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07/13/2004
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1. Possibility of Vacating Lands around Karabagh Empty Speculation Says Azeri
Analyst
2. Russian PM Says Russian Investment Opportunities in Armenia Expansive
3. UN Calls on Tbilisi, Tskhinvali to Practice Restraint
4. Tenth Hamazkayin Summer Forum Begins Activities in Lebanon
1. Possibility of Vacating Lands around Karabagh Empty Speculation Says Azeri
Analyst
BAKU (Yeni Musavat)–In an interview with Zerkalo newspaper, political analyst
Vafa Quluzada, who was formerly a national advisor to Azerbaijan said that
reports suggesting Armenians are preparing to vacate certain “occupied
territories” in and around Karabagh is nothing but empty speculation, and that
no such negotiations to that effect are underway.
He added that discussions on vacating certain districts has only taken place
in Azerbaijan, while Armenia has not undertaken preparations to leave the
territories.
Quluzada did say that Armenia might agree to vacate certain territories, but
only if Azerbaijan agreed to either allow Armenia to annex Mountainous
Karabagh
and the Lachin District, or recognize the independence of the Mountainous
Karabagh Republic.
Yeni Musavat reports that Quluzada is an experienced diplomat who has been
involved in the Karabagh talks for many years, and as “one of the most
competent people on the issue,” his statements accurately reflect the “real
situation around Mountainous Karabagh.”
Quluzada explains that as a result of the lack of progress in negotiations,
the Azeri government began “generating” news that some of Azerbaijan’s
occupied
districts may be freed. “For instance, there was a report that the Turkish,
Azerbaijani, and Armenian foreign ministers had recently reached a preliminary
agreement that Armenia would vacate seven Azerbaijani districts,” he explains,
“It wasn’t long, however, before this report proved to be off mark.” He said
that similar accounts emerge following each and every meeting between the
foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia–that the liberation of five or
six
districts has been discussed.
Quluzada emphasizes that the liberation of Azeri territories can be
realistically discussed only when Armenia is allowed to annex Mountainous
Karabagh, together with the Shushi and Lachin districts. “Only against this
backdrop can Armenia agree to negotiate the issue of leaving the other
territories.”
“The government propaganda machine, however, is trying to create the
impression that thanks to the ‘successful’ policy of [Azerbaijani President]
Ilham Aliyev, the situation is changing for the better and that the Armenians
are about to agree to vacate a number of districts.”
He calls the effort “primitive and futile technology” that has been
exhausted,
but has been redesigned to convince the public of Ilham Aliyev’s “successful
Karabagh policy.”
2. Russian PM Says Russian Investment Opportunities in Armenia Expansive
MOSCOW (Armenpress/RIA Novosti)–Bilateral issues tied to Russian
investment in
Armenia will soon be settled, reassured Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail
Fradkov, talking about negotiations with Armenian counterpart Andranik
Markarian in Moscow.
“We have been co-operating successfully in the economic sector; trade
turnover
has grown 30% compared to last year, but we should take additional measures to
utilize remaining opportunities. Trade of $200 million is not the limit,”
Fradkov said during talks with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian on
Tuesday.
Fradkov noted that Russian and Armenian leaders have met frequently
throughout
the year. “Dialogue is constantly filled with new content.” For Markarian, the
visit is the first official one to Russia.
Russia has also expressed an interested in updating its military
technology in
Armenia. “Our military-technology partnership is gaining momentum. Russian
experts are training the Armenian military, and both parties are eager to
expand the relationship when Russia updates military equipment in Armenia with
spare parts,” Fradkov said.
The sides are also expected to prepare an energy cooperation agreement in the
coming days on production and export of fuel and power supplies.
On Tuesday, Fradkov and Markarian signed an education partnership agreement.
3. UN Calls on Tbilisi, Tskhinvali to Practice Restraint
UNITED NATIONS (Itar-Tass)–The United Nations called on Georgia and South
Ossetia to abstain from any moves that could escalate tension and trigger
provocations.
UN Secretary General Marie Okabe told Itar-Tass that the UN wants a peace
settlement and reduction of tensions in the region.
As for a possible UN peacekeeping role in South Ossetia, Okabe said the
international community is involved in peacekeeping operations in Abkhazia and
the UN Security Council has not considered the situation outside that region.
Sources at the UN Secretariat said they are closely watching the South
Ossetian situation, and are receiving regular reports from the UN Observer
Mission in Georgia.
Another source said the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) has assumed the lead in peacekeeping efforts in South Ossetia.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili told a news briefing in London on
Tuesday that Georgia has no intention of triggering an armed conflict in South
Ossetia.
“It is very important for us to create a stable situation in the country to
draw major investments into the national economy,” Saakashvili told
journalists.
“Active steps to settle the South Ossetian conflict will be taken by the
Georgian side when such steps will cause minimal negative side effects, and
not
when some general decides to start a small war in Georgia to satisfy one’s
ambitions. At this point Tbilisi’s task should be to support the population of
the Tskhinvali district [South Ossetian capital] economically,” Saakashvili
said.
Saakashvili is in London meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
4. Tenth Hamazkayin Summer Forum Begins Activities in Lebanon
BEIRUT (Hamazkayin)–More than thirty students from around Argentina, Canada,
Iran, Switzerland, Syria, and the United States, gathered in Lebanon on July
12, to kick-off the 10th Hamazkayin Summer Forum.
The official opening took at the Hamakayin Lebanon’s Gomidas hall.
Speaking on
behalf of the organizing committee, Forum Board member Shoushig Arslanian
welcomed participants and introduced counselors and supervisors, along with
board members. Supervisor Serj Kalousdian detailed the program, expounding
certain points and items. The participants then introduced themselves.
The same afternoon, participants visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to
receive his blessing and message.
Forum participants will continue their activities in Lebanon until July 18,
and will then depart for Armenia to continue the program until July 31.
Students from Armenia, Georgia, Great Britain, and Mountainous Karabagh
Republic will be joining the group in Armenia.
Since its inception in 1995 the Hamazkayin Summer Forum has provided a
friendly and exciting environment for bright young Armenians. Students get the
chance to learn a great deal about Armenian culture, discover the sites and
sounds of the host country, and, most importantly, plant the seeds for
lifelong
friendships. Thought provoking lectures, trips to historic destinations, and
nights of dancing and entertainment are only some of the things the forum has
to offer. Past participants have called it “an experience of a lifetime.”
In addition to the meeting with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, this year’s
forum highlights include visits to Khor Virab, Lake Sevan, Yeraplour, the
Armenian Manuscripts Museum (Madenataran), the Sarian and Parajanov Museums,
the Genocide Memorial Monument and Museum, and the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral. The forum lecture series this year features a diverse pool of
speakers, including Yerevan State University President Radik Mardirossian, art
historian and critic Shahen Khatchatrian, National Dance Academy
choreographers
Vanoush Khanamirian and Norayr Mehrabian and National Assembly Special
Committee for Foreign Relations’ Chairman Armen Rustamian.
The West Coast participants of the 2004 Hamazkayin Summer Forum are: Alida
Ararxian, Natalie Melissa Asik, Annie Babikian, Tamar Baldjian, Alex
Beylerian,
RJ Boyajian, Karin Cemcem, Arpi Chahenian, Noeme Chahenian, Alex Giragosian,
Gabrielle Iagjian, Ari-Hovig Ishkhanian, Hovsep Kabaklian, Salpi Kabaklian,
Noushig-Siran Karpanian, Hrayr Khanjian, Laura Kurkjian, Lori Markarian, Sebu
Sabounjian, Sevag Simonian, Terenig Topjian, Annie Voskerchian, Armand
Yardemian and Armen Yemenidjian.
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