Month: May 2008

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: "PRINCIPLES OF THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION, VOICED BY ARAZ AZIMOV, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DOCUMENT, WHICH IS ON THE NEGOTIATION TABLE"

Today.Az
itics/45018.html
May 15 2008
Azerbaijan

The key issue of talks on the peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is a status of Nagorno Karabakh, which should be settled by
way of plebiscite.

The due announcement was made by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan.

"This will allow the population of Nagorno Karabakh to express its
will about the future status of the country", the Minister told
reporters on May 15.

Commenting on the principles of the Azerbaijani side on the conflict
resolution, recently voiced by Azerbaijan’s deputy foreign minister
Araz Azimov, Armenian Foreign Minister said that they have nothing
to do with the document, which is on the negotiation table.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan has previously announced that
Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be settled in the framework of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and definition of the Nagorno
Karabakh status requires return of the Azerbaijani population to
the area.

"Araz Azimov has merely voiced his opinion and opinion of the
Azerbaijani side. By repeating its principle for five, ten or twenty
times, Azerbaijani side will not be able to include it into the
negotiation document", said Nalbandyan.

He noted that proposals on the resolution of the conflict, which
have become a result of the efforts of the co-chairs has recently
been worked out.

"It is important to continue talks on the basis of these
proposals. Armenian side has already stated readiness to continue talks
on the basis of these proposals. We will try to attach new stimulus
to all past achievements and reach success in the directions, on
which there has not been any progress", the Foreign Minister assured.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: "THERE ALWAYS EXIST REAL GROUNDS FOR THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today.Az
politics/45019.html
May 15 2008
Azerbaijan

There always exist real grounds for the peaceful resolution of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.

The due announcement was made by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandyan.

"We should be optimistic in the issue of progress, there has always
been such a possibility, but everything depends of how the sides will
demonstrate themselves during the talks. As for our side, be sure that
the peaceful process will continue and we will find the solution",
Edward Nalbandyan told reporters on May 15.

According to Nalbandyan, one should draw a distinction for the
resolution of issues and not attack each others.

Armenian Foreign Minister noted that Armenian side confirmed readiness
to hold talks around the proposals, presented by the OSCE Minsk Group.

"There are some principles, which were proposed by the Minsk Group
co-chairs in Madrid and we are ready to continue talks on the basis
of these proposals", the Armenian Foreign Minister added.

ARMENIA’S GDP GREW 13.7 PERCENT IN 2007
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger
May 15 2008
Georgia

Last year Armenia’s GDP grew by 13.7 percent, mainly due to the
construction and service sectors, according to the news agency Regnum.

The 2008 CIA World Factbook says that both economic reform and improved
ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan are required for Armenia to improve
economic competitiveness.

"Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms in order
to improve its economic competitiveness and to build on recent
improvements in [eliminating] poverty and unemployment, especially
given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors,
Turkey and Azerbaijan," the CIA report says.

Armenia has no trade or diplomatic ties with two of its neighbors,
Turkey and Azerbaijan, and has consequently been excluded from
regional project such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

MEETING OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS TO BE HELD IN SAINT PETERSBURG JUNE 7

DeFacto Agency
May 15 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 15.05.08. DE FACTO. A meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents Serge Sargsian and Ilham Aliyev will be held in Saint
Petersburg on June 7.

The corresponding agreement has already been reached, the RA FM Edvard
Nalbandian told journalists. The meeting of the two states’ presidents
will be the first one after holding presidential elections in Armenia.

To remind, a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs Edvard
Nalbandian and Elmar Mammadyarov was held in Strasburg on May
6. After holding bilateral talks the meeting was continued in a
broadened composition. The OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs Bernard Fassier
(France), Matthew Bryza (the U. S.), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and the
OSCE Chair-in-Office’s Personal Representative Andrzey Kasprzyk were
present at the meeting.

Upon the completion of the meeting the RA FM Edvard Nalbandian told
journalists that the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs had been
of acquaintance nature. In the course of the meeting the parties
exchanged views over the Karabakh conflict settlement process; the
two countries’ stands were presented. During the meeting the ministers
agreed on the talks’ continuation.

KHAZAR IBRAHIM: "NEGOTIATIONS ON SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT SHOULD BE BASED ON LAST RESOLUTION OF UN"

Azeri Press Agency
May 15 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. "Co-chairs, Azerbaijan and Armenia should
conduct negotiations basing on the Resolution on "Occupied territories
of Azerbaijan" adopted in UN, Khazar Ibrahim, Spokesman for Foreign
Ministry said at press conference, APA reports.

He noted that the resolution was not only opinion of Azerbaijan,
but also international community.

"International community shows the way of settlement to the conflict
adopting this resolution", he said.

The diplomat added that the adopted resolution covered the solution to
the conflict within the framework of international legal norms as well.

Khazar Ibrahim commenting on participation of Armenian President in
the event on occupation of Shusha noted that Armenian president’s
visit to the occupied lands of Azerbaijan did not exert positive
influence on negotiations process.

The diplomat stressed that Armenia had not taken constructive step
by now and added that Azerbaijan wanted to believe that Yerevan would
correctly estimate the situation and take proper measures to develop
the negotiations process.

"Co-chairs should direct Armenia to take constructive steps for the
solution to the conflict", he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PAUL GOBBLE: "I WILL NOT MAKE STATEMENTS ON OFFICIAL BAKU’S POLICY WHILE WORKING IN AZERBAIJAN"

Azeri Press Agency
May 15 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova – APA. "I know that books of history will
mention my name after my death only for one issue. It is my idea, known
as "Gobble Plan", describing in the paragraph written for the former
US Secretary of State in January 1992", Paul Gobble, US well-known
political scientist and head of Research Center of Azerbaijan Academy
of Diplomacy told APA responding the question about his possible new
proposals for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"At that time I thought that this conflict and refugee and IDP
problems reached such critical point that all opportunities should be
reviewed", said Gobble and added that he was thinking on the problem
even now. "However it is not 1992, but 2008 and policy and decisions
should be made different from previous ones in 1992. I would like the
people to think about the issue written in 1992 in today’s context. I
decided not to make statements on the policy of your Government while
working in Azerbaijan".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TASK TO QUICKEN PACE OF NKR KASHATAG REGION’S SETTLEMENT BEEN SET

DeFacto Agency
May 15 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 15.05.08. DE FACTO. The Nagorno-Karabakh PM Ara Harutyunian
presented Vahram Baghdasarian and Kamo Martirosian, newly appointed
heads of the Askeran and Kashatag regions, to the regional councils
and heads of communities.

Speaking of the tasks Vahram Baghdasarian, Askeran region’s new
head, Republic’s former Minister of Agriculture, faced the NKR PM
noted, "a precise task to give new impetus and scope to the regional
administration’s activity has been set". According to the PM, the goal
"will become reality due to the new head, who has vast experience,
is young and vigorous". Ara Harutyunian also answered the questions
of the regional communities’ heads mainly referring to rendering
state assistance to agricultural works, as well as to the course of
construction being held in the region.

While presenting Kamo Martirosian, a new head of the Kashatag region’s
administration, former head of the Nagorno-Karabakh Department for
Migration, Refugees and Settlement, Ara Harutyunian noted cadre
changes were conditioned by increasing of the state’s attention to
the above-mentioned region, which faced serious problems. In part,
he underscored the necessity of quickening pace of the important
region’s settlement. "Possibilities should be created for the people
to live in favorable conditions here", Ara Harutyunian underscored.

The PM also said he would visit the region’s villages in the near
future to immediately familiarize himself with the people’s problems
and consider their proposals.

RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE CHIEF ON BASE IN ABKHAZIA

Civil Georgia
May 15 2008
Georgia

Russian military base in Abkhazia would have improved Russian border
protection, Russian news agency reported quoting Alexander Zelin,
commander of the Russian Air Forces.

"If the relevant political decision is taken [on setting up of base in
Abkhazia], it will promote the implementation of air defense tasks,"
RIA Novosti quoted Zelin as saying on May 15.

The Russian commander also noted that Russia had close cooperation with
Armenia in air defense-related issues. "We would like to have similar
relations with Georgia. Unfortunately, it is impossible," he added.

Abkhaz leader, Sergey Bagapsh, said on May 13 that Sokhumi wanted to
have Russian military presence to provide security guarantees. Russian
Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, however, said last week that the
proposal on military cooperation with Abkhazia was not discussed.

ARMENIA BACKS IRAN’S NUCLEAR RIGHT

Islamic Republic News Agency
May 15 2008
Iran

Armenia’s Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanian on Wednesday said that
Iran has the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful aims.

In a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Yerevan Ali Saqaeian,
Ohanian added that Iran’s nuclear activities were peaceful.

He stated that all countries including Iran have the right to use
nuclear technology to make progress and promote their goals in line
with regulations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Saqaeian submitted the message of Iran’s Defense Minister Mostafa
Mohammad Najjar for his Armenian counterpart who has congratulated
his appointment.

The envoy also invited Armenian minister to pay a visit to Iran which
was welcomed by Ohanian.

The two sides praised the current level of ties between the two
neighboring countries and stressed the importance of boosting bilateral
relations.

They called for implementation of agreements already signed between
the two capitals.

ANCA EASTERN REGION DIRECTOR CONTINUES TO "EDUCATE, MOTIVATE, AND ACTIVATE" STUDENTS

DeFacto Agency
May 15 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 15.05.08. DE FACTO. In continuation with the New Jersey State
mandate on genocide education, Armenian National Committee of America,
Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) Executive Director Karine Birazian presented
a series of lectures to The Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest,
New Jersey and Chatham High School in Chatham, New Jersey on the
topic of genocide.

"It is always a true honor to be invited to speak at local high
schools. The impact we can make by educating students on this important
human rights issue is vital to the prevention of the crime genocide,"
commented Birazian.

In mid April, the Academy of Holy Angels invited Birazian to be a
part of their annual Awareness Day, where this year, the title of
the one-day workshop for students was called "Think Globally, Act
Locally." Students were able to select from a variety of workshops
pertaining to global issues and problems our society faces and ways
to take action. Birazian’s topic entitled "Never Again?" touched
upon genocides that have occurred throughout the 20th century and
the ongoing genocide today in Darfur. Students also gained insight
on how they can get involved and take action.

Jennifer Cucchisi, a social studies teacher at the school commented:
"It is important that every generation learns about genocide in order
to achieve the goal of "never again." Some students may not want to
hear about it, they may turn their heads at the pictures, but the only
way to stop genocides from happening is to make sure that everyone is
educated on the horrors of them. The pictures and stories, however
graphic they may be, are necessary and they help us to ensure that
what happened during these senseless slaughters is never forgotten."

On May 7, 2008, Birazian also spoke to the students at Chatham
High School at their annual Holocaust Remembrance Program where she
presented on the history of the Armenian Genocide and the current
battle in Congress on trying to pass legislation recognizing this
atrocity.