Author: Kalantarian Kevo

PRESS RELEASE
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20500
Tel: 202-456-1111

President Obama Speaks with Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan

Posted by Liz Sherwood-Randall on June 24, 2011 at 05:47 PM EDT

Yesterday, President Obama placed calls to Armenian President Serzh
Sargsian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. In each
conversation, he encouraged his counterparts to take concrete steps
toward a final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that has
undermined peace and development in the South Caucasus for over 20
years.

Reaffirming the statement he issued with French President Sarkozy and
Russian President Medvedev in Deauville last month, the President
called upon both sides to engage constructively at the summit that
President Medvedev convened today at Kazan, Russia.

While the two leaders made progress today, they have more work to do
to reach agreement on the Basic Principles that would form the basis
of a final peace agreement. Armenia and Azerbaijan announced that
“mutual understanding [was] achieved on a number of issues whose
resolution contributes to the creation of the conditions for the
approval of the Basic Principles.”

The President told both leaders yesterday that if Armenia and
Azerbaijan demonstrate the leadership and courage to seize the
opportunity created by the recent momentum in the talks, the United
States will stand by them. Now is the time, he said, to offer the
people of the region a better future for themselves and for their
children.

Liz Sherwood-Randall is Special Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs and Senior Director for European Affairs.

EXPERT: NO CONCESSIONS TO BE COMPELLED FROM ARMENIA IN KAZAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 23, 2011
YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net – The main goal of Kazan-hosted meeting between the
Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia is to prevent resumption
of hostilities and curb threats and warlike statements by Baku,
according to David Jamalyan.

“I do not think that any scenario of the conflict settlement supposing
groundless concessions will be imposed on the Armenian side in Kazan.

Armenia’s position is not so weak to be forced to make concessions,”
the military psychologist told a press conference in Yerevan.

Jamalyan believes that currently the time runs in the favor of
Armenia, and both Armenian states must use it properly. Particularly,
the expert proposed to speed up the process of settlement in some
regions of Artsakh.

As regards Artsakh’s stand, the military psychologist noted that the
leadership has presented its clear-cut approach saying that return
to 1988 is excluded.

AMERICAN-ARMENIAN POET HAYK-ARTYOM ESAYAN’S COLLECTION PRESENTED IN GYUMRI

ARMENPRESS
June 23, 2011
GYUMRI

US-based Armenian young writer Hayk-Artyom Esayan’s “Vogezartonk”
collection of poems and CD was presented today at the Aesthetical
Center of Gyumri.

The young writer from Gyumri started his literary activity at
the age of 21 and published his first works in “Hamaynkapatker”
literary-cultural journal of Los Angeles. The focus of his unique
philosophical creations is the reflection of life, love and human
relations.

HERITAGE PARTY ANNOUNCES THAT BY METHOD OF DEEMING MKR’S ESTABLISHMENT UNLAWFUL, AN OBJECTIVE IS PURSUED TOWARD CARRYING OUT WHAT CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED

Noyan Tapan

23.06.2011

(Noyan Tapan – 23.06.2011) HERITAGE PARTY’S STATEMENT ON THE TRILATERAL
MEETING IN KAZAN

In connection with the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents’ meeting
to be held in Kazan, Russia, on 24 June 2011 upon the initiative of
the president of the Russian Federation, the Heritage Party hereby
concludes:

1. We reject the efforts to present as negotiations the
Armenia-Azerbaijan format of meetings, which are held in the absence
of the legitimate authorities of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic
(MKR), or Artsakh, as well as the attempts to impose solutions as
their result. In addition, and while highly evaluating the mediators’
efforts, we consider the adopted path to be not solely at an impasse,
but also a process which poses new perils and leads to destabilization.

2. We assess the distortion of the format of negotiations, as a
product of Azerbaijani pressure, to be a policy of altering the
essence, history, and prospect for a just resolution of the Karabagh
conflict, as a result of which: a) contrary to irrefutable facts,
efforts are made in order to portray the aggressor Azerbaijan as
a victim, to compel respect for Soviet Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity-which no longer exists-and to recognize as “occupant” the
Armenian side which has defended itself against genocidal massacres,
a unilaterally unleashed and failed war of aggression, and continued
sabotage; b) by imposing unilateral concessions upon MKR, an attempt
is made toward violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity;
and c) by method of deeming MKR’s establishment unlawful, an objective
is pursued toward carrying out what can never be achieved: MKR’s
forcible annexation to Azerbaijan.

3. We regard the prospect of Armenia’s endorsement of a document
which is designed under force or duress by Azerbaijan, and in MKR’s
absence, as a criminal plot that is condemned to fail against MKR,
which has lawfully self-determined, decolonized, and established
itself and thus is worthy of international recognition.

4. We remind and caution the Armenian president who heads for Kazan
that: ·any meeting held without the presence of the legitimate
representatives of MKR, or any document which is born from such a
meeting, is legally null and void; ·his commitment under oath is not
to foreign leaders, as the Deauville Statement implies, but rather
before the entire Armenian nation; ·the respect and recognition of
Artsakh’s fundamental sovereignty and territorial integrity is the
constitutional duty of the Armenian president, this truth cannot be
a bargaining chip, and therefore MKR’s right to hold direct peace
talks and to be recognized must be restored; ·the maintenance of
the current format of the talks, or its toleration hereafter, will
mean a readiness not to recognize MKR’s sovereignty and integrity, de
jure and de facto alike; and ·formal participation in this conspiracy
will entail his effective self-resignation from the homeland and his
official duty and, in the event of such unacceptable developments,
he must be prepared to legalize such resignation through the conduct
of pre-term presidential elections.

THE COMPANY “ECOTOMAT” INVESTS ABOUT 2 BILLION DRAMS IN ARMENIA

/ARKA/
June 23
YEREVAN

The company “Ecotomat” implements investment program in the amount
of about 2 billion drams in Armenia with the purpose of establishment
of greenhouses, said Armenian Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan.

On Thursday, Government of Armenia adopted decision to delay VAT
payments for the goods of the company “Ecotomat” above 300 million
drams for three years to November 1, 2013.

“30 new jobs places will be created”, he said.

The program is approved by the ministries of finance, economy and
State Revenue Committee of Armenia.

Armenian Premier Tigran Sargsyan said that the society should control
targeted use of the provided privileges.

“This is already the 17th decision by which we approve investment
programs above 300 million drams”, he said.

According to the reviewed law “On Value Added Tax” in April 2009 by
the Government of Armenia, VAT payment for the companies importing
goods to Armenia, new technologies or equipment in the amount above
300 million drams or investment package is delayed for three years.

($1 – 373.62 drams).

EXTRAORDINARY PARLIAMENT SESSION RATIFIES AGREEMENT BETWEEN ARMENIA AND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

/ARKA/
June 23
YEREVAN

An extraordinary session of the Armenian parliament has ratified
today a framework agreement between the government of Armenia and
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) whereby the ADA has committed to
provide Armenia with a $400 million loan to finance a sustainable
urban development program. The agreement was signed on March 24, 2011.

Economy minister Tigran Davtyan, who presented the agreement, said
the loan will be disbursed in tranches on request of the government
for implementation of specific projects – repair and reconstruction of
roads, introduction of modern management systems and urban transport
development, in the capital city Yerevan and other towns. He said
the program will run until 2021.

The parliament has also ratified a loan agreement with ADB under the
same program, which provides for the issuance of the first tranche
to Armenia within the framework agreement.

According to Davtyan, the first tranche will be worth 30.9 million SDR
(about $48 million), which will be channeled into renovation of road
junctions, parking lots and transport infrastructures in Yerevan.

“The bulk of the funds will be used for reconstruction of two
major transportation hubs on the outskirts of Yerevan which will
significantly improve the condition of roads in these areas,,” the
minister said.

The loan is repayable in 32 years with an 8 year grace period at the
interest rate of 1% per annum. The government co-Financing share is
20%.

MP: POSTANJYAN CONTRADICTS HERSELF WITH HER QUESTION TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
June 23, 2011

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia is not an authoritarian state, what is proved
by the question of the member of parliament from Heritage opposition
party, Zaruhi Postanjyan, addressed to President of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan who spoke at the plenary meeting of PACE in Strasbourg on
June 22, according to Hrayr Karapetyan, the chairman of the Armenian
standing parliamentary committee on defense, national security and
internal affairs.

“In an authoritarian state, an opposition representative would never
be a member of PACE delegation,” Karapetyan told a press conference
in Yerevan when commenting on Postanjyan’s question about Sargsyan’s
voluntary resignation and announcement of extraordinary elections
“since authoritarian regimes will be destroyed sooner of later”.

“Postanjyan contradicts herself,” he said.

HERITAGE PARTY CONCERNED OVER KAZAN MEETING

Tert.am
23.06.11

Ahead of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents’ meeting in Kazan,
the opposition Heritage party has issued statement, expressing concerns
over the prospects of signing a document on the settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict without the country’s direct involvement
in the process.

The text of the statement is provided below:

1. We reject the efforts to present as negotiations the
Armenia-Azerbaijan format of meetings, which are held in the absence
of the legitimate authorities of the Mountainous Karabakh Republic
(MKR), or Artsakh, as well as the attempts to impose solutions as
their result. In addition, and while highly evaluating the mediators’
efforts, we consider the adopted path to be not solely at an impasse,
but also a process which poses new perils and leads to destabilization.

2. We assess the distortion of the format of negotiations, as a
product of Azerbaijani pressure, to be a policy of altering the
essence, history, and prospect for a just resolution of the Karabakh
conflict, as a result of which: a) contrary to irrefutable facts,
efforts are made in order to portray the aggressor Azerbaijan as
a victim, to compel respect for Soviet Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity-which no longer exists-and to recognize as “occupant” the
Armenian side which has defended itself against genocidal massacres,
a unilaterally unleashed and failed war of aggression, and continued
sabotage; b) by imposing unilateral concessions upon MKR, an attempt
is made toward violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity;
and c) by method of deeming MKR’s establishment unlawful, an objective
is pursued toward carrying out what can never be achieved: MKR’s
forcible annexation to Azerbaijan.

3. We regard the prospect of Armenia’s endorsement of a document
which is designed under force or duress by Azerbaijan, and in MKR’s
absence, as a criminal plot that is condemned to fail against MKR,
which has lawfully self-determined, decolonized, and established
itself and thus is worthy of international recognition.

4. We remind and caution the Armenian president who heads for Kazan
that:

~U any meeting held without the presence of the legitimate
representatives of MKR, or any document which is born from such a
meeting, is legally null and void;

~U his commitment under oath is not to foreign leaders, as the
Deauville Statement implies, but rather before the entire Armenian
nation;

~U the respect and recognition of Artsakh’s fundamental sovereignty
and territorial integrity is the constitutional duty of the Armenian
president, this truth cannot be a bargaining chip, and therefore MKR’s
right to hold direct peace talks and to be recognized must be restored;

~U the maintenance of the current format of the talks, or its
toleration hereafter, will mean a readiness not to recognize MKR’s
sovereignty and integrity, de jure and de facto alike; and

~U formal participation in this conspiracy will entail his effective
self-resignation from the homeland and his official duty and, in
the event of such unacceptable developments, he must be prepared to
legalize such resignation through the conduct of pre-term presidential
elections.

PRESS RELEASE
Civilitas Foundation
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Tel: +37410 500 119
E-mail: [email protected]
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OSKANIAN REACTS TO PRESIDENT’S STRASBOURG STATEMENT

In the President’s speech in Strasbourg at the Council of Europe
Parliamentary Assembly, and especially in the questions and answers that
followed, there were many misrepresentations, but three in particular must
be disowned by the administration.

First, to claim that Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh
because Armenia accepts the principle of territorial integrity is to
misrepresent Armenia’s position of the last 20 years, including his own
years.

For two decades, Armenia has not recognized the independence of Karabakh
specifically in order not to predetermine the outcome of the negotiations
process. If Azerbaijan were to pull out of those negotiations, or attempt to
use force, then the Republic of Armenia would recognize the independence of
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. That has been the policy of the Armenian
Republic, through three administrations. Thus, the President’s
interpretation requires retraction especially because nowhere else in his
prepared remarks is there anything that in any way presents the official
position itself.

Second, the principles of non-use of force, territorial integrity and
self-determination, which the President listed as the Madrid principles are
in fact the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and serve as the guiding
philosophy for any conflict, including this one. Over the years, principles,
which number more than three and are specific to the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have been developed. They have come to be known
as the Madrid principles. As far as I know, even if the Madrid Document has
been revised, the principles remain the same. First among the Madrid
principles has been the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to
self-determination.

Third, after two military victories, Armenians have adhered to the
negotiation process, because we have believed that there is no military
solution to this conflict, and not because the Azerbaijani side has an
advantage.

A peaceful resolution remains Armenians’ goal — a resolution that is based
on solid, lasting principles. In the run-up to and in Kazan, the Armenian
position must be clearly and forcefully rectified. This struggle was and
continues to be about Karabakh’s right to self-determination, first and
foremost.

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20500
Tel: 202-456-1111

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2011

Readout of President Obama’s Call with Armenian President Serzh
Sargsian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev

President Obama made phone calls today to Armenian President Serzh
Sargsian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in advance of their
upcoming summit on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that Russian
President Dimitriy Medvedev will host in Kazan, Russia on June 24th.

The President reaffirmed the message expressed in his May 26th joint
statement with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs President Nicholas
Sarkozy and President Medvedev that the moment has come for all the
sides to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to take a decisive step towards
a peaceful settlement.

President Obama strongly encouraged the two leaders to finalize and
endorse the Basic Principles during their meeting with President
Medvedev in Kazan. Once the Basic Principles are agreed to, the
parties can begin negotiating a final settlement based on the Helsinki
principles of non-use of force or threat of force, territorial
integrity, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples.

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. The United States will continue to support both leaders and
the Minsk Group Co-Chairs in their important efforts to advance
security and prosperity in the region.

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