Political Analyst Expects No Results from Azeri, Armenian Presidents’ Meeting
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 19 2005
A political scholar sees no grounds for expecting positive results
from the upcoming meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in
Kazan, Russia.
“The meeting will not be any more important than the previous ones,”
analyst Rasim Musabayov told AssA-Irada.
Musabayov said the previous meeting of the two presidents held in
Key West, USA yielded no results despite its high level.
“I believe the chances for results at Kazan meeting are 50-50. It
may be fruitful or fruitless. The previous experience shows that the
sides tend to take final steps backward instead of forward when they
reach the decisive point. Therefore, I can’t say ahead of time that
the meeting will be beneficial,” he said.
Musabayov said the current positions of the conflicting sides are
contradictory, as Azerbaijan calls for withdrawal of Armenian forces
from the occupied territories, while Armenia – determination of the
Nagorno Karabakh status.
“From this viewpoint, the positions of the sides are not getting any
closer. If a compromise alternative is found, the issue can be moved
forward from the current deadlock,” Musabayov said.
As for the liberation of seven occupied districts around Karabakh,
the analyst said freeing them simultaneously will be difficult.
“Liberation of the occupied regions based on the ‘5+1+1’ formula
seems real,” he said.
The formula envisions freeing five Azeri regions from under Armenian
occupation first, followed by signing of a peace accord and liberation
of the other two regions.
Musabayov went on to say that the general situation with the Karabakh
conflict has changed in favor of Azerbaijan over the recent period.
Russia’s positions in the South Caucasus are weakening, this
country’s military bases are being withdrawn from Georgia, while
Armenia is losing communication links with Russia, which is in favor
of Azerbaijan, he said. Armenia is concerned over this, said Musabayov.
“Russia, which is the eternal ally of Armenia, understands too that
it will lose its positions in the Caucasus by prolonging the conflict
resolution.”
Musabayov said that another factor stipulating Azerbaijan’s prevalent
position is that the country’s financial potential is increasing.
Whereas military spending of Armenia makes up $200 million per year,
the figure is $300 million in Azerbaijan.
The political analyst pointed out that Azerbaijan’s potential will
allow spending $500 million for the military in 2006 and bringing
the figure to $1 billion in two years.
Armenia would have to commit its entire budget for defense in order
to withstand competition, which is impossible, he said.
“Armenians therefore think they should take a step today rather than
be forced to accept peace in a few years. These are the factors giving
a positive impetus to peace. But it is difficult to say whether this
will be enough for Armenia to give up its persistence,” he added.

ECONOMIC PROGRAM OF “DASHNAKTSUTYUN” APPROVED BY TWO MINISTRIES IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau has elaborated
an economic program aiming security of growth of export from Armenia,
Adviser for Economic Affairs of ARFD Bureau Ara Nranyamn informs
ARMINFO.
Growth of exports is the only opportunity to considerably and
comparatively rapidly increase GDP in Armenia, as the possibilities
of the internal market are exhausted, Nranyan thinks. He says
that Dashnaktsutyun has sent the draft with specific proposals on
increase of exports to all the competent bodies and party offices
of the country, including opposition ones. The document has already
received high assessment of the Ministry for trade and Economic
Development, Ministry of Energy and Customs Service. He says the
elaborated proposals do not provide for quotation or other limitation
of imported production. Nranyan promised to submit the draft to the
public consideration in September 2005.

