EDGAR ARAKELYAN CASE SENT TO APPEAL COURT
A1 Plus | 22:00:27 | 08-06-2004 | Politics |
The lawyer of Edgar Arakelyan, who was sentenced to a year and six
months for hitting a policeman with an empty plastic bottle, filed
a motion to the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.
He is asking to reconsider the case and, taking into account his
client’s repentance, to replace the punishment with a not so severe
one: to fine him or give him a suspended sentence.
Azeris stage anti-Armenian protest in Brussels
Sarq, Baku
4 Jun 04
Text of Rasad report by Azerbaijani newspaper Sarq on 4 June headlined
“No to ‘Armenian genocide’ claims” and subheaded “Our compatriots
organized march in Brussels”
The cultural centre of Azerbaijanis in Europe, the Belgian Ataturk
centre and the Belgian Turkish Platform staged a joint sanctioned
march on Gare du Nord Square in Brussels yesterday [3 June].
Fatma Aliyeva, chairwoman of the cultural centre of Azerbaijanis
in Europe, has told the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with
Azerbaijanis Living Abroad that thousands of people attended the march
and carried various placards and the Azerbaijani and Turkish flags. The
placards read “Armenians occupied Karabakh”, “Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s
integral part”, “We condemn the so-called Armenian genocide and lies”,
and “The so-called Armenian monuments should be removed”.
The march was staged in the area of 5 km between Gare du Nord and Gare
du Midi Squares. The report says that mainly Azerbaijanis and Turks
joined the action. Politicians of Turkish origin were also among them.
Big Insinuations For Little Armenia
Russia, Saint-Petersburg
Rosbalt, 31/05/2004, 11:05
It has been repeatedly hinted to Armenia this past month that Yerevan can
better prioritize its foreign policy. Behind the noise and dust raised by
the government and the opposition, Washington is systematically pursuing the
entrenchment of its position in the region.
The opinion of American experts
Washington regularly reminds Yerevan that without its help, Armenia cannot
stand on its own feet and will remain a banana republic in the backwaters of
civilization. And what that help means is not difficult to understand. Thus,
the analytical center STRATFOR, which some regard as a CIA mouthpiece,
recently released a report entitled ‘The Battle for the Former USSR: Wooing
Armenia.’ The experts at STRATFOR think that the United States needs Armenia
in order to become a key player in the region, and that goal is being
hindered by Russia and Iran, with which Yerevan has overly good relations.
Therefore, the report continues, Washington needs to make a policy decision:
‘The United States must do all it can to squeeze Armenia into a corner, and
then a reorientation of Armenian priorities in the US’s favor will be the
only alternative.’ Moreover, a partnership with Washington will be the
panacea for the region’s greatest ill – the conflict in Karabakh. And the
prescription to the problem in this case has more than one application.
‘Armenia has seized the territory of neighboring Azerbaijan, and has made
clear that it has no intention of leaving. But it is only possible to
triumph over a partner of the United States if you yourself become a partner
of the United States,’ SRATFOR openly recommends to Yerevan.
In order that the decision not be made in Armenia, according to the center’s
experts, its fate has already been decided. ‘Nevertheless, the task of
conquering Armenia is doable, and will in the long term be achieved by the
US thanks to the active and assiduous work of diplomatic agencies. All
diplomatic efforts dedicated to the conquest of Armenia must be very
delicate and must take several years.’ True, the center’s experts recognize
that the activities of Russia and Iran might prove a serious hindrance, and
could completely derail US plans.
Practically in tandem, the CIA, together with non-governmental centers, has
released a report entitled ‘Global Trends 2015.’ Until 2015, the report
reads, Armenia will continue to be isolated and dependent on Russia and
Iran, and therefore will continue to be a regional wild card. According to
CIA predictions, the region will continue to be unstable as the result of
unresolved conflicts.
