Author: Kalantarian Kevo

HELSINKI PRINCIPLES IGNORE ARTSAKH’S RIGHT TO INDEPENDENCE
By Michael Mensoian

June 27, 2013

In an aside to the June 17-18 meeting of the Group of Eight (G8)
Industrialized Nations in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, Presidents
Barack Obama (U.S.), Vladimir Putin (Russian Federation), and Francois
Hollande (France) reaffirmed their support of the Helsinki Principles
as the basis for a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh
conflict. The three leaders lamented the fact that “…the parties
have continued to seek one-sided advantage in their negotiation
process,” adding that “the use of military force…will not resolve
the conflict.”

They then appealed to both sides “…to refrain from any action
or rhetoric that could raise tensions and lead to an escalation of
the conflict.”

To make such statements while ignoring the continuing build-up of the
Azerbaijani military into the largest offensive force in the South
Caucasus shows a serious disconnect from reality. The three leaders,
and their respective co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group monitoring the
negotiations, continue to ignore the constant threats by President
Ilham Aliyev to use force to resolve the conflict, as well as the
virulent anti-Armenian rhetoric and actions coming from Baku.

Against this backdrop the leaders have the temerity to stress the
importance of the Helsinki Principles as the basis for continued
negotiations, especially those principles “…relating to territorial
integrity, and equal rights and self-determination of people.”

Territorial integrity, which is the key principle, nullifies the
principles of equal rights and self-determination if these principles
properly refer to the right of a people to declare their independence.

If not, then the only way by which equal rights and self-determination
can co-exist with the principle of territorial integrity is
by interpreting these principles to mean the granting of local
autonomy to the Karabagh Armenians under the political jurisdiction
of Azerbaijan. This solution would ignore the independence that
the Artsakh people have (1) unanimously declared, (2) defended in
a war brought on by Azerbaijan, (3) maintained for two decades, and
(4) have the right to be recognized. Maintaining that Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity negates the legal right of the Karabaghtsis
to their independence, as well as their moral and inalienable right
to free themselves from the oppressive rule by a government that has
discriminated against them and their culture for 70 years.

The Helsinki Principles are supportive of Azerbaijan’s interests.

Using these principles as guidelines leaves nothing substantive to
be negotiated, nothing that would advance the needs and interests of
our brothers and sisters in Artsakh.

PRINCIPLE 1 requires the return of all liberated territories to
Azerbaijan. These liberated territories are absolutely vital to
Artsakh’s security and its ability to function as an independent
state. The occupation of these liberated territories by Azerbaijan
would make the Nagorno-Karabagh districts of Artsakh an enclave,
isolated from Armenia and shorn of its security zone. The districts
of Artsakh comprising Nagorno-Karabagh will have lost their defensive
perimeter.

PRINCIPLE 2 addresses the right of displaced people and refugees
to return to their original place of residence. This is an internal
issue that Baku has refused to ameliorate. The abysmal human rights
record of the Azerbaijani government has been citied time and again by
international watchdog organizations. Given the Azeri government’s
long-standing discrimination of its Armenian citizens and its
actions to destroy Armenian cultural artifacts, few Armenians would
be interested in returning to any former places of residence under
Azerbaijani jurisdiction. Those Azeris who have been displaced-their
numbers inflated by Azerbaijan-are victims of a devastating war
initiated and sustained by their own government, which is using them
solely for political purposes vis-a-vis a Karabagh solution.

PRINCIPLE 3 would address the need, which is presently unnecessary,
to put in place safeguards to guarantee the security and the right
of self-government by the Artsakh Armenians during an interim
or transitional period. Essentially, the Armenian negotiators are
expected to negotiate away Artsakh’s present ability to protect itself
in return for a guarantee of protection by a third party as provided
for in Helsinki Principle 4. How much sense does this make? Artsakh
is already providing for its security through its own military force
and support from Armenia. As it is, Azerbaijan continually flaunts
the ceasefire they agreed to by repeated incursions along the Line of
Contact (LoC), which has resulted in the murder of multiple Armenian
military personnel. To trust Azerbaijan would be beyond foolhardy;
its record during the past two decades is confirmation enough of
its duplicitousness.

PRINCIPLE 4 would address the security issue made necessary if
the Helsinki Principles govern the negotiations. An international
peace-keeping force under the aegis of the United Nations or the
OSCE would be responsible for maintaining Karabagh’s security. This
is as ludicrous as it comes. Peace-keeping forces have no authority
beyond reporting violations by either side. They purposely are not
given the authority to intervene, nor do they have the capability
to prevent violations. Should Azerbaijan move forces into areas
prohibited to it, the peace-keeping force would simply move aside,
observe, and file a useless report that would change nothing on the
ground. Confrontation and prevention are not within the scope of their
responsibilities. Why the Minsk co-chairs would expect the Artsakh
Armenians to render themselves defenseless and then dependent upon a
peace-keeping force for their protection defies logic. How can this
be offered as a viable option?

PRINCIPLE 5 would address the need to guarantee a secure corridor
linking Karabagh with Armenia. This presumably would be the present
Lachin Corridor that is already secured by Karabagh’s military forces.

Principle 1 requires the occupation by Azerbaijan of the liberated
territories; this means that the already secured Lachin Corridor
highway that passes through Armenian liberated territory would
become an unsecured corridor that will need to be protected by an
international peace-keeping force. How senseless is this? As it is,
this solitary link is already vulnerable to Azeri missile and air
attack. Its vulnerability would only increase if Azeri forces occupied
the liberated territories through which the corridor passes. Presently
a second highway will be expanded and improved beginning in 2014
that links Vartenis in Armenia to the Martakert district in northern
Karabagh. Sections of the road are currently a morass of mud and
impassible during the rainy season. This northern road will pass
through the liberated Kashatagh region and be secured by Armenian
forces. It will be economically and militarily significant to Artsakh’s
security and future development. This much-needed second highway would
be impossible if the Azeri are occupying the liberated territories.

PRINCIPLE 6 will presumably set up the mechanism for a plebiscite to
be held sometime in the future to determine the political status
of the Artsakh districts (excluding Shahoumian) that comprise
Nagorno-Karabagh. If the Helsinki Principles have determined the
course of negotiations, the liberated territories have already been
occupied by Azerbaijan. What remains to be negotiated with respect
to the plebiscite is when it will take place; who will be eligible
to vote; how will it be administered; and what the options are to be
voted on. For the Karabagh Armenians, the best option they can hope
for is being granted limited local autonomy as an enclave within
Azerbaijan. If this is where negotiations will ultimately lead us,
then we have already turned a hard-won victory into defeat.

This was an objective analysis of the Helsinki Principles, as they
would affect Artsakh if applied. Yerevan is either constrained by
Russian interests or is unwilling to pursue an aggressive diplomatic
policy in support of Artsakh’s independence. However, there should
be no constraint for any political party or coalition of parties
in tandem with the government of Artsakh and Armenian Diasporan
organizations to vigorously support an aggressive independence policy.

Will it be said years later that some 7,000 azatamartiks sacrificed
their lives in vain?

This is the first political victory that Armenians have won since the
genocide, when our nation faced near annihilation. It is the first
victory that gives credence to Hai Tahd. It is the first victory
that provides our people with some measure of justice. However,
it is a victory that has not yet been completed.

BELATED CONSPIRACY HINTS

Prime minister rendered the usually monotone sessions of the government
serious political processes. This is the second consecutive session
when he makes political statements. One week ago Tigran Sargsyan
dwelt on the revelation of the Control Chamber and actually gave
a political assessment to it. In other words, Tigran Sargsyan had
launched a counterattack at the last week’s session of the government.

At today’s session he continued the counterattack which seems to
become interesting.

The point is that Tigran Sargsyan’s counterattack is directed
against the government. He said that the protests in front of the
government are determined by the fact that middle-level officials
tell these people that they are unable to solve the issues but only
the government. Premier says these middle-level officials are either
incompetent or they send the protesters to the government on purpose.

He said he will submit to the relevant ministries the complaints that
the government reaches.

Apparently, Tigran Sargsyan is led by the Russian saying “hit your
people, so the others will be afraid”. But, at the same time, Tigran
Sargsyan is trying to separate his people from the others in the
government, in order words to clear the government, which does not
belong to him.

At last week session of the government, Tigran Sargsyan told the
ministers that the allegations on misappropriations are directed to all
of them and everyone should answer. Actually, Tigran Sargsyan raised
the issue on who is with him and who is not one week ago hinting that
he is not going to answer for all of them. Tigran Sargsyan is ready
to answer to “his ministers”. In his interview to RFE/EL Armenian
service he didn’t spare efforts to justify the outrageous deal of bio
toilets. The reason is perhaps the fact that the idea of the deal
belonged to Nerses Yeritsyan, who is considered a member of Tigran
Sargsyan’s team and the idea was realized by another member of the
premier’s team – Tigran Davtyan.

Currently, prime minister is hinting that there are middle-level
officials who provoke the protest actions held in front of the
government directing all questions to him. In addition, premier stated
that this may be done on purpose. In other words, Tigran Sargsyan
does not rule out some conspiracy against him is being prepared in
the ministries. Now it is clear why Tigran Sargsyan wants to find
out which of the ministers are with and against him.

The government of Armenia is formed within large internal agreements.

In other words, Tigran Sargsyan is appointed prime minister and
though according to the Constitution, it is up to him to present
the candidates for ministers to Serzh Sargsyan, in reality, Tigran
Sargsyan has no bigger role in the formation of the government than
power clans. I mean there can be ministers within the government which
are not controlled by Tigran Sargsyan and with whom he has quite tense
relations. All prime ministers of Armenia have been in such situations
having uncontrollable and undesirable ministers within the government.

Tigran Sargsyan may be an exception in terms of making this issue
public through political statements. It is hard to say whether the
reason is that his position is strong or that he has nothing to lose,
but it seems that the only one statement of the premier lacks his
conversations were spied and the situation will be adequate to the
modern history of Armenia, or also world history.

Though, by and large, the situation reminds the Middle Ages because
the Armenian government is full of intrigues and conspiracies used in
palatial life. Prime minister is alarming about conspiracies against
him, but these signals are late because the society speaks and judges
by concrete names and facts.

HAKOB BADALYAN 13:49 27/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ZHOGHOVURD: GURGEN YEGHIAZARIAN QUITS SDHP

Thursday,
June 27

‘Zhoghovurd’ paper writes citing its sources that former deputy
minister of national security Gurgen Yeghiazarian has quitted the
Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHP). Moreover, Yeghiazarian lost
touch with that party long ago. The newspaper’s correspondent failed
to reveal the reason of Yeghiazarian’s withdrawal from the party as
he didn’t answer the phone.

“It should be mentioned that the ex-deputy minister of national
security of Armenia joined SDHP during the heyday of the national
movement when joining the movement led by Levon Ter-Petrosian was a
matter of honor. Many dwarf parties established themselves thanks to
that movement,” the paper notes.

TODAY, 12:35

Aysor.am

ON 27 JUNE ARTSAKH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN SENT A CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO THE STAFF OF THE “AZAT ARTSAKH” REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER.

Thursday, 27 June 2013 11:01

The letter runs as follows:

“Dear Friends,

I cordially congratulate you and all the readers of our republican
newspaper in connection with the 90th memorable jubilee of its
creation.

Since the very moment of its creation the “Azat Artsakh” has always
been with its people, expressed their concerns and aspirations, being
transformed into their mouthpiece in the time of ordeal. I would
like to a special emphasize on its key role in the modern stage of
our national-liberation struggle, which was a unique kind of heroism
and feat that deserves the highest appreciation.

Passing a long way, the newspaper continues to occupy a worthy place
in the public and political life of our republic. I am confident that
further developing the accumulated rich experience and decade-long
traditions the “Azat Artsakh” will henceforth remain loyal to its
primary purpose – to serve its people and its country, to reveal
problems and concerns the people face in everyday life, represent
and protect the interests of the Artsakh Republic.

I congratulate you once again and wish you peace, robust health and
great success in your work and private life.

LEVON’S AND ROBERT’S “OFFSHORE”

The offshore scandal in Armenia is getting bigger. Apparently, Tigran
Sargsyan didn’t joke when he said that the misappropriations of all
time should be revealed. So his former party fellow Arshak Sadoyan
decided to “catch the big fish” – Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Arshak Sadoyan recalled in a press conference that Ter-Petrosyan
carried out money laundering in offshore with the help of the minister
of energy Sepuh Tashchyan, 1992-93, and minister of communications
Grigor Poghpatyan, 1991-98.

The point is about the ArmenTel deal. Under Ter-Petrosyan’s tenure,
TVT offshore company was opened and which bought almost the half
of ArmenTel assets. Then, press reported about the deal which was
particular because TVT had no investment obligations. TVT received
about 85 million USD from the deal in 1998 and ArmenTel passed to
the Greek OTE Company, which became a monopolist in the telephone
communication sphere.

Later, Armenian authorities accused OTE for being engaged in laundering
of Armenian dirty money. But TVT remained in shadow. By the way,
former Armenian speaker Tigran Torosyan published a number of articles
on this matter then.

But the interesting in this story is that in case it develops,
Robert Kocharyan may also be involved because ArmenTel was sold during
Kocharyan’s tenure. Once, press supporting Levon Ter-Petrosyan used to
answer allegations against him with allegations against Kocharyan. But
now, Kocharyan and Ter-Petrosyan are “allies” otherwise the press
will recall the sale of brandy factory, the construction boom and
other stories.

By the way, Arshak Sadoyan said in the same press conference that
the recent internal political scandals have been caused by Kocharyan.

Life is becoming more interesting. There seems to be nothing new but
the old is becoming relevant. It is hard to say what will follow all
this. One thing is evident – the chain seems to be collapsing.

11:50 27/06/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:

ANCA WELCOMES MARKEY SENATE VICTORY

09:30 27.06.2013

The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA-ER)
joined with friends from across the Massachusetts Armenian community
in celebrating Congressman Ed Markey’s victory in Tuesday night’s
special Senate election. Markey (D-MA-5) led at the ballot box against
Republican businessman Gabriel Gomez throughout the day and won by
a 10-point margin.

“We are very excited to see Rep. Ed Markey assume this new role in his
career of public service. The ANCA of Massachusetts joins with Armenian
Americans from across the state and country in welcoming his victory,
and we look forward to his continued leadership on issues of concern
to our community,” said Mikael Garabedian of ANCA-Massachusetts,
who was among the Armenian-American contingent on hand to celebrate
Rep. Markey’s success at his victory party.

Since he was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
in 1976, Rep. Markey has been a strong and consistent advocate on
Armenian issues, receiving multiple “A+” ratings from the ANCA in
its Congressional Report Card.

Rep. Markey has been outspoken in support of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, cosponsoring all related legislation
introduced in the U.S. House, including the Armenian Genocide Truth
and Justice Resolution (H.Res.227), introduced in May of this year. In
his annual Armenian Genocide commemorative statement submitted for
the Congressional Record this year, Rep. Markey explained, “Almost
one-hundred years have passed since the Armenian Genocide, yet the
suffering will continue for Armenians and non-Armenians alike as long
as the world allows denial to prevail.”

L’ARMENIE : ENTRE LA RUSSIE ET L’UE

Lors d’un entretien avec son homologue polonais Bronislaw Komorowski,
Sarkissian a mentionne l’adhesion de son pays a l’Organisation du
Traite de securite collective dirigee par la Russie et l’existence
d’une importante communaute armenienne en Russie. ” Nous sommes des
allies de la Russie “, a-t-il declare aux journalistes. ” L’Armenie
souhaite integrer l’Union europeenne mais cela n’entravera pas ses
liens politiques, militaires et economiques avec la Russie “, a-t-il
poursuivi lors d’une visite officielle en Pologne mardi soir.

” L’Armenie est l’un des pays qui a fait le plus de progrès dans
le programme de Partenariat oriental de l’UE. Je ne vois aucune
contradiction dans nos plans. ”

Lors d’une reunion a Varsovie, Serge Sarkissian a indique qu’Erevan
souhaite signer un accord avec l’UE. Selon lui, cet accord de
libre-echange donnera une formidable impulsion aux relations
commerciales entre l’Armenie et les Etats membres de l’UE, y compris
la Pologne. Sarkissian a declare que le succès des reformes en Armenie
pour adherer a cet accord exige une plus grande aide economique de
l’Occident. ” Oui, nous esperons une aide et nous n’avons pas honte de
cela “, a-t-il dit. Le commissaire a l’Elargissement de l’UE, Stefan
Fule, a declare que le gouvernement armenien a fait de nombreux progrès
ces dernières annees et pourrait peut-etre signer cet accord avec l’UE.

jeudi 27 juin 2013, Laetitia ©armenews.com

RUSSIA’S SELLING OF WEAPONS TO AZERBAIJAN IS POLITICAL DEAL – ARMENIAN OPPOSITION MEMBER

June 26, 2013 | 11:54

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s opposition Free Democrats Party Vice-Chairwoman
Anush Sedrakyan condemns Russia’s selling of arms to Azerbaijan.

Sedrakyan herself stated the aforesaid during a press conference
on Wednesday.

“It is the ‘big brother,’ it does what it wants. If Israel sells
weapons to Azerbaijan, we have no right to rebel because we have
not signed a CSTO [i.e., Collective Security Treaty Organization]
treaty with it,” she noted.

Sedrakyan also stressed that Russia’s selling of weaponry to Azerbaijan
is not a trade deal, but rather a political deal.

“It would have been a trade deal if they had sold oil, [natural] gas,
or sheep. Now, it is a political deal which runs counter to all our
agreements, good intentions,” Sedrakyan concluded.

In his turn, ruling Republican Party MP Artak Davtyan said weaponry
is a product, too.

“If Russia is supplying weapons, this means Russia will have to provide
Azerbaijan consultations, services in connection with the use, [and]
spare parts of these weapons. [And] Azerbaijan will have commitments,
too. Why are we raising this uproar?” the ruling party MP asked.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

FREE DEMOCRATS PARTY CRITICAL OF RUSSIA’S WEAPONS SALE TO AZERBAIJAN

Members of the Free Democrats party have expressed concerns over
Russia’s weapons sales deal with Azerbaijan.

In a statement issued in that connection, they describe the move as
the country’s retreat from its strategic partnership with Armenia.

“The Free Democrats party expresses its deep concerns over the one
billion Dollar worth ammunition supply to Azerbaijan by the Russian
Federation. This isn’t the first the time that Russia, which is
considered Armenia’s strategic ally, supplies Azerbaijan with military
equipment, thus actually contributing to the country’s bellicose and
belligerent policies.

“The supply of ground weapons designed to provoke attacks is actually
a disregard of the Azerbaijani authorities’ repeated statements on
providing a military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It
increases the likelihood of a military aggression against Armenia, a
founding member of the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization],
at the expense of the military equipment supplied by Russia, another
member of the Organization,” they say.

The Free Democrats further refer to a 1997 friendship, cooperation
and mutual assistance agreement signed between Armenia and Russia,
pointing out to its provision calling for a joint action to eliminate
the existing peace threats.

“The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have repeatedly urged the
Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities to stop the armament and direct
their efforts to a negotiated settlement. But what we see in reality
is that Russia itself contributes to Azerbaijan’s militarization. The
entrance of such a volume of armament into the conflicting region
eventually increases tension, at the same time hampering the peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” reads the statement

Criticizing Russia’s move, the party calls upon the Armenian
authorities to revise their approaches to the Armenian-Russian alliance
in the light of the recent developments.

It further calls for the world community, especially the OSCE
Minsk Group, to give proper attention to the problem and make their
responses.

SECOND STAGE OF RESTORATION WORKS OF AKHTAMAR’S ARMENIAN SAINT CROSS CHURCH TO BE LAUNCHED

13:31, 26 June, 2013

YEREVAN, JUNE 26, ARMENPRESS: The works of the second stage of
the restoration of the Armenian Saint Cross Church on the Akhtamar
Island of Van will be launched. As reported by Armenpress, quoting
the Turkish Haberler.com, the restoration works will include the
chapel of the Church and the parts of the nearby walls.

A group of 50 builders will work in the area of about 5,000 square
meters to complete the restoration works in 6 months. 1 million and
200,000 Turkish Liras will be spent for the restoration works of the
Armenian Saint Cross Church on the Akhtamar Island of Van.

The Armenian Saint Cross Church on the Akhtamar Island was renovated
and opened for the visitors as a museum in 2007. The Armenian
Patriarchate of Constantinople applied to the Turkish Government
to permit holding a liturgy at the Armenian Church once a year. The
Turkish Government announced permission for a liturgy to be said on
September 19, 2010 and the service took place as planned. On September
30 2010 a cross was placed on the top of the Church, anointed by
the leader of the spiritual council of the Armenian Patriarchate of
Constantinople Archimandrite Tatul Anushyan.