economic policy for Shushi. The
town must become a safe zone for investments”
[Karabakh] Prime Minister Anushavan Daniyelyan held a meeting in his
office on 17 August to discuss a special economic policy for Shushi,
as well as issues of dividing customs responsibilities between the
Republic of Armenia and the NKR [Nagornyy Karabakh republic].
Touching upon the reconstruction of Shushi, Daniyelyan said that all
the funds raised during the 2006 all-Armenian telethon would be used
solely for the town’s “prosperity”. But before that, he said, the
government plans to implement a long-term programme of tax reform in
order to present Shushi on the eve of the telethon as a safe zone for
investment. The programme envisages a special taxation policy that
will exempt all investors from all taxes.
“The priority task for Shushi today is not just its reconstruction,
but also the creation of a great number of jobs that can be secured by
large investments,” Daniyelyan said.
At the same time, attaching great importance to the task of overcoming
slow industrial development in the republic, he said it was necessary
to exempt some employers from taxes in various spheres such as the
tourism, high-tech, pharmaceutical, medical equipment and carpet
industries.
Talking about the need to solve some issues of transferring customs
duties from the NKR to the Republic of Armenia, Daniyelyan said it was
important to sign a relevant contract between the two governments. He
said that the contract should cover such issues as the role of state
intervention, humanitarian aid, customs fees, etc.

THE STATEMENT OF NKR CEC
Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 Aug 05
The recent address of the Central Election Committee of Azerbaijan to
the citizens of Nagorno Karabakh Republic concerning the parliamentary
election on November 6 is a gross intervention in the internal affairs
of NKR. Azerbaijan has no legal and especially moral rights to call
for participation of the people of Karabakh in the elections of that
republic. The people of Nagorno Karabakh use their vote in accordance
with the NKR legislation absolutely within the framework of their own
statehood which provides for their political, social and civil
rights. Official Baku which has perpetrated the massacres and
displacement of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in the former
Azerbaijani SSR, has waged a large-scale war against NKR and its
people, is now tryingto act as an advocate of the rights of the people
of Nagorno Karabakh. This sounds especially brazen in the context of
violation of the basic rights of the people of NKR by the Azerbaijani
government, including the right for self-determination, occupation of
a significant part of the territory of NKR, the lasting blockade of
Nagorno Karabakh and instilment of intolerance by the Azerbaijani
authorities against the Armenians. Constantly violating the
constitutional rights and freedoms of its own citizens, Azerbaijan
cannot provide for the basic right for life and dignity of the
citizens of NKR, which proves that the people of Nagorno Karabakh have
had reason to choose the path of i ndependent development, which
cannot be turned back. The people of Karabakh have their own
statehood, NKR, the independence of which was declared on January 6,
1992 on the basis of the results of the referendum held earlier. The
population of Nagorno Karabakh, whose civil rights have been set down
in the NKR legislation and are defended, actively takes part in the
home political life of the country, the strengthening and further
development of its civil and governmental institutions, including the
legislative body of the republic- the NKR National Assembly. During
the years of independence three presidential, four parliamentary and
three local elections were held, which were evaluated as transparent,
free and fair by the international observers. The NKR Central Election
Committee calls the Azerbaijani party with which Nagorno Karabakhhas
had no legal and political relationships for about 20 years to abstain
from groundless and openly populist statements which confuse the
international community, and to direct their efforts towards a
constructive dialogue to reach stability in the region and peaceful
coexistence of our countries.
AA.
26-08-2005

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT MAY PARTICIPATE IN MEETING OF ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI
LEADERS IN KAZAN
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25. ARMINFO. President of Russia Vladimir Putin may
participate in the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on
settlement of Karabakh conflict expected on August 27 in Kazan.
Charge d’Affairs ad interim of Russian Federation in Azerbaijan Pyotr
Burdikin made this statement in an exclusive interview to Trend.
He says that such a meeting is possible only in case of an agreement
of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, Ilham Aliyev and Robert
Kocharyan. The diplomat says that the three presidents have already
met in such format in the course of the negotiations for settlement
of Karabakh conflict. He pointed out that “that time it gave an
impetus to the settlement process.”

