Author: nina hovnanian

ILHAM ALIYEV PROMISES FINANCIAL WELFARE TO KARABAKH PEOPLE AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF MILITARY RHETORIC

arminfo
Friday, June 24, 14:17

“For many years our position was very clear and several times
I personally, publicly declared that we are ready to grant the
highest possible autonomy existing in the world to people who live in
Nagorno-Karabakh and who will return to Nagorno-Karabakh”, Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev said in his interview with ArmInfo.

“That will be the subject for future negotiations and in our minds
it could be a meaningful autonomy. The positive example of autonomy
existing in Europe, I think, could be very attractive because it would
be difficult for us to invent something new. We have positive examples
in European countries. For instance in Italy, and Tyrol in Austria,
and other places where central government pays a lot of attention,
maybe much more attention, to autonomy, and financial support is much
broader in order to provide decent living conditions for the people.

We can do the same. Azerbaijan is a country with vast financial
resources and for us it will not be a big problem to implement serious
social and economic development programmes for Nagorno-Karabakh”,
he said.

To note, the assurances of Aliyev Jr. to ensure financial welfare
to the Karabakh people against the background of constant military
rhetoric and anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan sound at least
cynical and absolutely improbable.

The Daily Star, Lebanon
June 25 2011

Azerbaijan and Armenia fail to ink deal in talks

June 25, 2011 02:20 AM Agencies

MOSCOW/KAZAN, Russia: The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan failed
Friday to agree a framework document which would have set the stage
for a resolution of their two-decade conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Serzh Sarksyan held talks
in Russia on Nagorno-Karabakh, which Armenian-backed forces wrested
from Azeri control in a deadliest war to break out as the Soviet Union
splintered apart two decades ago.

The two presidents and their Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev said
in a statement after the talks that the sides `confirmed reaching a
mutual understanding on a wide range of issues whose resolution will
help create conditions for an approval of the Basic Principles.’

The Basic Principles is 14-point framework document that would set the
stage for talks on a peace settlement.

Russia and the U.S. had urged the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
prior to the meeting to endorse the Basic Principles as a way to start
resolving their dispute over the territory.

The predominantly ethnic Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan has been
under the control of Armenian soldiers and ethnic Armenian forces
since the two former Soviet republics fought a six-year war over the
territory that left 30,000 people dead and displaced more than 1
million people before fighting ended in 1994.

Talks to resolve the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh have dragged on
for more than a decade with little result.

`In order to achieve a solid result we first need to sit closer to one
another,’ Medvedev said to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian as they took their seats at a round
table at the start of the meeting in the Russian city of Kazan, the
ITAR-Tass news agency reported.

The White House said President Barack Obama spoke to the Azerbaijani
and Armenian leaders by telephone Thursday and urged them to endorse
the basic principles and take a `decisive step toward a peaceful
settlement.’

Aliyev and Sarkisian both face fierce domestic pressure not to
compromise, but their countries also have been eager to overcome the
consequences of the war.

Azerbaijan, an energy-rich country on the Caspian Sea, has struggled
to cope with the hundreds of thousands of people driven out of
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas that also fell under Armenian
control.

Impoverished and landlocked Armenia has been hurt economically by
Turkey’s closing of the border in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan. An
agreement between Turkey and Armenia in 2009 intended to open the way
to diplomatic ties and the reopening of the border foundered over
Turkey’s call for the withdraw of Armenian troops from
Nagorno-Karabakh.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily
Star on June 25, 2011, on page 11.

United Press International UPI
June 24 2011

Breakthrough in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Published: June 24, 2011 at 12:13 PM

MOSCOW, June 24 (UPI) — Azerbaijan and Armenia are ready to sign a
truce that would resolve a simmering conflict over the breakaway
republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Kommersant reported.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have complained of violations to a 1994
cease-fire agreement related to conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an
area of dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Nagorno-Karabakh, which declared independence in 1991, lies inside
Azerbaijan but has a population that is predominantly ethnic Armenian.

The United States, Russia and France have been trying to mediate the
territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia that has resulted
in the deaths of some 30,000 people.

A Russian government source told daily newspaper Kommersant talks
between Baku and Yerevan were moving toward a positive resolution.

U.S. President Barack Obama “strongly encouraged” Azeri and Armenian
leaders during Thursday phone calls to endorse the basic principles of
the agreement.

“President Obama told both leaders that now is the time to resolve
this conflict and to offer the people of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and
Nagorno-Karabakh a better future for themselves and for their
children,” a White House statement said.

news.am, Armenia
June 24 2011

Javakhk is gunpowder keg which will once explode – ARFD member

June 24, 2011 | 21:19

YEREVAN.- Georgia has recently adopted complicated approach to the
Armenian-populated Javakhk region, said representative of ARF
Dashnaktsutyun bureau Hrant Margaryan.

On the one hand, up-to-date communication and energy infrastructure is
being implemented in the region, on the other hand it remains the most
economically backward regions of Georgia, he said.

`Moreover, the Georgian authorities continue to exert pressure on the
active groups of the society and create an atmosphere of fear. They
hamper preservation of Armenian identity of Javakhk people and
continue political discrimination against Armenians carrying out the
policy of demographic changes to the detriment of the Armenians,’
Margaryan noted.

ARF Dashnaktsutyun continues its support of Armenians’ demands on
gaining autonomy for Javakhk region.

Margaryan stressed that Javakhki is a gunpowder keg which will explode
sooner or later unless reasonable approach is developed.

Javakhk (Georgian name – Javakheti) is an Armenian-populated part of
Georgia’s southeastern Samtskhe-Javakheti province.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 24, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY THANKS CONGRESSMAN MCCOTTER AS MOMENTUM ON THE
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION GROWS

Washington, DC – This week, Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian and Wayne State University
student and Government Affairs Intern Raffi Nersessian thanked Rep.
Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) for his renewed support of the Armenian
Genocide resolution, reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).

Meeting in his House Rayburn office, McCotter told the Assembly that
the Armenian-American community can “continue relying upon my
steadfast support.” First elected in 2002, Congressman McCotter
represents the 11th Congressional District in Michigan and currently
serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

“We appreciate Congressman McCotter’s standing commitment in support
of Armenian-American issues,” stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
“It was an honor to meet Congressman McCotter,” added Government
Affairs Intern Raffi Nersessian.

Also this week, a dozen Members of Congress on a bipartisan basis
joined as cosponsors of H.Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide Resolution
introduced by Congressmen Robert Dold (R-IL) and Adam Schiff (D-CA)
along with Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ed Royce
(R-CA).

The newest cosponsors to the bill include: Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA),
Robert Brady (D-PA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Lloyd
Doggett (D-TX), Bob Filner (D-CA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Steve Israel
(D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Ed Perlmutter
(D-CO), and Jared Polis (D-CO).

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.

###

NR#: 2011-32

Photo Caption (L-R): Raffi Nersessian, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI),
Taniel Koushakjian, and Bryan Ardouny

HRAYR KARAPETYAN SAYS PRESIDENT’S ARGUMENTS AT PACE SUMMIT QUITE CONVINCING

ARMENPRESS
June 23, 2011
YEREVAN

The presentation of the Armenia’ s approaches over the negative role
of the resumed sub commission of PACE on the NK affairs by President
of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly’s (PACE) summer session in Strasburg were very convincing,
chairman of the NA’s National Security, Home Affairs and Defense
Standing Committee Hrayr Karapetyan said at a news conference today.

“The arguments of Armenia’s non-participation forwarded by
the President were quite convincing as the motivations of the
sub-commission are not understandable at all. Besides it is not known
whether the commission will contribute or will impede the process
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group which is more competent
and has passed a quite long way for the settlement of the conflict”,
Karapetyan said.

According to him, the speech of the president of the Republic at
the PACE sitting was of diplomatic nature and was directed to the
PACE audience and international establishments. He said the goal is
to show that Azerbaijan elaborates anti-Armenian racist propaganda
in Azerbaijan.

59-YEAR-OLD MAN STABBED TO DEATH

ARMENPRESS
June 23, 2011
YEREVAN

A 59-year old man Henrik Lazarian was stabbed to death June 22
in Kapan. Police press service reported that the man was killed by
28-year old Karen A., in the latter’s apartment during the fight over
personal issues. Investigation is underway.

ARAM HAMPARIAN URGES OBAMA TO DEFEND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR KARABAKH

Noyan Tapan

23.06.2011

(Noyan Tapan – 23.06.2011) Statement by ANCA Executive Director Cites
President’s Speech Today Advocating Democratic Aspirations; Criticizes
his Failure to Apply Democratic Principles to Nagorno Karabakh

WASHINGTON, DC – Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
Executive Director Aram Hamparian, in the wake of President Obama’s
speech this evening championing the right of the citizens of
Afghanistan and all peoples to live in freedom, issued a statement
citing the Administration’s failure to apply the democratic principle
of self-determination in its Nagorno Karabakh diplomacy.

In his speech, President Obama asserted that: “In all that we do, we
must remember that what sets America apart is not solely our power
– it is the principles upon which our union was founded. We are a
nation that brings our enemies to justice while adhering to the rule
of law, and respecting the rights of all our citizens. We protect our
own freedom and prosperity by extending it to others. We stand not
for empire, but for self-determination. That is why we have a stake
in the democratic aspirations that are now washing across the Arab
World. We will support those revolutions with fidelity to our ideals,
with the power of our example, and with an unwavering belief that
all human beings deserve to live with freedom and dignity.”

The full text of Hamparian’s statement is provided below:

“The direction of U.S. diplomacy on Nagorno Karabakh, including the
OSCE Minsk Group proposal which will be discussed at the upcoming Kazan
summit, runs contrary to the very principles – self-determination,
freedom, and democracy – that President Obama so ardently advocated
this evening.”

“While we certainly welcome the ongoing efforts of the OSCE to
bring about a fair and lasting peace, we remain troubled that the
deal presently under consideration would force the citizens of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic – who are barred from acting as a
party to the ongoing negotiations that will determine their fate –
to trade their hard fought security and well-deserved independence
for an undefined ‘interim status’ that will increase, not diminish,
the risks of renewed Azerbaijani aggression.”

“It is reckless and irresponsible to ask Armenians to make upfront,
concrete, and effectively irrevocable land, status, and security
concessions in exchange for deferred and easily reversible Azerbaijani
promises of a vaguely defined ‘expression of will’ regarding Artsakh’s
status that may or may not – depending on Baku’s willingness – take
place at some point in the future.”

“The Obama Administration should, first and foremost, require that the
official representatives of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic be fully and
immediately reinstated in the peace process, and then move forward,
not by pressuring the Armenian side into reckless concessions, but
rather by acting in the spirit of the President’s powerful words
this evening, and in accord with his campaign commitments to seek a
lasting settlement for Nagorno Karabakh based upon America’s founding
commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination.”

TURKISH COMPANY DENIES REPORTS OF WORKING WITH STEPANAKERT AIRPORT

Tert.am
23.06.11

Turkish embassy in Baku is trying to find out what the Turkish company
Demirci Makina has to do with the construction of the Stepanakert
airport.

An official at the embassy has told the Azerbaijani news agency
1news.az that if the sale of equipment to the airport is confirmed,
the company will be persecuted under Turkish laws.

However, Demirci Makina manager Akif Tamim has dismissed the reports
of an alleged deal.

“We have never worked with Armenia. We have sold the equipment
mentioned in the reports to our Iranian partners and we don’t know
whom they have resold it,” Tamim said.

Earlier, Dmitri Adbashyan, the head of the Nagorno Karabakh Civil
Aviation Department, had said his department had already purchased
equipment from the Turkish company Demirci Makina.

Adbashyan said they got a good deal from the Turkish company; they
provide the equipment at much better prices than European and Chinese
companies.

MARK C. TONER: THE PARTIES SHOULD SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PEACEFULLY RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES

armradio.am
23.06.2011

The parties should seize the opportunity in Kazan to solve their
differences, Deputy Spokesperson for U.S. Department of State Mark C.

Toner told a daily briefing, commenting on the impeding meeting of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Kazan with the mediation
of the President of Russia.

“There’s an opportunity in Kazan and the parties should seize this
opportunity to peacefully resolve their differences,” Mark C. Toner
said in response to the question whether there is a message from
Washington to Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, prior to this
important meeting in Kazan.