Author: Andres-Papazian

ARAZ AZIMOV: ‘THE CO-CHAIRS ARE PRECLUDING THE MINSK GROUP FROM WORKING IN FULL STRENGTH’

Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
July 9, 2014 Wednesday

“Based on some evidence I have, I can tell you that the Minsk
Group Co-Chairs have concentrated the process in their hands and are
precluding the group from working in full strength”, said Azerbaijani
Deputy FM Araz Azimov, APA reports.

The deputy minister said Azerbaijan witnessed this case several times:
“For instance, during the 20th anniversary of the Minsk process
in 2012, I called on both partner countries and other countries to
hold a high-level conference to celebrate this day. This initiative
received support from our administration. But some time later, we
saw that the co-chairs were unwilling to allow that. Perhaps, they
prefer to conduct their work within the trinity, far from pressure,
distracting international community. However, the other countries of
the Minsk Group-Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and others-show
interest in the process and build their interests in accordance with
the international principles of norms and law. Their positions rest
upon these principles. It would be not bad at all if Armenia feels
and realizes that its position is not in line with that of world
community”.

Araz Azimov said he is against the replacement of the Minsk Group’s
format with another one: “First of all, the most leading figures of
the world community are being represented at the Minsk Group.

Secondly, the UN Security Council’s resolutions in 1993 confirm
the existence of the Minsk Group. Our positions are based on these
resolutions. It would be right to approach positions on a selective
basis. The resolutions should maintain their importance. The alteration
of the Minsk Group will harm those resolutions. And finally, the
Minsk Group’s format eliminates the participation of Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenians in the process. Because both Azerbaijanis and Armenians,
as the communities of Nagorno-Karabakh, are able to participate in
this process at their own level. They do not participate in decision
making but are able to voice their positions”.

Based these reasons, the deputy minister said the Minsk Group’s
format meets the interests and positions of both Azerbaijan and other
countries involved in the process.

From: A. Papazian

WHAT DOES AMBASSADOR HEFFERN SAY?

Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijan
July 9, 2014 Wednesday

The Armenian media published interview with the U.S. ambassador to
Armenia, John Heffern, who regards the return of the territories
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh one of the six elements of the conflict.

According to the ambassador, it does not mean that the territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh must be returned to Azerbaijan first of all. “It is
implicit in the framework of the final settlement of the question: six
agreed elements state that the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh will
be solved by free will. Then the territories around Nagorno Karabakh,
except Lachin corridor, will be returned. So there is nothing new in
what I say, ” said John Heffern.

Former advisor to the president of Azerbaijan in 1993-99, and
participant in the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict, political
scientist Eldar Namazov commented on the words of Ambassador, which
caused an inexplicable enthusiasm in Baku.

“The statement by U.S. Ambassador to Armenia made me, at least,
perplexing. First, the six elements as a basis for future negotiations
on the peace agreement have not been adopted yet, and it is a
subject of further negotiations. The U.S. position on the Karabakh
settlement was represented by Ambassador Warlick J. on May 7, 2014
at the Carnegie Endowment.”

“There are six elements that should form part of a peace agreement,
if we want it to be long-lasting. Priority of these items and their
related parts, of course, must be determined in the negotiations, but
they must be regarded as an indivisible whole. Any attempt to seize,
retain some elements will make a balanced solution impossible. ”

Based on this, any attempts to determine in advance the sequence
of implementing these principles are counterproductive, especially
if they come not from the parties to the conflict, but from one of
the mediators.

Secondly, the position set out by Mr. J. Heffern has always been
regarded as unacceptable for Azerbaijan in principle, and that is
why is a deadlock.

In practice it means that in the case of non reticence the final
status of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan cannot rely on the liberation
of the occupied areas outside of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Then what is the essence of the peace process and the benefits to
Azerbaijan? Open borders, begin to develop economic and political
relations with Armenia, while maintaining the occupation of
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas? It is clear that this approach
is not acceptable, and therefore cannot be seriously discussed.

Finally, surprising is the moment chosen for this statement – the
possibility of meeting the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in
Paris is being studied now. As far as can be judged, by itself such
a meeting is in question, and American diplomacy in recent days by
the mouth of their representatives to the OSCE, and in Washington,
is making considerable efforts to implement this initiative.

I also think such a meeting is very important, and I support the six
elements as the basis and the beginning of negotiations on the big
peace agreement. But I do not think that the last statement of the
Ambassador J.Heffern adds hope and optimism in this matter. Although
I do not exclude the probability of the traditional “liberal
interpretation” of the Ambassador’s words by the Armenian media,
said Eldar Namazov. -02Â-

From: A. Papazian

CHESS CHAMPION KARPOV WANTS CONFLICTS TO BE RESOLVED THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 10 2014

10 July 2014 – 8:21am

12th World Chess Champion Anatoly Karpov said that the Nagorno-Karabakh
and Ukrainian conflicts had their own peculiarities, but both had only
a peaceful solution achievable only through negotiations. Although
Azerbaijan and Armenia are reluctant to make concessions, they should
still reach a decision, the chess player believes.

He reminded that the Soviet Peace Fund had managed to organize
a meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian intellectuals that had been
followed by a meeting of politicians and a ceasefire agreement. Karpov
added that European countries wanted military activities in the east
of Ukraine to end and opponents to start negotiations.

Karpov noted that chess was popular in the South Caucasus. In his
words, it was less popular in Georgia. Karpov noted that women’s
chess was gaining popularity and Kislovodsk was a center for chess
development.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT BLAMES RUSSIA FOR SELLING ARMS TO AZERBAIJAN

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 10 2014

10 July 2014 – 5:44pm

During his visit to Argentina Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
expressed his concern over the fact that Russian sells arms not only
to Armenia, but also to Azerbaijan.

In an interview with local newspaper La Nacion President Sargsyan
said that the Armenian authorities are worried that its ally sells
arms to the country, with which Armenia has an unresolved conflict.

The president didn’t mention however that prices for Russian arms
for Azerbaijan are much highter than to Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN SATISFIED WITH COMPOSITION OF OSCE MG

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
July 10 2014

10 July 2014 – 12:55pm

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said that the country
was satisfied with the composition of the OSCE Minsk Group. He reminded
that its existence was established in resolutions of the UNSC passed
in 1993, Trend reports.

The diplomat noted that the OSCE MG allowed both Azerbaijan and Armenia
to express their positions to the world community. Azimov reminded
that French President Francois Hollande had come up with plans to
organize a meeting between Presidents Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan) and
Serzh Sargsyan (Armenia). Azerbaijan will respond to the idea depending
on the topics proposed for discussion, the deputy minister said.

From: A. Papazian

DELAY IN ARMENIA’S ACCESION TO EEU IS DUE TO TECHNICAL REASONS, NOT POLITICAL ONES: EXPERT

Tengri News, Kazakhstan
July 10 2014

Armenia’s accession into the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is
delayed due to organizational reasons, not geopolitical or political
ones. The view was expressed by Sergey Minasyan, Deputy Director of
the Caucasus Institute, at a press conference on Tuesday, Tengrinews
reports referring to RIA Novosti.

Signing of the documents for Armenia’ accession into the Eurasian
Economic Union was scheduled for July 1, 2014, but this deadline has
long passed and the process is protracted.

“Armenia is joining the union that formally does not exist yet. The
document to create it was signed a month ago, and the union will come
into force on January 1, 2015, ” Sergey Minasyan said.

According to the political expert, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus
have different views on some important issues, and Armenia may be
used by Belarus and Kazakhstan as leverage against Russia.

In any case, amid the current situation, it would not be possible for
Armenia to return its relationships with the European Union to the
point where used to be before September 3, 2013, when Armenia announced
its intention to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan, and subsequently to take part in the EEU, Minasyan said.

According to the expert, changes in Armenia’s relationships with
the EEU should be expected this fall, and in its relationships with
the EU – in October-November, 2014. “The date of Armenia’s accession
into the EEU should be announced by that time. Besides, Armenia will
have enough time to formulate the restrictions and limitations to be
considered during developing political and economic relations with
the European Union,” the expert said.

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrissov also said that the
agreement on Armenia’s accession into the EEU would mostly likely be
singled in October 2014 at the meeting of the EEU member-countries’
presidents in Minsk.

The EEU is an economic union created on 29 May 2014 by the treaty
signed by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia that will
come into effect on January 1, 2015. The union establishes a framework
for a comprehensive integration of its member-states and creates a
single market of 171 million people and a GDP of 3 trillion dollars.

Writing by Assel Satubaldina, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina

From: A. Papazian

UNSEEN ARMENIA – AYRK

Thursday, July 10th, 2014 | Posted by Contributor

Soorp Gevorg church in Ayrk, 19th century

BY HOVSEP DAGHDIGIAN

Ayrk, in Gegharkunik Marz, is a village of about 50 households about 30
km south of Vartenis, to the south-east of Lake Sevan. It is reachable
from Vartenis by a bad but passable road.

The origin of the village is unknown but in the cemetery next to
its two small churches, Soorp Grigor and Soorp Astvatsatsin, some
of the khachkars (stone crosses) are dated to the 7-10th centuries,
indicating the village was in existence at that time.

Approaching the village a few roofs over the scattered houses were
visible in the distance, together with some destroyed buildings. We
wondered if there was really anything there and if continuing on would
be worthwhile. An approaching driver assured us that there were two
churches in the village, so we proceeded.

The village is poor, most of its young people leave for work in
Russia. Current villagers are primarily refugees from Azerbaijan,
with a few descendants of survivors of the Armenian Genocide in
western Armenia. The primary economic activity is raising animals,
and farming grain and potatoes. The climate is too cold to grow
fruit. In the valley below Ayrk is a milk processing facility which
processes and delivers the village’s milk to market.

A village shepherd in Ayrk

We arrived at the two churches, about 100 yards apart, in mid-afternoon
with bright sun, a cool breeze, and a few beautiful white fluffy clouds
floating overhead. The two churches are small, simple rectangular
buildings, about the size of my kitchen, and are not ornate apart from
the interesting khachkars embedded in their walls. The ground is rocky
with bright short green grass speckled with very small bright blue
flowers. The green grass extends to the surrounding mountains and the
shallow valley below. The field stones and khachkars in the cemetery
are covered with fluorescent orange-colored lichen. It is one of the
most beautiful, spectacular scenes I’ve seen in Armenia, or anywhere
else for that matter. One of the villagers, an elderly gentleman,
was seated on a nearby rock watching his flock of sheep. After a
few words of greeting, it was as if we had known each other all our
lives. He was a refugee from Baku.

The old Armenian name for the village was “Karakert”, meaning “stone
built”. Sometime around the 15th century, Turks settled in the area
renaming the village Dashkert (meaning “stone built” – the same
meaning as its previous Armenian name). Many, if not most, of the
Armenians had left. After the Armenian Genocide some refugees from
western Armenia resettled there, perhaps during the first Armenian
Republic established in 1918. During the first republic and the
subsequent Soviet era, though the village remained within Armenia’s
borders, it retained its Turkish name due to the presence of its
Turkish/Azeri inhabitants. As this was still part of Armenia the
Turkish residents, as far as I understand, left the churches and
cemetery undisturbed. Around 1988, during the Karabagh conflict,
the Turks left. Armenian refugees arriving from Azerbaijan used the
abandoned Turkish houses as sources of building material to build
or repair their own homes. The village youth erected the khachkars,
which over the centuries had fallen, placing them on solid cement
bases. The current Armenian government renamed the village Ayrk.

Soorp Astvatsatsin church in Ayrk, 19th century

This is a beautiful site, well worth visiting if one is a bit
adventuresome. It’s about a 2 – 2 1/2 hour drive from Yerevan,
depending on the driver and car. The road to Ayrk runs along the south
shore of Lake Sevan, passing the beautiful 9th c Ayrevank monastery
which is right off the highway, and the Noraduz Cemetery with its
spectacular medieval khachkars. The Noraduz cemetery is a 10 minute
diversion from the main highway along Lake Sevan’s south coast and
has visitor amenities.

Ayrk could become a tourist attraction providing at least some help
for its economy. This superb and unvisited site should be promoted
and, moreover, protected as a cultural preserve, perhaps under
U.N.E.S.C.O. auspices.

From: A. Papazian

HOVHANNES IGITYAN ABOUT THE ANTI-AZERBAIJAN DRAFT RESOLUTION IN PACE. “THIS IS NOT A RESOLUTION, BUT AN OPINION OF 27 DELEGATES.”

July 10 2014

“This is not a resolution but an opinion of 27 delegates. It is
anti-Azerbaijan only for eight Armenian delegates. The rest
are probably concerned about persecution against Azerbaijan
journalists,” so responded former head of Armenian delegation in
PACE, Hovhannes Igityan, to the question of Aravot.am whether he
keeps to the opinion that Armenia never had such a weak delegation
in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), whereas
the second anti-Azerbaijan resolution is put into circulation in
PACE. Recall that at the PACE summer session, after President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s anti-Armenian speech, when the Armenian
delegates did not respond to him, Mr. Igityan expressed an opinion
that “Armenia never had such a weak delegation in PACE.” However,
during the session, it became clear that the PACE has passed the
draft resolution, which was put into circulation by the initiative
of the Armenian delegation in PACE, referring to the pressures
exerted against investigative journalists writing about corruption
in Azerbaijan. The PACE delegation member, Arpine Hovhannisyan,
in this regard, mentioned, “The theme of such initiatives is the
pan-European. The initiative is important because it will be on the
agenda for about two years and will be constantly circulated.” In
contrast to the above-mentioned, Mr. Igityan expressed such an opinion,
“The Armenian delegates have repeatedly proven that they are not
interested in freedom of expression or the political prisoners,
both in Armenia and other countries. Therefore, it is not objective
and it will serve no benefit to the Karabakh conflict. Regardless
of what signatures they are collecting there, I repeat again, the
Armenian delegation in the European Parliament should be a part of
this family, and not be engaged in imitation of being a “European”,
or pretend to be an anti-Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is necessary to
learn languages, be aware of and concerned about all Europe concerning
processes, be respected and recognized in the PACE.” Mr. Igityan once
again repeated, “They should have put Aliyev to his place right away,
at least in the form of questions, and not only about human rights,
but also Karabakh conflict and aggressive military action.”

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

NATO REPRESENTATIVE EVADES QUESTION ON ARMENIA’S BLOCKADE BY TURKEY

July 10, 2014 | 13:12

NATO’s coordinator for Southern Caucasus Despina Afentouli silently
evaded the query on whether blockading the border of a neighboring
country falls into the principles that guide the Alliance.

At Thursday’s press conference in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan,
Afentouli was reminded that Turkey is the sole Armenia-bordering NATO
member country that has closed its border with Armenia for already
twenty years, and it prepares to sign a military assistance agreement
with Azerbaijan.

In response, the NATO representative stated that the Alliance builds
its relations based on the peculiarities of each country. Accordingly,
each country defines for itself the degree of integration and the
level of relations.

Afentouli also stressed that NATO respects all countries and their
territorial integrity and independence. Moreover, as per Afentouli,
the Alliance member countries do not have to make their decisions
comply with NATO’s view. Nonetheless, their foreign policies shall
not run counter to the NATO general precepts.

To the query on whether the closing of the borders with neighboring
countries and Turkey’s assistance to Azerbaijan–which prepares for a
new war against Armenia–stem from the NATO principles, the Alliance’s
representative stated that NATO has no such calculations. In her words,
the Alliance is aware of the disagreements between Armenia and Turkey,
and it previously contributed to the attempts to search for avenues
to normalize bilateral relations.

From: A. Papazian

NATO SENDS COVERT MESSAGE TO AZERBAIJAN – ARMENIA MFA

July 10, 2014 | 13:36

YEREVAN. – NATO declares on a regular basis that solely a peaceful
approach and the inadmissibility of a resolution by force can be a
priority for the resolution of conflicts.

Armenia MFA Arms Control and International Security Department Head
Samvel Lazarian stated the abovementioned at a press conference
on Thursday.

As per Lazarian, these declarations are also a hidden message to
Azerbaijan, which unremittingly repeats about the possibility of
using force to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: A. Papazian