Author: Kharatian Ani

ARMENIA: CIS COMMITTEE MEETS

Stratfor
Feb 14 2007

The coordinating committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States
joint-air defense system met in Yerevan, Armenia, on Feb. 14, in part
to provide information about the Russian and Armenian air defense
systems, Russian air force Deputy Commander Aitech Bizhev said.

Bizhev added that a Caucasus regional defense system would be similar
to the Russian-Belarusian air defense system that is nearly complete.

Russia’s 102nd military base, equipped with the S-300 anti-aircraft
system, is in Yerevan.

MAHMOOD AHMADINEJAD: ANY U.S. ATTACK ON IRAN "WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED"

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.02.2007 18:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iranian President Mahmood AhmadiNejad stated that
his country does not fear of U.S. military force and that any attack
will be "severely punished". He also said Washington’s accusations in
incitements and violence in Iraq are efforts by the United States to
hide own failures. On Monday Iranian president gave an interview to an
American TV company, during which he answered to the above-mentioned
claims of Washington. American officials repeatedly claim they have
proofs that Iran supplies Shia militias with weapons in Iraq.

During his interview to NBC AhmadiNejad was asked if he fears of a
U.S. attack. "Do I fear? But why must we fear of it?" responded the
president. The Bush administration denies that an attack is being
scheduled, but alongside does not hide that Iran’s interference in
Iraq may result in military sanctions, Bakililar.Az reports.

NEW ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY TO BE WORKED OUT

ArmRadio.am
14.02.2007 14:34

Reforms of anti-corruption strategy, the process of accomplishment
of commitments were discussed during the recurrent sitting of the
Monitoring Commission on Anti-Corruption Strategy Implementation held
on February 14.

Presenting the process of accomplishment of guarantees of the
anti-corruption network of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) countries with transition economy, Chairman of
the Commission, Assistant to RA President Gevorg Mheryan stated that
Armenia has achieved considerable progress as compared to other CIS
countries included in the same program. During the plenary session it
was noted that Armenia has accomplished 20 commitments. The Republic
of Armenia has assumed the responsibility to accomplish four other
commitments in a short period of time.

Secretary of the Commission on State Governance System Reforms
Armen Khudaverdyan presented the process of elaboration of a new
anti-corruption strategy.

He mentioned that the experience of implementation of the previous
programs is taken into consideration. The new program prioritizes the
monitoring of the process of implementation of the anti-corruption
measures already adopted.

Gevorg Mheryan informed that it is envisaged to create a working
group of specialists to raise the effectiveness of preparation works
in working out the new strategy.

IF NOT SOLVED, KARABAKH PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN MORE GLOBAL DANGERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.02.2007 16:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Continuous blames of sides on each other will not
result in any solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The sides have
their role in the situation when the process has reach a deadlock,
stated German Home Office State Secretary, deputy and member of
Caucasus group of Bundestag Christoph Bergner. In his words, German’s
official position is that borders of states are inviolable and they
need respectful treatment. "Alongside, we must accept peoples right
to self-determination. In this regard, as a man, who has thorough
information on the problem, I would not like to justify any side,"
Bergner said.

He also reminded that the problem of root nation presence existed
still from the former Soviet Union.

"The start of struggle for independence created conflicts. It is well
known fact that during Soviet Union period this problem deliberately
was being settled in secret conditions. When I examine events of
reconstruction and democracy period I see that the regime used to treat
people and events with the help of violence and weapons. I witnessed
and participated in many events, talks and discussions during my
chairmanship in the Bundestag Group for friendship with Caucasus. You
should take into account future common interests. They base on
cooperation with the European Union. In many respects it depends
on stability in the region," he said. The German Home Office State
Secretary stressed he relates to people’s rights to self-determination
attentively, but "the most important thing is protection of territories
and the issue to bring them back to former situation."

"The international community and Europe lay responsibilities on
us. Karabakh conflict is one of such problems, which have influence
from Arab countries till Africa. We must solve this problem by all
means. Otherwise it can enlarge and result in more global dangers. We
cannot refuse from this responsibility, he underscored, APA reports.

SOLDIER OF AZ ARMED FORCES REFUSES TO RETURN TO MOTHERLAND

Yerevan, February 13. ArmInfo. A soldier of Azerbaijani Armed Forces,
Samir Mamedov, being at the Armenian side, refuses to return to the
Motherland, the Head of the Working Group of RA State Commission for
captives, hostages and missings, assistant first deputy Head of RA
Police, Armen Kaprielyan, told ArmInfo.

"The soldier of Azeri AF, Samir Mamedov, had deliberately crossed the
front line in the Ijevan-Gazakh direction and gave himself up. The
soldier was not captivated as the Azeri sources write. According to
a reliable information, Mamedov refuses to return home. According to
him, he made this step because of unauthorized interrelations by both
the officer staff and the fellows", Kaprielyan said.

ARMENIAN JUDOISTS RECEIVE NO MEDALS IN PARIS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 12 2007

PARIS, FEBRUARY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. A regular tour of Judo World
Supercup ended on February 11 in Paris. Hovhannes Davtian (60 kg,
Gyumri) among four Armenian judoists shared 5-6th places. Another
three Armenian sportsmen, including Armen Nazarian, medal-winner at
previous four championships of Europe, were not among the first six
participants. Tournament’s next tour will be held on February 22-25
in the German city of Hamburg.

AZERI EXPERT SAYS ARMENIANS MAY ATTACK REGIONAL RAILWAY

Day.az website, Baku,
10 Feb 07

Text of report by Azerbaijani website Day.az on 10 February

10 February: "Armenians might resort to consistent
military intervention to prevent the construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway," Mubariz Ahmadoglu, director
of the Centre for Political Innovations and Technologies, said while
commenting on possible problems in the construction of the railway.

"Yerevan has already made statements that it will use all political
means to prevent the construction of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku
railway. Such a statement can be described as terrorism," the political
expert said.

He said that Azerbaijan and Georgia had earlier managed to prevent
threats to the construction of pipelines. "Now that the two countries
have become stronger both politically and economically, they will be
able to eliminate any attacks from outside."

In the view of the political expert, in this situation the problem
is related to Akhalkalaki Armenians. Although they will make money
on the construction of the railway, they oppose this project because
it bypasses Armenia.

"While the obstacles were political, financial and geopolitical
in nature during the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline, in this case there is a threat of an armed confrontation,"
Ahmadoglu said, adding that "not terrorist acts, but consistent armed
attacks are possible. Terrorism and a consistent armed fighting are
different things".

NUMBER OF ROAD ACCIDENTS GROWS BY 20% IN ARMENIA IN 2006

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2006, 1,574 road accidents were
registered in Armenia, as a result of which 332 people died and 2,089
received injuries. The number of road accidents grew by 262 or 20% on
the previous year, the number of those killed and injured in such
accidents – by 22 and 316 respectively. Deputy Chief of the RA Police
Hovahnnes Hunanian said this at the February 7 press conference.

According to him, the increase in the number of road accidents is
mostly conditioned by a considerable growth in the number of transport
means. In the past four years, this number increased by about 80
thousand cars, including 24 thousand cars in 2006. H. Hunanian noted
that serious reforms are being implemented with the aim of organizing
road patrol services in accordance with new principles.

The purpose of these reforms is to bring the activities of traffic
police into line with European standards and increase the efficiency
of its work on prevention and disclosure of crimes and offences.

H. Hunanian said that mobile patrols have replaced stationary patrol
points in Yerevan streets. "The appearance of a traffic policeman will
change too. He must be tall, polite and know foreign languages," the
deputy chief of the RA police said.

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 10 2007

OSKANYAN: GEORGIA IS STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, February 9. /ARKA/. Georgia is a country of strategic
significance to Armenia, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
said Wednesday in Armenian National Assembly.
However, he said, it doesn’t mean that Armenia, in turn, can be
strategically important to Georgia.
Oskanyan said Georgia’s importance is due to geography, since
Armenia’s all major transportation links go though Georgia’s
territory.
Commenting on Georgia’s participation in
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway construction project that
leaves Armenia on the sidelines, Oskanyan said that this fact
wouldn’t affect Armenian-Georgian relations.
In his words, Georgia displays restraint in this matter. The country
decided to take part in the project because of its economic
interests, to make cargo shipment cheaper. "This is Georgia’s
sovereign decision, which can’t be influenced by Armenia", the
minister said.
The railway is planned to be put into exploitation in two or three
years.
The parties hope the railway’s annual capacity to be 15 million tons
of cargo. China and Kazakhstan are expected to join the project.
M.V.-0–

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 9 2007

It was all about Iraq… sort of

by Ali Aslan

In a capital that sleeps and wakes up with Iraq, what else could be
the main topic of discussion with a distinguished visitor from the
immediate neighborhood of Iraq?
The US and Turkey cooperate and consult one another on a wide range
of issues listed in the Strategic Partnership Document. But Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s Washington visit was mainly about
Iraq.
Turkey’s fight against the PKK was a subset of the Iraq discussion.
Even the prospects of an Armenian genocide resolution, another
primary Turkish concern, is linked to Iraq because both
administrations know that US-Turkish collaboration in Iraq would
suffer a severe blow if the US Congress approved it.
It is hard to think of a country in the region that the US cooperates
more with on so many topics, ranging from the Balkans to Central
Asia. But Gul was not shy when he linked Turkey’s continued
contribution — particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan — to the
rejection of the genocide resolution. It sounded more like a
prediction than a threat.
Cognizant of the strategic significance of Turkey, the Bush
administration has treated their Turkish guests with the utmost care.
Gul was granted a meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney, and a rare
half hour one-on-one session was held with Secretary of State
Condoleeza Rice. High*profile think tank members, prominent
journalists like New York Times correspondent Thomas Friedman and
many international policy experts joined the occasions at Gul’s
hotel.
Perhaps the only place that lacked hospitality were the chambers of
the US Congressö poisoned by Armenian genocide lobbyists.
Unfortunately, as Democrats are challenging the Bush administration’s
Iraq policy and trying to prove themselves a more constructive force
in foreign affairs, some of their most influential members, like
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are preparing to intimidate a crucial
ally.
Republicans made a grave mistake when they tried bringing democracy
and self-criticism to the Islamic world by military force. Democrats
are near to committing a similar mistake by trying to mature Turkey’s
self-criticism of its history via legislative force. As was the case
of Iraq, any push in the absence of a prerequisite social,
intellectual and economic infrastructure would not yield a desired
change in Turkey.
The natural consequence of any foreign military intervention and
pressure in a country is increasing nationalism. Please see figure A
in Iraq. The effects of foreign legislative intervention and pressure
could be similar. Since there was suppressed ethnic and religious
identity in Iraq, sectarian uprisings provoked the by the US
occupation have now brought the country to the verge of fracture.
In the case of Turkey, which is also a relatively mixed and diverse
country, one can see increased nationalism might break up the
country’s culture of living together. In addition, crazy people under
the influence of nationalism could attack minorities, as has already
happened with Hrant Dink. As if domestic factors for ultranationalist
tendencies weren’t enough, irresponsible actions on the part of
foreign elements give extremists extra ammunition.
Americans are right when they say Dink’s assassination didn’t really
help "Turkishness," but hurt it. Similarly, a political assassination
against Turkey by semi-official recognition of a historically
disputed genocide would not help "Armenian-ness" at all. That is
certainly the case with "American-ness," too.
When Gul was arguing against the resolution in Washington, he said
this was not an American matter. Indeed, neither Americans nor
Armenians nor Turks would benefit from increased nationalism. How can
the US and Armenia expect a meaningful outreach from Turkey if they
follow the path of provocation? I believe it this resolution passes,
it will be politically impossible for any government in Turkey to
strike a reconciliation deal with Armenia in the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, America’s executive branch was smart enough to realize
that. The indications so far are that they are going to push hard
against it. We only hope the US Congress does not trade vital
American national interests with some misguided convictions and soft
money.