Author: Andres-Papazian

TURKEY CLOSELY WATCHES CLASHES ON AZERBAIJANI-ARMENIAN CONTACT LINE

Today

Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan

Turkish foreign minister says Turkey is closely watching the clashes
on the Azerbaijani-Armenian contact line, Cihan news agency reported.

During a meeting with media in the Turkish city of Kars, Ahmet
Davutoglu said that Turkey is closely watching the frequent violations
of the ceasefire on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani
troops.

Davutoglu said that Turkey would hold consultations with the
Azerbaijani side on this issue.

“Stability in the Caucasus is possible only if Azerbaijani lands are
released. Turkey will make every possible effort to put an end to
violations of the ceasefire, ” Davutoglu said.

Armenian armed commando group crossed the contact line in Chayli
village of Terter region in an attempt to attack Azerbaijani armed
forces on Aug. 31 at 16:30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

After a serious response from Azerbaijani soldiers, the Armenian side
lost three soldiers and some were injured.

Two Azerbaijani soldiers – 19-year-old Amirov Vugar (drafted by
Imishli military office) and 19-year-old Abdullaev Parvin (drafted
by Sabirabad military office) died as a result of the incident.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding negotiations to resolve the dispute.

Armenia has failed to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions
stipulating the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

RUSSIAN ANALYST ON WHAT STANCE RUSSIA, U.S. AND EUROPE WILL TAKE AT EARLY DAYS OF POSSIBLE HOSTILITIES IN KARABAKH

Today

Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with famous Russian political analyst Stanislav Belkovski.

Do you share the view of some Russian, America and Azerbaijani media
outlets that the latest developments in the South Caucasus including
the recent Russia-Armenia deal extending lease of Gyumri military
base by 49 years shows that U.S. position in the region has weakened
while that of Russia has strengthened?

Russian-Armenian protocol extending presence of Russian military base
in Gyumri by 49 years was almost inevitable, because both Yerevan
and Moscow was interested in this. But Russia has no immediate
decisions about how it will act in the event of renewed hostilities
in Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

One can only assume that Moscow will do its utmost to prevent this
war and the events in Kyrgyzstan showed that Russia is against
the use of its forces outside Russia, so as not to strain the
relations between Russians living in the states of the former USSR
and the local population. I do not agree with the statements claming
that U.S. influence has weakened in the region. Moreover, as to the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, position of the U.S.
and Russia coincide in this respect – both of the powers do not want
the hostilities to renew.

Other than war, are there any ways of restoring the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, recognized by the whole world, amid a
non-constructive position of Yerevan in a peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh which has lasted more than fifteen years?

The territorial conflict, as practice shows, can last very long. It
is enough to recall situation with Northern Cyprus, which is not
recognized by world. But there is also no a military solution to this
conflict either, as there is no EU assistance to Cyprus in addressing
this problem.

As for the likelihood of a military solution to the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it is not a political
issue. If Baku assesses its military superiority over the Armenian
army as crucial, it would make sense for Azerbaijan to launch an
operation to restore its territorial integrity. If Azerbaijan lacks
such advantage, it is not worth to start fighting.

And what will the position of the United States, Russia and Europe be
in case Azerbaijan, tired of imitation of negotiations on the part
of Armenia, will be forced to resort to military ways to liberate
its occupied territories?

The positions of Russia, the U.S. and Europe will be uncertain at early
days of the military hostilities. And a lot depends on how long these
hostilities will last. If the war is short-term, the world’s leading
powers will recognize the status quo that would emerge at the end
of war. If this war drags on, the world’s leading powers will use
all means at their disposal to stop it and, as in the first case,
recognize the status quo, which would evolve in the war by that time.

I will paraphrase the question. On assistance of what allies Azerbaijan
can rely in the event of renewed hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh?

I once again offer to recall the situation with Cyprus. Are European
countries allies of Cyprus? Certainly are. Do European countries offer
Cyprus real help to solve the problem of Northern Cyprus? No, they do
not. So, none of his allies will offer real help to Azerbaijan if the
hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh resume. Similarly, Armenia will not
have allies, if it carries out offensive. In the case of defensive
action of the Armenian side, as I noted above, position of world
powers will depend on the time length of the new Armenian-Azerbaijani
war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

From: A. Papazian

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DISCUSS DRAFT RESOLUTION ON SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN’S OCCUPIED LANDS ON SEPT. 7

Today

Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan

UN General Assembly will discuss a draft resolution “The situation
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” in a plenary meeting of
the 64th session on Sept. 7.

The draft resolution is item 18 on UN General Assembly~Rs agenda. Item
14, report of the Secretary General and draft resolution about the
protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for
international peace, security and development will also be discussed
on the same day.

In the draft resolution ~SThe situation in the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan~T, the General Assembly reaffirmed the continuing
applicability of all relevant norms of international humanitarian
law and international human rights law to the situation concerning
the conflict-affected territories in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh
region; also reaffirmed the commitment to ensure the inalienable right
of the population expelled from the conflict-affected territories in
and around the Nagorno-Karabakh region and their descendants to return
to their homes, and stressed the necessity of creating appropriate
conditions to this end; determined that the return of the population
expelled from the conflict-affected territories in and around the
Nagorno-Karabakh region will create favourable conditions for taking
confidence-building measures and encouraging people-to-people contacts;
stressed the need to ensure the protection of cultural heritage and
sacred sites in the conflict-affected territories in and around the
Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The UN General Assembly invited relevant special procedures of the
Human Rights Council, the United Nations human rights treaty monitoring
bodies and other United Nations entities, as appropriate, to address
in fulfilling their respective mandates the issue of observance of
international humanitarian law and international human rights law in
the conflict-affected territories in and around the Nagorno-Karabakh
region.

It also requested the Secretary-General to prepare, in collaboration
with United Nations entities and international and regional
organizations and arrangements, as appropriate, and to submit to the
General Assembly at its sixty-fifth session a comprehensive report
on the implementation of the present resolution.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH MP ON WHETHER TURKEY WILL OPEN BORDER WITH ARMENIA FOR NATO EXERCISES

Today

Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan

Interview with member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey
(Parliament), Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Foreign
Relations and member of the ruling Justice and Development Party
Murat Mercan.

Lately, Azerbaijani and Turkish societies have been concerned over
the possible opening of the Armenia-Turkey border due to the upcoming
NATO exercises to take place in Armenia in September…

Turkey’s stance on opening of the Armenia-Turkey border voiced by
the president, prime minister, speaker of the parliament and foreign
minister remains unchanged. Our position is clear enough. Turkey is
not going to consider border opening with Armenia until Karabakh
conflict resolution sees progress and Azerbaijan’s occupied lands
are freed from occupation.

Speculations on this subject appear in the Armenian press from time
to time. Turkey has made no changes to this condition.

What results can the upcoming September summit of Turkic countries
in Istanbul have? Will the summit discuss resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

The summit’s agenda is not known yet. In any case, such meetings will
serve not only greater economic integration, but also consolidation
of positions of the Turkic countries on political issues.

Turkey took over chairmanship in the UN Security Council today. What
steps Turkey plans to take as Security Council chair in terms of
settlement of the Karabakh conflict?

It requires peaceful intentions from Armenia to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. This is the main condition for a settlement. Without this,
all attempts by international organizations to achieve progress in
resolving the Karabakh problem will be futile.

Turkey suggested to conclude a security pact in the South Caucasus
in 2008. Will it go ahead with this initiative?

Turkey is interested in sustainable peace and confidence in the
South Caucasus. The recent expansion of the Turkish-Russian relations
creates a good platform to establish peace in the region. I am sure
that Turkey will continue to pursue a policy in this direction.

What events can we expect to occur in Azerbaijani-Turkish relations
in the near future?

I think it is time to implement the principle of “one nation – two
states” in all aspects. This applies particularly to the economic
and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Can we say that the process of restoring the Armenian-Turkish
relations, known as “football diplomacy”, finally stayed in the
history?

No. Everything depends on Armenia’s implementation of conditions set
by Turkey. If these conditions are fulfilled, Turkey will take up
the issue of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols once again.

First and foremost, it concerns a condition of liberation of
Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.

How do you see development of the existing strategic cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the military sphere?

Strategic cooperation between our two countries is possible in any area
or in any form. This comes from the general principle for all of us:
“one nation – two states.”

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTRY: ARMENIAN TROOPS COMMITTED SABOTAGE ON AZERBAIJANI TERRITORY, BOTH SIDES INCURED LOSSES

Today

Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan

Armenian Armed Forces’ commando crossed the contact line in Chayli
village in Tartar region in an attempt to attack on Azerbaijani Armed
Forces at 16:30 on Aug. 31, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said.

Armenian side lost three soldiers and several others were injured
after Azerbaijani soldiers’ repeled the attack.

As a result of the incident, Azerbaijani lost two soldiers – Vugar
Amirov, 19, drafted from Imishli region and Parvin Abdullayev, 19,
drafted from Sabirabad region.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the United
States – are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian

OSCE CHAIRPERSON-IN-OFFICE EXTENDS MANDATE OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Today

Sept 1 2010
Azerbaijan

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan’s Secretary of State and
Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev has extended the mandate of his
Personal Representative for settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

Kazakhstan expressed support for mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk
Group’s Co-Chairs concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

From: A. Papazian

EU SHOULD SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE ON KARABAKH AT UN LEVEL

news.am
Sept 1 2010
Armenia

European Friends of Armenia has issued a call upon the EU to continue
its support for the OSCE Minsk Group peace negotiations amid a new
UN initiative on a Nagorno-Karabakh resolution recently launched
by Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani draft resolution to be discussed at the UN General
Assembly on Thursday 9 September is expected to be voted against by
the three Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, France, Russia and the USA.

But according to EuFoA’s sources, a common response by all EU countries
is not yet clear, despite the longstanding and clear EU support for
the Minsk Group.

“The OSCE Minsk Group remains the only internationally mandated
format of the mediation efforts. We have come a very long way and
the process is full of specific sensitivities. I hope that all EU
countries will speak with one voice at the UN to reiterate the EU’s
support for a conclusion of the negotiations under the Minsk Group. No
UN resolution should endanger those negotiations and I hope that the
EU capitals and the EU High Representative Ashton are now co-ordinating
their actions”, commented EuFoA General Secretary Michael Kambeck.

While this initiative may seem harmless, EuFoA is very worried and
considers it as dangerous for at least three reasons:

1. It is yet another Azerbaijani attempt to bring this conflict to a
different forum, one where Azerbaijan believes to have more support,
especially from friendly Islamic countries. But this ethnic conflict
has never had a religious basis and neither Islamic countries nor
anyone else interested in peace should now add such a religious
component.

2. The Minsk Group Co-Chairs have stated that the steps to a peaceful
resolution of the conflict are so clear and the negotiations are so
advanced that they could be concluded very quickly, if there was more
good-will. Being so close to the goal, a change of the forum could
derail the whole process.

3. The resolution text singles out the Azerbaijani views, especially
regarding the principle of territorial integrity. However, the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs have made it clear in their Almaty statement of
17 July 2010 that ALL the proposed principles of a peaceful solution
of the conflict “have been conceived as an integrated whole and any
attempts to select some elements over others would make it impossible
to achieve a balanced solution”. In other words, the UN draft would
have to be entirely re-written or simply rejected to avoid any jeopardy
of the OSCE Minsk Group negotiations.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS, ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE OF ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY?

news.am
Sept 1 2010
Armenia

A year after the Armenian-Turkish Protocols were initialed, we can
assert that the documents positively affected the Armenian and Turkish
societies, Turkish studies expert Artak Shakaryan told NEWS.am.

According to him, one of the positive points is that demands of
the Armenian side turned theory into practice. “Earlier, we have
demanded border opening in theory, we thought that could establish
dialogue with Turkish people, but after the protocols were signed it
became clear that we are not ready either for border opening or for
establishing relations with Turks. It was revealed that Turks are
not ready to apologize to Armenians as well. We just got to know
each other better,” the expert said. He also noted that next time
when new Armenian-Turkish process is launched the sides will be more
ready for it and draft more efficient documents.

Shakaryan does not share opinion of the experts and politicians
who consider the Armenian-Turkish process a failure of the Armenian
democracy. “On the contrary, we showed that can display initiative,
the process had to be launched sooner or later,” he added.

In his turn, Manvel Sargsyan, an expert of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, stressed the Armenian-Turkish
process has many negative consequences. First, dubious documents
led to Ankara’s intensified efforts to interfere with the Karabakh
conflict. According to him, the process also accelerated establishment
of Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem. The positive point is Armenians once
again revealed Turk’s true face, Sargsyan noted.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols were initialed on August 31, 2009 to
be signed on October 10 in Zurich. However, the documents have not
been ratified by the Armenian and Turkish parliaments because of
Ankara’s constant preconditions.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS: HOPE NOT LOST

news.am
Sept 1 2010
Armenia

The Armenian-Turkish protocols remain the cornerstone of the
normalization process, Ara Gochunyam, Editor-in-Chief of the
Turkey-based Armenian newspaper Zhamanak, told NEWS.am.

No serious positive changes should be expected in the Armenian-Turkish
process in the near future. “I do not think the situation can radically
change in the foreseeable future. May be by the year 2015, provided
the international approach to the Armenian Cause undergoes certain
changes and Turkey runs the risk of playing it as its last trump card,”
he said.

In the context of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, Gochunyan emphasizes
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are Turkey’s
neighbors, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has its indirect
influence. “One region, and one problem influencing the general
situation. Turkey does not want to disturb the fragile balance in the
South Caucasus not does it want the pendulum to swing in Armenia’s
favor,” he said.

As to what the sides have to do to make progress in improving the
Armenian-Turkish relations, Gochukyan pointed out that the sides will
not have the zeal to carry the process through. “I do not say which
side is to blame nor do I point to the causes. I just say both the
sides are not so enthusiastic now, and I do not see ways of settling
the problem as soon as possible now,” the journalist said.

Responding to the same question, Aris Nalci, Editor of the
Istanbul-based Agos newspaper, said that public figures should deal
with the problem.

“Non-governmental organizations have lately intensified their
activities. They organize cultural events, different meetings and
conferences, elaborate joint projects. All this facilitates contacts.

Business circles are more active. Several Turkish companies asked me
recently to find an Armenian ready for cooperation. It has been the
first time. It is important that culture press politics, that public
figures press diplomats. Then the things may get going,” Nalci said.

He also pointed out that many expectations were not fulfilled.

However, there is a hope. “Culture and diplomacy are two parallels.

But, instead of harmoniously developing, one of them, diplomacy,
is behind,” Nalci said.

He believes diplomats are right in that the two nations are not yet
ready for such a step. “It mainly concerns Turkey. Still, there is
progress. In the 21st century I cannot explain to my son why Turkey
is not ‘on speaking terms’ with its neighbor. There are opportunities,
which have to be used – step by step,” Nalci said.

A year ago, on August 31 night, 2009, the Armenian, Turkish and Swiss
foreign offices announced the initialing of two Armenian-Turkish
protocols on establishing diplomatic ties and developing bilateral
relations. The protocols set reasonable timeframes for improving
the bilateral relations. Last October the protocols were signed
inaugurating the ratification process. This April, RA President Sezh
Sargsyan suspended the ratification process because of official
Ankara’s nonconstructive position Specifically, the Turkish side
tries to link the ratification to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

From: A. Papazian

TURKISH FM ARRIVES AT ARMENIA-TURKEY BORDER

news.am
Sept 1 2010
Armenia

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu arrived in Kars to get
familiarized with the situation in Igdir and Agri Provinces. He
touched upon Turkey’s steps to build peace in Caucasus.

Davutoglu stressed resolution of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict
is necessary to ensure peace and stability in the Caucasus, Turkish
Haberler reports. According to him, the border should be opened to
achieve prosperity and both Armenia and Azerbaijan will reach this
goal establishing peace. The Armenia-Turkey accords were signed in
2009, which registered positive developments. The activities to open
eastern borders of Turkey are underway, Turkish FM noted.

Later, Turkish Foreign Minister accompanied by Igdir Governor arrived
at the Alican-Margar checkpoint.

From: A. Papazian