Author: Topchian Jane

NKR MFA: BAKU TRIES TO NEGOTIATE DIRECTLY WITH AUTHORITIES OF KARABAKH

AZG Armenian Daily
08/07/2009

"The Nagorno Karabakh leadership once again displayed its good will
and agreed to host the intelligentsia representatives of Armenia
and Azerbaijan, headed by Ambassadors of Armenia and Azerbaijan to
the Russian Federation Armen Smbatyan and Polad Byul-Byul Oghly,
as well as RF MFA Special Missions Ambassador, RF President’s
Special Representative on Cultural Issues Mikhail Shvidkoy, thus
reaffirming its principal allegiance to the Karabakh conflict
peaceful settlement process," NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs said
in a statement, commenting on the comments by the Azerbaijan party,
including the officials of the Azerbaijani Republic, on the recent
initiative of the Armenian and Azerbaijani intellectuals, which
provide misinterpretation of the events."As to the certain differences
concerning the Azerbaijani delegation’s visit itinerary and members,
the Karabakh party did not only demand to change the itinerary, but
also to exclude the Azerbaijani Milli Mejlis Deputy, Khavva Mamedova,
and the delegation member, Chingiz Ismailov, out of the delegation
for their obvious anti-Karabakhian and anti-Armenian position.Taking
into consideration the Azerbaijani party’s interest in the visit,
it is easy to guess that official Baku tries to drastically change
the format of the negotiation process and to negotiate directly,
without any mediators, with the NKR authorities, which has no
alternative. Taking into account the incentives of such mutual visits
aimed at reducing the tension between the societies involved in the
conflict, the event is worth noticing.This visit is especially notable
in the sense that the Azerbaijani intelligentsia representatives,
having visited our country, evidenced once again that they deal with
an existing state, where, for the period after the proclamation of
an independent republic, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles
arisen as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression, the imposed war,
and the blockade, unprecedented progress in all the spheres has been
fixed, which created the best preconditi ," NKR MFA statement reads.

KHACHATUR SUKIASYAN LIKELY TO APPEAR, LAWYERS SAY
Lusine Vasilyan

"Radiolur"
07.07.2009 15:45

Arthur Grigoryan and Ara Zakaryan, lawyers of the Deputy of the
National Assembly Khachatur Sukiasyan, who went underground after
the March 1 events, came forth with some clarifications today. First,
they proclaimed yesterday’s statement by Khachatur Sukiasyan. Besides,
they did not rule out that the latter might appear before July 31.

"It becomes obvious from the content of the statement that Khacahtur
Sukiasyan is ready to appear even realizing that the authorities will
arrest him and will tend to bring the case to the court. He does not
view this as an obstacle. We, as his defenders, tell that Khachatur
Sukiasyan will, most probably, appear."

The lawyers have applied to the Special Investigative Service,
asking to change the preventive measure (detainment) against Khachatur
Sukiasyan and presented their explanations. The Special Investigative
Service is expected to make a decision in a few days. The lawyers
consider, however, that the decision of the investigative body will
not affect Khachatur Sukiasyan’s position.

PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS DIMITRIS CHRISTOFIAS ARRIVES IN ARMENIA WITH HIS WIFE

Noyan Tapan
July 6, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 6, NOYAN TAPAN. At RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s
invitation, President of Cyprus Dimitris Christofias arrived in
Armenia with his wife Elsi Christofias on a two-day state visit on
July 6. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received the President
of Cyprus, then an official meeting ceremony of the President of
Cyprus took place at the RA President’s residence. Then Presidents
Serzh Sargsyan and Dimitris Christofias will have a tete-a-tete
talk. According to the report of the RA President’s Press Office,
delegations’ meeting in an enlarged staff will take place, then the
leaders of Armenia and Cyprus will have a joint press conference. A
state dinner will be served in honor of the President of Cyprus and
his wife Elsi Christofias on behalf of the RA President and his wife
Rita Sargsyan in the evening of July 6.

Within the framework of the visit Dimitris Christofias will meet with
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, will be received by Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II. The President of Cyprus will visit the Memorial
Complex of Armenian Genocide, will lay a wreath to the Memorial of
Armenian Genocide victims, will plant a tree at the Commemoration
Park. Dimitris Christofias will meet with Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglarian
and a group of honorary citizens of Yerevan at Yerevan Mayor’s Office,
as well as will visit Yerevan History Museum.

The President of Cyprus and Mrs Elsi Christofias will also visit
historic-cultural sights of Armenia, will be in Garni, Geghard,
Matenadaran.

The President of Cyprus will leave Armenia on July 7.

COULD AGREEMENT ON BASIC PRINCIPLES AROUND NAGORNO KARABAKH SIGNED WITHIN A YEAR?

