Author: Mamian George

CEREMONIAL EVENT TAKES PLACE IN THE YEREVAN VICTORY ON THE DAY OF MOTHERLAND’S DEFENDER

1398/lang/en
2010-02-23

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS: On the Day of Motherland’s Defender a
ceremonial event took place today in the Yerevan Victory Park. At the
event present were Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, Russian
ambassador to Armenia Vyacheslav Kovalenko, Armenian and Russian
high-ranked officers and servicemen, veterans of the World War II.

They put wreaths and flowers on the monument to the Unknown Soldier,
paying tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives defending
their Motherland.

Congratulating on the occasion of the holiday, Seyran Ohanyan noted
that though in Armenia it is not officially marked, the traditions
continue and celebrations are still being organized.

"We reached victory in the Great Patriotic War as the strive to win
and defend the Motherland was great. We must always remember our
grandfathers and all those thanks to who the development of the 15
states of former USSR continues," S. Ohanyan said.

V. Kovalenko said that the holiday of the Motherland’s Defender is of
great importance to the peoples of the all former USSR states. "Thanks
to their unity we reached victory against the Hitler Germany. We highly
assess the contribution of all the servicemen to the protection of
security of our peoples," the diplomat said.

The event was concluded by a ceremonial march of Russian servicemen.

NO REASON TO GIVE UP ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT – ANALYST
Aliyah Fridman

news.az
Feb 24 2010
Azerbaijan

Dr Michael M. Gunter News.Az interviews Dr Michael M. Gunter, professor
at the Tennessee Technological University and the International
University in Austria.

Do you believe that the current process of normalization between
Turkey and Armenia will be successful after all the accusations in
genocide in the early 20th century?

I think the current process of normalization has already led to some
success for Turkey by showing the world that it is trying to settle
its problems with Armenia.

What are the prospects for the ratification of the Turkish-Armenian
protocols?

The ratification process was never going to be easy, but there is no
reason that we should not continue to pursue it.

Do you think that President Obama will use the word "genocide" in
his speech on 24 April, as Armenians hope?

I don’t think President Obama will use the g-word.

What is the future of US-Turkey relations if Obama’s administration
recognizes the genocide?

US-Turkish relations are on the mend, and hopefully the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will continue, so why should Obama
destroy all this progress by using the g-word? Leave it to the two
parties to the dispute to decide on all this.

Turkey’s attempts to mediate between Azerbaijan and Armenia are said
to have failed. Do you agree?

The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute will not be settled overnight, so
the Turkish role as a mediator will not be easy and will be a long
continuing process.

Can increased economic cooperation between Turkey and Russia bring
positive results for the South Caucasus?

Economic cooperation is the engine of economic progress, especially
in this case.

Turkey and Azerbaijan say that there is a link between the
Turkish-Armenian process and Karabakh process, but Armenians say
there is no link between these issues. What is your opinion?

Clearly there is an important link here.

The is 18th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre is approaching. The
Azerbaijani authorities try to get recognition of this massacre as
an act of genocide by Armenians against Azerbaijani civilians. Do
you think that the international community is ready to recognize it?

Genocide implies many deaths. Khojaly was a regrettable massacre, not
genocide. Most people in the international community have never even
heard of Khojaly. Let Turkey and Azerbaijan discreetly mention it when
the broader issue between them and Armenia comes up. It will show that
the Armenians are not as innocent as they try to present themselves.

WHY TO MAKE PREMIER RESIGN
Naira Hayrumyan

ahos16925.html
14:50:17 – 23/02/2010

The rumors about the resignation of the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
found their fertile ground. They say the resignation could be predicted
considering the statement of the premier about the repression on
oligarchs. Experts argue that those whom he "stepped on the legs with
tax boots’ are seeking Tigran Sargsyan’s resignation.

In particular, a procedure for the appointment of an emissary of tax
on large businesses has been recently adopted.

The global economic crisis hinders to assess the precision of Tigran
Sargsyan’s policy as many mistakes are said to be caused by the
crisis. However, two tendencies in the premiers’ activities may be
noticed. The first is the evident worsening of the socio-economic
situation, which causes price increase of many products, limits the
amount of money of the consumers and correspondingly the scale of
retail. People evidently save: in 2009, the scale of used gas by
the society decreased by 5 percent and after the price increase the
consumption is expected to doubly reduce. No need to talk about the
real estate market. Unemployment is gradually rising, and the staff
of gold markets argues that people began to buy jewelry much less. In
addition, the external debt reached fabulous proportions.

Economists had to find out how much the role of the prime minister is
in the economic failure and whether optimal methods could be taken up.

There is the second direction too which is the innovations, which in
essence, are the implementation of mechanisms adopted in the world.

Let us count some of them – the use of cash register machine, the
action to cross the road at the needed place, the introduction of
the institute of a tax inspector at large enterprises and, finally,
a proposal to allocate tax authority to municipalities.

Few people argued the reasonability of the introduction say, of the
cash register machine, anti-arguments were brought from the sphere
"all the same, only ordinary people will be harmed". But it is evident
that Tigran Sargsyan is trying to implement at least elementary rules
letting speak about the economy as a system of adjust mechanisms and
not patrimony of several persons.

It is symptomatic that the people are not protesting against
anti-social policies, and against the introduction of CSA. However,
if Tigran Sargsyan still decides to "resign", the real causes should
be assured to be identified. And if he is really guilty of the steps
that have had an impact on the broad masses of the population, we
should judge him on the full extent of the law – for property damage
in a large scale. And if not, it should be explained who is particular
is dissatisfied with the prime minister.

11:45 20/02/2010 » Economy
World Bank may join North-South project

Armenian PM Tigran Sargsyan and World Bank regional director Asad Alam
held yesterday high-level talks on implementation of North-South
project and WB potential participation to the project.

RA Government PR department reported that the sides have discussed a
few other issues on cooperation between RA Government and World Bank.

The reconstruction of a village road to Tatev monastery has been
underscored with great significance. The speakers have also shared
their view pints on new model of Armenia’s further economic
development.

Source: Panorama.am

IRNA, Iran
Feb 20 2010

Iran speaker calls for rapid settlement of Karabakh crisis

Tehran, 20 Feb, IRNA: Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said here on
Saturday [20 Feb] that rapid settlement of Karabakh crisis is in the
interest of the regional countries.

In a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Oqtay Asadov, who is in
Tehran at the head of a high-ranking parliamentary delegation,
Larijani added that regional countries can take a crucial step in
solving the crisis.

Describing numerous cultural, historical, civilizational and religious
commonalities between the two nations as a valuable asset for
promotion of bilateral ties, he noted that the two nations’ will for
forging brotherly relations is rooted in the history of bilateral
ties.

"Iran’s strategy is based on developing economic ties with its
neighbouring countries," he said, noting that given the vast
capabilities of the two countries in the fields of energy, industry
and economy, the level of commercial exchanges can experience a sharp
rise in line with mutual interests.

Larijani also said that promoting peace in the region is one of the
strategic policies of Iran and it will do its best to solve Karabakh
crisis.

Asadov, for his part, said that his country also favours development
of friendly and brotherly ties with Iran.

Characterizing Iran as a country with a long history and rich culture,
he noted that big powers are the main cause of Karabakh crisis.

Larijani calls for rapid settlement of Karabakh crisis

Tehran, Feb 20, IRNA – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said here on
Saturday that rapid settlement of Karabakh crisis is in the interest
of the regional countries.

In a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ogtai Asadov, who is in
Tehran at the head of a high-raking parliamentary delegation, Larijani
added that regional countries can take a crucial step in solving the
crisis.

Describing numerous cultural, historical, civilizational and religious
commonalities between the two nations as a valuable asset for
promotion of bilateral ties, he noted that the two nations’ will for
forging brotherly relations is rooted in the history of bilateral
ties.

`Iran’s strategy is based on developing economic ties with its
neighboring countries,’ he said, noting that given the vast
capabilities of the two countries in the fields of energy, industry
and economy, the level of commercial exchanges can experience a sharp
rise in line with mutual interests.

Larijani also said that promoting peace in the region is one of the
strategic policies of Iran and it will do its best to solve Karabakh
crisis.

Asadov, for his part, said that his country also favors development of
friendly and brotherly ties with Iran.

Characterizing Iran as a country with a long history and rich culture,
he noted that big powers are the main cause of Karabakh crisis.

Aysor, Armenia
Feb 20 2010

Armenian Davos without keynote speaker PM Tigran Sarkisian

The International Economic Bridge Forum has launched today in
Armenia’s Tsaghkadzor town. The opening ceremony was held without
Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian’s participation, who was before
reported as a keynote speaker to Forum.

Chairman of Armenia’s Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Arsen
Ghazarian said that Prime Minister is absent for health reasons.

Involving delegations from different countries and holding hearings on
various economic topics and highlights, the International Economic
Bridge Forum has also an infornal name ` Armenian Davos.

Aysor, Armenia
Feb 20 2010

Sergo Yeritsian gets job of Language State Inspectorate Chief

Former Minister of Education of Armenia, Sergo Yeritsian, has been
appointed as a chief of the Language State Inspectorate.

His predecessor Lawrenty Mirzoyan said at the awarding ceremony in
occasion of the Mother Language Day: `I am appointed as vice-rector of
the Yerevan State Pedagogical Institute.’

Newly appointed chief of Language State Inspectorate, Sergo Yeritsian,
in his turn, stressed the necessity of preserving and developing the
Mother Tongue.

U.S. UNDER SECRETARY MET ALIYEV

news.am
Feb 19 2010
Armenia

U.S. makes a point of relations with Azerbaijan and intends to
strengthen them more, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political
Affairs William Burns said at the Feb. 19 meeting with Azerbaijani
President Aliyev.

The officials exchanged opinions on Karabakh peace process, bilateral
cooperation in energy sector, regional and international issues.

Azerbaijani President underlined importance of Azerbaijan-U.S.

partnership development in various fields.

YEREVAN’S OCCUPATION ACCUSATIONS TOWARDS BAKU ‘ILLOGICAL’

Interfax
Feb 17 2010
Russia

The Armenian foreign minister’s remarks accusing Azerbaijan of
occupying its own former Mardakert, Martuni and Shahumian districts
are "illogical", Azeri Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov
told Interfax.

"It is difficult to comment on the alogisms of the foreign minister
of Armenia because a country’s occupation of its own territory cannot
be explained by any international legal documents," Polukhov said.

Azerbaijan has been following the principles of international law at
all negotiations, he said.

"Our country has been admitted to all international organizations
within the borders of the former Azeri Soviet Socialist Republic.

These borders have been recognized by all states in the world,"
the spokesman said.

The statements made by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
evidently target Armenia’s audience, he said.

"If the authorities of Armenia stop using such ephemeral alogisms,
this will help speed up the pace of the negotiating process and secure
lasting peace in the region," Polukhov said.

Commenting on Nalbandian’s complaints that Azerbaijan does not allow
the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh to join the peace
talks, Polukhov said that the Madrid documents confirm the principle
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

"The Azeri and Armenian communities will be asked to help determine
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within Azerbaijan’s borders after
preliminary agreements are reached," he said.