Author: Emil Lazarian

DISCLOSURE OF KARABAKH TALKS DETAILS NOT LIKELY TO RESULT IN RESUMING OF WAR

Yerkir.am
July 01, 2006

Disclosure of Karabakh talks details is not likely to result in
resuming of the war, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsian said
Thursday when commenting OSCE Minks Group Co-Chair Mathew Bryza’s
latest statement.

"I don’t think something has happened that could lead to a war,"
Sargsian said. "There are no real preconditions for resuming military
actions."

Sargsian added that Bryza had better made public the documents adopted
during and after the talks in Key West instead of "his own comments."

"Otherwise, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs urge others to not disclose
the details of the talks to avoid emotional speculations, but they
do exactly that, " he noted.

He also said that it is for the presidents of the two countries
to settle the conflict and the co-chairs have to accept what the
presidents would decide.

DIPLOMATIC ADVISOR OF THE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE IS IN ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
03.07.2006 11:13

June 28-July 3 Diplomatic Advisor of the President of France Laurent
Biliis paying a visit to Armenia to prepare the Year of France in
Armenia. July 3 he will meet RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MATTHEW BRYZA: US BACKS THE PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

ArmRadio.am
03.07.2006 12:32

"The US backs the principle of territorial integrity, but at the
same time we believe in the right of self-determination of peoples,
declared Matthew Bryza, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.

"The US stands for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We
advocate also the territorial integrity of Georgia in the Abkhazian and
South-Ossetian conflicts, as well as that of Moldova in the conflict
of Transniestria.

Simultaneously, we believe in the right for self-determination of
peoples. In case of the conflicts in Karabakh and Georgia these two
principles are contradicting each other," Matthew Bryza declared.

"It is just in such cases that diplomacy and international mediation
are necessary. The mission of the OSCE Minsk Group is to find ways of
matching these two disparate principles," the American diplomat noted.

Matthew Bryza declared also that he will visit Azerbaijan, Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh later in July.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEDIATORS URGE ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN TO SETTLE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

AP Worldstream
Jul 03, 2006

International mediators on Monday urged the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan to settle their dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s so-called
Minsk Group, chaired by the United States, Russia and France, said
that its proposals discussed at a meeting last month "hold the best
potential for achieving a just and lasting settlement of the conflict."

Nagorno-Karabakh is in Azerbaijan, but the territory and some
surrounding areas have been under control of Karabakh and Armenian
forces since a shaky cease-fire in 1994 ended a six-year separatist
war that killed about 30,000 people and drove about 1 million from
their homes.

The principles the mediators proposed last month included withdrawing
Armenian troops from the Azerbaijani territories surrounding
Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a statement from the Minsk Group,
but it suggested a corridor linking Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh
would remain under Armenian control.

The principles "could pave the way for the two sides to draft a
far-reaching settlement agreement," the mediators said. They also
include deploying international peacekeepers, resettling displaced
people and a referendum _ its timing and format to be worked out
later _ on the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In the statement, the mediators expressed regret that Armenian
President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev did
not reach an agreement on the principles when they met in early June
in Bucharest, Romania.

The mediators "strongly believe that it is now time for the two
presidents to take the initiative for achieving a breakthrough in the
settlement process based on these principles," the statement said. The
mediators are ready to help "if the parties decide to pursue the
talks with the political will that has thus far been lacking," it said.

Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry officials each indicated
Monday that their governments consider the principles an acceptable
basis for further negotiations, but accused each other of hindering
efforts to reach a settlement.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARFD BUREAU CALLS FOR MARKING 15th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN INDEPENDENT STATEHOOD BY CONCRETE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 3 2006

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "This year the
whole Armenian people is going to mark the 15th anniversary of its
independent statehood.

We will mark this holiday with the consciousness of this holiday’s
exclusiveness and resolution to improve, enrich and strengthen our
All Armenian home," the July 3 statement of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun
Bureau read.

"Independence is a supreme value and everybody’s duty is to make
Armenia a center of justice, democracy, solidarity," the ARFD Bureau
declared.

The statement authors emphasize that "the Armenia-Spyurk third forum
to be held on September 18-20 in Yerevan coincides with the jubilee
of our state," "which is one more occasion to unite our potential
and to make it serve for political, economic, spiritual and cultural
development of the Homeland, to solution of national problems, to
overcoming with dignity the challenges resisted by the Armenians and
Armenia in the 21st century."

Mentioning that this time there is a concrete goal of strategic
importance on the forum agenda – to find funds and to develop
especially the border regions of Armenia, to improve and to modernize
rural infrastructures, to assist solution of the population’s social
problems, the ARFD Bureau calls on all structures, units, individuals
of Armenia and Diaspora, first of all its organization circles and
members to take an active part in the implementation of this program,
to assume a concrete commitment.

"With this step we should also prove that we can have a strong,
independent country and homeland, we can become an influential
presence in the large family of peoples. Let’s mark the anniversary
of our independent statehood by a concrete work and responsibility,"
the ARFD Bureau declared.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR MINISTRY OF DEFENSE REFUTES THE RECURRENT MISINFORMATION OF AZERI MASS MEDIA

ArmRadio.am
03.07.2006 15:03

NKR Ministry of defense refuted the recurrent misinformation
disseminated by Azeri mass media on breach of the cease-fire regime
at the contact line of the Armed Forces of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"The information does not correspond to reality," declared Press
Secretary of the NKR Ministry of Defense Senor Asratyan, commenting on
the information of the Azeri APA Agency, according to which because of
the violation of the cease-fire regime by the Karabakh side, Gervend
cemetery on the territory controlled by Armed Forces of Azerbaijan
was burnt.

Senor Asratyan reminded that NKR representatives have noted a number
of times that the arsons occur because of the fire opened by the
Azeri side.

"The Karabakh side stays loyal to the maintenance of the peace at
the contact line," Senor Asratyan remarked.

The report of the APA Agency has not been confirmed by any official
source and is generally based on the statement of the journalist
of the agency. The statement that "all the graves turned into ash"
is also suspicious.

RA DRAM CONTINUES TO APPRECIATE

Noyan Tapan
Jul 3 2006

YEREVAN, JULY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. A 4.3% growth in consumer prices
was registered in 2006 June compared with 2005 December and RA dram
appreciated by 6.4% against USD. According to the data of RA National
Statistical Service, a similar tendency was registered in the same
period of the previous year: a 1.4% growth in prices for consumer
goods was accompanied by a 7.7% appreciation of RA dram against USD.

A 1.2% fall in prices was registered on the country’s consumer market
and a 4.4% appreciation of RA dram against USD was registered in
2006 June compared with May. In 2006 June the average exchange rate
of RA dram against USD made 420.47 drams, which is higher by 6.3%
than the respective index of June of previous year (448.95 drams).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR OFFICIAL DELEGATION ARRIVED IN WASHINGTON

MFA PRESS SERVICE.
03-07-2006

On June 26 NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian and the minister of foreign
affairs of NKR Georgy Petrossian arrived in Washington for an official
visit. On the same day the NKR high-ranking officials met with the
Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tatul Margaryan and discussed
questions of mutual interest.

Afterwards the NKR delegation met with Mathew Bryza, the US co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group at the NKR Permanent Representation to the
United States and discussed the present stage of the Karabakh conflict
and regional developments.

Speaker Ashot Ghulian and Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian
presented the NKR stance on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,
underlining the importance of the legal aspect of the problem. The
participants of the meeting arranged to continue consultations,
including in Stepanakert. On June 27 the NKR delegation met with
the representatives of the Washington Office of Hay Dat and the
Armenian Assembly of America. During these meetings they discussed
cooperation between the NKR government and these organization, as
well as the present situation in the region and the Homeland-Diaspora
relations. Afterwards the Artsakh officials met with Craig Kennedy,
president of the German Marshall Fund, and discussed the current
stage of settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the home and foreign
policies of NKR. In the afternoon the NKR delegation met with senators
Lincoln Chaffy and Jack Reed. During this meeting the NKR officials
presented the social and economic state of NKR, democratic achievements
and the recent development in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. The delegation emphasized the importance of the US assistance
to NKR and called for continuing and expanding this assistance. In
the morning of June 28 NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian and Foreign minister
Georgy Petrossian addressed an event at the US Institute of Peace,
devoted to the preconditions of peace settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. Diplomats, heads of strategic centres and organizations,
as well as members of the Armenian community were present. The
Artsakh officials presented the official stance of NKR on the peace
settlement of the conflict over Karabakh, touched upon the history
and the current stage of peace settlement. The speaker of NKR dwelled
on the legal and historical aspects of declaration and establishment
of NKR, emphasizing their compliance with the international law and
experience. With regard to the current developments in the region,
he mentioned that NKR perceives the vital interests of the United
States and other countries in the South Caucasus. At the same time, NKR
expects these countries to perceive its interests as well. The foreign
minister of NKR underlined that the current format of the talks does
not reflect the conflict fully because the Azerbaijani side refuses
to negotiate with NKR. Similarly, since 1988 Azerbaijan has distorted
the possibility of a legal settlement of the conflict into a lasting
ethnic and political conflict. In the end the NKR delegation answered
the questions of the participants of the meeting. Later the Armenian
delegation met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey. During the meeting
the NKR delegation presented the social and economic state in NKR,
democracy in Artsakh and the recent developments in the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict. In the afternoon there was a reception
for the NKR delegation at the Capitol. Armenian Ambassador to the
United States Tatul Margarian, NKR Permanent Representative to the US
Vardan Barseghian, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian
National Committee of America were present. US House Representatives
Franck Pallone, Joe Knollenberg, Edward Royce, Caroline Maloney,
Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman addressed the guests and greeted the
speaker and the minister of foreign affairs of NKR. Condemning the
anti-Armenian aggressive policy of Azerbaijan, the representatives of
the U.S. House affirmed their commitment to assist in the establishment
and development of NKR. In their speeches the NKR officials thanked the
US congress and the American people for establishment of freedom and
democracy, as well as the humanitarian aid from the United States to
NKR. "Artsakh chose the path of freedom and democracy consciously and
nothing will make it deviate from this path," concluded the speaker
of the NKR National Assembly. After the reception the NKR delegation
met with the co-chairs of the Armenian task force of the U.S. House,
Rep. Franck Pallone and Rep. Joe Knollenberg. During this meeting
they discussed economic and democratic reforms in NKR, US assistance
to NKR and the settlement of the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF MARTAKERT WAS LAUNCHED

Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
01 July 2006

The regional development programme of Martakert, which has already
been launched by Armenia Foundation, is a novelty for the foundation,
since it involves simultaneous reconstruction and development of
different spheres, reports the department of public relations of
Armenia Foundation. If formerly the foundation used to implement
large-scale programmes in one sphere, now the foundation invests in
all the spheres, which are of vital importance for the population,
allowing a general development of the region. Tenders for strategic
projects are held by the commission of the foundation, including the
executive board of the foundation, the director of the Armenian Relief
Society in Armenia, the director of the Yerevan office of the Armenian
Assembly of America, a representative of the NKR government. This year
the representative of the NKR president was included as well. The 4.865
km section between Drmbon and Martakert of North-South Highway will
be put out to tender on July 5. Two companies, Karavan and Virage
had submitted applications for the prequalification test. Karavan
passed the prequalification. The first tender held on June 29 was
suspended, since the tender sums were too big. The construction of
the drinking water pipeline will also be put to tender. The building
owner is the NKR government. The project costs 40 million drams,
and is funded by Armenia Foundation. On May 23 the foundation held a
prequalification test. Out of four companies, Dorozhnik, Sphinx, Sokol
Group, Virage, Dorozhnik and Virage passed the prequalification test
and will offer tender sums on July 4. Besides, the foundation will
put out to tender the drinking water supply systems in the villages
of Varnkatagh, Magavuz, Mets Shen, Vaghuhas, as well as the bridge
on the Kichan-Drmbon section of North-South. The project of gas
pipeline in the villages of Chldran and Aradjadzor was worked out
by Artsakhgas. The planning and conceptual design of the regional
hospital of Martakert was carried out by the American specialists
of the Armenia Foundation in Los Angeles. The conceptual design was
presented to the NKR Ministry of Health. In 2005 the building of
the school in the village of Mataghis began, funded by the Toronto
branch of the foundation. The school will admit 120 children. Now
the foundation has put out to tender the building of the school in
the village of Kochoghot. The Toronto body of the foundation will
also finance the construction of a school in Verin Horatagh. The
agricultural development programme of Martakert requires immense
efforts, therefore its implementation is controlled by the commission,
including the executive director of the foundation, the NKR minister
of agriculture, the representative of Turnaround Associates, a United
States NGO, which worked out the programme. The foundation is going
to sign an agreement with the NKR government on this programme. In
accordance with the contract, the programme will be implemented by
the NKR Agriculture Support Fund, which will set up a CJSC and an
NGO in the framework of the programme. The contract will include
the bylaws of the CJSC and the NGO, which were drawn up by a top
lawyer. Armenia Foundation will buy agricultural machinery, which
will be leased by the CJSC to farmers for lower prices. The first
consignment of agricultural machines (tractors, trucks, etc) will be
delivered to Martakert in August. Besides, over 3 years the foundation
will pay the salaries of the staff and cover other expenses of the
CJSC. Afterwards the CJSC will be transformed into an independent
profit organization. The NKR Ministry of Agriculture is the only
shareholder of the CJSC but within five years the farmers will buy the
shares, and as shareholders, the agricultural machinery will become
their property. The farmers will be allowed to use the agricultural
machines on becoming member of the NGO. The interests of the members
of the NGO will be taken into account and protected, and membership
to the NGO will allow participating in decision making and controlling
the work, states the department of public relations of Armenia Fund.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DEPUTY FM OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS WITH HIS EGYPTIAN COUNTERPART

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 1 2006

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov met with Deputy
Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mrs. Fatma al-Zakhra
on June 30.

Azerbaijani diplomat said this meeting is of great importance for
continuing the political dialogue between the two countries.

Deputy FM of Egypt Fatma Al-Zakhra said Egypt is poised to develop
relations with Azerbaijan in all spheres. According to her, the
major objective of her visit to Azerbaijan is to continue political
consultations started in Cairo, strengthen bilateral relations and
discuss proposals for development of cooperation.

At the meeting, the discussions revolved around the cooperation between
the two countries within international organizations such as UN, OIC as
well as the international and regional issues. The sides touched upon
the negotiations over Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It
was noted during the meeting that Armenia did not give up the policy
of occupation and remains committed to its non-constructive stance,
which does not allow settling the problem.

The sides highlighted the need for developing economic, trade,
scientific, cultural, tourism, health, educational relations and
launching the direct flight between Cairo and Baku. Deputy Foreign
Ministers also discussed the prospects for cooperation within the
framework of the TRACECA project and issue of cooperation with the
European Union.

The meeting also focused on the issue of conducting the meeting of the
joint Egypt-Azerbaijan joint commission slated for early 2007 in Baku.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress