OFFICE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC IN THE USA
1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 1000, Washington DC, 20036
Tel: (202) 347-5166
Fax: (202) 347-5168
E-mail: info@nkrusa.org
Web site:
ARTSAKH NEWSLETTER
Vol. 7, no. 1
March 28, 2005
The ARTSAKH NEWSLETTER is a publication of the NKR Office in
Washington, D.C., the official representation of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the United States. To subscribe/unsubscribe to the Artsakh
Newsletter, please reply to this email.
In this issue:
1. AZERBAIJAN ATTEMPTS TO SCUTTLE THE NK PEACE PROCESS
2. MEMBERS OF US CONGRESS SUPPORT KARABAKH’S FREEDOM
3. NEW APPOINTMENTS IN THE NKR GOVERNMENT
4. ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 2004, PRIORITIES SET FOR 2005
5. SITUATION ON THE LINE OF CONTACT
6. NKR TO HOLD ITS 4TH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
7. `SAVE A LIFE, ACT TODAY!’ CAMPAIGN
1. NAGORNO KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS
High-level consultations continued between the Foreign Ministers of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev
met in Astana, Kazakstan last year to advance the negotiation
process. However, no tangible progress has been reported. The OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs visited the region in July 2004 to consult with
the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.
In November 2004 Azerbaijan initiated a discussion at the UN General
Assembly by submitting a draft resolution `On the situation in the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan’. A number of countries, including
the U.S., objected this move. OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs from the
United States, Russia and France criticized Azerbaijan for its efforts
to force a debate on the Karabakh conflict at the UN. Under pressure
from the Group, Azerbaijan suspended its resolution.
The OSCE mediators returned to the region in January 2005 to accompany
a fact-finding mission, created to verify Azeri allegations that
Armenia was engaged in mass population of territories under Nagorno
Karabakh’s control. The Nagorno Karabakh authorities cooperated
closely with the group, headed by a German Foreign Ministry
official. The group presented its findings to the OSCE Permanent
Council on March 17, which concluded that `overall settlement is quite
limited” and “there is no clear organized resettlement, no
non-voluntary resettlement, no recruitment…’. The report also said
that “the mission did not determine that such settlement has resulted
from a deliberate policy by the government of Armenia.”
NKR praised the report as `highly objective’ in a March 28 statement
and called on the international community to follow the lead of
Armenia and the United States in supporting Nagorno Karabakh’s efforts
to overcome the consequences of the Azerbaijani military
aggression. The OSCE mission acknowledged that the authorities of the
Nagorno Karabakh are in charge of the situation in controlled
territories, including Lachin, a fact on which the two Armenian sides
have insisted all along.
Azerbaijan continues to refuse to negotiate directly with Nagorno
Karabakh, the main concerned party, thus delaying prospects for
resolution to the conflict. Armenia and NKR have repeatedly stated the
importance of Karabakh’s direct participation in the negotiation
process. `Everybody understands that without considering Karabakh’s
position no resolution is possible’, underscored NKR President Arkady
Ghoukasian at a February 28 meeting with students of the Artsakh State
University.
In related news, an outspoken opponent of the Azerbaijani war rhetoric
was assassinated on March 2, 2005. Elmar Huseinov, a leading
opposition journalist, and his publication, the Monitor, were
well-known for its criticism of Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian
policies. Official Baku continues to portray Armenians as its eternal
enemies and does not favor any contact with Nagorno Karabakh.
Karabakh has repeatedly called on Azerbaijan to agree to a series of
confidence building measures and to work towards establishing an
atmosphere conductive to peace and friendly relations between de-facto
neighbors, Azerbaijan and NKR.
2. MEMBERS OF US CONGRESS SUPPORT KARABAKH’S FREEDOM
Marking the 17th Anniversary of Karabakh Movement, NKR parliament
adopted a special resolution, which reconfirmed Karabakh’s commitment
to a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Azerbaijan, called on
official Baku to work towards establishing an atmosphere of trust and
tolerance in the region, and appealed to the international community
to recognize Karabakh’s efforts to build a full-fledged civil society
based on the rule of law.
Several members of the U.S. Congress joined in commemorating the event
by sending letters to the people of Karabakh and speaking on the floor
of the House of Representatives.
`Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to the people
of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) on the 17th anniversary of the Nagorno
Karabakh Freedom Movement,’ Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) said.
`On February 20, 1988, the people of Nagorno Karabakh officially
petitioned the Soviet government to reunite with Armenia and reverse
the injustice perpetrated by the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin. This
peaceful and legal request was met with violent reaction by the Soviet
and Azerbaijani leadership, and escalated into full military
aggression against Nagorno Karabakh. The people of Nagorno Karabakh
bravely defended their right to live in freedom on their ancestral
land,’ said Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY) in his floor statement.
