Month: September 2008

EX-MINISTER THREATENS RECOGNITION OF GARABAGH "INDEPENDENCE"

AzerNews Weekly
Sept 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Former Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian recently said that
if the Armenia-Azerbaijan talks on settling the more than 15-year
conflict ends in failure, Yerevan will have no choice but to recognize
the "independence" of Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, an Azeri region under
Armenian occupation.

"Armenia`s position on the conflict remains unchanged. But Yerevan
should state, as soon as possible, that the fact that Upper Garabagh`s
independence has not been recognized and that such a request has
not been made to any other state so far, is because the principle of
self-determination of the Upper Garabagh people lies at the core of
peace talks," the ex-minister claimed.

Armenia, which is pursuing a policy of occupation and ethnic cleansing,
has occupied over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized
territory for over the past decade.

Touching on the unrest in Georgia and the recent Russian invasion,
he said the Armenian government would be unable to take a proper
stance on Moscow`s August 26 recognition of the independence of
Georgia`s rebellious regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since,
"we are talking not about Abkhazia and South Ossetia but relations
between Russia and the United States."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on August 26
recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The move
heightened tensions in the volatile Caucasus region and put a further
strain on Moscow`s relations with the West. Tbilisi denounced the
decision as being in violation of international law. The U.S. and
numerous European powers also condemned the move.

GEORGIA CRISIS TOPS AGENDA OF MEDVEDEV-SARKISIAN TALKS

AzerNews Weekly
Sept 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Russian and Armenian Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Serzh Sarkisian
on Tuesday discussed the situation over Georgia’s rebel regions of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the Russian town of Sochi.

Medvedev said considering that Armenia is taking up chairmanship in
the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a bloc of former
Soviet republics, a need has arisen to exchange views on international
issues with Yerevan.

"There is a need for this, as we have not seen each other since
Georgia’s aggression," Medvedev said.

Georgia launched large-scale military operations on August 8 in its
unrecognized republic of South Ossetia to restore its territorial
integrity. Russia retaliated by sending troops to the region which
struck at the Georgian armed forces with overwhelming force. A
ceasefire was, subsequently, reached on August 17.

Sarkisian, for his part, said Armenia was ready to provide humanitarian
aid to South Ossetia.

"This is our first meeting since the South Ossetia developments, which
follows our phone conversation about the situation in Georgia. Once
again, I am expressing disappointment with what went on there,
the deaths of Russian citizens and peacekeepers," Sarkisian said,
in an apparent bid to appease the Russian leader.

Medvedev did not rule out that the CSTO members’ resolute stance on
the developments in Georgia would be stated at the upcoming summit
in Moscow.

President Medvedev signed a decree on August 26 recognizing the
independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The move heightened
tensions in the volatile Caucasus region and put a further strain on
Moscow’s relations with the West.

OSCE RAPPORTEUR WARNS OF RISK OF CLASHES OVER GARABAGH

AzerNews Weekly
Sept 3 2008
Azerbaijan

The risk of armed clashes continues in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA)
president`s special rapporteur on the conflict has said.

Goran Lennmarker, who arrived in Baku on Monday as part of a visit to
the South Caucasus region, expressed his hope that both sides in this
ongoing conflict would seek a common ground, saying it was pivotal to
compromise in exchange for a settlement to the long-standing dispute.

"If a compromise solution is found, many refugees will be able to
return home. I believe this is important for both countries," he said.

Upper Garabagh is an Azerbaijani region that has been occupied by
Armenian forces since a 1994 ceasefire ended separatist fighting that
killed an estimated 30,000 people and forced as many as one million
people from their homes.

The OSCE`s team of diplomats, referred to as the Minsk Group, has
been brokering the peace process.

In reference to the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, Lennmarker said the
OSCE unequivocally supported Georgia`s territorial integrity. He said
his visit to the region would allow him to closely follow ongoing
developments in the South Caucasus republic, where a brief war with
Russia took place in August.

"Abkhazia is Georgian territory and residents of the region have been
living side by side for years," Lennmarker said.

He added that Azerbaijan is one of the three South Caucasus states,
and how relations develop among these regional states following the
Georgian-Russian conflict will be carefully watched.

