Author: Nahapetian Lilit

OSCE MONITORING RELATED TO FIRE IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN BY ARMENIA DELAYED

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006

Close to Marzili village of Aghdam and in the direction of Khojavend
region, in the borderline of the troops, according to the mandate
of OSCE chairman in-office personal representative, the monitoring
aimed to hold today, has been delayed.

OSCE chairman in-office personal representative and field assistants
have not visited the territories where the monitoring will be held.

Garabagh bureau of APA has reported quoting Aghdam, Agjabedi,
Terter and Khojavend region executive power heads. According to the
information, OSCE representatives did not give information about it
to Region Executive Power. Azerbaijan Defense Ministry press service
has told APA that no information on the result of monitoring has
entered them.

It should be noted that the monitoring from the Azerbaijani side has
been planned by OSCE chairman in-office personal representative field
assistants Imre Palatinius and Jiri Aberle, in then opposite side
of the borderline of Azerbaijan known in international level OSCE
chairman-in-office Andrzey Kasprzyk, his field assistants, Gunter
Folk, Peter Kinin. The monitoring was planned to be held related to
the fire in the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenians.

DELEGATION LED BY RA PRESIDENT TO PAY TWO-DAY WORKING VISIT TO IRAN ON JULY 5

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 4 2006

YEREVAN, JULY 4, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 5, RA
President Robert Kocharian will leave for Islamic Republic of Iran
(IRI) on a two-day working visit. RA Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Energy, Head of RA President’s Staff, Ambassador of Armenia to Iran,
other high-ranking officials are included in the delegation.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA President’s Press Office, Robert
Kocharian will have a tete-a-tete conversation with IRI President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Then the Armenian and Iranian delegations
will have a meeting in an extended staff, bilateral documents will
be signed. The heads of the two countries will have a joint press
conference.

In Tehran RA President will visit the tomb of IRI founder Ayatollah
Khomeyni and will lay a wreath to his grave.

During the working visit RA President will have a meeting with Iranian
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

Robert Kocharian will also visit the Embassy of Armenia in Iran and
will meet with the representatives of the Iranian Armenian community.

PM MEETS WITH NEW US AMBASSADOR

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006

Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade July 4 met with newly
appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the United
State of America in Baku Mrs. Anne Derse.

The Ambassador said America attaches importance to development of
relations with Azerbaijan and the country’s role in the regional and
global politics. She described the recent visit of the Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev to the United States as successful noting it
has opened a new page in history of bilateral relationship. Mrs.

Derse pointed out that her activities as the US Ambassador will
mainly focus on the issues concerning the fight against terrorism,
ensuring global energy security and support in Azerbaijan’s joining
the World Trade Organization.

Prime Minister Rasizade congratulated Mrs. Anne Derse on the
Independence Day and wished success in her new office. He informed
the Ambassador in detail on the situation over the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict pointing out the double standard approach of
the international community to this problem. The Premier reaffirmed
Azerbaijan’s commitment to peaceful resolution of the conflict, and
urged the USA to intensify its efforts for the problem to be solved
on the basis of internationally recognized legal norms and principles.

DECLASSIFIED KARABAKH
by Arkady Dubnov
Translated by Pavel Pushkin

Source: Vremya Novostei, June 29, 2006, p. 5
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
July 3, 2006 Monday

BITTER POLEMIC RESTARTED BETWEEN BAKU AND YEREVAN WITH REGARD TO
RESOLVING THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT; For three days Baku and
Yerevan have been officially continuing the restarted bitter polemic
related to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. An interview of new
American co-chair of the Minsk group of the OSCE for Nagorno-Karabakh
Matthew Brize (two other co-chairs represent Russia and France) served
as a pretext. Brize released this interview after a report about the
course of the negotiation process between the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan released by co-chairs of the Minsk group at a meeting of
the permanent council of the OSCE in Vienna on June 22. The American
diplomat disclosed some details of the framework agreement proposed
by the Minsk group to the parties of the conflict for the first time.

For three days, Baku and Yerevan have been officially continuing the
restarted bitter polemic related to resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. An interview of new American co-chair of the Minsk group
of the OSCE for Nagorno-Karabakh Matthew Brize (two other co-chairs
represent Russia and France) served as a pretext. Brize released
this interview after a report about the course of the negotiation
process between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan released by
co-chairs of the Minsk group at a meeting of the permanent council
of the OSCE in Vienna on June 22. The American diplomat disclosed
some details of the framework agreement proposed by the Minsk group
to the parties of the conflict for the first time.

According to Matthew Brize, Baku and Yerevan are currently "discussing
the clauses of the agreement according to which Armenian armed forces
should leave the territory of Azerbaijan." This document reflected
the issues of deployment of the peacekeeping forces in the conflict
zone and international economic aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. In the final
stage, it is planned to organize a referendum about the future status
of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russian co-chair of the Minsk group of the OSCE
Yury Merzlyakov reported yesterday that the statement of his American
colleague was coordinated with the other co-chairs and represented
their common evaluation of the current stage of negotiations.

Yerevan was the first to react to the interview of Brize. The Armenian
Foreign Ministry announced that principles of the conflict regulation
were disclosed in the interview only "partially" and the interview
did not touch on the problem of a corridor between Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh and the interim status of Nagorno-Karabakh before
organization of the referendum. Yerevan emphasizes that "for the
first time co-chairs of the Minsk group state that the problem of
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh can be solved through a referendum."

The disputes that exist in the negotiation process do not deal with
the referendum and the presidents have already approved this issue.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry added, "The disputes deal with the
schedule for liquidation of consequences of the armed conflict."

Yerevan calls the principles of regulation proposed by the Minsk group
"a serious basis for continuation of negotiations with Azerbaijan"
and confirms readiness to continue them. Armenia could not do without
the familiar notes of belligerence. Azerbaijan was reminded that
"regardless of the size of its military budget it will never manage
to force the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to give up the right for
freedom and independence."

The response from Baku followed immediately. The Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry called the statement of Yerevan "a traditional attempt at
deliberate distortion of the course of the negotiation process"
and "speculations." The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan added,
"Determination of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is impossible in
circumstances of continuing occupation and ethnic purge and implies
liberation of the occupied territories and demilitarization of the
entire conflict zone, which in case of international guarantees of
security will create conditions for return of the forcefully expelled
Azerbaijani population."

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev added fuel to the fire.

Yesterday, he announced, "Degree of the combat readiness of the armed
forces of Azerbaijan allows liberation of our land by a military way.

Only time is needed for this and Armenians are afraid of war." Abiyev
accused of the interest in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict some "powerful
world powers that wish to retain Azerbaijan in the sphere of their
influence." Azerbaijani news agency Day.az quoted Abiyev as saying,
"When they see our force they will give up their intention and we
will prove this." Very few observers doubt that this hint is addressed
to Russia.

Neither of the parties of the conflict points at the main stepping
stone of the negotiations. According to informed sources close
to negotiations, in the first stage Armenia is prepared to let
Azerbaijani refugees and administration return to the occupied
Kelbadzhar District. Armenia is prepared to make this concession under
condition that Baku names an acceptable date for the referendum in
Nagorno-Karabakh at least in a few years. However, Baku refuses to do
this. The same sources presume that conversations about a possible
meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in the framework of
the G8 summit in St. Petersburg at which both Baku and Yerevan hint
are unfounded. They add, "A new meeting of Aliyev and Kocharjan is
hardly possible earlier than in autumn."

With regard to the unexpected declassification of the course of
negotiations, Allen Deletroz, president of the international crisis
group, remarked that "intermediaries grew tired of negotiations and
took a correct step that would contribute to broad and open national
dialog dedicated to the essence of the problem." According to Deletroz,
"Henceforth Azerbaijanis and Armenians will be able to form their own
opinion about what is on the table of negotiations of there presidents
who have until recently had a private but unsuccessful dialog."

Regnum, Russia
June 30 2006

Vafa Guluzade: Moscow does not want peace between Azerbaijan and
Armenia

In an interview to Analitika.az former state advisor for
international relations, political scientist Vafa Guluzade says that
`Armenia has no personal opinion, it does everything as Russia says.’
`Even if Armenia is pressured by the US into concluding peace
agreement, the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians will reject this peace. The
objective of all these talks is to give the Azerbaijani lands to
Armenia. However, Russia does not want this. In fact, it does not
want peace, at all, as in such case Armenia may ask it to withdraw
its bases from its territory and then may join NATO. The resolution
of the conflict will also allow Armenia to join regional energy and
transport projects. Russia does not want this to happen. That’s why
it is trying to drag the peace process for as long as possible,’ says
Guluzade.

On the other hand, `the US wants the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to be
resolved as quickly as possible. The Americans want to give part of
the Azerbaijani territories to Armenia and hope that Russia may agree
to this. They do not realize that the Russians will not accept this
either. If you remember, once Azerbaijan has already agreed to
compromise peace but that was followed by a terrorist act in Armenia.
Russia is still a strong player and can resist any peace agreement.’
Guluzade suggests waiting for 10 years more – `in 10 years Russia
will get weaker, NATO will grow stronger in the whole Caucasus and
only then will Azerbaijan be able to attain relatively favorable
peace. The other scenario is that Russia may grow stronger and `get
back’ Azerbaijan and the other CIS countries. But I think that the
first scenario is more realistic,’ says Guluzade.

He notes that `it is impossible to conduct a referendum on Nagorno
Karabakh’s status.’ This will require the return of all refugees to
Nagorno Karabakh and refugees will agree to return only after the
conclusion of a peace agreement and given the protection of the
Azerbaijani army. In this situation to agree to the referendum means
to give Karabakh to the Armenians. If so, why to negotiate at all?
Let them sign a statement and say: `we are making a generous gift to
the Armenians.’

GEGHAMIAN DRAWS PACE ATTENTION TO MANIFESTATIONS OF HOOLIGANISM DURING VISIT OF CATHOLICOS TO TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 29 2006

STRASBOURG, JUNE 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Artashes Geghamian,
member of PACE Armenian delegation, Head of the National Unity party
and NA faction of the same name, spoke at the discussion of the
issue "Freedom of Speech and Respect of Belief" at the PACE summer
session. He touched upon the Armenian Genocide, the blockade of Armenia
by Turkey, limitations introduced to Armenian school curriculums
in Turkey and the mainfestations of hooliganism during the visit of
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to Turkey considering all this
unacceptable for a country striving for becoming a EU member.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from NA Public Relations Department,
Hermine Naghdalian (RPA), member of the Armenian delegation, spoke at
the discussion of the issue of illegal migrants and human rights. She
mentioned that often migrants and displaced persons find themselves in
a vulnerable position and need especially protection of human rights,
including civil and political, social and economic rights, at the
same time presented the great difference in policies implemented in
Armenia and Azerbaijan towards refugees.

MEETING AT ARMENIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly of Armenia
June 29 2006

On June 28, Vahan Hovhannisyan, Vice President of the National Assembly
received the delegation of the French Office for the Protection of
Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of France headed by Mrs. Aline Montaubric.

Upon the guests request, the NA Vice President presented particularly
the economic and internal political situation in Armenia and
highlighted that despite the blockade from the direction of Azerbaijan
and Turkey the republic has economic growth, programmes of economic
and social recovery have been elaborated, the anti corruption fight
programme has been renewed when Armenia joined the international
organization GRECO and today nothing threatens the stability of the
country. Mr. Hovhannisyan highlighted also the challenges. We still
have unsolved problems in the anti corruption fight, in creating a
free market, defending the competition and fighting against economic
monopolies.

The sides also touched upon the problems of refugees and the
implemented programmes. Mr. Hovhannisyan presented the legal and social
state of the Armenian refugees that have been forcibly displaced from
Azerbaijan in 1988-92 highlighting that the government carries out
social-economic purposeful programmes and the issue of refugees is
included in the strategic programme of poverty reduction.

It was mentioned that a programme of providing the families with
apartments in the public buildings is being implemented.

During the meeting they also touched upon the law on Alternative
Service and other issues of mutual interest.

"A STRANGE SLAP IN THE FACE OF ARMENIAÂ"
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
28 June 06

The former Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia about the NK
conflict settlement.

After the unprecedented step of the OSCE Minsk group American
cochairman Mathew Brayza, which declassified some details of the
negotiations, we turned to the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Armenia Vahan Papazian for interpretation. We got the same answer,
which we had already heard as the answer to our request for interview
after Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliev meeting in Bucharest. That
is, he won’t say anything new besides what he has already said
in his interview given to our newspaper in 2000 and he insists on
his remarks. Vahan Papazian said in 2000 that it was impossible in
principle to get better results than we could conceivably have in
1997. Â"I’m not sure that nowadays political leadership is sincerely
anxious for the settlement of this conflict. Certainly, they can
declare that they do their best, look, we negotiate, discuss versions
and when we come to a conclusion, we’ll produce it to the political
powers and public and will hold a referendum necessarily etc. But
there isn’t any certain agreement, and they can negotiate for many
years." A comparison was published in Â"AravotÂ" 6 years ago, which
showed how Robert Kocharian’s and Levon Ter-Petrosian’s approaches
round the NK conflict settlement had become too close.

Vahan Papazian also noticed that similarity; Â" And it is natural. In
general, I mark the end of 1997 and beginning of 1998 as a greatest
nonsense in the political life of our country. For not being understood
wrong, I must stress that it was irreversible nonsense. We missed the
opportunity of settling the NK conflict by dignified peace. Even the
common diplomat knows that we must go for concessions from the strong
position. Our positions were stronger in 1997. It seems to me that if
there is a political settlement, Armenia, in particularly Karabakh,
won’t have decisive vote any more. The word Â"IfÂ" in this affirmation
is very essentialÂ".

Another Former Minister of Armenia Alexander Arzumanian spoke about
Mathew Brayza’s interview in the Â"PastarkÂ" club mentioning that
he saw Â"nothing strange" in declassification of proposals. In
his opinion, the meaning of Brayza’s interview is; Â"that we have
already proposed and the presidents of the countries must be brave
to explain this to their people. And they try to involve the public
into dispute, which is indeed a natural process. If you remember,
Levon Ter-Petrosian’s proposal of dispute led to the changeover of
political powers in time. Now a proposal of dispute is made againÂ".

To the Â"AzatutiunÂ" b/s question whether Robert Kocharian would be
invited to Washington Mathew Brayza answered; Â"There is no reason
for Robert Kocharian not to visit Washington. I hope that we can see
in Armenia the same positive steps of democratic reforms as we see
in AzerbaijanÂ". Alexander Arzumanian mentioned on this occasion;
Â"It is strange when the official of middle section allows himself
to tell Armenia; go and reach to the level of Azerbaijan then we’ll
invite your president. It is a strange slap. I have spoken for many
times, that there isn’t democracy in Armenia, but saying democracy,
I have never mean to be compared with Azerbaijan or Belarus".

Speaking on Brayza’s detections to the RA MFA replies, the former
Foreign Minister has said that it simply showed the weakness of
our Foreign Ministry. The MFA wanted by that declaration to remove
doubts but it deepened them, showing that they negotiate today about
territories of the NK security zone, about withdrawal of military
forces from all territories. "What does Karabakh get? To hold a
referendum? That people have already made their decision. This
authority has come to power just for that reason, to settle the
problems of the NK conflict and re-annexation with Armenia. Please,
settle it", – Alexander Arzumanian recorded the failure of "triumphal"
and "no piece of land" policy.

–Boundary_(ID_v8bEbjwrJSrHlQ2Wyq+OQw)–

KOCHARIAN RECEIVES WORLD BOXING CHAMPION VAKHTANG DARCHINIAN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 27 2006

YEREVAN, June 27. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian received
today world boxing champion, IBF and IBO, Vic (Vakhtang) Darchinian
and his first coach Vazgen Badalyan.

The press service of the Armenian President reported that Kocharian
wished luck to the Armenian boxer, saying that the fact that Armenian
names appear in the professional boxing is pleasant. According to
him, every success achieved is an example for inspiration for many
sportsmen.

In his turn, Darchinian informed the president of the upcoming programs
and planned fights. He said that he is going to open a fight club
in Vanadzor that will be aimed at preserving beautiful traditions
of the Armenian boxing school and provision of the future victorious
progress of Armenian boxers.

Armenian boxer Vic Darchinian resides in Australia and is the champion
for IBF and IBO qualification. He gained 26 wins in 26 fights; 21 of
them were knockouts.

On June 3, 2006, Darchinian again defended the title of the world
champion for IBF qualification under the weight category up to 50.8kg
during the fight against Louis Maldonado ranking 8th in the IBF rating.

Darchinian was awarded the title of the champion in professional
boxing for the first time in the history of the Armenian sport.

Though the well-known boxer represents Australia, his every fight is
preceded by the music of Armenian composer Ara Gevorgyan and hoisting
of the Armenian flag.

YEREVAN THREATENS WASHINGTON?

Lragir.am
26 June 06

Victor Soghomonyan, the speaker of the president of Armenia, announced
June 26 that the points of the frame agreement being discussed in the
talks for the Karabakh conflict, issued by the U.S. Co-Chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group Mathew Bryza, which received different reactions,
are on the whole elements of a package agreement but do not reflect
the package fully. Victor Soghomonyan told this to the Regnum. "One way
or another, if such confessions appear in the mass media, the Armenian
side will publish all the documents that have been discussed over the
past 7-8 years in the talks," said Victor Soghomonyan. He particularly
means the option of a "common state, the document of Key West and the
document introduced during the talks in Bucharest. "By the way, all the
three documents were rejected by Azerbaijan," said Victor Soghomonyan.