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
06.07.2009 16:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ ARF Dashnaktsutyun does not exclude the possibility
of signing an agreement on basic principles for the settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the current year, Kiro Manoyan, head
of "Ay Dat" office told a press conference in Yerevan. "The agreement
is unlikely to be signed during the upcoming meeting of the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Moscow, but it can take place within a
year. Signing of the document will be conditioned by Turkey’s pressure,
since Ankara continues to turn the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
into a precondition for normalizing the Armenian-Turkish relations,
" he said.

According Manoyan, after signing an agreement on basic principles
between Yerevan and Baku, it will take another few years to sing
the agreement on the conflict settlement, which is contradicts to
the interests of the Armenian side. "Either the parties must accept
the entire package of proposals, or nothing . ARF Dashnaktsutyun is
against the Madrid principles. We believe that the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict can be resolved only through mutual and equal compromises
", Kiro Manoyan said.

EDWARD NALBANDYAN: WE ARE EXPECTING PRACTICAL STEPS FROM TURKEY

ArmInfo
2009-07-03 12:42:00

ArmInfo. During today’s joint press-conference with OSCE
Chairperson-in-Office Dora Bakoyannis, Foreign Minister of Armenia
Edward Nalbandyan commented on the last statement by Turkey’s Foreign
Minister Ahmed Davutoglu saying Turkey will remain committed to the
agreements reached with Armenia.

‘If the Turkish FM makes such statements, it may be just welcomed,
as an agreement reached between Armenia and Turkey stipulates
normalization of relations and opening of the border without
preconditions. If Turkey is ready to fulfill this agreement, this
may be just welcomed and we are expecting practical steps from it’,
E. Nalbandyan said.

He also said that not just a dialogue but serious negotiations are
held between the two countries. ‘A new stage began from September,
2008, and we reached a certain agreement in spring, 2009, namely,
on normalization of relations and opening of the border without
preconditions. Earlier, the Turkish party advanced two preconditions,
the first of which concerned the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
and the second one – the process of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. During the negotiations, we reached an understanding
on settlement of relations and opening of the border without
preconditions’, E. Nalbandyan resumed.

YEREVAN HOSTED A UNO NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM PRESENTATION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
01.07.2009 17:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On June 1 UNO Office in Yerevan hosted a UNO National
Volunteer Program presentation.

The program aims to combine the knowledge of local young experts
with opportunities for development gained during UNO programs’
implementation.

The program is implemented by UNO with the assistance of RA Ministry
of Sport and Youth Affairs.

Persons over 25 who have a certain volunteer work experience and over
21 who’ve received a corresponding technical education are eligible
for a program.

Volunteers’ work will be remunerated by the employers’ organizations.

DAVID HAROUTIUNIAN: ZARUHI POSTANJIAN SHOULD ADMIT HER MISTAKE AND NOT ACCUSE OTHERS

Noyan Tapan
July 1, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 1, NOYAN TAPAN. PACE Resolution N 1677 on activity of
democratic institutions in Armenia is very objective and determines
the priorities Armenia should follow. David Haroutiunian, the head
of the Armenian delegation in PACE, the Chairman of the National
Assembly Committee on State and Legal Issues, RPA member, stated at
the June 30 press conference.

In response to journalists’ questions he said that treats normally
the proposals presented by Zaruhi Postanjian, Armenian delegation’s
member, Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction representative, at the session:
the opposition should criticize and do its best for its political
platform to be also presented in resolutions. However D. Haroutiunian
is concerned with the staff of delegates signing under Z. Postanjian’s
proposals: all four persons are known for preconceived and extremely
aggressive positions in the issue of Armenia and Karabakh. He mentioned
Azeri delegate Hajibeyli’s following statement made a year ago: "I
think an honest member, opposition representative will also accept
our positions connected with Nagorno Karabakh."

Mentioning that Z. Postanjian "made a very gross mistake, it was very
much like that she swallowed that bait," D. Haroutiunian considers
that the Zharangutiun representative should admit her mistake
and correct it and not find excuses contradicting each other and
especially accuse others. In particular, D. Haroutiunian refuted
Zharangutiun faction representatives’ statements that he and Avet
Adonts voted for the resolution introduced at the PACE Monitoring
Committee sitting held between May 26 to 27 2008 in Kiev. Indeed,
according to D. Haroutiunian, they boycotted the resolution in the
committee and voted against it during the discussion in the Assembly.

The resolution, in particular, read: "Stable democratic development
will be too difficult in Azerbaijan until country’s territorial
integrity is restored."

D. Haroutiunian said that in connection with the point proposed by
Z. Postanjian on releasing all persons connected with the March 1-2
events the Assembly has repeatedly said that only persons not having
committed criminally liable actions should be released. D. Haroutiunian
does not think, either that the fact-finding committee of experts
should be recreated. "Today it is time that the NA Ad-hoc Committee
receiving reports from fact-finding committee’s individual members
finish its work, especially as the term of committee’s activity
expires in September," he said.

And publications in press over Z. Postanjian’s activity at the PACE
session, according to D. Haroutiunian, express the problem existing
in society that "we see everything in black and white colors and are
rather intolerant."

NA INTERIM COMMITTEE TO CARRY OUT SERIOUS WORK

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.06.2009 20:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Parliament’s Interim Committee investigating March
1-2 incidents has to carry out serious work, NA European Integration
Committee’s Chair Nayira Zohrabyan, member of Armenian delegation
in PACE, told a news conference on June 29. "PACE Resolution 1677
says that although the fact-finding group was dissolved, there is
a parliamentary committee which is required to provide relevant
conclusions," Armenian parliamentarian said, adding that PACE has
fixed the fact of 10 persons’ death circumstances being unclarified.

Ms. Zohrabyan noted that all materials of fact finding group were
submitted to interim parliamentary committee investigating March
1-2 incidents. "I find that they should be published, so as to
dissipate all doubts in society. During the upcoming meeting, I’ll
propose interim committee to send police special devices for repeated
examination," the MP said. Touching upon the issue of 10 persons’
death circumstances, the speaker stressed the importance of using all
possible tools for giving public exhaustive answers to all questions
concerning March developments.

Ms. Zohrabyan also expressed her intention to address to the committee
with a request of inviting the policemen who used special methods
during March 1 incidents.

Baku suggests a deal to Moscow: Nagorno Karabakh instead of gas
27.06.2009 16:27 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `I am hardly to be suspected in the pro-Western
position, but in relation to gas sale to Russia, I would advise to
Azerbaijan measure thrice and cut once. Russia a country that it is
not always complied with its agreements. Let’s remember its attitude
towards Belarus or Turkmenistan. Therefore, Baku should treat more
carefully this matter,’ Araz Alizadeh, co-chairman of SDPA said,
commenting the projected signing of gas agreement between Azerbaijan
and Russia.
`Azerbaijan needs to make a condition for Moscow before signing gas
agreements. If Moscow helps us to solve the Nagorno Karabakh issue,
there would be reasonable to give gas to Russia. But let’s not forget
that we had exactly the same illusions when we were giving our oil to
the West. Invested billions of dollars into country’s economy, the oil
giants are now not going to risk them, and today naked threat of
sanctions against Azerbaijan is voiced in the statements of
international organizations and Western diplomats in the case if
hostilities are renewed.
Should we cause a backflash this time again, signing a contract with
such a powerful company as Gasprom? I believe, we need to raise the
issue of Nagorno Karabagh to Russia, Araz Alizadeh said, 1news.az
report.

KAZIMIROV: WORLD COMMUNITY SHOULD AIM AT PREVENTING MILITARY ACTIONS IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT ZONE

ARKA
June 26, 2009

YEREVAN, June 26. /ARKA/. The priority of the international community
is to prevent military actions and settle Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by
peaceful political means, Vice-Chairman of the Association of Russian
diplomats, former Russian Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group Vladimir
Kazimirov said.

"Any new war for centuries to come will implant the hostility between
Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples. It cannot be allowed," Kazimirov
told journalists in Yerevan Friday.

The former mediator pointed out that the priorities of Armenians and
Azerbaijanis are different in the conflict settlement. The priority
of the Armenian side is the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, whereas the
priority of Azerbaijan is to liberate territories lost during the war.

"What should the international community do, what should it think
and what should it do – give preference to Armenian or Azerbaijani
priorities? I am sure that we should not go into these issues that
should become the subject of difficult and long-suffering negotiations
and should be solved by Armenia and Azerbaijan themselves. The sides
should solve the issues of both the status and the withdrawal of the
troops from the occupied territories," Kazimirov said.

According to Kazimirov, the priority of the international community
should be to prevent military actions between the sides to the conflict
as the world has already experienced how acute this conflict can be
during the military actions in 1991-1994.

The international community should first of all try to prevent a new
bloodshed so that a path could be made toward historical reconciliation
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples, Kazimirov said.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict started in 1988 when Nagorno-Karabakh
with prevailingly Armenian population declared its withdrawal from
Azerbaijan.

On December 10 1991, just a couple of days before the collapse of
the Soviet Union, a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh in the
presence of international observers where 99.89% of the population
voted for full independence from Azerbaijan.

In response, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale war against
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Active operations were ceased on May 12 1994 by signing a cease-fire
agreement that has been maintained since then. The military operations
led to about 25-30,000 deaths; a million of people had to leave
their homes.

Since 1992 negotiations have been held on peaceful settlement of the
conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by
the USA, Russia and France.