On August 16, Lennmarker was appointed the OSCE PA special envoy
for Georgia and the situation in its breakaway republic of South
Ossetia. After completing the visit to Azerbaijan, he is scheduled
to meet with officials in Armenia and Georgia. He will, further,
submit a report on the current situation in Georgia when the PA meets
in Toronto, Canada from September 18-21.

ARMENIAN LEADER EXPECTS INCENTIVE IN PEACE TALKS AFTER OCTOBER ELECTIONS

AzerNews Weekly
Sept 3 2008
Azerbaijan

Talks on settling the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict will intensify
after Azerbaijan`s October presidential elections, Armenian President
Serzh Sarkisian has said.

In an interview with Turkish media, he avoided comparing the conflicts
over the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia with the
Garabagh problem.

Sarkisian said everyone witnessed the consequences of military
intervention in dealing with such issues.

"On such issues, we support discussions. We believe in solving the
problem through peace and reconciliation. Let`s put everything aside –
over 70% of our trade is done through Georgia. Therefore, most of all,
Armenia wishes for the welfare of Georgia. The main thing is that we
have to draw a conclusion from what happened there," Sarkisian said.

Georgia launched large-scale military operations to restore its
territorial integrity on August 8 in its breakaway republic of South
Ossetia.

Moscow retaliated by sending troops to the region, which struck at
the Georgian armed forces using overwhelming force.

A ceasefire was, subsequently, reached on August 17 with the mediation
of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to end the brief war.

It was noteworthy, said observers, that Sarkisian did not mention
the issue of Garabagh`s "independence." Instead, Yerevan said it
backed resolution of the long-standing conflict within a set of
basic principles as set down last November by the mediating OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs in Madrid.

Armenia and Azerbaijan waged a war over the mountainous region of Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh in the early 1990s, which claimed some 30,000
lives and displaced about one million Azerbaijanis. Armenia has
since occupied over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized
territory. A ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, however, peace
talks have been inconclusive, so far.

Sarkisian once again invited his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul,
to attend a football match between the two countries` teams in Yerevan
this September, saying this would be a good chance to forge ties
between Armenia and Turkey.

Asked whether the move was politically motivated, the Armenian leader
did not provide a definitive answer, merely saying Yerevan`s goal
was to restore ties with its neighbor.

Sarkisian recalled that President Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan were among the first leaders to congratulate him on his
victory in the February 19 Armenian election, claiming that Ankara`s
congratulatory letter cited the need for expanding cooperation.

As for Armenia`s aspiration to participate in large-scale regional
projects, he said, "if political aims top economic agendas, such
projects turn out to be unsuccessful."

The Turkish leader said Armenia should consider reaching a settlement
in the Garabagh conflict if it hopes to participate in regional
projects.

Gul noted, however, that Ankara supported neighboring country`s
joining such projects.

"This land belongs to all of us. Armenians and Turks have been
neighbors throughout history," he said.

Asked what step Ankara intended to take "at a time Armenia is
anxiously awaiting the establishment of ties with Turkey," Gul
responded diplomatically, unlike his Armenian counterpart, saying
that Turkey welcomed the recent efforts being made to ensure stability
and cooperation in the region.

"I want to solve problems with all of our neighbors. There have been
both sweet and bitter memories in history. Now, the key issue is not
to look back at history, but for all regional states to come together
and take part in joint projects. Turkey continues to closely follow
ongoing developments to make this happen," Gul said.

Armenia and Turkey have been at odds and the border between the two
countries has been closed since 1993.

Ankara has repeatedly made it clear that discussions on forging ties
with Yerevan could begin only after Armenia relinquishes its policy
of occupation against Azerbaijan and the "Armenian genocide" claims.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IN TURKEY FOR TALKS

Associated Press Worldstream
September 2, 2008 Tuesday 8:40 AM GMT

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is in Turkey for talks on
the Georgian crisis and a trade dispute.

Turkey has threatened to retaliate against new Russian import controls
that are seen as an attempt to punish Turkey for allowing U.S. warships
carrying aid to reach Georgia.

The extra import checks for Turkish goods have resulted in hundreds
of Turkish trucks being held up at Russian border posts.

Lavrov and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan are also to discuss
a Turkish plan for a regional group to stabilize the Caucasus region
following war between Russia and Georgia.

The group would include Turkey and four nearby Caucasus nations:
Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN ONLY BE RESOLVED BY A PEACEFULMETHOD, SAID ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN IN STEPANAKERT ON TUESDAY

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

The recent events in South Caucasus have clearly demonstrated that
there is no military solution to regional conflicts, he said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh problem must be resolved solely through peace
talks, said Sargsyan, who chairs the Armenian governmental delegation,
which arrived in Stepanakert to attend the festivities on the occasion
of the 17th anniversary of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic (NKR).

For his part, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan called
for further reinforcement of the NKR Defense Army because this is
required by the current geopolitical processes and the recent events
in the region.

As regards the military operations in Georgia, the minister said
that, unlike in other conflicts, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
is different, because it has a capable army and a deep defense.

The NKR Defense Army has proved on many occasions that it is prepared
for any provocation from the enemy and is capable of providing security
for the republic, said the Armenian defense minister.

ANC IS NOT PREPARING A"COLORED" REVOLUTION

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

"The Armenian National Congress is not carrying out a "colored"
revolution in Armenia, but is conducting a civilized political
struggle because we are confident that the presidential elections
were held illegally and these authorities have no right to rule,"
Ter-Petrosian said.

"The impeachment of President Serzh Sargsyan is our slogan, but
this requires hard work. In fact, for me the main slogan would be to
establish and consolidate the ANC," said the opposition leader.

"Sargsyan will not leave so easily, the time must come when the
organized political majority will simply reject him and he will realize
that he can no longer stay in power. That is what I am striving for,"
said the former president.

MEDVEDEV EXPECTS CSTO SUMMIT TO FINALLY SHAPE POSITION ON CAUCASUS SITUATION

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

The members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
will forge a final position on the situation in the Caucuses at their
upcoming summit in Moscow, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Sochi on Tuesday.

Medvedev thanked his Armenian counterpart for Armenia’s humanitarian
support for South Ossetia.

Sargsyan conveyed his condolences over the deaths of Russian
peacekeepers in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone. "We regret the
events took this turn," he said.

The CSTO foreign ministers and security secretaries’ councils will
convene in Armenia soon ahead of Armenia’s rotating presidency of
the CSTO, he said.

"Russian-Armenian cooperation potential has been steadily increasing,
but can increase even further given the allied relations," Medvedev
said.

RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH "A MATTER OF TIME" – BREAKAWAY REGION LEADER

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

There is no alternative to the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, said
Bako Saakyan, president of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(NKR).

"The existing differences must be resolved through direct dialogue.

Everyone should realize once and for all that independence has no
alternative and cannot be a subject of speculation," he said during
the festivities on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the self-
proclaimed NKR in Stepanakert on Tuesday.

"Today we can proudly state that we have created a strong and capable
army, a progressing country which complies with international standards
and is one of the key factors ensuring stability in the region,"
Saakyan said.

"We must fulfill the dream of our fallen comrades – to gain
international recognition of the NKR and bequeath to the next
generations a strong and independent, peaceful and prosperous Homeland.

Rest assured, this is only a matter of time," the NKR leader said.

GEORGIA CONFLICT AFFECTS RUSSIA-ARMENIA TRADE – MEDVEDEV

Interfax
Sept 2 2008
Russia

A senior Kremlin aide cited Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as
saying Georgia’s recent "reckless aggression actions" had affected
"the continuity of transportation" between Russia and Armenia and
their mutual "trade and economic ties" as a significant proportion
of goods traveling between Russia and Armenia pass through Georgia.

Medvedev, who was speaking during talks with Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan, proposed an in-depth study of transportation facilities
linking Russia and Armenia, the aide, Sergei Prikhodko, told reporters.

The two leaders discussed proposals for new transportation routes
between their countries.

"Armenia has no grievances against Russia as regards natural gas
supplies," Prikhodko said.

Medvedev and Sargsyan did not raise the issues of nuclear energy and
uranium mining, the aide said.

In addition to raising bilateral issues, the two presidents had
detailed discussions on matters to be put on the agenda for the Council
of Heads of State of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and
brought up the issues of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Prikhodko said.