Author: Kanayan Tamar

OSCE MG DOES NOT OBJECT AGAINST KARABAKH PARTICIPATION IN TALKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.03.2006 20:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The issue of participation of Nagorno Karabakh in the
talks over settlement of the Karabakh conflict is in the competence
of the parties to conflict themselves, OSCE MG US Co-Chair Steven
Mann stated during a video conference, organized by the US Embassy in
Armenia March 29. In his words, the matter should be considered from
another point of view: will NK participation in the talks provide for
progress or not. “The approach of the OSCE MG co-chairs is as follows:
if the parties are for involving NK in the talks, we will support this
option,” Mann said. At that the US diplomat remarked he is not aware of
NK President Arkady Ghukasyan’s statement, in which the Karabakh leader
stated there is a sole opportunity for NK to join the talks, i.e.
Armenia has to give up talks with Azerbaijan.

“However, I do not think anyone is interested in failure of the talks,
as the 2006 is a promising year for solving the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. I do not want the parties to miss this opportunity,” the
US diplomat said.

Besides, Mann said, “the Kosovo model cannot be a precedent for other
conflict regions.” In his words, each conflict is individual in its
own way, “has its roots and history and we should respect it.” “If we
try to equate the NK conflict to another one, we will thus attain no
good,” Mr. Mann said, adding the parties “have undoubtedly registered
certain progress” in the NK settlement. “Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan deserve respect for their latest steps,” the mediator
remarked, reports IA Regnum.

WORLD BANK TO ALLOCATE 8 MLN USD FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Late March 29 the World Bank Board
of Directors is expected to approve a 8 mln-dollar program aimed
at the development of renewable energy in Armenia. NT correspondent
was indformed at the World Bank Yerevan Office that 5 mln USD will be
provided as a credit, while the remaining sum – as a grant. It was also
noted that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
envisages to provide 7 mln dollars, and the Cafesjian Foundation –
3 mln dollars for the purpose of developing Armenia’s renewable energy.

SIX ARMENIANS ELECTED TO CITY PARLIAMENT OF KISLOVODSK

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006

KISLOVODSK, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. At the invitation
of the new administration of the city of Kislovodsk, of the Stavropol
region, Ararat Gomtsian, the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia
to the Southern Federal Region of the Russian Federation participated
on March 24 in the solemn ceremony of Kislovodsk Mayor Biryukov’s
undertaking the post, elections of who took place on March 12,
2006. According to the “Yerkramas” (country) newspaper of Armenians
of Russia, congratulating the new city head in the solemn situation,
Ararat Gomtsian wished prosperity to the world-known city-health resort
as well as development of friendly relations between Kislovodsk and
Armenia, particularly, with the city sworn brother of Kislovodsk –
Vanadzor. The Consul General of Armenia also congratulated the newly
elected deputies of the city parliament, among who there are six
citizens of Kislovodsk of the Armenian origin. He wished for the
people’s elects devotes their experience and knowledge to prosperity
of the health resort and improving citizens’ well-being.

MERCENARIES THRIVE WHERE LAW AND ORDER HAVE DEGENERATED
By Gordon Opiyo

The Standard, Kenya
March 26 2006

With the shocking allegations of Government protection of suspected
mercenaries, the big question is: What dealings does the State have
with such characters?

The Armenian Government has denied any link with either Artur Sargsyan
or Artur Margaryan. The two had earlier claimed that they are related
to the Armenian leader.

But the biggest worry is that the region the two come from is known
in international circles for producing specialised private military
consultants, better known as mercenaries.

During the Eritrea-Ethiopia war in the late 1990s there were
allegations that a former Russian Army colonel, who had been hired as
a mercenary, was ejected from an Ethiopian SU-27 fighter jet. Russia
disputed the claim.

During the Balkan war, Slobodan Milosevic is alleged to have used
mercenaries from former Soviet Union republics kontraktniki (contract
soldiers) to perform several atrocities. The kontraktniki issue came
up during the hearing at the International War Crimes Tribunal in
The Hague before the sudden death of Milosevic, two week ago.

The tribunal heard that in May 1995, a group of kontraktniki arrived in
the Gacko-Avtovac region in Serbia, at the invitation of the command
of the Herzegovina Corps, which intended to organise an international
brigade. The members of this ‘brigade’ (which actually numbered around
150 troops) wore one-piece, overall type black Russian uniforms with
black berets or flight caps. Most of their members were officers above
the rank of captain from the special units of the Russian Ministry
of Defence, who had deserted the Russian military.

The kontraktniki also featured during the war in Afghanistan, and a
number of them were involved in the transportation of cocaine.

In Africa, the use of specialised mercenaries is common in areas that
have a breakdown in law and order, yet has massive resources.

It is of great interest that the Artur brothers claimed to have great
interest in diamond business in the Congo – a rich country alien to
law and order.

Jeremy Harding, an editor with the London Review of Books, investigated
the role of mercenaries in the diamond and gold business in Africa
over a decade ago and came up with shocking revelations.

He discovered that many multinational corporations in gold and diamond
producing areas invested in private armies. The biggest private army
defending corporations in Africa was called Executive Outcomes. Many
of their recruits were former members of the 32nd Battalion of the
South African Army, the so-called Buffalo Battalion.

Executive Outcomes transformed itself into a big corporation doing
business with many African countries. They had a CEO Nick van der Burgh
who always defended their actions. Burgh always insisted that EO, as
they are known, only worked with legitimate governments to provide
specialised security and intelligence services. EO was involved in
protecting a number of diamond mines in Sierra Leone and Congo.

In August 1998 EO’s intelligence officer Rico Visser told South
African journalists that the Congolese President Laurent Kabila had
hired them to defend the strategic Inga Dam, south west of Kinshasa,
the capital city of Congo. Electricity from the dam not only powers
Kinshasa but is also key to the mining region of Shaba (Katanga)
in the south of the country.

Mercenaries have been doing booming business in war-torn
southern Sudan. There were claims three years ago that hundreds of
professional soldiers for hire were working for Arakis, a Canadian
oil company. Arakis had signed a billion dollar agreement to exploit
the Al-Muglad Rift Basin on the seam line between Sudan’s Arab north
and the black African south. Due to the security concerns, the company
was forced to hire professional soldiers to protect its investment.

The instability of post-war Iraq has also turned private military
services into a booming cottage industry. Private military companies
have found a lucrative market in post-war Afghanistan.

Now with the saga surrounding the alleged Armenian mercenaries
getting more complex – with one of them literally scoffing at Kenyan
authorities – it is difficult to get the exact connection of their
presence and whether they are mercenaries or business people as
they claim.

Kenya has one of the most disciplined and respected military force in
Africa. Before the raid on the Standard Group premises, the police
force was known for its discipline. The defiance that the CID boss
has shown the Police Commissioner has tainted the image of the force.

LDP leaders, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka have claimed that
mercenaries were brought in to assassinate key political leaders.

The Government spokesman, Alfred Mutua has denied the claims saying
that the matter is still being investigated.

But Internal Security minister John Michuki still has a lot of
explaining to do, given that the hand of the Government is evident
in the protection and confidence of the Artur brothers.

If the minister could order an illegal raid on the Standard Group in
the name of state security, why is it so difficult for him to explain
the defiant presence of dubious foreigners openly breaking the law
he is supposed to safeguard?

LIBRARY OF “MKHITAR SEBASTATSI” EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX TO BE AFTER
POLITICIAN TIGRAN HAYRAPETIAN

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The centralized library of the Yerevan
“Mkhitar Sebastatsi” educational complex is reconstructed, the solemn
ceremony of its opening will take place on March 28. The library will
from now on be called after prematurely deceased politician Tigran
Hayrapetian. The library serves about 2500 pupils and employees of the
educational complex as well as a number of schools and the
inhabitation of the Malatia-Sebastia community. As it is mentioned in
the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the information service of
the educational complex, educational institutions implementing
pre-school, comprehensive, vocational (pre-professional), middle
specialized out-school educational programs function in the structure
of the “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” educational complex. The educational
complex implements “Preparatory Education at Comprehensive School,”
“Distance School of Young Observer and Creator,” “Inclusive Education”
and other republican programs.

HAMLET GASPARIAN: NEWS SPREAD BY AZERBAIJANI MEDIA ABOUT ARMENIAN OFFICERS COMPLETE ASPERATION

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 20 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Only the Armenian
officers’ names are true from the news spread by Azerbaijani media
concerning officers of the RA Police and Ministry of Defence, the other
is a complete asperation. Hamlet Gasparian, the RA Foreign Ministry’s
Press Secretary informed about this, at the media request, commenting
upon the information of the Azerbaijani press. Azerbaijani media
informed that RA Police officer Gevorg Voskanian who participated in
the courses of the George Marshall European Center for Security Studies
in the German city of Garmisch-Partenkirchner, made an attempt of rape
towards representative of Ukraine Natalia Kostroma and was expelled
of the courses for this reason. Major Artem Hakobian, the RA Defence
Ministry’s representative, is defamed in another information. It’s
spoken about the latter that he was rebuked seriously by the
Marshall Center administration for making insulting statements in
the address of Georgia. Hamlet Gasparian stated that Gevorg Voskanian
and Artem Hakobian participated in those courses from September 23,
2005. Just from the beginning of the courses, Major Voskanian’s
health state became poor and he had to return Armenia on October
4 by the Marshall Center’s agreement to get urgent treatment. In
response to the above-mentioned information of the Azerbaijani press,
the Marshall Center also proved this, mentioning that “accusations
against Armenian Police Major Gevorg Voskanian are baseless, he wasn’t
involved in any unpleasant event because of which was expelled of the
courses.” It’s stated on the occasion of the other officer in the same
written response, that Major Artem Hakobian finished with success the
courses with the duration from September 23 to December 16, 2005, and
returned Armenia, and the Marshall Center doesn’t know about any case
connected with the latter. “The administration of the George Marshall
European Center for Security Studies didn’t rebuke any representative
of the RA Ministry of Defence,” is mentioned in the statement. “The
fact that the Azerbaijani side makes a usual attempt to compromise
the Armenian officers participating in the international courses,
proves once more that the policy of the Azerbaijani hatred towards
Armenians reached the state level and this is done in a planned and
consistent way. And under this light, the wild murder of the Armenian
officer by the Azerbaijani “national hero” in Budapest isn’t seemed
at all to be an accidental action,” the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press
Secretary emphasized.

Armenians instructed Azeri prisoner to blow up President’s route

Today, Azerbaijan
March 18 2006

18 March 2006 [21:10] – Today.Az

As a result of counter-intelligence measures, it was proved that
junior sergeant of a military unit of Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry,
resident of Shamkir region Bakirov Ruslan Khagani, who has been in
Armenian captive from February 15 till May 7, 2005, had a secret
cooperation with Armenian intelligence services.

National Security Ministry informed APA that Ruslan Bakirov, who was
a team commander in the same military unit, was deceived by Armenians
and passed the enemy side together with soldiers under his command –
Abdullayev Khayal and Taghiyev Hikmat while they were standing guard
on February 15, 2005.

So, they deliberately deserted to the enemy acting against Azerbaijan’s
sovereignty, territorial integrity, state security as well as defense
ability.

Immediately after releasing from captive through mediation of the
International Committee of the Red Cross Bakirov acknowledges that
he acted in concert with Armenians.

However, the investigation found out that Bakirov’s initial testimony
was the part of the action preplanned by Armenia’s intelligence
service officers.

As a result of additional counter-intelligence measures, Bakirov
acknowledged the truth.

It turned out that, Armenian intelligence services bribed the
Azerbaijani prisoners Bakirov, Abdullayev and Taghiyev for secret
cooperation.

The Armenian intelligence services met with Bakirov for 7 times during
this period, and his involvement in secret cooperation was confirmed
by his own statement and video films. He was codenamed “Ramin” and
was promised to be given US $3000-4000 for going on each errand in
future by the Armenians.

An officer of Armenian intelligence service, who introduced himself
as Rudik, gave special instructions to Bakirov to blow up Azerbaijani
President’s route, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Oil Pipeline,
gas pipelines, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport as well as
take photos of military-strategic establishments and send to Armenia
after returning to Azerbaijan.

