Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

ARMENIA IRAN FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN KARABAKH

RIA Novosti, Russia
Sept 9 2004

YEREVAN, September 9 (RIA Novosti) – The presidents of Armenia and
Iran, Robert Kocharyan and Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Khatami, came out
for peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the hot stage of
which ended 10 years ago.

The sides highly assessed direct contacts between the Armenian and
Azeri presidents and expressed hope that they helped rapidly and
finally solve the issue which would take into account the present-day
realities and ensure the lasting and worthy peace in the region.

The presidents of Armenia and Iran pointed out that the deepening and
bringing closer together the interests of the region’s countries
would make it possible to create a favorable atmosphere for solving
all the conflicts in the Caucasus.

The situation in the zone of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian enclave
on the territory of Azerbaijan, and around it can be described as no
peace, no war situation. When Ilkham Aliyev came to power in
Azerbaijan he intensified bellicose rhetoric and declared that the
republic’s army could return the Azeri territories, occupied by the
Armenian side, by using force. At the same time, Azerbaijan
demonstrates its readiness to give a large-scale status to the
self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic but within a single Azeri
state. But both Yerevan and Stepanakert (the capital of
Nagorno-Karabakh) agree to consider any other issues of settlement
(the return of refugees to the places of their permanent residence,
the liquidation of the Lachinsky corridor which connects
Nagorno-Karabakh with the territory of Armenia, the restoration of
interrupted economic ties, the lifting of blockade from Karabakh and
so on) but not changes in its present status. The Minsk group did not
bring the sides’ stands closer to each other either.

The Armenian and Iranian presidents signed a treaty on the
foundations and principles of cooperation.

The press service of the head of Armenia reported that the
delegations of the two countries also signed a memorandum on mutual
relations on the results of the fifth joint session of
intergovernmental commissions on the Armenian-Iranian ties; the
treaty of cultural cooperation between the two countries in 2004-2007
and a memorandum on mutual understanding between the customs
committee under the Armenian government and the customs service of
Iran on the administrative cooperation in customs issues.

President Mohammad Khatami arrived in Yerevan in reply to Robert
Kocharyan’s visit to Iran in December 2001. The Iranian president
pointed out that when Armenia became an independent state a new stage
in its cooperation with Iran began. Khatami expressed hope that his
visit to Yerevan will help deepen the Armenian-Iranian relations in
all spheres.

The foreign trade between Armenia and Iran in January-July, 2004
amounted to $52.713 million against $45.746 million year-on-year.

Last May a treaty was signed in Yerevan on the deliveries of the
Iranian gas to Armenia and construction of an Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline. Now the construction of the Kadzharan tunnel and the
hydroelectric power station on the Araks river dividing the two sides
is being actively discussed.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 7 2004

ADDRESS OF MINISTRY OF CULTURE TO HEADS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND
STRUCTURES, JURIDICAL AND PHYSICAL PERSONS ENGAGED IN ARRANGING
CONCERTS IN AZERBAIJAN
[September 07, 2004, 17:55:49]

Renowned artists from the Russian Federation and a number of
other countries have given concerts in Nagorno-Karabakh province of
Azerbaijan. The other day, singers Nadezhda Babkina, Soso Pavliashvili,
Valentina Legkostupova, Aleksandr Peskov, Irina Otiyeva and rock group
“Chay Vdvoyom” have performed for the “long-suffering Armenians” in
Khankendi, an integral part of the Azerbaijan Republic. Arriving in
Khankendi illegally through the territory of Armenia without reaching
any agreement on the concert with relevant state, public of private
structures of Azerbaijan Republic, the Russian entertainers thus have
frankly shown disrespect for the people and workers of culture of
Azerbaijan. The most distressing is that many of the above-mentioned
artists had had concert tours of and participated in various cultural
events in Azerbaijan more than once. Every time and everywhere they
had been shown respect and hospitality of our people, and many had
been paid non-adequately high fees.

In this connection, the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan Republic has
sent a letter of protest to Minister of Culture and Mass Communications
of the Russian Federation A. Sokolov.

Regarding this action by the Russian Artists as a fact negatively
effecting the steadily developing Azerbaijan-Russia cultural ties,
the Ministry of Culture of the Azerbaijan Republic hereby expresses
its resolute stance: these artists will no longer be invited to
Azerbaijan Republic.

Addressing the heads of organizations and structures, as well as
juridical and physical persons engaged in arranging concert in
Azerbaijan, we call on them to hold a civil position, and back the
address of the Ministry of Culture by suppressing such actions in
the future.

Until the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not settles,
territorial integrity of our state is not restored, artists performing
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, irrespective of their
ethnic belonging, are not worthy of being invited to participate in
our mass cultural events.

We express hope that all the organizations, juridical and physical
persons engaged in concert activity will take up our call.

Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan Republic.

Kwasniewski values Armenia’s declaration to sent troops to Iraq

Polish Press Agency
PAP News Wire
September 6, 2004 Monday

Warsaw, Sept. 6

President Aleksander Kwasniewski has said Poland is grateful to
Armenia for its declaration on readiness to sent troops to Iraq
under the Polish command. The president made the statement after a
meeting with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian, who started
an official part of his visit to Poland on Monday.

“We highly value this fact as we know these are difficult decisions
but necessary in the era of common, united war against terrorism,”
the Polish president stressed at a Monday news conference.

The two condemned the recent terrorist attack against a school in
Beslan, Northern Ossetia and declared their solidarity with the
families of the victims and entire Russia.

According to Kwasniewski, Polish-Armenian relations are in a perfect
condition. The Polish president explained that a treaty basis for
closer cooperation, especially in economy had been prepared. On Monday
the two presidents witnessed the signing of the treaty in cooperation
in defence and fighting organised crime.

The president of Armenia stressed that Poland’s membership of the
European Union “has given a new dimension to cooperation” between
the two countries. Armenia wants to use Polish experience in economic
transformation and law adjustment to EU standards.

In the afternoon, President Kocharian received in the Belvedere
Palace Polish PM Marek Belka. Later he visited the parliament where
he met with deputy Speakers of the Sejm and Senate Jozef Zych and
Ryszard Jarzembowski.

Robert Kocharian arrived in Poland on Sunday and was Aleksander
Kwasniewski’s guest at Hel Peninsula. The present visit is his third
paid to Poland.

U.S. OPEN NOTEBOOK
Highlight in quarters
BY ARTHUR STAPLE, STAFF WRITER; Jeff Williams

Newsday
September 5, 2004

Andre Agassi and Roger Federer both looked very strong in three-set
wins yesterday, inching closer to a quarterfinal that would be by
far the most anticipated men’s match of the tournament to date.

Agassi, the No. 6 seed, cruised past No. 25 Jiri Novak, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3,
to reach the final 16 for the 14th time in his 19 Open appearances. He
next faces marathon man Sargis Sargsian, and the 34-year-old Agassi
is smart enough not to look past anyone.

“I don’t really look ahead,” he said. “I know it’s a cliche. It’s a
great problem to worry about when it’s time to worry about it … I
felt like I turned a corner that I needed to turn going into the
second week.”

Federer dominated No. 31 Fabrice Santoro, 6-0, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), looking
more like the world’s No. 1 than in his previous two matches. He next
faces No. 16 Andrei Pavel. Unlike Agassi, Federer is already eyeing
the quarters, and for two good reasons. Federer has never been past
the fourth round in three previous Opens and Agassi waxed him in
three sets in the 2001 tournament. The two have split six meetings,
with Federer winning the last three.

“It seems with [Agassi] and [Lleyton] Hewitt, you always know that
you’re gonna be in a real big battle. It would be nice to play
[Agassi] here at the Open, get my revenge, because he got me badly
the one time.”

Sarge in charge

Sargis Sargsian is 31 and his biggest claim to fame in a lengthy
career is his frequent workouts with good friend Agassi. But the
Armenian reached the fourth round with a second consecutive incredible
performance last night.

Sargsian defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5),
a 4-hour, 41-minute match that followed his five-hour, nine-minute
match in his third- round win over Nicolas Massu. Sargsian saved two
match points last night to reach the fourth round for the first time.

Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hrbaty

Dominik Hrbaty has had a Jekyll and Hyde year. He won three of the
first five tournaments he played in, then went through six months of
mostly first- and second-round losses.

In early August, he scored his biggest match win of the year, a
first-round victory over Federer, ending the top-ranked player’s
23-match winning streak.

Now he’s made it to the fourth round for the second time in his
career here, beating popular Paradorn Srichaphan yesterday, 7-6
(10-8), 6-3, 6-3.

– Jeff Williams

Azeri ANS TV, radio to suspend broadcasts in protest at Armenians’ visit

ANS TV, Baku
3 Sep 04

Azerbaijani media outlets have issued a statement in protest against
Armenian officers’ visit to Baku [to attend NATO exercises].

[Passage omitted: Reported details of statement]

We would like to inform our viewers and listeners that ANS TV and
radio will suspend their broadcasts between 1000-1100 [0500-0600 gmt],
1600-1700 [1100-1200 gmt] and 2000-2100 [1500-1600 gmt] on 4 September.

Azeri MP proposes parliament resolution to stop foreign visits to Karabakh

Ekho, Baku
1 Sep 04

Text of E. Faxri’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 1 September
headlined “The ‘NKR’ is attracting foreigners” and subheaded “They
do not believe it in Azerbaijan”

A total of 1,610 foreign nationals from more than 50 countries
were registered at the “foreign ministry” of the “Nagornyy Karabakh
Republic [NKR]” (here and after the inverted commas are inserted by
us) from the beginning of 2004 through late August this year. The
consular department of the NKR reports that citizens of the USA,
France, Russia, Iran, Canada, Germany, Syria, Australia, the UK,
Lebanon, Israel, Turkmenistan and other countries have visited the
“NKR”. The number of visitors to the “NKR” rises by the year, the
Armenian media quoted the “NKR foreign ministry” as saying.

This is not the first time that information of this type has been
circulated in the Armenian media. They believe in Azerbaijan that
these reports are unlikely to be accurate. For example, the Armenian
media recently reported that the “NKR” is of touristic interest
to foreign nationals, though the [Azerbaijani] Ministry of Sports,
Youth and Tourism has pointed to the fact that any country respecting
itself would never have touristic contacts with an unrecognized entity
which is not even a member of the World Tourism Organization. Besides,
expatriates are cautious and would prefer to relax in a more stable
region where they would not be exposed to danger. National experts
believe that this misinformation aims at proving to the public that
the “NKR” is living a “full-fledged life”.

Azerbaijani MPs think that if the myths about the visits to the “NKR”
are after all true, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry should, of course,
issue an appropriate note. MP Zahid Oruc says the visits of foreign
nationals to the “NKR” without Azerbaijan’s official consent represent
a violation of the principles of international law – since the world
community has recognized Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. The
parliamentarian is proposing that a fuss should be made about “NKR”
visits, as was the cases with the “chess tournament” in Xankandi and a
BBC employee’s visit. “We have to intensify the struggle against these
undesirable elements in the Karabakh issue.” The MP suggests that
the Milli Maclis [Azerbaijani parliament] should adopt a resolution
on visits by foreign citizens to unrecognized Nagornyy Karabakh. In
parallel, he thinks, the [Azerbaijani] Foreign Ministry should
notify international organizations of illegal visits by expatriates
to Karabakh.

Another MP Ramiz Ahmadov expressed quite a sharp position on this
issue. He said the figures by the “NKR foreign ministry” point to the
inaction of the Azerbaijani authorities. He noted that the Azerbaijani
government had many times raised objections against visits by foreign
nationals to the “NKR”. However, he went on to say, the governments
of these countries justify the visits of their citizens by the fact
that these visits are private. Meanwhile, the MP is convinced that
none of the foreign businessmen will invest in the “NKR” without
the permission of his government. “The governments of the countries
indicated in the report approve of the visits of their citizens to
Karabakh. Then, officials of these countries state that the visits
of their nationals are private.” The MP blames everything on the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, which, as he put it, is not even trying
to “punish” the foreign citizens who visit Azerbaijan after this.

In turn, a member of the parliamentary commission on national security
and defence, Alimammad Nuriyev, noted that Azerbaijan should demand
explanations from the governments of the mentioned countries within
the framework of the UN. The MP thinks that the visits to the “NKR”
will continue as long as Baku restricts itself only to statements.

Commenting to Ekho on the information by the “NKR foreign ministry”,
the director of the centre for legal aid to migrants, Alovsat Aliyev,
stressed that the occupied lands of Azerbaijan attract people with
a predisposition to crime. He said that expatriates go to Karabakh
via Armenia and with the permission of the Armenian authorities. The
expert said that the countries whose citizens visit Karabakh should
realize that they are going to sour relations with Azerbaijan in
this way. He said the countries indicated in the report by the “NKR
foreign ministry” should take precautions and stop their citizens
from visiting Nagornyy Karabakh.

ArmenPress
Aug 26 2004

12 MLN TO FOR INCREASED SECURITY OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP)
stopped for repair and recharge on July 31. According to Armenian
energy minister Armen Movsisian, this year the overhaul of the plant
has been exceptional: both two turbines and a reactor are repaired at
the same time. Some 12 mln USD will be invested to rise security
measures at the plant this year. According to him, about 40 mln has
been invested since the re-operation of the plant.
Once again the minister mentioned that unless an alternative
energy source with the same capacity is available in Armenia, it is
senseless to speak about shutting down the NPP. In case of proper
funds are available selection may be made among two alternatives – a
new nuclear power plant or a thermal power plant. In any case, the
100 mln USD suggested by European Union is not enough to build an
alternative energy source. Some 1 bln USD is necessary for that
purpose.
According to the minister, security level of the power plant is
rather high at present, meets all international requirements and
poses no danger of itself. According to NPP chief architect Movses
Vardanian, works on security are made compatible with international
standards. Due to rise in security guarantees, the plant can safely
operate until 2016.
Speaking about recharge of NPP, Armen Movsisian mentioned that
nuclear fuel has been already transported to Armenia and is now in
the plant. All the nuclear fuel is now in the cooling basin. Czech
Shkoda is now doing the repair of the reactor. Works will be over in
5-6 days after which the fuel will be moved to the reactor. Yesterday
a discussion at NPP reported that works go according to timetable and
the plant will be put into operation on October 4.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
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08/26/2004
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1) Aram I Meets with South Korea President
2) ANCA Eastern Region to Expand Operations to New York City
3) US-Educated Officer Promoted To Head Georgian General Staff

1) Aram I Meets with South Korea President

SEOULReceiving His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia,
members of World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee and Korean
church leaders in Seoul on 24 August, South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun
expressed his strong appreciation to the World Council of Churches (WCC) and
the ecumenical movement for its “fundamental assistance” in support of human
rights and democratization in his country. He has also welcomed the
contribution of the churches to promoting a peaceful reunification of divided
Korea.
The president, who worked as a human rights lawyer defending pro-democracy
and
labor rights activists before taking up political office, was involved in the
National Council of Churches (NCCK) human rights program. The contact with
NCCK
and the churches “opened my eyes to human rights and justice issues,” he
stated.
WCC moderator Catholicos Aram I underscored how the Christian
understanding of
reconciliation was closely linked to unification and the overcoming of
division. “We are called by God in Jesus Christ to strive for reconciliation
and unity in all its forms. The WCC is committed to working with all people of
goodwill to overcome the barriers which divide our societies,” he said.
The commitment of the WCC to the reunification of Korea was echoed by the
organization’s general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. “WCC stands for
de-nuclearization and disarmament in the Korean peninsula based on a
negotiated
agreement by all parties as a foundation of peace, and will continue to
promote
a policy of dialogue and exchange,” he said.
During an exchange with executive committee members, president Roh Moo-hyun
also expressed his support for the invitation of the Korean churches and of
NCCK to host a future WCC assembly in Korea. The WCC general secretary thanked
the president and said that the “WCC hopes and prays that an assembly would be
possible in a united Korea in the near future.”
The WCC executive committee will issue a statement on Korea at the end of the
week that will express its serious concern about the human rights and
humanitarian situation in North Korea, and will outline ongoing ecumenical
efforts for the peaceful reunification of the divided country.
The WCC executive committee is meeting in Seoul between August 24-27 on the
invitation of NCCK and the Korean churches.

2) ANCA Eastern Region to Expand Operations to New York City

WATERTOWNThe Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region
Board
of Directors announced the establishment of a new office in New York City and
the hiring of ANC activist Doug Geogerian as the region’s new Executive
Director.
“With close to 20 local ANCs and working with countless activists in 31
states
on the East Coast, we feel it is important for us to expand our operations to
give the Armenian American community additional resources to rely on,” stated
ANCA Eastern Region Chairman Dikran Kaligian. “With New York City being the
media and financial center of the world, an important hub for academia and
culture, and home to the headquarters of the United Nations, various NGO’s and
several Armenian-American institutions, we feel that this is an important and
necessary step.”
“We are also excited to have Doug joining our staff. As an active and
committed member of the Armenian American community, he brings experience,
energy, and dedication to his position as Executive Director,” continued
Kaligian. “Doug will greatly assist the ANCA continue its work to further
promote important issues of concern to Armenian Americans,” concluded
Kaligian.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to begin working at the Armenian
National Committee of America,” stated Geogerian. “The task ahead promises to
be exciting and, at the same time, challenging. I look forward to working with
our local chapters and activists to help advance our interests at the local,
state and federal level.”
Geogerian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages and Literature at
the University of Chicago in 1990 and was awarded a Masters of Education at
Harvard University in 1992. After pursuing advanced study at Teachers College
of Columbia University, Geogerian joined the faculty of a leading progressive
New York City high school whose mission was to engender critical thinking
skills in the minds of underprivileged youth. He has been a teaching
professional in the New York City public school system for the last twelve
years.
A prominent activist in the New York ANC, Geogerian has facilitated various
public forums, planned Genocide commemorations, met with members of Congress,
and organized demonstrations for the advancement of the Armenian Cause.
Current ANCA Eastern Region Director Arin Gregorian will be stepping down at
the end of August to pursue career interests in the Boston area. “Arin has
served as Director for three years, and his dedication and commitment have
contributed immensely to the success of the work we do in the Armenian
American
community,” stated Kaligian. “We wish him great success in his endeavors.” The
Watertown, Massachusetts ANCA Eastern Region office will remain open and
active.

3) US-Educated Officer Promoted To Head Georgian General Staff

TBILISI (Combined Sources)–Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili told a
government meeting on Wednesday that he had promoted deputy chief of the
General Staff Vakhtang Kapanadze to head the General Staff.
Kapanadze’s predecessor, Givi Iukuridze, “has done his best,” Saakashvili
said. “He graduated from the Frunze Academy in Russia. However, we are
creating
a new army which must meet NATO’s standards and so appointing US-educated
people to key positions in the General Staff,” he said.
Mamuka Nikolaishvili and David Nairashvili have been appointed deputy chiefs
of the General Staff, Saakashvili said.
President Saakashvili also said that Georgia is to establish a reserve army
comprised of part-time soldiers.
“These forces will comprise all Georgian citizens who are physically fit to
perform these duties,” Saakashvili told a Cabinet session held in Batumi on
Wednesday.
Georgia, whose relations with neighbor Russia have deteriorated recently over
the breakaway region of South Ossetia, already has a conscription army like in
Russia. But it was unclear as to whether Saakashvili’s plans include mandatory
terms of service in the new reserve army for the wider population or for those
who have already completed their initial conscription service in the regular
army.
Georgia does not want a war and is not preparing for it, but “the need to
protect the country is relevant today and will be relevant in a decade or a
century,” he said.
“As a state we are ready to provide all people with uniforms and weapons,
should it prove necessary. But they will be kept at police stations. Every
reservist will undergo training once or twice a year in order to put on a
uniform and study the mobilization plan,” the president said.
Reservists will be trained to deal “with both defense issues and emergency
situations that might take place in the country,” Saakashvili said.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry describes Georgian leaders’ statements saying
Tbilisi is on the verge of war with Russia as irresponsible.
The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, “Tbilisi’s recent statements
contain militarist rhetoric. But their latest statements are lack a sense of
proportion and irresponsibility at any level–personal or state one.”
“The absurdity of these statements is obvious. Recently the entire world has
been promised to expose bodies of dead Cossacks. But these confirmations have
become groundless,” the statement says.
“Due to the failure of the military adventure in South Ossetia Georgia’s
social and economic problems have become more evident. It would be
necessary to
concentrate efforts on the solution to this problem and not to aim them at
searching for a ‘non-existing external enemy’ or upsetting the work of the
Russian Embassy in Tbilisi,” the ministry stressed.
Moscow “is seeking to help the Georgian people improve normal life.” The
Foreign Ministry urges Georgia “to react on constructive initiatives, which
have been recently presented to Georgia’s leadership in order to improve
relations.” “There is no reaction on these initiatives. Any talks on helping
hand of friendship cannot replace it,” the statement says.
In related news, the Interior Department deputy chief in Tskhinvali, Nodar
Dzagoyev, was killed on Wednesday, and authorities have opened an
investigation
to discover if foul play was behind the death.
“Investigators are looking into all possible murder scenarios, including a
terrorist act,” said Robert Guliyev, Interior Minister of the unrecognized
South Ossetian republic.
The minister also told Interfax that two Tskhinvali residents were detained
and heavily beaten in the Georgian village of Kekhli last night.

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RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 26 2004

ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO RESUME WORK AFTER CAPITAL REPAIRS

YEREVAN, August 26 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – The Armenian
nuclear power plant, its work suspended for capital repairs, will be
switched on on October 4. Capital repairs are carried out once in
four years while a planned repair is staged every year.

This time the fourth turbine is to be repaired and the state of the
reactor’s metallic frame is to be fully checked. Besides, additional
security measures and the re-fueling process will be introduced.

The process of closing the nuclear plant for capital repairs and
re-fueling started in the early hours of July 30, 2004, a week after
the delivery of the new nuclear fuel consignment worth $12 million
had been accomplished.

The Armenian nuclear plant was commissioned in 1980 and closed in
March 1989. It resumed its work in November 1995, following the acute
energy crisis in the republic.

Equipped with the Russian reactor VVEP-400 of the first generation,
the plant’s second module generates the average of 30-40 percent of
the republic’s electricity. The station can function until 2016,
according to experts.

In September 2003, the Armenian nuclear plant was passed for five
years under trusteeship of the company INTER RAO UES, a subsidiary of
the Unified Energy Systems of Russia and the Rosenergoatom concern.

The European Union has pledged to allocate 100 million euros for the
conservation of the Armenian nuclear plant. But Armenian experts say
that almost a million euros is required to set up alternative
capacities in Armenia.

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Andrew Souvall
August 25, 2004
Jennifer Cannata
(202) 225-4671

ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS CALL ON BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO CONDEMN THREATENING
REMARKS BY AZERBAIJANI GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ), co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
today called on the U.S. State Department to condemn recent statements by an
Azerbaijani government official threatening aggression against Armenia.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, the lawmakers cited a
report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty where the Azerbaijani Defense
Ministry spokesman had called for Azerbaijan’s takeover of the entire
territory of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from the
Caucasus. The Azeri spokesman was quoted as stating, “Within the next 25
years there will exist no state of Armenia in the South Caucasus.”

“Given Azerbaijan’s history of aggression against Armenians, these remarks
cannot be dismissed as mere rhetoric,” the members wrote. “A failure on our
part to forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over
these destabilizing threats would, in our view, send extremely dangerous
signals to Azerbaijan.”

Knollenberg and Pallone believe Azerbaijan’s increasingly aggressive posture
toward Armenia demonstrates the need to maintain parity in U.S. military aid
to both countries. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a
Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2005 that included
parity in military funding. In their letter to Secretary Powell, the two
lawmakers wrote that any tilt in military spending toward Azerbaijan could
destabilize the region by emboldening the new Azerbaijani leadership to
continue their threats to impose a military solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.

“The United States plays a crucial role in the negotiations over
Nagorno-Karabakh, to help the people of this region to find a lasting and
equitable peace,” the members continued. “These threats by Azerbaijan
undermine these efforts and seriously complicate our diplomacy in the
region. It is our hope that the United States takes action to condemn these
remarks, to ensure that all parties involved in this conflict make a genuine
commitment towards peace and stability.”

Text of the letter to Secretary Powell follows.

August 25, 2004

Secretary Colin Powell
U.S. Department of State
2201 C St, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Powell,

As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, we would like
to raise with you a serious issue that, if not compellingly addressed by the
Administration, has the potential to undermine U.S. interests and American
values in the strategically important Caucasus region.

We refer to the remarks by officials in the government of President Ilham
Aliyev calling into question the very existence of Armenia. For example, as
reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Azerbaijani Defense
Ministry spokesman called for Azerbaijan’s takeover of the entire territory
of Armenia and removal of the entire Armenian population from the Caucasus.
He went so far as to say, “Within the next 25 years there will exist no
state of Armenia in the South Caucasus.” Given Azerbaijan’s history of
aggression against Armenians, these remarks cannot be dismissed as mere
rhetoric.

Azerbaijan’s threats against Armenia’s survival reinforce our commitment to
maintaining parity in U.S. military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. This
arrangement means even more today than when it was first put in place,
particularly in light of Baku’s increasingly aggressive posture toward
Armenia. Any tilt in military spending toward Azerbaijan could, in our
view, destabilize the region by emboldening the new Azerbaijani leadership
to continue their threats to impose a military solution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The United States plays a crucial role in the negotiations over
Nagorno-Karabakh, to help the people of this region to find a lasting and
equitable peace. These threats by Azerbaijan undermine these efforts and
seriously complicate our diplomacy in the region. A failure on our part to
forcefully and publicly confront the Azerbaijani government over these
destabilizing threats would, in our view, send extremely dangerous signals
to Azerbaijan.

It is our hope that the United States takes action to condemn these remarks,
to ensure that all parties involved in this conflict make a genuine
commitment towards peace and stability.

Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR. JOE KNOLLENBERG
Member of Congress Member of Congress

Cc: National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice
Ambassador Steven Mann

Jennifer Karch Cannata
Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4671 office
(202) 225-9665 fax