Author: Emil Lazarian

NA CHAIRMAN MET COE SECRETARY GENERAL
ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 12:42
Yesterday Chairman of RA National Assembly, head of the Armenian
delegation to PACE Tigran Torosyan had several meetings in the
framework of the PACE summer session.
During the meeting with Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Terry Davis the issue of the aggressive policy of Azerbaijan in the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was discussed.
Head of the Armenian delegation noted that the Azeri delegation uses
the rostrum of the Parliamentary Assembly to disseminate falsehood
and forgery, and present fake accusations on Armenia.
In particular, this time during the discussion of all issues Azeri
deputies raise the question of arsons of the green areas on territories
adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh. Considering that that forgery and fake
accusations counter the CoE principles, Tigran Torosyan suggested
undertaking steps to correct this unhealthy situation. Terry Davis
promised to undertake corresponding steps.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERGE SARGSYAN: BY 2015 THE ARMENIAN ARMY SHOULD NOT GIVE IN TO ANY OTHER ARMY IN THE WORLD
ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 14:10
Today 2006 alumnae of the Military Institute after Vazgen Sargsyan
received graduate diplomas. After four years of study at the Military
Institute, they received also a Lieutenant’s title. After a one-month
vacation they will continue the military service as Officers.
“It has been several years already that an important event is occurring
in the army life of the Republic in these summer days – the Military
Institute gives its recurrent graduates,” Defense Minister Serge
Sargsyan said.
“This year the Officer Staff of our Army will be supplemented with
439 Officers, 259 of whom graduated from the Military Institute after
Vazgen Sargsyan.
This means we are approaching the line when our Army will be
complemented with Officers with higher education,” the Minister
underlined.
By 2015 the Armenian Army should not give in to any other army in
the world.
This is a great desire, which is already on the way to fulfillment. And
this, according to the Defense Minister, will depend on the moving
force of the Army – the Officer Staff. In the Minister’s words, the
state will do everything for the Officers to feel support of the state.
“The socio-economic conditions of the Officers have improved and it
will continue this way. Issues of housing and medical care of their
families will be resolved. The salaries of the Officers will be
raised. In one word, everything will be done to simplify the sacred
duty of serving the motherland,” the Defense Minister mentioned.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERGE SARGSYAN DOES NOT DENY THAT HE MAY BECOME CO-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 15:35
Head of the Republican faction of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan
declared one of these days that during the meeting of the Republican
Party on July 22 code changes will be implemented to allow a number of
political figures, including Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan to join
the Political Council of the Party. The press wrote that the Defense
Minister would be elected co-President of the Party. Serge Sargsyan
said today that he is not aware of such statement, “Possibly, such
opinions exist. I think everything will become clear in the coming
7-10 days. I neither deny nor confirm this. You see how the events are
developing. Don’t pay that much attention to the issue, it is a normal
process. I will joint some party, of course having no intention to
establish hostile or unfriendly relations with other political forces.”
As for the suppositions that the Defense Minister is going to
occupy the Prime Minister’s and later the President’s position,
Serge Sargsyan responded, ” We’ll go for parliamentary elections,
and these will show what every political force should be engaged in.”

BAKU USES PACE AS PLATFORM FOR INVENTED ACCUSATIONS AGAINST ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
29.06.2006 12:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Speaker, head of PACE Armenian delegation
Tigran Torosyan yesterday met with CE Sec. Gen. Terry Davis, reports
the Press Service of the NA of Armenia. During the meeting Torosyan
remarked that after the constitutional referendum changes should be
introduced to over 60 laws to make them comply with the Constitution
of Armenia: changes are already made in 10 out of these. In his words,
during the summer active work will be carried out for the Electoral
Code to be adopted this autumn. The Speaker noted the importance of
forming of atmosphere of solidarity with political forces.
In his turn Mr. Davis congratulated Torosyan over election as
Parliament Chair and noted the importance of the Parliament’s work
during the next year from the point of view of democratic development
of Armenia, especially the coming election in 2007.
The interlocutors also noted the issue of Azeri delegation’s aggressive
policy at the PACE. As Torosyan noted, Azeri MPs use PACE as platform
to spread senseless and false information, as well as invented
accusations against Armenia. Specifically, in this case during
discussion of all issues Azeri delegation members raised the issue
of fires in the Nagorno Karabakh security zone. Torosyan presented
the true state of affairs to the CE Sec. Gen. The Armenian Speaker
underscored that while the NKR leadership addressed the Office of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, asking for monitoring to refute the alleged
accusations, Azeris organized a political show in Strasbourg. In
the situation it is not possible to make Armenian MPs refrain from
statements in response.
Torosyan underscored that spreading invented accusations runs
counter to CE principles and suggested taking measures to fix the
situation. Terry Davis agreed that the problem is serious and promised
to take respective steps.

AN INTERVAL IS ANTICIPATED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
A1+
[01:05 pm] 29 June, 2006
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Mathew Bryza announced the principles
of settlement of the Karabakh issue discussed by the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
These principles include withdrawal of Armenian troops from the
territories, where they were stationed, economic assistance to Karabakh
and communication, as well as a referendum on the status of Nagorno
Karabakh at some stage.
“For the first time a co-chair presented systematically all the
information that is possible to get from various sources,” Vahram
Atanesyan, Chair of the Committee of External Relations of the NKR
National Assembly, said to the Karabakh Open. He emphasized that
the proposals of the American co-chair are not in the interests of
Karabakh. According to Atanesyan, opening the cards is an effort to
make pressure on the parties. “Otherwise, the presidents might reach
agreement. Besides, agreement without the engagement of the government
of NKR is impossible,” said Vahram Atanesyan. “Unfortunately,
it seems to me that the principles of settlement of the Karabakh
issue, “revealed” by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Mathew Bryza, are
addressed to the Armenian public because they are in the interests
of Azerbaijan,” said Vahram Atanesyan. “In particular, the return
of territories and uncertainty over the time of settlement of the
problem of status,” said Vahram Atanesyan.
“I think opening the cards at the moment means there are major
controversies and hurdles in the process of settlement. Moreover, these
hurdles are impossible to take. Therefore, the cards were opened in
the summer of 2006, which was said to be an expedient year for the
settlement of the Karabakh problem. It means that the talks did not
produce significant results,” Davit Babayan, political scientist,
said to the Karabakh Open.
“The logic of Azerbaijan and certain international organizations,
namely the return of territories and holding a referendum at a period
which is uncertain is unacceptable for the Armenian party. Some
liberated areas have the same role for the security of Karabakh as the
independence. Real independence is impossible without these areas. For
instance, 85 percent of Karabakh rivers, as well as the rivers Vorotan
and Arpa nourishing the Sevan start from the region of Karvachar. If
this area is not controlled by NKR, Karabakh may undergo ecological
terror. Even if the independence of Karabakh is recognized. However,
Azerbaijan rejects this as well, and insists on maintaining the status
of Karabakh in an indefinite period of time. If the developments follow
this path, it may be a powerful psychological shock for the people
of NKR, and it will be difficult to get over it. It is absolutely
absurd for a winner to take such a step,” said Davit Babayan.
“What is more, both the independence and autonomy of Karabakh
contain equal risk for Azerbaijan, because in both cases the other
ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan, namely the Talish and Lezgis will
demand similar rights. And this could lead to the dissolution of the
Azerbaijani statehood,” noted the political scientist.
The “proposals” revealed by the new American co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group Mathew Bryza did not find support in Karabakh. The chair
of the Committee of External Relations of the NKR National Assembly
Vahram Atanesyan, Democracy faction, Gagik Petrosyan, representative
of the second political party in the parliament Azat Hayrenik, and the
opposition announced that the package discussed by the presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia is against the vital interests of Karabakh. The
proposals on returning territories and holding a referendum in an
indefinite period are unacceptable. “The impression is that the
revelations were addressed to the Armenian party because they are
totally in the interests of Azerbaijan,” said Vahram Atanesyan.
