Author: Ekmekjian Janet

THIRTEEN YEARS OLD ARMENIAN GIRL WINS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY
JULY 31, 2009
SEVASTOPOL

SEVASTOPOL, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Thirteen years old
singer Berta Puzian from Leningrad region’s Otradnoye city became the
winner of the International Festival Pontos Arena (Pontosian Asparez)
held last month in Sevastopol. According to the Russian Armenian’s
Yerkramas newspaper, the future winner was having her holiday in
Sevastopol and learnt about the competition by chance.

More than hundred guests from 15 countries who were under eighteen
took part in the festival. Berta attracted the authoritive judges
by performing an ancient Armenian song. At that, the young singer
not only took the first place but also received several invitations:
to study at Kiev Conservatory, at Academy of Radio and Television,
as well as at Moscow Russian Academy of Theater Arts (GITIS) (she
received the last invitation from the lecturer of that institute,
head of judges Marina Polteva).

In spite of her age Berta is not a beginner on the musical stage. She
was declared a prize-winner of many regional and Russian festivals
for many times. Particularly, in June she took the first place in
variety song competition held in Viborg and in May in the Musical
Umbrellas Ukrainian competition.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 31, 2009

___________________

ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL IN NYC WILL HOLD A "CHILDREN’S DAY" ON ASSUMPTION
SUNDAY, AUG. 16

At New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral, the Feast of the Assumption on Sunday,
August 16, will be the occasion for a "Children’s Activity Day," and
families are encouraged to attend the special schedule of festivities and
learning.

>From 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., children ages 5 to 12 will enjoy short
learning activities on Armenian faith, culture, and Arts and Crafts, in
addition to attending the final part of the Divine Liturgy and the
traditional "Blessing of Grapes" ceremony on the cathedral’s outdoor plaza.

Children will also have a pizza lunch, and the program will conclude with
Armenian dance.

St. Vartan Cathedral dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian will be joining the children
through the day. In the cathedral sanctuary, the Divine Liturgy will be
celebrated by Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian, pastor of the St. George Armenian
Church of Hartford, Conn., who will be leading a pilgrimage of his
parishioners to St. Vartan Cathedral on that same day.

The August 16 event is free and open to the public. At the 10:30 a.m.
check-in, parents will be asked to provide a cell phone number and will be
required to remain on the premises throughout the session.

To register children (ages 5 to 12) for the August 16 Children’s Day, or for
general information on the event, call Deacon Sebuh Oscherician at (212)
686-0710, ext. 141, or e-mail him at [email protected]. Please
register by August 10, if possible. St. Vartan Cathedral is located at 630
Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street) in New York City.

* Beloved ceremony

The "Blessing of the Grapes" remains one of the most beloved ceremonies in
the Armenian Church calendar. Most Armenians can recall people who would
refuse to eat grapes until the fruit was "officially" sanctified by the
local clergyman-a practice which dates back to an earlier era in the
church’s history, when daily life revolved around the growing seasons of an
agricultural society.

The occasion for the grape-blessing is the Feast of the Assumption of the
Holy Mother-of-God-one of the church’s major feast days. The story of the
Assumption concerns St. Mary the mother of Jesus, who having completed her
life on earth was taken up in body and soul-"assumed"-into Heaven. This was
a special courtesy, performed by Christ many years after His Ascension, as a
loving tribute to the mother who bore and raised Him.

The poignant theme of filial love enduring beyond death has deeply resonated
with Armenian Christians for centuries.

The Feast of the Holy Assumption and the Blessing of Grapes will be observed
throughout the Armenian Church on Sunday, August 16; please contact your
local parish for information on services in your area.

# # #

NEWLY RENOVATED VEDI POLYCLINIC WELCOMES CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS

armradio.am
31.07.2009 11:16

On July 31, 2009, the head of the USAID/Armenia Social Reform Office
Sangita Patel and Mayor of Vedi Varuzhan Barseghyan cut the ribbon
at a ceremony marking the re-opening of the Vedi Medical Center’s
Children Polyclinic.

This renovation was made possible through the joint efforts of the
US government, local Armenian government and the Vedi Medical Center
with the support of USAID Project NOVA.

