VARTAN OSKANIAN DWELLS ON NUMBER OF REGIONAL AND HOME ISSUES AT "HAYELI" CLUB PRESS CONFERENCE

AZG Armenian Daily #133, 18/07/2006

Press Conference

RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian believes OSCE Minsk Group is the
most efficient mission for the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. He stated this at the July 14 press conference at "Hayeli"
discussion club, when commenting on the statement of the Ambassador
of Iran to Azerbaijan Afshar Suleimani that the "activity of OSCE MG
is inefficient".

"Although the co-chairs stated that their fantasy has been exhausted,
I do not doubt that they meant that their mission is exhausted. I
believe it will continue its active participation in the process,"
the Mr. Oskanian said. As for the various proposals not from OSCE
MG, they may be included in the agenda of the negotiations if they
are interesting, irrespective of who makes these proposals NATO or
Iran. "But I think it is senseless to speak of Iran as a key mediator
as OSCE MG has not exhausted itself yet," he said.

As for the information that proposals to the conflict parties have
been prepared by Pierre Lellouche, NATO PA Chairman, Mr. Oskanian said
that first of all, NATO PA is not yet NATO, and secondly, they will
touch upon the suggestions when they are made. In response to the
question about the alleged fires in the territories under control
of NKR, the minister said he had no time to waste on Azerbaijan’s
provocations. "We shall not play the games dictated by the Azeri side,"
he said, mentioning that OSCE Mission made a monitoring visit to the
territories and did not confirm the information of the Azerbaijani
party.

In response to the issue about the situation in Upper Lars,
Mr. Oskanian said that Armenia still hopes for opening of Upper Lars
check- point on the Russian-Georgian border in the nearest future. The
negotiations with Moscow for this purpose are continued, he added.

At the same time he thanking the Georgian party for the alternative
way through the Roki tunnel, the check- point of the border with South
Ossetia, the minister stated that "it is an exception and none knows
how long the Georgian party will make this exception for us." It’s
worth mentioning that Upper Lars check-point was closed 10 days ago.

Touching upon the latest developments in Lebanon, Mr. Oskanian said
that Armenia condemns any violence, whether it is hostage- taking
or application of weapons. "Especially if application of weapons is
disproportionate to the situation and aims to destroy infrastructures
and causes the death of numerous people," the minister added. The
situation arouses concern, he said. "Our desire is to see restraint in
the region as it is a very fragile region. We also want establishment
of cease-fire and restoration of negotiations," Vartan Oskanian
emphasized.

In response to the question, whether he intends to run for presidency
in 2008, Mr. Oskanian said: "I want to further make my contribution
to the development of Armenia. And the time will show how."

The minister said he has not thought yet of running for presidency
as his attention is fully concentrated on his direct duties.

The minister gave a similar answer when asked whether he intends
to join a party. "I have not thought of it, and I have got no such
proposals," the minister stated. Vartan Oskanian refused to comment
on the information that Defense Minister Serge Sagrsian joined the
proportional list of the Republican Party of Armenia like it was in
2003. "I do not want to comment on the activity of my colleagues.

Everyone resolves how to participate in the development of the country
independently," the minister said.

Touching upon the issue of Azerbaijan’s growing economy, Mr. Oskanian
said that in order to "struggle" Azerbaijan’s oil, Armenia should
develop its own resources.

He said that Armenia has three powerful resources, the home and
foreign resources and Diaspora. Stating that there is much to do in
all these directions, he touched upon each of the resources. As for
the home resources, he said that soon the country will enter a new
stage conditioned by the coming presidential elections in 2008 and
the necessity to preserve the country’s course. Oskanian said that
one should not only chose between the political forces, but also
choose between the goals that a political force can achieve.

He said that the society should define the necessary goals and make
a choice between the political parties. He pointed out that the home
resources also include the second generation of the economic reforms
that are to be implemented. As for the resource of Diaspora, Oskanian
said that Armenia has used only 1-2% of its potential. He said that
one should develop the relations between Armenia and Diaspora and
make our country more attractive for Diaspora.

By Nana Petrosian