Author: Kalashian Nyrie

THEY DO NOT WANT TO ISOLATE ARMENIA
Karine Asatryan

A1+
[06:27 pm] 26 January, 2009

At the opening of its winter session in Strasbourg, the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reelected Luís Maria de Puig
(Spain, SOC) as its new President, according to the PACE Communication
Unit.

Nineteen out of 20 of the PACE vice presidents were also
elected. The head of the Azerbaijani Parliament Delegation, David
Harutyunyan, the head of the Armenian delegation to PACE was elected
Vice-President. According to the charter, PACE deputy chairmen can
be elected twice for a one-year term.

Note that the Monitoring Committee is scheduled to consider Armenia’s
implementation of Assembly’s Resolutions 1609 and 1620 at 2:00 (local
time). In his addressing speech Mr. Puig voiced hope that "Armenia
will successfully pass the exam." He noted that the PACE steps aim
to integrate Armenia into the system of values Armenia has chosen on
the way to CoE membership, rather than to isolate the country.

Before the beginning of the session, Luís Maria de Puig hoped
Armenia’s voting right would be suspended. Besides, he noted that
during the recent visit of PACE co-rapporteurs Prescott and Colombier
to Armenia an agreement was reached on establishing a new working
group to investigate the issue of "political prisoners."

–Boundary_(ID_kVAF7bEIoz5rDYDmY HIvIg)–

PACE PRESIDENT DOES NOT THINK THAT ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO BE DEPRIVED OF VOTING RIGHTS

Noyan Tapan

Jan 26, 2009

GENEVA, JANUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The President of the PACE Luis Maria
de Puig does not think the the Armenian delegation will be deprived of
voting rights. He stated this on the opening day of the PACE session
on January 26.

Assuming that following the latest visit of the PACE Monitoring
Committee’s co-rapporteurs to Armenia, the country’s authorities have
had some discussions on making legislative and other amendments,
Luis Maria de Puig expressed a hope that these amendments will be
gradually implemented by April.

Radio Liberty reported that in all likelihood the matter concerns
formation of a working group at the RA National Assembly. The working
group will discuss the issue of developing a draft law on making
additions and amendments to the RA Criminal Code’s Articles 225 and
300 (under which the political prisoners were charged).

Londra Gazete, UK
London Turkish Gazette
Jan 22 2009

Register to attend conference on Turkish Armenian relations

THE FEDERATION of Turkish Associations is to host a conference on
Turkish-Armenian Relations and Terrorism next Friday (30 January) at
the LSE in London.

Guest speakers include Professor Jeremy Salt and Sukru Server Aya.

The Federation say the conference has been organised `in the memory of
34 Turkish diplomats and other victims who were murdered by various
Armenian terrorist groups, while serving abroad between 1973 and 1994
and whose only crime was being born ‘Turkish’. Most of the
perpetrators have never been brought to justice, of the few that were,
only some were imprisoned and given very light sentences.’

The conference will get underway at 6 pm for 6.45pm

at the New Theatre, E171 East Building, LSE, Houghton Street

London WC2A 2AE.

Attendance is free but pre-registration is essential. Register by
Wednesday 28th January at [email protected]

or telephone 07788 908 803.

haberID=2953

VAHAGN KHACHATRIAN: THERE ARE GROUNDS TO DEPRIVE ARMENIAN DELEGATION IN PACE OF VOTE

Noyan Tapan

Jan 22, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. European structures also have
their share of guilt for the March 1 tragic events, who classed
all state rigged elections of the past ten years as "corresponding
to international standards." Vahagn Khachatrian, a member of the
Alternative public-political initiative and the Armenian National
Congress (ANC), expressed such an opinion at the January 22 press
conference. According to him, only ten months later Council of Europe
admitted that those imprisoned on the March 1 case are political
prisoners.

According to V. Khachatrian’s observation, since joining Council
of Europe Armenia has not been properly fulfilling its commitments
towards that structure, and there are grounds to deprive the Armenian
delegation of the vote in PACE. "I consider that Armenia should be
punished, RA should be deprived of the vote, as the term given for
the authorities to improve the situation has expired," he said.

On the other hand, as V. Khachatrian added, if the above mentioned
sanction is used it is possible that Armenia’s authorities strengthen
violence to the opposition, prohibit holding of any gatherings, arrest
a greater number of activists. Depriving of the vote, according to
V. Khachatrian, will also weaken Armenia’s positions in the Nagorno
Karabakh negotiations process.

Answering the question of whether Council of Europe uses double
standards to Armenia and does not make the same demands to Azerbaijan,
the Alternative’s representative said: "The Aliyev-Saakashvili-Serzh
Sargsyan regimes indeed are like each other, but we have surpassed
the limit: there were ten victims on March 1."

TURKEY AND ARMENIA NEARING NORMALITY

Hurriyet
Jan 23 2009
Turkey

YEREVAN – Armenia said on Wednesday it was very close to normalising
relations with neighbouring Turkey after a century of hostility,
Reuters reported.

The comments by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian followed
similarly optimistic remarks by his Turkish counterpart last week. The
two countries have no diplomatic ties and in 1993 Ankara closed their
land border in a show of solidarity with ally Azerbaijan over the
conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Relations have been haunted by the 1915 incidents, which ex-Soviet
Armenia says amounted to "genocide". Ankara denies there was genocide.

But there has been a flurry of diplomacy in recent months, including
a visit by Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan in September to
attend a football match between the two countries.

"We are very close to normalising Armenian-Turkish relations,"
Nalbandian told a news conference, Reuters reported. "We can take the
next step and resolve the issue if Turkey, like Armenia, approaches
it without preconditions and opens the border," he said. "After
the border opens, we are ready to form a commission in which we can
discuss issues relevant to both countries."

Since its war with Russia last year raised questions about Georgia’s
role as a safe transit route for oil and gas exports from the Caspian
Sea, Armenia is being eyed as a potential alternative. Better ties
between the neighbours would also boost Ankara’s European Union
membership bid.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in a television interview
last Friday normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey and
Armenia and Azerbaijan was no longer "a dream." "I can easily say we
have never come this close to a plan regarding the final normalisation
of relations with Armenia," he said.

ARMROSGASPROM CEO POINTS OUT ARMENIA’S PROGRESS IN ENERGY SECURITY

ARKA
Jan 20, 2009

YEREVAN, January 20. /ARKA/. Armenia has made essential progress
in its energy security, Karen Karapetyan, Chief Executive Officer,
ArmRosgasprom Company, stated at an international gas conference
in Moscow.

Speaking of uninterrupted gas supply and Armenia’s energy security,
Karapetyan pointed out a number of acute problems, the ArmRosgasprom
press service reports.

"However, I can say that the gas supply has regularly been interrupted
in the country in wintertime over the last five years, which has not
affected the users at all," Karapetyan said.

According to him, the Armenian gas users would not have even felt
the January gas-supply interruptions but for the mass media.

"The real state of affairs is that Armenia has a much higher energy
security level than many of the European states with the imports of
energy resources seeming to be more diversified there than in Armenia,"
Karapetyan said.

He said that the conference asked suggestive questions, and the way
Armenia has chosen to resolve the energy security problems is an
effective one.

"This is another testimony that we are following the right way,
taking timely measures," Karapetyan said.

The Moscow gas conference demonstrated the necessity for revising
both the current mechanisms of power supply and energy security and
the relevant laws.

0A The ArmRosgasprom holds a monopoly of distribution of the Russian
natural gas in Armenia.

The company was founded in 1997. The Gazprom OJSC and the RA Ministry
of Energy hold 45% of the company’s stock each, with 10% held by the
Itera Company. Under two of the three phases of the investment stage,
after Gazprom purchased additional shares of the ArmRosgasprom CJSC,
in 2006 and 2008, its share in ArmRosgasprom’s authorized capital
reached 75.55%.

The RA Government’s share is 20%, and that of Itera 4.44.

IN OPINION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST VARDAN HAROUTIUNIAN, SANCTIONS WILL BE USED NOT TO COUNTRY BUT TO AUTHORITIES

Noyan Tapan

Jan 19, 2009

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. According to human rights activist
Vardan Haroutiunian, the Chairman of the Committee for Protection
of Political Prisoners and Persecuted People, the Armenian society
expects a right and fair position from the Council of Europe. In his
interview to Noyan Tapan correspondent he expressed confidence that
as a result of the latest visit of PACE Co-rapporteurs on Armenia
John Prescott and George Colombier Council of Europe will give an
adequate estimation to Armenia’s home political situation.

Touching upon RPA Board member Rafik Petrosian’s statement voiced
some days ago that the opposition treats the prospect of country’s
being deprived of the vote with calf’s rejoicing, V. Haroutiunian
said that sanctions will be used not to the country but to the
authorities. According to him, "being deprived of the vote in their own
country, now they will not have the vote in Europe, either." He added
that there are all bases for suspending Armenian delegation’s vote.

V. Haroutiunian confirmed the rumors in media, according to which
people imprisoned on the March 1 case are asked, made and are offered
money for writing appeals of mercy to the President. However, such
a conduct of the authorities, according to V. Haroutiunian, is
like the efforts of a drowning man clinging to foams. He stressed
that the prevailing majority of the imprisoned people refused to
introduce an appeal of mercy. "Even if 15-20 people are released,
all the same Armenia’s prisons are filled with political prisoners,"
the Committee Chairman said.

HUNDREDS COMMEMORATE SLAIN TURKISH-ARMENIAN JOURNALIST

Hurriyet
Jan 19 2009
Turkey

Hundreds of people commemorated Monday slain Turkish-Armenian
journalist, Hrant Dink, in Istanbul on the second anniversary of
his murder.

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the weekly multilingual
newspaper Agos in the central Sisli district, where Dink was killed.

Dink, editor in chief of Agos newspaper, was shot dead outside the
offices of the paper in Istanbul in January 2007.

Hundreds of people, including relatives and colleagues, held a
graveside remembrance ceremony on Sunday in Istanbul.

White pigeons were released in a commemoration attended by a group
of around 100 people in the central Anatolian province of Eskisehir
on Saturday.

AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS MAY MEET IN LATE JANUARY: OSCE MG RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR

Trend News Agency
Jan 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 19 /Trend News, E.Tariverdiyeva/ As a result
of their meeting with Azerbaijani President, the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs received an initial consent to meet with his Armenian
counterpart beyond the Davos forum.

"The most likely date of the meeting between the Presidents is the
midday of Jan. 28," OSCE MG Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov said to
journalists on Jan. 19.

"When in Yerevan, we expect to receive a relevant consent from the
Armenian side," he said.

According to the Russian diplomat, the basic principles are still
of current importance. "If the meeting takes place, some principles
will be further specified," he said, adding that some wordings may
be changed.

On Jan. 19, the OSCE MG co-chairs met in Baku with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to
discuss the ways to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

Ekspress, Azerbaijan
Jan 12 2009

We have nothing to say to Moscow

Experts: The Kremlin can arm its outpost but official Baku has also to
express its position

Reports about Russia continuing to deliver weapons to Armenia have
topped the agenda. As was reported, Media forum news agency has
obtained the list of 69 types of weapons, ammunition, hardware and
equipment handed over to the Armenian Defence Ministry by Russian
Gyumri-based military unit No 102.

The document on the delivery of weapons has been signed by the chief
of military base No 102 for armament, the deputy chief for armament of
the Northern Caucasus Military District, Lt-Gen Vyacheslav
Golovchenko, in 2008. The overall cost of the weapons, according to
estimations of experts, is about 800m dollars.

The spokesman for the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, Lt-Col Eldar
Sabiroglu, has said that the report needs to be verified in
earnest. The experts assess the arming of Armenia, the occupier of the
Azerbaijani lands, by Russia – a member of the OSCE Minsk Group – as
indicative of our northern neighbour’s policy in the region.

Expert opinions vary

"Russia wants to silence Armenia by conveying a message to allay its
fears that it is lagging behind Azerbaijan – do not take a step
back. The conflict is only being kept frozen in order for Russia to
retain the region under control. Therefore, I think this case [arms
delivery] is in line with the Russian policy. Types of weapons and
amount are not significant," political expert Zardust Alizada told
Ekspress in a comment on the delivery of the Russian weapons to
Armenia.

In the expert’s view, under the current realities, the sale of Russian
weapons to Armenia is not of great significance for Azerbaijan.
Because the Azerbaijani government has no plans to go to war: "The
people are also indifferent to whether or not Karabakh is under
occupation. If only to make a living." In his opinion, Russia truly
wants stability in the Caucasus; however, this stability is
"peculiar". The stability Russia wants is that "Armenia has occupied
Azerbaijani lands. Azerbaijan is enduring this occupation stably and
does not want to undermine it. Through this conflict, Moscow keeps
both Azerbaijan and Armenia under control."

Former Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia Hikmat Hacizada says that
under the current conditions Azerbaijan has to seek partners and move
towards NATO. However, the North Atlantic alliance still does not let
the South Caucasus closer to itself. As for whether or not a military
agreement will be signed with Turkey, the political expert thinks that
this will not happen: "Turkey alone is not able to help us. This can
be done jointly with the West."

Political expert Vafa Quluzada views arming of Armenia by Russia as an
ordinary case: "It is obvious that Armenia is the outpost of
Russia. All this is obvious and outright. Russia is Armenia’s military
ally and can sell as many weapons as it wants. Azerbaijan also
purchases weapons from Russia, what can we say to Moscow?! We cannot
say anything."

In a comment on the issue to Media forum news agency, the political
expert said that our official circles have to come up with an official
opinion.

Political expert Ilham Ismayil has said that the list of weapons
delivered to Armenia shows that they are not new: "Obviously, Russia
is replacing weapons in military base No 102 with new ones and beefs
up both its positions and Armenia’s by handing old ones to its
ally. It strengthens itself in the anticipation of the possibility of
NATO stationing bases in Georgia in future and supports Armenia as its
outpost." (Media Forum)

Defence Ministry considering report

At the same time, the expert says that although the weapons are not
new, it is possible that they are in good conditions and fit for war
against Azerbaijan and the matter has to be viewed in the context of
interstate relations: "We are pondering over the issue, Defence
Ministry spokesperson Eldar Sabiroglu said in a comment."

These are indefinite thoughts, it is impossible to go far with this. I
consider that this issue should be paid a special attention in
interstate relations. Azerbaijan has to investigate the matter at the
level of the president, deliver its response to Russia and take
necessary measures. The issue should be dealt with separately in the
context of Russia taking the initiative in the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. Taking the initiative in the mediation is not at all a
manifestation of Russia’s affection for Azerbaijan but proceeds from
its interests in the South Caucasus. At first glance, it seems that
Russia is a close friend of Azerbaijan. However, even under the USSR,
Russia always preferred Armenia to Azerbaijan. Although the regime has
changed in Russia, its interests have not.

Conflict studies expert Elxan Mehdiyev believes that the demand to
purchase weapons from Russia came from Armenia: "Moscow has always
tried to keep the balance tilted in favour of Armenia. Azerbaijani
officials have always declared that our military budget is equal to
the state budget of Armenia and the process of building the army is
speeding up by the day. Given the situation, Russia helps its
ally. For example, Azerbaijan procures weapons from Russia at world
prices but Armenia does so at domestic prices. Sometimes, weapons are
handed over to Armenia free."

In a comment for Media forum news agency, the chairman of the board of
the Musavat Party, Sulhaddin Akbar, recalled that Russia and Armenia
are military allies under the agreement signed in 1997. "Second, in
the South Caucasus, Russia only has a military base in Armenia. Both
Russia and Armenia are members of the Collective Security Treaty
Organization. Moreover, both states are members of the joint air
defence system. The sides have signed contracts on purchase of
military hardware, as well as agreements in the military and economic
spheres."

Akbar said that from this point of view, the fact of delivering
weapons to Armenia should not be surprising. On the contrary, we
should be surprised at the fact that knowing this, official Baku
inclines towards closer relations with Russia instead of changing the
balance in its favour in the region, the existing status between the
two warring states as well as tipping the balance in own favour.

"After Russia’s so-called success in Georgia, it wants to further
strengthen its positions in the South Caucasus. By beefing up
Armenia’s capacity militarily and strategically, Russia aims to
strengthen its positions in the region. Azerbaijan has to think
seriously that Russia, a military ally of the invading Armenia, cannot
be an impartial and fair mediator. At the same time Russia, which arms
Azerbaijan’s enemy and is behind it, cannot be Azerbaijan’s friend."

[translated from Azeri]