Armenian president, Russian governor discuss cooperation

Arminfo
22 Mar 05

Yerevan, 22 March: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received
a delegation led by the governor of Russia’s Sverdlovsk Region,
Eduard Rossel.

The need to intensify economic cooperation was the key topic of the
meeting, the presidential press service has told Arminfo. At the
meeting with Robert Kocharyan, Rossel said that commodity turnover
with Armenia had grown over the last two years and there were real
opportunities for increasing it.

The governor of Sverdlovsk suggested setting up a working group to
draft a cooperation programme within a short period of time.

[Passage omitted: economic ties]

NAGORNY KARABAKH HAS GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN CONFORMITY WILL ALL THE
LEGISLATIONS EFFECTIVE IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME: ARMENIAN FM

YEREVAN, MARCH 21. ARMINFO. Nagorny Karabakh has gained independence
in conformity will all the legislations and constitutions effective
in that period of time, says Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
in his interview to the Armenian Public Television.

Besides, Nagorny Karabakh has announced independence in the territory
that has never been part of Azerbaijan as in 1918 when Azerbaijan was
first established Nagorny Karabakh was not part of it. There is another
important component which is not mentioned for some unknown reasons,
that is, violation of the people’s right to self-determination in the
context of violation of human rights as when Karabakh people tried
to achieve self-determination, Azerbaijan decided to resolve this
problem by annihilation of the whole people. That is why Azerbaijan
has no moral right to give any guarantees of security to the people
of Nagorny Karabakh. Azerbaijani has already lost such right in the
context of human rights protection, the Armenian foreign minister says.

REPORT OF OSCE FACT-FINDING MISSION TO LIBERATED TERRITORIES WILL
HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAH CONFLICT,
SAYS ARMENIAN FM

YEREVAN, MARCH 21. ARMINFO. The report of OSCE fact-finding mission to
the liberated territories will have a positive impact on the process of
peaceful settlement of Karabah conflict, says Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan in his interview to the Armenian Public Television.

He says that due to the activity of OSCE mission, the arguments
of Azerbaijan proved to be left aside. At the same time, it has
become evident that the problem of refugees is a mutual problem
as Azerbaijan has always stated that there is only the problem of
Azerbaijani refugees. Meanwhile, OSCE mission has proved that in
spite of the small number of people residing in these territories,
majority of them are Armenian refugees from Azerbaijani territories.
All this allowed the Armenian party to demand a similar mission to
the territories wherefrom they were expelled – Shahumyan region,
Northern Mardakert, Eastern Martuni. This issue becomes more and more
urgent and it will work against Azerbaijan. However, this issue will
not become an obstacle for the negotiation process, the minister says.

He notes that everything depends on further steps of Azerbaijan,
as it was well aware that the problem of Armenian refugees exists.
Azerbaijan tried to move the problem to the field of the UN, but it
failed, then the OSCE mission was invited and here is the result.
Everything depends on how Azerbaijan will try to speculate on all
this. Armenia’s position here is evident – if the issue is moved to
the UN field, Azerbaijan will have to deal with Nagorny Karabakh not
with Armenia, Oskanyan says.

In response to those native political figures who express regret in
connection that the above territories are not settled with Armenian
refugees, the minister says that it is the very issue wherein Armenia
must not feel itself in a role of a side defending or justifying
itself, “that’s a bit too tick!’ Armenia has never refused from
helping its homeless compatriots, as they had no elementary shelter
and they want to return to their homes, to Mardakert, Shahumyan and
others which are part of Karabakh. Armenia’s participation in the
problem’s solution could not and cannot work against the Armenia side,
even on the contrary. Well, the OSCE mission has already called in
its report to refrain from settlement of the liberated territories,
but there are specific proposals to the Azerbaijani side as well. And
if realized, these proposals can be useful both for Armenian refugees
and the whole settlement process, the minister says.

GORAN LENMARKER: ISSUE ON STATUS OF NAGORNY KARABAKH IS
PRIORITY IN PROCESS OF SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

YEREVAN, MARCH 21. ARMINFO. The issue on the status of Nagorny
Karabakh is priority in the process of settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. Goran Lenmarker, Special Representative of OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly Chairman for Nagorny Karabakh, had stated during the Brussels
meeting with Armenian and Azerbaijani parliament members on March
17-18, Vice Speaker of Armenian parliament, Head of Armenian delegation
to OSCE PA Vahan Hovhannisian informed during the news conference in
Yerevan, Monday.

