Author: Nargizian David

"ARMENIA FELL BACK WHEN START TALKING WITH ANKARA"

Aysor.am
09/12/09

The chairman of the Constitutional Right Union Party, Hyke Babukhaynan,
says neither statement by Turkish Prime Minister in Washington nor
statements by foreign ministers of the OSCE state members can influence
the Armenian-Turkish relations or the Karabakh conflict.

Turkey will ratify the Armenian-Turkish protocols trying to gain
first, in particular, in the issue of Karabakh, according to the
politician. However, Turkey will fail as the Armenian-Turkish relations
have no links with the Karabakh conflict.

When asked about any possible assignment by Armenia, Hyke Babukhaynan
said Armenia has already fell back when start talking with Ankara
without preconditions. "First of all, Turkey had to recognize the
Genocide, return the occupied and annexed in 1918-1920s territories,
and then get involved in talks," he added.

Turkey will decide future of protocols only after Armenia fulfills
Turkey’s requirements: Turkish MP

04 December 2009 [13:28] – Today.Az

Day.Az interview with Mustafa Kabakci, member of Turkey’s National
Grand Assembly (parliament) from the ruling Justice and Development
Party and head of the Turkey-Azerbaijan parliamentary group.

Day.Az: What do you expect from the meeting between Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama to take
place in early December?

Mustafa Kabakci: This will be a meeting between president of a world
super power with prime minister of a regional super power. The meeting
will focus on ongoing processes in the world and region and a role
Turkey has in these processes.

Our region is the most restless and hot spot in the world. Turkey is
not only a geographical but also political, cultural and military
bridge between East and West. The United States is very well aware of
Turkey’s importance. The U.S. leadership understands that it would be
too difficult to solve regional problems without Turkey’s involvement.
Washington was once more convinced of Turkey’s importance during the
Iraqi process. The parties are most likely to discuss all issues
related to our region at the coming meeting.

What concrete outcome discussions over the Turkey-Armenia relations
and Karabakh conflict may have?

Resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and issues related to Armenia
are a top priority for Turkey. These issues have recently begun to
acquire a serious shape. Obama’s visit to Turkey helped these
processes to get out of the stagnation. We will certainly learn about
further development of these processes after the meeting between
Erdogan and Obama.

It is easy to predict what will Turkish prime minister tell to Obama.
Erdogan has previously stated that establishing relations between
Turkey and Armenia depends on the Karabakh problem. Our government
does not separate these two questions from each other. The prime
minister will probably tell Obama once again that peace in the region
primarily depends on resolution of the Karabakh problem and Armenia’s
current position will make no contribution to the conflict’s fair
solution.

The media reports that the U.S. puts pressure on Turkey to ratify the
Turkish-Armenian protocols. The Armenian press claims that Obama will
do the same during his meeting with Erdogan…

No one can order the Turkish parliament to ratify the protocols.
Turkey is a strong regional power. We will not allow anyone to dictate
terms to us. Any pressure on Turkey is doomed to failure. Turkish
parliament will do nothing contrary to interests of the Turkish people
under pressure. On my own behalf I can say that the protocols are not
expected to be discussed or ratified today. I do not believe these
protocols will be ratified until Armenia fulfills Turkey’s
requirements.

Above all, we require liberation of Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.
We will decide future of these protocols only after Armenians fulfills
this requirement. Turkey does not form its policy on basis of outside
orders. We pursue our own policy that we deem to be expedient. Under
this policy, we can not make friends with enemy of our brother. We can
not establish good neighborly relations with a neighbor while it is at
a war with our brother.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan says that establishment of relations
with Turkey will not force Armenia to abandon its so-called "genocide"
claims. Armenians argue that Barack Obama will officially recognize
the "Armenian genocide" on April 24. Do you think Turkish prime
minister will discuss this issue with the U.S. president?

The Republic of Turkey has committed no "genocide" against anyone and
is not obliged to justify itself before Armenians’ false accusations.
Armenians blackmail Turkey by their "genocide’ claims. We openly
declare that we can not be friends of those who call us murderers and
accuse us of mass killings. So, the demand of the U.S., or someone
else do not change anything.

Following a thaw in Turkish-Armenian relations, Armenia toughened its
stance in the negotiations on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict …

Turkish officials have made it clear for Armenia that relations
between Turkey and Azerbaijan are not of neighborly, but brotherly
nature. Karabakh problem is a problem not only of Azerbaijan but also
that of Turkey. Enemies of Azerbaijan are also enemies of Turkey. As
in other matters, we will hold the same position with Azerbaijan in
the Karabakh issue, too. We will do nothing contrary to Azerbaijan’s
interests.

