Author: Kanayan Tamar

GARABAGH MEDIATORS TO MEET IN ISTANBUL MARCH 20

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 13 2006

Baku, March 10, AssA-Irada
The OSCE mediators brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh are due to hold their next
meeting in Istanbul on March 20. The schedule of the Minsk Group
co-chairs’ visit to the region will depend on the positions and
readiness of the conflicting sides, says a joint statement of
the intermediaries who have completed their three-day meeting in
Washington.

“We call on the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities to make efforts
to prepare their people not for war, but peace. We urge both sides to
be guided by the developed principles in order to settle the conflict
in 2006.”

The mediators said that despite the unsuccessful outcome of the latest
round of presidential talks in France, they continue to believe that a
number of pre-conditions are fostering a conducive basis to solve the
long-standing dispute this year, Radio Liberty quoted the mediators
as saying.

The discussions held by the two leaders in the French town of
Rambouillet in February turned out fruitless, as the parties failed
to iron out issues of principle, which was followed by mutual threats.

The next meeting of the Azeri and Armenian presidents may take place
during a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States leaders in
Minsk in September, according to the head of the President’s Office
international relations department, Novruz Mammadov.

FORUM OF INTELLECTUALS DEMANDS OF ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES TO STOP NEGOTIATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 14 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. It’s seriously
contraindicated for Armenia and all the Armenians to negotiate with
a country brought the morbid hatred towards Armenians to the state
level. This is said in the March 13 statement of the Intellectuals’
Forum of Armenia.

Mentioning that during the recent months the military units of
the regular army of Azerbaijan annihilated in Nakhijevan the Jugha
graveyard of the middle centuries, being one of the last monuments
of the Armenian culture, the statement authors state the fact that
Azerbaijan successively liquidated all the historic evidences about
the real owners of Nakhijevan.

It’s mentioned in the statement that this last cultural genocide
was conducted in the conditions of the culprit silence of the world
society, even more, just during these days the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairmanship obliged Armenia to negotiate with Azerbaijan.

The Councillor of the Intellectuals’ Forum of Armenia demands
of the authorities of Armenia to stop all the negotiations with
Azerbaijan so far as the international community hasn’t estimated
the happened. “Without subjecting to international responsibility
the authorities of the country conducted a cultural genocide, it’s
useless to look for ways of compromise with it by the means of peace
negotiations,” is said in the statement.

ARKA News Agency
Oct 14 2005

RA STATE DEPOSITORY PUBLISHES AVERAGE PRICES FOR PRECIOUS METALS,
STONES FOR SEPT 2005

YEREVAN, October 14. /ARKA/. The RA State Depository of Precious
Stones and Metals has published the average prices for noble,
nonferrous, and rare metals and stones on the international market
for September 2005 for the calculations of nature management
payments. The following prices were set: 1gram gold $14.47, silver –
$0.230, platinum – $29.41. The following prices for 1 ton of metals
were set: copper $3,857.4, molybdenum – $76,603.52, lead – $933.07,
zinc – $1,397.52, aluminium $1,839.91, cadmium – $4,796.7, selenium –
$114,537, tellurium $160,000. The prices for gems are: 1kg of agate
$8.81, turquoise $132,16, iridescent obsidian – $17,62, jasper $6,61
($1 = AMD 446.27) P.T. –0-

ARMENIAN LEADER, RUSSIAN OFFICIAL DISCUSS RESUMPTION OF ABKHAZ RAILWAY SECTION

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

Yerevan, 13 October: The resumption of the Abkhaz section of the
railway “will open new opportunities for cooperation and development”,
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in Yerevan today.

The Armenian president said this at a meeting with Igor Levitin,
Russian transport minister and co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian
intergovernmental commission, Mediamax news agency reports.

It was noted at the meeting that the conditions for the opening of
the Abkhaz section of the railway was being studied at present.

Robert Kocharyan and Igor Levitin discussed the opportunities of the
Armenian-Russian-Georgian cooperation in the restoration of the Abkhaz
section of the railway.

The meeting also discussed the problem of proper work of the
Armenian enterprises handed over to Russia within the framework of
the property-for-debt deal.

Igor Levitin said that Russia wanted to rapidly resume the enterprises
and set up a special working group for this purpose.

RUSSIAN PM TO VISIT ARMENIA AT YEAREND

Pan Armenian
13.10.2005 22:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan met with
Co-Chair of the Armenian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for
Economic Cooperation, Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin,
reported the Press Service of the Armenian Government. The
interlocutors noted the large role of the Armenian-Russian
Inter-Governmental Commission. The parties were satisfied with the
growth of the volume of commodity turnover between Armenia and Russia,
which increased 31% within former six months of 2005 as compared to
the same period past year and was equal to $120.4 million. Russia is
still Armenia’s biggest trade and economic partner and the contractual
basis, specifically over 160 interstate and intergovernmental documents
provide an opportunity to develop and expand comprehensive cooperation,
the parties emphasized. In the opinion of meeting participants, the
events held in Armenia within the Year of Russia promote strengthening
the Armenian-Russian relations. These will be continued in the Year
of Armenia in Russia in 2006.

Armenian PM noted the importance of ties and cooperation between
administrative units of the two countries, as well as that of mutually
favorable arrangements.

A. Margaryan remarked that establishment of efficient transport
communications may promote further expansion of the trade and
economic cooperation between Armenia and Russia. Armenia highlights
the regular work of Kavkaz-Poti train ferry in this respect. He also
stressed Armenia’s interest toward resumption of communication via the
Abkhaz part of the Georgian railway. The interlocutors also discussed
opportunities of participation of Russia, Georgia and Armenia in the
building of the railway.

Mr. Margaryan remarked that trying to activate the process the Armenian
party holds periodical discussions with Georgian authorities over
resumption of rail communication.

Besides, A. Margaryan and I. Levitin discussed the question of putting
into operation Armenian enterprises conveyed to Russia within the
Property for Debt agreement. I. Levitin assured the working groups
formed with that purpose make efforts and the Russian party is
interested in the soonest launching of the enterprises as well. Upon
completion of the meeting the parties expressed hope for the visit
of Russian PM to Armenia scheduled at the year-end to convey new
impetus to the development of the Armenian-Russian political and
economic relations.

NKR NATIONAL STATISTICS SERVICE

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Oct 10 2005

DEMOGRAPHIC INDICES. From January to September 2005 1525 children were
born in NKR against 1619 in the same period in 2004, death rate is
977 against 1004 in 2004. The rate of juvenile death under 1 year was
15 against 16 in 2004. The rate of natural increase of population was
548, dropping by 67 or 10.9 per cent since 2004. In the same period
by official data 677 people arrived in Karabakh and 627 people left
Karabakh. The rate of migration totaled 50. From January to September
2005 548 marriages were registered against 573 in the same period of
2004, and the divorce rate was 96 against 61 in 2004. From January to
September 2005 the ratio of marriages to divorces was 100 to 18 against
100 to 11 in 2004. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. From January to September
in 2005 the CPI totaled 100.4 per cent against the same period in
2004, including food (as well as alcohol drinks and tobacco) 99.2 per
cent, consumer goods 104.8 per cent, services 101.4 per cent. In the
mentioned period a rise was reported in ready-made clothes and cloth,
petrol and education. In September 2005 the CPI totaled 95.6 per cent
against December 2004, and 109.4 per cent against 2002.

NO PROBLEM DURING THE FESTIVAL

Panorama
17:41 10/10/05

During the events dedicated to “The Yerevan day” festival nothing
serious has happened. There were no emergency calls.

“Of course, the problems are inevitable, especially when so many
people have gathered together in one place”, said today the head of
the healthcare department of Yerevan city municipality Armen Soghoyan.

On this occasion on October 8 by the mayor’s order there was a ‘open
doors’ day in all policlinics of Yerevan. Overall 5 300 people have
visited the policlinics. According to A. Soghoyan , the number of
visitors comparing with last year, has reduced about 18-20%.

He also noted that the number of births in Yerevan this year
increased 6%, and A. Soghoyan hoped to have 12% growth for the next
year. /Panorama.am/

US EMBASSY COMMENTS ON REPORTS OF TALKS WITH ARMENIAN OPPOSITION

Hayots Ashkhar, Armenia
Oct 6 2005

Headlined “The US embassy has replied to questions from Ayots Ashkhar”

Ayots Ashkhar daily has asked the US embassy in Armenia to clarify
the report of a meeting between Armenian opposition leaders and
the head of the council on Eastern Europe and Russia of the Central
Intelligence Agency, Martin Schwartz, [mentioned in previous reports
as head of the Eastern Europe and Russia department of the US National
Intelligence Council] at the US embassy in Armenia.

Yesterday we received a reply from the US embassy which says: “Dr
Martin Schwartz, who visited Armenia on 11-15 September, works as an
analyst in the CIA council which is a well-known organization based
in Washington. Senior analysts, as well as academicians are working
here to provide the US government with information about developments
abroad. Dr Schwartz’s visit was a factfinding one.

“As Ambassador Evans has repeatedly said publicly, the United States
supports the establishment of democratic institutions in Armenia
and the conduct of free and fair elections in the period allocated
for them. The Americans are confident that in a democratic state,
citizens should elect their leaders near ballot boxes by means of a
free and fair election, not in the streets. To support this approach,
the US government has already declared that it will initiate a number
of new developments that will help Armenia to conduct free and fair
parliamentary and presidential elections in 2007 and 2008.”

TURKISH OFFICIAL SAYS AZERBAIJAN GAINING ADVANTAGE IN CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted Oct 10 2005

Baku, October 7, AssA-Irada
A high-ranking Turkish military official has said that Azerbaijan is
increasingly getting an advantage over Armenia in the settlement of
the Upper Garabagh conflict.

“Time is in favor of Azerbaijan, while Armenia is getting economically
weaker. We believe this factor will affect Azerbaijan’s political
power and create favorable conditions for the conflict settlement”,
Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Hilmi Ozkok said.

He said in a meeting with Azeri Minister for Defense Safar Abiyev on
Friday that Turkey and Azerbaijan should continue cooperation while
ensuring that their common historical roots are not forgotten.

Abiyev said Azerbaijan wants to settle the Garabagh conflict
peacefully. “But if the efforts turn out fruitless, the national army
will definitely liberate the occupied territories”, he said.

The minister praised the expanding military collaboration between
the two countries, saying that President Ilham Aliyev is making every
effort in this area.

Views were also exchanged on prospects for further military cooperation
and the current political situation in the Caucasus and the Middle
East at the meeting, attended by the Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan
Turan Morali.*

PRESIDENT OF LATVIA TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO ARMENIA ON OCT. 6

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 5 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. At RA President Robert Kocharian’s
invitation, Mrs. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the President of the Republic
of Latvia will arrive in Armenia on an official visit on October 6-8
with her husband Imants Freiberga.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office,
Ministers of Economy, Transport and Communication, Culture, other
officials, about 50 businessmen are in the delegation headed by the
President of Latvia.

The main goal of the visit is to stimulate development of interstate
ties, to deepen the cooperation, to define primary directions of
mutual economic cooperation. The heads of the two countries will
discuss the European Union-Armenia cooperation, issues concerning
regional problems as well as will exchange opinions concerning urgent
international problems.

In April, 2005, President of Latvia Mrs. Freiberga was involved in the
team of the world leaders created on the initiative of Kofi Annan,
the Secretary General of the United Nations. The team leaders must
assist the process of UN reforms as delegates of the Secretary General.

Robert Kocharian’s and Vaira Vike-Freiberga’s private conversation will
take place after the official ceremony of meeting the high-ranking
guest at the RA President’s residance on October 7. Then the
negotiations will continue in a enlarged staff. The ceremony of signing
bilateral documents will follow. The Presidents of Armenia and Latvia
will sign a joint declaration, agreements on encouragement and mutual
security of investments between the Governments of the two countries,
on cooperation in the sphere of customs and an interdepartment document
in the sphere of culture will be signed as well.

The Presidents will hold a joint press-conference as well.

During the official visit, the President of Latvia will meet with the
Speaker of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister. The closing
ceremony of the Armenian-Latvian Business Forum will take place with
the participation of the heads of both countries.

The delegation headed by President Freiberga will visit the Armenian
Genocide Memorial Complex, lay a wreath to the monument to the 1915
Genocide victims.

The President of Latvia will have a meeting with the professors’
and lecturers’ staff and students of the Yerevan State University
as well. At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin President Vaira
Vike-Freiberga will visit the Treasure House and the Mother
Cathedral. She will visit the Brandy Factory, Martiros Sarian park,
look at works of Armenian painters.

The delegation headed by the President of Latvia will leave Armenia
on October 8.