Author: Boshkezenian Garik

GEORGIAN LANGUAGE POORLY TAUGHT IN JAVAKHK
ArmenPress
Feb 11 2005
AKHALKALAKI, FEBRUARY 11, ARMENPRESS: Central Georgian authorities
are displeased with how the Georgian language is taught in Armenian
schools in its southern region of Samtskhe Javakhk that has a
predominant Armenian population. In early February Georgian education
ministry conducted a large-scale examination among teachers of
Georgian in these schools to assess the level of their knowledge.
Teachers of Georgian in these region receive three time higher
wages than in other Georgian-populated areas and besides they have
also a set of other privileges. Those teachers who did not stand the
examination will receiver lower salary but will not be sacked.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
February 9, 2005
___________________
REAWAKENING THE VARTANANTZ SPIRIT FOR THE ARMENIA OF OUR DREAMS
Each day, as he pauses to admire the beauty and majesty of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral on Second Avenue and 34th Street, Garnik Nanagoulian,
executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), sees the
legacy of General Vartan Mamigonian and his valiant soldiers. The
Armenian house of worship, standing proudly in the middle of one of the
most powerful centers of the world, is a testament to the Vartanantz
spirit in every Armenian, passed down through generations, to persevere
through challenges and rebuild.
It was this desire to revive the Vartanantz spirit that Mr. Nanagoulian
hoped to express to the more than 200 faithful who gathered at New York
City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday, February 3, 2005, to
mark Sts. Vartanantz Day.
In his keynote address for the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner organized by
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) with the
participation of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Mid-Atlantic
Region, Mr. Nanagoulian highlighted the historic opportunity Armenians
have today to create the Armenia of their dreams, the Armenia that 28
generations of Armenian ancestors have prayed for. Now is the time, he
said, to get involved in nation-building, in laying the foundations of
the country.
“In the battle of Avarayr in the 5th century, the spirit of Vartan could
express itself only in two ways — live or die. In the end, the
Armenians chose to die rather than give up their holy rights, the
essence of their identity. Today the spirit of Vartan could be
expressed in many ways,” said Mr. Nanagoulian who witnesses the
accomplishments of the spirit of Vartan within FAR’s donor community on
a daily basis.
SPEAKING ABOUT FAR
Founded in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization that provides short-term emergency relief and implements
long-term programs for the economic growth and social development of
Armenia. It helps the most vulnerable segments of the population –
children and the elderly – and prepares the youth and professionals to
drive the country’s new democratic state.
With almost 30 programs to be implemented in 2005, FAR’s activities
include a wide range of projects, from operating soup kitchens and
summer camps to providing educational scholarships and scientific grants
to building irrigation systems and university halls.
FAR is recognized within the Diaspora for repeatedly proving that goals
can be accomplished lawfully, transparently and reliably. The
organization’s donor community believes in FAR and is proud of its
association. The people of Armenia also believe in FAR. When they hear
that FAR will be implementing a project, they know it will be done.
This trusted reputation, both in the Diaspora and in the Homeland, is
built on 16 years of serving a cumulative 10 million people through more
than 130 relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh.
Having partnered with U.S. Government agencies, like USAID and USDA, and
many international nonprofits, FAR has channeled more than $250 million
in humanitarian assistance to Armenia.
Headquartered in New York, FAR has three offices in Armenia and Karabagh
and more than 150 full-time employees. FAR has an outstanding track
record, successfully completing every project undertaken. Relying on
its time-tested operational framework to effectively and efficiently
execute programs throughout the country, including regional and national
projects, FAR is recognized for accomplishing goals on time and within
budget. This successful project track record reflects FAR’s standard of
excellence in execution. Today, it is the preeminent relief and
development organization operating in Armenia.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR ARMENIA TODAY
Mr. Nanagoulian underscored the need for a long-term commitment to build
the ideal nation — “being in it for the long haul in Armenia.” Helping
our brothers and sisters in the struggling Homeland “would be in the
spirit of Vartanantz, because it is there, in Armenia, where our future
is. Because it is there, where our roots are. Because this is the land
of Vartan. This is the land I’ve come from. This is the land we have ALL
come from,” he said.
By focusing on the common culture, faith, and history, Mr. Nanagoulian
likened all Armenians, whether from the Diaspora or the Homeland, to
family. He indicated that this shared heritage is a deep connection
that bolsters the pride of each Armenian. “And as an Armenian family,
we have a duty to help the members of our family in the struggling
Homeland. It is a duty, an obligation. An obligation as a choice, a
choice you make for the people you love.”
Through FAR’s work, the Diaspora contributes to giving hope and creating
opportunities for the people of Armenia. This attention demonstrates
that each individual life means something and that in the Armenia of our
dreams, in a society that is free, productive, consensual, and human,
every human being counts.
Mr. Nanagoulian announced, “we at FAR, realize how fortunate we are to
have a unique chance in our lifetime to see and know an independent
Armenia. This is our chance. It is time to cast our vote for the future
of all Armenians drawing the lessons from our past. In fact, it is the
only vote we have as Armenians, here, in Diaspora.” He continued, “by
giving our time, donating money, volunteering our services – we cast our
vote for the future of Armenia, for our future, for the future of
generations of Armenians to come. And maybe our descendants will
celebrate us as warmheartedly in the future as we today celebrate St.
Vartan and his valiant warriors.”
(To read Mr. Nanagoulian’s remarks, please see the News and Events
section of FAR’s website, )
ST. VARTAN’S EXAMPLE
“All across the world, Armenians gather on this day to remember and
celebrate St. Vartan,” said Garo Sekdorian, Knights of Vartan
Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Grand District Representative on behalf of
Edward Korkoian, Avak Sbarabed. In 451 A.D., General Vartan Mamigonian
set an example by fighting for his holy rights during a battle against
the Persian army, which was intent on converting the Armenian Christians
to paganism by force. Although not victorious on that day, St. Vartan
inspired Armenians to defend their faith for 30 years until the Persians
submitted and allowed the Armenians to be Christian.
In his remarks to the crowd in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium,
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, former Pontifical Legate and Primate of
the Armenian Church of Great Britain, said that every February brings us
the celebration of St. Vartan and the battle of Avarayr. It is a
momentous occasion markings his battle to protect Armenia and our
Christian faith said the Archbishop. “This celebration is the
providence of our Church.”
“The Persian Empire, the Ottoman Empire – they have come and gone,”
proclaimed Raffi Nakashian, Mid-Atlantic Interlodge Chairman, who served
as the Master of Ceremonies for the Vartanantz Day Program, “yet the
Armenians, we are still here. We must be doing something right!”
CELEBRATION OF VARTAN
Three local Armenian schools performed at the Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner
in New York: the Hovananian Day School’s fourth grade and after-school
program students, led by Anahid Garmirian and Sylva Mesrobyan; the Holy
Martyrs Day School’s fourth, fifth and sixth graders, led by Anahid
Boghossian, Janet Marcarian, and Sophie Kerbeykian; and the St.
Illuminator’s School’s fourth, fifth and sixth grade students, led by
Zemroukhd Markarian and accompanied on the piano by Yn. Marina
Shitilian. The children presented a series of songs, dances and poetry
recitations telling the story of St. Vartan’s faith and determination,
and the fight for Armenia and Artsakh, the Armenian name for Karabagh.
The dinner came following a special Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr.
Daniel Karadjian, with the participation of St. Nersess seminarians and
St. Vartan Cathedral deacons.
The 2004 Vartanantz Day Commemoration Committee was co-chaired by Raffi
Nakashian and Ceran Kasarjian, with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral, acting in an advisory position. The members of the
committee were: Hagop Yagliyan, Garo Dursunian, Manug Aydin, Vatche
Aslanian, Tanya Bukucuyan, Arpi Candan, and Kathryn Kurkjian.
ACYOA Juniors from the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, Queens
were instrumental in ensuring a smooth dinner program. “It has become a
tradition for them to be involved in Sts. Vartanantz Day now,” said
Elizabeth Reed, director of the ACYOA Juniors of Holy Martyrs in
Bayside, of the group helping on Thursday night.
