Author: Badalian Vardan

The Library of Congress H.RES.106
Title: Calling upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the
United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning
issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in
the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] (introduced 1/30/2007) Cosponsors
(212)
Related Bills: S.RES.106
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred
to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

COSPONSORS(212), BY DATE [order is left to right]:
Rep Radanovich, George [CA-19] – 1/30/2007Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] –
1/30/2007
Rep Knollenberg, Joe [MI-9] – 1/30/2007Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] – 1/30/2007
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] – 1/30/2007Rep McNulty, Michael R.
[NY-21] – 1/31/2007
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] –
1/31/2007
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] – 1/31/2007Rep Costello, Jerry F. [IL-12] –
1/31/2007
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] – 1/31/2007Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] –
1/31/2007
Rep Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] –
1/31/2007
Rep Dreier, David [CA-26] – 1/31/2007Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] –
1/31/2007
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] – 1/31/2007Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] –
1/31/2007
Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] –
1/31/2007
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] –
1/31/2007
Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2] – 1/31/2007Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] –
1/31/2007
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 1/31/2007Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] –
1/31/2007
Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] – 1/31/2007Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] –
1/31/2007
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] – 1/31/2007Rep Berry, Marion [AR-1] –
1/31/2007
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] – 1/31/2007Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] –
1/31/2007
Rep Doolittle, John T. [CA-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] –
1/31/2007
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] –
1/31/2007
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] – 1/31/2007Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] –
1/31/2007
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] – 1/31/2007Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] –
1/31/2007
Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] – 1/31/2007Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] – 1/31/2007
Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] – 1/31/2007Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] –
1/31/2007
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 1/31/2007Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] –
1/31/2007
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] – 1/31/2007Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] – 1/31/2007
Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] – 1/31/2007Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] –
1/31/2007
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] – 1/31/2007Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] – 1/31/2007
Rep Rogers, Mike J. [MI-8] – 1/31/2007Rep Cantor, Eric [VA-7] – 1/31/2007
Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] –
1/31/2007
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] –
1/31/2007
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] – 1/31/2007Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] –
1/31/2007
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] – 1/31/2007Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] – 1/31/2007
Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] – 1/31/2007Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] –
1/31/2007
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] – 1/31/2007Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] – 1/31/2007
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] –
1/31/2007
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] – 1/31/2007Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille
[CA-34] – 1/31/2007
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] – 1/31/2007Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-25] –
1/31/2007
Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] – 1/31/2007Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] –
1/31/2007
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] – 1/31/2007Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] –
1/31/2007
Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] – 1/31/2007
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] –
1/31/2007
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] – 1/31/2007Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P.
[NJ-11] – 1/31/2007
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] – 1/31/2007Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] –
1/31/2007
Rep English, Phil [PA-3] – 1/31/2007(withdrawn – 3/15/2007)Rep Cardoza,
Dennis A. [CA-18] – 1/31/2007
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] – 1/31/2007Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] –
1/31/2007
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] – 1/31/2007Rep Jindal, Bobby [LA-1] –
1/31/2007(withdrawn – 1/31/2007)
Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] – 1/31/2007
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] – 1/31/2007Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] –
1/31/2007
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] – 1/31/2007Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] – 1/31/2007
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12] – 1/31/2007Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] –
1/31/2007
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 1/31/2007Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] – 1/31/2007
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] – 1/31/2007
Rep Costa, Jim [CA-20] – 1/31/2007Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] –
1/31/2007
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] – 1/31/2007Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] –
1/31/2007
Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Ryan, Paul [WI-1] – 1/31/2007
Rep Miller, George [CA-7] – 1/31/2007Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] – 1/31/2007
Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] – 1/31/2007Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] –
1/31/2007
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] – 1/31/2007Rep Schakowsky, Janice D.
[IL-9] – 1/31/2007
Rep Solis, Hilda L. [CA-32] – 1/31/2007Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. [FL-9] –
1/31/2007
Rep LoBiondo, Frank A. [NJ-2] – 1/31/2007Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] –
1/31/2007
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] – 1/31/2007
Rep Bono, Mary [CA-45] – 1/31/2007Rep Miller, Candice S. [MI-10] – 1/31/2007
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] – 1/31/2007Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] – 1/31/2007
Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] – 1/31/2007Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N.
[CO-4] – 1/31/2007
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] – 1/31/2007Rep McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [CA-25] –
1/31/2007
Rep Herseth, Stephanie [SD] – 1/31/2007Rep Bean, Melissa L. [IL-8] –
1/31/2007
Rep Wamp, Zach [TN-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] – 1/31/2007
Rep Renzi, Rick [AZ-1] – 1/31/2007Rep Weller, Jerry [IL-11] – 1/31/2007
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] – 1/31/2007Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] – 1/31/2007
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] – 1/31/2007Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] –
1/31/2007
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] – 1/31/2007Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] –
1/31/2007
Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] – 1/31/2007
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs
[OH-11] – 1/31/2007
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita
[CA-37] – 1/31/2007
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] – 1/31/2007Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] –
1/31/2007
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] – 1/31/2007Rep Boren, Dan [OK-2] –
1/31/2007(withdrawn – 5/2/2007)
Rep Davis, Lincoln [TN-4] – 1/31/2007Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] – 1/31/2007
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] – 1/31/2007Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] – 1/31/2007
Rep Matheson, Jim [UT-2] – 1/31/2007Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] – 1/31/2007
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] – 1/31/2007(withdrawn – 3/13/2007)Rep Ross, Mike
[AR-4] – 1/31/2007
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] – 1/31/2007Rep Scott, David [GA-13] –
1/31/2007(withdrawn – 4/18/2007)
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] – 1/31/2007Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] – 1/31/2007
Rep Lungren, Daniel E. [CA-3] – 1/31/2007Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] –
1/31/2007
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] – 2/5/2007Rep McNerney, Jerry [CA-11] – 2/5/2007
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] – 2/5/2007Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] –
2/5/2007
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] – 2/5/2007Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22] – 2/5/2007
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] – 2/8/2007Rep Lamborn, Doug
[CO-5] – 2/8/2007
Rep Walsh, James T. [NY-25] – 2/8/2007Rep Wu, David [OR-1] – 2/8/2007
Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] – 2/8/2007Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] – 2/8/2007
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] – 2/8/2007Rep Green, Al [TX-9] – 3/1/2007
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] – 3/1/2007Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [OH-14] –
3/1/2007
Rep Space, Zachary T. [OH-18] – 3/12/2007Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] –
3/12/2007
Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] – 3/12/2007Rep Bilbray, Brian P. [CA-50] – 3/12/2007
Rep Perlmutter, Ed [CO-7] – 3/29/2007Rep Sutton, Betty [OH-13] – 3/29/2007
Rep Miller, Gary G. [CA-42] – 3/29/2007Rep Salazar, John T. [CO-3] –
4/16/2007
Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] – 4/16/2007Rep Reichert, David G. [WA-8] –
4/16/2007
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] – 4/16/2007Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] –
4/19/2007
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] – 4/19/2007Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] –
4/19/2007
Rep Hodes, Paul W. [NH-2] – 5/9/2007Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] – 5/14/2007
Rep Udall, Tom [NM-3] – 5/14/2007Rep Roskam, Peter J. [IL-6] – 5/21/2007
Rep Murphy, Christopher S. [CT-5] – 5/21/2007Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] –
5/24/2007
Rep Camp, Dave [MI-4] – 6/7/2007Rep Walberg, Timothy [MI-7] – 6/7/2007
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] – 6/7/2007Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] –
6/20/2007
Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. [NY-29] – 6/20/2007Rep Thompson, Bennie G.
[MS-2] – 6/20/2007
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] – 6/20/2007Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] –
6/21/2007
Rep Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ-5] – 6/21/2007Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] –
6/21/2007
Rep Kingston, Jack [GA-1] – 6/26/2007Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] – 6/26/2007
Rep Davis, Artur [AL-7] – 6/26/2007Rep Rodriguez, Ciro D. [TX-23] –
6/26/2007
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] – 6/26/2007Rep Cuellar, Henry [TX-28] –
6/26/2007
Rep Wicker, Roger F. [MS-1] – 6/26/2007

KAROLOS PAPOULIAS: TURKEY SHOULD IMPLEMENT PRECONDITIONS PUT FORWARD AGAINST ITS MEMBERSHIP OF EUROPEAN UNION

Noyan Tapan
Jun 26 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkey should respect and implement
the preconditions put forward against its membership of the European
Union. The Greek president Karolos Papoulias stated this at the June
26 press conference during his state visit to Armenia. According to
him, Turkey cannot pursue the goal of joining the EU until it keeps
its 35 thousand-strong army in Cyprus, a EU member state.

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH FMS DISCUSSED NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.06.2007 19:17 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who
is currently in Istanbul, met with Turkish FM Abdullah Gul, RA MFA
acting spokesman Vladimir Karapetian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

The parties discussed possible normalization of the Armenia-Turkish
relations. At that Vartan Oskanian confirmed Armenia’s position to
establish relations with Turkey without preconditions.

Vartan Oskanain also met with Georgian FM Gela Bejuashvili and Greek
FM Dora Bakoyannis

The Armenian Minister is in Istanbul for participation in the BSEC
15th anniversary summit.

ARMAN MELIKYAN: KARABAKH’S JOINING ARMENIA MEANS GREAT TERRITORIAL LOSSES

ArmRadio.am
25.06.2007 17:28

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic is not the Republic of Armenia. This
should be comprehended both here and there, Adviser to NKR President
on Foreign Policy Issues Arman Melikyan told ArmInfo correspondent

In his words, NKR’s joining Armenia means great territorial loss. NKR
has matured as an independent state on the territory it controls
today. And this is the only approach that enables us to have no
territorial losses. We must know for sure what we shall get in this or
that case. When we speak about Karabakh’s joining Armenia, it means
we are losing large territories, and this unification will never be
legalized. It’s not the question of physical loss of territories. He
reminded that Nagorno Karabakh took the path of independence still
in 1991, which it effectively fulfils and will continue so up until
international recognition. There is no other way.

KARABAKH’S PARTICIPATION IN THE TALKS NOT RULED OUT, AMERICAN DIPLOMAT SAYS

ArmRadio.am
22.06.2007 14:14

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza declared in an interview
with the Russian service of the Voice of America that the settlement
principles discussed during the past two years "will help determine
the status of Nagorno Karabakh through a nationwide referendum."

"For two years we have been negotiating the principles suggested by the
OSCE Minsk Group. These principles will enable to finally determine the
status of Nagorno Karabakh through a nationwide referendum, which will
be held on the background of other important events: rearrangement
of Armenian troops on territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh and
creation of a corridor between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, as well
as deployment of peacekeeping forces in the region. It is impossible
to predict how Nagorno Karabakh will vote. I can say that the parties
are close to an agreement and we hope the process will restart in
the fall," said the American diplomat.

Commenting on the suggestion on Karabakh’s participation n the
negotiation process, Matthew Bryza noted that "in the past Nagorno
Karabakh participated in the talks and its participation in the future
is not ruled out."

NA VICE SPEAKER: ALIEV MORE CONSENTING DURING NEGOTIATIONS

Panorama.am
16:18 18/06/2007

Studies have shown that Azerbaijani president is more "consenting"
during the negotiations than when he goes back to his country, Vahan
Hovannisyan, vice speaker of parliament, told a press conference
today. The vice speaker believes Azerbaijan would better declare itself
a "monarchy" with the power inherited from father to son. Speaking
about continuing negotiations on OSCE format, Hovannisyan praised the
document saying "it may serve as a base for conflict settlement." The
vice speaker said Armenia should have a tough stance on conflict
settlement under the conditions of "changing moods of Azerbaijan."

VARTAN OSKANIAN: THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND THE US

ArmRadio.am
19.6.2007 12:43

No problems exist between Armenia and the United States connected with
the reinforcement of Yerevan-Tehran relations, RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian told the journalists today, commenting on the recent
statement by US Charge d’Affaires Anthony Godfrey that the US is
concerned over the reinforcement of relations between Armenia and Iran.

In his words, Armenia has good relations with all the countries,
especially its neighbors, and there is no reason to worry. At the
same time the Minister noted he does not know in what context Anthony
Godfrey made the statement.

"Dialogue has been established between the US and Armenia on all kind
of issues – political, economic and security matters. All the questions
are discussed in this framework," declared the Foreign Minister,
rejecting any suggestion about tension in Armenia-US relations.

RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
_________________________________________ ______________
RFE/RL Iran Report
Vol. 10, No. 20

Tuesday, June 19, 2007
A weekly review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about Iran.

TEHRAN SAYS IT HAS KREMLIN ASSURANCE IT WON’T SHARE RADAR WITH U.S.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says it has received assurances that
Moscow willl not let the United States share a Russian radar facility
in Azerbaijan as part of a missile shield against Iran — despite an
offer by President Vladimir Putin to U.S. President George W. Bush to
do exactly that.

7b95-091c-42bc-a05d-9a8b1d2e53e0.html

IRAN: LAWMAKERS REJECT NEARBY MISSILE-SHIELD PRESENCE

By Vahid Sepehri

Iranian politicians have responded disapprovingly to a Russian
proposal that the United States deploy components of a proposed
antiballistic-missile shield in Azerbaijan instead of Central Europe.

dcd8-409b-4217-8acc-b232a665e4bf.html

U.S. WARNS TEHRAN OF TOUGH NEW SANCTIONS

By Breffni O’Rourke

A senior U.S. diplomat warned Iran that it is facing the prospects of
tough new sanctions "in the next week or two" unless it comes to the
negotiating table on its nuclear program.

2d59-5884-4097-b002-4b3d808ee732.html

IRAN: U.S. IAEA ENVOY SAYS TIME FOR DIPLOMACY REMAINS

The United States’ permanent representative to Vienna, Gregory
Schulte, spoke with Radio Farda’s Fatemeh Aman ahead of meetings of
the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) governing board, at
which member states were expected to discuss Iran’s disputed nuclear
program.

33f8-48c9-4df7-9110-aa4c99589acf.html

IRAN: EL-BARADEI, U.S. NOTE DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS AS IAEA BOARD MEETS

By Breffni O’Rourke

Muhammad el-Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA), says the international dispute over Iran’s nuclear
program "needs to be defused."

1670-81d0-4375-a3c9-8b52e515d8f7.html

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KARABAKH LEADER MEETS EUROPEAN ENVOYS – ARMENIAN AGENCY

Mediamax news agency
18 Jun 07

Yerevan, 18 June: The president of the Nagornyy Karabakh republic
(NKR), Arkadi Ghukasyan, received on 16 June the political advisers to
the special representative of the European Union in the South Caucasus,
Mark Fawcett and Kaupo Kand.

The visit aimed at studying the approaches and proposals of the
Karabakh side concerning the prospects of extending EU humanitarian
and rehabilitation programs in the region, the press service of the
NKR president reported.

Discussions of the projects planned in Nagornyy Karabakh, as well
as of measures of establishing an atmosphere of confidence in the
region, will take place within the framework of the next visit of
the EU special representative in the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby,
to Stepanakert.

Arkadi Ghukasyan presented the stance of the Karabakh side as to the
problem of the Karabakh conflict settlement and the approaches to the
prospects of realization of humanitarian and other programmes in the
NKR under the aegis of European structures.

Peter Semneby himself was expected to visit Stepanakert on 16 June,
however, his visit did not take place.

WE HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE
Haroutyun Gevorkyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily – Armenia
14 June 07

Time Plays into Armenians’ Hands

RICHARD KIRAKOSYAN, former expert of the US Congress, strategic analyst
of the British "James" analytical centre and political advisor of
"Liberty" Radio station, had a meting with journalists in "Pastark"
club yesterday.

Known for his unreserved reputation within American and European
political circles, the analyst first of all introduced his assessment
with regard to the last Kocharyan-Aliev meeting held in St. Petersburg.

"There seems to be nothing new at first sight. However, if we view
what has happened in pursuance of the logic of the developments
inside the region, i.e. Iran and Iraq, and in that context – the
sharpening relations between the United States and Russia, there are
really certain complications for Armenia and Azerbaijan in military
terms. Now, the matter is not addressed to the window being close
or open."

R. Kirakosyan disagrees with Co-Chair M. Bryza’s statement that the
Unites States participation in the negotiation process contributes to
finding a diplomatic solution. During the last Karabakh settlement
talks the United States had a major impact in Key West. Now the
preserving the status quo of Arstakh is mutually beneficial for both
for the Russian Federation and the United States.

The speaker pointed out the pro-Armenian shifts observed in the
attitudes of the mediators and the international forces, unequivocally
conditioning them with the successful course Parliamentary elections
held in our country on May 12.

"In the near future elections are to be held in Georgia, Azerbaijan
and in February elections having greater significance are expected in
Armenia again, in addition to the elections to be held in the Russian
Federation and the United States. At this stage, the first strict
orienting step was made by Armenia which immediately appeared in a
completely different, more favorable situation. We should believe
that the Artsakh settlement process will slow down at that stage;
however, there are already good news for us."

And what is the good news? First of all, it should be noted that
the RF President Vladimir Putin first left for Kazakhstan and
Turkmenistan, and only thereafter did he take part in the Group Eight
summit. Russia’s new agreement with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan on
energy issues creates an extremely favorable situation for Armenia
as well, since the Baku-Jeyhan oil export program immediately became
unimportant and secondary.

Secondly, the national interest of Armenia and Russia proved
to coincide at this stage. The Gabala program proposed by Putin
underscores in turn that Azerbaijan has to solve a strictly important
strategic problem.

R. Kirakosyan believes that Armenia will not have, under any
circumstances, to become a NATO member in order to keep its military
potentials on a proper level. Armenia may have something to do with
and not under the control of NATO.

"The statements the US President recently made in Albania come to
confirm that Arsakh’s struggle was quite proper. After recognizing
Kosovo’s independence, it will be very difficult for the United States
and the European Union to avoid recognizing Artsakh’s independence.

Therefore, we must realize from no on that neither Turkey nor
Azerbaijan can be a thereat to the national security of Armenia
and Artsakh."

With regard to Armenia’s internal problems, "it is corruption and
state administration that pose threat," in the estimation of the
politician. "The real prerequisites for overcoming such threats are
visible as a result of the elections. They may be expressed by names
– Arthur Aghabekyan, David Haroutyunyan and Nerses Yeritsyan. These
people are the bearers of the values of reforms and democracy in
their spheres, i.e.

army, justice and economy. Azerbaijan is now trying to achieve
this by virtue of having only oil versus our country’s democracy
and stability."

R. Kirakosyan disagrees with those, "who insist the Artsakh
issue be discussed during the talks. I don’t think there is any
other alternative at this point. Artsakh belongs to us, and the
divergences in views around the status are exhausted. It is always
possible to remind the hesitant of what happened in Baku, Sumgayit
and Kirovabad. As far back as last year I was thinking that it was,
nonetheless, possible to return certain regions, and now I am convinced
that we have nothing to give either in military or demographic terms.

>From this point of view, time plays into our hands, since handing
over any territory is becoming impossible day by day."