The Vedi Municipality and the Medical Center provided 25% of the
renovation budget, while USAID Project NOVA contributed 75%. In
addition, as part of Project NOVA, the Vedi Polyclinic personnel –
pediatricians and family physicians – participated in a series of
state-of-the-art training activities focusing on child health.

Project NOVA has worked in the Vedi region since 2006. Project
interventions include the establishment of a School of Motherhood,
renovation and furnishing of the Women’s Consultation Center at
the Vedi Maternity, as well as training of medical personnel in
key maternal and child healthcare competencies. The Project has
also renovated 10 rural health posts in the Vedi region through the
Community Partnership for Health initiative, trained 14 community
nurses in Safe Motherhood Clinical Skills and provided them with
basic equipment and supplies required for mother and child healthcare.

USAID Project NOVA works in Armenia to improve the quality of and
access to maternal and child healthcare, particularly in rural areas,
by improving the performance of healthcare workers, providing basic
clinical equipment and supplies, renovating healthcare facilities,
and mobilizing and educating communities.

It is implemented by a consortium of international organizations
– Emerging Markets Group, IntraHealth International and Save the
Children in close partnership with the Ministry of Health, marz
health departments, Yerevan State Medical University, leading medical
colleges, National Institute of Health and healthcare facilities.

JAPANESE SHIMIDZU CORPORATION CARRIES OUT WORK AT NUBARASHEN DUMP FOR REDUCTION OF EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES

Noyan Tapan
July 29, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Shimidzu Corporation (Japan) is carrying
out work at Nubarashen dump for reduction of emissions of greenhouse
gases. NT correspondent was informed by Head of the Municipal Economy
Department of Yerevan Municipality Gagik Khachatrian that the refuse
layer leveling and well boring work has been completed. The methane
will be piped to the combustion chamber where it will turn into carbon
dioxide. The first phase of the work will finish in late August.

To recap, an agreement on the production of biogas at Nubarashen dump
was signed between the Yerevan Municipality and Shimidzu Corporation
in March.

It is envisaged receiving energy by burning the methane emitted from
the dump. By preliminary estimates, the Japanese corporation will
invest 5.5 million dollars into the project.

CROSS ON SURB KHACH CHURCH ON AKHTAMAR ISLAND CAN CAUSE MUSLIMS’ DISPLEASURE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.07.2009 14:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s decision to inaugurate a cross on Surb
Khach Armenian Church on Akhtamar island doesn’t imply any change of
Ankara’s position, according to professor Ruben Safrastyan, director
of the RA NAS Institute of Oriental Studies.

"Furthermore, Turkish restorers will not be able to reconstruct the
church observing Armenian cultural traditions," prof. Safrastyan
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Inauguration of a cross on the Armenian Church may arouse Muslims’
displeasure. Intolerance towards other religious is growing in
Turkey. This country’s religious policy is still anti-Christian,"
he said.

Sunday’s Zaman, Turkey
July 26 2009

Turkish-Armenian rapprochement might cause breakthrough in
Nagorno-Karabakh

The recent rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey for the
normalization of relations between the two countries might cause a
breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabakh stalemate, regional analysts
agree.

S. Enders Wimbush, senior vice president of international programs and
policy at the Hudson Institute, states: `This [the opening of borders
between Armenia and Turkey] will require intense and delicate
diplomacy with Azerbaijan. [However], both Turkey and Azerbaijan will
benefit if they succeed.’

The normalization efforts between Ankara and Yerevan have shaken
Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship for a short period. In 1993, after the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
post-Soviet countries in the South Caucasus, the diplomatic ties
between Armenia and Turkey became strained. Supporting its strategic
ally Azerbaijan, Turkey closed its borders to Armenia to force the
latter to respect the borders of neighboring countries (as Armenia has
territorial claims on Turkey as well).

