Author: Kalantarian Kevo

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF “HERITAGE” PARTY PARTICIPATES IN THE SECOND ASSEMBLAGE OF YOUNG LEADERS OF MUNCHEN SECURITY CONFERENCE

Noyan Tapan

27.06.2011

(Noyan Tapan – 27.06.2011) The head of the RA National Assembly
“Heritage” party Stepan Safaryan was in Kiev from June 24 to 26 to
participate in the second assemblage of young leaders of Munchen
security conference by the invitation of Munchen security conference
and Kyorber fund.

The young leaders discussed the political processes in Ukraine,
issues of the Eastern partnership.

Safaryan had meetings with political figures of Ukraine, the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, EU diplomats.

24 young political, state and public figures from Kuwait, Israel,
Germany, Ukraine, Moldova, India and Russia participated in the
meeting.

GM VARUZHAN AKOBIAN WON IN NATIONAL OPEN

Panorama
June 27 2011
Armenia

Armenian GM Varuzhan Akobian scored 5 points out of 6 and took the
first prize in the “National Open” which was held in Las Vegas, USA,
armchess.am informs.

GM Loek Van Wely (Netherlands) had the same result, however, he was
behind Akobian in the tie-break.

Another Armenian grandmaster, Melikset Khachiyan was behind the first
prize-holder with half a point.

86 chess players took part in the tournament.

ARMENIAN EXHIBITION OPENS IN ST.PETERSBURG

Voice of Russia
June 27 2011

An exhibition named Russian-Armenian Spiritual Ties has opened in St.
Petersburg. The Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II took part in
the opening ceremony.

Some unique exhibits are displayed at the exhibition, such as books,
manuscripts, letters and maps. Visitors will for the first time have
an opportunity to see books describing the lives and activities of
Armenian Catholicoses and books in the history of the Armenian church
which is 1,700 years old.

Religious books in Armenian are displayed in a special department
of the exhibition. Among these exhibits is a unique edition of the
Bible published in Venice in 1733 with hand-painted prints.

NAGORNO-KARABAKH: ARE BAKU AND YEREVAN GETTING TO YES, OR GOING NOWHERE?
Marianna Grigoryan and Shahin Abbasov

EurasiaNet.org

June 27 2011
NY

Once again, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian
counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, failed during their recent summit to
reconcile their differences on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. If
this is starting to sound familiar, it should. The two countries have
spent almost four years getting nowhere on finalizing the supposed
“basic principles” for a Karabakh peace deal.

Ironically, given their track record, international expectations for
Aliev’s and Sargsyan’s June 24-25 summit in the Russian city of Kazan
ran unusually high. Like any master of ceremonies, Moscow and obliging
Russian media encouraged those expectations; Russia’s Foreign Ministry,
in fact, predicted that the get-together could prove “a milestone
for a breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.”

Pre-summit phone calls to Aliyev and Sargsyan from US President Barack
Obama and letters from French President Nicolas Sarkozy played a part,
too. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, eager to burnish Iran’s
peacemaking credentials, phoned both men as well.

But the breakthrough didn’t happen. The blame game, though, continued.

Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian claimed that Baku’s
surprise introduction of a dozen changes to the “basic principles”
was the reason why the talks fell flat. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov countered that Aliyev and Sargsyan were
unable to compromise on “some key issues” because “the Armenian side
demands the maximum compromises from Azerbaijan,” the Trend news agency
reported. Neither diplomat provided details that could support their
respective contentions.

The “basic principles,” proposed in 2007, provide for the return
of areas surrounding Karabakh to Azerbaijani control, and the
establishment of a land corridor between Armenia and Karabakh. The
region itself would have an interim status, until a referendum
would determine its ultimate status. Internally Displaced Persons,
a category largely made up of ethnic Azeris, would be free to return
to their homes in the territory.

Yet if the proposed principles proved to be a stumbling block, some
predictable areas for agreement did emerge. Both sides underlined
their willingness to continue with the talks. Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Mammadyarov assured Trend news agency that both Aliyev and
Sargsyan “intend to work hard” on a peace deal, while Armenian Foreign
Minister Nalbandian observed in an official statement that there is
“no other way” to reach an agreement.

Aside from these assurances, the summit ended with a joint statement
that both sides had reached “a mutual agreement upon a range of
issues.” Details were not provided.

One Azerbaijani analyst argues that part of the reason for the Kazan
meeting’s failure is that the two sides remain far apart on the talks’
fundamental question — how to resolve the ultimate status of Karabakh.

“The positions of Baku and Yerevan are still very different,”
commented Elhan Shahinoglu, head of Baku’s Atlas Research Center. “The
Armenian side puts the question on the terms of the referendum in
Nagorno-Karabakh [on independence from Azerbaijan], while Azerbaijan
would never agree to [that].”

Instead, Azerbaijan favors a deal similar to that between Rome and
Italy’s autonomous, majority-German-speaking province of South Tyrol,
Aliyev told Euronews on June 23. Stressing Baku’s “large financial
resources,” Aliyev claimed that “it would not be a problem to launch
serious economic and social programs for Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Such a prospect would contain few charms for Armenia, which sees itself
as bound by ethnic and historical ties to retain some role in the
majority-ethnic-Armenian region. Sargsyan himself is a Karabakh native
who headed the breakaway region’s fighting forces from 1989 until 1993.

Getting Armenia to yield on such points would require significant
encouragement; former Azerbaijani presidential foreign policy aide
Vafa Guluzade argues that the United States, France and Russia have
not done enough to put “serious pressure” on Armenia. “It makes
Yerevan confident enough to block a peace deal,” Guluzade alleged.

Independent Armenian political analyst Yervand Bozoian directed some
criticism at the talks’ host, Russia. “No doubt, Russia could have
played a bigger role in terms of reducing tensions, but it cannot
impose [its position],” said Bozoian.

Some foreign analysts fear that fatigue with the negotiations could
lead to an exploration of military options for resolving the conflict.

At a post-summit military parade held for Azerbaijan’s June 26 Army
Day, President Aliyev repeated past assurances that Azerbaijan’s
“territorial integrity will be restored by any means.”

Many in the West have taken such pronouncements – and Azerbaijan’s
accompanying military build-up – as a worrying omen. But Guluzade
disagrees. Azerbaijan may be “really strong now,” but “we cannot
confront the superpowers” by getting into another war with Armenia
and Karabakh separatists, he said.

Some Armenian observers say representatives of Karabakh’s de facto
government should be given a voice in the peace process. The breakaway
territory was excluded from the talks at Azerbaijan’s insistence.

Negotiations will remain deadlocked so long as Karabakh representatives
are kept on the sidelines, one Armenian analyst predicted. “[T]he one
clinging to the status quo is the one protesting against Karabakh’s
return to the negotiation table,” foreign policy expert Karen
Bekarian said at a June 25 Yerevan news conference, referring to
Azerbaijan. “Until that happens, the talks will proceed following
the same logic.”

Azerbaijani foreign policy analyst Tabib Huseynov expressed hope
that the two sides somehow narrowed their differences, even if the
participants are reluctant to discuss it. Even “[i]f we do not see
concrete results from the Kazan meeting, it does not mean there are
no results,” Huseynov said.

Editor’s note: Shahin Abbasov is a freelance reporter based in
Baku and a board member of the Open Society Assistance Foundation
– Azerbaijan. Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter based in
Yerevan and editor of MediaLab.am.

AZERI MP: COUNCIL OF EUROPE SHOULD RAISE ITS VOICE AGAINST ARMENIAN PRESDIENT’S CLAIMS

Today
June 27 2011
Azerbaijan

Member of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE) Ganira Pashayeva on Saturday called
on the Council of Europe to criticize recent claims by the President
of Armenia.

“The control mechanisms of implementation of the documents should be
strengthened not only over the documents, which will follow, but also
over the documents that have been adopted by PACE so far. For example,
six years passed since PACE adopted the Resolution No. 1416, in 2005,
but this document still remains as a paper, and Armenia absolutely
refuses to fulfill this resolution.”

“Today we have heard the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, but
Sargsyan said no word about when he is going to fulfill Assembly`s
Resolution No. 1416. On the contrary, he made the anti-PACE speeches
here. By Assembly`s decision the Sub-committee on Nagorno-Karabakh was
established, the Armenian delegation refuses to attend its meetings,
and the Armenian President supports his country delegation`s decision.

Thus, they display disrespect CE`s decisions, I think, our organization
should not neglect and remain indifferent, we should raise our voices
against it. The mechanisms of pressure and impact should be taken
for fulfillment of adopted resolutions and decisions.”

“Unfortunately, in his speech the Armenian President spoke about
the alleged racism and Armeniaphobia in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a
tolerant country. If there is a problem of racism and Armeniaphobia in
Azerbaijan, then 30 thousand Armenians wouldn`t live here,” Pashayeva
told a PACE plenary session.

“But if you go to Armenia just ask them to show you one Azerbaijani.

They won`t show you an Azerbaijani. Because due to ethnic cleansing
they expelled all Azerbaijanis, who were banished from their homes
and subsequently became the refugees.”

She noted: “The Armenian President says that within Azerbaijan`s
territorial integrity the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians want to
self-determine and live as an independent. That all contradicts to the
international principles, including the Council of Europe principles.”

“Just think about it, what if all national minorities living in
European countries say we no longer live in this country and in the
territory of it we will establish our independent State. Then what
problems will rise in Europe and which tragedies will face the Europe?

Council of Europe should protect its values and principles as well
as fulfillment of its decisions and resolutions and CE should raise
its voice against such speeches,” Pashayeva added.

BAKO SAHAKYAN PARTOOK AT OPENING OF A NEW STADIUM IN THE ASKERAN

Panorama
June 27 2011
Armenia

On 27 June President of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan partook
at a solemn ceremony of opening a new stadium in the Askeran regional
center.

The Head of the State called important the role of such objects
in regions and regional centers for developing sports and physical
culture and upbringing of healthy generation.

President Sahakyan handed in valuable gifts to a group of individuals
having an active participation in the construction of the stadium.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, speaker of the National Assembly Ashot
Ghoulyan and other officials partook at the event.

MEDVEDEV SIGNS PROTOCOL PROLONGING RUSSIAN MILITARY PRESENCE IN ARMENIA

news.am
June 27 2011
Armenia

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed on Monday a law ratifying
protocol extending Russia’s use of a military base in the Armenian
city of Gyumri.

Russia’s upper house of parliament, Federation Council, ratified the
document on June 22.

Head of Council’s committee for defense and security Viktor Ozerov
said that ratification of the protocol, which is in Russia’s interests,
will also contribute to further strengthening of military and political
cooperation between the two countries.

The protocol was ratified in the Armenian Parliament on April 12 by
80 to one with one abstention.

Under the document, Russia is to supply modern military equipment
to Armenia. The document highlights the prolongation of the Russian
military base’s presence in Armenia from 25 up to 49 years.

Last August, Russia and Armenia signed an agreement prolonging the
presence of the Russian military base stationed in Gyumri, Armenia,
until 2044.

Russian military base #102 stationed in Gyumri is operating as part
of the CIS integrated air defense system.

RPA MEMBER PREDICTS 20 ANC MANDATES IN 2012 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 27, 2011 – 15:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A member of the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) Rafik Petrosyan predicted for the opposition Armenian
National Congress (ANC) to get 15-20 mandates in 2012 parliamentary
elections.Petrosyan urged political forces to prepare for regular
elections due in 7-8 months rather than demand snap elections to
be held.

Commenting on authorities-opposition dialogue, the RPA member
characterized Armenian leadership’s compromise with the opposition
as a positive step. The RPA member noted convening delegations for
authorities-opposition dialogue to be unreasonable.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA CALLS FOR INCLUSION OF KARABAKH IN PEACE TALKS

Tert.am
27.06.11

Following the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani presidents’ recent
summit in Kazan, Russia, the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA)
has issued a statement, praising the parties’ move to reach a mutual
understanding over a set of issues and calling for the inclusion of
the Nagorno Karabakh in the current peace deal.

The full text of the statement is provided below.

The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) commends Armenia’s
President Serzh Sargsyan for his diplomatic efforts to secure a
peaceful and just resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

While no final agreement was reached on the Basic Principles being
negotiated, the Assembly notes that the sides did reach, according
to reports, a “mutual understanding on a number of issues whose
resolution would contribute to the creation of conditions for the
approval of the basic principles.”

We also take note of US President Barack Obama’s phone call to
President Sargsyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in advance
of the Kazan summit in which “President Obama told both leaders that
now is the time to resolve this conflict and to offer the people
of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh a better future for
themselves and for their children.”

We also extend our appreciation to US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton for her support of efforts to secure a lasting peace in
the region.

It is regrettable that it appears once again Azerbaijan is not ready
for peace. Armenia has consistently demonstrated its willingness to
resolve all outstanding issues with its neighbors, while Azerbaijan,
instead, has rapidly expanded its military budget and escalated
tensions by repeatedly threatening the resumption of military action.

It is also regrettable that America’s commitment to peace
and reconciliation continues to be undermined by Azerbaijan’s
intransigence. The Assembly recalls Azerbaijan’s interference with and
opposition to the Protocols between Turkey and Armenia, which were
brokered by the Swiss government with the full support of France,
Russia, the European Union, and the United States. Ironically,
after signing the Protocols, Turkey, under pressure from Azerbaijan,
insisted that a resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be
reached prior to Turkish ratification of the Protocols, effectively
holding Armenia hostage to Turkey’s ongoing blockade.

Given the outcome of the June 24 meeting in Kazan, as well as the
stalled process with respect to the Protocols, the Assembly strongly
believes that the United States would have more credibility and be
able to achieve more progress in the peace talks and in Turkey-Armenia
rapprochement, if the United States unequivocally affirmed the Armenian
Genocide, like its OSCE counterparts, France and Russia. U.S.

affirmation of this crime against humanity as so indicated by the
United States in its 1951 filing before the International Court of
Justice is long past due.

In addition, the time has also come to directly include Nagorno
Karabakh in the negotiations. Any resolution to the conflict as
mediated by the OSCE Co-Chairs must be acceptable to the people
of Nagorno Karabakh, and must take into account its right to
self-determination.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the
largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

LE HAK CIRCONSPECT QUANT AU PROCESSUS DE PAIX
Marion

armenews.com
lundi 27 juin 2011

Le Congrès national armenien (HAK) a declare, vendredi 24 juin, qu’il
attendait que l’accord-cadre de paix propose sur le Haut-Karabagh
soit diffuse et que Stepanakert exprime sa position, avant de se
prononcer sur la question.

” Nous ne pourrons jamais tirer de conclusion sans avoir une copie
du document. Chaque mot, chaque virgule, chaque phrase peut etre
determinant dans l’evaluation du document “, a affirme le coordinateur
du HAK, Levon Zurabian.

” Pour nous, tout document sera acceptable seulement s’il l’est pour
le peuple et le gouvernement du Haut-Karabagh “, a ajoute L. Zurabian
lors d’une conference de presse.

Les propositions de paix prevoient une resolution graduelle du
conflit du Haut-Karabagh qui commencerait par le retrait des troupes
armeniennes des districts de l’Azerbaïdjan entourant le territoire
conteste. Le statut final du Haut-Karabagh serait ensuite determine
par un referendum.

Les deux autres factions d’opposition, la Federation revolutionnaire
armenienne (FRA) et le parti Heritage, ont critique cette proposition
de paix comme inacceptable et ont appele le president Serge Sarkissian
a la rejeter.

En revanche, le HAK et son leader, l’ancien president Levon
Ter-Petrossian, se sont montres beaucoup plus prudents dans
l’evaluation des principes de base. Dans une interview publiee
jeudi 23 juin, L. Ter-Petrossian a souligne qu’ils ressemblent a un
règlement qu’il avait vainement soutenu durant les derniers mois de
sa presidence entre 1991 et 1998.

Les dirigeants du HAK ont critique certaines declarations de S.

Sarkissian a l’Assemblee parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe (APCE).

Le president a notamment declare que l’Armenie ne reconnaît pas
formellement le Haut-Karabagh comme un Etat independant, car elle
soutient le principe d’integrite territoriale. Il a egalement affirme
qu’en cas de reprise des combats au Haut-Karabagh, l’Azerbaïdjan
aurait un ” avantage ” car il preparent depuis longtemps son peuple
a la guerre.

” Je voudrais croire que c’etait un lapsus, car autrement, cela
signifierait que le president de l’Armenie partage la meme position
que le president de l’Azerbaïdjan sur ce sujet “, a declare L.

Zurabian. ” Je pense que c’etait un lapsus de sa part. ”

” Il doit juste etre rapidement rectifie “, a-t-il ajoute.