Month: November 2009

Trend, Azerbiajan
Nov 14 2009

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution not depends only on conflict
sides: Former Special Assistant to US president
14.11.2009 11:46
U.S, Washington, Nov. 14 / Trend News N.Bogdanova /

Former Special Assistant to US president Mark Medish believes the
adjustment of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict doesn’t depend only on the
conflict sides.

"As somebody who worked on the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations during
the Clinton Administration, I have long believed that a mutually
acceptable settlement is within reach, but unfortunately opportunistic
political calculations in various capitals have blocked it" former
Senior Director for Eurasian Affairs on the US National Security
Council 2000-2001, who currently is a senior adviser at the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace said in an interview with Trend
News.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
lost all of Nagorno-Karabakh except for Shusha and Khojali in December
1991. In 1992-93, Armenian armed forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and
seven districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia
signed a ceasefire in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group –
Russia, France, and the U.S. — are currently holding peace
negotiations.

Speaking about the stability conditions in South Caucasus former US
president’s assistant stressed that "Basically all conflicts sides
have understood that the path of confrontation is extremely dangerous
and not in anybody’s interest".

He also noticed that "the scars are deep and anxiety remains high. The
consequences of recklessly unfreezing a frozen conflict, as Georgia
and Russia did last year, could be like Pandora’s Box. Therefore
efforts must be re-doubled for negotiated, peaceful resolution of all
regional disputes, with the help of international mediators as much as
needed".

Mr. Medish also commented on U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip
Gordon’s doubts that without progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
solution, the Turkish-Armenian protocols will be ratified by the
Turkish Parliament.

"I find it difficult to predict the behavior of the US Congress and
therefore I would be careful to make statements about other countries’
parliaments. In any case, the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement is to be
welcomed as a step toward regional stabilization and integration" –
analyst mentioned.

Regarding the cooperation between US and Russia in security sphere, he
said that "the "reset" means that the US and Russia are exploring ways
to reduce recent tensions through concrete areas of cooperation".

According to analyst, the most obvious areas are a new nuclear arms
reductions agreement, cooperation on Afghanistan, and a revised
approach to missile defense.

"It seems to me that the Azerbaijan’s Gabala facility is still a
relevant option for consideration, however the focus has also shifted
to the Aegis sea-based system"- he added.

Trend, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2009

Yerevan considers Ankara-Baku alliance danger for Armenia- Turkish MP

14.11.2009 12:23
Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov.14 / Trend News K.Zarbaliyeva/

Yerevan believes the Ankara-Baku alliance is danger for Armenia, the
chief of the Turkish Center of International Relations and Strategic
analyze (TURKSAM), Sinan Ogan, said during the meeting on "Existing
process and perspectives in the South Caucasus" in the Center of
Strategic Analysis under the President of Azerbaijan.

The existing principle of "one nation-two states" is the cause of
concern of some forces, Ogan added.

"Former co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, US diplomat Matthew Bryza
said in a press conference in Yerevan that Turkey and Azerbaijan have
to leave aside the "one nation-two states" conception," Ogan said.

This fact testifies that not only Armenia and Russia, but the United
States, are against this alliance, Ogan added.

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Nov 14 2009

NSC Discusses Border Reopening with Russia

Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 14 Nov.’09 / 12:35

President Saakashvili, government members and representatives from
some opposition parties discussed possible reopening of Zemo
Larsi-Kazbegi border crossing point with Russia at an extended session
of National Security Council (NSC) on November 13.

`We had talks in Yerevan ` Georgian-Armenian talks with participation
of Russians on reopening of this border crossing point,’ Saakashvili
said in his televised opening remarks at the session. `Some fears have
been expressed [by some lawmakers from the parliamentary minority]
about possible reopening; we will brief you about the information
available to us and you then make your conclusions.’

After the meeting Secretary of National Security Council, Eka
Tkeshelashvili, said that if talks on reopening `further progress and
the border crossing is reopened it will only be positive for us and
our neighbor [Armenia] and would in no way pose security threat to our
country.’

In his opening remarks President Saakashvili welcomed the opposition
politicians participation in the NSC meeting and said it was an
example of cooperation between the authorities and the opposition,
including those `who were throwing carrots at me’ several months ago `
a reference to street protest rallies when a group of opposition
parties were picketing the presidential palace and when at least once
some opposition activists throw carrots and cabbages over the gates of
the presidential palace.

`Now, I think, we are moving from the carrots politics to serious
politics,’ Saakashvili told the session, which was also attended by MP
Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, whose Freedom Party was among the group of
opposition parties behind the street protest rallies.

Only leaders of Traditionalist and Industrialists parties, Akaki
Asatiani and Zurab Tkemaladze, respectively, were attending the
session from non-parliamentary opposition.

news.az, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2009

Azerbaijanis want and are ready to return to Nagorno Karabakh `
representative of region’s Azerbaijani community
Sat 14 November 2009 | 06:57 GMT Text size:

Map of Azerbaijan News.Az interview with Mehti Abdulla, chief of the
Steering Council of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno Karabakh.

How do you imagine the return of Azerbaijanis to Nagorno Karabakh and
their further co-existence with the Armenian community considering
that the talks on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict have entered
the final stage?

We want and we are ready to return to our native lands notwithstanding
everything. We have never stopped loving our motherland and we want to
live there. We agree to live in peace and accord with our neighbors
and we understand that we will not avoid this. Sooner or later we will
have to live together again. And they will also have to live with us
in peace.

Is the Azerbaijani community ready to cooperation with the Armenian
community of this region?

We are fully prepared to this. We are ready to sit at a table with the
Armenian community and discuss with them the details of our return and
further co-existence. Naturally, this is a very difficult process as
there were mass bloodshed, destructions and other disasters. But we
base on the fact that we should live in peace with our neighbors.

Intellectuals and mass media representatives have recently held
several mutual visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia. Are such visits
planned in the nearest time?

No such visits are currently planned. I imply the visits involving our
community. But we are ready for them. Unfortunately, we do not see the
constructivism from the Armenian part. But the Azerbaijani community
is preparing to hold a number of events both in Azerbaijan and abroad.
I will be able to inform about the details of these events later.

What, do you think, are the optimal conditions under which the
Azerbaijani community will agree to coexist with Armenians?

As Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly stated, the
future status of Nagorno Karabakh may be defined within the framework
of the territorial integrity of our country. But the status definition
must follow the return of the Azerbaijani community to Nagorno
Karabakh. The Azerbaijani community expelled from its lands must also
take part in the discussions on the future status of this region. But
I would like to repeat that this status can be settled only within the
framework of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

There is an opinion that the internally displaced persons from Nagorno
Karabakh have well settled in Baku and do not intend to return to
their lands. How can you comment on such statements?

Those who say so are far from the community. I have to communicate
much with these people and I can state that they are ready to return
to their lands though the Azerbaijani state has created enough
conditions for them. Most of them settled in different spheres yet
they want and are ready to return to their native lands. Naturally,
this process should be ensured so that to avoid any unforeseen
circumstances.

Lala B.
News.Az

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SANCTIONS ON BELARUS EXTENDED FOR 1 YEAR

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 10:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Union will prolong a freeze on
restrictions against Belarus next week, but not lift the threat
entirely due to a lack of progress on political reform, says a
draft statement elaborated prior to Foreign Ministers’ meeting due on
November 16-17. Under the document, long-term freezing of sanctions was
made possible due to the release of Belarusian pro-opposition figures.

The threat of sanctions will not be scrapped entirely given Belarus’s
lack of progress on democracy, Reuters reports. The EU wants to see
electoral reform and movement on human rights, including an end to
crackdowns on political activity and the media.

As well as political reforms, the EU wants Belarus to impose a
moratorium on the use of the death penalty and move rapidly towards
its abolition.

European Union imposed a ban on issuing visas to 36 Belarusian
officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko. Later on, Union
observed electoral wrongdoings in the country during 2006 election.

However, in 2008, it suspended sanctions to promote reforms in former
Soviet republic.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONDEMNS AZERBAIJAN FOR SUBJECTING PRO-OPPOSITION FIGURES TO VIOLENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 10:57 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International human rights organizations and several
governments, including US Administration, have condemned Azerbaijani
authorities’ decision to arrest two bloggers – opposition activists
– accused of committing hooliganism in public place and inflicting
trivial bodily injuries on people.

This Wednesday, Azerbaijani court sentenced Emin Abdulaev and Adnan
Gadjiadze to 2 and 2.5 years in prison respectively, on charges of
organizing a bicker in one of Baku’s restaurants last July.

Both defendants said they were attacked by policemen dressed in
civilian clothes and characterized accusation them as pretext for
punishing their political dissidence. They criticized Azerbaijani
authorities on popular Azerbaijani Web sites. Bloggers’ arrest was
followed by display of satiric posting on alleged press-conference
by President Ilham Aliyev.

TBILISI SEEKS ANKARA’S ASSISTANCE IN ESTABLISHING SPECIAL FORCES MISSION

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 11:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Anonymous sources of Russian intelligence services
report that Tbilisi has requested Ankara’s assistance for creating
special operation forces, Gruzia online reports with reference to
Izvestia newspaper.

There are plans for establishing ranger battalions which will lay
foundations for special operation forces serving in sub-mountain
and mountain regions. Battalion is expected to have 500 servicemen,
out of the total number 1500 serving in special operation forces.

According to the same anonymous source, Georgia is carrying out work
towards enhancing its anti-air and anti-tank defense.

Georgia’s defense capacity is expected to increase due to US imported
Patriot-3, Stinger, Igla-3 anti-aircraft and anti-missile complexes,
as well as Javelin and Hellfire missile complex, says the source,
highlighting that "Tbilisi seeks Ankara’s assistance in creating
special operation forces."

Anonymous source of Russian intelligence services reported earlier
that United States offered Georgia a large quantity arms and ammunition
costing over USD 100 million. Barryngton Aillines Inc.

corporation sent Georgia proposal the delivery of Anti-air defense
and anti-tank missile complexes and automatic infantry weapons.

PRO-OPPOSITION FIGURE ARRESTED IN TURKEY

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 11:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Colonel. Dursun Cicek, whose singature appears
on "Action Plan against Reactionaries" document was arrested as a
suspect in the case against Ergenekon, a clandestine network accused
of plotting to overthrow the government. The plan envisages several
measures aimed at ousting ruling Justice and Development party from
country’s political life. Suspect denies accusations, alleging that
signature doesn’t belong to him.

Cicek presented himself at prosecutor’s officer 19 after his signature
being finally authenticated by expert examination. Before that, he
was arrested 4.5 months ago but was soon released since authenticity
of document was not established by inquest.

Colonel was taken to Prosecutor’s office in a car belonging to central
army command, which bore civilian registration number, Zaman newspaper
reports. Pessimistic about a positive outcome, Cicek had taken with
him a case with his personal belongings.

ACADEMICIANS FROM ARMENIA AND RUSSIA TO TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATION OF 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARTSAKH UNIVERSITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 11:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 13, President of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic Bako Sahakyan received a group of scholars and academicians
who arrived in Stepanakert to take part in the celebration of Artsakh
university’s 40th anniversary.

Welcoming the guests, President extended to them his gratitude. At
that he noted that invitation aimed at devising a cooperation program
with Armenia’s scientific and educational institutions. Cooperation
envisages investigation of problems in different sphere and elaboration
of methods with the involvement of Armenia’s creative potential.

Participants expressed willingness to invest their best efforts in
supporting further development of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

Meeting was attended by NKR Minister of Science and Educaion Vladik
Khachatryan, RA NAS President Radik Martirosyan, academicians,
rectors of Artsakh State University and several Armenian higher
educational institutions.

GEORGIA MAY OPEN UPPER LARS CHECKPOINT

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.11.2009 13:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Georgian Defense Ministry will today convene its
extended session in President Sahakashvili’s residence. Discussion
will focus on possible opening of Upper Lars checkpoint. Georgian FM
Grigol Vashadze is expected to introduce his report over the issue.

Session will be attended by government and parliamentary opposition
representatives, as well as leaders of extra-parliamentary factions,
Georgia Today reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress