Author: Basmajian Ani

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN WILL SAY “YES” IN TIGRAN TOROSYAN’S FAVOUR

A1+
[06:17 pm] 01 June, 2006

“We shall have a show titled “secret close voting.”

There is not even a slightest doubt on the results,” announced Arshak
Sadoyan while referring to the NA Speaker’s elections. On the whole,
a number of deputies claimed today that it is no use holding elections
as it is already decided by the President’s office who will be the
next NA Speaker.

While answering the adherents of this opinion the only candidate
of the NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan noted that people of such opinion
first of all insult themselves and don’t rely on their votes.

“We cannot exclude the President’s participation in the events
taking place in the republic that exclusion will be but nonsense. The
President must naturally have his own approach to such questions. I
want to draw your attention to the NA characteristics where any
question is solved on the basis of political concord. That is to
say, at first political forces hold discussions on current events
in which the President’s opinion is also taken into account,” claims
Tigran Torosyan.

The proposal of Tigran Torosyan’s candidacy for the NA Speaker might
be dull if the Opposition didn’t ask him questions.

While referring to the question whether it was worth taking
responsibility for one year Tigran Torosyan mentioned that even if
he is incapable of implementing his programs within that short period
he will pave a way for them, and later his programs will be realized.

The overwhelming majority of the NA parties and factions announced
that they are of high opinion of Torosyan’s skills and abilities and
will vote in his favor. By the way, Tigran Torosyan was very modest
and reserved today and didn’t even try to anticipate whether he will
have the necessary 66 votes to become the NA Speaker.

The most striking among the speeches were two ones.

All wondered how ex Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan will vote in the
election. He announced that he was satisfied with Tigran Torosyan’s
work and fully supported his candidacy and will vote for him.

Baghdasaryan said that his decision was also determined by the
fact that the session of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation will be
convened in Armenian in 10 days, we shall have many guests and it
would be wiser to have the NA Speaker by then.

Arthur Baghdasaryan also informed today that the OYP will only
participate in the elections of the NA Speaker and won’t participate
in the other two elections; the heads of the two Standing Committees
and the NA Deputy Speaker.

The other striking speech was made by Artashes Geghamyan, leader of
the National Unity who started his speech by reminding the deputies
that their party didn’t participate in the NA previous elections. “We
intended not to participate this time either. But I possess some
information which I want to share with you,” announced Artashes
Geghamyan. Then he passed to the results of a polling held by an
American organization in Armenia according to which the Armenian
residents don’t believe either in the NA, the President or any other
organization.

It was difficult to understand from Geghamyan’s words about their
party’s decision on the NA Speaker’s elections. It is noteworthy
that the Opposition refused to participate in the balloting a few
days ago. The members of the “Justice” bloc stick to their decision
and won’t participate in the election.

As for the one-candidate elections without any alternative Tigran
Torosyan finds this fact a norman phenomenon. “I want to remind you
that the last few elections of the NA Speaker were one-candidate. I
see nothing strange or bad in it.”

US CONGRESSMEN ASK ERDOGAN’S HELP FOR IRAN
Author: À.Mammadov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006

(zaman.com) – The US House of Representatives asked Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to step in to help solve the Iranian
nuclear crisis without arms.

Steny Hoyer, the second highest Democrat in the House, and Roy Blunt
from the Republican Party visited Erdogan at his office Tuesday
to discuss the isolations imposed on Iran, Iraq, the Middle East,
the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and allegations about the
so-called Armenian genocide, reports Trend.

The American representatives expressed their anxiety regarding Iran’s
nuclear program and stressed that the issue should be resolved through
diplomacy. Therefore, they asked Erdogan to play an active role in
the solution process as they also supported Erdogan’s offer to form
a commission of historians to explore the allegations concerning the
so-called genocide.

–Boundary_(ID_aGixCG0Tja3cQ5zWxu3c+w)- –

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN TO REMAIN COMMON DEPUTY OF RA PARLIAMENT

Yerevan, May 29. ArmInfo. Artur Baghdasarian, leader of “Orinats
Yerkir” party, is going to remain a common deputy of RA National
Assembly, and is not going to be the party’s leader.

As for the members of “OY” faction, they are determined to talk over
Baghdasrain to remain the party’s leader. Anyway, Samvel Balasanian,
head of “OY” faction, informed ArmInfo that one can consider that he
have already resigned from his position. While deputy Hovhannes
Margarian also assured that he has always been and will always be a
member of “OY” party, even till the end of time.

As for the probable cooperation of “OY” with the opposition forces,
Balasanian said that at present, they don’t hold any negotiations on
that issue. At the same time he didn’t excluded the cooperation of
his party with the opposition forces.

Third trainload of Russian military hardware leaves Georgia

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
30 May 06

Tbilisi, 30 May: The third trainload of weapons and military hardware
from the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki left the Georgian town
of Tsalka for Russia today, a source in the Group of Russian Troops in
the Transcaucasus [GRVZ] told an ITAR-TASS correspondent today. This
afternoon the train will cross the Georgian-Azerbaijani border. It is
carrying 15 self-propelled howitzers, 50 mortars and spare parts for
them.

The trainload consists of 17 rail trucks, one of them is carrying
sentries. The train’s safety on its way through Georgia will be
ensured by a Georgian Defence Ministry subunit. The first trainload
with weapons and military equipment from the military base in
Akhalkalaki left Georgia on 15 May, the second on 23 May, the fourth
will leave Tsalka on 6 June. [Passage omitted to end: earlier reported
details of the Russian pullout from Georgia.]

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 29 2006

Armenia, Azerbaijan report fatalities in disputed border clash
13:37 | 29/ 05/ 2006

YEREVAN/BAKU, May 29 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia and Azerbaijan both
claimed fatalities after a shootout between soldiers in the region of
Nagorny-Karabakh, and accused each other of breaching a ceasefire
agreement Monday.

“An Armenian military serviceman was killed as a result of a shot
from the Azerbaijani side at Armenian positions in the Noyemberyansky
region at around 8.30 p.m. [Moscow time, 4.30 p.m. GMT] May 27,”
defense ministry spokesman Seiran Shakhsuvaryan said.

But an Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman denied the claim, and
said an Azerbaijani soldier was killed.

“An Azerbaijani soldier was killed as a result of shelling by
Armenian units stationed on mount Lele-Ilahi in Azerbaijan’s Fizuli
region,” Ilgar Verdiev said.

The conflict between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and
Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region with a
largely Armenian population, first erupted in 1988, when the region
claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.

Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and
1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in
1994, leaving Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.

Armenian, Azeri presidents to meet in Romania – presidential spokesman

Arminfo
26 May 06

Yerevan, 26 May: The press secretary of the Armenian president, Viktor
Sogomonyan, has confirmed a tentative agreement on the conduct of a
meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The meeting of the presidents is actually planned for early June in
Bucharest. Most likely, the meeting will take place on the sidelines
of the Black Sea forum fixed for 5 June,” Sogomonyan said.

Elmar Mamedyarov: Baku ready to accept part of new ideas suggested by
mediators

ArmRadio.am
26.05.2006 12:10

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov declared after the
visit of the delegation of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to the region
that `we cannot speak about new suggestions.’

`The question refers to new ideas, some of which can be accepted by
Azerbaijan, some not. However, diplomacy envisages concessions, and we
shall wait for the results of Yerevan talks,’ Mamedyarov declared on
May 25. He noted that ` Nagorno-Karabakh comprises part of Azerbaijan
and any way of settlement should come from constitutional provisions
of the country.’

He did no rule out, however, that Nagorno-Karabakh may have a
Constitution. `The Autonomic Republic of Nakhijevan, Tatarstan and
Bahkortostan also have their Constitutions. It’s an accepted
practice,’ Elmar Mamedyarov said.

`We realize that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh should be determined
sooner or later. But it’s not Armenians that should do this. First,
Azerbaijanis should return to their homes, then the question will be
included in the agenda,’ Azeri Foreign Minister said.

RUSSIAN MILITARY VEHICLES WITHDRAW FROM GEORGIA TO ARMENIA

Agence France Presse — English
May 25, 2006 Thursday 7:44 AM GMT

Russia has transferred a batch of military equipment to its base
in Armenia from neighbouring Georgia as part of a planned troop
withdrawal, a senior officer said.

“A first column arrived at Gyumri, home to the 102nd Russian Base.

There will be many more columns,” said the head of the Armenian
military’s general staff, Mikael Arutiunian, on Wednesday.

The equipment being transferred from Russia’s Akhalkalaki base in
southern Georgia consists mainly of communications equipment and
non-armoured vehicles, he said.

“Under the terms of an agreement with the Russian side, tanks and
other armoured vehicles will not be transferred to Armenia. They will
be sent to Russia,” Arutiunian said.

Under a May 2005 agreement, Russia is to complete the closure of two
military bases in Georgia by the end of 2008. Withdrawals of tanks
and other heavy weapons are ongoing, with trainloads of materiel
heading through Azerbaijan and across the border into Russia.

