Armenian News
BAKU DISCLOSES WHAT PEACEKEEPING FORCES IT WANTS
TO SEE IN KARABAKH
Today.Az
15 August 2009 [11:59]
There are still certain differences in the conceptions of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani sides regarding settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Head of International Relations Department of Azerbaijani
Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov said in an interview with
Turan news agency.
"Azerbaijan's position remains the same - stage by stage liberation
of occupied territories around Karabakh, and return of displaced
people to their native lands. During the transition period Lachin and
Kelbajar regions must be liberated and a corridor between Karabakh
and Armenia must be created. These processes must be accompanied by
cleaning territories from mines and restoration works. It can take
from 5 to 10 years," Mammadov said.
"Then displaced people must return to Karabakh, and it is necessary to
deploy peacekeeping forces. After the return of 60,000 Azerbaijanis
there and the restoration of situation legal status of Karabakh
can be determined only in the frames of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity. It can take up to 10 years," Mamedov said.
He said it is early to speak about exact time now, because it is
not known how the processes will develop. The return of only seven
regions around Karabakh will cause the return of 760,000 people.
"All houses, industrial and social infrastructure have been destroyed
there. Several years will take cleaning the territories from mines,
and the whole process can take 15 to 20 years," Mammadov said.
Not going into details of renewed Madrid Principles he said that they
are about development of Karabakh's status, i.e. who and when will
take a decision, question on peacekeeping forces, their structure,
placing and question connected with corridor.
He agreed with co- chairs that the sides are close to agreement,
but even a small detail can influence the process of settlement.
"Of course Armenia wants the resolution of legal status at first stage,
but co-chairs agreed that all seven regions around Karabakh must be
returned," Mammadov said.
"Azerbaijan's does not want peacekeepers from neighbor countries in
the peacekeeping forces. It would be better if peacekeeping forces
were from European states and U.S.," Mammadov said.
He said that it would be appropriate to deploy peacekeepers to the
contact line between Karabakh and nearby regions.
"Status of Karabakh must be determined on the basis of Azerbaijan's
Constitution. It will be determined at the last stage, so nothing
can be said now," Mamedov said.
In case of successful development of peaceful process communication
will be opened; question on opening of automobile roads will be raised.
"I think Armenia first of all is interested in opening of railway,
because of blockade caused by it itself," Mammadov said.
Today.Az
15 August 2009 [11:59]
There are still certain differences in the conceptions of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani sides regarding settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Head of International Relations Department of Azerbaijani
Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov said in an interview with
Turan news agency.
"Azerbaijan's position remains the same - stage by stage liberation
of occupied territories around Karabakh, and return of displaced
people to their native lands. During the transition period Lachin and
Kelbajar regions must be liberated and a corridor between Karabakh
and Armenia must be created. These processes must be accompanied by
cleaning territories from mines and restoration works. It can take
from 5 to 10 years," Mammadov said.
"Then displaced people must return to Karabakh, and it is necessary to
deploy peacekeeping forces. After the return of 60,000 Azerbaijanis
there and the restoration of situation legal status of Karabakh
can be determined only in the frames of Azerbaijan's territorial
integrity. It can take up to 10 years," Mamedov said.
He said it is early to speak about exact time now, because it is
not known how the processes will develop. The return of only seven
regions around Karabakh will cause the return of 760,000 people.
"All houses, industrial and social infrastructure have been destroyed
there. Several years will take cleaning the territories from mines,
and the whole process can take 15 to 20 years," Mammadov said.
Not going into details of renewed Madrid Principles he said that they
are about development of Karabakh's status, i.e. who and when will
take a decision, question on peacekeeping forces, their structure,
placing and question connected with corridor.
He agreed with co- chairs that the sides are close to agreement,
but even a small detail can influence the process of settlement.
"Of course Armenia wants the resolution of legal status at first stage,
but co-chairs agreed that all seven regions around Karabakh must be
returned," Mammadov said.
"Azerbaijan's does not want peacekeepers from neighbor countries in
the peacekeeping forces. It would be better if peacekeeping forces
were from European states and U.S.," Mammadov said.
He said that it would be appropriate to deploy peacekeepers to the
contact line between Karabakh and nearby regions.
"Status of Karabakh must be determined on the basis of Azerbaijan's
Constitution. It will be determined at the last stage, so nothing
can be said now," Mamedov said.
In case of successful development of peaceful process communication
will be opened; question on opening of automobile roads will be raised.
"I think Armenia first of all is interested in opening of railway,
because of blockade caused by it itself," Mammadov said.
TURKISH MEDIA "PROTEST" AGAINST DECISION TO DEPLOY
RUSSIAN BASES IN ARMENIA VIA TURKISH TERRITORY
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.08.2009 14:53 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Russia has several times applied to us with a
request to supply its base in Armenia, but every time we responded
that Turkey can allow Turkey to supply its base in Gyumri only with
non-military products, such as clothes, food etc. We'll never allow our
territory to be used for providing arms supplies to Armenia," Turkish
Foreign Ministry's official representative Burak Ozugergin said in an
interview with Turkish Huriyyet newspaper. "It's an obvious provocation
aimed at breaking friendly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan."
In the meantime, Turkey's opposition-run independent media have made a
big fuss over the report as they believe Russia supplies those weapons
to Armenia for directing them against Azerbaijan in future. Thus,
Turkish Milliyet reports that Turkey should immediately break off
negotiations with Russia. "Russian arms supplied to Armenia will be
used against Azerbaijan. That's why, assisting Russian military base
is out of the question," today's newspapers report.
Director of Armenian Center for Strategic and National Research Richard
Giragosyan announced earlier that Armenian-Turkish border opening
was first of all advantageous to Russia. That's why he believed the
focus was shifted on Russian-Turkish rather than Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement.
"After Russian-Georgian war, Russia has certain expectations of
Turkey," Giragosyan said, noting in the meantime that Ankara and Moscow
had signed a secret agreement allowing Russia to use Turkey's air
spaces for providing supplies to Russian military base in Gyumry. The
expert, however, did not specify what kind of supply was meant.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.08.2009 14:53 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Russia has several times applied to us with a
request to supply its base in Armenia, but every time we responded
that Turkey can allow Turkey to supply its base in Gyumri only with
non-military products, such as clothes, food etc. We'll never allow our
territory to be used for providing arms supplies to Armenia," Turkish
Foreign Ministry's official representative Burak Ozugergin said in an
interview with Turkish Huriyyet newspaper. "It's an obvious provocation
aimed at breaking friendly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan."
In the meantime, Turkey's opposition-run independent media have made a
big fuss over the report as they believe Russia supplies those weapons
to Armenia for directing them against Azerbaijan in future. Thus,
Turkish Milliyet reports that Turkey should immediately break off
negotiations with Russia. "Russian arms supplied to Armenia will be
used against Azerbaijan. That's why, assisting Russian military base
is out of the question," today's newspapers report.
Director of Armenian Center for Strategic and National Research Richard
Giragosyan announced earlier that Armenian-Turkish border opening
was first of all advantageous to Russia. That's why he believed the
focus was shifted on Russian-Turkish rather than Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement.
"After Russian-Georgian war, Russia has certain expectations of
Turkey," Giragosyan said, noting in the meantime that Ankara and Moscow
had signed a secret agreement allowing Russia to use Turkey's air
spaces for providing supplies to Russian military base in Gyumry. The
expert, however, did not specify what kind of supply was meant.
7% POPULATION LOSS IN ARMENIA BY 2050
News.am
12:55 / 08/13/2009
Population Reference Bureau (PRB) reports natural population loss
to make 7% in Armenia by 2050. In Georgia and Ukraine the loss will
make 28%, whereas in Azerbaijan - 34%, Swaziland and Bulgaria - 33%
and 35% respectively.
Japan is rated 6th, Moldova - 7th with decrease in population by 25%
and 23% correspondingly. In Belarus, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina
the population loss is estimated at 20%, in Serbia - 21%.
Population size in Russia by 2050 will decrease to 110.1
million. According to PRB, population size in Russia by mid 2008
totaled 141.9 million.
ARMENIA - MORE STABLE COUNTRY
News.am
19:11 / 08/14/2009
Under U.S. Foreign Policy magazine's 'The Failed States Index
2009' rating, Armenia took the 101st place among world's unstable
countries. The rankings are made based on 12 criteria. Georgia took
the 33 place, whereas last year it was on 56th line.
The rating breakdown is the following: Russia moved from 72 to 71 line.
Azerbaijan is far behind, ranked 56.
Uzbekistan - 31;
Ukraine - 110;
Tajikistan - 37;
Kyrgyzstan - 42;
Turkmenistan - 59
Turkey-85.
Besides, Georgia is 9th by military intervention, with total USD
$427mln spent for the arms in 2006-2007.
The most unstable is Somalia.
The more unstable the state, the higher its rating is under 'Foreign
Policy'.
News.am
12:55 / 08/13/2009
Population Reference Bureau (PRB) reports natural population loss
to make 7% in Armenia by 2050. In Georgia and Ukraine the loss will
make 28%, whereas in Azerbaijan - 34%, Swaziland and Bulgaria - 33%
and 35% respectively.
Japan is rated 6th, Moldova - 7th with decrease in population by 25%
and 23% correspondingly. In Belarus, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina
the population loss is estimated at 20%, in Serbia - 21%.
Population size in Russia by 2050 will decrease to 110.1
million. According to PRB, population size in Russia by mid 2008
totaled 141.9 million.
ARMENIA - MORE STABLE COUNTRY
News.am
19:11 / 08/14/2009
Under U.S. Foreign Policy magazine's 'The Failed States Index
2009' rating, Armenia took the 101st place among world's unstable
countries. The rankings are made based on 12 criteria. Georgia took
the 33 place, whereas last year it was on 56th line.
The rating breakdown is the following: Russia moved from 72 to 71 line.
Azerbaijan is far behind, ranked 56.
Uzbekistan - 31;
Ukraine - 110;
Tajikistan - 37;
Kyrgyzstan - 42;
Turkmenistan - 59
Turkey-85.
Besides, Georgia is 9th by military intervention, with total USD
$427mln spent for the arms in 2006-2007.
The most unstable is Somalia.
The more unstable the state, the higher its rating is under 'Foreign
Policy'.
TURKISH DIPLOMATS TO LEARN ARMENIAN
Asbarez
Aug 14, 2009
BAKU-Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has issued an instruction
for all of the nation's young diplomats to learn the languages of
adjoining countries. Besides Armenian and Greek, he has encouraged
them to learn Bulgarian, Arabic and Russian. The tactic is a part of
Turkey's foreign policy principles, which emphasize "zero problems
with neighboring countries."
According to Davutoglu, young diplomats who are deemed qualified will
be sent to certain countries in order to learn the languages. However,
as a result of the nearly non-existent diplomatic relations between
Turkey and Armenia, the aforementioned young envoys will have no
choice but to be sent to another country to learn the language.
The initial approximation is that 30 diplomats will be chosen for
the task.
RFE/RL Report
Armenia's Credit Ratings Downgraded
14.08.2009
Emil Danielyan
14.08.2009
Emil Danielyan
A leading international risk assessment agency lowered Armenia's debt
rating by one notch late on Thursday, citing the severe impact of the
global recession on the local economy.
In a statement cited by the AFP news agency, Fitch said it has
downgraded Armenia's long-term foreign and national currency Issuer
Default Ratings to `BB-` from `BB.'
`The severity of the shock has materially weakened Armenia's credit
fundamentals and medium-term prospects," Andrew Colquhoun, the
director of Fitch's Sovereigns Group, was quoted as saying.
`Unlocking Armenia's economic potential and restoring strong and
sustained growth necessary to reduce poverty and raise incomes will
be much harder as a result of the crisis.'
Fitch had given the country `BB' ratings, indicating `stable
outlooks' for the local monetary system, in early March. The economic
crisis has deepened since then.
Official statistics show the Armenian economy contracting by 16.3
percent in the first half of this year. The Armenian government says
the full-year decline will ease to 12 percent thanks to its anti-
crisis measures largely endorsed by the International Monetary Fund
and the World Bank.
Fitch was more pessimistic on that score, predicting a GDP drop of 15
percent for 2009. That, it said, is `the third-worst outcome expected
for any Fitch-rated sovereign.' It argued that the South Caucasus
country is highly dependent on external financing and large-scale
remittances from its citizens working abroad.
The downgrading of Fitch's ratings, which assess the capacity of a
borrower to repay its debts, came after Armenia received over $1.1
billion in emergency loans from the IMF, the World Bank and other
foreign sources to cope with the fallout from the global credit
crunch. The authorities in Yerevan hope to attract hundreds of
millions of dollars in additional loans in the months to come.
Their 2009 borrowing has nearly doubled Armenia's external debt,
raising concern about their ability to managed the increased debt
burden. The authorities insist that the country will have little
trouble servicing the debt, arguing that it was equivalent to just 13
percent of GDP last year. A senior World Bank official cautioned last
month, however, that successful debt servicing will require improved
tax collection and renewed economic growth.
rating by one notch late on Thursday, citing the severe impact of the
global recession on the local economy.
In a statement cited by the AFP news agency, Fitch said it has
downgraded Armenia's long-term foreign and national currency Issuer
Default Ratings to `BB-` from `BB.'
`The severity of the shock has materially weakened Armenia's credit
fundamentals and medium-term prospects," Andrew Colquhoun, the
director of Fitch's Sovereigns Group, was quoted as saying.
`Unlocking Armenia's economic potential and restoring strong and
sustained growth necessary to reduce poverty and raise incomes will
be much harder as a result of the crisis.'
Fitch had given the country `BB' ratings, indicating `stable
outlooks' for the local monetary system, in early March. The economic
crisis has deepened since then.
Official statistics show the Armenian economy contracting by 16.3
percent in the first half of this year. The Armenian government says
the full-year decline will ease to 12 percent thanks to its anti-
crisis measures largely endorsed by the International Monetary Fund
and the World Bank.
Fitch was more pessimistic on that score, predicting a GDP drop of 15
percent for 2009. That, it said, is `the third-worst outcome expected
for any Fitch-rated sovereign.' It argued that the South Caucasus
country is highly dependent on external financing and large-scale
remittances from its citizens working abroad.
The downgrading of Fitch's ratings, which assess the capacity of a
borrower to repay its debts, came after Armenia received over $1.1
billion in emergency loans from the IMF, the World Bank and other
foreign sources to cope with the fallout from the global credit
crunch. The authorities in Yerevan hope to attract hundreds of
millions of dollars in additional loans in the months to come.
Their 2009 borrowing has nearly doubled Armenia's external debt,
raising concern about their ability to managed the increased debt
burden. The authorities insist that the country will have little
trouble servicing the debt, arguing that it was equivalent to just 13
percent of GDP last year. A senior World Bank official cautioned last
month, however, that successful debt servicing will require improved
tax collection and renewed economic growth.
Azeris Questioned Over Eurovision Vote For Armenia
Russia -- Armenian Eurovision entrants Anush and Inga Arshakian
perform at the Russian party held in the Euro-House, Moscow, 14May2009
14.08.2009
Karine Kalantarian
Law-enforcement authorities in Azerbaijan have reportedly tracked
down and interrogated local residents that voted for Armenia in this
year's Eurovision song contest.
Singers from both South Caucasus nations competed in the finale of
one of Europe's most popular television shows that took place in
Moscow on May 16. The winner of the annual competition was decided by
a jury of music industry specialists formed in each of the
participating nations and millions of TV viewers voting by phone or
by SMS.
Armenia gave one out of 12 maximum points to an Azerbaijani duo that
finished third in the contest. Although the Armenian entry, performed
by sisters Anush and Inga Arshakian, scored zero points in
Azerbaijan, it appears to have been liked by some Azerbaijanis.
At least one of them, Rovshan Nasirli, was summoned on Wednesday to
the Ministry of National Security in Baku and told to explain why he
voted for his country's arch-foe. `They said that is important for
state security,' Nasirli told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani service. `They
interrogated and subjected me to psychological pressure.
`They were saying, `What kind of a guy are you?' `Don't you have a
nationality?' `Why did you vote for Azerbaijan?' and so on. I
replied, `If Azerbaijani deputies can go to Armenia, then why can't
ordinary citizens vote for a song they like?''
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