Author: Nahapetian Lilit

Denver Post, CO
June 10 2007

Arsen’s American life

If he were still in Armenia, most likely he’d be dead.

By Jenny Deam
Denver Post Staff Writer

Arsen Lazarian likes SpongeBob and chapter books, the Broncos and
the Black Eyed Peas. At age 9, he’s a whiz at PlayStation, although
his 12-year-old brother claims to be better. "Dude, I don’t think
so," he counters in disgust.

"I’m an American boy," Arsen insists.

In truth he is Armenian. But by summer’s end, the fourth-grader will
have lived nearly half his life here, growing up at the Denver Ronald
McDonald House, playing tag in the stairwells and riding his bike in
the parking lot. He taught himself English watching cartoons.

He is believed to be the longest resident of any of the 270 Ronald
McDonald Houses in the world.

Arsen arrived in this country in July 2003, unable to speak or to
breathe on his own. His airway was blocked by tumors growing on his
larynx.
He came for surgery with his mother, Elmira Poghosyan, who at the
time also spoke no English. She, too, has taught herself, by watching
movies on Lifetime Television and chatting with people at the Ronald
McDonald House.

With a mother’s stubborn fury, she had refused to believe the doctors
in her country who said nothing could save her son. She searched the
Internet until she stumbled on a doctor in Denver who could fix
Arsen’s throat.

"Never could I imagine how long I be here," she says. Two years ago,
the Armenian government allowed her other son, Hrach, to join them.

In four years, Arsen has undergone 62 surgeries. More are expected
over the next few years to completely eradicate the tumors and repair
the boy’s vocal chords.

His voice is a raspy whisper. Sometimes at night he asks God to let
him sound like other kids. He also asks to help his mother not worry
so much.

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center decided early to take Arsen as
a charity case. The Ronald McDonald House also will let them stay as
long as needed.

"I don’t think it’s ever fair to ask a

In their apartment, below, Arsen gets a lift from his older brother,
Hrach, 12. (Post / Glenn Asakawa)family to leave. They are going
through enough," says Pam Whitaker, executive director of the Ronald
McDonald House, which provides free or low-cost lodging for families
of children undergoing treatment.
Besides, she would miss them.

They have become fixtures, offering counsel to the newcomers. One
night in the second-floor cafeteria, Poghosyan catches the eye of
another mother. The woman’s son has laid his head on the table during
dinner.

"Is he OK?" she mouths across the room.

The other woman shrugs and nods.

"He’s just tired," Poghosyan (pronounced poh-goe-sian) reassures her.

At times she must gently remind Arsen that the Ronald McDonald House
is not really their home. With its hotel-room decor, its pantry of
donated DVDs, its food served on cafeteria trays, the three-story
brick building is clearly meant to be temporary.

But she understands why her son is confused. He’s seen countless
others come and go. He stays.

His father waits patiently in Armenia for Arsen’s return, caught in a
diplomatic standoff that won’t let him join his family.

Last year when they went to Armenia for a visit, within days Arsen
asked when they were going home.

"No, no, no, Arsen," his father told him, "this is your home."

"No, Dad," the boy said. "My home is in Denver."

A prayer answered

In the spring of 2003, the phone rang in Dr. Nigel Pashley’s Denver
office. An Armenian man living in Colorado knew of a little boy back
home who needed treatment. Would the doctor help?

"Of course," the pediatric ear, head and neck specialist replied.

With those words, prayers a world away were answered.

Arsen was born Aug. 10, 1997, in the capital city of Yerevan, eight
years after the country declared its independence from the former
Soviet Union.

Those early days of freedom were hard. The staples of the West –
heat, gasoline, electricity, even working telephones – were scarce.

Elmira Poghosyan had wed Artur Lazarian in an arranged marriage in
1985. She has a university degree in journalism, and he is a police
officer turned baker.

Arsen was 2 years old when doctors first found the tumors, called
papillomas, growing in his throat. Doctors patched him up and said he
would probably die soon.

About the same time, Pashley and a handful of other doctors around
the world had discovered the condition could be treated with laser
surgery and by injecting large doses of a routine childhood
immunization against measles, mumps and rubella.

When Poghosyan found the research on the Internet, she found hope.
But the surgery would cost $10,000. Her husband made $1 a day. Fellow
reporters told the story of Arsen over Armenian television to help
raise money.

She sold practically everything she owned to get here, including
their clothes and suitcases. Mother and son boarded a plane clutching
trash bags stuffed with a few belongings.

Pashley had never seen a case so severe. He worried he would not be
able to complete treatment. He went to the hospital board and pleaded
the little boy’s case.

"My answer immediately was, ‘What can we do?"’ remembers hospital
chief executive Mimi Roberson.

Pashley knows some might say the hospital’s charity should be
reserved for Americans but says: "I don’t believe we should treat
people from other countries any differently than we would our own
children."

Sticking together

7:40 a.m. They are in the final countdown to get out the door to
school:

"Do you have your backpack? Is everything perfect? No, you can’t wear
shorts. It’s a little cold today. Faster, please!"

Arsen’s mother cajoles one last bite of a bagel and cream cheese.
"Please, Arsen. Eat. Please." He rolls his eyes but takes a bite.

The television is switched off and the homework checked. Each night,
Arsen reads aloud to his mother, first in English and then Armenian.

"Arsen, I understand English now," his mother reminds him.

"No, Mom, you don’t speak very good. And you have a bad accent," he
teases her. He has none.

Most nights she stays up long after the boys are asleep. Sometimes
she slips into their room just to check their breathing. For hours
she writes in her journal.

All they have in this country has been donated or borrowed.

Last year they moved to the two- bedroom caretaker apartment at the
Ronald McDonald House. The walls are lined with photos and framed
school certificates.

Arsen and Hrach each have their own bed, a luxury once beyond
comprehension. They spend hours sprawled across the floral
bedspreads, thumbs pounding the PlayStation controllers.

Poghosyan got the apartment in exchange for volunteer work. She can’t
take a paying job. Her visitor’s visa to this country won’t allow it.

On Monday, they will travel back to Armenia. By law they must go home
every year to reapply for the visas necessary to turn around and come
back for Arsen’s treatment.

While it’s probable Arsen and his mother will be allowed to return,
permission for Hrach (pronounced huh-RAJ) remains dicey. Pashley
wrote to both governments saying Arsen’s treatment is helped by
having his brother near.

In recent years, though, the Armenian government has cracked down on
the number of its people leaving.

"Every time I go back, I am stressed. I go the embassy shaking. No
sleeping. I say, ‘Please, God, let me have my boys with me,"’ she
says. "Hrach is my oxygen."

Each morning, she walks with her sons the three blocks to Whittier
Elementary. Today Hrach wears a baseball cap backward and straps on
his American Chopper backpack. Arsen has Spider-Man on his.

Arsen did not attend school until third grade because he was too
sick. His teacher marvels at his progress this year. He is now only a
little more than a grade level behind.

"He’s a very inquisitive little boy who wants to learn," teacher
Latricia Goodloe says. "I have very high expectations for him."

Not long ago, he was picked by a classmate to help recite the Pledge
of Allegiance and the school motto over the loudspeaker. He was
nervous. What if kids laughed at his voice? When he returned to his
classroom, everyone clapped.

At school, a girl in pigtails runs to him and gives a quick hug.
"Hey, what’s up, Arsen?" He shrugs off the hug but can’t hide the
smile.

As the school year ends, the kids in his class trade memory books,
gathering signatures and phone numbers.

After school, Arsen runs to his mother in wonder and excitement.
"Look, Mom, phone numbers."

Others may see all the big things missing in his life: Good health. A
normal voice. A family complete. A home of their own.

But at age 9, what Arsen wants most in the world are friends.

He clutches his treasure as he walks to Ronald McDonald House. He is
grinning. Phone numbers.

Staff writer Jenny Deam can be reached at [email protected] or
303-954-1261.

———————————————— —————-

Ronald McDonald House
Denver was the third city in the world to receive a Ronald McDonald
House, in January 1979. The first opened in 1975 in Philadelphia.

There are 31 rooms in the Denver Ronald McDonald House. A second
house will open late this year in Aurora. It will have 45 rooms.

Worldwide, there are 270 houses in 30 countries.

More than 800 families were served by the Denver house in 2006.
Global statistics are not available.

The average stay in Denver is 23 days. Ten years ago, the average
stay was seven days.

About 90 percent of families come from the Rocky Mountain region.
Only about 1 percent are international. Families have come from
Japan, Mexico, South America and Europe.

Families are asked to donate $15 a day, but no one is turned away for
inability to pay.

Arsen’s story: an Audio show at
0

Eurasia Daily Monitor

Thursday, June 7, 2007 — Volume 4, Issue 111

KREMLIN, ABKHAZ, SOUTH OSSETIAN PROTEGES DELIBERATELY AMBIVALENT ABOUT
KOSOVO

by Vladimir Socor

Russia is redoubling its rhetorical support for Serbia over Kosovo,
ostensibly on the basis of the territorial-integrity principle. At the same
time, Moscow stands with its Abkhaz and South Ossetian protégés on the basis
of the self-determination principle (as Moscow construes it). Russian
President Vladimir Putin leads the charge on the first track, while his
presidential administration’s department under Modest Kolerov is
operationally in charge of the second track of this policy, working with the
secessionist leaderships.

Russian policy is to obstruct, though not necessarily or ultimately
defeat, the Western-approved plan for Kosovo’s supervised independence.
Those two tracks are designed to create two alternative options for Moscow:
Either abandon Serbia and write off Kosovo for a high price in a bargain
with the West; or, conversely, cement an alliance with Serbia and try to
freeze the Kosovo conflict as long as possible. The former scenario would
cheer Moscow’s clients in the post-Soviet conflicts while the latter
scenario would discomfit that same set of clients.

In his June 4 meeting with print media from the G-8 countries, Putin
weighed in heavily for the territorial-integrity principle and for Serbia
regarding Kosovo. His arguments ranged from the defunct Yugoslavia’s
constitution to Serbian national pride to UN resolutions that define Kosovo
as part of Serbia (again unilaterally interpreted, as UNSC resolution 1244
was adopted well before Yugoslavia’s final official dissolution). Putin also
used this media opportunity to frighten certain European countries into
abandoning the common Western position on Kosovo by raising the specter of
`separatism’ in those countries; he apparently feels completely secure about
Russia in this regard. He insisted that the Kosovo conflict in no way
differs from the four post-Soviet conflicts: simply `ethnic conflicts,’ all
requiring the same type of solution, with Kosovo first as a `model.’

Putin chooses to sound agnostic about the substance of a political
solution for Kosovo: `Some kind of compromise being reached. … If I knew it
I would have long since proposed it. We need to keep looking. This is
difficult and complex work. I don’t know [the solution] at the moment.’ On
the diplomatic process, his motto remains, `No hurry.’ Thus, on both
substance and process, Russia seeks to perpetuate the deadlock and turn
Kosovo into the fifth `frozen’ conflict, linking its ultimate resolution
with that of the four post-Soviet conflicts (Kremlin.ru, Interfax, June 4).

By calculated contrast, the presidential administration’s directorate
under Kolerov (`for cultural and inter-regional ties’) is hosting
post-Soviet secessionist leaders periodically in Moscow — most recently on
June 4, the same day when Putin was defending the territorial-integrity
principle in front of the world press. The Abkhaz and South Ossetian
leaders, Sergei Bagapsh and Eduard Kokoiti, issued from Moscow that day an
appeal to the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the CIS Council
of Heads of State (Interfax, Apsnypress, Regnum, June 4, 5). The appeal
asserts Abkhazia’s and South Ossetia’s claims to international recognition
as states in accordance with the self-determination principle.

While stopping short of requesting immediate recognition, Bagapsh and
Kokoiti serve notice through this document that they would press for
recognition `with even greater resolve’ in the event that Kosovo is
recognized as independent from Serbia — `the Kosovo precedent.’ In the
knowledge, however, that Russia is set to drag out the Kosovo negotiations,
the two leaders and their Moscow handlers avoid linking their case too
closely with that of Kosovo. Thus the appeal cites `referendums for
independence’ held in Abkhazia and South Ossetia over the years. It does not
mention however the ethnic cleansing and disenfranchisement of half of
Abkhazia’s population (mostly Georgian) or the fact that both sets of
leaders openly regard `independence’ from Georgia as an intermediate stage
toward joining the Russian Federation. By the same token, the appeal fails
to mention the mass handover of Russian citizenship in the two enclaves.
This is an argument for Russia to play protector but is clearly discrediting
the case for the enclaves’ international recognition

Such omissions are meant to obscure the stark differences between the
Kosovo conflict and the conflicts on Georgia’s territory. In Kosovo, the
Western allies reversed the ethnic cleansing of the native majority; the
independence referendum possessed democratic legitimacy; the option of
Kosovo joining any state is precluded legally as well as de facto; Western
forces provide security, and the European Union is taking charge of economic
arrangements.

None of this applies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia because Russia has
blocked such processes there, deepening the contrast with the Kosovo
conflict. Nevertheless, Russia is now pretending that those situations are
identical with the Kosovo conflict. In fact, the conflicts in Abkhazia and
South Ossetia have long turned from `ethnic conflicts’ (as Putin mislabels
them) into territorial conflicts due to Russia’s de facto seizure of these
territories from Georgia. Thus, the territorial-integrity principle
provides the relevant legal basis for resolution while the claim to
ethnically based `self-determination’ is invalid in an Abkhazia ethnically
cleansed of its Georgian plurality or in an ethnically mixed South Ossetia.

Releasing their appeal at a news conference in Moscow (Interfax,
Regnum, June 4, 5; Vremya Novostey, June 5), Bagapsh and Kokoiti insisted at
the same time that their `self-determination’ claim is stronger than Kosovo’
s and does not rest on a possible `Kosovo precedent,’ although a `precedent’
could enhance their claim as they see it. This is also the position of
Transnistria’s and Karabakh’s authorities, which founded together with
Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2006 a `Community for Democracy and the Rights
of Peoples.’ The group propagandizes for international recognition of these
`unrecognized republics’ and develops largely symbolic links between them
under the aegis of Kolerov’s directorate. Karabakh has partly distanced
itself from this four-sided group in recent months.

Moscow retains tactical flexibility on Kosovo, prepared to bargain
away either Belgrade’s interests or those of post-Soviet secessionists at
some juncture. Consequently, the authorities in Sukhumi, Tskhinvali,
Tiraspol, and Stepanakert claim that a solution in Kosovo in Serbia’s favor
would not prejudice their own claim to `independence,’ because their claim
is `much stronger’ anyway. This naïve attempt to both preserve and eat the
cake was also a feature of the Moscow news conference.

Bagapsh and Kokoiti warned that any Georgian attack on either
territory would result in the opening of a `second front’ against Georgia
from the other territory — `and not only.’ They also reaffirmed their
sides’ refusal to participate in political negotiations unless Tbilisi
removes the parallel authorities from parts of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
They realize that the existence and increasingly successful operation of
those parallel authorities lay to rest any claim to international
recognition of the Russian-installed leaderships in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.

–Vladimir Socor

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs: Presidents’ meeting in St Petersburg could become historical turning point

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 6 2007

Azerbaijan and Armenian Presidents will meet in St Petersburg on
the eve of informal summit of CIS heads of state. On this occasion
the co-chairs are visiting the region. The meetings in Baku were
very intensive.

We held intensive but constructive meetings at the Foreign Ministry
and President’s Office. We determined the issues to be discussed in
the meeting of the Presidents in St Petersburg," Russian co-chair of
OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov told a press conference in Russian
Embassy in Azerbaijan, APA reports.

"There remained little number of unsettled issues. Baku meetings
created hope that the meeting of the Presidents will be a constructive
and significant event".

French Co-chair Bernar Fassier said he hoped that Yerevan meetings
will be as constructive as that of Baku. US co-chair Matthew Bryza
hoped that St Petersburg meeting can be constructive "We hope that
St Petersburg meeting will be a turning point. Even step by step we
achieved to raise the number of discrepancies. Bu there is still much
work to be done".

Answering questions of journalists, Bernard Fassier said if there is
a turning point in the negotiations, the co-chairs will be optimistic
on the settlement of the conflict. "The turning point can happen that
time if the presidents instruct their Foreign Ministers to draft
a peace agreement on the conflict. Besides, for achieving turning
point the peace agreement needs basic principles to be clarified. We
debated some basic principles in Rambouillet.

We increased this number in Bucharest and Minsk. If we can increase
the number of basic principles on the settlement of the conflict in
St. Petersburg it will be good.

Yuri Merzlyakov commenting on a peace agreement stated that the
parties to the conflict should take into consideration that peace
agreement would not completely satisfy both parties.

"Since we speak about a fair peace agreement, then the parties should
take into consideration that only 50% might be achieved. Any agreement
is a compromise," he said.

Bernard Fassier said that the parties should be ready to compromise.

"Both peoples should be prepared to compromise. The peoples should
also be prepared for peace," he said.

Matthew Bryza touching on the status of Nagorno Karabakh said that
co-chairs have proposed to determine the status by vote.

"We proposed that the status of Nagorno Karabakh be defined by vote.

The sides should define where voting should be conducted. OSCE Minsk
Group can not define how to call this voting. The Presidents are
responsible for that," he said.

GOLDEN APRICOT TO KICK OFF IN YEREVAN AGAIN

Panorama.am
16:22 08/06/2007

The fourth international film festival, Golden Apricot, will
ceremonially open on July 9 at the big hall of Moscow Theater. Before
the official opening ceremony, the film festivities will start
at Charles Aznavour Square with the blessings of apricot, Harutiun
Khachatryan, founding director of Golden Apricot, said. In his words,
the film series will start with Paolo and Vittorio Tavianis’ Sun
of Lark.

Khachatryan said Italian famous writer Antonia Arslan will arrive
in Yerevan for this film show. He also said Arsine Khanjyan, famous
Armenian actress and Cheki Karion will also be in Yerevan.

The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected]
Website:

June 8, 2007

NCI Addresses the Death of Levon Gulian

Yerevan–The National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) today convened a public
hearing to examine the criminal investigation launched into the mysterious
death of Levon Gulian, a 31-year old Armenian citizen. A witness concerning
a murder case, Gulian died on May 12 when he was thrown out a window at
police precincts. The meeting brought together Gulian’s relatives, social
and political activists, human rights groups, state authorities,
representatives of international organizations, MPs, and media
representatives.

NCI founder and newly elected MP Raffi K. Hovannisian first expressed his
condolences to–and affirmed his solidarity with–the family of Levon
Gulian. Hovannisian then welcomed the audience with opening remarks.
"Armenia cannot demand justice from the world when it does not respect its
own citizens’ God-given right to life," he said. Hovannisian reserved
contempt not merely for the murderers of Levon Gulian, but for the demeanor
of the authorities, who failed to respond to the incidence in proper
measure.

In her intervention, the victim’s widow Jemma Gulian briefly spoke about the
conduct of law enforcement prior to and following her husband’s death. She
denied allegations that her husband either committed suicide or died in an
attempt to escape from the police precinct. "Levon loved his family,
children, and work so much," she maintained. "So loving in life and
concerned about his country’s progress, he could not, all of a sudden, have
decided to take his own life. If his intention was to evade the law, he
would not have appeared at numerous prior questionings on his own volition."

In their turn, Hrair Ghukasian and Aram Karakhanian–the legal
representatives of Levon Gulian’s family–expressed reservations about the
criminal investigation as it concerns Gulian’s legal heirs. "The medical
examination was inconclusive and based on just one piece of evidence," they
stated. "Moreover, though the examination was presented as the result of a
joint effort between local authorities and independent international
experts, the conclusions of the latter were not received." The attorneys
were concerned that, in an attempt to cover up the crime, authorities would
drop the investigation.

The next speaker, Karen Hakobian, chairman of the "Huis" NGO, emphasized
that a fair settlement of this affair was of vital importance for the
public. He called upon his fellow citizens to demand justice in this
case–both for the victim and the perpetrators. Impunity, Hakobian
maintained, breeds new crimes. "The only road remaining under these
conditions is the continued pressure of international bodies, the joint and
dedicated effort of NGOs, and close collaboration with the attorneys and the
journalists who are covering this issue," he concluded.

The remainder of the session was dedicated to exchanges of views and
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were interventions by Armenia’s first Ombudswoman and
Heritage Party MP Larisa Alaverdian; former defense attorney and also
Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjian; independent journalist and Armenian
Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) associate expert on
human rights Zhanna Aleksanian; ACNIS director of administration Karapet
Kalenchian; chairman Mikael Danielian of the Armenian Helsinki Association;
Gohar Armenakian of the Soldier’s Protection Committee; social activist
Arsen Khachatrian; Artak Kirakosian from the Civil Society Institute; Levon
Gulian’s sister Lilit Gulian; and several others. The roundtable
participants also decided to form a work group dedicated to the combat
against all unlawful actions.

In his closing remarks, NCI coordinator Hovsep Khurshudian once again
asserted that the death of an Armenian citizen under mysterious
circumstances and, what is more, at a state institution–a police precinct–"is
yet another test for the development of the Armenian justice system and
civil society."

The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public non-profit association founded
in December 2001 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with the purpose of
realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in the state of the
state, society, and public institutions. The National Citizens’ Initiative
is guided by a Coordinating Council, which includes individual citizens and
representatives of various public, scientific, and educational
establishments. Five commissions on Law and State Administration,
Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and
the Youth constitute the vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.

For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected]; or visit

EU COMMISSIONER AVOIDS VOICING HIS OPINION IN TURKEY, FEARING OF ARTICLE 301

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.06.2007 16:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Foreign Ministers of Turkey and EU Troika met
in Ankara June 4 to discuss Turkey’s EU bid, the problem of Cyprus
and Northern Iraq as well as the domestic situation in the country.

Turkish FM Abdullah Gul said Turkey is not going to recede from the
EU bid.

For his part, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he
attaches big importance to reform process and pointed out to necessity
of securing freedom of speech and amendments in article 301 of the
penal code.

When commenting on the statements by the Turkish general staff, EU
Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said, "I can’t voice my personal
opinion on the decision of the Constitutional Court and interference
of the military as long as article 301 is valid," Yerkir reports.

INCUMBENT GOVERNMENT OF ARMENIA HOLDS LAST SITTING

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.06.2007 16:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The incumbent government held its last sitting
today under presidency of Robert Kocharian. The RA leader thanked
the cabinet members for their activities, saying in part, "Some of
you will continue working in the new government, some will go to the
parliament. I am convinced that the knowledge and experience gained
here will be useful for the work in the state’s legislative body."

Mr Kocharian emphasized that the recent four years were the most
fruitful for Armenia, resulting in economy growth and resolution of
many social problems.

"The recent elections also demonstrated serious progress in
democratization. You, the government members, may be proud of
it. Although, success is not the same in all fields," he said.

"Today we must commemorate Andranik Margaryan, who had headed the
government for a long time and secured its achievements," he added.

"I would like to say that reforms were not carried exactly how
we planned. The living conditions in the Armenian regions are not
equal. So, there are problems the government should deal with and
I do not doubt that our country has all preconditions for further
development. Certainly, the government will have majority in the
parliament and it will offer a basis for good work," Robert Kocharian
said.

NEW MCA-ARMENIA OFFICE TO OPEN JUNE 11TH

ArmRadio.am
07.06.2007 11:25

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Millennium Challenge Account –
Armenia new office will take place on the occasion of the visit of
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Executive Officer,
Ambassador John Danilovich. Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, Head
of the MCA-Armenia Governing Council, will be present at the
ceremony. Ambassador Danilovich and Prime Minister Sargsyan will
address the invitees.

The event will take place on June 11, 2007.

NKR PRESIDENT: BILATERAL FORMAT OF TALKS IS DESTRUCTIVE

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 6 2007

A bilateral format of Karabagh talks is destructive, Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic President Arkady Ghoukassian stated at a briefing held
in Yerevan June 5 after a meeting with OSCE Chair-in-Office Miguel
Angel Moratinos.

"I believe everyone is of the opinion that a bilateral format
of talks – Armenia-Azerbaijan – is destructive. Such a format is
illogical. The matter concerns Nagorno-Karabagh people’s fate, so
Nagorno-Karabagh should immediately participate in the negotiation
process", Nagorno-Karabagh President stated.

Answering a question if the issue referring to Nagorno-Karabagh’s
possible involvement in the conflict settlement process was considered
at the meeting with Miguel Angel Moratinos, NKR President noted
there had not been a meeting with the mediators or the international
community’s representatives, when the issue had not been discussed. NKR
President added the negotiation process that should have been held
according to a decision rendered at a Budapest summit in 1994 did not
exist. "Then, you remember, a decision was rendered and Azerbaijani
President also signed it. According to the decision there are three
conflicting parties, and the Co-Chairs were to start talks with all
the parties. However, there is no process within OSCE Minsk Group’s
frames", Nagorno-Karabagh President stated.

When asked who was to blame that Nagorno-Karabagh is out of the
talks’ format – Armenia, Azerbaijan or OSCE – Arkady Ghoukassian
stated it was everyone’s guilt. However, he noted there was no
tragedy that Karabagh did not participate in the talks. "In case
Armenia and Azerbaijan render a decision that will be acceptable
for Nagorno-Karabagh people, it is no problem. If you remember,
I used to say: let Spain and Portugal hold negotiations instead of
Armenia and Azerbaijan. If Nagorno-Karabagh’s independence will be
recognized and other issues will be settled at the talks, as we wish,
it will not be a problem". However, Nagorno-Karabagh President doubted
if the issue could be solved within the frames of a bilateral format.

"Unfortunately, I do not think the issue will be settled within the
frames of this format. Everyone is aware of the fact that such a
format is not realistic. I am 100 percent sure Nagorno-Karabagh will
sit at a negotiating table", Arkady Ghoukassian noted.

WHAT IF ALIYEV AGREES?
Naira Hayrumyan

KarabakhOpen
06-06-2007 12:56:43]

More and more people in Karabakh and Armenia become involved in the
discussion on the territories surrounding the former Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region. Politicians, civil society activists, simply people
express their stance on how expedient it is for the government to
discuss the fate of the liberated territories. These opinions show
there are no forces in Karabakh and Armenia which think the return of
territories has any meaning. If there are such forces, at least they
do not express their stance openly. As to the NKR government, on the
one hand, they do not state directly that the return of territories is
"inevitable". On the other hand, they say the talks should continue.

In an interview with Regnum the speaker of the NKR parliament
Ashot Ghulyan commented on the rumored possibility of return of the
territories of the lowlands of Karabakh in return for a referendum
without a clear timing. He expressed disappointment that nobody
refers to the basic law of NKR which holds: "Until the restoration of
integrity of the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and drawing
of borders public administration will be carried out within the
territories which is in the jurisdiction of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic"
(Article 142).

It is not clear why the speaker is disappointed because now
is the moment of "restoration of integrity of the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and drawing of borders." If agreement is
reached in Saint-Petersburg the co-chairs are speaking about, the
borders will be "drawn".

What’s the point in discussing after that? And who will care for the
stance of "the government and public of Karabakh" when peacekeeping
force will be stationed on the border of Fizuli and Hadrut?

The discussion on territories was kicked off by the visit of the
co-chairs to the region who made important statements. In addition,
they stated clearly that the first step in the proposal is the pullout
of the Armenian force from the territories. The co-chairs stated
(and nobody refuted) that the sides had agreed on territories and
pullout. Baku’s statement ensued that it will agree to the status
of Karabakh within the framework of the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. Apparently, to make Armenia sure that Baku will never
agree to compromise, and the plan becomes moot. In this case, the
"defeatist" stance on the return of territories will be justified. We
agreed, Baku rejected.

However, the reality has changed. Over the past period the Azerbaijani
government has succeeded persuading influential people in their
country that the proposal of the international mediators, even if
former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region is granted independence,
is favorable for Azerbaijan. If the territories and refugees return,
the rest is a matter of "technique".

In Baku they enjoy watching the Armenians argue on sacrificing their
security or not. It is obvious that Aliyev will agree to the proposal
of the mediators in Saint-Petersburg despite his "categorical"
statements.

What will the Armenian government be doing then? Will it slam the
door and leave? It is also a way.

For the first time over the past 15 years the settlement sparked a
heated discussion in Karabakh. Rumors on possible agreement alerted
the society.

Everyone tried to imagine what may happen and understood that the
proposal on settlement is either a war or the end. And everyone started
seeking reliable information, inquiring, asking why nobody speaks
about it, why this issue is not discussed in Karabakh, especially
on television.