Author: Nahapetian Lilit

SARGSYAN-ALIYEV MEETING POSSIBLE BEFORE AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.08.2008 18:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
doesn’t rule out that Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan may meet before
the October 15 presidential election in Azerbaijan. "The possibility of
a presidential meeting depends on outcomes of ministerial contacts. If
we feel the necessity, everything is possible," Mammadyarov said
after talks with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

"The talks were constructive and useful. We exchanged views on a
number of issues and concluded that the talks should be continued,"
the Azeri Minister said.

The Armenian Minister confirmed that an agreement to continue talks
for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement on the basis of Madrid
proposals was achieved. He informed that the next ministerial meeting
may take place in the framework of the UN General Assembly in New
York in September 2008. "But we may meet even before the UN session,"
Minister Nalbandian remarked, RIA Novosti reports.

SIX PRISONERS RELEASED DUE TO SIT-IN IN ARMENIAN CAPITAL – OPPOSITION

ArmInfo News Agency (in Russian)
July 30 2008
Armenia

Six "political prisoners" have been released in Armenia since the
start of a sit-in in the capital Yerevan on 4 July, an opposition
member told reporters on 31 July.

Levon Zurabyan, who represents the opposition Popular Movement, was
quoted by Arminfo news agency as saying that the ongoing protest was
reflective of the public anger and also the people’s determination
to fight for their rights and freedoms.

On the whole, police treat the protesters "normally" but they "become
hysterical when the protesters do something that does not fit into
their mentality", Zurabyan said, according to Arminfo. He suggested
that police officers should receive political education and gradually
change their mentality in order to comply with Armenian law.

AZERIS BECOME ACTIVE

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 31, 2008
Armenia

The Azerbaijani armed forces have recently displayed significant
activeness along the whole Karabakh-Azerbaijani contact line, leading
to a violation of the ceasefire regime.

In particular, on the night of June 29 and during the whole day, the
opponents opened fire from machine guns and rifles with medium-sized
calibers. The gunshots were directed to the military positions of
Karabakh, located on the south-eastern, north-eastern and northern
borders of the country.

After the equivalent operations of the Armenian forces, the enemy was
silenced. The NKR Defense Army did not suffer losses as a result of
the violation of the ceasefire regime.

NEITHER THE RULING POWER NOR THE OPPOSITION PERFECT
Gevorg Harutyunyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on July 30, 2008
Armenia

Head of "Akunq" center of political analyses Ruben Hakobyan was the
guest of "Urbat" club today. The old inhabitant of the political
domain touched upon Armenian-Turkish relations and the process of the
settlement of Artsakh conflict, as well as represented his estimations
and predictions regarding the internal political situation and the
prospects.

The speaker said: " Because of the recent internal political
developments our foreign policy has appeared in a very tough situation.

Today Armenian diplomacy operates from not very favorable
positions. And the developments show that this situation can be
continuous.

But there is no political assessment to the existing situation. The
steps taken by the ruling power are not adequate to our foreign
policy."

R. Hakobyan assured that after the discussion of Azerbaijani resolution
in the UN, the stances of our neighbor countries, GUAM members,
Azerbaijan and Georgia changed in such a way that Armenia appeared
in de facto isolation.

"The negative accentuations regrettably became more profound due
to the presidential elections and post-election developments. PACE
resolutions 1609 and 1620 created unfavorable advocacy conditions for
Armenia and formed a negative international social opinion. In such
circumstances both the ruling power and the opposition have serious
problems in terms of democratic course of action, which has a very
bad impact on our expectations," the diplomat believes.

He considered a serious victory of Azerbaijani diplomacy the fact that
PACE confirmed that the failure of the settlement of Artsakh issue,
and that this territory is out of Azerbaijani control is an obstacle
for the establishment of democracy in our neighbor country.

The speaker said: "these formulations open a new field of serious
political maneuvers, for Azerbaijani diplomacy. The latter does its
best to solve these problems by all the possible means and not to
have any problems in democratic progress.

