Author: Tambiyan Samvel

"WE KNOW WHEN WE SHOULD USE AND SAVE BULLETS"

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
07 Aug 2006

The defense ministry of Azerbaijan announces that the Karabakh
party often breaks the cease-fire in different parts of the front
line. Are these statements true and what is the purpose of Baku for
circulating these rumors? We asked Major-General Samvel Karapetian,
First Vice Commander of the Defense Army, to answer these and
other questions. Mr. Vice Commander, what is the situation at the
Karabakh-Azerbaijani front line? Samvel Karapetian: The situation
continues to be stable at the front line. Our force on sentry duty
fulfills its task in accordance with the bylaws and does everything
to guarantee the security of our country. The Azerbaijani side often
accuses the Karabakh border guards of breaking the cease-fire. What
would you say in this connection?

Samvel Karapetian: I would say it is misinformation. Yes, there are
cases of violation of the cease-fire but the Azerbaijanis should
look for the cause among themselves. For us, we know when we should
use and save bullets. The Karabakh party upholds peace and I wish
our potential foe also upheld it. We speak about peace and at the
same time we build a powerful fortification. Does this mean that we
contradict ourselves? Samvel Karapetian: Absolutely no. We take every
step considering the political military situation in the region. Let
us not mix up cease-fire with peace. The resumption of war is highly
probably and we have but become stronger and more powerful. They say if
you want peace, get ready for war. As a person in charge of the front
line of the army, how do you assess the border installations? Samvel
Karapetian: Highly effective.

But this does not mean that there is nothing else to do. The
construction of the fortification began immediately after the
truce. However, this process became better coordinated in 2000, and
continues. It is very important that we know what we want to do and
how. And what do we want? Samvel Karapetian: We want to have defense,
which could resist all kinds of strikes, by air, artillery, tanks or
landing. The army command calls the fortification a defense shield,
which must guarantee the security of the soldier at the front line
to stand up and fight against the attack of the foe without fear
and defend the defense line. Considering the volume and quality
of this work, I can state that the country has effective border
installations, which will be improved further on. Is this the reason
why no significant incidents were reported at the borderline this
year? Samvel Karapetian: Not only that. I would like to emphasize first
of all the discretion of the personnel, the organizational ability
and responsibility of the officers and soldiers. Entrenchment and
fortification are only means of defense, and it depends on knowledge
and training of the soldier how to use them. This enabled to avoid
incidents, which often occur during the sniper war waged by the foe,
the hard climate and geography. I am hopeful that our soldiers will
go on to display conscious approach to the problem and will fulfill
the important duty of defense of the homeland.

The Goyamart.

1500 Monuments in Liberated territories of NK

ArmRadio.am
02.08.2006 11:01

At present around 1,500 archeological, architectural and historic
monuments are registered in the liberated territories of Nagorno
Karabakh.Hakob Simonian, the director of the scientific-research
center of historic-cultural heritage at the Armenian Culture and
Youth Affairs Ministry, told Armenpress that during the war the
center organized expeditions during which the members took photos
of the monuments, formed their certificates and made excavations.
Simonian noted that during the first expedition in 1990 surveys were
conducted in Getashen and Martunashen, in 1992 in Kashatagh, Aghdam,
Fizuli, Jabrayil, Zangelan, Kelbajar and Kubatlu.

According to Simonian, the surveys were conducted mainly during war
time as at that time the Armenians were to prove that the territories
belong to them. Simonian said thanks to the conducted survey "at
present we have a ‘tool’ and in case it is used in the diplomatic
way we can prove that these territories belong to Armenians.

>From 1997 to 2001 excavations were conducted in Tsitsernavank,
during which 6 monuments were studied. Simonian also underscored the
excavations of Kerin tomb-field which started in 2003 and continue
up to now.

THERE WERE NEVER SO CLOSE TIES BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA – VICE-SPEAKER

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Aug 2 2006

During the unofficial visit of Lithuanian delegation headed by
vice-speaker of Seym Gintaras it held several meetings and saw some
historical places of Azerbaijan, Mr Stepanavichus told Trend in his
exclusive interview.

"We wanted to know Azerbaijan better and see its realities. Last
time ties between our countries got deeper, we developed mutually
beneficial cooperation. I think Azerbaijan and Lithuania have share
common aims. In this connection our visit to Azerbaijan is not
occasional", he said.

"In autumn Lithuania is opening its embassy in Azerbaijan. We also
know Azeri embassy is opening in Lithuania next year. Probably these
issues will be discussed and solved during Azeri president’s visit
to Lithuania", he added.

At the same time Mr Stepanavichus said Lithuanian public knows a
little about Azerbaijan. "Time to time some news appear, their number
bigger with time due to increase of mutual cooperation", he said.
Vice-speaker also mentioned Azeri diaspora’s passivity in Lithuania.

Vote on Hoagland Nomination Delayed till September

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.08.2006 14:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), the Ranking Democrat
on the Foreign Relations Committee, was joined today by Senator John
Kerry (D-MA) in forcing a month-long delay in the Committee’s vote
on the controversial nomination of Richard Hoagland to replace the
current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).

The controversy within the Foreign Relations Committee over the
Hoagland nomination began with Senator Biden’s June 23rd letter
asking Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to respond to a series
of questions, including specific inquiries about reports that the
current Ambassador had been recalled due to his having "accurately
described the Armenian Genocide as genocide."

"The ANCA welcomes the leadership of Senators Biden and Kerry in
ensuring that the Foreign Relations Committee has the time to more
carefully consider the implications – for both our foreign policy and
our values as a nation – of confirming a U.S. Ambassador to Armenia
who is on record denying the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. "We appreciate, as well, the principled efforts of Senators
Allen, Boxer, Chafee, Coleman, Dodd, Feingold, Kennedy, Reed, Sarbanes,
and others to seek an honest explanation of the firing of Ambassador
Evans, to explore the role of the Turkish government in his recall,
and to insist that the Administration clearly articulate its stand
on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

NKR FM: NKR PRESIDENT AND OSCE MG US CO-CHAIR DID NOT DISCUSS
RECENTLY PUBLISHED NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT SCENARIO

Stepanakert, July 31. ArmInfo. During the meeting both NKR President
Arkady Ghoukassyan and OSCE MG US co-chair Matthew Bryza showed quite
creative approach. Ghoukassyan has a whole range of new proposals, They
should be coordinated and thoroughly discussed, NKR Foreign Minister
Georgy Pogossyan said after the Saturday meeting of Ghoukassyan and
Bryza in Stepanakert.

He said that the sides did not discuss the co-chairs’ recent statement.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Matthew Bryza to Visit Stepanakert Tomorrow
28.07.2006 13:28 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mr Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, will pay a
visit to Stepanakert July 29. The U.S. mediator is scheduled to meet
with NKR President Arkady Ghukasian July 30, then he will return to
Yerevan, reported the press office of the NKR leader.

It should be noted that it’s Bryza’s first visit to the region. Let us
also remind that NKR parliament speaker Ashot Ghulian and Foreign
Minister Georgy Pertosian met with Mr Bryza June 26, 2006 and reached
agreement on continuing consultations in Yerevan, Stepanakert and
Baku.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia Striding Confidently towards Eurointegration
and Cooperation with NATO
28.07.2006 13:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `European integration: Ways of formation of unified
and peaceful neighborhood’ international conference started in
Yerevan. The purpose of the conference is to represent the European
values, principles and obligations as guarantees of security and
partnership as well as to discuss the current situation and further
cooperation. Representatives of Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova,
Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, the EU, NATO, OSCE and CoE are
taking part in the conference.

According to NATO Liaison Officer for the South Caucasus Romualdas
Razuks, NATO’s target in the South Caucasus is the unification of
efforts by international organizations for ensuring security and
stability in the region and development of economic ties. `Armenia is
confidently striding towards the European integration and cooperation
with NATO. `Armenia has already chosen the European path and we
welcome her moves in this direction,’ he said.

From: [email protected]
Subject: Georgian authorities to allow Armenian citizens pass the border

Georgian authorities to allow Armenian citizens pass the border through
Egnet checkpoint

ArmRadio.am
28.07.2006 17:55

In response to the question about the situation with the Armenian
citizens gathered at the Ergnet border crossing point in Georgia,
Mr. Karapetyan stated: `We were informed tonight that the Georgian
authorities have decided as an exception to allow the citizens of
Armenia to pass the border crossing point near Egnet. We would like to
reiterate our gratitude for this step taken by a good neighbor.

During the coming hours, a string of cars accompanied by the
representatives of the Armenian Embassy in Tbilisi and the OSCE Office
in Georgia will be headed for Armenia. I take this opportunity to
once again appeal to those citizens of the Republic of Armenia who
travel from Russia to Armenia via Georgia not to take the road passing
through South Ossetia, Georgia. The South Ossetia administrative
border crossing point is not functioning. The only possible way to
reach Armenia from Russia today is by means of the Poti ` Novorossiysk
ferry.

PROPERTY FOR TAX MAY BE RECONSIDERED

Lragir.am
27 July 06

The former Russian co-chair of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental
committee can sleep quietly to promote the Russian-Armenian strategic
partnership. Klebanov was the person who participated in the
implementation of the deal Property for Debt. There is information
that the Russian authorities are likely to audit the companies that
were transferred to Russia in return for the debt. This idea occurred
a year and a half ago, however it was definitely frozen. The Lragir has
learned that the idea of auditing Property for Debt is again generated
among the Russian authorities. In this context there is other important
information that some Russian government officials, including officials
of the defense ministry, who were informally engaged in bringing into
being the deal of Property for Debt, were dismissed.

IAC: A320 crash caused by inadequate actions of the captain

Regnum, Russia
July 27, 2006

The Chief Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia has received the
official findings of the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) concerning
the crash of the Armenian Airbus A320 plane that fell into the Black
Sea while flying from Yerevan to Sochi on May 3. The press service
of the Department has informed REGNUM of the content of the findings:

"The investigation has shown:

With autopilot turned on, the plane was gliding strictly within
the landing configuration and was already 300 meters high when
the air controller instructed the crew to stop landing because
of low clouds, and to make a climbing turn. When turning, the
captain turned off the autopilot and, after climbing for a while,
with improper bank and pitch attitude, began to land the aircraft –
thereby, acting inadequately. Meanwhile, the second pilot failed to
properly control the landing parameters (pitch, altitude, vertical
speed). When the terrain warning system went off, the crew’s actions
were poorly coordinated and insufficient for pulling the plane up. No
single system failed, the aircraft adequately reacted to both the
instructions of the autopilot and the actions of the crew. There was
enough fuel for safe landing."

The investigation was carried out by the IAC, a group comprising
representatives of Russian Transport Control Service, Russian Aviation
Department, Russian Air Navigation Department, the Armenian air
authorities and experts from France (the A320 manufacturer-country)
in compliance with the ICAO standards, the Intergovernmental
Agreement of 12 regional states (including Russia and Armenia)
and the air accident investigation rules. During the investigation
the commissioners collected and examined all relevant data on the
aircraft, the crew and the services controlling the flight, decoded
and analyzed the data of the black boxes and the land air control
services. With the help of special stands and trainers, a group of
Russian, Armenian and French specialists simulated the whole flight,
including the actions of the pilots.

To remind, the A320 fell into the Black Sea near Sochi, 6 km away
from the shore, on May 3, 2006 02:13 AM. All the 8 crew members and
105 passengers onboard were killed.