Karabakh damper
Those unresolved conflicts, and the Karabakh conflict in particular,
continue not only to poison relations between Yerevan and Baku, but hang
like the Sword of Damocles over the heads of every Armenian president. It
should be remembered that Levon Ter-Petrosian was obliged to leave his post
early when he tried to reach a compromise on the conflict in Karabakh. At
the time, he left to the unanimous applause of Armenian society. Karabakh is
an issue which has the ability to unite Armenians of all political stripes.
Now, Robert Kocharian appears to be in the same position. What actually
threatens Kocharian now is not the opposition, which wants to depose him,
but pressure from Washington to resolve the Karabakh conflict and reach an
unfavorable compromise. At STRATFOR, that is an openly advocated position:
‘Washington’s support for Azerbaijan’s position regarding the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict could drive Armenia into a corner, and then
the reorientation of Armenian priorities in the US’s favor would become the
only alternative.’ It appears as if the situation could take that turn – to
drive Armenia into a corner and force it to distance itself from Russia and
Iran. For any Armenian president, that option would appear far easier than
to compromise on the issue of Karabakh.
Washington is systematically increasing its pressure on Yerevan, gradually
broaching the subject of Karabakh. In particular, the State Department
recently published a particularly harsh addendum to its annual human rights
report: ‘President Robert Kocharian was defeated in 2003 in a disputed
election, which was marred by serious violations and did not meet
international standards.’ In the February version of the report, all that
was said was that violations had occurred. Such declarations look like
unambiguous threats.
At the same time, George Bush has proposed a new ambassador to Armenia to
replace John Ordway. He has proposed John Marshall Evans, the head of the
Russian section at the State Department. The train of thought is hard to
miss. In addition, the new American representative to the OSCE group on the
Karabakh conflict has been named as Steven Mann, who in his time opened the
first diplomatic mission to an independent Armenia, and it is said just as
successfully forced the door open to the new republic’s government.
Moreover, Steven Mann, who is considered to be one of the founding fathers
of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, has remained a senior adviser on energy issues
in the Caspian region.
The Pentagon’s hand?
Meanwhile, according to knowledgeable observers, the issue of Karabakh has
recently been handed over from the State Department to the Pentagon.
According to a source in the Armenian government, the Karabakh question now
has the potential to generate serious and unpredictable complications as the
result of the Pentagon’s decisive involvement in the process, which
diplomats had previously managed to quiet.
What the American military has managed to initiate in the South Caucasus is
difficult to miss. The Boston Globe recently published an article which
stated that the United States is intent on implementing serious military
programs in the South Caucasus, continuing a ‘careful application of soft
power.’ In particular, according to the Boston Globe, a recent conference in
the German city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen of NATO members was dedicated to
the coordination of efforts regarding the Caucasus, which included the
participation of Georgia and Armenia.
The results are already before us. In particular, the Armenian army is
modernizing its most vulnerable sector – communications – with the help of
the United States. Moreover, the Defense Department was obliged at the end
of April to deny reports that Armenia and the US had signed an agreement on
the use of Armenian airfields by the US Air Force. The source of the report
was the very same STRATFOR following a visit to Armenia by US Commander for
Europe, Charles Wald. ‘The true aim of the agreement was the provision of
aid in the material-technical sphere at the request of the other country,
taking into account the interests of one’s own country,’ the Defense
Department hastily explained. But as it is said, there is no smoke without
fire.
Incidentally, Armenia is not only being pressured, it is being given
incentives. In particular, Armenia was recently included on the list of 16
countries which the United States intends to help with its program
‘Millennium Challenges.’ It is anticipated that the Armenian government will
receive in the next two years more than USD 300 million, which will not be
standard American aid, most of which goes to finance American experts, but
rather direct investments in the country’s budget. True, in Washington they
are parsing their words – aid will only be forthcoming if the Armenian
government behaves. And the Armenian government needs that aid urgently, in
order to reduce social tensions in the country and not allow an explosion
being prepared by the opposition to occur. Samvel Martirosian, Rosbalt,
Yerevan.