Under October 7, 2005 decision of Azerbaijan’s Court Martial on Grave
Crimes, Bakirov and Abdullayev being accused under articles 274 (high
treason), 334.3 (deserting during war or in battle), 338.1(breaching
rules of standing guard in battle), 341.3 (abuse of powers during
war or in battle) of Criminal Code sentenced for 12 years in jail,
and Taghiyev being accused under articles 274, 334.3, 338.1 sentenced
for 11 years in jail.

URL:

Destruction d’un cimetière medieval: plainte de l’Armenie auprès de l’Unesco

Agence France Presse
16 mars 2006 jeudi 5:28 PM GMT

EREVAN 16 mars 2006 — Le ministère armenien des Affaires etrangères
a adresse jeudi une plainte au directeur general de l’Unesco Koichiro
Matsuura après la destruction par l’Azerbaïdjan de pierres tombales
medievales armeniennes au Nakhitchevan, tout près de la frontière
avec l’Iran.

“Après la destruction complète des gigantesques pierres tombales
sculptees et le deblayage des pierres brisees, les Azerbaïdjanais ont
construit un site militaire a la place de l’ancien cimetière armenien”,
declare le ministère dans un communique.

“En consequence, le gouvernement armenien a depose plainte auprès du
directeur general de l’Unesco”, l’Organisation des Nations unies pour
l’education, la science et la culture, ajoute le ministère.

L’Armenie s’est adresse a maintes reprise a l’Unesco depuis decembre
pour lui demander d’intervenir pour faire cesser les destructions
dans cette enclave azerbaïdjanaise situee entre l’Armenie, la Turquie
et l’Iran.

“Cette semaine, des religieux (armeniens) ont photographie depuis la
frontière iranienne le cimetière entièrement detruit et le nouveau
champ de tir cree a sa place”, affirme le ministère.

Le cimetière contenait au depart 10.000 pierres tombales du 15e
siècle. La majeure partie ont ete detruites pendant la periode
sovietique et au cours des dix annees passees.

Seules 3.500 pierres tombales etaient restees intactes. Leur
destruction a repris en decembre.

“Ces monuments sont detruits intentionnellement pour eliminer toute
trace des Armeniens qui ont vecu sur ce territoire”, deplore la
diplomatie armenienne.

Erevan a envoye les cliches et des documents a l’Unesco qui a promis
d’envoyer un groupe d’experts pour etudier la situation, a dit a
l’AFP le charge de presse du ministère des Affaires etrangères,
Gamlet Gasparian.

Le Parlement europeen avait condamne en fevrier la destruction de
ces monuments historiques.

–Boundary_(ID_be0l8TpuoT7SKXaTKPkCQ Q)–

TENDER FOR BANKS TO RECEIVE CREDITS FROM WORLD BANK TO BE HELD IN APRIL

YEREVAN, MARCH 17, NOYAN TAPAN. A tender will be held in April to
choose banks which will receive credits from the World Bank (WB) for
repairs of Armenia’s heating systems. Tamara Babayan, Director of
the Fund of Renewable Energy and Energy Saving of Armenia, told NT
correspondent that the WB will provide the chosen banks with a 4.2
mln dollar credit to be repayable over 7 years at an interest rate
of 6-7%. The banks in their turn will lend this money to private
companies, condominiums, etc. at certain interest rates. These
funds will be used to solve some problems with the heating systems
of apartment buildings. According to T. Babayan, the banks will
determine themselves the interest rates, which, in all likelihood,
will make 10-12% annually. It was noted that 10-12 banks and credit
organizations showed interest in participating in the tender. The
banks meeting certain criteria will be announced the tender winners.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 17 2006

PROJECT OF NKR CONSTITUTION DISCUSSED DURING THE MEETING OF
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION

YEREVAN, March 17. /ARKA/. The project of the NKR Constitution
was discussed during the meeting of the Constitutional Commission,
according to the Press Service of the NKR President. According to the
press release, during the meeting the President of Nagorno-Karabakh
Arkadey Ghukasyan commissioned the expert group of lawyers to prepare
the conclusion, previously studying all suggestions referring to
this issue. Summarizing results of the session Ghukasyan emphasized
the importance of Constitution’s corresponding to the international
standards of democracy. He also emphasized that the final project
of the Constitution will be presented to the political forces of the
country as well as to international experts. The President commissioned
the expert group to prepare and submit to discussion the work schedule
of the Constitutional Commission. S.P. –0–