Author: Vardapetian Ophelia

RUSSIA, ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN TO DISCUSS KARABAKH AGAIN SOON

Interfax
May 12 2010
Russia

The Russian, Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers are expected to
meet soon to discuss ways of settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
President Dmitry Medvedev said at a news conference in Ankara on
Wednesday.

"Russia has a special mission here. We are not a conflicting
party. We are a mediator who is, however, actively involved in the
process. I, too, am working here and will continue doing so. Our
foreign ministers meet regularly and such meetings will continue soon
with the participation of the Russian, Armenian and Azeri foreign
ministers," the Russian president said.

"Steps inspiring hope have been made of late in settling the Nagorno-
Karabakh problem," he said.

"The parties meet, exchange views and in fact make progress on a
number of aspects of settlement. But this does not mean that agreement
has been achieved on all questions. Consultations continue. I myself
have offered to act as a mediator on many occasions to my partners,
presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan," Medvedev also said.

"We have met in Russia many times. I hope this will continue, even
though moments exist on which the positions must be clarified,"
the Russian president said.

Russia counts on an active position of the other parties in the
Organization for Security ad Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group,
which is brokering the Karabakh settlement, he said.

The Minsk Group comprises Russia, France and the United States.

"But all the basic issues must be discussed by the conflicting parties
themselves in the first place," Medvedev said.

AZERBAIJAN DISTORTS THE ESSENCE OF TALKS OVER KARABAKH: EDWARD NALBANDYAN

Tert.am
15:15 12.05.10

It is not only the reality about the reasons and the consequences of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that Azerbaijan continues to distort,
but also the essence of the current talks. Besides Azerbaijan uses
every single opportunity to make threats about using force, Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said at the 120th session of the
committee of foreign ministers of the Council of Europe held on May
11 in Strasbourg.

"The statement about Nagorno Karabakh adopted by the OSCE foreign
ministers last December in Athens put the accent on the non-use
of force or threat of force, people’s national self-determination
right and territorial integrity as the fundamental principles of the
settlement of the conflict. The same principles make the foundation of
the Madrid Principles proposed by the OSCE co-chairpersons in 2007,"
said Nalbandyan.

Further Armenia’s FM said that Azerbaijan was rejecting the existence
of that document for more than a year, unless they declared that they
accept it but with some reservations.

According to Nalbandyan if we try to see what the points are that
Azerbaijan agrees on or is opposed to, we will see that the exceptions
prevail.

"While the adopted provisions are presented the way they want. Not
only does Azerbaijan continue to distort the reality about the reasons
and the consequences of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but also the
essence of the current talks and uses every single opportunity to
make threats about using force," said Nalbandyan.

KARABAKH ARMY CHIEF DISMISSES AZERI WAR THREATS
Lusine Musayelian

article/2040319.html
12.05.2010

Nagorno-Karabakh — Lieutenant General Movses Hakobian,
commande-in-chief of Karabakh Defense Army, undated.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s top military commander on Wednesday brushed aside
Azerbaijan’s continuing threats to win back the disputed region by
force and said his forces have received new weaponry in recent months.

Lieutenant-General Movses Hakobian issued the warning on the 16th
anniversary of the signing of a Russian-mediated ceasefire agreement
that the stopped the Armenian-Azerbaijani war. The truce, which has
largely held since then, left Armenian forces in control of virtually
all of Karabakh and surrounding lands in Azerbaijan proper.

Hakobian said the Azerbaijani war rhetoric is mainly directed at
the domestic public for political purposes. He claimed that Baku
will suffer a crushing defeat if it attempts to resolve the conflict
by force.

"The war’s resumption would be unfavorable only for Azerbaijan,"
Hakobian told an improvised news conference held on Karabakh army
positions east of the Armenian-controlled enclave. "It would be
favorable for us because we manage to easily achieve our objectives."

"And I think in that case we would solve the Karabakh-Azerbaijani
conflict once and for all," added the general, who played a prominent
role in the 1991-1994 war.