Translated by Alex Anderson
EuropaWorld
May 28 2004
Stepping up the battle to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into
the clutches of terrorists
VIENNA, 26 May 2004 – In a significant move to reduce the risk of
terrorists getting their hands on portable missiles that can bring
down civil and military aircraft, the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe has taken a decision to tighten export
controls on so-called MANPADS.
At its 423rd meeting today, the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation
(FSC) decided unanimously to adopt principles developed under the
Wassenaar Arrangement, a smaller group of nations that have agreed to
promote transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of
conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.
“We have recognised the threats posed by unauthorised proliferation
and use of man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), especially to
civil aviation, peace-keeping, crisis management and anti-terrorist
operations”, said Armenian Ambassador Jivan Tabibian, whose country
currently holds the Chairmanship of the FSC.
By this decision, the 55 participating States of the OSCE agree to
incorporate these principles into their national practices and
regulations. Any infringement of export control legislation, related
to MANPADS, will be a criminal offence.
The States will report transfers of MANPADS, categorised in the OSCE
Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons as portable launchers of
anti-aircraft missile systems, by making use of the OSCE’s own SALW
Information Exchange requirements.
“We are determined to contribute to reducing the risk of diversion of
small arms and light weapons on to the black market”, said the FSC
Chairman. “This decision is in line with the commitments undertaken
by the OSCE at Maastricht in December, when we adopted the OSCE
Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the 21st
Century.”
The OSCE would be using all the tools at its disposal to address the
proliferation of MANPADS, he added. “The participating States will
review the implementation of these principles on regular basis.”
As well as invoking these principles to enhance effective export
control of small arms and light weapons including MANPADS in the OSCE
area, the 55 States will also try to promote their application to
non-OSCE countries.
PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
May 27, 2004
ACNIS Releases Expert Poll Results, Focus on Armenia in the World
YEREVAN – The Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) today convened a public roundtable to issue the results of
its first two expert opinion surveys. Entitled “My View of Armenia’s
Future” and “Armenia’ s Foreign Policy, Orientation, and Attitude
toward Power Centers of the World,” they embraced vital issues of
concern for both the Republic of Armenia and Armenians worldwide. The
seminar brought together policy and academic circles, leaders of
the NGO community, representatives of the mass media, politicians,
public figures, and human rights advocates in order to consider
specific trends and patterns in the specialized domain.
ACNIS founder Raffi Hovannisian greeted the audience with opening
remarks. “Currently concluding its first decade of public service,
the Center’s research agenda this year will seek out the applied
setting and the public pulse, expanding its field of observation
to include the entire spectrum of society. In this manner we will
develop the foundations required to compare today’s expert viewpoints
with prevailing public opinions, for a better and more comprehensive
understanding of key issues facing the nation,” Hovannisian said.
ACNIS legal and political affairs analyst Stepan Safarian then
presented the results of the Expert Opinion Poll on “My View of
Armenia’s Future.” In the foreseeable future, regional cooperation will
be a priority issue for Armenia, assert 18% of the respondents. Almost
an equal percentage prioritize establishment of democracy, of
which 2% emphasize the restoration of constitutional order. 16% of
the respondents attach primary importance to the settlement of the
Karabagh matter. 10% prefer a reassessment of foreign policy, and 10%
law and order in domestic life. For 8% of respondents, strengthening
of the army and maintenance of internal stability each are ranked
as the most urgent issue. 6% note the campaign against corruption,
and 4% the creation of jobs, as the question of paramount importance.
In another connection, 68% of respondents believe the elimination
of emigration to be plausible in the near future, while 56% find
possible the regulation of the Karabagh conflict, 52% international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and 52% poverty reduction. Only
6% have an optimistic view about the return of historical Armenian
lands. An equal percentage share a hope to succeed in the struggle
against corruption. In the opinion of 80% of respondents, Armenia’s
prospects for sovereign democracy are endangered in the short
run. This notwithstanding, 74% still believe that all challenges
currently faced will be overcome.
ACNIS international affairs associate and Yerevan State University
professor Aram Harutiunian presented the results of the Expert Opinion
Poll on “Armenia’s Foreign Policy, Orientation, and Attitude toward
Power Centers of the World.” In his report, 56% of all respondents
attach high significance to protection of human rights as the leading
requirement to which the Council of Europe holds the Republic of
Armenia, 34% to constitutional reforms, and 6% to judicial reforms. 82%
are not satisfied with the level of Armenia’s fulfillment of Council
of Europe commitments, whereas 72% believe that it is the Council of
Europe, together with the European Union, which promotes Armenia’s
independence. As for the states or international organizations
circumscribing Armenia’s independence, 56% of the respondents note
the Russian Federation, 6% the United States and the World Bank,
respectively, 4% Turkey, and so on. It is noteworthy that 12% cite
the Armenian government as an obstacle to establishment of independent
statehood. 66% of the specialists surveyed think that Armenia should
join NATO within 10-12 years, and 6% of the remainder have difficulty
in answering. 18% consider the present deployment of Russian bases
in Armenia the main guarantee for regional stability. 76% do not view
the Russian military presence in Armenia as such a guarantee, and 6%
encounter difficulty in responding to the question.
Fifty experts of various ages and both genders took part in the expert
opinion poll. 30% of them work at state-run and 70% in non-governmental
institutions; 72% are male, and 28% female. 18% are 20-30 years old,
40% 31-40, 32% 41-50, 6% 51-60, and 4% 61-70 years of age. 98% of
the responding specialists have received higher education. 32% are
candidates of science (PhD), 2% of whom are full professors, 60% hold
a Master’s degree, while 6% have earned solely a Bachelor’s degree.
The presentations were followed by contributions by Yerevan State
University sociology professor Zinaida Tokmajian; “Yerkir” weekly’s
editor-in-chief Spartak Seiranian; American University international
relations professor Khachik Derghoukassian; European Union Chamber
of Commerce executive director Hovhannes Igityan; Armenian European
Policy and Legal Advice Center executive director Tigran Jrbashian;
Avetik Ishkhanian of the Armenian Helsinki Committee; Sevak Lalayan
of the International Center for Human Development; Armen Aghayan
of the “Protection of Liberated Territories” public initiative;
and many others.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS
serves as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy
challenges facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet
world. It also aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic
thinking and a wider understanding of the new global environment. In
2004, the Center focuses primarily on public outreach, civic education,
and applied research on critical domestic and foreign policy issues
for the state and the nation. For further information on the Center or
the full polling results, call (3741) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (3741)
52-48-46; e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit ,
,
PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 25, 2004
COMMUNIQUE
PRIMATE PRESIDES OVER
ASCENSION DAY CEREMONY AT THE
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF CRESCENTA VALLEY
On Thursday, May 20, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
accompanied by Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan, who is visiting from Armenia,
presided over the Ascension Day Ceremony of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of La Crescenta, in Tujunga. Also present at the ceremony
was Rev. Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Pastor in Charge of the La Crescenta
Valley Parish.
An evening service took place at 6:30 p.m. officiated by the Primate,
after which Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan delivered the Sermon of the
day. Following, the Crescenta Valley Saturday and Sunday School
children, as well as the students of the Hye Bells Music School
presented readings from the Bible, songs and music. The ceremony
closed with the message of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
A reception followed the ceremony in the church hall, where the
faithful were treated to a cultural program by the children.
PRIMATE VISITS THE ST. ANDREW
FRIDAY SCHOOL IN CUPERTINO
On Friday, May 21, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
paid a Pastoral visit to the Cupertino Parish where the students of
the St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church Friday School presented a
program dedicated to the Primate.
Although the Friday School of the church has been in existence for
forty years, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian’s visit marked
the first visit to the school by a Primate. In appreciation of their
dedicated service, His Eminence honored the principal Ms. Anahid
Nalvarian, as well as all the teachers and board members.
At the end of the program the Primate addressed the children, who
responded with tremendous enthusiasm to His Eminence’s visit and
his address.
PRIMATE’S FIRST PASTORAL VISIT TO CARMEL
On Saturday, May 22, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
paid his first Pastoral Visit to the Carmel Parish, accompanied
by Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan and Rev. Fr. Khoren Kirakosyan, who
arrived in Los Angeles last month, to participate in the 77th Diocesan
Assembly. Also accompanying the Primate was Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian
Pastor in Charge of the Carmel Parish.
In Carmel, the His Eminence celebrated his first Divine Liturgy
and delivered a Sermon centered on the words of His Holiness the Late
Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, “A nation which refuses to die”.
Following the Liturgy a reception took place in the Church hall, with an
attendance of over 150 faithful, after which a unique gathering took
place between the Primate and the youth and other members of the
community.
PRIMATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AND
OFFICIATES OVER ORDINATIONS AT
ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CHURCH
On Sunday, May 22, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland
and officiated over the ordinations of Acolytes and Sub-Deacons,
and the blessing of veils. The Primate presented gifts to all those
who were ordained.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by the 47th Annual Banquet of
St. Vartan Armenian Church. The Banquet opened with the invocation of
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, after which a program took
place with the participation of the Sunday School students, as well as
remarks by Jeff Hazarian, Esq., and Archpriest Fr. Mesrob Sarafian.
His Eminence addressed the faithful with a message on the words of
Jesus Christ, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. He
said, “Christ our Lord reminds us all of the true meaning of teaching
in the life of a Christian. For to a Christian teaching has the
connotation of sharing our God-given grace and gifts with our fellow
brothers and sisters for the strengthening of the Christian Church.
“Through the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we are
called to renew in our souls the Christian calling to respond to that
needs of the church and the community, to reawaken in or hearts the
Christian spirit, and above all to respond to the call to become the
spiritual architects of the church.”
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
May 25, 2004
Burbank, California
PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:
Armenia, United States Sign Agreement on Protection of Cultural Heritage
On May 25, 2004, an important cultural agreement was signed between the
United States and Armenia, providing for safeguarding the cultural heritage
of all national, religious, or ethnic groups residing and having resided in
both countries. Agreement on Protection and Preservation of Certain Cultural
Properties was signed by Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman
Kirakossian and Warren L. Miller, Chairman of U.S. Commission for the
Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, representing the governments of
two countries. The signing ceremony was held at the State Department, in the
presence of Undersecretary of State Marc Grossman, as well as officials from
State Department and Embassy of Armenia.
The Agreement commits both parties to protect and preserve the cultural
heritage of any ethnic group residing in their territory or against the
nationals of the other Party in its laws concerning the protection and
preservation of their cultural heritage; the right to contribute to the
protection and preservation of their cultural heritage; and public access to
such heritage, including places of worship, sites of historical
significance, monuments, cemeteries and memorials to the dead as well as
archival materials.
The Agreement also stipulates that “each Party shall take special steps to
ensure such protection and preservation of cultural heritage within its
territory and shall invite the cooperation of the other Party and its
nationals where assistance is required for this purpose.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Undersecretary Grossman and Chairman Miller hailed
the agreement as another bridge linking the peoples of the United States and
Armenia. In his remarks during the ceremony, Ambassador Kirakossian said
that this agreement was the first such treaty regulating the cultural
affairs between the two countries, augmenting already strong cooperation on
economic, political, and security areas. He added that it was of great
significance to Armenia because “we understand the value of cultural
heritage and the importance of its protection and preservation.”
RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER ANNOUNCES MAJOR CIS MILITARY EXERCISES
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
21 May 04
Yerevan, 21 May: At the beginning of August “large-scale exercises
of the armed forces of the CIS member countries” will be held in
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov
said today following the conclusion of a sitting of the CIS Council
of Ministers of Defence.
He said Russia would be represented at the exercises by military
transport and combat aviation, the air force and also by permanent
readiness units and subunits which will be transferred to the zone
of the exercises.
Apart from this, said the minister, “exercises codenamed
Zapad-Antiterror in which antiterrorist subunits from a number of CIS
countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic
will take part, will be held on the territory of Moldova at the end
of June”.
Russia’s military base at Gyumri faces no problems – Ivanov
By Alexander Konovalov, Tigran Liloyan
ITAR-TASS News Agency
May 20, 2004 Thursday
YEREVAN, May 20 — Relations between Russia and Armenia in the sphere
of defense and security have been developing dynamically and steadily
and there have been no major problems in military affairs, including
the operation of the 102nd military base at Gyumri, Russian Defense
Minister Sergei Ivanov said upon arrival in Armenia on a working visit.
Russia supplies Armenia with military products at internal prices.
“These matters have been discussed regularly within the framework of
the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Armenia is entitled to
the same opportunities to buy Russian military hardware as the other
CSTO member-states.”
Later on Thursday Ivanov will hold talks with his Armenian counterpart
Serge Sarkisian to look into Russian-Armenian cooperation in the
field of defense, military-technological cooperation and military
personnel training.
“Regional security issues and situations in trouble spots will be
discussed, too,” Ivanov said.
MOSCOW GAVE OK TO CONSTRUCTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE
PanArmenian News, Armenia
May 20 2004
“Gasprom” seemingly has submitted the fact that it will have to cede
a part of the Armenian market to Iranians.
The working visit of Robert Kocharian to Moscow is considered
productive both in Yerevan and Moscow. One of the main subjects
discussed during the visit was the energy cooperation. It is
interesting that the visit of Kocharian to Moscow coincided with
signing of an agreement on construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
in Yerevan. Hardly this happened by a pure accident.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The subject was discussed at the meetings of Robert
Kocharyan with Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov,
President of the Gasprom Boris Miller, Head of the ITERA Victor
Makarov, President of the RAO EES Anatoly Chubays, Director of
the “Prometey” Company Senik Gevorkyan. Moscow’s opinion about the
project of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline construction can be judged from
the position of the Gasprom which was the first interested side as
it is the monopolist deliverer of the gas to the Southern Caucasus.
Boris Miller assured the journalists that they were not concerned
with the agreement.
General Director of the ArmRosGasprom Company Karen Karapetyan also
confirmed that the Iranians will not force out the Russians from the
Armenian market. He said that the main part of the Iranian gas will
be processed to electricity o be delivered again to Iran.
Evidently, the President’s visit has really solved the misunderstanding
concerning the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. It is known that all the
exporters solve the disputable problems usually by starting talks about
increasing the tariffs. It is evident that is Moscow was dissatisfied
with the deal Boris Miller would not assure that it was not going to
change the tariffs. Besides, the Russian government would not sanction
the participation of the Russian company in the tender for laying the
pipeline. The fact of participation of the Russians in the tender
is confirmed by official sources. Probably it will be the Prometey
Company. The company constructs gas pipeline all over the Europe. Its
experience and technical resources allow it to receive the order.
For Russia Iran has always been a competitor in the European gas
market. However, Moscow has been convinced that the talks about the
possibility of the continuation of the gas pipeline through Georgia
by the Black Sea to Ukraine have no real basis. However, Armenia
should not forget about the possibility to become a transit country.
Two years ago the Russian Voce-Premier Victor Khristenko said that
though Iran is a competitor, “mutual concessions should be made”. It
is not excluded that soon the parties will have to discuss those
“mutual concessions”…