In fact, Armenia is jealous of unlimited brotherhood between Turkey
and Azerbaijan. Armenia should also know that the Karabakh conflict
paralyzes not only Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also the entire region.
It impedes development and cooperation in the region. We wanted to
show the world that once Armenia withdraws from occupied Azerbaijani
territories, we are even ready to help it to get out of the crisis.

The Turkish government is consulting with Washington on the Armenian
issue. This creates impression that Russia is not involved in the
ongoing processes …

In fact, the Armenian question was put into agenda thanks to the U.S.
and the EU rather than Turkey. As for Russia, it is impossible to
underestimate its regional significance. It is impossible to establish
peace in the Caucasus without Russia’s approval. But Russia can not
ignore Turkey’s role in the region. Moscow is well aware that Turkey
and Azerbaijan play an important role in energy security in the
region. Energy policies of these countries aim at promoting regional
peace and creating an atmosphere of cooperation and regional
development.

We want to explain to Armenia that we can forgive its mistakes and
cooperate with it. It needs only to abandon unfounded claims and agree
to cooperate.

On the other hand, Russia is one of he Turkey’s biggest trade
partners. This partnership impacted also energy security in recent
years. Things constantly change in the world and in Turkey, in
particular. My countryman Mevlana Rumi has a good idea which says that
it is impossible to live life of yesterday. This day is always
different from yesterday. We did not estimate properly importance of
relations with Russia yesterday. Much have changed today. We believe
that Turkey and Russia may establish normal, even friendly relations.
Azerbaijan has a certain role in establishing normal relations between
Russia and Turkey.

RUBEN YEGANYAN: I FIND OUR POPULATION’S SITUATION CATASTROPHIC

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
04.12.2009 17:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The difference between emigrants and immigrants
makes up 7-8 thousand people annually, but official data do not
always reflect the real situation, according to demographer, Head of
Armenian Social-demographic Project NGO Ruben Yeganyan. "Our nation
will be soon facing a serious demographic problem," he told Friday
a news conference, adding that the real difference between emigrants
and immigrants makes up about 20-25 thousand people annually.

"We divide migrants into two categories: those who leave the country
permanently and those who seek employment opportunities abroad,"
he noted.

Yeganyan doesn’t find 2002 census returns realistic. According to
official data, Armenia in that period had a population of 3 800 000 but
as a matter of fact there were 3 210 000 people living in the country,
ethnographer said, characterizing the country’s situation catastrophic.

ANC COORDINATOR: ARMENIA ACCEPTED PRINCIPLE OF AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

NOYAN TAPAN
DECEMBER 4, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. A terrible thing took place at
the Athens meeting of the Foreign Ministers, Armenia accepted that
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be settled on the basis of
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Armenian National Congress
Coordinator Levon Zurabian declaring this at a December 4 press
conference mentioned that Artsakh people’s self-determination is the
most important issue, and to raise it independent Armenia’s first
authorities placed the issue on OSCE’s agenda where Armenia had veto.

L. Zurabian reminded that under the first President many proposals
were also made with the content of the statement adopted in Athens
but the President used his veto.

And today, according to L. Zurabian, the Armenian authorities
mention that the signed document also has the principle of nations’
self-determination forgetting that Azerbaijan has been always ready
to solve that problem by that principle but within the framework of
territorial integrity, which means Karabakh’s high autonomy as part
of Azerbaijan.

Responding to journalists’ observation that L. Ter-Petrosian told
about Artsakh’s autonomy as part of Azerbaijan as early as in 1994
in his interview to the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper L. Zurabian
mentioned that President’s all statements were aimed at ensuring the
military security then. In his words, with such statements the former
authorities ensured their victory, and the current authorities with
pompous expressions go to a defeat.

L. Zurabian refused to comment upon President Serzh Sargsyan’s speech
at the RPA last convention mentioning that the opposition is interested
not in the statements but in the actions of the authorities. "If
they do not release the 15 political prisoners their statements on
solidarity are not worth a penny," he noted.

AZERBAIJANI FM, OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL DISCUSS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today
57897.html
Dec 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met in Athens OSCE
Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut to discuss settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on Dec. 2.

Brichambaut praised the support of the countries which have been
mediating peace talks to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He stressed the necessity of maintaining the dynamics through the
latest talks to achieve progress.