The self-confident remarks echoed statements repeatedly made by
Armenia’s leaders. President Serzh Sarkisian said earlier this year
that an Azerbaijani assault on Armenia and Karabakh would trigger
"serious counterattacks." Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian similarly
stated in January that Armenian forces have significantly beefed
up defense fortifications around Karabakh in recent years and are
prepared for renewed fighting.

Hakobian told journalists that the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic’s Defense Army has received new military hardware and
ammunition this year. "This year, we have had quite a serious success
in acquiring air-defense systems," he said. "We have also acquired
new weapons and military hardware.

"That process will be continuous … We are also trying to change
the fleet of army vehicles," he added without elaboration.

Colonel-General Mikael Harutiunian, Armenia’s chief military
inspector and former defense minister, has been in Karabakh for the
past several days, visiting frontline positions and examining troops
stationed there. "The Karabakh army is combat-ready," Harutiunian
told journalists in Stepanakert on Wednesday.

Azerbaijani leaders have for years been warning that they will try the
military option if the long-running Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations
yield no settlement acceptable to Baku. Defense Minister Safar Abiyev
spoke in late February of the growing likelihood of "a great war"
with Armenia.

RUSSIA, TURKEY BOOST ‘STRATEGIC’ TIES

Hurriyet
May 12 2010
Turkey

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and his Turkish counterpart
Abdullah Gul chat before a news conference in Ankara, Turkey,
Wednesday. AP photo.

Visa-free travel between Russia and Turkey was just one of several
agreements signed by the two countries Wednesday during a presidential
visit from President Dmitry Medvedev to Ankara.

Praising "strategic ties" with NATO-member Turkey, Medvedev called
the visa agreement "historic" and said it would ease the lives of
millions of people in both countries.

"Our relations have dramatically changed over the past years. Today
they are strategic," Medvedev told a joint press conference with
Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Ankara.

"This is a very special day in Turkish-Russian relations," he said
after overseeing the signing of cooperation accords in the fields
transport, education and anti-drug trafficking laws.

The Russian leader said the relationship between his country and Turkey
would be an example to all of Europe, adding that there were further
significant opportunities to boost cooperation between the two nations.

Medvedev’s visit to Turkey took place on the 90th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Russia.

Gul, meanwhile, said relations between the two nations were "strong"
and growing.

Expressing Turkey’s determination to move forward with Turkish-Russian
relations, Gul said the visa deal would benefit not only transporters
but also tourists.

"Relations between Turkey and Russia are developing in all fields.

During our meetings today, we had a chance to go over bilateral
relations," he said. "We were pleased to note common visions on
regional and international issues. We have agreed to work together
to solve regional problems by dialogue."

Support for Armenia thaw

In the press conference, Medvedev also extended support to the
normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, which hit a snag after
Yerevan’s decision to freeze the ratification of diplomatic protocols
with Ankara.

Medvedev said Russia, a strong supporter and ally of Armenia, was
monitoring developments carefully and hoped the process that had
gained momentum with the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia
would continue.

The normalization would contribute to regional stability, improve
economic relations and raise living standards, the Russian president
said. "We support this process, we will make use of our resources,
but the concerned parties will make the [final] decision."

On the territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey’s
staunch ally and friend, Medvedev said the row over Nagorno-Karabakh
was a challenging issue but not the sole issue in the Caucasus.

He said promising steps had recently been taken for the settlement
of the Karabakh dispute, adding that there had been a number of
developments – albeit no compromise on all matters.

On bilateral relations, Medvedev said he had discussed the
contributions of Turkey and Russia to regional and global stability
with Gul, referring to the two countries’ responsibilities in the
Black Sea basin.

Middle East peace

While urging the United States to actively work to achieve peace in the
Middle East with the support of other nations, Medvedev highlighted
the ongoing human tragedy in the besieged Palestinian territory of
the Gaza Strip.