EYE CLINIC OF YEREVAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO GIVE ASSISTANCE
OF EGYPTIAN ARMENIANS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25. ARMINFO. One of the oldest Armenia’s clinics – the
Eye clinic of the Yerevan state medical university after Mari Nubar
again opened its doors for patients. Armenia’s ambassador to Egypt
Ruben Karapetyan and the wife of Armenia’s foreign minister Nani
Oskanyan participated today at the solemn opening ceremony of clinic’s
surgical department.
The clinic’s director, chief child’s ophthalmologist of Armenia,
professor Armen Shakaryan informed that the clinic has not stopped
functioning from the day of its establishment (1928) and now annually
about 7.000 patients have their treatment there. “The clinic was
opened by a Egyptian of Armenian origin and both deputy Prime Minister
of Egypt (that time) Poghos Nubar-Pasha and the present Armenian
community of Egypt have provided financial assistance to it”,
Shakaryan informed. He also noted that 5 free operations jointly with
Egyptian doctors will be done in the clinic shortly.
To note, unique operations and treatments on stoppage of myopia
growth, atrophy of optic nerve, glaucoma, cataract and other eye
diseases.

CONSTRUCTION OF AZERBAIJAN-GEORGIA-TURKEY RAILWAY WILL NOT ISOLATE
ARMENIA
TBILISI. 25 AUGUST. ARMINFO-BSP. The construction of the
Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey railway Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Cars will
not isolate Armenia, the Georgian parliament claims.
“By this project Georgia is not going to isolate Armenia. On the
contrary, we believe that the road will make an economic profit to
Armenia,” David Bakradze, the chairman of the parliamentary committee
for Euro Atlantic integration, said to journalists.
In his words, due to bad relations between Armenia and Turkey the
railway doe not work. If Armenia is linked with Turkey and Europe via
Georgia, at this stage it will be a progress for Armenia.
The issue of constructing the railway between Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Turkey has become urgent after seven members of the US Congress sent a
message to Condoleezza Rice asking not to back up the project.
Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili said 24 August to
journalists that she had been unaware of the congressmen’s message.
We have been working on the project and we don not exclude others. We
are aware that Armenia disapproves the project. We are ready to
consider other routes. But we will let nobody to block any decision
particularly via the USA, she added.
According to some unofficial information from the Georgian parliament
the message sent to Condoleezza Rice says that the
Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Cars project had been part of the
anti-Armenian Georgia- Azerbaijani policy aimed at isolation of
Armenia. The US Congressmen ask the Secretary of State to consider the
opportunity to change the railway route and lay it via Armenian town
Gyumri. Meanwhile the working panels of Georgian, Azeri and Turkish
specialists continue working on the Baku- Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Cars
project’s feasibility study. Its details are to be discussed this
September in Ankara.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Cars Transport Corridor project provides for
construction of the 98-km railway Cars- Akhalkalaki and rehabilitation
of the available road Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi. The total cost of the
project amounts to about $400 million. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey
will finance it.