Vahan Hovhannisian expressed confidence in that this provision will
of course be included in the report of Goran Lenmarker concerning
Nagorny Karabakh. The vice speaker also informed that during the
meeting with Armenian and Azerbaijani MPs Goran Lenmarker said
that all the remaining issues, including the question raised by the
Azerbaijani side regarding the territories under the control of the
Armenian side and refugees, are only derivative problems. On the whole
Vahan Hovhannisian qualified the draft report of Goran Lenmarker on
Nagorny Karabakh as balanced. He stressed this fact roused a concern
of the Azerbaijani delegation, which in every possible way tried to
include in the document the provisions from the resolutions of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Nagorny Karabakh,
elaborated by the British MP David Atkinson. At the same time, Vahan
Hovhannisian stated that the efforts of the Azerbaijani delegation
at this stage did not have a succeed and their proposals were not
included in the draft report of Goran Lenmarker.

“During the discussions we have stressed repeatedly that one of the
consequences of the unbalanced report of David Atkinson on Nagorny
Karabakh was the violation of the cease-fire regime on the contact
line”, Vahan Hovhannisian mentioned. However, the head of the Armenian
delegation considered possible that when discussion of the document
at the summer session of OSCE PA, which will be held in Washington in
July, the Azerbaijani MPs will again try to add it with provisions
from the report of David Atkinson. In Hovhannisian’s opinion, the
parliamentarians of Georgia, Moldova and Turkey will support the
proposals of the Azeri delegation.

FINAL VERSION OF REPORT BY OSCE PA SPECIAL REP ON NAGORNY KARABAKH
TO BE PRESENTED IN VIENNA IN LATE SPRING – EARLY SUMMER

YEREVAN, MARCH 21. ARMINFO. The final version of the report by OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly special representative on Nagorny Karabakh Goran
Lenmarker will be presented to Armenian and Azeri MPs in Vienna before
the OSCE PA July session in Washington, says Armenian Parliament Vice
Speaker, head of the Armenian delegation to OSCE PA Vahan Hovhanissyan.

While discussing Lenmarker’s draft report with their Armenian
counterparts in Brussels Mar 17-18 Azeri MPs insisted in vain on
holding the meeting in London. “They must have hoped that if held in
London the meeting might be attended by PACE rapporteur on Nagorny
Karabakh David Atkinson whose report they want to be reflected in
Lenmarker one,” says Hovhannissyan.

He says that the OSCE PA will most probably pass a consultative
resolution on Lenmarker’s report. If Lenmarker’s report proves similar
to Atkinson’s one this may have negative consequences for the Armenian
side. “Two negative documents will hardly go without consequences,”
says Hovhannissyan. He hopes that Lenmarker’s report will give priority
to the status of Nagorny Karabakh over all the other issues including
the one of controlled territories.

Earlier Hovhannissyan said that Lenmarker’s report says nothing
about Azerbaijan’s territories integrity. It says that controlled
territories should be returned but with no hidden political motives.
“It just says that the territories should be returned, demined and
further used,” says Hovhannissyan.

Armenian parliament ratifies Geneva child labour convention

Arminfo
22 Mar 05

Yerevan, 22 March: The Armenian National Assembly today ratified the
Geneva Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Submitting the document, Armenian Minister of Labour and Social
Security Agvan Vardanyan said that the convention is aimed at banning
child trade, child prostitution, compulsory child labour and the use
of children in armed conflicts.

The convention also provides for rehabilitation actions for children
suffering from the aforesaid crimes.

ARMENIA ONLY POST-SOVIET REPUBLIC WITH SERIOUS ARMY: US SOCIOLOGIST

YEREVAN, MARCH 22. ARMINFO. No post-Soviet republic except Armenia
has managed to form a serious army, says Georgy Derlugyan, professor
of sociology of North-Western University, Chicago, US.

Derlugyan notes that on May 9 (the day of the return of Sushi) the
army of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic holds Soviet-like parades with
the soldiers holding the images of Soviet marshall Hovhannes Bagramyan
rather than of middle age Armenian heros. This is a conscious imitation
of the Soviet times.

In Abkhazia they are raising monuments to Abkhazians killed in the
Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). In NKR they are holding parades with
slogans “Fathers Reached Berlin – Sons Will Reach Baku!”

These people had a state that they still have in their memory. They
believe it was good and are trying to restore it. That’s why there
are so many Soviet patriots among old people in the Caucasus. They in
Georgia even say they will raise a gold monument to he who restarts
the Moscow-Tbilisi N14 train.

This is not empire consciousness this is remembering the times when
people got a chance to go beyond their traditional communities –
the times of a well-organized social system that was ruined with the
collapse of the Soviet Union. But only force can take people back
into the past. This happens when, say, Armenians are displaced from
Baku to Karabakh. Former teachers, doctors, engineers they are forced
to milk a cow, to chop wood and to take water from a well.-

WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN BASES FROM GEORGIA IS POSSIBLE ONLY ON COMPROMISE

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 22 2005

MOSCOW, March 22 (RIA Novosti) – The head of the State Duma committee
for the CIS affairs and relations with compatriots, Andrei Kokoshin,
hopes that a compromise decision will be found at the Russian-Georgian
negotiations on withdrawal of the Russian military bases from Georgia.

“I hope that a decision, which will take into consideration the
interests of both sides as well as the international situation will be
found at the negotiations,” he said at the news conference in Moscow.

Answering the question concerning the formation of an anti-terrorist
center instead of the Russian military bases, which are deployed in
Georgia (one – in Batumi (Adjaria) and the other one in Akhalkalaki
(on the border with Armenia), Mr. Kokoshin said that such a center
is necessary for the whole region. “Russia and Georgia must find here
a mutually acceptable decision,” the parliamentarian said.

At the present time, he continued, the State Duma is considering this
issue. “We want to find such a formula which would meet the interests
of the security of both Russia and Georgia,” Mr. Kokoshin pointed out.

However, today’s incident, when Russian peacekeepers at the
administrative border between Abkhazia and Georgia brought their
military equipment into a Georgian village, caused a new outburst of
anti-Russian hysteria among the Georgian parliamentarians.

“The illegal bringing of heavy military equipment of the Russian
peacekeepers into the Georgian village of Ganmukhuri testifies that
they pose a threat to our national security,” member of parliament
Georgy Bokeria said.

However, according to him, the Georgian leadership is not yet ready
to raise the question of withdrawing the Russian peacekeepers from
the country.

“When raising such questions we must clearly see their consequences.
Our closest task is to seek thewithdrawal of the Russian military
bases from Georgia and then to get rid of the Russian peacekeepers,”
the parliamentarian said.

At the same tine, at the plenary session of the Georgian parliament
on Tuesday, the opposition rebuked the pro-presidential faction,
the National Movement – Democrats, that the Georgian leadership is
not in a hurry to raise the question of the immediate withdrawal of
the Russian peacekeepers from the country.

“In their election campaign, the representatives of the power now in
force promised the people to complete the withdrawal of the Russian
peacekeepers from Georgia. However, when they came to power, they
are not in a hurry to do it,” a member of the opposition faction,
New Right-Wingers – Industrialists, Gocha Dzhodzhua, said.

As a spokesman for the Georgian Interior Ministry’s press service
told RIA Novosti, Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili intends to hold
on Tuesday a special briefing concerning the bringing of the heavy
military equipment of the Russian peacekeepers into the Georgian
village of Ganmukhuri.

ARKA News Agency
March 22 2005

The recent years Armenia establishes active trade-economic
cooperation with 25 administrative units of Russia

RF President to visit Armenia on March 24-25

RF, RA Presidents exchange messages

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THE RECENT YEARS ARMENIA ESTABLISHES ACTIVE TRADE-ECONOMIC
COOPERATION WITH 25 ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS OF RUSSIA

YEREVAN, March 22. /ARKA/. For the recent years Armenia established
active trade-economic cooperation with 25 administrative units of
Russia. According to RA Government~Rs Press Service, RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan stated about it at the meeting with the Governor
of Sverdlovsk region Eduard Rossel. According to him, rich
contractual ~Vlegal base between RA and RF, including over 160
intergovernmental and interstate documents, allows developing
cooperation in various areas. Margaryan added that corresponding
agreements were signed with Saint-Petersburg, Saratov, Astrakhan,
Kirovsk region, Krasnodar, and the authorities of Moscow.
Corresponding protocols are signed between Samara, Ararat and
Gegharkunik regions. ~STrade turnover between our states grows year by
year, and this is due to strengthening relations between
administrative subjects~T, he said.
In his turn the Governor of Sverdlovsk recorded a new progress in
bilateral cooperation. Rossel suggested that Armenian Center be
established in Sverdlovsk region to develop cooperation with the
Armenian side in various directions, organize exhibition of Armenian
goods, and establish joint ventures. He suggested that a working
group be formed from representatives of corresponding Ministries and
Departments aimed at preparing a large-scaled cooperation. In
particular he supported the idea of forming a working group for
preparing an intergovernmental agreement providing for certain
measures and programs of cooperation in the areas of economy, trade,
science, education, culture and other regions and noted that after
signing agreement also the capacity of trade-commerce chambers of
Armenia and Russia, Armenian-Russian Association of Business
Cooperation, Union of Entrepreneurs may be used. After meeting of
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan with Governor of Sverdlovsk region,
they signed a protocol on results of the visit of official delegation
of Sverdlovsk region of RF in RA. Main directions of cooperation in
trade-economic, industrial and humanitarian areas are stipulated in
the protocol. Necessity of signing an intergovernmental agreement to
carry out the goals was noted. A.H. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

RF PRESIDENT TO VISIT ARMENIA ON MARCH 24-25

YEREVAN, March 22. /ARKA/. RF President Vladimir Putin is to visit
Armenia on March 24-25, 2005, the RF presidential press service
reports. During his visit, the Russian leader is to hold a meeting
with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian. President Putin is
scheduled to take part in the ceremonial opening of a Year of the
Russian Federation in Armenia, which is to be inaugurated by a gala
concert with participation of outstanding Russian art workers. An
orchestra under the baton of Vladimir Spivakov is to give a concert
as well. The Bolshoi Theater, Moscow Artistic Academy Theater, Perm
drama and other troupes are to take part in the arrangements.
2005 is declared a Year of Russia in Armenia and 2006 a Year of
Armenia in Russia. P.T. ~V0–

*********************************************************************

RF, RA PRESIDENTS EXCHANGE MESSAGES

YEREVAN, March 21. /ARKA/. RF President Vladimir Putin and RA
President Robert Kocharian exchanged messages on the occasion of the
opening of a Year of Russia in Armenia. The RF presidential press
service reports that in his message President Putin said: ~SRussia has
consistently attached paramount importance to the strengthening of
friendly relations with Armenia, its reliable ally and strategic
partner. I am sure that the holding of a Year of Russia will
contribute to closer relations between the two countries, development
of friendship and direct dialogue between our peoples.~T The
press-release says that the arrangements on the occasion of the 60th
anniversary of the Great Victory will have a special place in the
celebrations. In turn, in his message the RA President pointed out
that ~Sthe decision on declaration of 2005 a year of the Russian
Federation in Armenia affords ample opportunities for further
development of the Armenian-Russia ties.~T ~SThis initiative will
certainly contribute to full materialization of potential for
political, economic and cultural cooperation between our fraternal
peoples. I would like to express confidence that holding a Year of
Russia in Armenia will add new ideas and projects to the agenda on
Armenian-Russian cooperation,~T the RA President~Rs message says. P.T.
~V0–

*********************************************************************

United States opens its largest diplomatic mission in the world in Armenia

The NewsAhead Agency for future world news | Tuesday, 22 March 2005
30 Mar 2005**.

YEREVAN. 30 Mar 2005** (Estimated date) The new United States embassy
plans to open the largest US diplomatic in the world in Armenia,
a demonstration of Washington’s growing strategic interest in the
largely Christian country and in the Caucusus in general.

The Caucasus Region is important to world energy markets as a transit
area for oil and natural gas exports from the Caspian Sea to Europe.

US officials explain that the reason for building such as large embassy
is the number of US projects in Armenia, but most see the ambitious
building as matching Washington’s big goals in the region. These
include securing oil supplies from the Caspian and augmenting the US
military toehold on the Western shore to project US influence across
the entire region.

The United States has provided more some US $1.5 billion in economic
assistance to Armenia since independence. Yerevan dispatched 46
Armenian non-combat servicemen to the US led coalition in Iraq on Jan
18. The symbolic presence, despite overwhelming domestic opposition,
has been interpreted as Armenia’s thanks for US largesse. Others
explain the troop deployment as a geopolitical necessity – a means of
keeping US neutral in Armenia’s long-running dispute with Azerbaijan
over Nagorno-Karabakh, a former part of Soviet Azerbaijan that is
now controlled by ethnic Armenians.

The new US embassy compound, built of native stone, overlooks scenic
Lake Yerevan and has a sweeping view of Mount Ararat, neighboring
Turkey’s tallest peak and the rumored resting place of Noah’s
Ark. Sophisticated security measures have been installed to protect
the complex from potential physical, biological and technological
assaults. The embassy will also have its own energy and water supply.