He said Turkey and Russia had similar views on solutions of the Middle
East and they could make the process more active.

Russia’s stance on Iran was certain and close to that of Turkey,
Medvedev said, adding that the Islamic Republic must "adopt a
constructive approach in some way" regarding its nuclear program.

"The Middle East must be a region cleared of nuclear weapons," Medvedev
said. "The use of nuclear weapons in the region would be a disaster."

His comment appeared to indicate Moscow’s willingness to become an
active Middle East mediator. Washington recently launched U.S.-mediated
peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but signs of trouble
have already emerged.

For his part, Gul said the Middle East problem concerned the entire
world, not only the Palestinians, Israelis or Arabs. "Therefore, this
problem has to be solved. We appreciate the initiatives of the Middle
East Quartet and George Mitchell, the U.S. envoy for the Middle East,
but we do not think they are sufficient."

Medvedev said no one should be excluded from the Middle East peace
process, a clear reference to Khaled Mashaal, the exiled leader of
the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has beeb shunned as a
terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. Medvedev
met Mashaal in Damascus on Tuesday.

Hamas rules in the Gaza Strip, one of the territories that could one
day form part of a Palestinian state.

—–

Compiled from AA, AFP and AP stories by the Daily News staff.

KNESSET COMMITTEE TO DECIDE WHAT COMMITTEE THE SUBJECT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TO SUBMIT TO

ArmInfo
2010-05-10 16:51:00

ArmInfo. The discussion on the Motion for the Agenda on the subject
of the Armenian Genocide was held on the 28th of April 2010. 12
members of the Knesset voted for transferring the motion for further
discussions in one of the Knesset committees. Tomorrow the Knesset
committee will decide if the discussion will be held in the Foreign
Affairs and Defense Committee or in the Education Committee, says M.K.

Oron, Leader of Meretz Party, who submitted the Motion for the Agenda
on the subject of the Armenian Genocide.

M.K. Oron says he raised the subject of the Armenian Genocide in the
past 4 years close to the date in which the Armenian people notes the
genocide. In the discussion that took place at the Knesset Plenum M.K.

Oron said: "It’s the fourth year that I am raising this motion for
discussion hoping that in the end of the discussions the Knesset of
Israel will decide to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The date in
which the discussions take place is the day closest to April 24, the
day in which the Armenian people marks their Memorial Day. I repeat
every year and it is important for me to say this, it is not one of
the subjects that divide between right and left. People tell me: ‘Why
do you bring this subject up? Let’s give time to decide, let’s let
history and pick out the facts, let’s let things work out’. Members
of the Knesset , after all, we do not come to this discussion with
some concrete demands. We are not discussing here the compensation
for the Armenian people. We’re talking about something very basic:
the Jewish people’s recognition, the Knesset’s recognition in a
national disaster. The Armenian people fighting for this recognition
and our voices together with more than 20 parliaments in the world
are very important to them. I want to say very clearly: I am raising
this motion without addressing the concrete relationship between the
Turkish people and its government and the State of Israel. The source
of this motion comes from our responsibility and commitment as Jewish
people to not remain silent and not to close our eyes and to say the
obvious thing: genocide happened. The phenomenon of genocide is not a
historical phenomenon disappeared from reality. Even these days, even
in recent years, even in the midst of these days, there are severe
symptoms entering under the definition of genocide. The Holocaust of
the Jewish people is unique and incomparable. I think that by raising
this subject we are increasing the need to struggle against denial,
to fight blur boundaries and to struggle with closed eyes. There
are things in which we are tested beyond narrow interests. What’s
the purpose of the discussion today? The purpose of the discussion
for me is the repeated statement of the Knesset that the Armenian
genocide is an important issue that should be discussed. I want the
Knesset to decide to move this motion for further discussion in the
appropriate committee and at the end of this discussion the Knesset
will make its decision in a format similar to the decisions taken in
other countries".

Congratulatory address of Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan

23:38 – 08.05.10

Dear compatriots,

Respected veterans of the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Liberation Wars,
Soldiers, officers and generals of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army

This year we celebrate a glorious jubilee – 65th anniversary of the
victory in the Great Patriotic War. The people of Artsakh together
with other peoples of the Soviet Union have had their significant
contribution in forging this victory. Their heroic deeds and courage
displayed in the struggle against fascism are an invaluable lesson of
patriotism for younger generations.

The heroic example of our compatriots in the Great Patriotic war
inspired us and called to new victories. The NKR Defense Army was
formed and tempered during the Artsakh liberation war, one of the
heroic pages of our people’s history was written with sacred blood of
our brave sons. With the liberation of Shoushi the spirit and
confidence of Armenian people towards their own power was again
restores.

Today we bow our heads to the memory of all patriots of our
Motherland. We must keep alive the symbol of the May victories, love
and cherish our Motherland, build powerful and prosperous country, be
strong and united. We are obliged to be attentive and careful towards
the families of our perished brothers and sisters, our veterans, to
make their life better and prosperous.
Dear people of Artsakh, I congratulate you once again on the Victory
Holiday, the Day of the NKR Defense Army and the liberation of
Shoushi, wish you peace, robust health and happiness.

Tert.am

Genocide brute has his throat cut in a British jail

Radislav Krstic … ‘revenge hit’

By MIKE SULLIVAN, Crime Editor

05/08/2010

A BOSNIAN Serb general serving 35 years for war crimes had his throat
slashed in a British jail yesterday.

Former General-Major Radislav Krstic, 62, was set on by three fellow inmates
in what is thought to be a revenge attack for the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian
Muslims.

They fashioned weapons out of razor blades for the onslaught in his cell at
Wakefield jail, West Yorks. Staff overpowered the attackers.

Krstic’s throat was cut a number of times and he was stabbed in the head.
His condition is critical but he is expected to survive.

A source said last night: "It was a vicious revenge attack."

Krstic, captured by the SAS in 1998, was jailed by a war crimes tribunal for
aiding and abetting genocide in the slaughter of men and boys at Srebrenica
in 1995.

One of the jail attackers is said to be Croatian illegal immigrant Indrit
Krasniqi, 22. He is serving life for the 2005 gang rape and murder of
Mary-Ann Leneghan, 16, in Reading Berks.

© News Group Newspapers Ltd. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered
trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited.

Alterations in RA internal policy observed in view of diminishing
urgency of Armenia-Turkey rapprochement process
May 3-7 internal political events overview

Azerbaijan is incapable to resolve Karabakh conflict, an Armenian expert said.

May 8, 2010
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Instead of parrying Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements, Armenia should
threaten itself, Levon Shirinyan said during a joint news conference
with Turkologist Artak Shakaryan on May 3.

`Return of any liberated region would be equal to treason,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Artak Shakaryan didn’t support the suggestion to issue
threats. `Armenia has an image of a country standing for peaceful
resolution of conflicts. This distinguishes it from Turkey and
Azerbaijan. Militant statements can damage our strategic plans,’ he
said.

*

Political analyst Levon Shirinyan said that the statement by Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that the opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border is not sufficient for Turkey proves that it
wants to govern processes in the region. Turkey persistently wants to
be involved in regional processes and govern them, Shirinyan said
during a joint press conference with Turkologist Artak Shakaryan in
Yerevan.

In his turn, Shakaryan noted that the statement of the Turkish Foreign
Minister is not new; it is just a reformulation of previous
statements. "In Turkey’s opinion, the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border is senseless without the opening of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
border," the Armenian expert said, adding that it does not matter for
Turkey which border is opened first, it is important that the
processes develop and complete relatively simultaneously. "The
Armenian-Turkish relations will not reach a high level unless Ankara
changes its stance and the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations
is settled," Shakaryan stressed.

*

A meeting of the Public Council took place in Armenia on May 3, during
which the Armenian-Turkish relations and further steps were discussed.
Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan stated at the meeting
that a better result could not be achieved in the Armenian-Turkish
process. "Armenia’s involvement in the Armenian-Turkish normalization
was more important at this stage, than the border’s opening, as the
Armenian-Turkish process has united all Armenians and facilitated the
Armenian Genocide international recognition," Manukyan noted. In his
opinion, though the Armenian-Turkish Protocols contain a provision on
mutual recognition of the borders, the document could not be better.

Manukyan stressed that now the Karabakh problem is a priority.

According to Manukyan, one should not expect Turkey to recognize the
Genocide. "I consider this stage to be positive, while the
continuation will strengthen our possibilities," said Manukyan, the
press service of the RA Public Council reported.

*

The Armenian-Turkish dialogue takes pause, according to Turkologist
Ruben Melkonyan.

`The process on normalization of relations has hit a deadlock, mostly
because of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Turkey,’ Melkonyan
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter on May 4.

As to ratification of Protocols, he noted that these have not been
removed from the agenda, as neither Armenia nor Turkey withdraw
signatures. `Should both countries demonstrate political will, the
Protocols can give a start to a new process. It’s not ruled out that
they will be amended,’ Melkonyan said.

*

Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary group
Eduard Sharmazanov said that drastic changes in the Karabakh conflict
settlement process are possible only if Azerbaijan recognizes
independence of Nagorno Karabakh.

`However, progress is unlikely as long as Azerbaijan keeps up warlike
rhetoric,’ Mr. Sharmazanov told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

As for the possibility of resumption of hostilities by Azerbaijan, he
noted that Azerbaijan will not dare plunge into military adventure,
due to its previous "bitter experience."

`Launching new aggression against Karabakh will be fatal for
Azerbaijan," Mr.Sharmazanov said, adding that Armenia stands for
peaceful resolution of the conflict but is not afraid of a war.

*

Azerbaijan must get rid of its medieval mentality, according to Deputy
Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan.

As he said commenting on recent statement by his Azeri counterpart
Araz Azimov, `As soon as Azerbaijan is ready to return occupied
Nagorno Karabakh regions and recognize NKR independence, Baku can ask
NKR for talks.’

`Co-Chairs suggest returning 5 occupied territories of Azerbaijan and
Lachin corridor, followed by Armenia’s requesting official Baku for
time to return Lachin and Kelbajar,’ Deputy Foreign Minister of
Azerbaijan Araz Azimov said in an interview with public television.

*

Three victories are celebrated in May, Armenian Defense Minister said on May 5.

`On May 9, we celebrate the victory in the Great Patriotic War,
liberation of Shushi and formation of NKR Defense Army,’ Seyran
Ohanyan said during a meeting with students and teaching staff of
Yerevan State University.

Drawing parallels between the GPW and Artsakh war, Minister Ohanyan
said that there would be no victory in the Artsakh war but for the
heroic victory in the GPW. `Both the Great Patriotic and Artsakh wars
were imposed on us,’ he said.

Upon completion of the meeting, Minister Ohanyan handed jubilee medals
to the GPW veterans, who were present.

*

The human factor is the most powerful weapon of the Armenian army, RA
Defense Minister stated on May 5.

`With selfless relations between soldiers and commanders, we will
always be winners,’ Seyran Ohanyan said during a meeting with students
and teaching staff of Yerevan State University.

`Our armed forces are set a task to meet international standards and
become one of the most efficient armies in the world,’ he said.

`Warlike statements can’t guarantee a victory. The situation at the
Arstakh front is controlled thanks to the efficiency of the Armenian
army,’ the Minister concluded.

*

Sardarapat movement participants issued an address to NKR people.

`Karabakh war participants can’t turn a blind eye to measures aimed at
Karabakh conflict settlement. Status quo established in May 1994, as
well as the Armenian army are guarantors of safety and on
non-resumption of hostilities in Artsakh,’ the statement emphasized.

Movement participants urged Karabakh people to disbelieve promises of
Turks and Azeris, who’ll attack the moment they take Armenian army at
unawares.

*

NKR people’s position, expressed at 1991 referendum, is the first
priority in Karabakh conflict settlement, Armenian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Tigran Balayan stated.

Commenting on official Baku’s allegations on Armenia’s `requesting for
some time to resolve Karabakh conflict’ and `absence of clear
position’ on the issue, the spokesman noted, `Armenia always remained
firm in its position. Azerbaijan is just wasting time; sooner or later
it will have to reckon with the free will of Karabakh people.’

As Tigran Balayan noted, failing to find understanding in their
destructive position, some Azeri officials can think of nothing better
than showing off in front of their own people through endless chain of
falsifications and saber-rattling, RA Foreign Ministry press service
reported.

*

The first stage of the Armenian-Turkish process is completed, Director
of Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute said on May 6.

`The dialogue failed because of Turkey, which preferred not to spoil
relations with Azerbaijan but couldn’t suspend the process of
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide or make Armenia
compromise over the Karabakh issue,’ Hayk Demoyan told journalists in
Yerevan on May 6.

`A new normalization process should begin with opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border and establishment of diplomatic relations.
However, it cannot be based on the Protocols signed in Zurich in
October 2009,’ he said.

As to Turkey’s claims to Nakhijevan, Mr. Demoyan said these are
groundless. `Turkey and Armenia have equal rights to Nakhijevan, since
the Treaty of Kars determining the fate of the autonomy was signed by
the Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR and Turkey. `Viewing Turkey’s claims
as violation of international agreements, Armenia can address to the
International Court,’ he said.

*

The Protocols on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations are not
frozen but thrown into a wastebasket, according to Stepan Safaryan,
head of the Heritage parliamentary group.

`Initially, the Protocols were aimed to weaken the Azeri-Turkish
tandem,’ he told a news conference in Yerevan on May 6. `With
suspension of the ratification process in the Armenian parliament,
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement can finally fail.’

Safaryan also said that under the circumstances, tensions in the
Karabakh process will grow.

`Turkey uses the Karabakh problem as a tool to gain political
dividends in regional issues but it can instigate Azerbaijan to launch
hostilities,’ he said.

As to Armenia’s domestic problems, he did not rule out early elections.

*

Azerbaijan will not start a war against Karabakh without superpowers’
support, according to former NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan.

As Arman Melikyan told a joint news conference with LPA chairman
Hovhannes Hovhannesyan , `Today, negotiation process is being
conducted in accordance with Baku’s wishes, so Azerbaijan will not
withdraw from the process. Still, Azerbaijan seeks to speed up
negotiations. Soon our authorities will see the necessity to change
current format of talks.’

Melikyan characterized Baku’s statements on withdrawal of Armenian
forces from Lachin and Kelbajar as a mere wish on behalf of Azerbaijan
and Turkey.

`Yet, Karabakh territories can become an object of bargain between
Russia and Azerbaijan. However, neither Azerbaijan nor Turkey became
reliable partners to Russia, thus giving us a chance to maneuver,’
ex-FM stated. According to Arman Melikyan’s forecast, active
negotiations will be continued for another 3-5 years.

Hovhannes Hovhannesyan, in turn, expressed doubts over the possibility
for Turkey to become OSCE MG Co-Chair. `Given US efforts to alter the
status quo, Karabakh issue might soon be resolved,’ LPA chairman
concluded.

*

Representative of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun Supreme Body, Chairman of the
RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Armen Rustamyan said
that though Iran is not an OSCE member, its invitation to the Minsk
group conference should not be excluded.

`Thus, Tehran might get involved in the Karabakh conflict settlement
process,’ Rustamyan told a conference of Hay Dat Committees on May 7.

`The Russian-Georgian hostilities in 2008 generated new processes in
the region. Changes which may lead to formation of a new system of
regional security are taking place,’ Rustamyan said.

He pointed out to Turkey’s activity in regional processes, adding that
balance between Turkey and Iran needs to be reached. `We should
prevent changes in the OSCE Minsk Group format or any parallel
processes,’ the MP said.

In Rustamyan’s opinion, Kosovo’s precedent and the 3+2 format,
established in the South Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan –
South Ossetia and Abkhazia), create a favorable atmosphere for Nagorno
Karabakh, while Armenia should seize the opportunity and take action.

According to him, the initiated normalization with Turkey has resulted
in new challenges for Armenia and region, as a whole.

`Rapprochement has never been an issue referring to Armenia and Turkey
only. With superpowers involved in the process, Armenia should
correctly assess its national interests,’ Rustamyan emphasized.

He added that the Armenian-Turkish dialogue was initiated to ease the
threat of war in the region. `However, statements on possible
resumption of hostilities have become even more frequent. Yerevan has
become a hostage of its own initiative through starting a dialogue
with Ankara,’ he concluded.

*

Baku will not venture a war but if it does, Azerbaijan will become a
confederation, stated Bakur Karapetyan, the head of Shushi Foundation.

`National minorities in Azerbaijan are watching their time to rebel
against the authorities,’ Mr. Karapetyan told a news conference on May
7.

`I am confident that Azerbaijan will not unleash a new war. The
country which lost a war will need at least 50 more years to get rid
of the loser syndrome,’ he said.

*

RA ex-minister of defense, member of the Central Board of Hnchak
Social-Democratic Party Vahan Shirkhanyan said that if Azerbaijan
resumes hostilities in Karabakh, this country will be divided into 5-6
parts and it will be fatal for Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s population has conceived long ago that Artsakh is in the
hands of its real master, Shirkhanyan told a press conference in
Yerevan. `The Azerbaijani army mainly consists of representatives of
national minorities, who hardly will sacrifice their lives for the
clan of Aliyevs,’ he said.

*

On May 7, RA Ministry of Defense issued an address regarding yet
another upsurge of Azeri propagandistic hysteria caused by Seyran
Ohanyan’s statement on Armenian Army’s goal to be reckoned among the
strongest ones worldwide.

`Azerbaijan’s hysteria aims at distracting the attention of local
community from mass deaths, suicides and violations often occurring in
Azeri Army.

Azeri response in understandable, as military and political
authorities can’t shed their defeatist syndromes, continuing to speak
in the language of threats and slander.

Armenian Army is ready to defend its positions and respond properly to
enemy attacks,’ the address said.

Arshaluys Mghdesyan / PanARMENIAN News

BAKO SAHAKYAN PARTOOK IN THE LAUNCH OF THE MARATHON

Aysor
May 7 2010
Armenia

On May 7 the Head of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan partook in
the solemn ceremony of launching Shushu – Stepanakert marathon for
the disabled soldiers organized by "Vita" public organization.

The head of the country has emphasized the importance of the
integration of the disabled people into the social life of the country,
from both political and social point of view.

On the ceremony were present Narine Astsatryan Minister of Social
Welfare of Artsakh Republic, Georgi Hayriyan, and other officials,
the Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President
reported.

MODERN ENERGY SECURITY SYSTEM FOUNDED IN ARMENIA

Panorama.am
13:36 06/05/2010

Economy

The working group on energy security procedure held its first meeting
today chaired by the Secretary General of National Security Council
Arthur Baghdasaryan. The drafting of the procedure is defined by
"Armenia’s national security strategy", press service of National
Security reported.

Signifying energy security as a component to our country’s national
security, Arthur Baghdasaryan stated the mission of the procedure
should be guarantees to Armenia’s energy contentment within both
short-term and long-term perspectives.

"Energy field is well improved in Armenia and our country may afford
itself to export energy, which is of great significance for our
economy. We should found modern system of energy security in our
country studying the international experience," Secretary General said.