$105 MLN TO BE INVESTED IN ZVARTNOTS WITHIN NEXT TWO YEARS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25. ARMINFO. Thursday, Armenian Government approved
the changed Master-plan submitted by the manager of the Yerevan
international airport “Zvartnots” Corporacion America.
Head of General Department of Civil Aviation of the Republic of
Armenia Artem Movsisian informed journalists, the first stage of the
Master-plan for the next two years worth $105 mln was approved. The
first stage supposes completion of the construction of the new
passenger terminal till the end of 2007. The necessity of making
changes in the Master-plan of the manager approved by the government
as far back as 2003, which cost $84 mln, was connected with the
unexpected high growth of the passenger traffic.
According to Movsisian, 1.089 mln passengers were conveyed by air
transport of the republic in 2004, which 23.6% higher than the showing
of last year.
Movsisian connects the growth of the number of the passengers with the
tourism development in Armenia, as well as with the growth of the
standard of living. Last year the number of the flights increased
mainly to Europe (by 26%) and Near East (by 14%). The growth of the
flights towards Russia in average made up 10%, he said.
The head of the GDCA informed that the program of the Corporacion
America is divided into three phases and its total cost is $230 mln.
AT the second stage (in 2008-2020) the manager plans to invest $104
mln for construction of one more passenger terminal, which will serve
only for departure of passengers. And $21 mln investments are to be
made during the third phase (20021-2030), these funds will be directed
to cover the expenses on operation and keeping of the airport. The
approval of the second and third phases of the investment program of
the manager will depend on the successful fulfillment of the first
stage and prices for services of the airport.
Artem Movsisian informed ARMINFO that 40% of the investments are the
own funds of the manager, and 60% – loans of international banks. He
added net profit of Corporacion America is about $10 mln per year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN CONFERENCE IN TURKEY WILL TAKE PLACE ACCORDING TO PRIME
MINISTER’S CHOICE, MILLIYET WRITES
YEREVAN, AUGUST 25. ARMINFO. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan expressed desire that the conference dedicated to “Armenian
Genocide” takes place before the October 3 negotiations with the EU.
Rector of Bosfor University, Professor Ayse Soysal made this
statement, the Turkish newspaper Milliyet reports.
According to the newspaper, as regards the postponement of the
scientific forum “Armenians in the period of collapse of the Ottoman
Empire” expected in May 2005 to September 23-25, interesting details
have been revealed. Recently Prime Minister of Turkey personally
informed Rector of Bosfor University that he is for the forum’s
organization. Erdogan thinks it will be useful if the forum starts
before the negotiations for admission of Turkey to the EU on October
3. To note, even Europe responded to the failure of the forum.
The source reports that Vice Premier and Foreign Minister of Turkey
Abulah Gyul has accepted the invitation by Rector of Bosfor University
to make a welcoming speech to the forum participants. Turkish
Spokesman Namek Tan addressed to journalists yesterday that Gyul
agreed to participate in the forthcoming forum. According to the
Turkish foreign minister, the forum and such events allow
demonstrating approaches inside and outside the country. “We shall not
refuse from presenting our conclusion openly. There is no sense to
avoid it like if we were guilty,” the minister thinks. At the same
time, Turkish Spokesman stated that in conformity with the effective
schedule, on the days of the forum the minister will be in New York
and probably he will not be able to participate in it.

ISA GAMBAR: CURRENT TALKS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN REMIND OF “IMITATION”
BAKU. AUGUST 25. ARMINFO-TURAN: Authorities’ arbitrariness, corruption
and unlawfulness are among Azerbaijan’s main problems, Isa Gambar,
Musavat party’s leader, said today in his interview to Turkish
television channel Turk-Haber.
Gambar added that international organizations list Azerbaijan as the
most corrupt world country. Authorities steal people’s property and
votes. And this happens every elections during the past 13 years, he
added. In 2003 democrats won presidential elections, but authorities
stole this victory and used violence against people to suppress just
discontent. “We are determined to put an end to this unlawfulness
during the forthcoming parliamentary elections,” he said. Asked how he
sees Karabakh conflict settlement, Musavat party’s leader said he
backs a peaceful way. “Military way will lead to suffering and
conflict we need to strengthen country’s economic and military
potential, democratize the whole state system and observe human
rights. “We should approach the problem with respect to rights of
national minorities in accordance with demands of European community,”
said Gambar.
Speaking about Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, Gambar said that Musavat
supports Azerbaijan’s integration into European-Atlantic space and
NATO and establishing of equal and mutually beneficial relationships
with Russia.
He called Azerbaijan’s foreign policy “dances between Moscow and
Washington.” He added that the republic needs consistent and legible
foreign policy “without surprises.”
Questioned how alliance between Russia and Armenia affects situation
in the region, Gambar said that Moscow always used Armenia as its
outpost on the Caucasus and as means of seizure of the Caucasus. “But
today we cannot live with 19 century-old views,” he said.
Musavat leader said in the past time Russia pursues a more balanced
policy with respect to Azerbaijan. If Russia pursues “a just” policy
with respect to Armenia and Azerbaijan, situation on the Caucasus will
stabilize, said Isa Gambar.