Month: November 2009

MEDIATORS WILL NEVER SUPPORT ISLAMIC AZERBAIJAN IN KARABAKH ISSUE, SAYS GULUZADE

Tert
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

The document that OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have prepared for
the upcoming meeting between Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s presidents
isn’t in Baku’s interests, said political analyst Vafa Guluzade to
Azerbaijani news source 1news.az.

"The West creates only those documents that stem from their allies’
interests. In this case, the mediators support Christian Armenia,"
noted Guluzade, adding that the mediators would never agree with that
"which Islamic Azerbaijan requests."

"If Azerbaijan was currently in Armenia’s place, I assure you, those
very states would cast stones at us, [saying] that how dare you seize
independent Armenia’s territories. For that reason I’m not optimistic
on the matter of the upcoming meeting," noted the Azerbaijani analyst.

Commenting on Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s
statements that "Turkey intends to change the status-quo of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict." Guluzade said that the Turkish minister’s
statement is of an unfounded or abstract nature.

"Likewise, let him explain what he meant by saying that. For numerous
years, diplomats from various countries, speaking in the language of
diplomatic margins, have disguised the essence of their intentions. Is
it possible that the change in the status-quo of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is necessary for Davutoglu for opening the Armenia-Turkey
border, and that, irrespective of who gains?" concluded Guluzade.

BAKU EXPECTS CHANGE IN ARMENIA’S POSITION ON KARABAKH

Tert
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Baku expects "a fundamental and clear discussion on issues related to
the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict" to take place during
Armenia and Azerbaijan’s presidents’ upcoming meeting in Munich,
said Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Araz Azimov.

"We anticipate a change in Armenia’s position. If those changes
don’t take place, then we cannot speak about moving forward in the
negotiating process," noted Azimov.

The deputy foreign affairs minister also noted that "there are no
hidden thoughts or intentions in Azerbaijan’s position that are
against the opposite side."

KARABAKH GOOD EXAMPLE OF EU-RUSSIA COOPERATION, SAYS MEDVEDEV

Tert
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Russia and the European Union have to be more approachable in their
positions regarding the South Caucasus, with the purpose of stabilizing
the situation in the region, said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
during a press conference which summarized the results of the EU-Russia
Summit in Stockholm.

"On the subject of the Transcaucasus [meaning, the South Caucasus],
our positions don’t correspond, we must accept that. However, this
isn’t a reason to dramatize the situation," noted Medvedev.

According to the Russian president, Moscow again intends to conduct
negotiations, in the spirit of compromise, on "complex matters"
in the future.

Though, according to Medvedev, there are good examples of cooperation
with Europe. "The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict:
positive changes are noted in this regard. This is an example of how
we can cooperate or we could’ve cooperated if not for last year’s
well-known aggression."

PREMIER JOINS RPA "FAMILY"

news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan joining the ruling Republican Party
of Armenia (RPA) headed by RA President Serzh Sargsyan was a surprise,
but natural move.

The authorities have actually embarked on a program of strengthening
control over the country’s political life and economic policy. On
the other hand, the ruling party shouldered the responsibility for
an internally rather contradictory anti-crisis program of the RA
Government. As regards the efforts to "neutralize" the consequences
of the global economic crisis exerted by the recently "unaffiliated"
Premier, one could hardly designate them as effective. At the end of
this year, Armenia is faced with a drastic fall in the key economic
indicators. The Premier’s optimistic statements about ambitious
projects supposed to cause Armenia to rank among the states with
"innovation economic models" gave way to the alarming reports by the
RA Statistical Service and comments on the progressively increasing
foreign debt. One can hardly fail to notice that the radical Opposition
is now basing its criticism on the socio-economic conditions in the
country. Under the circumstances the Armenian Premier received his
"party baptism."

So the RPA assumes the responsibility for the Government’s economic
policy and further decisions. On the other hand, Premier Tigran
Sargsyan will not henceforth be viewed as an independent political
figure, who, under certain conditions, would be capable of acting as
an "autonomous pole." Thus, all the forecasts that, in the future
elections, the Armenian Premier might lead the Armenakan-Ramkavar
Azatakan Party, have become absolutely pointless. This political
project, which elicited numerous comments, with most of them
being critical ones, has persistently been linked with the name of
the Premier’s name and intention to form a national coalition to
counterbalance the influence of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF).

Losing "freedom" was obviously the Premier’s "forced choice" aimed to
"cover his bases" in meeting the major economic challenges facing the
Armenian Government. No doubt, this year has been a year of crisis,
with next year to be a year of aftermath.

Even the RPA may view Tigran Sargsyan as a politician, who, amid
the growing domestic political instability, is capable of playing
a different role. So it may soon recall him from the post of Prime
Minister and delegate different powers to him. The second option is
more realistic. The RPA is well aware of the fact that the Premier has
turned into a "perfect sitting target" for not only the Opposition,
but also the competing pro-government camps. So the party is applying
"protection mechanisms" to its "fledgling" member.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WE DEAL WITH NATION HAVING NO QUALMS IN KILLING CITIZENS: GIBRAHAYER

news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Armenia-Turkey Protocols raised "the issue of identity and the
means of identifying one s self in society as an individual and as
a group", reads the article by Jean Ipdjian published in Gibrahayer
magazine. NEWS.am posts the passages from the article.

"It has always been hard for Armenians in the Diaspora to keep their
national identity while at the same time being able to identify
themselves as citizens and as part of the countries, they happen to
live in.

It has always been the endeavour of Armenian individuals and
Organizations to create such conditions that will help keep their
Armenianism . The object of not being swept by the currents of
assimilation which are so strong specially in friendlier societies,
where the physical threats to their wellbeing is less and where there
are no easily definable social and religious boundaries between them
and the local population.

The Diaspora, which is mostly a direct result of the persecutions of
Armenians in the late 19th century Ottoman Empire and more so of the
Genocide of more than a million Armenians living in their homeland
in Ancient Armenia, present day Eastern Turkey and also Istanbul and
other cities, has used this fact as a means of identification. We
are children of the Genocide and it is practically impossible to find
a family or individual whose ancestors have not been victims of the
Genocide in one way or the other.

Therefore, it is inconceivable for us, the children of the Genocide
to accept any form of denial or questioning of the existence of the
Genocide, because in that way we will be actually denying ourselves and
robbing ourselves from our own identity. This mean of identification
is so strong that it was only recently that compatriotic organizations
were dissolved in our communities. And this fact is one of the core
problems that the Protocols have created.

It is, to say the least, extreme naivety to believe that this wound in
our history can heal with unilateral acts of forgiveness and forward
looking on our part. The key, which will untangle this quagmire of
existence, which is the Diaspora, is firmly in Turkey s hands. We
can live with the consequences of the Genocide and the heirs of the
organizers and executers of the Genocide, provided that they stop
their denial, provided that they accept it. Only then can the real
healing process start.

And if we look at the chain of events, we will see that unless
our resolve in standing up for and defending our National issues
is unwavering and steadfast, their will continuously be attempts
at nibbling on our resolve and eventually defeating it. Because we
are dealing with a nation which has had no qualms in the killing of
its citizens in the past or present, we are dealing with a nation
whose arrogance has allowed it to have laws which make it illegal to
question the Turkishness of its history, and who has complete and
utter disregard for public opinion, and for whom human rights is
something alien."

WITHDRAWAL OF ARMENIAN TROOPS FROM AZERBAIJAN’S OCCUPIED TERRITORIES HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED: AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY

Today
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

"Liberation of occupied Azerbaijani territories was subject of
negotiations at all times as a its component part," Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Elkhan Polukhov said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan recently stated that
Armenia has not discussed issues of refugees and seven regions
surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijan.

"I do not know with whom Azerbaijan has discussed the issues of
refugees or seven regions around the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic"
as only status of Nagorno-Karabakh is currently being negotiated,"
Nalbandyan said.

"The Madrid Principles as well as the so-called Prague process imply
liberation of occupied Azerbaijani territories. Moreover, withdrawal
of Armenian armed forces from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
is one of the issues already agreed upon between the parties,"
Polukhov said.

"Often returning to this issue and raising it internal debates, the
Armenian side indirectly confirms that such issue was raised and it
has been negotiated," he added.

"Regarding participation of Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh
in negotiations, Azerbaijan’s stance is that Armenian and Azerbaijani
communities of Nagorno-Karabakh will discuss status of the region with
leadership of the Azerbaijan Republic after liberation of occupied
territories of Azerbaijan within country’s territorial integrity,"
he said.

Armenian foreign minister also said that it is impossible to solve
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict without direct participation of the
separatist Karabakh in the negotiations.

ARMENIA TO OVERCOME GLOBAL CRISIS FIRST: DAVTYAN

news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

Armenia will be first to overcome consequences of global crisis and
restore its economy, RA Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan said speaking
at the National Assembly.

According to him, Armenia was hit by global crisis later than other
states and will be capable to overcome it faster, despite the heaviest
economic slump rate registered in the country. "However, the economic
recession rate is a technical indicator that reflects only technical
aspect of the situation," Minister said, adding that irregardless
the crisis, the two-digit wage raise was recorded in Armenia in 2009.

Tonight, November 19, RA National Assembly special session aimed at
summarizing the discussions on 2010 draft budget will take place.

AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS CHANGE OF POSITION OF ARMENIA ON KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azerbaijan Business Center
Nov 19 2009

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijan expects progress in the peaceful
settlement of Armenian- Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said in Baku that
change of Armenian position is expected in the meeting of Azerbaijan
and Armenian Presidents, which will take place in the coming days.

" First of all, we wait profound and detailed discussions, secondly,
wait the change of positions from the opposite side, which is engaged
in it in former meetings. If these changes do not happen, it seems
to me, that it will be impossible to talk about some development. We
wait solving of problem within our territorial integrity. We presented
this position initially and grounded, and it is possible to say that
it is supported by international association in full," A. Azimov said.

A. Azimov said that for the time being, Azerbaijan sees no compliance
with norms and principles of international law in position of the
Armenian party, declaring on willingness to solve the conflict
by peaceful way. Moreover, "development in opposite direction" is
observed in Armenian position.

"Changes should happen in Armenian position. Azerbaijan leaves room
for compromises in its position, stands in the middle of bridge
and expects Armenia will have also traveled part of the way. If
the Armenian side is prepared for discussing compromises within the
framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, we are ready to
continue such discussions," A. Azimov said.

Liberation of all seven districts around Nagorno Karabakh by Armenia
is the absolute subject of negotiation process.

"Armenia has two options: either the conflict will not be resolved or
the status of Nagorno-Karabakh will be determined after Azerbaijani
refugees return to the occupied territories.

There is not another option. Negotiations continue , it means,
these issues (liberation of all occupied districts of Azerbaijan)
are on the negotiating table," A. Azimov said.

THE DIRECTOR OF "KHOSROV FOREST STATE PRESERVATION" KILLED

Aysor
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

On November 19 at 00.55 the police of Artashat have received
information from the hospital of Artashat saying that as a result
of gun injuries a male dead body has been found and transported to
their hospital.

The operative group has found out that on November 18 at around 23.50
on the Miasnikyan Avenue in Yerevan Samvel Shaboyan, the director of
the "Khosrov forest state preservation" born in 1958 has been shot
dead in his car.

The bullets have hurt S. Shaboyan who was sitting on the right corner
of the car, as a result of which he has been killed.

There have been found 30 gun holes on the back-door of the car,
the police informs.

Operative investigation is being carried out for identifying and
discovering the people who have committed the crime.

Criminal proceedings have been instituted. A preliminary investigation
is being carried out.

ARMENIA IS MAJOR OBSTACLE TO SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT: POLITICAL EXPERT

Today
Nov 19 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Fikrat Sadigov.

Day.Az: Recently, Mark Medish, Assistant to former U.S. president
Bill Clinton said that settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
depends not only on Armenia and Azerbaijan. What are your views on
this statement?

Fikrat Sadigov: Much depends on the sides. But Armenia is major
obstacle in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Assistant
to former U.S. president is right in saying that today there is a
situation which necessitates intervention of outside forces to revive
the settlement process rather than a constant balancing of forces as
the Minsk Group does.

Attempts to resolve the Karabakh conflict date back to the 90th.

Former U.S. Secretaries of State Cyrus Vance and James Baker made
efforts and visited the region at that time. Unfortunately, their
participation was reduced to ensure that the parties to the conflict
will negotiate peacefully, but the Karabakh issue remained frozen
for a long time. Of course, such situation could not suit Azerbaijan.

Later active efforts by Azerbaijan led to establishment of the OSCE
Minsk Group which did not live up to expectations as the history
showed.

Q: What can be alternative to the OSCE Minsk Group? Can it be
re-organized?

A: I think it is high time for all participants of the Minsk Conference
to convene. There is a need to make changes to staff of co-chairs or
introduce a principle of rotation. Many states are able to enter in the
MG in Europe including Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. Turkey
may also join the MG as it has recently intensified efforts in the
region. It is clear that Russia and the U.S. will be the basis, but
rotation or changes to the MG is necessary. This may bring certain
dynamism to settlement of the Karabakh conflict and revive the process,
because the MG fails to meet its tasks.

Q: The West says that Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in Zurich
are able to positively influence the Karabakh settlement. What is
your opinion on this issue?

A: Signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols without taking into
account Azerbaijan’s interests can not have a positive effect on
settlement of the Karabakh conflict because it provides an additional
advantage to Armenia.

But, following Azerbaijan’s reaction to the Zurich agreement, there
was a rethinking of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Parties no longer
ignore Azerbaijan stance as immediately after Azerbaijan announced
diversification of energy supplies in search of new allies. Therefore,
the Turkish parliament promises not to ratify the Armenian-Turkish
protocols.

All relations should be based on common interests. There will be no
peace and security in the region without a solution to the Karabakh
conflict.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress