Author: Andres-Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Armenia failed to show political courage to recognize Karabakh, Raffi
Hovhannisyan says

July 23, 2010 | 15:16

Armenia should have recognized Nagorno-Karabakh in 1992, but it
delayed and made a mistake, the leader of `Heritage’ Party Raffi
Hovhannisyan stated at a press conference on Friday.

According to him, Armenia missed an opportunity for the recognition of
Karabakh’s independence in 1994. At the signing of the trilateral
ceasefire agreement, Armenia should have recognized Nagorno-Karabakh,
he stressed.

Obviously there were states, apparently ready to recognize
Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence, but the fact Armenia failed to
recognize Karabakh’s independence hindered the process. `We did not
show political courage to recognize Karabakh, whereas the issue should
have been solved long before Kosovo proclaimed independence,’
Hovhannisyan said.

He emphasized if Armenia pursues a rational policy, the Kosovo’s
precedent could have been used in case of Karabakh.

On July 22, the International Court of Justice in The Hague concluded
that Kosovo’s unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate
international law.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Why Armenia fails to recognize Karabakh’s independence?

July 23, 2010 | 14:56

The recognition of Karabakh’s independence by Armenia may weaken
Yerevan’s positions in the talks, Coordinator of Armenian National
Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabyan stated at a press conference on July 23,
asked whether the recognition of Karabakh’s independence by Armenia
may contribute to its international recognition.

`The issue should be considered in the following context. The most
important thing for us is the international recognition of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Thus, we should logically understand whether
Armenia’s such step will contribute to the international recognition
of NKR or vice versa, will weaken Yerevan’s negotiating positions,’
Zurabyan said stressing the latter should be observed now.

As reported earlier, at the meeting on October 17, 2008 Armenian First
President, Leader of oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC)
raised the issue of recognition of NKR. `Taking into account that
after the recognition of Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the
Karabakh issue is low on the list of conflict resolutions, the time
has come the Armenian Parliament comes forward with an initiative for
the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh. Serzh Sargsyan will not be
obliged to ratify this initiative. However, without signing the
Parliament’s resolution at his disposal, he will be able to resist the
external pressure, Ter-Petrosyan emphasized.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

ICJ verdict on Kosovo can be applied to Karabakh, Levon Zurabyan says

July 23, 2010 | 14:38

International Court of Justice (ICJ) verdict on Kosovo’s independence
contains significant provisions also applicable to the Karabakh issue,
Coordinator of the Armenian National Congress Levon Zurabyan told the
journalists on Friday.

Zurabyan noted he had not thoroughly studied the document, expressing
confidence it contains certain useful provisions that may be applied
to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict. According to him, the
Karabakh peace process should undergo considerable changes. `Kosovo’s
independence was proclaimed on the basis of remedial right to
secede.Today, international law permits broadening of the right to
self-determination up to separation, in case the rights of
self-determined people were violated,’ Zurabyan added. The ANC member
stressed that the Armenian foreign office does not draw attention to
this fact. `Meanwhile, it is the most efficient way to advance the
Karabakh issue,’ he concluded.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

ICJ verdict on Kosovo must be precedent for NKR’s international recognition

July 23, 2010 | 14:24

Masis Mailyan, Chairman of the NKR Public Council for Foreign Policy
and Security, answered NEWS.am’s questions:

Question: What is your opinion of yesterday’s verdict by the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague?

Answer: I welcome the ICJ verdict on Kosovo. As a precedent, it is
supposed to play an important role in the international recognition of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).

Question: What can be its consequences in international practice,
particularly for the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process?

Answer: The year 2008 saw the start of recognition of the autonomies
that had declared independence before the USSR and Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia collapsed. The West backed Kosovo’s independence, while
Abkhazia and South Ossetia were recognized by Russia and some other
countries. Thus, the U.S., EU, Russia, as well as a number of other
states, consider recognition the most effective mechanism of ensuring
stability in the conflict zones.

This international practice must be applied to Artsakh as well.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs should reject the obsolete methods they
have so far applied to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and start
drafting new proposals for the NKR in the context of present-day
international legal norms.

Question: There is an opinion that the ICJ verdict is more political
than legal. Can the international community be expected to take up a
similar stance on other similar conflicts?

Answer: The ICJ probably `acquitted’ the states that recognized
Kosovo’s independence for political reasons, in their own interests.
We cannot expect a similar approach to be necessarily shown to other
conflicts. Obviously, the principles approved in 1975 are revised, and
the task set to Armenian and NKR diplomacy, as well as lobbyist
organizations of the Armenian Diaspora, is to make a proper use of the
ICJ verdict for international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

U.S. government to provide $2.9 m additional assistance to Armenia

July 23, 2010 | 13:45

On July 23, U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch and Armenian
Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan signed a Protocol on the amendment
to the Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement
between the U.S. Government and the Government of Armenia.

Under the amendment, U.S. Government will provide additional
assistance to the Government of Armenia in the amount of $2,875,284
for several assistance programs, U.S. Embassy informed NEWS.am.

