Author: Tambiyan Samvel

Agence France Presse — English
September 5, 2007 Wednesday 12:23 PM GMT

Fighting kills 5 near disputed Karabakh: Azerbaijan

BAKU, Sept 5 2007

Three Armenian and two Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed in
fighting near the disputed region of Nagorny Karabakh, the
Azerbaijani defence ministry said Wednesday.

Ministry spokesman Ilgar Verdiyev said two Azerbaijani soldiers were
killed after Armenian forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions in
two separate attacks early Tuesday, violating a ceasefire.

Azerbaijani forces returned fire, he said, killing three Armenian
soldiers. There was no immediate confirmation of the incidents from
Armenian officials.

Armenian forces seized control of Nagorny Karabakh from Azerbaijan in
a war in the early 1990s that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives and
forced about a million people on both sides to flee their homes.

A ceasefire was signed in 1994 but the two countries have cut direct
economic and transport links and failed to negotiate a settlement on
the region’s status.

Armenian and Azerbaijani forces are spread across a ceasefire line in
and around Nagorny Karabakh, often facing each other at close range,
and shootings are common.

Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute
RA, Yerevan 0028
Contact: Arevik Avetisyan
Tel: (374 10) 39 09 81
Fax: (374 10) 39 10 41
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http: //

Francois Hollande visited the Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute.

06.09.07

First Secretary of the French Socialist Party Francois Hollande,
accompanied by Kiro Manoyan and Hrant Margaryan, visited the Armenian
Genocide Museum & Institute and put a wreath to the memorial to the
Armenian Genocide victims. Mr Papoulies wrote in the Commemoration
Book:"The Memorial Complex is the expression of all those yesterday’s
victims, who claim for justice from the today’s alive".
"French socialists have done much for the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by France. In 2001, we were the authors of the Armenian
Genocide bill, which was passed by both houses of the parliament. We
have also initiated the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.
It was passed by the lower house and is waiting for voting in the
Senate," Mr. Holland said. Francois Hollande thinks the Senate will pass
the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial.

DELHI CHIEF MINISTER IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly of RA
Sept 7 2007
Armenia

On September 6 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, receivedthe delegation headed
by Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi Chief Minister. Reena Pandey, Indian
Ambassador to Armenia and Mr. Ashot Kocharyan, Armenian Ambassador
to India, participated in the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National
Assembly expressed assurance that her visit will promote the deepening
of the cooperation and the development of the Armenian-Indian
relations. The President of the National Assembly noted that India
is an influential country of big and various cultures as well as
a country of wide opportunities at a worldwide level. Noting that
the countries have centuries old cultural relations the President of
the National Assembly reminded that the first Armenian Constitution
was written and the first Armenian periodical was printed in India
and now though the Armenian Diaspora is not so large in India as
it was before it also connects the two countries. In the aspect of
the development of the relations Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of
the National Assembly, also highlighted the productive work of the
two Ambassadors. Touching upon the inter-parliamentary relations
President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosyan noted that
the visit of the parliamentary delegation to Armenia will be a good
step in the aspect of the development of the partnership in 2008
and Mrs. Dikshit asked to convey greetings and invitation of a visit
to Indian parliamentarians. The President of the National Assembly
highlighted the cooperation programs of the two capitals also noting
that the National Assembly is also ready to promote the development
of the relations in that aspect.

Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, who is already the second
day in Armenia, expressed her admiration on Yerevan’s architecture and
beauty, noting that she will happily return to Armenia as a tourist
to see the nature and get familiarized with the historical cultural
heritage ofthe country. The Armenian culture and art are especially
close to Mrs. Sheila Dikshit. In the result of her meetings in Yerevan
she recorded a great deal of opportunities of the development of
relations especially in the spheres of education, high technologies,
agriculture and tourism. According to her the 15-years of diplomacy is
a sufficient time for the two countries for better knowing each other
and for the development of the relations. Mrs. Sheila Dikshit also
touched upon the importance of the development of the trade economic
ties, considering them mutually beneficial for the two countries.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.

"30 DEPUTIES WILL CEASE THEIR MANDATES"

A1+
[06:24 pm] 04 September, 2007

"Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s return is not only wanted, it is a necessity. He
is obliged to return to the politics. Only he can be Serge Sargsyan’s
rival", said Levon Sahakyan, head of "Hayapasht" initiative.

The mentioned initiative will protect Ter-Petrosyan’s candidature
during the 2008 presidential elections.

The members of this initiative are against returning the liberated
territories and criticize the policy of the present authorities on
Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

"If Ter-Petrosyan was to return the territories, he would do that
before 1997. He has always presented the situation honestly,- said
Levon Sahakyan,- Ter-Petrosyan’s biggest mistake was "War or Peace"
article, where he expressed his considerations. Making use of it
the present authorities wished peace to the world and war to our
nation. Only Levon Ter-Petrosyan may correct the political chaos in
the country".

Why Levon Sahakyan is confirmed that Ter-Petrosyan may correct
the situation? To the question of A1+ he answered: "Ter-Petrosyan
is a powerful and wise political actor and everyone is aware of
that. Have you ever looked at the faces of those when they talk about
Ter-Petrosyan’s candidature? I declare with great responsibility
that about 30 deputies will cease their mandates if Ter-Petrosyan
runs for presidency, since they are certain that only he may win
Serge Sargsyan".

Levon Sahakyan is confirmed that after his announcements he will
obtain new enemies and that does not bother him. He also mentioned that
Levon Ter-Petrosyan was not aware of their initiative. "He is obliged
to return for the sake of the countries future. We should admit that
during his presidency of Ter-Petrosyan our historical territories were
liberated and we won during the war. If a president wins in the war
owing to its nation then he is acceptable. If a president manages
to liberate the territories then he is powerful. I want to have a
powerful country and Ter-Petrosyan can establish such country". In
Levon Sahakyan’s opinion, Ter-Petrosyan has also made mistakes because:
"Ter-Petrosyan was not surrounded with right people who loved this
country".

As to the silence of the first president during the last ten years,
Levon Sahakyan said: "Levon Ter-Petrosyan said more by his silence,
than if he cried to the world that Serge Sargsyan was carrying out
elite constructions in the center of Yerevan and looting the nation".

LEVON TER-PETROSYAN MAY SUPPORT ARTASHES GEGHAMYAN

Lragir
Sept 4 2007
Armenia

Koriun Arakelyan, member of the National Solidarity Party, confirmed
on September 4 at the Hayatsk press club the rumored meeting of Levon
Ter-Petrosyan and Artashes Geghamyan. Koriun Arakelyan said Artashes
Geghamyan and Levon Ter-Petrosyan discussed the current state of the
country and the ways out. Koriun Arakelyan prevented the reporters’
question whether Artashes Geghamyan will support Levon Ter-Petrosyan
if he is nominated, and set forward the contrary thesis. "Levon
Ter-Petrosyan is a serious, prominent individual and a political
figure, and why shouldn’t we think if Artashes Geghamyan runs in the
presidential election, Levon Ter-Petrosyan will support him? Why isn’t
this question asked? For it is possible that if Artashes Geghamyan
runs in the presidential election, as a serious and experienced
politician Levon Ter-Petrosyan will support Artashes Geghamyan,"
Koriun Arakelyan says.

Does Levon Ter-Petrosyan have an alternative to supporting Artashes
Geghamyan in participating in the presidential election? Koriun
Arakelyan says Levon Ter-Petrosyan can answer this question because
he does not know, he only knows there is no alternative to Artashes
Geghamyan. Meanwhile, there is no certainty regarding Geghamyan’s
nomination because it will be during the conference of the National
Solidarity which is going to be a jubilee because the party is ten
years old. Now Geghamyan is preparing his address to the conference
which covers the state of the country, while the members of the party,
according to Arakelyan, are trying to persuade their leader to run in
the election. "It is lavishness to leave out a person like Geghamyan
from public administration," he thinks.

In the meantime, Geghamyan is reluctant to oust Robert Kocharyan and
Serge Sargsyan from the process. At least during the meeting of the
opposition leaders he offered to invite pro-government forces including
Kocharyan and Sargsyan. In commenting on his leader’s decision,
Koriun Arakelyan said we must care for a change in the country before
personalities, which is impossible without unification of the nation.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SENDS BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO PRESIDENT KOCHARYAN

armradio.am
31.08.2007 18:12

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Armenian counterpart
Robert Kocharyan on his 53rd birthday.

Russian President’s official website informs that the congratulating
message says, in part:

"I extend my sincere congratulations on your birthday.

I still remember our recent warm meeting in Sochi, where we discussed
outstanding issues of multifaceted bilateral cooperation.

You have greatly contributed to the dynamic development of
Russian-Armenian ties, doing much to promote their advance to the
current high level of strategic partnership and allied relations.

I believe that Russian-Armenian cooperation, which relies on age-old
traditions of friendship, will grow stronger in the interests of
Russian and Armenian people.

I wish you health, energy and success in your work to the benefit
of Armenia."

US JEWISH GROUP STICKS TO ‘ARMENIAN GENOCIDE’ RECOGNITION

arminfo
2007-08-30 18:09:00

The U.S. Jewish group Anti-Defamation League has confirmed its
commitment to the recognition of World War I-era Armenian killings
in the Ottoman Empire as genocide, shortly after its top official
sent a letter to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing his
organization’s "deep sorrow" for causing pain to Turkey’s leaders
and people.

As Turkish Daily News from Washington says, in a controversial
shift in position last Tuesday, the ADL’s National Director Abraham
Foxman announced that his group had come to the understanding that
the Armenian killings "indeed were tantamount to genocide." "We will
not hesitate to apply the term genocide in the future,’ says Foxman.

But he added the ADL remained opposed to efforts to pass genocide
resolutions in the U.S. Congress, saying such moves would be
counterproductive. "While we continue to firmly believe that a
congressional resolution on such matters is a counterproductive
diversion and will not foster reconciliation between Turks and
Armenians, we will not hesitate to apply the term genocide in the
future," Foxman said.

Speaking about the reasons of the ADL’s position concerning the events
in 1915, Foxman noted "We had a dilemma. As an organization committed
to educating people on the dangers not only of anti-Semitism but of
hatred of all kinds, we could not ignore the terrible tragedy that
befell Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire". He added: "We
think the Turkish government should address the moral implications of
its history with the Armenians, particularly because Turkey occupies
the critical spot in the great struggle of our time, the effort to see
a moderate Islamic model triumph over Islamic extremism". Moreover,
speaking about the Turkish Government’s threats, Foxman noted "As
long as the ADL is an organization committed first to the safety and
security of the Jewish people, we cannot in good conscience ignore
the well being of 20,000 Jews in Turkey. We will, however, continue
to push the Turkish government in the right direction".

To note, the ADL’s move was a huge disappointment for the Turkish
government and caused public anger. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan turned to the Israeli President Shimon Perez ith
warnings and threats concerning the Jewish Diaspora in Istanbul. But
the latter, sharing the feelings of the Turkish politician, said that
the Israeli Government cannot directly influence the decisions of a
Jewish organization in another country.

RUSSIA OFFICIALLY ACCUSES GEORGIA OF A "RUDE ALLEGATION"
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily
31/08/2007

"The August 6 missile incident was staged", announced the General
Engineer of the Russian Air Forces Pavel Akulenok., one of the Russian
military experts, who were sent to Georgia to probe into the evidence
provided by the Georgian side.

Head of the Russian Air Forces Headquarters Lt. Gen. Khvorov at a news
conference showed a daily report by a Russian military air controller,
which purportedly proves that no military plane crossed the Georgian
frontier on the day in question.

Radar records provided by the Russian side, he said, clearly showed
passenger planes were in the area concerned at that time. The
Georgian records only showed, what Khvorov termed, the so-called
intruder aircraft. "We can make only one conclusion based on this
information," he said. "No aircraft crossed the Georgian border from
the Russian Federation."

The Russian experts said that they could find nothing of significance
at the incident site at the region of Gori as "the most interested
evidence" – the rocket crater – had already been filled in.

Lt. Gen. Khvorov said as well as this, other "crucial evidence had
also been destroyed by the Georgian side." "We had the impression
that someone did not want us to find the truth," he added.

"Rocket debris found at the site had been brought from elsewhere",
he said.

"How could Russia do that, while it had gained the opportunity to
organize the Olympic Games in Sochi, when it was interested in the
stability of the region?

There is no logic in it. It is a rude allegation against Russia",
underlined the Head of the Russian Air Forces Headquarters.It is
worth to mention that these kind of incidents cause damages to not
only Russian-Georgian relations, but also Armenia.

Moreover, taking account of the fact that there are no special
tendencies to normalize those relations, we can assure that the
history of the "not-exploded missile" will continue. In the logic of
the Russian-Georgian relations’ "performance", we can settle also the
August 29 information by Georgian media about the release of the 15
Russian peacekeepers, who were arrested by the Georgian police out
of the territory of their mission, as the Georgian side assured.

That incident also was not protected from the series of mutual
accusations, allegations and sabotages of the two sides.

In addition, we can qualify the announcements of the both sides
as unprincipled.

Anyway, if the Russian side wants to use the factor of its willingness
to provide stability in the region in the period of the Olympic Games
in Sochi to show its innocence, Georgia, in its turn, does not want
to see Abkhazia to be involved in those games.

Nevertheless, the most important issues remain the following: Why
did the two aircrafts appear in the air of the Gori region on August
6? Who launched the missile? And why didn’t it explode?

MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS: RUSSIA SHOULD NOT VIEW OSCE AS ENEMY

Interfax, Russia
Aug 30 2007

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel
Moratinos believes the upcoming parliamentary elections in Russia
will be lawful and hopes that Russia will invite the OSCE to be an
integral part of the election process.

"I think the elections in Russia will be held appropriately and
observe election laws. It appears to me that the OSCE will not have
problems," Moratinos told Interfax correspondents Olga Golovanova
and Yekaterina Komissar.

"The OSCE takes part in political affairs when it is invited to a
country where elections are held. I am certainly confident that the
Russian leadership will invite the OSCE to take part in this process.

We will definitely discuss this today, and it seems to me that the
OSCE’s involvement should be considered in a constructive manner," he
said before negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The OSCE should help the institutions responsible for organizing
elections in Russia, Moratinos said. "On no account should the OSCE
be viewed as an enemy. Russia is an OSCE member; and therefore,
it should defend the common principles," he said.

There have been debates previously within the OSCE itself – between
the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the
Parliamentary Assembly – in monitoring election processes in different
countries, Moratinos said. "I think the Spanish chairmanship has
helped make sure that these two organizations work well together. In
any case, the recent elections in Armenia and Kazakhstan went fairly
well. We hope the same will happen in Russia," he said.

Moratinos, however, could not specify how many OSCE observers could
monitor the Duma elections. "Russia is a large country in geographical
terms. This is a question for experts, and they should determine how
many observers will go and to what regions of Russia," he said.

Commenting on Russia’s decision to impose a moratorium on the Treaty
on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), Moratinos said this move
should be viewed as an invitation to further negotiate the weapons
control problem.

"As OSCE chairman-in-office, I expressed my concern about this from
the very start. If we all use this moratorium as a proposal that
negotiations should be continued, this situation could be good for
everyone involved. Now that Russia has expressed its standpoint on this
issue, this could possibly help the other CFE signatories concerned
about the situation to express their positions on the issue as well,"
Moratinos said.

Moratinos said he recently made the decision to assign an official
from his ministry to deal solely with the CFE until November.

"My goal is to sign a statement during an OSCE ministerial meeting
in Madrid to make it clear that we all want [the adapted CFE] to
be ratified and that there is enough political will to resolve the
problems surrounding the Treaty’s enforcement. Definitely, we will
talk about this during the negotiations," Moratinos said.

Regarding U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Europe,
Moratinos said, "Each country can settle issues related to its defense
system at a bilateral level. Therefore, Poland and the Czech Republic
can establish any bilateral relations with the U.S. This should
be respected."

"However, this problem should also be considered in the international
context, which calls for negotiations and explanations.

We have always believed that there should be dialogue between the U.S.,
the countries [to host missile defense elements] and Russia.

Therefore, the NATO-Russia Council attached particular significance
to the need for the United States to provide explanations regarding
the parameters of its decision," he said.

Moratinos also told Interfax that Spain’s OSCE chairmanship would be
discussed during Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s
visit to Russia in late September.

"Prime Minister Zapatero will arrive in Russia at the end of September
to further strengthen the wonderful relations existing between Spain
and Russia," Moratinos said.

During Zapatero’s visit to Moscow, Spain would like to discuss the
situation in Iran and in the Balkans, Spain’s OSCE chairmanship in
2007, and the bilateral agenda, including political dialogue, trade
and economic relations, as well as energy issues, Moratinos said.

"We hope that this visit will help bring closer our leaders’ positions
and promote confidence between them and that they will be able to
discuss international issues," he said.

Moratinos said preparations for the Spanish prime minister’s visit
to Moscow was among the goals of his current trip to Moscow.

Rodriguez Zapatero’s September visit will be his third to Russia,
Moratinos said. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Madrid
in 2006.

RUBEN SAFRASTIAN: "THERE IS NO PRECONDITION FOR TURKEY TO CHANGE ITS DECLINATORY POSITION WITH REGARD TO ISSUE OF GENOCIDE"

Noyan Tapan
Aug 28 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, NOYAN TAPAN. "Taking into consideration the recent
changes, which took place in Turkey, one cannot exclude that this
country will mitigate its position to some extent towards Armenia
with regard to political issues. However, there is no precondition
that Turkey will change its declinatory position with regard to the
issue of the Armenian Genocide."

This statement was made by Ruben Safrastian, the Head of the Institute
of Oriental Studies under the RA National Academy of Sciences, at
the press conference held on August 28.

As for the possibility of reopening the Armenian-Turkish border,
Ruben Safrastian mentioned that the closing of the border makes part
of the policy carried out towards Armenia by Turkey and, naturally,
this issue depends on the question of to what extent Turkey will
reconsider its position of principle towards Armenia.

In connection with the recent inter-political events happened in
Turkey, Ruben Safrastian mentioned that the Kemalistic and Islamistic
forces have arrived to a certain agreement, as a result of which
Abdullah Gul will win in the presidential elections. According to him,
a certain part of the Armenian community of that country has voted
for the "Development and Justice" party, expecting that this political
force will take concrete steps in the direction of improving the state
of religous minorities. According to the scientist, such a position
of the Armenian community is not a groundless one, since the leaders
of the "Development and Justice" party are consistently striving for
making Turkey a member of the European Union.