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07/13/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 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. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.