Mammadyarov said the fact that 20 percent of Azerbaijan`s territory
has been under the Armenian occupation was an impediment to settlement
of the dispute.

He added to achieve progress towards settlement of the conflict,
consequences of the occupation must be eliminated.

They said conflicts in the region were a major threat to stability,
security and continuous development.

They also underscored the necessity of honoring norms and principles
of international law to ensure Europe’s security architecture.

The sides also discussed the current state of and prospects for
cooperation between Azerbaijan and OSCE.

PSRC APPROVES 14.6 MILLION EURO INVESTMENT PROGRAM OF ARMENIAN HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL NETWORKS

ARKA
Dec 2, 2009

YEREVAN, December 2, /ARKA/. Armenia’s Public Services Regulatory
Commission (PSRC) has approved today the 14.6 million Euro investment
program of the Armenian High Voltage Electrical Networks company.

Abgar Budagian, head of a PSRC department in charge of investment
programs, said the money will be spent on restoration of Gyumri-2
sub-station in Armenia’s second largest town.

Budagian said the investment will be generated from a loan arrangement
signed by the company with Armenian ministry of finance and German
KfW bank.

Karapet Gevorkian, head of the Armenian representation of KfW, said
the loan will be disbursed in two tranches each 7.3 million Euros. The
first will be allocated by the German government and the second by
the bank. Karapet Gevorkian said the first disbursement may be made
as early as 2010 January.

The High Voltage Electrical Networks runs the closed ring-like networks
of high voltage electrical transmission lines in Armenia.

US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE: "SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE STABILITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION"

APA
Dec 1 2009
Azerbaijan

Athens. Victoria Dementyeva – APA. "US efforts toward the solution
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict through the mediation of OSCE Minsk
Group has an significant impact on the strengthening of relations
between Azerbaijan and Armenia", said US Deputy Secretary of State
James Steinberg at the 17th OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens.

He noted that as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, the United States is
working for the once and for all solution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, which will have a positive impact on the stability and
economic development of the region. Steinberg added that the conflict
settlement remained as one of the issues focused by the OSCE and
Corfu process was also directed toward this issue. "The United States
has a number of proposals toward the setting of new mechanisms on
this issue".

ARTHUR ABRAHAM IS FIT AND EXCITED TO FIND OUT VENUE FOR DIRRELL FIGHT

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.12.2009 13:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Team Sauerland has dismissed rumours suggesting
that King Arthur Abraham’s Super Six World Boxing Classic clash with
Andre Dirrell is in jeopardy due to the flu.

"There is absolutely no truth to it," Team Sauerland General Manager
Chris Meyer said. "Arthur is 100 percent fit. On Saturday, he even
attended a charity event for children in Dortmund. Arthur is impatient
and excited to find out the venue for the Dirrell fight. He cannot
wait to get in the ring with him," BoxingTalk.com reported.

FOODSTUFFS REGISTER PRICE RISE IN ARMENIA

news.am
Nov 30 2009
Armenia

Armenian foodstuffs (sugar, oils, vegetables, fish products and fruits)
registered 2-13% price rise this November compared to October, 2009.

According to RA National Statistical Service, in November 2009 compared
to last month fruits’ prices increased for 13.5%, in particular
Yerevan registered 18.6% upsurge, for vegetables and potatoes — 8.4%
(average 9%), whereas oil – 2.8% and butter – 6.4%.

In November 2009, compared to December 2008 price for sugar raised
for 33.6%. In comparison with last month, meat boosted for 0.7%,
particularly lamb — jumped for 16.4%.

Soft drinks, dairy products, coffee, tea, cacao and pastry recorded
0.1-0.6% price rise this November compared to October same year,
Business24 reports.

CYPRUS OEV PICKED BY ILO FOR MENTORING ARMENIA

Financial Mirror

Nov 27 2009
Cyprus

The International Labour Organisation has picked the Cyprus Employers
and Industrialists’ Federation (OEV) to undertake the mentoring of
the employers organisation of Armenia.

The ILO and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
said OEV was most suited for the mentoring programme that will
be underway in 2010, primarily because it is regarded as a model
employers organisation.

The mentoring programme includes helping to lay the proper foundations
of the sister organisation in Armenia and the right structure of its
mission and aims, as well as its effective operation.

The priorities in Armenia are to set up sector employers associations,
the successful negotiations of collective labour agreements with the
local trade unions, initiate a consultation mechanism with the state,
recruitment of new members, provision of services, as well as health
and security in the workplace.