Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND SELF-DETERMINATION APPLY TO KARABAKH – US OFFICIAL

news.az
Feb 8 2010
Azerbaijan

James Steinberg US First Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg
thinks the Karabakh issue can be settled on the basis of two principles
of international law.

"I believe that the simultaneous use of the right of nations to
self-determination and territorial integrity is possible," Steinberg
said in an interview to Armenian Public Television on Sunday, according
to Interfax news agency.

He said the United States attached special importance to negotiations
between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"We consider that the process in the Karabakh conflict settlement
may promote the welfare of all the peoples in the region. The United
States, co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, remains loyal to the
obligation to assist the parties in searching for solutions. This is
not easy, but we believe all parties are willing to find a solution
to the issue and we are here to help," Interfax reported Steinberg
as saying.

He recalled the recent discussions with the Russian president in Sochi
saying "such involvement is very important". "I do not underestimate
the difficulties, but it is important to keep the parties involved."

Steinberg added it was too soon to speak about the terms of the
conflict settlement because Armenia and Azerbaijan must form an
atmosphere of trust.

As for the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, Steinberg said every
country had the legal right to security and defence.

"However, we must consider the influence of these decisions in terms
of the security of other countries. There is a need for political
agreements on ensuring security rather than attempts to ensure security
only by means of armaments. The negotiations on the Karabakh issue
are important, because they help find more effective and diplomatic
ways to smooth differences and settle regional conflicts," the State
Department official said.

As for the possible involvement of Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiation
process, James Steinberg said: "I think we have correct frameworks at
the current stage. I think the process of the Minsk Group is effective
and it will be right to move this way so far."

PRESIDENT OF THE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC CONVOKED A WORKING CONSULTATION…

Azat Artsakh Newspaper NKR
February 05, 2010

On 4 February President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan
convoked a working consultation on reforms in the sphere of education,
particularly on issues related to the introduction of senior school
system. NKR minister of education and science Vladik Khachatryan
delivered a corresponding report. In his speech the President noted
the importance of introducing senior school system in our republic
considering it a major precondition for insuring progress in the
sphere of education. At the same time the Head of the State noted the
necessity of constant improvement of this system keeping effective
realization of explanatory works in the spotlight of reforms. Bako
Sahakyan noted the need for active engagement of mass media into
this process. Speaker of the NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghoulyan,
NKR premier Ara Haroutyunyan, vice premier, finance minister Spartak
Tevosyan and other officials partook at the consultation.

ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL MEETING WITH NO OPPOSITION MEMBERS

Tert.am
14:26 ~U 05.02.10

During the February 17-21 OSCE Permanent Council meeting, the Armenian
delegation will participate with no opposition members.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) member Lilit
Galstyan and Heritage Party member Larisa Alaverdyan are opposition
members in the replacement, or substitute, delegation; however,
National Assembly Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan has said that there are
not enough finances to send substitute delegates to the Vienna session.

Turning her attention to this issue, Alaverdyan said today that
generally issues relating to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict are
discussed at the OSCE, and that "in that sphere, she has many years
of experience, and it would be right if the authorities made use of
that experience."

Alaverdyan appealed to delegation members to raise the issue of
Nagorno-Karabakh in her place.

Rule of Law member Khachik Harutyunyan, who is a member of the OSCE
delegation, responding to Alaverdyan’s discontent, said, "If we are
representing the interests of our state, what difference does it make,
ruling authorities or opposition? Is the opposition going to present
[the state’s interests] better than us? Are we against our state’s
interests?"

KREKORIAN ENDORSES NAHABEDIAN FOR CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY

Asbarez
Feb 2nd, 2010

L.A. City Councilmember leads a growing coalition to back Assembly
candidate

LOS ANGELES-LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian announced Tuesday his
full support for education reformer Nayiri Nahabedian to replace him in
California’s 43rd Assembly District seat. Krekorian, who represented
the 43rd District for two terms before assuming office in the city
of Los Angeles, said Nahabedian’s broad experience and proven record
of reform makes her the best candidate to serve the needs of the 43rd
District and all of California.

For three years, Nayiri Nahabedian has served as a School Board Member
for the Glendale Unified School District. She is also on faculty at
California State University, Los Angeles, where she teaches Social
Work.

"Under very difficult economic circumstances, Nayiri has worked hard
to ensure that Glendale schools remain fiscally solvent and that
their students are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow,"
Krekorian said. "Nayiri is the only candidate in this race with
the experience to confront the problems facing California, and the
independence to make the hard decisions that will be required. In
these extraordinarily challenging times, she is exactly the kind of
leader we need to send to Sacramento to fight for us."

With Krekorian’s endorsement, the endorsements of state Senator Carol
Liu and Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, and the support of a broad
coalition of community leaders, Nahabedian is quickly becoming the
consensus candidate in the 43rd District.

"I am honored to have Paul Krekorian’s support, and the support of
so many effective community leaders who believe that together we can
be a force for reform," Nahabedian said. "Collectively, we must be
forces for positive change in creating jobs, ensuring public safety
and reforming the way Sacramento operates."

For a full list of endorsements and bio, please visit VoteNayiri.com.

California’s 43rd Assembly District includes Burbank, Glendale and
parts of Los Angeles. The seat’s special election primary is scheduled
for April 13, with a general election to follow on June 8.

IN JANUARY-DECEMBER 2009 UNEMPLOYMENT LEVEL WAS 6.9% IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Feb 2, 2010

YEREVAN, February 2. /ARKA/. In January-December 2009 unemployment
level was 6.9% versus 6.3% in January-December 2008.

In December 2009 number of job seekers officially registered in
"State Employment Service of Armenia" was 99.3 thousand, from which
86.3 thousand were unemployed. Status of unemployed received 84.5
thousand people.

At the end of December 2009, 70.8% from total number of officially
registered job seekers were women (59.8 thousand people).

By the results of January-December 2009 total number of economically
active population was 1185.1 thousand, from which 1103.7 thousand
are employed.

As of the end of December 2009, 25.7 thousand from total number of
unemployed received benefits versus 16.6 thousand in December 2008.

Average number of monthly benefit was 17039 drams (14280 drams in
December 2008).

As of the end of December 2009, working force was 738 people (117
unemployed for 1 vacancy). ($1 -375.83 drams).

SOARING TRADE WITH ARMENIA SURPRISES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN

Today’s Zaman
Feb 3, 2010

The trade figures between Turkey and Armenia represent an "amazing
success," the co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development
Council (TABDC), Kaan Soyak, has said, commenting on a recent statement
by the Armenian Chamber of Commerce that trade volume between the
two countries reached $300 million in 2009.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency on Tuesday, Soyak said the
Armenian institution’s statement came as a surprise to him as the
TABDC’s own estimates were much more modest, at around $150 million.

The World Bank, on the other hand, calculates the trade volume between
the two countries to be in the ballpark of $200 million.

Turkey and Armenia do not have direct trade routes with each other due
to the closed border gates because of the severe diplomatic clashes
over Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Trade is carried out via third countries in the region such as Iran and
Georgia. Therefore, the trade figures are not officially recorded by
Armenia and Turkey, but instead by these third countries based on the
consignment documents of the trucks that transport the export items.

"We know that the trust-based system of trade which existed in
Anatolia in the past is now conducted between the businessmen of
Armenia and Turkey, especially from the eastern and southeastern
Anatolian regions," Soyak noted.

Speaking about the recently prepared protocols to improve relations
between the Turkey and Armenia, Soyak argued that every passing day
is a delay to reaching the desired goals. "Indeed, the document was
prepared with the great endeavors of numerous institutions after
months of devoted work. Deferrals in the signing of these protocols
are helping those who are against the protocols to bring disputed
subjects back to the fore," he said. Disputed subjects, such as the
1915 incidents and Karabakh problems are being brought to the agenda
by the opposition parties in both countries, which are in return is
obstructing the normalization of relations between the two countries,
he explained.

KAZAKHSTAN READY TO ASSIST PARTIES IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT TO AGREE UNSETTLED SSUES ON BASIC PRINCIPLES

ArmInfo
2010-01-29 11:40:00

ArmInfo. We assign a primary part to the efforts of Azerbaijan and
Armenia, as well as to OSCE MG cochairmen with regard to the Karabakh
conflict. We are also ready to assist to the work of the Personal
Representative of OSCE Chairman-in- Office Andrzej Kasprzyk, OSCE
Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev
said at OSCE-EU ministerial meeting.

"We think that further protraction of adoption of the basic principles
of the conflict settlement may negatively affect the negotiation
process and finally undermine creditability among the conflicting
parties. In view of this, Kazakhstan is ready to agree the remaining
unsettled issues on the basic principles and directly participate in
it. We think that this problem may be settled only by joint efforts
of all the interested parties. We are sure that having common goals,
EU and OSCE may reach certain success in the conflict settlement via
close interaction and coordination of joint efforts.

We satisfyingly note the process of normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations with and consider it as one of the
high-profile events in the South Caucasus. Being a country with
traditionally friendly and partner relations with both countries,
Kazakhstan will do its best to develop this process", Saudabayev said.

ITALIAN DELEGATION WELCOMED BY THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENT

W ednesday, 27 January 2010

Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received an Italian delegation led by
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Paolo Romani.

Greeting the guests, the head of government said to be pleased with
the current status of bilateral relations, especially with the ongoing
cooperation in the field of construction which was said to have been
expanding even amid crisis.

Paolo Romani advised that his delegation comprised representatives
from Italian TV companies, experts in digital TV and radio broadcasts,
broadband internet and postal services. He complimented Armenian
experts for their skills in the field of digitalization and suggested
organizing trainings for a group of Armenian experts in Italy.

The parties also spoke about the techno-park and the European Design
Institute subsidiary of Gyumri.

HAYK BABUKHANYAN: ARMENIA SHOULD THINK OVER NUCLEAR WEAPON DEVELOPMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
29.01.2010 13:36 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia should always remember about its
surroundings, said the leader of Constitutional Right Union party.

"90% of frontier regions are populated by Turkic nations, whose states
are hostile towards Armenia," Hayk Babukhanyan told a news conference
on Friday.

"Armenia should not watch Turkey go on with its genocidal policy. To
ensure its security, RA could should think over nuclear weapon
development," he said.

CONSUMERS TO DRIVE GROWTH: VICE-PREMIER

EastDay.com
2010-01-29 08:09

Special Report: Global Financial Crisis >>

Vice-Premier Li Keqiang reaches the podium to deliver his speech on
the second day of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos
yesterday.

‘Excessively reliant on investment and exports’

Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said last night that China will seek to
boost domestic consumption to drive forward its booming economy,
acknowledging that export growth alone was unsustainable for
development.

Li, speaking at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, said
China would look to increase employment and income levels of its poorer
people, hoping to unleash the huge potential of the Chinese consumer.

He also said the government would break monopolies and encourage
competition while integrating more deeply into the global economy.

China recently surpassed Germany as the world’s top exporter, but
Li noted that economic strategies have been "excessively reliant on
investment and exports".

China has emerged as one of the key countries of interest at the Davos
forum with its economy set to overtake Japan’s as the second-largest
this year, and as the voice of the developing world.

However, its increasing clout has also led to conjecture on whether
it could play a role that lives up to global expectations.

As Kristin Forbes, a former member of the White House Council of
Economic Advisers, said: "China is the West’s greatest hope and
greatest fear."

Amid the hope-and-fear scenario, China should not overreach itself
while actively participating in global coordination to solve the
world’s problems, Chinese analysts said.

Discussions of China’s role amid and after the global financial crisis
have been heated in mainstream Western medias, especially during the
forum. More than 2,500 leaders from over 90 countries, representing
business, government and social sectors are attending the event.

The West expects Beijing to be more engaged in global affairs but
also anticipates increasing trade friction with the world’s largest
exporter.

"As it grows, China should do more in solving the world’s problems,
but only according to its capabilities," said Wang Dong, a researcher
with Peking University’s School of International Studies.

China has made consistent efforts in helping the world out of the
financial crisis, among other initiatives. It has, for example,
signed agreements with many neighboring economies on currency swaps
to help regional financial stability.

Its economy expanded by an impressive 8.7 percent year-on-year in 2009,
contributing to about half of the world’s total economic growth.

Although it remains a developing country, expectations are high that
it could do more to help the world, Wang said.

The mismatch partly comes from lack of understanding of China’s real
situation, said Yang Mian, researcher at Communication University
of China.

"Many foreigners come to China but they mainly visit mega cities,
such as Beijing and Shanghai, where living standards are quite high,"
he said.

"But China is a country with very uneven development. In the
countryside, for example, people in many places are far less affluent
than those in Beijing or Shanghai and many are stuck in poverty.

"We should not become complacent with commendations from overseas as
GDP keeps expanding."

The country’s per capita GDP remains low, ranking 106th in the world in
2008, ahead of Iraq but behind Armenia, according to the International
Monetary Fund. China also faces such problems as an inadequate social
security network and poverty.

"China must learn to explain to the world what it really is," said
Chen Gong, chairman of Beijing-based Anbound Consulting.