Azerbaijan’s primary resistance was over the opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border, which conflicts with Azerbaijan’s policy of
economically depriving Armenia in the region and hereby ensures easing
the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

Russia, the dominant power in the region, is solely interested in
maintaining its grip. As the region is part of the former USSR, it is
in Russia’s interest to preserve its influence in the region over the
countries of the post-Soviet areas, particularly that of the South
Caucasus. While doing so, since the collapse of the Soviet Union,
Russia has attempted to manipulate the regional countries through
long-protracted conflicts such as Abkhazia and South-Ossetia, two
breakaway regions of Georgia allegedly supported by Russia and
Nagorno-Karabakh. In the early years of independence, Armenia, the
primary actor in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, fell under the
dominance of Russia, which earned Armenia the status of the only ally
Russia has in the post-Soviet Caucasus. The Nagorno-Karabakh war
between Azerbaijan and Armenia, resulting in a 20 percent loss of
Azerbaijani territories and afterwards the closure of the Turkish
border to Armenia as a means of sanction, pushed the latter to be more
aligned with Russia. In the shadow of the economic and military
development of the Azerbaijani government, Russia continues to pursue
its dominant policy over the country through its notorious economic
leverage. Through deals over natural gas with Azerbaijan, Russia
attempts in this way to control the country and to maintain power. To
such an extent, Russia keeping both sides of the conflict under its
umbrella of influence maintains, in this way, its power in the South
Caucasus.

Calling the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict critical,
Andrew C. Kuchins, the director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at
the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), says, `For
more than 15 years Moscow has seen its interests best served by the
status quo of `frozen conflict’.’ Mentioning the role of Russia in
keeping regional conflicts alive and making them rest on its
interests, the expert said: `Last summer we witnessed two frozen
conflicts unfrozen in Moscow’s favor in Georgia. I am dubious that
Moscow would support any resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh that reduced
its leverage in Armenia and Azerbaijan from the status quo.’

However, the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement could be regarded as a
brilliant opportunity to drive Armenia out of the control of Russia,
to pull the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from stalemate and in effect, to
bring peace and stability to the region.

In contrast, Kuchins restated Russia’s policy of dominance serving to
keep the countries in the South Caucasus under its control in the
region. He is skeptical that Moscow really supports the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement and the border opening since that would
reduce the leverage that Russia has over Armenia.

Isolated in the region by Turkey and Azerbaijan because of the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, having direct trade with US-led sanctioned
Iran and with Russia through the territory of its conflicting neighbor
Georgia, Armenia is in an uneasy situation in the region. Reaching out
to the Black Sea coast and getting direct trade with Western markets,
Armenia can get away from Russian dependence and thereby achieve true
independence and sovereignty in the region.

Speaking to Sunday’s Zaman, Wimbush stated that it is in everyone’s
(Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and all the neighbors) interest,
especially Turkey’s, for the improvement in relations with Armenia to
go forward. "However, such a development will be opposed by Russia,
which seeks to keep Armenia locked into Russia’s `special sphere of
influence’ and to keep Turkey dependent on Russia for strategic
guidance in the South Caucasus. According to Wimbush, Russia will
oppose Turkey becoming more deeply involved in the Caucasus, despite
the Caucasus being a primary strategic interest for
Turkey. Underlining this idea he adds that as Russia supplies 64
percent of Turkey’s gas via a range of existing and planned pipelines,
Russia has the power to prevent Turkey’s initiative. With the
statement, `Turkey should be prepared for some strong Russian
blackmail,’ he reiterates that Turkey should be bold in throwing open
its border with Armenia.

The Turkish-Armenian rapprochement marked the souring of
Azerbaijani-Turkish relations; however, Turkey claimed that it might
push Armenia to compromise in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute. Although
the Azerbaijani administration preferred to keep silent, saying that
this is an issue that concerns Turkey and Armenia only, there was a
growing concern among the Azerbaijani public that Armenia could
benefit from the border opening. This, in turn, conflicts with
Azerbaijan’s policy of economically depriving Armenia. Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?Ä?an’s speech in the Azerbaijani
Parliament had a considerable effect on alleviating tensions between
Azerbaijan and Turkey.

26 July 2009, Sunday
LAM?Ä?°YA AD?Ä?°LGIZI ?Ä?°STANBUL

REFERENCE BOOK FOR SOCIALLY UNPROTECTED ARMENIAN CITIZENS CREATED

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
24.07.2009 18:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Yerevan hosted round-table discussions
entitled "Protection of socially insecure citizens’ interests through
legislative changes".

The discussion hosted representatives of state institutions and
social organizations, engaged in social maintenance and protection
of socially unprovided citizens’ rights.

"Collaboration between state institutions and social organizations in
social sphere is very important. Significant results could be reached
if we followed these principles," Head of Social Maintenance Department
at RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, Astghik Minasyan said.

"Reference book for socially unprotected Armenian citizens was
created to provide complete information on the rights of citizens
requiring social protection. The book contains contact details of
state institutions and public organizations engaged in social security
issues," Public dialogues and Initiatives center Executive Director
Ruzanna Sedrakyan stated.

TIME FOR CURTSEYS IS NOW OVER
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.07.2009 GMT+04:00

Naturally, no president will sign the promulgated Madrid principles,
since right after singing he will, at best, have to hand in his
resignation.

It seems it is time to make decisions in the process of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation. To all appearances, the time for
curtseys is now over, leaving its place for threats. Time is released
till autumn, when Presidents of the two countries will, after all,
have to sign the Madrid principles offered to them, no matter they
like it or not.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to western logic, two months, which will
pass since the day of promulgation of the principles, is utterly
enough for societies of the two countries to be ready for what awaits
them. As usual, no one intends to ask the opinion of the main side,
i.e. the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and it is exactly this fact that
makes the whole construction vulnerable. A very remarkable incident
occurred for all the process participants the day before: OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chair, Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia stated that the
USA and RF change their mediators. French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier
remains in his post, since it was only him who did not make statements,
which would later be necessary to repudiate, shifting the blame onto
"inaccuracy of translation". Moreover, Fassier gives the impression of
a diplomat, who knows how to have his own will. Exactly this kind of
mediators are necessary at the given moment, and most likely, Russia
and the USA will choose proper partners for him. All these events give
the impression that time of twisting arms is approaching. By the way,
in vain Ilham Aliyev attaches so much importance to his hydrocarbon
reserves: they will not save his country from the pressure of world
powers. But we have only a very vague idea about what we will have as
a result. What Armenia hopes for is completely obscure, as she has
absolutely nothing. But if one takes into account the increasing in
frequency visits of western diplomats, servicemen and officials, it
becomes clear that Yerevan, in case of a certain fortunate course of
events, will be able to somehow come out of the "regulation" process
with minor losses. Let us recall that a pair of years ago with the same
regularity Yerevan hosted Russian representatives, led by RF President
Dmitry Medvedev. Something changed during the Obama-Medvedev meeting,
after which the Karabakh process livened up. It is quite possible that
the Presidents actually arrived at a specific agreement on Karabakh,
naturally reporting about it to P!

resident quila.

The change of Co-Chairs, in our opinion, pursued another goal too:
both Mathew Bryza and Yuri Merzlyakov already "linger" on their
posts and each of them has already developed predilections and even
sympathies for this or that conflicting party, what, actually, is
not true about Bernard Fassier. By the way, American cochairmen have
always supported the position of Baku, being bound to her with energy
interests. It is enough to recall Steven Mann, one of the initiators
of the oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan or Mathew Bryza, who supports
the Nabucco project. However, it is a bit more difficult to comment on
the predilections of Russian diplomats, since they proceed from their
own, sometimes incomprehensible, preferences, which are nearly always
out of place. However, this is perhaps the requirement of traditions
of the Russian diplomacy: at the last moment to do exactly what no
one expects, and the recent Gazprom transaction with Baku can serve
as a proof to it. But it’s not so substantial. The real concern is
how successful can the mediators carry out their mission, if it is
really the one we think of.