`Today, the unwavering strength of the Freedom Movement can be seen in
the democratically-elected government of Nagorno Karabakh. […] I
congratulate the people of Nagorno Karabakh for their steadfast
commitment to promoting freedom, democracy and economic development
over the past seventeen years,’ echoed Rep. Martin Meehan (D-MA) in
his speech on the House floor.
`The people of Nagorno Karabakh should be commended for […]
achieving sovereignty in the face of strong opposition from
neighboring nations. The United States is honored to share such
fundamental values with Nagorno Karabakh as democracy, liberty, and a
profound respect for human rights,’ said Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ).
`Congress recognized this consistent move towards democracy, granting
NKR $20 million in humanitarian assistance in FY `97, an additional $5
million in FY `03 and $3 million just last year. This assistance has
not just been crucial for needs of the people of NKR, but has also
fostered the beginnings of an excellent relationship between our two
countries,’ underscored Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in his floor
statement.
Pallone and Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the co-chairs of the
Congressional Armenian Caucus, also sent a joint letter to the people
of Nagorno Karabakh.
The letter said in part: `We applaud your constructive approach and
ongoing contribution to peace and strability in the region. Our
support for your democracy and your quest to live free, under the
government of your own choosing, remains strong.’
`Like so many who have undergone the pains of oppression, the people
of Nagorno Karabakh must rest assured knowing that democracy breeds
peace. The United States will continue to promote the cause of our
democratic friends in Nagorno Karabakh, not yielding until the goals
set forth on February 20, 1988, have been realized in full,’ concluded
Rep. Holt in his powerful statement on the House floor.
NKR President Arkady Ghoukasian thanked members of the U.S. Congress
for their public support. In his March 4, 2005 letter Ghoukasian said:
`The people of Nagorno Karabakh are truly grateful for this ongoing
support, which contributes to achieving a secure, democratic and
prosperous Nagorno Karabakh and South Caucasus.’
Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States
Vardan Barseghian met with members of Congress to personally thank
them and brief them on recent developments in Nagorno Karabakh.
3. NEW APPOINTMENTS IN THE NKR GOVERNMENT
President Arkady Ghoukasian announced several new cabinet appointments
and also introduced some structural changes. On January 12, 2005 a
presidential decree finalized the following structure and personnel:
Prime Minister – Mr. Anoushavan Daniyelian
Vice-Prime Minister – Mr. Ararat Daniyelian*
Minister of Agriculture – Mr. Vahram Baghdassarian
Minister of Defense – Lt.Gen. Col. Seyran Ohanian
Minister of Education, Culture and Sports – Mr. Ashot Ghoulian
Minister of Finances and Economy – Mr. Spartak Tevossian
Minister of Foreign Affairs – Amb. Arman Melikian
Minister of Health – Mrs. Zoya Lazarian
Minister of Justice – Mr. Robert Hayrapetian
Minister of Social Security – Mr. Lenston Ghoulian
Minister of Territorial Administration & Development of Industrial
Infrastructures – Mr. Armo Tsatourian
Minister of Urban Development – Mr. Boris Alaverdian
Chief of Staff, Minister – Mr. Suren Grigorian
Head of National Security Service – Mr. Bako Sahakyan
Head of Police – Mr. Armen Isagulov
Head of State Tax Service – Mr. Hakob Kaghramanian
* not related to the Prime Minister
4. ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 2004, PRIORITIES FOR 2005
The NKR economy continued to show strong growth last year with the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching 42.2 billion dram
($79.3million), up by 17.5% from 2003. Exports totaled $39 million
(m), a 25% growth over last year.
Nagorno Karabakh’s industrial output totaled 18.5 billion drams
($35m), registering a 160% growth, as compared to the previous
year. Eighty percent of industrial enterprises are privately
owned. The main sectors showing growth were ore-mining (a 46% growth
in 2004), food processing (8% growth), production and distribution of
electricity (2.5% growth). Capital construction totaled 9.1 billion
drams ($17.2m), up by 5 percent.
On December 27, 2004 the NKR Parliament adopted the 2005 state budget,
which included 6.5 billion drams ($13m) in projected income and 21.4
billion drams ($42.8m) in expenses. The resulting deficit is due to be
covered mainly by $27m inter-government loan from Armenia.
The 2005 budget allocated in part (in drams):
4,490m for social security (21% of state budget)
1,210m for health care (a 30% increase)
785m for education, sport and youth programs
577m for social subsidy for certain categories of children
500m for restoration and development of irrigation facilities
200m for development of viticulture, cattle breeding and agro-machinery lease
190m to support families of killed soldiers, war wounded and veterans
107m to conduct first post-independence census
100m for preservation and reconstruction of historic architectural monuments.
Funding has also been earmarked for small and medium business loans, a
program that has been operating since 2001.
As of January 1, 2005, the minimum wage increased by 30% to 15,000
drams, and the minimum pension rose by the same percentage to 4,000
drams.
The government has also identified priority development areas for next
few years, which included school construction, building new medical
facilities with modern equipment, improvement of road infrastructure,
water reservoirs and irrigation facilities.
5. SITUATION ON THE LINE OF CONTACT
Azerbaijan continued its attempts to draw closer to NKR positions,
which led to increased tensions along the Line of Contact. Azerbaijan
violated the cease-fire regime several times in early March, causing
isolated skirmishes that resulted in lose of live from both sides.
NKR denounced Azerbaijan’s tactics while warning that continued
attacks will be rebuffed forcefully. Deputy Foreign Minister Masis
Mayilyan called for international demarcation of the Line of Contact
to prevent local attacks and further destabilization.
On March 18, 2005 Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian said that the
`defense capability of the NKR Army is high and that the Army is able
to ensure the security of the republic and its population.’
The OSCE cease-fire monitoring missions continued regularly and
confirmed that the overall situation on the Line of Contact remained
stable.
6. NKR TO HOLD ITS 4TH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
Nagorno Karabakh will hold its fourth Parliamentary Election on June
19, 2005. The new Central Electoral Commission has set the dates for
candidates’ nomination, registration and campaigning. Four major
political parties — the ruling Democratic Artsakh and opposition
ARF-Dashnaktsutiun, Movement-88 and Our Homeland Armenia — along with
several smaller parties plan to participate.
As in the past, NKR invited international observers to monitor the
vote. Past elections in NKR were observed by international monitors
and reported to be in line with or exceeding the internationally
accepted standards for post-soviet territories.
Opposition to people’s right to vote continued in Azerbaijan, as
official Baku made statements on Karabakh’s upcoming ballot. As in the
past, the government of Azerbaijan launched a campaign of undermining
and discrediting the June election in Nagorno Karabakh. Despite Baku’s
effort, the international community clearly appreciates the Nagorno
Karabakh’s right to live in freedom, under a government of its own
choosing. In 2004, commenting on NK municipal election, the U.S. State
Department did not criticize the ballot and said only `that [the
election] would not affect the ongoing peace talks’. Members of the
U.S. Congress have supported democratic processes in Nagorno Karabakh.
`The men and women of Nagorno-Karabakh exercised their right to
vote–a right which we have cherished for more than two centuries and
a right that we hope will spread across the
world. […]Congratulations to the people of Nagorno Karabakh for
[their] commitment to freedom and democracy,’ said Rep. Adam Shiff
(D-CA) in a September 2002 statement on NKR Presidential Election.
7. `SAVE A LIFE, ACT TODAY!’
Extend a helping hand to the children of Artsakh!
The Government of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) asks you to
contribute to its efforts to ensure proper medical treatment for the
children of Artsakh.
Artsakh is still recovering from a devastating war initiated by
Azerbaijan. Much has been done to improve pediatric medical
care. However, some children with special needs still require medical
treatment outside Artsakh, in Armenia, Russia and elsewhere.
Considering the dire social situation in the republic, the NKR
Government has been consistent in trying to ease the financial burden
on such families by providing funds for treatment abroad. We often
rely on your support for making this assistance possible and are happy
to inform that last year five children received such benevolent
assistance.
A special committee has been created to oversee the proper
distribution and use of the humanitarian assistance. The Committee on
Implementation of Medical Assistance Projects (CIMAP) includes
representatives of Ministries of Health, Social Security and Foreign
Affairs, a local non-governmental organization, Motherhood, and a
local liaison of the U.S.-based Americans for Artsakh organization.
CIMAP receives and reviews applications for financial assistance and,
after scrupulous consideration, decides on the amount of financial aid
to be provided. It also outlines financial reporting guidelines for
recipient families. These families agree to use the funds exclusively
for medical treatment and associated expenses and to report to the
committee on the results.
Last year, CIMAP reported to its donors on the assistance impact and
use of funds in required detail.
Currently, a number of children are awaiting for financial help to
continue or even start their medical treatments. The NKR Government
requires at least $10,000 a month to be able to continue helping those
children.
We call on you to join this humanitarian effort and help ensure that
proper medical treatment is provided to the children of Artsakh! We
welcome donations from individuals and organizations! Every dollar is
sent to Artsakh to benefit the children.
Please mail your tax-deductible donation today to:
ARMENIAN CHILDREN’S RELIEF FUND
31800 West Eight Mile Road
Farmington, MI 48336
Please make your check payable to the Armenian Children’s Relief Fund
and include a note `Children of Artsakh’.
For more information, please contact
NKR Office at (202) 347-5166 or info@nkrusa.org
CIMAP can be contacted directly at (374-71) 7-15-51 or cimapnk@yahoo.com
* * *
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is
based in Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia
and the public representing the official policies and interests of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
This material is distributed by the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic in the United States (NKR Office) on behalf of the government
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The NKR Office is registered with
the U.S. government under the Foreign Agent Registration
Act. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice,
Washington, D.C.