Author: Andres-Papazian

TIGRAN BALAYAN: AZERBAIJAN CONTINUES ITS PROVOCATIVE POLICY

PanARMENIAN.Net
July 7, 2010 – 18:46 AMT 13:46 GMT

RA Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tigran Balayan said that the bellicose
statements of the Azerbaijani leadership are continuation of
Azerbaijan’s June 18 provocation near Chaylu settlement.

Commenting on Azerbaijan’s recent bellicose statements, Balayan
said that they are aimed at failing the negotiation process over the
Karabakh conflict settlement.

The Azerbaijani leadership is pulling the wool over its people’s
eyes, distorting the essence of talks on the Karabakh conflict, in
an attempt to recede from the agreements reached in Saint Petersburg,
noted Balayan.

Besides, he added that Baku is trying to distort the history,
geography, demography and international law to reach its goals.

“Despite Baku’s efforts, the Prague process is not a Baku process,
the Madrid Principles are not Baku principles, while the aggression
against Nagorno Karabakh is Azerbaijan’s aggression,” noted Balayan,
adding that the self-determination of the people of Artsakh cannot
be limited to 13 references to the Azerbaijani territorial integrity
in one statement.

According to Balayan, Baku is taking certain steps prior to any
important meeting to fail the negotiation process, this time it is
the upcoming meeting in Almaty in 10 days, the RA MFA press service
reported.

From: A. Papazian

ON WHAT THE INTERMEDIARIES SET THEIR HOPES
Leonid Martirosyan

Azat Artsakh Daily
July 07, 2010
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

If Baku’s regime is not able to conduct peace talks? Last Friday
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group Robert Bradtke (USA) and Igor Popov
(Russia) arrived with the next visit in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Visit of the international intermediaries to Stepanakert took place
after two weeks after an attack of diversionary group of Azerbaijan on
the Karabakh positions therefore there were killed and wounded from
both parties. Therefore it is not surprising, that the main theme of
conversation of co-chairs with the NKR president was peace and if it is
more exactly – not having alternative of a peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict. As the press-service of the NKR head has informed,
the parties have underlined, that the power variant of settlement of
the conflict is absolutely unacceptable. However inveterate illness of
moderators of negotiating process again attracts attention, namely –
unequivocally parity character of the estimation of the happened. As
a matter of fact, during their visit to Stepanakert co-chairs of
the Minsk group have repeated an essence of the maintenance of
the recent statement accepted in connection with incident in which
appeals to restraint and ascertaining of a circumstance of not being
alternative of a peaceful settlement have found a place. Differently,
the same attempts to put an identity sign between the Azerbaijan and
Karabakh party that is to balance responsibility of Azerbaijan and
Nagorno-Karabakh in a situation, when the originator of the tragedy
is well-known to everyone. It is necessary to tell, that the NKR
president paid attention of co-chairs of the Minsk group to the fact,
that recent cases of infringement by Azerbaijan of cease-fire regime
have not received a corresponding estimation of the international
community. The question on responsibility of official Baku for
constant escalation of intensity in a zone of the Karabakh conflict
has been risen repeatedly by the NKR authorities, that, however, and
has not become a subject of serious discussion in the international
structures which are responsible for destiny of peace-making process,
and, first of all, in the OSCE. Whether intermediaries understand,
what absence of proper response to provocative actions of Azerbaijan,
and, hence, its impunity, transform into a farce, in an empty phrase
all their appeals to the world? Already not speaking of non-use of
sanctions concerning the obvious infringer of cease-fire regime
creates serious threat to this peace. Let’s recollect. In March
of 2008 the Azerbaijan party initiated diversionary attack to the
Karabakh positions which gave also human victims. Alas, then actions
of Azerbaijan which broke very coarsely cease-fire regime, have not
received an objective estimation of the international structures, that,
as we see, has led still to more coarsening of its position and present
June relapse. But let’s return especially to process of settlement
of the conflict. Co-chairs of the Minsk group of OSCE have mentioned
also a theme of future political status of the NKR. As Russian co-chair
Igor Popov has told, status of the Nagorno-Karabakh should be defined
by democratic way, by means of free will of its people. Thus he has
made a reservation, that the mechanism of definition of the status
should be discussed still.

However the diplomat has not specified, with whom and in what
format intermediaries are going to discuss the given question. If
with Azerbaijan, it will be time waste as all previous stages of
settlement of the conflict have shown that Baku’s regime is not
able to conduct peace talks. The conflict parties speak absolutely
in different languages. How in these conditions intermediaries can
hope for efficiency of negotiating process and an establishment of the
definitive peace in the region? With that obvious true, that Azerbaijan
refuses the Nagorno-Karabakh even in the right of existence, confirms
infinite threats of its destroying by military way. Last armed incident
has shown, who actually is not interested in stability of the region,
who is not intended to refuse revanchist plans. In this situation to
impose the Nagorno-Karabakh any doubtful guarantees of safety and to
demand from it concessions, is simply not a serious thing. People of
the Nagorno-Karabakh have defined the status of the native land and a
guarantee of its safety for a long time, here already almost twenty
years ago, and it will hardly probable allow anybody to change them
to the detriment of own interests. The life has shown justice of this
historical choice. Here and at a Friday meeting with co-chairs of
the Minsk group of OSCE the NKR president has reminded again, that
“independence and safety of Artsakh are not liable to the auction,
and any attempt to return the past is fraught with unpredictable
consequences”. In these words – expression of will of people of the
republic, and will of the people which are the true owner of the earth,
should be respected.

From: A. Papazian

U.S., RUSSIA, DO NOT MEET AZERBAIJAN’S EXPECTATIONS ON KARABAKH, SAYS ANALYST

[ 2010/07/07 | 19:56 ]
politics

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
held two presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 6 and 7,
providing an assessment of the Azerbaijani armed forces and an update
on current developments in Nagorno Karabagh.

The opening session of these two related presentations offered an
objective analysis of the current state of the Azerbaijani military
and an assessment of the threat of war in the region, with ACNIS
Director Richard Giragosian presenting a new report on the Azerbaijani
armed forces.

The July 6 presentation included a detailed report on various
aspects of the Azerbaijani armed forces, ranging from Azerbaijan’s
combat capabilities to the deeper problems of corruption within the
Azerbaijani ministry of defense.

The second session, held on July 7, was opened by ACNIS Administrative
Director Karapet Kalenchian and focused on recent developments related
to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. Speaking to over sixty participants,
including the Brazilian and Indian ambassadors, as well as officials
from the Council of Europe, the European Union and the OSCE, ACNIS
Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian gave the first presentation.

Sargsian explained that “the essential thing in the normalization
process of the Karabagh conflict were US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton’s statements made in Yerevan, and specifically her point
that it is not the US who can resolve this conflict.” According to
the analyst, “Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also recently
made a similar declaration,” which he said “allows us to conclude
that outside powers do not justify Azerbaijan’s expectations toward
the resolution of this matter.”

The second speaker, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian, presented an
updated analysis of recent developments. Each of the presentations
was followed by a series of questions and answers, and featured a
lively exchange with the audience.

From: A. Papazian

DAVID HARUTYUNYAN: “SUCH AN EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL IMMATURITY REINFORCES OUR CONCERNS ABOUT CO-RAPPORTEUR LINDBLAD’S IMPARTIALITY”

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 6, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, 6 JULY, NOYAN TAPAN: “It is the first time I am hearing that a
person has the right to give political evaluations without being proved
the opposite,” Head of the Armenian Delegation to the PACE, Chairman
of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on State Legal Issues
David Harutyunyan told “NOYAN TAPAN”, commenting on the view of the
PACE Monitoring Committee’s newly appointed Co-Rapporteur on Armenia,
Swedish MP Goran Lindblad on those arrested for the events of March 1.

“Such an example of political immaturity reinforces our concerns about
Co-Rapporteur Lindblad’s impartiality. This conduct not only disparages
the essence of the monitoring process, but also causes a threat to
the cooperation between Armenia and the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe with a serious crisis,” said D. Harutyunyan.

From: A. Papazian

CLINTON’S VISIT TO GENOCIDE MONUMENT NECESSARY BUT NOT SUFFICIENT
Harut Sassounian

Noyan Tapan

During her visit to Armenia on July 5, U.S. Secretary State
Hillary Clinton placed a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Monument at
Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan. Regrettably, however, the U.S. Embassy in
Armenia issued a press release describing the visit as “private.” By
using such a characterization, U.S. officials were trying to preempt
any backlash from the Turkish government.

In my opinion, the State Department mishandled Secretary Clinton’s
visit to the Armenian Genocide Monument. Here are the reasons why:
· There was no need to downplay the visit by characterizing it as
“private,” since such visits are standard procedure for foreign
dignitaries visiting Armenia.

· Paying a visit to the Genocide Monument does not necessarily imply
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as all previous and current U.S.

Ambassadors have visited this site every April 24.

· Secretary Clinton’s visit to the Genocide Monument could not have
been described as “private,” since it was a part of her “official”
visit to Armenia.

· The characterization of the visit as “private” was contradicted
by the fact that the ribbons on the wreath she laid at the Genocide
Monument carried the inscription: “From Secretary of State Hillary
Rodham Clinton.” · Clinton’s visit the day before to the “Alley of
the Martyrs” in Baku was not described as “private,” creating the
disturbing impression that U.S. interests in Azerbaijan’s oil weigh
heavier than its humanitarian concerns for victims of genocide. ·
Another double standard was Clinton not allowing any Armenian
government officials to accompany her to the Genocide Monument in
Yerevan, while she was accompanied to the “Alley of Martyrs” in Baku
by a Deputy Minister of Azerbaijan! · Clinton permitted neither the
international press traveling with her nor the local Armenian media,
except Armenian Public TV, to report on her visit to the Genocide
Monument. Her action undermines her advocacy for media freedom. ·
There was no reason for Secretary Clinton to be coy about Genocide
recognition, since Pres. Reagan had acknowledged it in 1981, and the
U.S. House of Representatives had recognized it in 1975 and 1984.

Even though the State Department downgraded Secretary Clinton’s visit
to the Monument, Armenian officials did their best to publicize
it as much as possible! This time they acted more decisively than
last May, when Mevlut Cavusoglu — Turkish President of Council
of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly — refused to visit the Genocide
Monument. They insisted that the Secretary add to her itinerary a stop
at the Genocide Monument. They then arranged for Armenian Public TV
and other TV stations to repeatedly air the video of Clinton’s July
5 visit to the Monument.

In addition, the website of the State-owned Armenian Genocide Museum
prominently featured Clinton’s visit by displaying photos of her
wreath with ribbons that carried a visible inscription of her name and
title, and an authentic medal issued by the American Near East Relief
Committee that Museum Director Hayk Demoyan presented her. Pointing
across the Turkish border, Demoyan told Secretary Clinton that Mount
Ararat is “a symbol of Armenia.” In addition to explaining the basic
facts of the Armenian Genocide, Demoyan told her that the graves of
heroes fallen in Artsakh (Karabagh) were located near the Monument,
since Armenians consider that war to be a continuation of the Armenian
Genocide. The Secretary was also given a historical photo in which
Armenian children in the American orphanage of Alexandropol (Gumri)
were standing in formation that spelled out the words: “AMERICA,
WE THANK YOU.”

Clinton’s visit was both praised and criticized by Armenian-American
organizations. The Armenian National Committee of America took Clinton
to task for her “secret” visit to the Genocide Monument, while the
Armenian Assembly of America commended her for the visit. Former U.S.

Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, told The California Courier that
“Clinton’s visit was a small, but positive step forward.” The last
Secretary of State to have visited Armenia was James Baker in 1992,
who did not, however, make a stop at the Genocide Monument.

In my view, Secretary Clinton should be commended for making such
a positive gesture, but also blamed for going to such lengths to
downplay her visit to the Genocide Monument. Why was she so concerned
about offending Turks who have brazenly undermined every major U.S.
foreign policy initiative in recent months?

Unfortunately, Secretary Clinton, Vice President Biden and Pres. Obama
have drifted far away from their campaign promises to recognize the
Armenian Genocide! Clinton’s brief stop at the Genocide Monument on
July 5 is a welcome first step that fell short of her solemn commitment
to support recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

From: A. Papazian

FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN AND EU OFFICIALS MEET PRIOR TO START OF NEGOTIATIONS ON ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian received on July 6 John Kjaer, Head of the Unit for South
Caucasus, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus of the European Commission’s
Directorare of External Affairs, and Raul de Lutzenberger, the EU
Ambassador to Armenia. According to the RA MFA Press and Information
Department, J. Kjaer arrived in Armenia to attend the first meeting
of the Armenia-EU Justice, Freedom and Security Subcommittee.

E. Nalbandian reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness to start the negotiations
on an association agreement with the European Union on July 19.

J. Kjaer gave a positive assessment of the results of the first
meeting of the Armenia-EU Justice, Freedom and Security Subcommittee.

He said that the negotiations with Armenia over a visa liberalization
agreement and a readmission agreement may start in late 2010.

The sides discussed preparatory work on the negotiations over an
association agreement.

From: A. Papazian

TIGRAN SARGSYAN UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF USING UN EXPERTS’ EXPERIENCE AND METHODOLOGY IN IMPLEMENTING UNDP PROGRAMS IN ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan received
on July 6 Deputy Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS
Countries, Head of Bratislava Regional Center of UNDP Jans Wandel.

Greeting the guest, the prime minister expressed a high opinion of
UN Office activities in Armenia.

Mr. Wandel emphasized that the 2010-2015 action plan of UNDP-Armenian
Government Cooperation Program is the best one in the region in
respect of public governance efficiency enhancement.

The interlocutors spoke about macroeconomic developments and
forecasts. In this context Tigran Sargsyan informed Jans Wandel
on EU-Armenia cooperation priorities: the signing of a deep and
comprehensive free trade agreement, the easing of entry visa
requirements, the implementation of national program-stipulated
reforms under the European Neighborhood Policy, and the realization of
joint projects in the energy sector. When speaking about measures to
combat corruption and shadow economy, Tigran Sargsyan said that in an
effort to enhance transparency in the activities of state officials,
the National Assembly has adopted the law on public services in the
first reading. According to him, harmonious territorial development
is carried out in two main directions: decentralization and building
the capacity of local self-government bodies.

The press srvice of the government reported that the sides then looked
into the possibility of promoting bilateral cooperation. The head of
RA government underlined the importance of using UN experts’ experience
and methodology in implementing UNDP-supported programs in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

HOVIK ABRAHAMIAN RECEIVES GLENDALE MAYOR ARA NAJARIAN

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Receiving Mayor of Glandale (State
of California) Ara Najarian on July 6, Speaker of the RA National
Assembly Hovik Abrahamian underlined the significance of the fact
that Diaspora Armenians hold various posts, including positions in
municipal administration. He said that he intends to initiate an
assembly of Diaspora Armenian officials and MPs in Armenia, which
will allow them to familiarize themselves with the historic homeland
and strengthen Armenia-Diaspora ties.

A. Najarian welcomed the intention of the RA NA speaker and expressed
his willingness to attend that assembly.

NT was informed by the press service of the RA parliament that Minister
of Diaspora Ms. Hranush Hakobian was present at the meeting.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA READY TO PARTICIPATE MORE EFFICIENTLY IN WORK OF UN STRUCTURES

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 7, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia is ready to participate more
efficiently in work of the UN structures, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian stated at the July 6 meeting with Deputy Director
of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS Countries Jans Wandel.

E. Nalbandian expressed satisfaction with cooperation of Armenian state
bodies and the UNDP under the 2010-2015 Action Plan on Cooperation
signed between Armenian government and the UNDP on June 24.

The RA MFA Press and Information Department reported that the at the
meeting the sides discussed issues related to cooperation between the
Armenian government and the UNDP in various spheres such as reforms
in public governance, climate change, alternative energy, efficient
use of energy, fight against corruption.

Jans Wandel indicated Armenia’s progress in the mentioned spheres
and valued highly the Armenian government’s readiness for cooperation
and its efforts on implementing the program signed with the UNDP. He
assured the Armenian foreign minister that the UNDP will continue
to consistently assist Armenia with the implementation of various
programs.

From: A. Papazian

WORKING SITTING OF ARMENIA-EU INTERPARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMISSION HELD

NOYAN TAPAN
JULY 7, 2010
YEREVAN

During the July 7 working sitting of the Armenia-EU interparliamentary
cooperation commission, the commission chairwoman Naira Zohrabian
informed commission members about the latest developments concerning
the relations between Armenia and the EU.

According to the press service of the RA National Assembly, the
commission made a decision to develop internal regulations for most
efficient organization of further work. It was decided to prepare,
within a week, an agenda of issues to be submitted to the respective
commission of the European parliament for joint discussion.

Experts and representatives of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the appropriate bodies of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic will be
invited to the commission’s sittings to be convened every second week.

With the aim of organizing the joint activities of the
interparliamentary commission and the MFA in a coordinated way,
it was decided to invite Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to the
next working sitting of the Armenia-EU interparliamentary cooperation
commission.

From: A. Papazian