At the same time, they think in Karabakh that Bryza’s revelations
may be a swansong of the package proposal.
Political scientist Davit Babayan thinks that since the proposals
have been published, the presidents will not discuss them, and a
necessity for new approaches will occur.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN, AZERI LEADERS ‘AGREED TO KARABAKH REFERENDUM’
By Emil Danielyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
June 27 2006
The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have accepted the idea of
enabling the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to decide their status in
a referendum but disagree on other, less significant issues, the
Armenian Foreign Ministry said late Monday.
The ministry also for the first time openly blamed Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliev for the collapse of his last peace talks with
his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian held in Bucharest on June
4-5. It warned that Yerevan could pull out of the negotiating process
if Baku refuses to sign up to a framework peace accord proposed by
the American, French and Russian mediators.
Key principles of that accord were revealed to RFE/RL by the new U.S.
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza, late last week.
Bryza confirmed that it calls for the holding of a referendum in
Karabakh after the liberation of Armenian-occupied territories in
Azerbaijan surrounding the disputed enclave.
Yerevan’s reaction to the move was negative, with President Robert
Kocharian saying through a spokesman that Bryza disclosed only a part
of the proposed peace deal and threatening to publicize it in full.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry appears to have done just that,
indicating in a written statement that the mediators also believe
Karabakh should retain an overland link with Armenia and remain under
Armenian control before the referendum. Still, the ministry was clearly
more positive about the U.S. official’s remarks. “The co-chairs have,
for the first time, affirmed that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh
shall determine their own future status through a referendum,” read
its statement.
“Those items over which the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
continue to disagree do not include a referendum; that concept has
been agreed to by the presidents,” it said. “The area of disagreement
between the presidents has to do with the sequence in which the
consequences of the military conflict are removed.”
Aliev and Kocharian reportedly disagreed, among other things, on a
time frame for Armenian withdrawal from Kelbajar, one of the seven
occupied Azerbaijani districts sandwiched between Karabakh and Armenia,
during their previous meeting held at the Rambouillet castle outside
Paris in February.
“In an attempt to resolve this remaining area of disagreement, a
proposal was made by the co-chairs after Rambouillet. This proposal
was accepted by Armenia in Bucharest. Azerbaijan rejected it,” the
Foreign Ministry said without elaborating.
Aliev’s apparent acceptance of the referendum option, which sparked
unusually upbeat statements by the mediators late last year and early
this, is at odds with his repeated public statements ruling out any
possibility of Karabakh’s de jure secession from Azerbaijan. While
confirming the veracity of the peace deal outlined by Bryza,
Azerbaijani officials say they are only ready to grant Karabakh a
status of autonomy within Azerbaijan.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov reiterated this on Tuesday. “This
could be an autonomy like [the Azerbaijani exclave of] Nakhichevan,
[the Russian autonomous republics of] Tatarstan and Bashkiria and
other entities,” he said, according to Day.az.
The Foreign Ministry in Yerevan made it clear, however, that
Karabakh’s return under Azerbaijani control is non-negotiable for
the Armenian side and said Baku must instead go along with the Minsk
Group plan. “Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on
the table today remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations,”
it said. “Armenia is prepared to continue on that basis to negotiate
with Azerbaijan; Armenia believes that Azerbaijan’s wavering on these
principles is a serious obstacle to progress in the negotiations. If
this policy continues, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan conduct
direct negotiations with Nagorno-Karabakh.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: (972) 635-5347
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: <; ARMENPAC ATTENDS EXCLUSIVE LUNCHEON WITH SENATOR NORM COLEMAN (R-MN) Irving, TX - ARMENPAC recently attended a private luncheon with Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) in support of his reelection campaign. ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian and ARMENPAC Honorary Committeeman Gerard Cafesjian, among others, were co-hosts of this intimate affair at the Detroit Athletic Club in Michigan, which was attended by no more than thirty of Senator Coleman's closest supporters. "ARMENPAC is glad to support Senator Coleman, who has continually been supportive of Armenian-American issues throughout his career," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian. Senator Norm Coleman has been a solid supporter of the Armenian-American community in Minnesota, which draws a vibrant and growing Armenian-American population centered in the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Four of Minnesota's eight delegates in the United States House of Representatives - Gil Gutknecht (R-1st), Mark Kennedy (R-6th), Colin Peterson (D-7th), and Betty McCollum (D-4th) - are members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Ever since being elected to the United States Senate in 2002, Senator Coleman has been a strong advocate of Armenian-American issues. During the 109th Congress, Senator Coleman has cosponsored S.2461, the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of 2006, and S.Res.320, the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and has joined as a signatory to various letters in support of Armenian-American issues. Senator Norm Coleman, who is in his first term in United States Senate, serves on the Committees on Foreign Relations; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and, Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Senator Coleman also serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and is the Chair of its Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. In June 2005, Senator Coleman paid a visit to the Republic of Armenia to meet with high-ranking officials, including President Robert Kocharian and Foreign Affairs Minister Vartan Oskanian. "Senator Coleman has been a longtime supporter of Armenian-American issues, starting from his mayoral declaration of 1999 as Armenian Centennial Year in St. Paul, to his ongoing support of congressional initiatives ensuring that that the lessons of the Armenian Genocide will not be forgotten since joining the United States Senate in 2003," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Hagopian. "We truly appreciate his friendship and commitment to Armenia, and the entire Armenian-American community." ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee with a nationwide membership. ARMENPAC raises awareness of, and advocates for, policies that help create peace, security and stability in the Caucasus region. ARMENPAC provides financial support to federal officeholders, candidates, political action committees and organizations that actively support issues of importance to Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to join ARMENPAC, please call (877) 286-1046 or visit our website. ### From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
June 28, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SENATE PANEL PRESSES PROPOSED U.S. ENVOY FOR CLEAR
EXPLANATION OF U.S POLICY ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— “I am not sure how we can continue to have Ambassadors
to Armenia who can be effective unless they give
recognition to the Genocide.” – Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)
— Sen. Biden Against Senate Approval of New Ambassador until
State Department Responds to Questions on Amb. Evans Recall
WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Foreign Relations Committee members George
Allen (R-VA) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) bombarded U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia Designate Richard Hoagland with questions about official
U.S. complicity in Turkey’s campaign of Genocide denial,
questioning him, during his confirmation hearing, regarding his
ability to effectively represent the United States in Armenia
without properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In the days leading up to today’s hearing, the Committee’s Ranking
Democrat, Joseph Biden (D-DE), in a strongly worded letter,
demanded that the Secretary of State answers questions concerning
the recall of the current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans,
before he could support the confirmation of his replacement.
At the hearing, Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), joined with Senators
Coleman and Allen in sharply criticizing the Administration’s
refusal to speak truthfully on the Armenian Genocide. Senator
Boxer, who was unable to attend the hearing, submitted written
questions to Amb. Hoagland.
The hearing was marked by repeated calls upon Amb. Hoagland to
clarify the State Department’s policy on the Armenian Genocide. If
approved, he will replace the current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia,
John Marshall Evans, who – amid great controversy – has been
recalled over his truthful description of the Armenian Genocide in
February of 2005.
“We appreciate the leadership of Senators Allen, Coleman and
Sarbanes in pressing hard for a detailed explanation of the U.S.
policy on the Armenian Genocide – and commend Senator Biden for his
principled demand that the Senate receive clear answers on this
issue from the State Department before moving ahead with the
nomination of a new envoy to Yerevan,” said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. “We were deeply disappointed that, in response to these
legitimate inquiries, Ambassador-designate Hoagland – apparently at
the direction of his superiors in the State Department – limited
his responses to a series of unresponsive evasions and euphemisms
intended to obscure – not explain – the U.S. policy on the Armenian
Genocide.”
“We have said from the start – and believe even more firmly today –
that the U.S. Senate cannot, in good conscience, approve the
nomination of a new ambassador to Armenia until the circumstances
of the current envoy’s controversial firing – including a thorough
description of the U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide – are
fully, officially and openly explained to Congress and the American
people,” said Hachikian.
——————————-
Dodgin g the Armenian Genocide
——————————-
In his opening remarks, Senator Allen, who chaired the confirmation
hearing, made specific reference to the Bush Administration’s
decision to recall U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans
for referring to the deportation and death of 1.5 million Armenians
in 1915 as a clear instance of “genocide.” “Some have expressed
concern that Ambassador Evans has been relieved of his duties as a
result of references to the Armenian Genocide,” stated Sen. Allen.
“I do not know this to be true, but will say that many of my
colleagues and I refer to the tragic events of 1915 as genocide and
have strongly encouraged the President to do so as well. I hope
that in the future the Administration will recognize this terrible
event for what it was – genocide.”
The Virginia Senator – and potential 2008 Presidential candidate –
then went on to question Amb. Hoagland about the instructions he
has received about discussing the Armenian Genocide, as well as the
instructions he intends to issue to his Embassy staff on this
matter. In response, Amb. Hoagland stated that, “the President has
said, this is a tragedy for all humanity and one that the world
must never forget.” He went on to note that he had not received
“any kind of written instruction about this. I simply studied the
policy, I studied the background papers on the policy, I know the
policy and my responsibility is to support the president.”
Amb. Hoagland noted on a number of occasions during the hearing
that, as a Foreign Service officer who has dealt with the Caucasus,
he has visited the memorial to victims in Armenia in Yerevan, and
would do so again, should he be confirmed. He added, however, that
he was against “getting stuck in the past” and wanted to focus on
“living in the future.”
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman noted that, “you can’t look to the
future if you deny your past.” Sen. Coleman was relentless but
respectful in his questioning, stating that, “the State Department
has put you in a difficult position. It is almost absurd for you
to sit here and you can’t utter the word ‘genocide.’ The
President’s statement that he utters every year is a description of
genocide. One of the things I was proud about the State Department
is when we talk about the Genocide in Sudan – it’s genocide what’s
happening in Darfur.”
Senator Coleman raised the 2000 statement by then Governor George
Bush that, “Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that
defies comprehension,” asking Amb. Hoagland, “do you agree or
disagree with that statement.” Amb. Hoagland avoided directly
answering the question, noting instead: “I fully agree that events
occurred in 1915 and following were of historic proportion. As I
said, they were documented, they were horrifying. As we heard from
Senator Sarbanes earlier on – ‘hundreds of valleys devastated,’ ‘no
family untouched’. It was historic, it was a tragedy.”
When asked by Senator Coleman why he thought the State Department
barred the use of the term “Armenian Genocide,” Amb. Hoagland
dodged the question, stating: “I am very much encouraged by the
fact that there are senior officials in Yerevan and Ankara and
elsewhere who do like to bring closure to that period of history.
They are looking for new ways of doing it. There are talks of
commissions – the truth and reconciliation commission concept is
being explored in quiet conversations. If we could I would very
much like to meet with senior officials in Ankara and Baku because
I think that could be helpful – it would help me understand better
how to play a role of reconciliatory and a peacemaking role.”
In his comments, Senator Coleman stressed the theme that a U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia who does not recognize the Armenian Genocide
lacks credibility. He noted that, “I am of the Jewish faith. I
cannot imagine an Ambassador to Israel being effective without
talking about the Holocaust. I am not sure how we can continue to
have Ambassadors to Armenia who can be effective, unless they give
recognition to the Genocide.”
Senator Sarbanes, in his opening remarks, expressed “regret that we
were called to hold this hearing today, in part to replace a career
Ambassador prior to the completion of a three year tour of duty.
We would not be in this situation, if the Administration would
simply acknowledge a plain historical truth that 91 years ago, the
world witnessed the first Genocide of the 21st century – the
Armenian Genocide.” Sen. Sarbanes spoke eloquently about the U.S.
Foreign service officers who witnessed the Armenian Genocide in
1915, and whose observations remain a permanent part of the U.S.
archives.
Senator Barbara Boxer, who was not able to attend the hearing,
submitted remarks and detailed written questions to Amb. Hoagland.
Noting Amb. Evans’ statement in February 2005, properly
characterizing the Armenian Genocide as “genocide,” Sen. Boxer
stated, “I agree with Ambassador Evans’ statement. Not only should
we not play word games with a matter as serious as genocide, we
should also not play political games with issues of genocide.” The
Senator went on to express concern “that the controversy
surrounding Ambassador Evans will needlessly harm U.S.-Armenian
relations. I understand that there are protests in front of the
U.S. Embassy in Yerevan today over the recall of Ambassador of
Evans. How would you respond to this concern?”
Sen. Boxer’s reference was to a candle-light vigil held today in
Yerevan by hundreds of human rights activists during the Senate
confirmation hearing, as part of the “Yellow Ribbon Campaign”
protesting the firing the Amb. Evans. On April 24th, tens of
thousands had tied yellow ribbons in solidarity with the U.S.
Ambassador, who had stood with the Armenian people in honoring the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
————————————— ——
Regional Integration and Military Aid Parity
——————————————- —
In response to questions on the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades
of Armenia and the proposed Kars, Tbilisi, Baku railroad, Amb.
Hoagland was adamant about the Administration’s decision not to
fund any project that would hinder regional integration and
cooperation. When asked about efforts to maintain military aid
parity to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Amb. Hoagland would not commit to
equal allocations of military aid to both countries. Sen. Allen
reminded the nominee that the Senate plays a central role in
ensuring military aid parity and that he would continue to work
hard to ensure the aid balance is maintained.
————————————- ————————–
Sen. Biden Asks Secretary Rice for Answers on Amb. Evans Recall
——————————————- ——————–
Just days before the Senate confirmation hearing, Foreign Relations
Committee Ranking Democrat Joe Biden (D-DE) expressed concern to
Secretary Condoleezza Rice regarding the circumstances surrounding
the recall of Amb. Evans, noting that he is “not prepared to move
forward on Senate action” on his replacement, until several key
questions are answered.
In his June 23rd letter to Secretary Rice, Sen. Biden noted that
“to punish an American official for correctly describing any
historical event raise serious questions about the United States’
commitment to the values of transparency and honesty.” The letter
went on to note that, “in this instance, the allegation that the
Department would retaliate against an official whose only apparent
offense was discussing an act of genocide with American citizens
also damages our country’s reputation for upholding human rights
and democratic values.” Senator Biden posed four questions to the
State Department, including one which asks: “If it is in fact the
policy of the United States not to characterize the systematic
killing of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, please explain why
these events do not meet any of the five definitions in the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide.” The State Department response, written by Assistant
Secretary of Legislative Affairs Jeffrey Bergner, effectively
avoided providing a meaningful response to Senator Biden’s
questions.
—————————— ——————————–
Sen. Allen Calls on Ambassador-Designate to Respect Armenians
—————————————- ———————-
In his closing comments, Senator Allen urged Ambassador-designate
Hoagland “to be respectful to Armenian Americans and also to
Armenians, recognizing their heritage, their history, their
sensitivities.”
The Scripps-Howard News Service, today, ran a story, “Ambassador-
to-be dodges Armenian genocide question,” about Amb. Hoagland’s
confirmation hearing. The first line of the story reads:
“America’s next ambassador to Armenia is a verbal gymnast. He has
to be, to keep his job.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USA EXPECTING OSCE’S REPORT CONNECTING TO FIRES AT OCCUPIED AZERI LANDS
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 27 2007
There is no change in the US policy related to settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The United States does not recognize
Nagorno Karabakh as an independent structure and upholds the country’s
territorial integrity, reports the correspondent of AzerTAc, quoting
the press secretary of the US Department of State Adam Ereli as saying
at a briefing for media representatives. He said the United States
‘adheres the earlier mechanisms and channels to settle the problem’.
Mr. Ereli said two persons from Nagorno Karabakh have come to
Washington. They will meet with Matthew Bryza, co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group. “We have done it and earlier. It is a mere forum of the
carried out discussions’, thus, Adam Ereli clarified the Armenian
claims on meeting of the Armenian side with the Bush Administration.
The US Department of State press secretary also said the United States
is aware of the fires at the occupied areas of Azerbaijan.
‘According to information provided, the OSCE is preparing a report
on the matter… the United States expects report of the OSCE
representatives’, he said.
To note, two representatives of the so-called “Nagorno Karabakh
Republic’ should appear at the Washington’s Peace Institute and
Marshall Fund this week. But according to the Fund’s information,
taking into account the few number of those who want to take part
at the actions, the ‘representatives’ will only appear at the Peace
Institute.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan Republic to the United States Hafiz Pashayev
has sent a letter to president of the Marshall Fund expressing regret
for providing by one of the influential international institutions
as the Fund with platform of the representatives of the illegal
structure. Expressing that this will be an erroneous massage to the
world community, Mr. Pashayev requested to remove the action. The
same letter was sent to the chairman of the House of Representatives
Denis Hastert, where it was stated that by providing with room of
representatives of the illegal structure to arrange banquet in the
Capitol, the Congress ignores official policy of the United States
that does not recognize Nagorno Karabakh as an independent structure
and insults the state and people of Azerbaijan, one of the strong
allies of America.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BASIC KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES ON THE TABLE TODAY REMAIN A SERIOUS BASIS FOR CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS: ARMENIAN FM
Yerevan, June 27. ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Ministry has appeared
with a statement today:
Taking into account the statement that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group presented to the OSCE Permanent Council, in Vienna, on June
22, and the interview that Matt Bryza, the new US co-chair gave soon
thereafter, where albeit partially, the principles of the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were revealed for the first time,
and also taking into account the recent desperate calls by Azerbaijan
for a military solution and autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh, we would
like to make several observations.
1. The co-chairs have partially revealed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution principles; they have left out references to a corridor
linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, and issues relating to Nagorno
Karabakh’s status until a referendum;
2. The co-chairs have, for the first time, affirmed that the people
of Nagorno Karabakh shall determine their own future status through
a referendum;
3. Those items over which the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
continue to disagree does not include a referendum; that concept has
been agreed to by the presidents; The area of disagreement between
the presidents has to do with the sequence in which the consequences
of the military conflict are removed;
4. In an attempt to resolve this remaining area of disagreement, a
proposal was made by the co-chairs after Rambouillet. This proposal
was accepted by Armenia in Bucharest. Azerbaijan rejected it.
5. Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on the table today
remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations; Armenia is prepared
to continue on that basis to continue to negotiate with Azerbaijan;
6. Armenia believes that Azerbaijan’s wavering on these principles
is a serious obstacle to progress in the negotiations. If this
policy continues, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan conduct direct
negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh.
7. Finally, we would remind Azerbaijan once again that regardless
of the size of their military budget, they cannot force the
people of Nagorno Karabakh to renounce freedom and the right to
self-determination.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress