Author: Toneyan Mark

Suspect Admits Throwing Grenade at Bush
By MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI
The Associated Press
07/21/05 14:35 EDT
TBILISI, Georgia (AP) – A man arrested after a fatal shootout with
police admitted in video footage shown Thursday to throwing a grenade
during a May rally where President Bush was making a speech.
Vladimir Arutyunian’s alleged confession came as investigators found
grenades and unspecified chemicals in his home on the outskirts of
Tbilisi and tried to piece together his motivations in the incident
that cast a shadow over a visit meant to showcase Georgia’s progress.
“I threw the grenade during Bush’s speech,” Arutyunian said from a
hospital room, where he was being treated for wounds suffered during
a shootout as police tried to arrest him late Wednesday.
One policeman was killed, and the suspect fled into the nearby woods.
He was captured about an hour later.
Other video footage released Thursday by Georgian authorities showed
Arutyunian lying on a gurney being wheeled from the scene, one of his
cheeks swollen and bloody. He made an obscene gesture at the camera.
Bush and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili were on the podium in
front of a massive crowd in downtown Tbilisi when the live grenade
was thrown. The grenade landed less than 100 feet from the podium
but did not explode.
A preliminary investigation indicated the grenade’s activation device
deployed too slowly to detonate, the FBI said.
Authorities have not commented on whether Arutyunian was connected
to any separatist groups in Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia
or nearby Chechnya.
The U.S. Embassy in Georgia said Thursday it “welcomes the news that
the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, through joint efforts
with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, diligent detective work
and a strong commitment to solving this case, have taken into custody
a suspect.”
The embassy declined comment on whether the FBI was involved in the
arrest or follow-up.
Saakashvili thanked the police for the successful detention.
“Yesterday our security forces carried out a special operation to
detain the suspect in the attempted terrorist act during the speech
in Tbilisi on May 10 by President George Bush,” the president told
the Imedi television channel from the Netherlands, where he was
on vacation.
“A difficult technical task was carried out. Unfortunately, a police
officer was killed during the operation. I would like to tell everyone
that in Georgia we have excellent security forces.”
Saakashvili said the suspect “did not aim to kill the presidents
but deliver a huge blow to Georgia’s international reputation and
the prestige of our country. Thankfully, with God’s help, it did
not happen.”
Georgian authorities released a photo of the suspect Monday
and announced an $80,000 reward for information leading to his
identification. Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said Thursday
that several people were claiming the reward.
Officials were giving little information Thursday about Arutyunian,
described in news reports as being in his mid-20s and unemployed. But
Interior Ministry spokesman Guram Donadze said grenades and unspecified
chemicals were found during a search of his home.
Video footage showed police sorting through a pile of items apparently
found in his apartment, including a book called “Initial Military
Training” that was part of the standard curriculum in Soviet schools.
Georgian officials initially claimed the grenade had not been set
to explode, and U.S. officials said Bush had been in no danger. But
authorities later said the grenade had been a threat to Bush’s life.
Bush spoke from behind bulletproof glass as he addressed a huge
crowd in a main Tbilisi square as part of a visit aimed at cementing
relations between the United States and Georgia’s new pro-Western
leadership.
Saakashvili, who came to power after the 2003 Rose Revolution
that ousted Eduard Shevardnadze, has provoked enmity with his
anti-corruption initiatives and insistence on restoring control over
two separatist regions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaman, Turkey
July 19 2005
Southeastern Citizens Ask about EU
By Erkan Acar, Yusuf Ipek
Published: Tuesday July 19, 2005
zaman.com
After a busy working term, Turkish MPs who traveled to their election
districts are being asked unexpected questions. Mehmet Fehmi Uyanik,
a Justice and Development Party (AKP) MP, responding to citizens’
questions in the villages of the Turkish Southeastern city of
Diyarbakir was told their demand, “Don’t let the government lose its
enthusiasm about the EU” instead of complaints about unemployment.
After Parliament adjourned for the summer, MPs have begun to return to
their election districts and to listen the problems of local citizens.
One such MP is Uyanik, and he is also a member of National Defense
Commission. Uyanik who visited some villages near the city, mingled
with the citizens and was asked questions about the European Union
instead of being told their complaints about agriculture. Villagers
asked him whether Turkey will be accepted for EU membership and
demanded that the government not to lose its enthusiasm regarding
the EU.
The AKP Diyarbakir MP paid his first visit to Sati village Sunday.
This village is where Armenians resided during the first years of
Turkish Republic and has been a place much frequented by European
delegations during recent years. Representatives coming from the EU
mostly want to see the village’s church, now used as a mosque. The
150-house village went through tough years at times of intensive
terrorism but today it is peace that prevails there. Citizens who
heard that an MP had come to their village gathered around Uyanik.
When villagers, who generally prefer to listen began ask the MP
questions about the EU, Uyanik was surprised. The village head Arap
Aslan asked questions such as, “Would they accept us into the EU?
What will be different in our lives if we enter the EU?” A city
dweller Abdullah Topuz asked, “There are a lot of differences between
European countries and us in terms of economics, how will this gap
be closed?” Uyanik was at first surprised however; he then commenced
answering their questions. He tells about the advantages that EU
membership will bring in terms of economics, law and freedoms and
shows Greece as an example to this. He reminds that Greece, where
the national income per capita was lower than in Turkey before its
membership has now left Turkey behind thanks to EU funding.

Putin, Erdogan discuss stability in region extending from Caucasus to Cyprus
RIA Novosti, Russia
July 18 2005
SOCHI, July 18 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed stability in
the Caucasus, the situation in Iraq and Iran, and the Cyprus problem.
“We focused on the issue of strengthening stability in the Caucasus
and the Black Sea basin,” Putin said at a press conference in Sochi
after talks with the Turkish Prime Minister. Putin gave assurances
that Russia would continue to help resolve the Cyprus problem. “We
are absolutely convinced that the UN Secretary General is moving in
the right direction,” he said.
Putin also said everyone knows how the situation is developing on
Cyprus. “First, we must resolve the problem of the economic isolation
of a part of the island, create conditions for normal relations between
the two parts, and on this basis fully normalize the situation in
the interests of all people living there,” he said.
“We will think about what can be done by Russia and the island’s two
parts to resolve these issues,” the Russian president said.
Putin and Erdogan said it was necessary to address the issue of
Nagorny Karabakh (a mountainous autonomous region within Azerbaijan
historically populated by Armenians, which unilaterally proclaimed
its independence in 1991).
“I was satisfied to hear the Russian position that it was time to
start settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Erdogan said.
He added that at his meeting with Putin he had also discussed the
situation in Iraq, Iran, and anti-terrorism efforts.
“We expressed once again our resolve to fight international terrorists,
who are carrying out attacks against innocent people, defenseless
women and children,” Erdogan said.

AMBULANCES ARE SLOW
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
15 July 05
There are many complaints that the emergency service is not fast
enough. To find out the reason we talked to the executive director
of Emergency Service Michael Baghdassarian. According to him, the
delay of ambulance cars is caused by the frequency of calls. Two
emergency teams are on duty 24 hours. Every emergency call takes
1.5 hours. If there are 4 or 5 emergency calls in a couple of hours,
the ambulance arrives late. “However, the workers of the emergency
service warn the family that the ambulance may arrive late,” said M.
Baghdassarian. As to increasing the number of the emergency teams,
the doctor said that 1 team is provided for 25-30 thousand people,
and for Stepanakert two teams are enough. Besides, an additional team
requires additional costs, and the emergency station with its budget
of 27 million drams hardly pays the salaries and covers other costs.
The emergency service is free of charge (the cost of an emergency
call is 3 thousand drams which is paid by the state) but there are
paid services too. According to Michael Baghdassarian, the average
salary of doctors is 44 thousand drams, nurses 28 thousand. The
salaries of the workers of the emergency service are higher than in
other institutions (for example, the average salary of doctors in the
Republic Hospital is 36 thousand) considering the frequency of duty.
On the other hand, according to M. Baghdassarian, at other hospitals
there are paid services and the doctors get additional pay. “The salary
is low, responsibility and workload is heady. Therefore, we need
professional doctors, which is one of our problems. We invite young
specialists to work in the emergency station; we shall train them to
become good specialists. Conditions for work are not sufficient, but
this year it is planned to improve the facilities of the emergency
station, and we are waiting,” said the doctor. The ambulances are
8-10 years old. According to M. Baghdassarian, the cars have not
repaired at all, whereas the ambulances should be replaced with new
ones every 3-5 years. Especially, that the roads in our republic are
in a bad condition and the cars break down very often. Formerly,
the emergency station worked in the capital only. Beginning with
this year the service will be available for the communities adjacent
to Stepanakert. Besides, the delay of the ambulance is also caused by
the lack of signs with the numbers of houses. It is difficult to find
the right address at night if they do not meet the car. “Though we
try to be as fast as possible, there are always complaints. In case of
necessity our workers inform the emergency team on duty about the next
call by radiophone, which possibly tries to be at the place on time.”
SRBUHI VANIAN.
15-07-2005
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN MET UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR COMPLETING MISSION IN ARMENIA
Pan ARMENIAN Network, Armenia
July 15 2005
15.07.2005 03:21
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Prime Minister Andranik Margarian met with
Ukrainian Ambassador to RA Vladimir Tyaglo, who is completing his
diplomatic mission in Armenia. Highly appreciating the development
of the Armenian-Ukrainian relationships A. Margarian underscored
Tyaglo’s contribution. He thanked the Ambassador for the work carried
out during the recent three years and expressed hope that with the
appointment of the new Ambassador the ties and cooperation between
the two states will dynamically develop. In his turn Vladimir Tyaglo
said he is grateful for the support rendered by the RA authorities and
noted that he leaves Armenia with the warmest feelings and impressions.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 14 2005
Mediators Change Their Route to Karabakh, Reports Say
Baku Today / AssA-Irada 14/07/2005 20:06
The mediating OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Steven Mann of the U.S.,
Bernard Fassier of France and Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia have changed
the route of their visit to Khankandi in Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian
news agencies reported.
The co-chairs left Baku for Khankandi on Wednesday morning. Their
visit program remained unchanged, the reports said.
The mediators met with the head of the separatist regime in Nagorno
Karabakh Arkadi Gukasian prior to leaving for Yerevan late on the
same day.
The radical Karabakh Liberation Organization took to the streets
earlier in a strong protest against the mediators’ previously-planned
visit to occupied territories through Armenia instead of Azerbaijan.

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, July 8, 2005
Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA-WR CONGRATULATES ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA ON INAUGURATION AS MAYOR
— Los Angeles City Officials Sworn in for New Term
LOS ANGELES, CA – Members of the Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) and Armenian American community
leaders joined thousands of Angelenos in the inauguration ceremonies
held to swear in Los Angeles city officials for a new term on July 1,
2005. Antonio Villaraigosa, who was endorsed by the ANCA, officially
took on the responsibilities of Mayor of Los Angeles from the outgoing
James Hahn.
Echoing his campaign theme of inclusion, Mayor Villaraigosa made the
following comments in his inaugural address:
“Dream with me of a Los Angeles where it doesn’t matter whether you’re
African American, Latino, Caucasian, or Asian. Whether you’re Jewish
or Muslim, Protestant or Catholic. Whether you’re from Watts or
Westwood. Where every Angeleno is an equal stakeholder in our city’s
future.”
Among the many Armenian Americans attending the day’s events were His
Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, members of the Consulate of the
Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and
City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, Downey Councilman Kirk Catorzian,
Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society of Western US Angela
Savoian, member of the Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Karo Khanjian, members of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors
Zanku Armenian, Ara Bedrosian, and Steven Dadaian, and ANCA-WR
supporter Peklar Pilavjian. On hand were high level public officials
such as Vice President Al Gore and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as well
as religious, community, and industry leaders from various
backgrounds.
“The Armenian National Committee has stood with Antonio since his days
in the California Assembly because of his moral stance on issues of
concern to Armenian Americans and his efforts to include individuals
of all ethnic backgrounds in civic affairs,” said Steven Dadaian, who
chairs the ANCA-WR and is a member of Mayor Villaraigosa’s transition
team. “We congratulate Mayor Villaraigosa on his victory and look
forward to working with him in the years to come,” stated Dadaian.
The inaugural events began with an interfaith ceremony held at Our
Lady of the Angeles Cathedral in the morning. Participants joined the
procession from the Cathedral to City Hall following the services. Los
Angeles City Controller Laura Chick, City Attorney Rockard John
Delgadillo, and members of the City Council Eric Garcetti, Janice
Hahn, Alex Padilla, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes, Bill Rosendahl, Jack Weiss,
and Dennis Zine took their oaths of office for their new terms before
the Honorable Stephen Reinhardt, United States Court Of Appeals for
the Ninth Circuit, swore Antonio Villaraigosa in as Mayor of Los
Angeles.
In his closing remarks, Mayor Villaraigosa praised and challenged his
fellow Angelenos by saying “I will never forget where I came from. And
I will always believe in the value of every Angeleno. This is truly
our town. And we all have a contribution to make.”
Following his speech, Mayor Villaraigosa invited everyone to eat,
drink and watch the live performances that were staged on Main Street
in front of City Hall. Among the performances were three Armenian
dances presented by the Hamazkayin Niari Dance Group led by Katherine
Hairabetian.
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
broad range of issues.
Editor’s Note: Photo attached. Photo caption: Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian walking with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during the
procession to City Hall.

Azeri leader condemns double standards in international politics
Star website, Istanbul
4 Jul 05

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has spoken out against double
standards with regard to Turkey and Azerbaijan in international
politics. In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Star, Aliyev
described the world community’s position on the Nagornyy Karabakh
problem as hypocrisy, saying that international law works immediately
when some nations are concerned and remains silent when it comes to
Azerbaijan and Turkey. He said that Azerbaijan will never accept the
independence of Nagornyy Karabakh and has enough military power to put
an end to the occupation of its territory by Armenia. Speaking about
the forthcoming November parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan,
President Aliyev pledged to continue democratic reforms and ensure
free and fair elections. The following is the text of unattributed
report by Turkish newspaper Star website on 4 July headlined “Aliyev’s
ultimatum to Yerevan”. Subheadings as published:
Aliyev referred to the territory occupied by Armenia and said: “There
is no more time. We are losing our patience. They will either reach an
agreement and they will withdraw or our army will drive them away.”
Aliyev criticized the world countries for two things: They use double
standards regarding issues, to which Turkey is a side.
When I met Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the reception hall of
the Presidential Palace in Baku, it was possible to see that he had
come out of a tense meeting during which the country’s national
security problems had been discussed.
This 45-year-old statesman, who has been closely following world
politics since the day he inherited the presidency of the Azerbaijani
Republic from his father Heydar Aliyev who is described as “the
founding president,” began to feel comfortable only after my third
question.
As the interview continued I saw before me a cheerful president who
has made his homework properly, who has profound knowledge about the
developments that occur in the region, who is determined to maintain
the balances that were established by the late Heydar Aliyev, who is
very close to Turkey, and who has shaped his programme regarding the
future.
After this introduction I will merely enable Ilham Aliyev speak. Here
is the interview.
Oil is not everything
[Star] The honourable Aliyev, Azerbaijan waged a struggle for its
independence not so long ago – as a matter of fact, only 16 years
ago. And today Azerbaijan is seen as one of the most strategic
countries in the world. Many people believe that this success story
merely stems from the fact that Azerbaijan has oil. Do you believe
that oil is the only reason for Azerbaijan’s success?
[Aliyev] No. There is oil in many countries. If a country has oil,
this does not mean that it is a country of strategic importance. Our
strategic importance has increased due to our location and due to the
fact that we are consistently getting stronger. As our founder Heydar
Aliyev used to say, we live with Turkey as “one nation and two
states”. Our policies are based on this principle. Turkey and
Azerbaijan should resolve their economic problems and they should get
stronger together. This is very important and the world therefore
closely follows these efforts. With its 18-per-cent growth rate,
Azerbaijan is the fastest developing country in the world. The
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas
pipeline, and the Baku-Kars railway – there is no doubt that the
implementation of these projects is strengthening us in the
region. The region has reached a point, where no project can be
realized without the inclusion of Turkey and Azerbaijan. It is
impossible to do anything without the approval of Turkey and
Azerbaijan. This is our power.
Our army is very strong
[Star] I will use here the concept of fraternal partnership, rather
than strategic partnership because the latter is used in many
places. How will the fraternal partnership between Turkey and
Azerbaijan affect the Nagornyy Karabakh issue?
[Aliyev] Time is working in our favour in Nagornyy Karabakh that has
been occupied by Armenia primarily and is Azerbaijani territory. The
developments are auspicious for Azerbaijan. Compared with 11 years
ago, Azerbaijan has a stronger economy. It has established stability
at home. It is a developing country whose financial resources increase
every passing day. This is also reflected on our war power. With the
great support of the Turkish armed forces, Azerbaijan currently has
the strongest army in the South Caucasus. Our army is capable of
putting an end to the occupation of its territory single-handedly. We
are purchasing the necessary ammunition for our army every year and we
are making efforts to ensure that it gets stronger. Despite this,
however, Armenia’s economy has collapsed. It has imprisoned itself
within its own territory due to the policies that it has pursued. It
is a small and weak country that causes pain and suffering for its
people. It knows that it is no longer able to compete with Azerbaijan
in the economic or military fields. We currently continue to hold
talks with them because we believe that there is some hope. It should
be known, however, that there is a limit to the patience of the
Azerbaijani people.
[Star] In fact we are talking about a cease-fire that was announced 11
years ago. In other words, the conditions of war have not vanished. On
the contrary, the war still continues. If the Armenians sabotage the
efforts to find a solution, will Azerbaijan prefer to say the last
word in the war field?
[Aliyev] We are determined to make peaceful efforts in the
international community for putting an end to the occupation. We are
determined to make these efforts to the end because we have waged a
war and we know how much nations lose as a result of wars. This does
not mean, however, that we will remain spectators to the fact that
Azerbaijani territory is under occupation. International law is on our
side, but for one reason or another it is working very slowly against
us. Let me give you an example: You know about the problems related to
Abkhazia and Ossetia in Georgia. Both issues resemble the Karabakh
issue in terms of ethnic separatism. The world does not recognize
these separatist movements where Georgia is concerned and it is
displaying great sensitivity in order to ensure that the territorial
integrity of the Georgian state is maintained. And this is the right
thing to do. The world demands that we accept the illegal situation in
Karabakh and that we sacrifice our lands. Why? I can only assess this
as double standards.
[Star] Maybe, this is hypocrisy.
[Aliyev] Yes, hypocrisy. This is an unjust world. For one reason or
another, international justice works immediately where some nations
are concerned, and it remains silent where we are
concerned. Karabakh’s independence is unthinkable. We cannot give up
Azerbaijani territory. This is also unthinkable. We will not accept
this just because several dishonourable politicians from the Armenian
lobby suggest this. Currently we are strong enough to wage a war and
to put an end to this occupation. If the problem is not resolved
through peaceful means, we will not hesitate to use our military
power. The Armenians do not have a lot of time to reach a decision in
this regard. They will either reach an agreement and they will
withdraw, or our army will drive them away.
[Star] Turkey and Azerbaijan appear to share the same fate where the
hypocrisy displayed by the world is concerned. International law is
not applied where the Turks are concerned.
[Aliyev] You are quite right. Look at Turkey. Despite the fact that it
is right it is not able to explain the Cyprus issue to the world. This
does not mean that Turkey is unable to explain the issue. The other
side does not want to understand. Look at us. I am the one whose
territory has been occupied. The w orld comes to me and says that I
should respect the rights of the occupier and that I should accept
what it says. International law either does not work or works very
slowly where the Turks are concerned. This is nothing, but hypocrisy
towards the Turks.
Democracy will get stronger
[Star] In addition to all this, discussions on democracy are being
held in your country in the light of the elections to the National
Assembly that will be held on 4 November [actually 6
November]. Azerbaijan deepened its independence during the term of
your father Heydar Aliyev. Will it be able to deepen its democracy
during your term?
[Aliyev] We continue to make democratic reforms. Azerbaijan has been a
member of the Council of Europe for the past four year and we have
very close contacts with the EU. We are working together with Europe
for democratization. This is a very appropriate question. Azerbaijan
primarily focused on strengthening its independence. This process has
begun in 1996 and has reached these days. The late Heydar Aliyev
primarily established stability and he turned independence into real
independence. This and the ties that we established with Europe have
strengthened our independence. Currently it is time to strengthen
democracy. Let no-one be concerned. The 4 November elections will be
held before the eyes of the entire world and they will be
just. Everyone knows, however, that democracy does not work properly
in poor countries that have grave social problems. For a healthy
democracy there is a need for a strong economy that will obstruct
radicalism. This is what we are after. The more we strengthen
Azerbaijan’s economy and the more we resolve its social problems, the
more Azerbaijan’s democracy will get stronger.
[Star] Currently, however, you believe that the strengthening of
democracy does not constitute a threat to the stability in Azerbaijan.
[Aliyev] Of course. On the contrary, the development of Azerbaijan’s
democracy will lead to the improvement of the economy. Our people will
utilize their free investment means in this free environment. It is
therefore impossible to give up democracy. On the contrary, we aim to
develop democracy in all fields.
We sympathize with Tayyip Erdogan
[Star] As far as I understand you speak the same language with Prime
Minister Tayyip Erdogan, whom you have hosted recently.
[Aliyev] We are speaking the same language with Prime Minister Erdogan
in every field. We feel personal sympathy towards him and we have a
dialogue. We regularly hold consultations on the phone, even if we
cannot talk face to face. Every time I visit European countries, I am
pleased to see that Erdogan is praised in these countries and that he
is considered very charismatic by these countries. We have just
received the information notes of his last visit to the United States
and we can see that the visit to the United States was very successful
from all aspects. Prime Minister Erdogan and I are determined to exert
utmost efforts in order to strengthen the brotherhood between Turkey
and Azerbaijan and in order to ensure that the two countries become a
power centre in terms of the entire world.
Oil for Special Prices
[Star] At a time when the price of oil has exceeded 60 US dollars,
will you take action in order to alleviate the new loads loaded by the
increasing oil prices on the Turkish economy? In other words, will you
sell Turkey oil for cheap prices, honourable president?
[Aliyev] (Laughing) The oil and natural gas agreements that we have
signed with Turkey are based on very special prices. The international
oil prices are meaningless where relations between Turkey and
Azerbaijan are concerned. This was so when the price of oil stood at
eight US dollars and this is so when the price of oil is 60
dollars. Our brothers in Turkey should not be too concerned about the
oil prices.

NAGORNO KARABAKH IS A CONFLICT PARTY
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
07 July 05
In the June 29 issue of the Russian newspaper Novoye Vremya the former
co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Vladimir Kazimirov pointed out the
maintenance of the ceasefire and deterrence of military actions in the
present stage of regulation of the Karabakh conflict. Shall we expect
serious changes in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue? asks
the Russian diplomat, commending Bakus proposal of direct
relationships with Nagorno Karabakh, says the newspaper. However,
according to Kazimirov, the dialogue between the two communities
proposed by Azerbaijan means avoiding direct talks. Nagorno Karabakh
is a conflict party, which is reflected in all the international
documents, arrangements of 1993-1994, mentions the former Minsk Group
co-chair, adding that neither the routes nor the oil pipeline
guarantee that military actions will not be resumed. What is the
possibility that military actions will be resumed, if we consider that
recently the Azerbaijani president has been making militaristic
statements quite often? Analysing the situation in the article Ilhams
Threats, Hayots Ashkhar Daily Newspaper (June 30) supposes that Alievs
militaristic statements are simply to ease the home political tensions
on the eve of the election in Azerbaijan and distracting the attention
of the society to a external factor; in this case the Karabakh
conflict. The newspaper predicts that before the elections the
Azerbaijani authorities will by all means set forward the idea of
existence of an external threat to corner the opposition which is
becoming increasingly strong. Aliev realizes that simply there is no
other way of overcoming the home political complications in the
upcoming autumn. It is necessary to set forward something new to throw
a monkey wrench in the works of the opposition. According to the
author of the article, this was the reason for the groundless
statements about the glorious victory in the competition of weaponry
with Armenia and consequently the Azerbaijani armys being the
strongest in the South Caucasus. Finally, writes the analyst of Hayots
Ashkhar, in order to control the home political life, hold the power
and distract public attention to external pressure in the upcoming
autumn the election slogan about the military and political dominance
of Azerbaijan may turn into a target, and a war slogan.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
07-07-2005

A1plus
| 17:51:27 | 05-07-2005 | Politics |
CEASE-FIRE NOT VIOLATED
Today the OSCE Mission held a recurrent monitoring was held at the contact
line of the Karabakh and Azeri armed forces to the southwest of Karmiravan
settlement of Mardakert region of NKR.
Miroslav Vimetal and Peter Key, tield assistants of the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office conducted the monitoring from
the Karabakh party. The Azeri side did not lead the monitoring group to the
contact line.
No violations of cease-fire were fixed.