Armenia maintains close military and economic links with Russia.

KARABAKH DEPUTY: KARABAKH PEOPLE, UNLIKE KOSOVO, GAINED ITS INDEPENDENCE BY ITSELF

Stepanakert, May 25. ArmInfo. Recognition of the results of referendum
on Chernogoria’s independence by Serbia’s authorities is the evidence
of tolerance and constructive approach of Serbian authorities. But,
saying honestly, it seems to me that Chernogoria’s independence is
necessary to both Chernogoria and Serbia proceeding from the fact the
European Union has stopped its negotiations with Serbia concerning
membership and it is supposed the process will be resumed if Serbia
recognizes Chernogoria’s independence. As ArmInfo correspondent in
Stepanakert informs, the chairman of the NKR Parliament’s constant
Commission for Foreign Relations Vahram Atanessyan is of this opinion.

According to him, these two countries, as sovereign states, will soon
become a part of the United Europe. I think, The European Union must
show the same interest to the former Soviet Union countries as well.

In particular, the EU has to make it clear to Azerbaijan that this
country cannot be integrated into the European structures without
recognition of the Karabakh people’s right for self-determination,
Atanessyan said. According to him, the Europe does not show a special
interest to the post-Soviet area, “proceeding from subjective egoistic
considerations, it says, the South Caucasus id far from Europe
and the fire, which appeared here, does not threaten the European
house”. “However, it is a false idea. There is one way for stability:
to respect the rights of all peoples of the region”, Atanessyan said.

FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS BREAK FREE
Richard Beeston, London

The Times
25may06

ONE of the last vestiges of the Soviet Union appeared to be crumbling
yesterday, when four former republics signalled they would be pulling
out of the organisation established to keep the Kremlin connected
with its lost empire.

At a meeting in Kiev, the leaders of the pro-Western states of
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine pledged to form their own
association to promote democratic values.

They also hinted they would leave the Commonwealth of Independent
States, which was created 15 years ago as a group representing most
of the former Soviet republics.

While the CIS never fulfilled any great economic or political function,
its very existence was supposed to reflect Moscow’s continued influence
from Eastern Europe to the Caucasus and on to Central Asia.

But ties between the Kremlin and some of its former client states
have deteriorated with a wave of democratic movements that swept
pro-Western leaders into power in Georgia and Ukraine and encouraged
anti-Russian sentiment in Azerbaijan and Moldova.

The new group, to be called the Organisation for Democracy and Economic
Development, will be based in Kiev.

It will rival the CIS, which is based in Minsk, the capital of
Belarus, where it is headed by Vladimir Rushailo, a tough former
Russian interior minister.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said: “Our citizens are giving
us a mandate to develop strong, democratic and successful states.”

The move is seen as a huge snub to Moscow, which has not been invited
to join.

It faces the prospect of being left in a CIS of eight states including
Belarus, regarded as the last dictatorship in Europe; Armenia; and
the Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan.

The splits within the CIS ranks have been growing in recent months.

Moscow, which backed Mr Yushchenko’s opponent in the Ukrainian
elections, clashed with Ukraine this year when it suspended gas sales,
causing an energy crisis across Europe in the middle of winter.

The Kremlin has also argued openly with Tbilisi over Russian support
for two breakaway regions in Georgia and its reluctant withdrawal of
troops from the country.

Moscow’s recent decision to ban the import of Georgian and Moldovan
wine, on the spurious ground that they contain pesticides, has further
strained ties.

Azerbaijan has provoked the ire of Moscow by developing close ties
with the US and building an oil pipeline to pump crude from the
Caspian Sea to Turkey, bypassing traditional Russian control over
energy supply routes.

Moldova signalled yesterday that it might be the first country to
quit the CIS.

President Vladimir Voronin said the issue would soon be debated in
parliament, where the move was likely to be approved.

Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said his country was also
debating the value of remaining in the CIS, and that the question of
withdrawal would come up before parliament in a few months.

“Many in Georgia have been very critical of the CIS, of its
performance, of its efficiency, and we, as a government, are
accountable to the people’s concerns,” he told Britain’s The Times
during a visit to London.

He said Georgia had attempted to make the CIS more efficient and
capable of dealing with important bilateral disputes, such as the
Russian wine ban, but that the CIS was incapable of addressing
real issues.

“What is the sense in having an organisation that fails to discuss
basic issues that affect the countries concerned?” Mr Nogaideli said.

“It seems to me that Russia itself is not interested in the CIS,
in reality. They want to keep it as an organisation, but they don’t
want it to be an effective and functional organisation.

“Russia only keeps it for prestige.”