But there may also be another turn of events. Let us assume that
the USA and Russia renounce their mediation in view of the failed
mission on regulation, and they are replaced by other countries,
which will manage the process better. Naturally, Moscow and
Washington will be backing them up. World powers believe that they
can move aside, if a war suddenly breaks up in Karabakh. Only a
very naive person can think so, or one who has calculated every
step of the ‘regulation’ process. Non-alternativeness of a military
solution and "compelling to peace" are quite different notions. But,
unfortunately, the Co-Chairs are presently engaged in applying the
second variant. Naturally, no president will sign the promulgated
Madrid principles, since right after singing he will, at best, have to
hand in his resignation. Armenia has already experienced it in 1998
and its repetition might have a very bad outcome on the country. As
for Azerbaijan, it was able to avoid this scenario thanks to Heydar
Aliyev. But his son can hardly manage to stay in power.

No matter what turn of events we’ll witness, the region awaits
great changes which we’ve been discussing since the beginning of
the year. It is also clear that neither of the conflicting sides can
benefit from these changes. The visit of the Vice President of the
USA to Georgia was the last attempt to restore balance in the region,
but, to all appearances, it was not so successful an attempt. The only
comfort is that France will never give consent to the participation
of Turkey in the regulation process, no matter how definitely the
USA and Russia insist on it. And there is no doubt that they will
insist, convince, and even force. The non-accidentally quieted down
activity of the Turkish Foreign Minister has again livened up after
the Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting.

At the Krakow meeting due in July the OSCE Minsk Group mediators are
going to present to the Presidents and to the Armenian and Azerbaijani
societies the refreshed principles. Little remains until we’ll have a
chance to see the complete plan of regulation of the Karabakh conflict,
which, in a broader sense, does not exist. There exists only the desire
of the USA and Russia, and recently also that of the European Union,
to consolidate their position in the region; it is simply a sin not
to use such a chance. As far as the population is concerned, it is
always informed at the last moment, when either nothing can be done
or it is necessary to launch a war. A third way-out, unfortunately,
does not exist.

IRANIAN AIRLINER TO PAY 34,000 EUROS PER PLANE CRASH VICTIM

EurasiaNet
July 24 2009
NY

Iran’s Caspian Airlines said it would pay 34,000 euros (some $54,000)
in compensation for each victim of its July 15 crash en route to
Yerevan, the Armenian news agency Arminfo reported on July 24.

Citing company representatives, Arminfo said that the cash will
be distributed to families of all victims, regardless of their
nationality. The airline will use insurance proceeds of 3 million euros
(roughly $4.3 million) to compensate families.

The crash of the Russian-made Tupolev-airliner killed all 168 people
onboard, including citizens of Armenia and Georgia.

PRESIDENTIAL TALKS ON GARABAGH HELD IN MOSCOW

AzerNews Weekly
July 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serzh
Sarkisian held talks in Moscow on Friday in the latest round of
internationally-mediated negotiations over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict. The meeting lasted over three hours.

According to Armenia`s Tert.am news website, the two countries`
foreign ministers and the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering
the peace process participated in the discussions at the beginning
of the meeting. Afterwards, talks were conducted one-on-one between
the presidents. Following the discussions, the foreign ministers and
the mediators returned to the negotiating table.

Following the presidential talks, the intermediaries shared their
impressions about the discussions.

"The talks were deep, specific and serious," US co-chair Matthew
Bryza said. "Certainly, I am disappointed that no new decisions were
reached. But, on the other hand, we have reached a stage whereby
discussions on very serious and quite complicated issues have started."

Bryza said that, for the first time, the presidents discussed
complex issues so openly. "But, no, I can`t say that everything is
fine and that they came to a consensus. Nonetheless, the [peace]
process continues and is at a very serious stage."

Yuri Merzlyakov, the Russian co-chairman, said that, in comparison with
the St. Petersburg round of talks held in early June, "we can`t boast
having achieved any success at today`s meeting of the presidents."

"Nonetheless, a substantial and noticeable rapprochement has taken
place in the positions of the sides regarding the issues being
discussed," Merzlyakov said.

He emphasized that discussions on issues that had not been previously
considered began at the Moscow meeting.

"And, based on the presidents` impression and our impression, one
can say that it is possible to reach a decision, and therefore,
the meetings will be continued."

Fassier, for his part, said the mediators were working to secure
the two leaders` consent on the Madrid principles of the conflict
settlement presented to the parties about two years ago. He stressed
that considerable progress has been achieved in the peace process
in the past two years, however, it is not sufficient yet to finalize
an agreement.

The Basic Principles for a negotiated settlement of the long-standing
dispute were submitted by the mediators to Baku and Yerevan in the
Spanish capital in November 2007.

The talks between Presidents Aliyev and Sarkisian continued with
the participation of their Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev
on Saturday. In the morning, the three leaders attended the
traditional horse race for the Russian president`s prize at the
Central Horse-racing Track and then continued with discussions in
the trilateral format at a restaurant in Moscow. Afterwards, Aliyev
met one-on-one with Medvedev.

The meeting of the three leaders proceeded constructively, Sergei
Prikhodko, the aide to the Russian President, was quoted as saying
by the local RIA Novosti news agency.

"A lengthy and, according to our side`s assessment, very constructive
meeting took place, during which discussions continued on a number
of issues that remain open," Prikhodko said. "During the meeting,
Dmitry Medvedev confirmed the readiness of Russia, as a Minsk Group
co-chair, to make further efforts at finding mutually acceptable
solutions on the Upper Garabagh settlement."

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said some hopes
were rekindled for resolving the Garabagh conflict following the
Azerbaijani and Russian presidents` one-on-one meeting. He said the
experience of the past five years shows that some movement has been
seen in the peace process.

"Medvedev is discussing the pettiest details now on his own
initiative," the minister told journalists Monday. "It is sensed that
Russia is seeking to achieve advances in the conflict settlement."

Mammadyarov said the recent statement issued by the three countries
co-chairing the mediating OSCE Minsk Group in Italy indicates that
these states are interested not in retaining the status quo in the
conflict resolution, but moving the peace process forward.

In the joint statement, US President Barack Obama, France`s Nicolas
Sarkozy and Russia`s Dmitry Medvedev called on Armenian and Azerbaijani
leaders to resolve their differences and move towards a final accord
on the long-standing conflict based on the Madrid principles.

The foreign minister emphasized that the conflicting sides are working
on the Madrid principles, but there are matters that have already
been agreed to.

"It is definite that, first, Armenians must withdraw their armed forces
from the occupied Azerbaijani districts. This is unequivocal. An
agreed upon timetable will be determined. Afterwards, the displaced
persons are to return to their native land and communications are
to be restored. Shortly before that, the European Union might hold
a donor conference for the restoration of communications."

Mammadyarov said one of the important issues was expanding ties
between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Upper Garabagh. The
status of the region will be discussed only after all these matters
have been resolved.

"We had said even prior to the Moscow meeting that we need to determine
Upper Garabagh`s status. Certainly, with a high-level autonomy within
Azerbaijani territory."

Mammadyarov noted that the mediators are due to pay separate visits
to the region in early September as well as a joint visit in late
September. Until then, they will continue working on the principles
of the conflict settlement at hand.

The minister said talks on the level of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents will be continued in three months — in October.

Commenting on the interval of several months for the presidential
meetings, which have intensified of late, he said it would be wrong
to consider this a break. During this time, ties will be expanded
between the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities, Mammadyarov said.

"Another meeting of the communities is planned soon. But, this time,
such a meeting will take place in a third country," he added.

Nonetheless, some Azerbaijani pundits have little hope that a
breakthrough will be reached in the peace process in the foreseeable
future. Analyst Arastun Orujlu says the latest discussions have
shown that a model for settling the Garabagh conflict has yet to
be found. All models being offered fail to satisfy "either this or
the other side" and, overall, there is no hope for finding such a
model today.

"Therefore, both the sides and the mediators were confined to
conventional, general expressions after the meeting." said
Orujlu. "We`ve been hearing these expressions for 10 years
running. It is beyond a doubt that further meetings will end like
this, as well. Given that the positions [of the conflicting sides]
are contradictory, advances should not be expected any time soon."

The analyst believes that, until a model for Garabagh settlement is
found, such meetings will have only one advantage – the conflict will
not spiral into a resumption of hostilities.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict for nearly
two decades. A lengthy war ended with the signing of a cease-fire
in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven
other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Peace
talks that kicked off after the hostilities have brought few tangible
results.