Author: Ekmekjian Janet

War in Lebanon: Hot Line Opened

PanARMENIAN.Net
18.07.2006 18:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At a conference at the Armenian Government today the
question of assisting evacuation of Armenian citizens and Armenians
from Lebanon was discussed. In the words of Armenian PM Andranik
Margaryan, the situation in the region is very serious. Many Armenians
live there, including Armenian citizens, and state support is necessary
in that situation. Armenian Deputy FM Gegham Gharibjanyan briefed the
participants of the session with latest developments in the region,
emphasizing that twenty-four-hour duty at Armenian Embassies in Lebanon
and Syria, as well as Consulate General in Aleppo has been organized
since Monday. Two diplomats are additionally sent there to deal with
evacuation of Armenian citizens and other issues. He also reported
that 160 Armenian citizens have already arrived in Yerevan through
Syria, while the 120-thousand Armenian community of Lebanon involves
1200 Armenian citizens: the numbers need to be checked. Gharibjanyan
also noted that residence permit for 3 months will be provided free
of charge to all those wishing to move to Armenia. There are many
people on the Syrian border, thus Armenian MFA officers are charged
to solve all problems operatively. In his turn Chief of the General
Board of the Civil Aviation of Armenia Artem Movsisyan provided the
table of flights to Syria, which can be increased if necessary. He
said that as Yerevan-Beirut flight is not available, the number of
air flights to Syria can be increased.

Besides, according to Gharibjanyan, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (GMT+4) a hot
line is available: (37410) 58-60-17. The Armenian PM ordered to make an
agreement with Armavia Air Company to organize flights to Syria, which
will be partially funded by the Armenian Government if necessary. An
instruction is given to provide medical and psychological assistance to
those arriving, reports the Press Service of the Armenian Government.

Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Peru signed Protocol of Cooperation

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 18 2006

Sharg 18/07/2006 21:41

Yesterday the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Peru
signed Protocol of Cooperation. The document was signed by Azeri
foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Umberto Umeres, Peruvian
ambassador to Azerbaijan.

The minister expressed his country’s interest to collaborate with the
countries of Latin America, including Peru. The parties exchanged
opinions about ways of widening cooperation within United Nations,
reforms within this international organization and its efficiency
growth. Touching Nagorno Garabagh conflict theme Mammadyarov called
Peru’s position as a UN Security Council member on the matter very
important.

Umeres, in his turn, stressed his country’s support of territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, solution of this issue on the basis of norms
and principles of international law.

The parties sides also debated issues of bilateral cooperation in
the area of politics, economy, science and education.

Consul denies rumours about Russian naval bases in Montenegro

Vijesti, Podgorica
14 Jul 06

Text of report by N.V Vaniev entitled "We are not interested in that"

Russia is absolutely not interested in opening a military base in
Montenegro. Our relations are friendly and we are working on good
neighbourly cooperation, development of trade, tourism and we have
absolutely no military goals in the area of Montenegro, Russian
Federation consul in Podgorica Vladimir Vaniev told Vijesti recently.

Earlier, unofficial sources in the government told Vijesti that no
country had suggested building a military base in the coastal area.

Not a word can be said about Russian military bases in Montenegro. We
have bases in former Soviet republics, along the borders of Russia,
but we are abandoning them slowly, like in Georgia. In Armenia they
are interested in having our troops remain. It is not only a defence
issue, it also concerns employment, Vaniev explained.

Rescuer 2006 Exercise Opens in Armenia

ArmRadio.am
15.07.2006 13:40

On July 14, the United States and Armenia opened Rescuer 2006 in
Armenia. Rescuer 2006 is an annual exercise sponsored by the US
European Command and conducted in the spirit of NATO’s Partnership
for Peace program. This multinational computer-assisted command post
exercise will be co-directed by military officers from the Armenian
Ministry of Defense and the Kansas National Guard.

This year’s exercise will focus on the capability to lead
a multinational task force. The primary objective is to train
commanders and staff in the conduct of multinational consequence
management, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance
operations. Furthermore, the exercise will assist in the development
of a common understanding of coalition staff planning procedures.
The exercise’s 300 participants come from the United States, Armenia,
Albania, Austria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Romania,
Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

At the ceremony marking the opening of the exercise, US Ambassador
John Evans thanked the exercise participants and noted the importance
of international cooperation in the field of disaster response and
humanitarian assistance. Ambassador Evans stated that NATO-Armenian
cooperation was continuing to strengthen and deepen, and expressed
the hope that Armenia and NATO’s Partnership for Peace program would
continue such valuable collaboration in the future.

Armenia condemns any expression of violence in the Near East

ArmRadio.am
14.07.2006 17:50

RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan declared that Armenia condemns
any expression of violence in the Near East. "Both taking hostages
and appliance of force is unacceptable for Armenia since it causes
human victims and destruction of infrastructures. Our position is
unchangeable: the parties should stop themilitary actions and start
negotiating," Vardan Oskanyan said.

HAROUTIUNIAN BELIEVES POLITICAL FORCES OF ARMENIA ACT
WISELY AFTER PUBLICATION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH
SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES

AZG Daily #130, 07/13/2006

OPINION

The publication of Nagorno Karabakh settlement elements by Bryza,
OSCE MG Co-Chair, was an attempt to exert pressure on presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan for fast settlement of the conflict. Khosrov
Haroutiunian, leader of "Christian-Democratic Union," said this at
July 11 press conference.

He said the OSCE MG first of all tried to exert pressure on Armenia,
taking into account the coming elections. Haroutiunian added that the
co-chairs should press Baku, as the very Azerbaijan doesn’t agree with
their suggestions. He expressed confidence that the co-chairs will not
leave the negotiations, as the new military actions are neither in the
interests of the international community nor in the interests of the
sides in conflict. He added that Bryza merely aimed to represent the
negotiation points to the peoples of the sides in conflict, first
of all to NKR people. He emphasized that the political forces of
Armenia acted quite wisely after the publication of the settlement
elements. At the same time, he added that quite a new situation is
shaped in the negotiation process that requires activation of the
parliament’s role in that process.

He added that the negotiation format will not be changed, stating
that in case the format is changed, Baku will have to negotiate with
NKR. Besides, the said that the current negotiation process will
hardly have any considerable impact on home political processes of
Armenia. He added that at present both Armenia and NKR stated they
are ready to consider the suggestions of the OSCE MG Co-Chairs as
grounds for continuation of the negotiations, but these suggestions
turned out to be unacceptable for Azerbaijan.

YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER 25 CONSTITUTE 20% OF ARMENIA’S POPULATION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 11 2006

YEREVAN, July 11. /ARKA/. Young people under 25 constitute over 20% of
Armenia’s population, UN Resident Representative to Armenia Consuello
Vidal stated on the occasion of International Day of Population.

She reported that 30% of young people in Armenia are unemployed, which
arouses concern. In this context, Vidal pointed out the importance
of supporting Armenian young people.

According to her, this is a present-day requirement.

On April 1, 2006, Armenia had a resident population of 3,218.9ths
people.

At the end of May 2006, a total of 114.7ths job-seekers were registered
by the State Employment Service, 104,200 of them (90.85%) being
unemployed. The unemployment status was granted to 90.4ths people –
78.81% of the unemployed population. P.T. -0–

Relations between our countries are warm and friendly, Foreign Ministers of
Armenia and Lebanon state

ArmRadio.am
11.07.2006 18:04

Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Fawzi Salloukh
is paying an official visit to Armenia. During the three-day visit
he will have meetings with RA President Robert Kocharyan, NA Speaker
Tigran Torosyan and Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The Minister
will be received also by the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
II. After the meeting on July 11 the Foreign Ministers of Armenia
and Lebanon Vardan Oskanyan and Fawzi Salloukh gave a joint press
conference. The journalists’ questions referred to Armenian-Lebanese
bilateral relations, as well as to regional issues, including the
Karabakh conflict.

"Armenia and Lebanon have exceptionally good relations today. After Mr.
Harriry’s death the pace of economic processes and dialogue somewhat
slowed down due to various reasons.

This is Minister Salloukh’s first visit to Armenia, and we hope
this visit will help arrange the meeting of the Intergovernmental
Commission as soon as possible. The Armenian-Lebanese agenda is rather
deep and all-embracing.

Friendly relations exist between the two countries, and the existence
of the Armenian community is an important factor in interstate
relations, in the development of Yerevan-Beirut ties. There is an
extensive field for the further development of relations between the
two countries," Minister Oskanyan remarked in his opening speech.

RA Foreign Minister noted that he had an interesting conversation
with Mr.

Salloukh on a number of questions.

"The Minister informed me about the processes under way in Lebanon. We
spoke also the events in Iraq. The Minister presented the [position of
Lebanon. I presented in detail the Karabakh issue, the content of the
talks, the latest developments, as well as other regional questions,
particularly focusing on Armenia’s relations with neighbouring
countries, considering also Armenian President’s last visit to Iran. It
was a rather productive dialogue, I’m content with the meeting an I’m
sure this visit will become a new impetus for the further development
of Armenian-Lebanese relations," Minister Oskanyan underlined.

The Foreign Minister of Lebanon noted that he has a very constructive
talk with his Armenian counterpart.

"Our countries have very warm and close relations. During today’s
meeting we discussed the ways of deepening and reinforcing these
relations. These ties have an emotional side also. Lebanon is home
to a large Armenian community.

We are proud of them and appreciate their efforts and contribution
to the prosperity of Lebanon. We are proud of the Armenian community
also because during the disastrous war of 1975-1990 they did much
for the reconstruction of Lebanon. We are very proud of the role the
Armenian community played during the war," Fawzi Salloukh said.

"We discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest:
Iraq, nuclear programs of Iran, Nagorno-Karabakh – Azerbaijan conflict
and many others. Armenia and Lebanon are active members of the
international community, and our views are similar in regard to the
establishment of peace and security in the region and the world. We
have a future of warm and friendly relations with Armenia. I invite
Minister Oskanyan to Lebanon to participate in the sitting of the
joint Armenian-Lebanese Commission," the Lebanese Minister of Foreign
affairs and Emigrants added.

Turning to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue, Fawzi
Salloukh noted, "We do not see the Karabakh conflict as a religious
one. This is a conflict for land, and we are ready to apply efforts
and assist those who are trying to resolve the issue peacefully. We
are confident that wars proceed from the interests of the conflicting
sides, diplomacy and peace talks are proper way. We hope for a peaceful
end, which will satisfy both sides."

AZG Armenian Daily #128, 11/07/2006

Cooperation

ARMENIAN AND GEORGIAN PRIME MINISTERS DISCUSS ISSUES OF BILATERAL
COOPERATION

Armenian and Georgian Prime Ministers discussed various issues of
economic cooperation. RA PM Andranik Margarian told the journalists
after the meeting with Zourab Nogaideli, recently.

The press service of RA Government informed that Mr.

Margarian said they discussed the construction of the third high
voltage electricity line and signed the relevant agreement. Besides,
they discussed the communication issues, particularly the opening
of the Abkhaz railroad. RA PM added that the issue will have final
solution only after the consent of the Russian side. He added that they
also agreed about shaping a joint working group that would evaluate
the profits of restoring Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway communication.

As for the decision of the Georgian authorities to restore the
infrastructures of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Margarian said that that would
be good to involve the local residents in the implementation of the
above-mentioned works. He added that the Armenian authorities are
ready to assist the restoration of the Javakheti infrastructures. He
informed that in the given stage Armenia will help restore a number
of educational institutions in Javakheti, while the further assistance
will be discussed later.

RA PM informed that they discussed the necessity to open the
Armenian-Georgian University in Tbilisi. He added that RA Education
Minister will visit Tbilisi in end July in connection with this
issue. The sides also touched upon the issue of tourism, stating that
the number of Armenian tourists visiting Georgia grows year after year.

DELEGATION LED BY YEREVAN MAYOR TO VISIT NAGORNO-KARABAKH ON JULY 7

Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 7 2006

STEPANAKERT, July 7. /ARKA/. Armenian delegation led by the Yerevan
Mayor Yervand Zakharyan is going to visit Nagorno-Karabakh on July 7.

The delegation consists of representatives of "Shushi" fund and a
group of entrepreneurs, the NKR Government press service reports.

During a meeting with the NKR officials members of the delegation
intend to discuss issues connected with reconstruction of Shushi city.

The plan to meet with the NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan. S.P. -0–