AZERI FM: PARTIES TO KARABAKH CONFLICT YET FAR FROM AGREEMENT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. If the Azeri and Armenian FMs reach some
agreements on the Karabakh conflict settlement the presidents will
use this basis for decreeing the start of work on specific documents,
Trend news agency reports Elmar Mamedyarov as saying.
No specific documents are being drafted now. The parties are yet
far from this approach. Commenting on the coming Moscow meeting of
the Azeri and Armenian FMs Mamedyarov says that the Prague process
will be continued. The FMs will try to come to agreement on certain
elements. The presidents will be informed of the results and will
elaborate on them.
Mamedyarov says that Azerbaijan and Armenia are still at variance over
7-9 elements. The details are confidential. It is early yet to speak
about these elements as the talks are still underway. Those who are
informed of the conflict know what elements are meant, says Mamedyarov.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN ASPIRES TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT IN PEACE WAY
BAKU, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. The greatest problem in Azerbaijan is the
Armenia- Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and remaining of the
territories under occupation, Azeri President Ilham Aliev said during
his speech at the Tuesday solemn ceremony dedicated to presentation
of battle flags to the military units of the state frontier service
We aspire to resolve the question in peace way, by negotiations.
International organizations pay more and more attention to this
problem. Fair voice of Azerbaijan is heard and the decisions adopted
by world organizations reflect the justice. And along with all these,
along with the diplomatic, political successes, the problem cannot find
its resolution. Therefore, we cannot reconcile with this situation. We
shall and further make efforts to settle the problem by negotiations,
peacefully, by political means, to liberate the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan from the aggressive forces, and then refugees return to
their homelands. We shall do our utmost for this, Aliev said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES NEWLY APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE OF UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. Newly appointed UNDP Permanent
Representative and Coordinator Consuella Vidal handed over the
credentials of UN Secretary General to Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan today.
The presidential press-service informs ARMINFO that in the course
of the meeting, Robert Kocharyan pointed out the importance of the
UN programs implemented in Armenia, at the same time expressing hope
for further effective bilateral cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURK CHARGED WITH CONTRABAND OF ARMENIAN BOOKS OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL VALUE RELEASED
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. Minor Court of Yerevan Malatia-Sebastia
communities sentences the Turkish scientist Ektan Turklmaz to two years
of conditional imprisonement without further control and confiscation
of property for export of books of cultural and historical value
from Armenia.
The Turkish scientist was released directly from the court hall. The
confiscated computer, CD, mobile phone will be returned to him and
88 Armenian books purchased by the scientist will be transferred to
the country.

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Telethon
MONEY FROM ‘TELETHON-2006’ TO BE SPEND ON RECONSTRUCTION OF SHUSHI
At a government sitting on August 17 the prime minister of Nagorno
Karabakh stated that all collected money from “Telethon-2006” will
be spend to reconstruct Shushi. Anushavan Danielian noted that the
government will carry out special economic policy. As an economic
privilege organizations securing workplaces will be free from
taxes. Danielian said also that the NKR government will transfer
authority over customs service to Armenia.

AZG Armenian Daily #146, 19/08/2005
Culture
SIX MONUMENTS TO BE RESTORED WITH STATE RESOURCES
Artyom Grigorian, head of RA State Agency of Monument Preservation,
informed that 6 historical monuments will be restored with $1
million allocated from the state resources. The castle of Dashtadem,
several constructions of the Amberd castle, the church of Voskevaz,
the Spitakavor monastery, Vahanavank and Hnevank will be restored
very soon.
The layouts for the restoration works are to be completed soon. A
competition will be announced for the construction companies to launch
the reconstruction works.
Mr. Grigorian stated that the restoration works of some of these
monuments will last several years and each year they will be provided
with financial sources from the state budget for the construction
works.
By Ruzan Poghosian

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
August 19, 2005
Raffi Hovannisian-Kostas Karamanlis Consultations
Athens–Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos A. Karamanlis received
Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian at
his government office here today.
Karamanlis and Hovannisian, who studied together at the Fletcher School
of Law and Diplomacy 25 years ago, deliberated on a full agenda of
issues ranging from regional security and European integration to
domestic developments and the bilateral relationship between the
Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Armenia.
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is chairman of the New Democracy
Party of Greece. Raffi Hovannisian, who is founder of the Armenian
Center for National and International Studies () and
the National Citizens’ Initiative (), currently chairs the
Heritage Party of Armenia ().

WIDOW OF KAREN DEMIRCHYAN AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF K.DEMIRCHYAN SPORTS AND CONCERT COMPLEX
YEREVAN, AUGUST 17. ARMINFO. Widow of Karen Demirchyan Rima Demirchyan
is against privatization of K.Demirchyan SCC.
Talking to ARMINFO, she stated that SCC is a facility symbolizing
revival of Armenia’s spirit as counterbalance to the Memorial for
the Victims of Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. Besides,
Rima Demirchyan stated that construction of the complex cost 40
mln Soviet rubles to the country, which is equal to $40 mln, so its
privatization for $6 mln is illegal. Meanwhile, the promised $9 mln
investment will be made at the expense of SCC’s incomes.
She also stated that the Armenian Government will made a decision
on privatization on August 18. In his turn, Prime Minister assured
Rima Demirchyan that the complex will not be renamed even after
privatization. However, she doubts in it.
It should be noted that a Russian construction concern BAMO expressed
intention to buy SCC.