— 2/9/04
E-mail photos available by request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Garnik Nanagoulian, Executive Director of the Fund
for Armenian Relief, speaks to the more than 200 people who attended the
Sts. Vartanantz Day dinner hosted by the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) and the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and
Daughters of Vartan.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Faithful of all ages attended the special Divine
Liturgy on Thursday, February 3, 2004, celebrated by Fr. Daniel
Karadjian.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Students in the Hovnanian Day School fourth grade
and after-school program take to the stage to perform during the 2004
Sts. Vartanantz Day program organized by the Eastern Diocese.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): During their performances on Thursday, February 3,
2004, the students of the Holy Martyrs Day School and St. Illuminator’s
School presented a program of songs and poetry recitation that were both
patriotic and reflective of the Armenian Christian faith.
# # #

Post-Gillette: Will the life sciences pick up the
slack?
EXCLUSIVE REPORTS
Boston Business Journal (Boston, MA)
February 4, 2005
By Mark Hollmer, Journal Staff
While the Boston region risks losing more than a
thousand jobs following the sale of the venerable
Gillette Co. to Procter & Gamble Co., the state’s
health care and life sciences sectors offer a partial
silver lining.
Some of the region’s major hospitals and biotechnology
companies plan to add or fill nearly 2,700 combined
jobs over the coming year, based on informal Boston
Business Journal estimates.
Some insiders say the net job growth will at least
lessen the pain generated by Gillette’s loss and the
region’s recent financial services consolidations,
revealing that health care and life sciences are
rising to the task.
“It is … a consciousness-raising event, that
presents … opportunities for all of us leaders in
the business community and leaders in the public arena
to become specifically focused on the opportunities
that present themselves in and around biotechnology,
specifically, and life sciences in general,” said
Thomas Finneran, the new president of the
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council and former
longtime House speaker.
Others point out that jobs gains in health and life
sciences, however welcome, don’t diminish the fact
that executives and employees of a consumer-products
company such as Gillette can’t necessarily transfer
their skills to the new sectors posting “help wanted”
signs.
“What happens to the 1,800 people in the (Gillette)
executive office? They’re probably not going to move
into positions created in health care/life sciences,”
said Richard Lord, president and CEO of Associated
Industries of Massachusetts.
With the New England Economic Project projecting the
creation of 43,000 jobs in Massachusetts through 2005,
many of those jobs could come from life sciences and
health care. However, many of those jobs will be
focused on research and development and won’t likely
lead to many local manufacturing jobs here, said
Noubar Afeyan, managing partner at Flagship Ventures
in Cambridge and a senior lecturer at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School
of Management.
Genzyme Corp. in Cambridge, which employs 4,990 people
in Massachusetts, said in December that it had 300
regional job openings and plans to fill between 300
and 500 new and vacant positions. The Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc., which brought
900 jobs to Cambridge last year, plans to add about
200 more in 2005. Boston Scientific Corp. in Natick
employs 2,073 people in Massachusetts and added 384
people regionally in 2004. The medical device giant
plans to fill 183 positions here in 2005 and
potentially more, according to a spokesperson.
Even such smaller companies as Transkaryotic Therapies
Inc. in Cambridge, which employs 380 people, hired 60
people in 2004. TKT will hire 20 more through the
first part of this year as it focuses on gaining
regulatory approvals for two of its compounds.
AstraZeneca, which employs 1,203 people at its Waltham
research facility, also plans to hire locally this
year for sales, research and development and
operations positions.
Massachusetts General Hospital said in December it
would add 725 clinical care and research jobs to its
18,127-person work force in 2005. Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center said it plans to add 350
clinical care employees to its 6,700-person work
force, and Children’s Hospital Boston said it would
boost its 7,200-person staff over the next year by 250
people. Brigham and Women’s Hospital is aiming to fill
at least 120 vacant nursing positions alone.
Biopharmaceutical employment in Massachusetts reached
21,400 people in 2003 and will continue to grow as the
industry expands, according to the Milken Institute,
which recently compiled a report looking at
biopharmaceutical industry contributions domestically.
Health care employment in Massachusetts varies by
sector, but hospitals show the most growth. Hospitals
employed 156,100 people in December 2003, and the
number jumped by 1,500 by December 2004, according to
data from the state Division of Unemployment Career
Services.
Mark Hollmer can be reached at
[email protected]

ACCORDING TO ARABIAN HISTORIANS, ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS BLACK PAGE OF XX CENTURY
Azg/arm
9 Feb 05
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
The Institute of Oriental Studies at RA National Academy of
Sciences published the book by professor Nikolai Hovhanissian. The
book is entitled “The Armenian Genocide Highlighted by the Arabian
Historians.” It is published by state assistance and by the decree
of the State Committee for the Arrangements Dedicated to the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The author dedicated his work
to the memory of all the victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915, “to
all the young Armenian girls that couldnâ~@~Yt become brides and all
the young Armenian boys that didnâ~@~Yt become men,” as well as “to
all the generous Arabs that were kind enough to reach a helping hand
to the Armenians in the hard days of 1915 on their way to Golgotha.”
The book thoroughly represents the researches of the Arabian historians
on the reasons and the essence of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the
methods and mechanisms of its implementation. The author emphasized
the importance of the fact that the Arabian historians began using
the term “Armenocide” (elimination of the Armenians). They stated
that the Armenian Genocide was the dark page of the XX century. At
the same time, the Arabian historians say that the Ottoman Empire
is a country of massacres carried out not only against Armenians but
also against Arabs, Greeks, Assyrians, Slavonian nations, as well as
against other non-Turkish minor nations that lived there.
The author pays special attention to the facts of rendering help to
the Armenians by Arabs in the years of the Genocide.
By Ruzan Poghosian
–Boundary_(ID_R5zQznAgu6/v/PMBhEe4rw)–

TURKEY APPEARS IN DEADLOCK
Azg/arm
9 Feb 05
They Want to Characterize Battle in Khojalu as Genocide
Bjulent Arinc, speaker of Turkish National Assembly, pays an
official visit to Baku. He met with Mortuz Aleskerov, Speaker of
Azeri Meli Mejlis, on February 7. The sides touched upon the issue
of â~@~Xthe massacresâ~@~Y carried out by the Armenians against
the Azeris. According to the February 8 issue of the Turkish Radical
newspaper, Aleskerov characterized the battle in Khojalu that took
place in 1992 as a genocide carried out by the Armenians and demanded
from Arinc that the Turkish National Assembly should take a relevant
decision.
According to Sabah, in response, Arinc assured that “the Turkish
parliamentarians will include the issue of the genocide in
the agenda in the course of February 26 sitting, on the day of
the massacre.” Meanwhile, the Azeri parliamentarians suggested
Arinc to establish “a museum of victims” combining the efforts of
Azerbaijan and Turkey. Arinc stated that Turkey will participate in
this initiative. He also condemned Armenia for occupying over 20%
of Azerbaijan.
Combining their efforts, Turkey and Azerbaijan try to hinder the
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. Even if Azerbaijan characterizes the battles
in Khojalu as â~@~Xgenocideâ~@~Y, it will not help to achieve
the desired results in the process of Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement. If Azerbaijan and Turkey try to set off the issue of
Khojalu battles against the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
it will become clear for the international community that Turkey is
in deadlock.
Azerbaijan fails to convince even the Turkish-speaking states of
the Middle East that the battles in Khojalu were a genocide. But,
even if Turkey and Azerbaijan manage to convince them in this issue
they will not be able to deny that the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by the international community is unavoidable. So, it will
become for the Turkish-speaking states also that Turkey is at a loss.
By Hakob Chakrian
–Boundary_(ID_gdi1rIvOG53fvDID5FolhA)–

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2005
Arinc: The Armenian Occupation Of Azeri Territory Is Cruelty
Anadolu Agency: 2/7/2005
BAKU – Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc has stated that the
Armenian occupation of over 20 percent of Azeri territory is cruelty.
“Despite UN resolutions, Armenia continues to occupy Azeri land,”
said Arinc.
In a meeting with Arinc, the Azeri Parliament’s Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov told that the real genocide was committed by the Armenians
in 1992 in Khojaly.
After Arinc and Alasgarov’s meeting, delegations from the two countries
started discussions.
“The relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are developing every
single day. Our relations have reached a strategic level,” remarked
Alasgarov.
“Turkey has helped Azerbaijan in convincing the European Council
Parliamentary Assembly to recognize the Armenian occupation of Azeri
soil and make a call on the Armenians to withdraw from the occupied
territory. We are thankful to Turkey,” stressed Alasgarov. “Armenia
asserts that the Turks committed a genocide against Armenians. When
one looks at history books, he comes to the conclusion that no
genocide took place in 1915. The actual genocide was committed by
the Armenians in 1992 in Khojaly. More than 1,000 Azeris were shot to
death and wounded. Armenians have attempted a massive genocide on the
Azeris. The Armenians have forced about 250,000 Azeris to leave their
homes after 1980. 20 percent of our land is currently under Armenian
occupation. Over one million Azeri citizens have been forced out of
their homes and have to live in tents. We hope to resolve our dispute
with Armenia peacefully and support the Minsk Peace Process. Karabagh
is Azeri territory and we do not accept an Armenian government there.
Armenians must immediately withdraw from Azeri territory and Azeri
refugees must return to their homes,” stressed Alasgarov.
Arinc added that the United Nations adopted four resolutions to force
Armenian troops out of Azeri territory. “Yet, Armenia continues to
refuse abiding by UN decisions. Turkey supports a solution under the
Minsk Process. For the past 10 years, Armenia has been occupying Azeri
territory. Turkey will continue to give support to Azerbaijan in all
platforms,” expressed Arinc.
Arinc delivered an invitation to Alasgarov to attend the 85th
anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish parliament. “At the time
the Turkish parliament was established, Turkish territory was also
under occupation,” commented Arinc. According to Alasgarov, Azerbaijan
attach great importance to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas project. On the other hand Arinc has
reminded that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be completed
within 2005. “Our countries cooperate in many platforms,” told Arinc.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email [email protected]
Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 7, 2005
AGBU LONDON CO-SPONSORS FIRST UK ARMENIAN FILM FESTIVAL IN 25 YEARS
New York, NY – For the first time in two and a half decades, London
will play host from February 11 – 17th to an Armenian film festival
entitled, “Return to the Promised Land: London Armenian Film Festival,”
showcasing some of the finest Armenian films from around the world.
The weeklong festival at Ciné Lumière in the city’s South Kensington
neighborhood, co-curated by Gareth Evans and Nora Armani, will
include panel discussions, exhibitions by photographer Ann Doherty
and filmmaker Gariné Torossian, and over a dozen films.
In addition to Armenian Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan’s “Calendar”
(1993) and Georgian Armenian Sergei Paradjanov’s classic “Color of the
Pomegranates” (1969), a number of more recent films by Hiner Saleem
(“Vodka Lemon,” 2003), Tigran Xmalian (Lovember, 2004), and Egoyan
(“Ararat,” 2002) will be featured.
In addition to the support of AGBU London, event sponsors include
the Institut Français, Film London, UK Film Council, Benlian Trust,
Pemart, and the Canadian High Commission in London.
A complete listing of London Armenian film festival events can be
found online at
For more information on AGBU and its mission to promote the Armenian
heritage worldwide, visit
–Boundary_(ID_eJaswMrZ1Q708p7OCXAz/w)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian president goes on short break
Mediamax news agency
7 Feb 05
Yerevan, 7 February: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan went on a
short break on 7 February which he will spend on the territory of
the republic, the presidential press service told Mediamax news agency.
Usually Robert Kocharyan spends his winter holidays in the skiing
resort of Tsakhkadzor [near Yerevan].

Agency WPS
What the Papers Say. Part B (Russia)
February 3, 2005, Thursday
THE UNITED STATES PERCEIVES TOO MUCH POWER IN THE KREMLIN
SOURCE: Vremya Novostei, February 3, 2005, p. 1
by Alexander Samokhotkin
Newly-appointed US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice outlined the
major principles of Washington’s policy with regard to Russia in an
extensive interview with AFP and Reuters. Rice will be meeting with
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Ankara on February 5. This will be
their first meeting since Rice’s promotion on January 27.