Since the signing of the original Letter of Agreement on June 11,
2001, U.S. has provided over $14m of justice sector assistance to the
Government of Armenia through the Embassy’s International Narcotics
and Law Enforcement Section.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Final solution should involve Karabakh people, Matthew Bryza says

July 23, 2010 | 13:19

Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Barbara Boxer and Robert Menendez raised key
policy issues during Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing of
Ambassador-Designate Matthew Bryza, reported the Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA).

Senator Jeanne Shaheen asked Bryza to respond to her constituents’
concerns, including accusations regarding his close ties to senior
Azerbaijani officials. Matthew Bryza noted he maintains professional
relationships with not only Azeri officials, but also with those in
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. He also assured the Committee that his
wedding was not funded by outside sources.

Bryza reaffirmed U.S. policy in support of the three equal pillars of
the Helsinki Final Act: non-use of force or the threat of force, the
principle of territorial integrity, and equal rights and self
determination of peoples, AAA statement reads.

Matthew Bryza also indicated, in response to Senator Menendez’
questions, that any final solution must involve the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Karabakh people take to the streets

July 23, 2010 | 12:56

Today, on July 23, rallies will be held in different regions of
Nagorno-Karabakh. According to NEWS.am sources in NKR, thousands of
people participate in the meetings. The Karabakh people took to the
streets, due to the decision by Hague International Court that
Kosovo’s unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate
international law.

A number of Karabakhi non-governmental organizations, namely the
`Union of Karabakh War Veterans, `Motherhood’, youth organizations
`Armenian Youth Club’ and `Hayk’s Generation’ take part in the
protests.

No incidents are registered, everything is calm, former NKR MP Ashot
Sargsyan told NEWS.am. `The rally in Martuni is over. People just took
to the streets and unanimously indicated their will. There is not a
single man in Karabakh who wants to be the citizen of Azerbaijan,’ he
added.

He also informed of a rally to be organized in the central square of
Stepanakert in the evening. `Thousands will join the rally. Karabakh
people are united and they show it to the entire world,’ Ashot
Sargsyan stated.

On July 22, the International Court of Justice in the Hague concluded
that Kosovo’s unilateral secession from Serbia in 2008 did not violate
international law.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Hague International Court lends hand to Nagorno-Karabakh

July 23, 2010 | 12:04

The Hague International Court prioritized the principle of
self-determination over territorial integrity, Chairman of Standing
Committee on Foreign Relations, NKR Parliament, told NEWS.am,
commenting on The Hague Court’s decision on Kosovo’s independence.

According to him, this may become a basis for the international legal
recognition of Karabakh’s independence.

`It is important to understand the Karabakh issue is actually solved.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been an independent state for 20 years and the
world should realize this. The Hague International Court said clearly
and unequivocally the international law does not ban proclaiming
independence,’ Atanesyan said, adding fundamental changes in
international law occurred in the Hague International Court,
completely applicable to Nagorno-Karabakh.

The MP considers it pointless that the decision is rather political
than legal. `There is no point in making a decision, then condemn and
justify oneself. Such conduct by the international community should
not be considered a political decision,’ the deputy said.

`The Hague decision gave Nagorno-Karabakh an opportunity to legally
stand upon its right for independence in the international arena. As
to how NKR will benefit from this, it is the task of Armenian
diplomacy. Now it is crucial, the precedent was established,’
Atanesyan concluded.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Bryza not to forget about Karabakh

July 23, 2010 | 11:30

The former OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, U.S. Ambassador Azerbaijan
designate Matthew Bryza will do his utmost for a peaceful resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Armenian Assembly of America
reported.

`I look forward, if confirmed, to helping advance a peaceful
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. There can be no military solution to this
long-standing conflict; rather, negotiation and dialogue hold the key
to resolving this issue and bringing peace and stability to the
Caucasus region,’ he said, speaking during the confirmation hearing at
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

`I am proud of the vibrant partnership my Russian and French
counterparts and I developed as Co-Chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group
and the work we did together to try and bring Azerbaijan and Armenia
closer to a negotiated solution based on the principles contained in
the Helsinki Final Act, specifically those related to refraining from
the threat or use of force, the territorial integrity of States, and
the equal rights and self-determination of peoples,’ he added.

From: A. Papazian

news.am, Armenia
July 23 2010

Karabakh conflict may be solved either in favor of Armenia or
Azerbaijan, Azeri expert says

July 23, 2010 | 11:02

The decision of The Hague International Court is of mere political
nature, Azerbaijani political scientist Zardusht Alizade stated in an
interview with NEWS.am.

`Every court has its own master. It is impossible to imagine The Hague
Court would find the actions of their direct masters, mainly the U.S.,
not conforming to the international law. The decision of the court was
clear in advance,’ the expert said.

Asked on a similar decision on Nagorno-Karabakh and the adequate
response of the international community, Alizade said, Karabakh
conflict is not legal, but political. `If we speak of an abstract
international law, the law as such does not exist, there is a policy
under which `law’ is adjusted. Karabakh conflict will be solved
according to political conjuncture. The issue may be solved either in
favor of Azerbaijan or Armenia, as everything proceeds from the
interests of external players,’ Alizade stressed.

From: A. Papazian