Ïðàî Âûáîðà, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Feb 16 2007

`Echo’: `Cartographic Aggression’
16.02.2007

National atlas of Armenia now includes territory of Nagorni Garabagh.
Armenia is launching `cartographic aggression’ against Azerbaijan.
Yerevan mass media inform that national atlas of Armenia includes
Nagorni Garabagh. `This issue has somewhat political meaning. We
decided to include Nagorni Garabagh in atlas’, said Manuk Vardanyan,
chairman of the committee of land-survey of Armenia.
As Yerevan mass media clarify works on making up the atlas started in
2002. First 230-paged volume contains 5 parts: general survey, nature
of Armenia, population, economy, administrative and territorial
division. Edition contains materials about `ancient Armenian
capitals’ situated on Turkey and Nagorni Garabagh. Publication of the
second edition containing other materials on history and culture of
Armenian nation as well as diaspora hearths is expected late 2007.
In summer 2006 chief executive of geodesy and cartography of the
state land-servey of Armenia, Ovsep Petrosyan, informed about
publication of two-volume national atlas at international congress
`Construction – 2006′ in Tsakhkadzor. Accordingly to him
approximately 45 mn. drams (105,5 thousands dollars of USA) were
allotted from state budget for this purpose.
Now Yerevan proudly declares that national atlas of Armenia was
published only one time – in 1961 in Moscow, and now Armenia did it
itself after acquiring modern technologies to create sizeable
cartographic material. Publication of atlas with 1000 copies was made
from the account of state budget and now new book will be distributed
among state administration agencies, education and scientific
centers. Accordingly to Manuk Vardanyan, following decision of the
government publication of 1500 copies for sale for 21 000 drams is
expected, and sum will be used for translation of atlas into English
and distribution of the books among embassies in Armenia and
international organizations.
`Inclusion’ of Nagorni Garabagh in atlas of Armenia will have no
legal effect – world community, with exception of Armenia, recognized
and still recognize Nagorni Garabagh as part of Azerbaijan. However,
publication of such kind of `atlas’ is recognition by Armenia the
fact of occupation and annexation of territories of Azerbaijan, as it
is impossible to judge about inclusion of Nagorni Garabagh in
Armenian national atlas the other way. That is, national atlas of
Armenia is turning into serious political proof against Yerevan – if,
of course, Minsk Group won’t fail to evaluate it. Saying nothing
about the fact that against background of talks on `opportunity
window’ for regulation of Garabagh conflict it is serious
`information for thinking’.
Moreover, national atlas of Armenia is not the first episode of
`cartographic aggression’. Not long ago in Armenia `traveling atlas
of Armenia and `Nagorni Garabagh Republic’ was published with the
help of the same state `geodesy and cartography center’. Atlas
represents perfect guide book for drivers, travelers and tourists. As
head specialist of the center, Ashot Garibyan, told to `Republic of
Armenia’ newspaper, Armenian cartographers managed not only to
demonstrate the main roads of Armenia and `Artzakh’ but also back
roads. He also added that atlas contains `helpful’ information for
drivers. Distances between inhabited localities, location of filling
station, motels, cafes and auto service are indicated. `Historical
monuments’ and other sightseeing places are vividly illustrated.
However this time state committee on land-survey is planning to
publish atlas, not only as organization to which geodesy and
cartography center is attached: the fact that the first volume of the
atlas was not presented by Ashot Garibyan or Ovsep Petrosyan but
Manuk Vardanyan, says much, particularly against background of
Yerevan’s attempt to organize mass removal of ethnic Armenians from
Armenia and diaspora, first of all from Iraq, to Nagorni Garabagh. We
can’t rule out that in near future Yerevan will attempt to legalize
privatization of lands and real estates on occupied Azerbaijani
territories, including Nagorni Garabagh to create `conscientious
getters’ etc. Probably `cartographic aggression’ of Armenia requires
political evaluation and worthy respond.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress