Author: Frangulian Shushan

MIHRANYAN: MEETING BETWEEN KOCHARYAN, ALIEV WAS DOOMED TO FAILURE
ARKA News Agency
Aug 30 2005
MOSCOW, August 30. /ARKA-RIA Novosti/. Meeting between Armenian
and Azerbaijani Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilkham Aliev aimed
at Karabakh conflict settlement was doomed to failure, well-known
political analyst and professor at Moscow State Institute of Foreign
Relations Andranik Mihranyan said in his interview with RIA Novosti.
Viewing the meeting held Aug 27in Kazan as certain progress in
relations, Mihranyan, at the same time, noted that both presidents
realized very well that it is unlikely to reach any accord ahead of
parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan. In his words, Azerbaijan is
on parliamentary election footing now and atmosphere is too tense to
speak about concessions.
Answering the question about what Armenia and Azerbaijan should do
to come to agreement, Mihranyan said conflicting sides themselves
wouldn’t be able to do something. In his opinion, the solution may be
imposed by international community, or status quo will be maintained.
“This may last until one of the sides feels itself strong enough to
solve the problem in military way”, the political analyst says.
In his opinion, enlargement of military budget of Azerbaijan, about
which Aliev spoke recently, is “a political demarche aimed at putting
pressure upon Armenia. Along with that, Mihranyan didn’t rule out
that Azerbaijani authorities are tempted to resort to force to gain
revenge. When they military buildup reach certain level, they can go
to revenge, the professor thinks.
In his opinion, certain progress could be achieved if superpowers
impose some compromising solution to the conflicting sides.
Otherwise, it is difficult for Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities to
explain to people why they agree to make such unbeneficial concessions,
the expert said.
To the question whether Russia is able to activate its mediation
mission in Karabakh conflict settlement, Mihranyan answered that
Russia is already involved in that and pointed out its activity in
the OSCE Minsk Group set up especially for dealing with this problem.
However, he said, today Russia’s capacity leaves no room to do
more than it does now. “Russia’s financial, economic, military and
political capacity is reduced”, Mihranyan said. As an example of that,
he singled out the fact that Russia has lost its role in Georgia and
Azerbaijan. “Russia is no longer taken by many as a country having
clue to Karabakh problem solution. For example, Azerbaijan expects
more from Washington or Brussels”, he said. M.V.

AZERI, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS’ KAZAN TALKS RAISE HOPES
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Aug 30 2005
Baku, August 29, AssA-Irada
Hopes for a settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper Garabagh
conflict increased after another around of talks in Russia, Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists following the Saturday
closed-door meeting of the Azeri and Armenian presidents in the Russian
Volga river city of Kazan. The previous meeting of the two presidents
in Warsaw raised expectations for progress in the conflict resolution.
Prior to the Kazan meeting held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth
of Independent States summit, there were presumptions that the
sides would reach a specific agreement or sign a document. However,
it became clear after the meeting of the foreign ministers in Moscow
shortly before the presidents’ talks that considerable results would
not be achieved. As before, the presidents’ meeting was attended by
the co-chairs of the meditating OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann of the
United States, Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia and Bernard Fassier of France,
as well as the OSCE chairman’s envoy Anzhei Kaspshik. The talks, which
first started with participation of the two foreign ministers and OSCE
representatives, were followed by a private meeting of the heads of
state. Although no extensive information was available on the details
and outcome of the meeting, Foreign Minister Mammadyarov’s statement
enables a conclusion that major results were not achieved. He said,
however, that the meeting cannot be termed as fruitless, as talks
between the two presidents always yield results. “The hopes that
emerged after the Warsaw meeting further increased after the Kazan
talks.” The Minister noted that new proposals were made at the Kazan
meeting and that a week or two are needed to analyze them and assess
the situation. Although Mammadyarov did not elaborate, it is clear
that the mediators made certain proposals on the conflict resolution.
The date and venue for the next round of talks is not known yet and
will be specified after the meetings are analyzed, the Minister said.*

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
CONGRESSMAN MOORE JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Total Membership Reaches 146
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today welcomed the news that
Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS) has joined the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, making him the second representative from the
Sunflower State to join this all important body.
ARAMAC State Chair for Kansas Alex Kotoyantz, a longtime Armenian
issues advocate, personally encouraged the Congressman’s membership
and provided his office with information on pertinent issues.
“I am proud to be the latest member to join the Armenian Caucus,
and to participate as part of this bi-partisan group,” Congressman
Moore said. “It is my hope to coordinate with the Caucus Co-Chairs
and this diverse coalition to help foster greater ties between the
United States and Armenia.”
“The Assembly extends its appreciation and thanks to Congressman Moore
for joining the Caucus and appreciates his expression of support for
issues of importance to the Armenian-American community and homeland,”
said Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “We also
commend Alex Kotoyantz, who once again has demonstrated the power of
grassroots advocacy.”
Earlier this year, Kotoyantz worked with community activists to
encourage Governor Kathleen Sebelius to issue a proclamation formally
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Previous to that, he helped secure
the “Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day” proclamation recognizing the
importance of the recently forged relationship between the Kansas
National Guard and Armenia within the framework of the State’s
Partnership Program.
Congressman Moore is currently serving his fourth term in office and
is a member of the House Financial Services and Budget Committees.
The Armenian Caucus was formed in 1995 to provide a bi-partisan forum
for legislators to discuss how the United States can better assist the
people of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Co-Chaired by Representatives
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the Caucus has,
over the years, played a critical role on a wide range of issues,
including assistance programs for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the
ongoing Azerbaijani and Turkish blockades, the Karabakh peace process
and efforts to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2005-087

ILHAM ALIEV SUPPORTS IRAN
by Oleg Komotsky
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 29, 2005, Monday
Novye Izvestia, August 25, 2005, p. 4
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev made two statements not so very
pleasant for Washington in the interview for the British TV-channel
“Sky News”. First, he deflated the rumours that American military
bases may be located in his republic. Second, he openly spoke against
the eventual forced settlement of the Iran problem. (…)
Speaking on the air of the British TV-channel “Sky News”, Mr. Aliev
said, “I must say that the information about location of foreign
military bases in Azerbaijan does not correspond to reality. It’s
no more than rumors”. At that, according to his words, rumors of
this kind are sometimes “spread on purpose”. “We are holding no
negotiations on the matter, and I do not believe that location of
this or that foreign military base in our country will contribute to
its security”, highlighted the president. However, Ilham Aliev noted,
the Americans themselves never advanced such an initiative, and to
the contrary, they declared that military presence on the territory
of this Transcaucasian republic does not enter their plans.
At the same time the Azerbaijan president put it clear that Baku
stands against forced settlement of the Iran problem, which is
in no way excluded by the US President (George Bush said in the
interview for the Israel television). At that, Aliev referred to the
experience of his country: he said, in spite of more than ten-year
occupation of the proper Azerbaijan territories by Armenia, Baku
restrains from returning its lands by force. “As of today Azerbaijan
tries to settle the conflict peacefully, we have a right to appeal
to other countries asking to refuse any violation”, noted the
president. Besides, according to his words, military actions against
Iran can undermine security, including that of his country. “Why
should we be indifferent to a new conflict near our frontier? Will
it be any good for Azerbaijan’s security? It won’t”, emphasized Aliev.
Meanwhile, this week, the USA paid special attention to the CIS
countries, in particular to Central Asia republics, and especially
to military aspects of collaboration. So, last Monday, Head of the
USA Central Commandment (SENTKOM) General John Abizaid arrived in
the capital of Turkmenistan Ashkhabad. He held negotiations with
Defense Minister of the country Agageldy Mamedgeldyev, and the next
day the general was accepted by President Saparmurat Niyazov. To all
appearances, Abizaid mission was to persuade the Turkmen leader that
the American military presence in the region aimed to stabilize the
situation in the neighbor Afghanistan. The SENTKOM head highlighted,
Washington does not tend to use its military bases for overturning
of the local regimes. (…)
Apart from Turkmenistan, the United States paid much attention to
Kazakhstan. Foreign Minister of this country Kasymzhomart Tokaev
was welcomed in Washington by his American colleague Condoleezza
Rice. Though the negotiations were held behind shut doors, and
journalists were forbidden to ask any questions, the character of
the conversation can be judged at least from the press release of
the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. There the head of the American State
Department calls Kazakhstan “the status leader of the Central Asian
region”, representing “the optimal development model” for other
states. Something of the kind was stated by Rumsfield, who Tokaev met
on Tuesday. “Being the most dynamic and economically developed state
in Central Asia, Kazakhstan plays an important role in securing the
region’s stability and security”, emphasized the Pentagon’s head,
mentioning that the USA sees Astana as “a deserving partner on the
international arena and a reliable ally in the struggle against
terrorism”.

DENKTAS: AZERBAIJAN NEEDS TIME TO RECOGNIZE TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN CYPRUS
Anatolian Times, Turkey
Turkish Press
Aug 29 2005
BAKU – Rauf Denktas, former president of the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and TRNC FM & Deputy Prime Minister Serdar
Denktas were today in Baku to have talks with Azerbaijani executives.
TRNC delegation also visited the tomb of Haydar Aliyev, the former
president of Azerbaijan, and cemetery of Turkish soldiers in Baku.
Rauf Denktas told reporters, “Azerbaijan needs time to recognize us
(TRNC).”
Asked whether some circles try to put pressure on Azerbaijan arguing
that ‘if Azerbaijan recognizes TRNC, Greek Cypriot administration will
recognize Upper Karabakh (under Armenian occupation)’, Denktas stated,
“this is immorality. Greek Cypriots had attacked to occupy lands of
our people, as Armenians attacked Azerbaijan. Turkey saved our lands
and people.”
Stating that it was immoral to accept Greek Cypriot administration as
the legitimate government of Cyprus, Denktas stressed, “we secured
justice and freedom by establishing TRNC. I wish our friends act by
knowing that fact. Azerbaijan embraced us and did not listen to Greek
Cypriots. We are grateful to Azerbaijan.”

CONSULTATION AT THE NKR GOVERNMENT

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 Aug 05
On August 22 the consultation of the NKR government took place, during
which the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the government were
discussed. The government discussed the projects of the government
decisions on the governmental body in charge of technical control of
electric power and energy consumption, establishment of a governmental
body in charge of postal services and the national operator of postal
communication. Besides, the members of government discussed the
procedure of granting and paying pension to prisoners and the
procedure of giving the inmates the status of disabled, the temporary
data set of the land cadastre about the farming land located in the
administrative territories of NKR communities, provision of personal
protective equipment to the population. A number of questions
referring to the system of education were withdrawn from the agenda of
the meeting for additional investigation and revision. In case the
government decision is adopted, extraordinary local elections will be
held in several communities of the republic.
AA.
26-08-2005

NOVEMBER ELECTIONS WILL BE A TEST CASE FOR AZERBAIJAN, SAYS PACE PRESIDENT
Caucaz.com, Georgia
Aug 25 2005
Strasbourg, August 25 – Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
President (PACE) Rene van der Linden yesterday, on August 24, completed
his visit to Azerbaijan and with it his week-long visit to the South
Caucasus.
In Azerbaijan he discussed principally the issues of the November
Parliamentary elections, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and political
prisoners, with a range of actors including President Aliyev, the
Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Internal
and Foreign Affairs, governmental, independent and opposition members
of parliament, NGO and media representatives, and the leaders of the
Muslim, orthodox and Jewish religious communities.
The President stressed that the November elections would be a test
case for Azerbaijan and an important opportunity for the international
community to see that the government was doing its utmost to ensure
free and fair elections. He mentioned a few of the basic issues; these
included a full investigation into electoral fraud committed during
the 2003 elections. The President was reassured by President Aliyev’s
promise that this process would be completed by November. NGOs should
not be prevented from monitoring the elections only because of foreign
funding, provided their finances were transparent.
The President noted the importance of election monitoring and reminded
the authorities that in January the Assembly would consider the report
of its own 40 strong election observation mission. The authorities
should reinforce and guarantee media independence and pluralism,
including by bringing the capital’s public television station into
operation. The President was glad to hear from President Aliyev that
this would take place in the immediate future. The President urged
all political parties to approach the elections in a positive and
constructive spirit of democracy.
The President considered that the issues of political prisoners and
the murder of Elmar Huseynov, were also important for the elections.
He called on the authorities to take all the necessary action to
ensure that neither the opposition nor the media would continue to
feel at risk as a result of their lawful and democratic activities.
The Council of Europe did not favour parties or individuals, but was
interested only in the democratic process.
In addition, the President was particularly concerned about the issue
of Nagorno-Karabakh which he had discussed in detail with those he
met previously in Armenia. The Council of Europe was a value community
and would work for a peaceful settlement through impartial political
pressure and encouragement.
The President warmly welcomed the ongoing Presidential negotiations,
whilst stressing that although there could be conditions to a peaceful
settlement, there should be no pre-conditions on negotiations for
peace.
In all three countries, the President had met religious leaders and
noted with great satisfaction the active and positive role they had
played together in the reconciliation process. There would be no
sustainable development or prosperity and no future for the region’s
children without a peaceful settlement; all those involved had a
strong interest in peace.
At this important time for Azerbaijan, the President was careful to
stress that the Council of Europe did not want to punish Azerbaijan
for its problems, but to accompany and assist it along the same
European road. Press release selected from Council of Europe website
by Celia CHAUFFOUR.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 24, 2005 Wednesday
Armenia hopes for “common denominators” in Karabakh solution
By Ksenia Kaminskaya and Natalia Simorova
MOSCOW
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan said Yerevan and Baku can
hopefully find “common denominators” in resolving the Nagorno
Karabakh problem.
He said so at a meeting with his Russian and Azerbaijani counterparts
in Moscow on Wednesday.
“There is hope that we’ll find common denominators; it would bring
peace and stability to southern Caucasus,” Oskanyan said.
According to the Armenian diplomat, the parties at the meeting in
Moscow were discussing preparations for the talks between the
presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Kazan on August 27.
“We’ve discussed details of the upcoming negotiations,” Oskanyan
said.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov gave a positive
valuation to the Moscow meeting. However, he believes it is premature
to talk about any headway in resolving the conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s intention
“to create all conditions for achieving progress in the settlement”
at the talks in Moscow.

The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 23 2005
Russian base withdrawal concerns Georgia’s neighbors
Along with the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia come
radical changes in the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus.
This is why Georgia’s Caucasian neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan,
are keeping a close eye on the potential consequences of the pullout.
Armenians are worried that the withdrawal of the base from
Akhalkalaki (in a primarily ethnic Armenian area) will further
impoverish the ethnic Armenians living there, while Azerbaijan is
frightened by the prospect of Russians shoring up their forces at
their base in Armenia. The Georgian government must pay heed to the
concerns of both its neighbors and attempt to ease their fears.
The transfer of part of the military equipment housed at the bases in
Georgia to Armenia forced Azerbaijani authorities to radically
increase defense spending. The Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta cites
official statistics that the country’s military expenditures have
increased recently by USD 50 million and reached a total of USD 300
million.
According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, at present, the
Russian military base in Gyumri, Armenia, cannot receive all the
military equipment set to be withdrawn from Georgia. Therefore,
additional plots of land have been allocated for storage in the
districts of Tavush, Berd and Ijevan, which are located on the
Azerbaijani border. 24-Saati reports that all of this forces Baku to
not only increase its defense spending, but also strengthen military
cooperation with other countries, in particular the United States and
Turkey.
America, meanwhile, is paying close attention to Azerbaijan. Michael
Baranick, a senior fellow at the National Center for Security
Technologies and Policy at the United States National Defense
University has been reported by Azeri papers has saying, “Azerbaijan
is becoming a very important country for the United States.” In his
opinion, if the U.S. must leave Uzbekistan, it could move its bases
to Azerbaijan. Pentagon chief Donald Rumsfeld is scheduled to visit
Baku later this month, and analysts speculate that Baku may agree to
host American troops during this visit.
The newspaper Rezonansi points out that such a decision would be
beneficial for Azerbaijan because it would kill two birds with one
stone – it would provide a counterweight to Russian forces in Armenia
and would achieve the loyal disposition of the United States prior to
the parliamentary elections scheduled for this November. If an
American base is located on Azerbaijani territory, it will help the
ruling party of President Ilham Aliev score a victory and avoid
opposition threats of a velvet revolution.
Armenian concerns, meanwhile, are the precise opposite of those of
Azerbaijan. Yerevan considers the withdrawal of the Akhalkalaki base
to be a great loss for the largely Armenian population of the
surrounding Javakheti region. The Georgian government has responded
to worries that the pullout of the base would plunge the region into
economic crisis by initiating a program to buy foodstuffs for the
Georgian army from local farmers. In theory, this should be
beneficial for both the local population and the defense ministry.
The structure also promises to employ all Georgian citizens currently
working at the Russian Akhalkalaki base.
As for Georgia’s role in this, Tbilisi cannot tell Moscow where to
take its military equipment. So if part of the arms and vehicles
currently housed at the Akhalkalaki base make their way to Armenia,
Azerbaijan will have to take this issue up directly with Russia.
Georgian authorities are sympathetic to Azerbaijan’s concerns. For
example, if the railway running through Abkhazia is reopened, many
Georgian experts state that Tbilisi must put forward a proposal for
strict control on the transit of arms to Armenia via this railway.
This is just one of many issues Georgia must deal with during the
withdrawal and it is hoped that the government can mount a
professional and diplomatic response.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Home buying tips today in Armenian
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Daily News
Aug 20 2005
GLENDALE – Buying a first home can be daunting enough in the current
housing market, but when the buyer has a language barrier, the hurdle
can be that much higher.
So to help Armenian-speaking first-time home buyers, the city today
will hold an all-day class in Armenian offering tips on how to
negotiate the different steps of buying a home.
“Homeownership is hard enough right now in Southern California
that having language as a barrier makes it even harder,” said Anne
Bockenkamp, Glendale administrative analyst, who is organizing
the class.
Census data do not provide information on the percentage of
homeownership among Armenian-Americans. But City Councilman Bob
Yousefian said homeownership has increased among Armenian-Americans
in recent years, which can best be seen in northwest Glendale, an
area with mainly owner-occupied homes instead of rentals.
“I remember you used to go to northwest Glendale and
(Armenian-Americans) were maybe 10 percent, 15 percent” of the
residents, Yousefian said.
But an analysis of last names on electric utility bills shows that
Armenian-Americans make up about half the residents in some northwest
Glendale ZIP codes, Yousefian said.
“The ones that are doing financially better themselves, things are
picking up for them,” he said. “The ones that are new immigrants,
like any other community, it is a little more difficult for them.”
Census 2000 data show that of the city’s 73,713 occupied housing
units, 38.4 percent are owned by their occupants and the remaining
61.6 percent are lived in by renters, said Kristen Asp, planner for
the city.
By comparison, Pasadena had a homeownership rate of 45.8 percent,
in Burbank it was 43.5 percent and in Los Angeles it was 38.6 percent.
“In this market, you have to be very persistent to buy,” Bockenkamp
said. “You have to be determined; you have to be prepared.”
The city holds one class a year in Armenian for prospective first-time
home buyers, and it holds six classes a year in English.
The class will be conducted by an instructor certified by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, and at the end of the
class, participants will get a certificate showing they participated.
The certificate can be showed to lenders that require homeowner
education before offering loans with small down payments.