The analyst also assured that Russia never defends the interests of
any country in the region and is always guided by its own interests.

"We shouldn’t always remind Russia that we are their territorial
partner and that they must pursue pro-Armenian policy. Russia is quite
aware of what they need and we must know that there are no permanent
friends there are permanent interests.

R. Hakobyan says the announcement made by Serge Sargsyan regarding
the proposal made by Turkey about setting up a committee of Armenian
Turkish scientists proves that our diplomacy really leaves far from
being desired.

"For a long period of time I’m in political and diplomatic domain
and I have never seen Armenian diplomacy=2 0this much weak, today
I’m concerned about the fact that Armenian diplomacy is powerless
and inert.

When several years back ex Foreign Ministers manifested similar
initiative it aroused a hullabaloo. But today the president speaks
about it and the political forces don’t do anything except airs and
graces. What Serge Sargsyan said was much more grounded than the
coalition domain represents it. It is better to remove the issue
of the recognition of Armenian Genocide from the political agenda
and freeze it, than to set up a committee of scientists. After all
everyone knows that people buy or create history. What they propose
at the moment is really dangerous."

R. Hakobyan says in the created internal political situation the only
thing the ruling power does is to keep their power. "Of course they
take certain steps to reduce corruption risks in tax and customs
spheres and we must see that. But all this is inadequate to the
internal political situation. Except declarative statements the ruling
power doesn’t take any legal steps to create an atmosphere of mutual
agreement and mitigate the tension.

We can’t say that there are no political prisoners in Armenia,
in case when Alik Arzumanyan and Ararat Zurabyan are detained. As
for the opposition they also do their best to take power as soon
as possible and they sometimes take illogical steps to attain their
end. The initiative to appeal to Hague Court is a very low step. It
gives good grounds to Azerbaijan for speculations, which they will use
very soon. And those who have initiated it are well aware of this fact.

R. Hakobyan believes: "extraordinary presidential and parliamentary
elections are the only way out of this situation. These political
events must take place in one or one and a half year, to give the
possibility to the political forces to get prepared."

BOMBS DETONATED IN ISTANBUL TAKEN FROM ARSENALS OF INTELLIGENCE STRUCTURES
By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
31/07/2008

Same explosives used by Ergenekon

"Azg" Daily dares to express opinion that the explosions, which burst
on July 26 in the Gungoren district of Istanbul, Turkey, and caused
17 people killed and 152 injured, served rather the interests of the
underground "Ergenekon" organization than PKK.

Such point of view is first of all grounded by recent detainment of
89 Turkish citizens under suspicion of involvement in "Ergenekon"
activities. "Ergenekon", that secret extremist terror organization, is
accused by the authorities of Turkey for destabilizing the political
situation in the country, spreading chaos, creating background for
military revolution and exciting the conflicts with Kurds.

Moreover, in case of having organized the explosions, PKK would
have taken the responsibility, otherwise the act of terror becomes
senseless. In the meanwhile "Ergenekon" is not interested in taking
the responsibility for the explosions at all, as it works for at least
discrediting Erdogan’s regime, if not messing up all the Turkish
statehood. Moreover, "Ergenekon" had something to take revenge for
after the mentioned arrests.

In despite of the eagerness of Istanbul Mayor Muammer Guler to asribe
the explosions to PKK, a point of view which fairly coincided with
those of terrorism experts Erdal Sarizbeyki and Ercan Citioglu,
rector of "Bahcesehir" university Deniz Ulkyu Ariboga suggested that
such actions are rather dangerous for the Kurdish organization and
run contrary with its policies. Then the rector suggested that the
explosions might be somehow connected to the "Ergenekon’s" case.

As "Eni Safak" newspaper says, Ariboga’s statement was indirectly
confirmed by terrorism expert Odner Aytac, professor at the Turkish
Police Academy. Examining the PKK-"Ergenekon" connections, the
expert suggested that the two organizations could even cooperate in
realizing the July 26 explosions. Ariboga stated that ascribing the
explosions to PKK at once without due examination of the facts would
be a great mistake.

But the matter is not only about the statements of the experts,
university rector or even the Mayor of Istanbul. The type of the
explosives used, this is what really matters. According to "Zaman",
RDX explosives were used in Istanbul on July 26, which is not a novelty
in Turkey. Why? Because the very same type of explosives were used in
the murders of Bahriye Ucok, Ahmed Taner Kisal, Ugur Mumcu, as well
as in the terror acts in the bazaar of Ankara and Diarbekir school.

Moreover, the Security Court of Turkey wrote to the commission
examining the Ugur Muncu case that the aforementioned type of
explosives is most frequently used by the Turkish secret intelligence
structures. It also came to be known that the same RDX explosives were
used in the Asian part of Istanbul against the demonstrators on May 1,
1996. Former PKK members say that the explosions were plotted by the
intelligence department of the Gendarmerie.

Mentioning all those facts, "Zaman" newspaper wonders why the
explosions were organized. Then Zaman finds the answer to its own
question in the accusatory act against "Ergenekon": "…in order
to weaken the positions of the legitimate authorities, to create
atmosphere of chaos, organize acts of terror, in secrecy obtain
the administrative leverage and come to power against the will of
the nation".

A ‘HOT AUTUMN’ AHEAD IN CAUCASUS POLICY FOR ANKARA

Today’s Zaman
July 30 2008
Turkey

A "hot autumn" will descend on the Turkish capital this year as it
faces a challenging schedule concerning its policies regarding its
two Caucasian neighbors — policies which it will have to handle
with delicacy.

President Abdullah Gul is to participate in the ninth summit of
the heads of state of Turkic-speaking countries, to be held in Baku
on Sept. 5. In addition to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the
summit’s host, presidents o f Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan are also expected to participate. Gul has an official
invitation to visit Turkey’s estranged neighbor Armenia the day after
the summit in Baku concludes.

Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan invited Gul to a World Cup qualifying
match between the national soccer teams of the two countries which
will be played in Yerevan on Sept. 6 and called for dialogue to help
normalize ties, saying this will be mutually beneficial.

Both diplomats at the Foreign Ministry and officials close to
the Cankaya Presidential Palace are tight-lipped on whether Gul
will honor Sarksyan’s invitation, which has led to the definition
of the current state of affairs in international media as "soccer
diplomacy." Analysts say Ankara will probably announce its decision
on the matter at the latest possible moment while continuing its
reticence as long as possible.

Sources close to Gul’s office say, however, that "Cankaya Palace’s
assessment of the invitation is positive."

Turkey severed its ties and closed its border with Armenia in 1993
in protest of Armenian occupation of the Azerbaijani territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Gul recently reiterated emphasis on respect for
territorial integrity, and it has been widely considered a sign that
Turkey is not planning to reverse its policy on ties with Armenia
any time soon unless Yerevan agrees to take a step back in the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, despite a recent thaw in relations.

"Normalization of bilateral relations with Yerevan will not only be
helpful for Armenia, but will also be helpful for Turkey," a senior
Turkish diplomat recently told Today’s Zaman. "Normalization is a need
not only for our landlocked neighbor in order to rid itself of its
isolated situation under difficult economic conditions. Normalization
is a need for us as well," the same diplomat, speaking on condition
of anonymity, said.

The Azerbaijani capital is, meanwhile, waiting for Gul’s final
decision despite assurances given by Turkey that Ankara’s policy
towards Yerevan has not changed.

"One should not forget that we are not Armenia’s enemies despite the
absence of diplomatic recognition. Almost 70,000 Armenian citizens
are currently earning their livelihood in Turkey," another diplomat
also noted.

BAKO SAHAKIAN: FOREIGN POLICY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF NKR PRIMARY DIRECTIONS

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 23

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the NKR Foreign Ministry,
NKR President Bako Sahakian sent a congratulatory message to
Ministry’s personnel and all those, who had their contribution to
full establishment of the NKR Foreign Ministry.

"Foreign policy has always been one of our country’s primary
directions.

Nagorno Karabakh’s recognition by the international community,
protection of people’s interests at international instances, conflict
settlement exclusively by peace: these are problems faced by the NKR
authorities and people that should be solved immediately," the NKR
President’s message read.

According to B. Sahakian, to efficiently fulfil the above mentioned
tasks the efforts of all Armenians should be confronted, cooperation
should be deepened with the RA Foreign Ministry, contacts with the
Diaspora should be made closer, special attention should be paid
to establishment of economic relations. The President said that in
this issue, a special importance is attached to both the NKR Foreign
Ministry and representations functioning abroad, the activity of
which should be too active and purposeful.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED NKR MFA STAFF ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY

DeFacto Agency
July 23 2008
Armenia

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian congratulated NKR
MFA staff on the 15th anniversary. According to the Central Department
of Information under NKR President, Bako Sahakian’s message runs, in
part, "On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of establishment of
NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs I cordially congratulate the whole
staff of NKR MFA and all those who contributed to the establishment
of our Republic’s MFA.

Foreign policy has been and remains one of priority directions of
our Republic. Nagorno-Karabakh’s recognition by the international
community, protection of the people’s interests at the international
instances, conflict’s settlement exclusively in a peaceful way –
these are the issues NKR authorities and people face, so they should
be resolved without delay.

To efficiently solve the above-mentioned tasks one should join
the whole nation’s efforts, deepen cooperation with RA MFA, bring
relations with Diaspora still closer, and pay special attention to
the establishment of economic relations. A special place has been
spared both for NKR MFA and our representatives in foreign countries,
whose activity should be extraordinarily active and purposeful. I am
convinced that NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a corresponding
potential to resolve the tasks it faces. Your work is of boundless
importance for our country and people, so each of you should work
with greatest responsibility and skill.

I again congratulate all of you and wish success for the welfare of
the bright and prosperous future of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic".

KEVORKIAN OUTLINES CAMPAIGN GOALS, WELCOMES QUESTIONS AT LOCAL MEETING

FOXBusiness
July 23 2008

Mark down August 1, 2008 on your calendar as a must attend. That’s the
date you are invited to an evening of education and information from
7 till 10 P.M. at the Birmingham Community House, 380 South Bates St,
Birmingham, Michigan.

Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who is running for U.S. Congress discusses
the details of his platform on the world and country situations as
he believes in letting people know what he intends to do when he
is elected.

He will welcome questions as he talks about his plans for the economy,
Health care benefits, prison reform and other challenges to making
America better for the citizens of the 9th district.

Kevorkian gave his largest public appearance speaking to a crowd of
4,800 people at the University of Florida in January of this year.

Dr. Kevorkian is running as an independent in Michigan’s 9th
Congressional District against congressman Joe Knollenberg
(R-Bloomfield Hills) and Central Michigan University Professor Gary
Peters (D-Bloomfield Township).

That’s 7 PM, Friday Night, August 1st at the Birmingham Community
House, 380 South Bates St, Birmingham, Michigan.

ASSETS OF ARMENIAN UNIBANK GROW 39% TO $211 MILLION

ARKA
July 22

Assets of Armenian Unibank reached $211 million in 2008, after growing
39%, compared with the previous year, the bank’s press office reports.

The bank’s credit portfolio has grown 31% ower the first half of 2008
to $137 million.

Unibank attracted $153 million in Jan/June 2008 (28% growth, compared
with the same period a year earlier).

Time deposits of individuals reached $101.3 million after growing 28%.

Unibank was established in 2001. Uniastrum Asset Management holds 50%
of the banks stocks and Evainvest OJSC holds the remaining 50%. ($1 –
AMD 301.33)