Author: Andres-Papazian

news.az, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2010

Withdrawal of Armenia from occupied lands of Azerbaijan currently at issue
Sat 30 October 2010 05:38 GMT | 8:38 Local Time
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Asim Mollazade News.Az interviews Asim Mollazade, chairman of the
Party of Democratic Reforms, Milli Majlis deputy.
How do you assess the results of the trilateral meeting of presidents
of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia-Dmitriy Medvedev, Ilham Aliyev and
Serzh Sargsyan in Astrakhan discussing ways to settle Nagorno Karabakh
conflict?

I am inclined to share the optimism, of Russian President Dmitriy
Medvedev who said by results of this trilateral meeting of the
presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia that Azerbaijan and
Armenia can come to a coordinated decision on principles of resolving
the Karabakh conflict before the OSCE summit. I believe that the
presidents of the countries of the OSCE Minsk Group and primarily
Russia are taking an important work to resolve the Karabakh conflict.
In addition I think the whole world community and superpowers are
thinking of forcing Armenia to peace.

What is the reason of such a position of superpowers?

The matter is that all countries are interested in peace and stability
in our region and this cannot be reached without the fair resolution
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, without
liberation of all Armenian-occupied lands of Azerbaijan. The position
of official Yerevan was a hindrance to the comprehensive, long-term
development and flourishing of the South Caucasus. But such an open
ignoring of international law and existing realities cannot last long
and Armenia needs to realize this. And the issue of liberation of
Armenian-occupied lands of Azerbaijan is current on the agenda.

What could have made official Yerevan to become more compliant at negotiations?

This is the same opinion of the world community, leading superpowers,
primarily Russia. In addition, Armenia has a number of problems for
the reason of continued occupation of Azerbaijani lands and
territorial claims not only to our country, but also to neighbor
states, isolation from all successfully developing regional projects.
This includes the collapsed economy, demographic problems, related to
mass outflow of able-bodies citizens from this country. It is
necessary to settle all these problems. But Armenia’s involvement into
other big regional projects and the settlement of all economic and
other problems is impossible without changes in the position of
official Yerevan in the negotiation process, without its agreement to
liberate the occupied lands of Azerbaijan.

How much will it take to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
over Nagorno Karabakh completely?

Today, there is a need for definite steps in the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. Step by step, we
will be able to come to the final resolution of this conflict, reach
the atmosphere of peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. At
the current stage it is important to sign a framework agreement on
principles of the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over
Nagorno Karabakh. Here it is also necessary to raise trust between the
parties. It is also important that the joint agreement-declaration by
results of the Astrakhan meeting of the presidents of Armenia, Russia
and Azerbaijan contains a paragraph about the exchange of war
prisoners and return the bodies of the dead. In other words, there is
a need to spare no effort for the resolution of this conflict. This
will be uneasy process but it must be gone through.

Akper Hasanov
News.Az

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Oct 30 2010

Armenian National Security Service more hospitable than Foreign
Ministry, Turkish politician says

October 30, 2010 | 10:39

The Leader of `Strong Turkey’ (GTP) Party Tuna Beklevic was invited to
Armenian National Security Sevice for his unacceptable behavior and
irresponsible statements.

According to Turkish Radikal daily, after leaving Armenian NSC
Beklevic stated Armenian National Security Service was more hospitable
than Foreign Ministry. `Armenian Foreign Ministry did not even bother
to treat us with a cup of tea. Unlike the Ministry, the National
Security Service allowed us to call our party fellows and warn them
everything is well with us,’ Beklevic said, stressing they will
intensify their efforts to open Armenia-Turkey border.

According to him, both Armenian and Turkish nations agree on the
matter, as peace and stability should be established in the region.
GTP leader emphasized they will hold discussions on the current
situation and develop new plans.

As NEWS.am reported previously, Armenian National Security Service
issued a statement in connection to Turkish citizens- `Strong Turkey’
party chairman Tuna Beklevich and his deputy, Baybars Orsek who
crossed the Armenian border. Beklevich and Orsek were warned that such
a course of conduct is unacceptable and their statements are
irresponsible. They were asked to leave the territory of Armenia.

Earlier this month the Turkish media spread information that Tuna
Beklevic with his party fellows crossed the Armenia-Turkey border
along the River Akhuryan and entered Armenia. However, later Deputy
Chief of Border Service, Russian Federal Security Service, Colonel
Andrey Guzeyev refuted the reports.

From: A. Papazian

APA, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2010

Senator Jean-Claude Frecon: `In contrast to my counterparts in Senat,
I would not pay a visit to the region which is officially Azerbaijan’s
territory but occupied by Armenia’

[ 30 Oct 2010 11:59 ]
`It would be better drafting of bill on the principle of subsidiarity’

Strassburg. Fuad Gulubayli – APA. New chairman of the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Senator of
Loire region Jean Claude Frecon’s interview to APA.

– New chairman of Congress, as well as new chairmen of both chambers
of organization were elected at the 19th session of the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. You was also
elected the chairman of Chamber of Local and Regional Authorities.
Does the Congress plan to realize any special program for Southern
Caucasus Countries during the next 2 years?

– We’ll operate on the general priorities defined by Congress. We
accepted our priorities and new working mechanisms at the 19th session
of Congress in European Council. After this we’ll pay more attention
our monitoring process of member-states on the compliance with the
main document of Congress Charter of Local Self-Government. The
democracy at the local level, empowering to local authorities and
allocation of means to them for increasing of practice are paid
attentions in the charter. Besides, one of the main issues to pay
attention is to conduct the democratic elections. It’s necessary to
achieve the democratic conducting of municipal and local
self-government election. Most of these problems have already been
solved in the countries having old democratic traditions. Even, old
democracies have such problems and no countries reached the peak of
the democracy. All countries must pay attention to the development of
democracy. About Azerbaijan, I must note that I’ve been here for 7
times and know your country well. We try the election to be held
democratic. The municipality must have power for participating of
electors actively. That’s why the government must increase the powers
of municipality. It would be better drafting of bill on the principle
of subsidiarity. It means, central government must allocate financial
means to the local authorities. This is an important problem. I’ll
visit Azerbaijan in 2011 again and share my opinions with my
counterparts.

– Mr, Frecon, you are also senator of France. How do you see the visit
of your counterparts in senate to Nagorno Karabakh Territory through
Armenia?

– I had not any information about this before and during the visit.
I’d make a comment if I knew about their visit. I would not pay a
visit to the region which is officially Azerbaijan’s territory but
occupied by Armenia. This is no a good principle. I support the OSCE
Minsk Group. This is the duty of this group, co-chairs, diplomats but
not senators.

– But, there are many MPs supporting the Armenians in French National
Assembly and Senate. They can influence on the French political elite.
What do you think about this?

– As you know, many Armenians live in France. They live in France for
a long time and the representatives of 3rd and 4th generation. The
number of Armenians in France is more than Azerbaijanis. But, I must
note that the main issue in approaching to any problem is not
majority, but respecting to the rule of law. Azerbaijan and Armenia
have to meet and come to an agreement to solve the problem. After the
meeting of both presidents they must deliver the decision adopted by
them to the population.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Oct 30 2010

Zhamanak: `Rozh’ and his friend released on bail

October 30, 2010

According to the information at the Zhamanak daily’s disposal,
commander of the military unit Vardan Martirosyan, nicknamed `Rozh’
(Khachaturov Junior’s close friend) and deputy commander of the
regiment for personnel management Artur Karapetyan in Ararat military
unit after Vazgen Sargsyan, were released on bail.

`This means the investigation revealed such names that the
investigators were forced to resort to their practice to conceal the
crime, particularly to make witnesses remain silent not to make the
names public,’ the daily’s sources say.

It suggests money extortion in the Armenian army is carried out at a
high level. Even the newly appointed Armenian Deputy Defense Minister
Vova Gasparyan is powerless against it.

Interestingly, Vardan Martirosyan was released on AMD 1 million
($2,800), whereas Arthur Karapetyan-on AMD 820.000 ($2.300), the daily
reports.

From: A. Papazian

Panorama, Armenia
Oct 30 2010

Tuna Beklevic: `Armenian National Security Service hospitable with us.’

The Chairman of `Powerful Turkey’ Party Tuna Beklevic delivered a
statement after being called for a questioning by Armenian National
Security Service and soon having left Armenia, party’s website
reported.

Beklevic declared Armenian security service officers treated them
properly and have been more hospitable than in Foreign Ministry. The
party’s chairman said they were allowed at security service to make a
call to their colleagues and inform them where they were taken.

It’s worth reminding that Tuna Beklevic, his assistants Baybars Orseq,
Gyoksel Akman and Rudi Meral were called to NSS having declared at
news conference that he had passed Armenian-Turkish border. They were
told those were irresponsible statements and advised them to leave
Armenia.

Currently Beklevic is in Tbilisi and will meet with reporters at news
conference as soon as he lands in Istanbul.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Oct 30 2010

Hayots Ashkharh: On resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh

October 30, 2010

The Hayots Ashkharh daily commented on a resolution on
Nagorno-Karabakh to be discussed within forthcoming NATO session in
Warsaw scheduled for Nov. 12-16.

`The second point of the resolution mentions `7 occupied regions
surrounding Karabakh.’ `Occupation of 7 regions’ wording arouses
certain questions, but what are our expectations, what should be
written in the English text when the author describes situation in
these territories. Do we expect these territories to be described by
NATO or other international agencies as liberated, disputable or
neutral?

On the other hand, there is another crucial point. The resolution
gives maximum correct description of the conflict – `conflict over
status of Nagorno-Karabakh’. The draft resolution says that the
conflict is not over territories but over a status. `

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armena
Oct 30 2010

Azerbaijan’s aim is to provide latest regional military news, ARFD members says

October 30, 2010 | 04:06

Azerbaijan’s policy aims at constantly keeping not only peaceful
settlement of the Karabakh conflict, but also ceasefire violations on
the agenda of news agencies, Ara Nranyan, MP from Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) told NEWS.am,
commenting on frequent ceasefire violations by the Azerbaijani side in
the line of contact.

`Azerbaijan needs to provide latest military news from the region,
aimed at hindering the Karabakh peace process, to pave the way for
further provocations, as well as for non-fulfillment of its
commitments in the future,’ Nranyan said.

According to him, Azerbaijanis follows the line to impede the peace
process and mislead the international community the point is a
regional military conflict, not the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s
status. Azerbaijan wishes to create prerequisites for a military and
ethnic conflict, as well as to reduce the role of OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chars’ activities on Karabakh conflict. I consider the mediators
are well aware of the fact,’ Nranyan said.

As NEWS.am reported previously, on October 27, Armenian, Azerbaijan
and Russian Presidents met in Astrakhan on Dmitry Medvedev’s
initiative. The parties discussed current situation, prospects for
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution and made a joint statement.

From: A. Papazian

Trend, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2010

Azerbaijani military prosecutor considers groundless Armenia’s
accusations on death of Armenian prisoner of war

30.10.2010 13:30 Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 30 /Trend, K.Zarbaliyeva/

The representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross
were also invited for a forensic-medical examination of the dead body
of the Armenian prisoner of war who committed suicide in Azerbaijan,
military prosecutor of Azerbaijan Khanlar Veliyev told Trend.

“As soon as the Military Prosecutor’s Office received information
about the suicide of prisoner of war, the ICRC Baku office was
informed about the incident, and representatives of the organization
have been invited to a forensic-medical examination of the dead body,”
said the military prosecutor.

Manvel Mamikonovich Sarybekyan, a member of the Armenian sabotage
group, has committed suicide Tuesday at 3:00 am. The leadership of
Armenia and the Armenian press blamed the Azerbaijani side for
Sarybekyan’s death

Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian said that the prisoner was
allegedly killed, Armenian Novosti-Armenia news agency reported.
Azerbaijan’s military prosecutor has called the accusations
groundless.

“If we had something to hide, we would not invite the ICRC to
examination. They asked for an official death certificate of the
prisoner of war, and we have provided it,” said Veliyev.

According to the military prosecutor, Sarybekyan hanged himself in a
detention center.

The prosecutor said no signs of violence have been revealed on the
dead body of the prisoner. Currently, the fact is under investigation.

On Sept. 11 this year at about 17:00 in the north-west front, another
attempt of the Armenian military to sabotage was prevented. One of the
saboteurs – Manvel Sarybekyan – was detained, three of them could
escape.

During interrogation, Sarybekyan admitted involvement in an attempt to
sabotage on the territory of Azerbaijan by Armenian secret services.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Oct 30 2010

Azg: Cavusoglu finally realized

October 30, 2010 | 11:39

On October 28, PACE President Mevlut Cavusoglu answered the questions
of delegation members after delivering a speech at the sitting of
Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

Answering to a question by Azerbaijani delegation member Abulfaz
Babayev concerning congress’s contribution to resolution of the
Karabakh conflict, Cavusoglu said that organization’s objective is to
assist the diplomats, negotiations, in particular to establish
dialogue between two countries’ delegations within PACE.

These issues are not the main function of the organization. However,
congress will contribute to dialogue between countries’ delegations,
he noted. Cavusoglu recalled that in 2005 a special resolution on
Karabakh was adopted by the PACE. The resolution stipulated creation
of committee on Karabakh. Presently the OSCE Minks Group is mainly
engaged in the peace process and PACE cannot interfere, he stressed.
`Our goal is to resolve the conflict, establish dialogue between the
delegations. We draw major attention to humanitarian problems caused
by the conflict. We have organized meetings for Russian and Georgian
delegations to improve life of people after the 2008 war. As to
Karabakh conflict, we are mainly engaged in refugees, missing and
forcedly deported people,’ said the PACE President.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
Oct 30 2010

German cadets familiarized with Armenia’s security factors

October 30, 2010 | 11:56

David Tonoyan, First Deputy Defense Minister of Armenia received a
delegation of professor and students, as well as officers-cadets of
Bundesver University of Germany.

Tonyan presented the guests factors of foreign and domestic influence
on Armenia’s security, as well as main directions of international
military cooperation, Defense Ministry press service informed NEWS.am.

David Tonoyan also spoke of ministry’s stance on regional security.

From: A. Papazian