According to Rice, there will be no radical revision of bilateral
relations, because present-day Russia “is not the Soviet Union, and a
return to the past is out of the question and that is great.” She
adds that “Russia’s progress in the direction of democracy has not
been smooth.” That is why development of cooperation, “to which we
all aspire, is only possible on the basis of common values.” As far
as Rice is concerned, these values include a wish for “a greater
degree of democracy” and existence of civil institutions serving as a
counterweight to government structures. Rice said that “the problem
is rooted in concentration of power in the Kremlin” at the expense of
these institutions, and “the United States has told the Russians as
much.”
Rice promised “assistance” in establishing civil society,
deregulating the economy, and developing small and medium business.
Assistance with World Trade Organization membership was also promised
– but only when Russia meets all requirements. “Deregulating the
Russian economy in line with the rules of the World Trade
Organization” was described by Rice as “good for all of the
international community.”
Rice hopes for “productive cooperation” between our countries in
“numerous spheres” including the war on international terrorism. She
hopes that the United States and Russia will work side by side on
resolution of regional conflicts like in the Caucasus and
Nagorno-Karabakh. All this bonhomie ended with what was essentially a
warning to the Kremlin. “We are keeping an eye on the strategy of
Russia’s development – Vremya Novostei and decide what to do on the
basis of these evaluations,” Rice said.
“Generally speaking, America’s position remains unchanged. Russia is
not cast out for the time being,” said Viktor Kremenyuk, deputy
director of the USA and Canada Institute. “On the other hand, the
Americans are making their displeasure clear regarding the course of
events in Russia.” In the international arena, the matter concerns
Ukraine and Georgia. In domestic affairs, it concerns media freedom
and YUKOS. The United States are trying to convey a message that
Putin should not expect too much from the Bratislava summit on
February 24. A message that the period when Washington looked the
other way is over. The United States is prepared to maintain more or
less broad cooperation provided Moscow takes into account what the
Americans are saying.
Rice also announced that the United States does not plan to attack
North Korea and is determined to find a peaceful solution to the
problem with Iran’s nuclear program. Rice complimented London, Paris,
and Berlin on their efforts to persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear
programs. Rice warned the EU that a decision to lift the embargo on
arms exports to China might send Beijing “the wrong signal” about the
human rights situation in China. The leading proponents of lifting
the embargo are Germany and France.
Translated by A. Ignatkin

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
February 2, 2005 Wednesday 4:19 AM Eastern Time
Russia hopes compromise to be reached in Karabakh settlement
By Kseniya Kaminskaya, Viktor Shulman
BAKU
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia
actively participates in the settlement in the mostly Armenian
populated Azerbaijani enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, and expects that a
compromise will be reached in that conflict.
“Russia actively participates in the Karabakh settlement as well as
in the settlement of conflicts in Georgia and Moldova,” Lavrov said
after talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov.
As Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia “has been concentrated
for the past few months on the issue of a peace settlement of the
Karabakh conflict, taking into consideration the ‘Prague Process’.”
In 2004, the Co-Chairs (Russia, France and the United States)
initiated a series of meetings in Prague between the Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The “Prague Process” was
designed to reinvigorate dialogue between the sides.
“The Russian co-chairman of the Minsk Group on Nagorno Karabakh, Yuri
Merzlyakov, has recently met with American colleagues,” Lavrov said.
“We expect that the process will end in a compromise,” he emphasized.
Focusing on conflicts in Georgia, the minister said “Moscow comes out
in favor of the implementation of all earlier reached agreements on
Abkhazia, including the Sochi agreements” as well as in favor of
“stabilization of the situation in South Ossetia”.
The Sochi agreements include a return of refugees to the Gali
district of Georgia’s self-style republic, resumption of rail traffic
from Sochi to Tbilisi via Abkhazia, and the renovation of the Inguri
Hydroelectric Station.
“So far as the Dniester Region settlement is concerned, Moscow
believes the memorandum of Dmitry Kozak is a basis for an agreement,”
he said. According to the minister “all components exist for the
settlement of the Dniester Region issue”.
He said Russia would keep working on those settlements with due
regard for its status. In reply to a query about contacts between
Baku and NATO, Lavrov remarked that Azerbaijan “chooses foreign
policy partners proceeding from its interests”. He also stressed that
“Russia enjoys good relations with NATO, which reflects our
interests”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress