RA PRESIDENT-ELECT INAUGURATION DUE APRIL 9
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.03.2008 16:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The inauguration of Armenia’s President-elect
Serzh Sargsyan will be held in the State Academic Theater of Opera
and Ballet on April 9 at 2 p.m.
The inauguration will take place in the framework of an extra
parliament session to be summoned on the occasion, Novosti Armenia
reports.
Serzh Sargsyan won the February 19 presidential election with 52,82
per cent of votes.
ACCORDING TO THOMAS HAMMARBERG, INDEPENDENT AND TRANSPARENT INQUIRY SHOULD BE INITIATED TO CLARIFY WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN YEREVAN ON MARCH 1
Noyan Tapan
March 18, 2008
STRASBOURG, MARCH 18, NOYAN TAPAN."The State of Emergency should be
lifted in Armenia and an independent, impartial and transparent inquiry
initiated to clarify what actually happened during the confrontations
in Yerevan between the police and opposition demonstrators on 1 March",
said Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg
after a three-day visit to Armenia.
"The censorship which was introduced with the state of emergency has
contributed to rumours and anxiety among the population about what was
happening, at a time when measures to rebuild trust should have been
promoted. The fact that some pro-government media tended to demonise
the opposition while opposition papers were out of circulation did not
contribute to a constructive atmosphere", said Thomas Hammarberg. He
suggested that all limitations on the media and freedom of expression
now be lifted.
"Seven civilians and one policeman were killed and many others were
injured.
There is a need to clarify what actually happened and what provoked
the outbreak of violence. The two sides describe the events very
differently and it is important, also in a human rights perspective,
to establish the basic facts. This can only be done through a
comprehensive inquiry which is independent, impartial and transparent
and perceived as credible by the whole population."
"The establishment of an inquiry of this kind will not be easy in the
present polarised climate in Armenia. The international community has
expressed its willingness to offer participation or other assistance
to such a comprehensive investigation into the 1 March events in
order to contribute … credibility".
"Demonstrators who committed violent acts should be held accountable,
as should policemen who used excessive force. However, the arrests
and prosecutions should not target people for having merely been
present at the demonstrations or expressed anti-government opinions,"
T. Hammarberg said.
According to Council of Europe Press Division, the Commissioner
welcomed the statement by the President that the current human rights
restrictions would be gradually reviewed and lifted.
PROSECUTED AUTHOR LONGLISTED FOR ORANGE FICTION PRIZE
by Astrid Zweynert and by Jeremy Lovell
Reuters
March 18 2008
LONDON (Reuters) – A writer whose novel put her on trial for "insulting
Turkishness" has been longlisted for a prestigious British fiction
prize.
Elif Shafak, author of the bestselling "The Bastard of Istanbul"
was one of 20 writers longlisted on Tuesday for the Orange Broadband
Prize for Fiction.
Shafak was prosecuted in Turkey over comments made by characters in
her book about the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks. She
was acquitted in 2006 by an Istanbul court.
The book tells the interweaving stories of a Turkish and an Armenian
family in the United States and Istanbul.
Shafak, born in France of Turkish descent, was named as one of 20
writers longlisted for the Orange Prize, which is open to any female
author writing in English.
The Orange Prize longlist includes seven debut novelists alongside
veterans like Deborah Moggach, who is longlisted for her 16th novel,
"In The Dark".
It also features Anne Enright’s "The Gathering", which won the Man
Booker prize 2007.
Linda Grant, who previously won the Orange prize with "When I Lived
In Modern Times", is nominated again for her latest book, "The Clothes
On Their Backs".
The novel is one of several in this year’s longlist to deal with
immigration.
First novelists include Carol Topolski, for "Monster Love".
Another first novelist, Patricia Wood, is nominated for "Lottery",
which was inspired by her father winning the Washington State Lottery.
The winner of the 30,000 pound prize will be announced at a ceremony
on June 4.
Recent previous winners include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Zadie Smith
and Lionel Shriver.
Kirsty Lang, who chairs the judges’ panel, dismissed critics who
refute the need for a female writers’ prize.
"The Orange has become a celebration of women’s literature," said
Young. "There are women’s books that women like more than men and it
would be foolish to ignore that."
The other judges are singer Lily Allen, novelist Philippa Gregory,
novelist Bel Mooney, and Guardian Review editor Lisa Allardice.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF UN ADOPTS RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN, DEMANDING WITHDRAWAL OF ALL ARMENIAN FORCES
Today
734.html
March 14 2008
Azerbaijan
Seriously concerned that the armed conflict in and around the Nagorny
Karabakh region of Azerbaijan continued to endanger international peace
and security, the General Assembly on Friday reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, expressing support for that country’s
internationally recognized borders and demanding the immediate
withdrawal of all Armenian forces from all occupied territories there.
By a recorded vote of 39 in favour to 7 against (Angola, Armenia,
France, India, Russian Federation, United States, Vanuatu), with 100
abstentions, the Assembly also reaffirmed the inalienable right of
the Azerbaijani population to return to their homes, and reaffirmed
that no State should recognize as lawful the situation resulting from
the occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories, or render assistance in
maintaining that situation. (See below for voting details.)
At the same time, the Assembly recognized the need to provide secure
and equal conditions of life for Armenian and Azerbaijani communities
in the Nagorny Karabakh region, which would allow an effective
democratic system of self-governance to be built up in the region
within Azerbaijan.
Introducing the draft resolution, the representative of Azerbaijan
said he did not accept the argument that the text was unilateral and
untimely. It had been prepared in accordance with international law
and was impartial. It had been prompted by unfolding circumstances,
both regionally and internationally, which had heightened concerns
over the status of the settlement process. It was, therefore, apropos
and timely.
Meanwhile, he said, Azerbaijan was gravely concerned and alarmed at
the lack of clear proposals from France, the Russian Federation and
the United States, the co-chairs of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, under whose auspices talks
had begun in 1992. The co-chairs had expressed in words their support
for the objective of liberation for all the occupied territories
and the return of the Azerbaijani population to Nagorny Karabakh,
but by their deeds, they were trying to belittle that common endeavour.
The co-chairs had no right to deviate from the principle of
territorial integrity for the sake of their "notorious neutrality",
he stressed. Neutrality was not a position; it was the lack of one.
There could be no neutrality when the norms of international law were
violated. Neutrality under such conditions meant total disregard for
those norms. Four Security Council resolutions adopted in 1993 demanded
the immediate withdrawal of the occupying forces from Azerbaijan,
while the General Assembly’s dispatch of a fact-finding mission to
the territories in early 2005 had confirmed Armenian settlement there.
Several delegates, speaking in explanation of position before the vote,
expressed support for the text and for Azerbaijan’s just stance. They
included the representative of Pakistan, who spoke on behalf of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), noting that the group
had repeatedly called for the immediate, complete and unconditional
withdrawal of Armenian forces from all the occupied territories, and
for the peaceful resolution of the conflict on the basis of respect
of territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally
recognized borders. OIC was deeply distressed by the plight of more
than 1 million Azerbaijani displaced persons and refugees, and called
for the creation of conditions for their safe return home.
Also speaking before the vote, the representative of the United
States noted that the Minsk Group co-chairs had jointly proposed to
the two sides last November a set of basic principles for the peaceful
settlement of the conflict. The proposal comprised a balanced package
of principles currently under negotiation. Today’s resolution did
not consider the proposal in its balanced entirety.
Because of that selective approach, the three co-chairs must oppose
that unilateral text, which threatened to undermine the peace process.
However, he reaffirmed the negotiators’ support for the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, and thus did not recognize the independence
of Nagorny Karabakh. But, in light of serious clashes along the Line
of Contact, which had occasioned loss of life, both sides must refrain
from unilateral and excessive actions, whether at the negotiations
table or in the field.
Calling the resolution a "wasted attempt" to predetermine the outcome
of the peace talks, Armenia’s representative said that was not how
responsible members of the international community conducted the
difficult but rewarding mission of bringing peace and stability
to peoples and regions. The co-chairs had found that the text did
not help the peace talks; so had Armenia. Refugees and territories
had been created by an Azerbaijan that had "unleashed a savage war
against people it claims to be its own citizens". Only when the initial
cause was resolved would the fate of all the territories and refugees
concerned be put right.
Others speaking before the vote were the representatives of Slovenia
(on behalf of the European Union), France, Uganda, Ukraine, China
and Turkey.
Speaking in explanation of position after the vote were the
representatives of Indonesia, South Africa and Libya.
Azerbaijan’s representative also spoke in exercise of the right
of reply.
The General Assembly will meet again at a date and time to be
announced.
Background
The General Assembly met this morning to consider the situation in
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and to take action on a related
draft resolution.
Introduction of Text
AGSHIN MEHDIYEV (Azerbaijan), introducing the draft resolution on
the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan (document
A/62/L.42), said the conflict in and around the Nagorny Karabakh
region of Azerbaijan had a long history. Qarabag (Karabakh in Russian)
— both its mountainous (Nagorniy in Russian) and lowland parts,
economically and politically linked — had always been a historic
province in Azerbaijan. In antiquity and the early Middle Ages, the
region had been part of a State known as Caucasian Albania, which had
existed from the fourth century B.C. to the eighth century A.D. in
the territory of present-day Azerbaijan. In 313, Christianity had
been proclaimed a State religion in Albania.
He noted that, in 1918, Azerbaijan had proclaimed independence and,
guided by the principle of good-neighbourliness, handed over the
Azerbaijani Iravan ( Yerevan) Province of the Republic of Armenia.
Nevertheless, the newly established Armenian Government had raised
claims to other territories, including Nagorny Karabakh, over which
the Armenian Assembly had formally accepted Azerbaijani rule in 1919.
During Soviet times, the Nagorny Karabakh region had enjoyed political,
economic and cultural autonomy and had developed faster than Azerbaijan
and Armenia as a whole.
The present stage of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict dated back
to the end of 1987, he noted. As a result of the repression carried
out in Armenia, 220 Azerbaijanis had been killed, 1,154 wounded and
approximately 250,000 expelled. That had been the last deportation of
Azerbaijanis who for centuries had resided in the territory presently
called Armenia.
In early 1988, the Armenian Government had instigated a secessionist
movement in the Nagorny Karabakh region, he said. In 1989, the
Armenian Parliament, in total contradiction to the Constitution
of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, had adopted a decree
on "Reunification of the Armenian SSR and Nagorny Karabakh". In
continuation of those steps, Armenia, with the support of foreign
troops and the direct participation of international mercenaries and
terrorist groups, had unleashed a full-scale military operation that
had led to the occupation of the Nagorny Karabakh region and seven
adjacent districts. That occupation had been accompanied by a policy
of ethnic cleansing. As a result, more than 1 million Azerbaijanis
had become refugees and internally displaced persons.
He recalled that, in response to the occupation of the Azerbaijani
territories and alarmed by the severe humanitarian catastrophe, the
Security Council had adopted four resolutions in 1993 demanding
the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the
occupying forces. Negotiations under the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group had begun in 1992, and
Armenia had been the only one of the 54 participating OSCE States that
had not accepted the principles proposed as the basis for settlement
of the conflict. Moreover, Armenia had sought to consolidate the
occupation through illegal activities. It had falsified history and
misappropriated the cultural and architectural heritage of all the
occupied territories. Further, it had launched an outrageous policy
of massive illegal settlement of Armenians in the occupied territories.
Having included the item on its agenda, the General Assembly had
considered it in 2004, as a result of which the first ever fact-finding
mission had been dispatched to the occupied territories in early 2005,
he said. The mission had confirmed the facts of Armenian settlement
in the occupied territories. The mission had become feasible, owing
to the Assembly’s "just and right approach to the grave concern
articulated by Azerbaijan".
In a dangerous development, massive fires had occurred in 2006 in
the eastern part of the occupied territories, where the Azerbaijani
population would eventually return, he said. The most dangerous
development, however, had occurred on 4 March 2008, when the Armenian
occupying forces had grossly violated the ceasefire regime, resulting
in five casualties on the Azerbaijani side and 27 on the Armenian
side. That Armenian-led provocation had clearly been intended to divert
attention from the tense situation in the country. The use of force had
become a traditional method of Armenia’s foreign and domestic policy.
He said his country had always conducted negotiations in good
faith, whereas Armenia used negotiations as a cover for its illegal
activities. The talks were built on the clear stance of the full
restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,
which were both indisputable and non-negotiable, both from the legal
and political view, and deserved support in the framework of the
negotiations and the draft resolution. The final settlement stage
envisaged a peaceful and prosperous region, where the Azerbaijani and
Armenian populations of Nagorny Karabakh would live in friendship and
security within the Republic of Azerbaijan. To arrive at that point,
the consequences of the conflict must be eliminated. That meant the
withdrawal of the occupying forces from all occupied territories and
the return of internally displaced persons. Transport and communication
links should also be restored.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan was gravely concerned and alarmed at the lack
of clear proposals from the co-chairs of the Minsk Group, he said.
In words they expressed support for the objectives of liberation
for all the occupied territories and the return of the Azerbaijani
population to Nagorny Karabakh, but in deeds they were trying to
belittle that common endeavour. The co-chairs had no right to deviate
from the principle of territorial integrity for the sake of their
"notorious neutrality". Neutrality was not a position; it was a lack
of one. There could be no neutrality when the norms of international
law were violated. Neutrality under those conditions meant total
disregard for those norms.
He concluded by describing as unacceptable the argument that the draft
resolution was unilateral and untimely. The text had been prepared
in accordance with international law and it was impartial.
It had been prompted by the unfolding circumstances, both regionally
and internationally, which had heightened concerns over the status
of the settlement process and, therefore, was apropos and timely.
Action on Text
The representative of Slovenia, speaking in explanation of position
before the vote on behalf of the European Union, said that, while
recognizing the right of Member States to bring issues to the attention
of the General Assembly for consideration, the Minsk Group should
retain the lead in settling the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
The European Union reiterated its support for all the principles,
without exception, set up within the Minsk Group, and valued the
views of the Group’s co-chairs.
She said the settlement of Nagorny Karabakh dispute was an important
part of the Union’s European Neighbourhood Policy and featured
prominently in the related action plans. The European Union was ready
to support all steps that contributed to a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, and called on the parties concerned to avoid any actions
that could lead to heightened tensions and undermine the ongoing
mediation efforts.
The representative of the United States said the political-level
representatives of France, the Russian Federation and the United
States, as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, had jointly proposed to the two parties a set of
basic principles for the peaceful settlement of the conflict, on the
margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Madrid in November 2007.
Those basic principles were founded on the provisions of the Helsinki
Final Act, including those related to refraining from the threat or
use of force, the territorial integrity of States and the equal rights
and self-determination of peoples. The proposal transmitted to the
two sides comprised a balanced package of principles currently under
negotiation. The sides had agreed that no single element was agreed
until all elements were agreed by the parties.
Unfortunately, the draft resolution before the Assembly selectively
propagated only certain of those principles to the exclusion of others,
without considering the co-chairs’ proposal in its balanced entirety,
he said. Because of that selective approach, the three co-chairs
must oppose the unilateral draft resolution. They reiterated that a
peaceful, equitable and lasting settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict would require unavoidable compromises by the parties,
reflecting the principles of territorial integrity, non-use of force,
equal rights of peoples and other principles of international law.
He said that, while the co-chair countries would oppose the unilateral
draft resolution, which threatened to undermine the peace process, they
reaffirmed their support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
and, thus, did not recognize the independence of Nagorny Karabakh. At
a time when serious clashes had occurred along the Line of Contact,
occasioning loss of life, both sides must refrain from unilateral and
excessive actions, either at the negotiations table or in the field.
The representative of France said he would vote against the draft
resolution unilaterally presented by Azerbaijan, although his
delegation fully supported the common position of the European Union
on the question of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
The representative of Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said the group had a long-standing,
principled and firm position concerning Armenia’s aggression against
Azerbaijan, and had articulated its full support for the latter’s just
stance in relevant OIC declarations, communiques and resolutions at the
summit and ministerial levels. At their May 2007 session, OIC foreign
ministers had reiterated their condemnation of Armenia’s continuing
aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, which constituted a blatant violation of the principles of
the United Nations Charter and international law. They had called for
the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces
from all the occupied territories and for the peaceful resolution of
the conflict on the basis of respect for territorial integrity and
the inviolability of internationally recognized borders.
He also expressed support for the Azerbaijan Government’s efforts to
remove obstacles to the peace process, such as the illegal transfer
of settlers of Armenian nationality to the occupied territories,
the alteration of geographic, cultural and demographic practices,
unlawful economic activity and exploitation of natural resources in
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. OIC demanded that Armenia stop
those activities, as well as the continued destruction of Azerbaijan’s
cultural and historical heritage, including Islamic monuments. OIC was
deeply distressed by the plight of more than 1 million Azerbaijani
displaced persons and refugees from the occupied territories, and
called for the creation of conditions for their safe, honourable and
dignified return home.
Expressing deep concern over Armenia’s efforts to consolidate the
status quo of occupation, particularly its continued illegal settlement
of Armenians in the occupied territories, he said they undermined
and prejudiced a negotiated settlement. OIC supported the efforts
of the OSCE Minsk Group and bilateral consultations between the two
parties to settle the conflict peacefully. The parties were expected to
negotiate in good faith, and OIC called on the international community
to support the peace process, steering it clear of impediments and
a possible stalemate.
The representative of Uganda, aligning himself with the statement by
Pakistan, said his country firmly believed in a peaceful settlement of
disputes between States and was a fervent supporter of the principle of
inviolability of the sovereignty of States and respect for territorial
borders, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. If there
was any departure from those principles, it must be well grounded in
international law. Uganda saw no justifiable departure in the present
case; Azerbaijan had been a victim. Uganda, therefore, supported
the draft resolution, which was also in line with Security Council
resolutions, and would vote "yes".
The representative of Ukraine said today’s discussion once again
highlighted the problem of protracted conflicts in the territories
of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. They remained
major impediments to the democratic and economic development of those
States. It was of vital importance that the international community
continue to take practical steps to help settle the conflicts based
on unconditional recognition of the territorial integrity of those
countries.
He said each of those conflicts had their own history and nature,
and therefore, settlement mechanisms should differ, but have a
strong basis in the clear adherence to human rights. Ukraine strongly
rejected attempts to connect the case of Kosovo to the conflicts in
the territories of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.
At the same time, Ukraine consistently supported the Minsk Group
regarding settlement of the conflict, he said, noting further that
the Minsk process had not been exhausted. Azerbaijan and Armenia
should demonstrate flexibility and not undermine the possibilities
for a settlement.
The representative of China, expressing serious concern over the
question of Nagorny Karabakh, said he respected and supported
Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the
international community’s efforts to promote the peaceful settlement
of the conflict. The situation was complex and sensitive. It had a
direct bearing not only on the relationship between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, but also on peace and stability in the entire Caucasus region.
He said his country had always advocated the settlement of disputes
through peaceful negotiations, and had hoped the two countries would
pursue talks, in accordance with the Charter and in the context of the
Minsk Group. China supported the co-chairs’ continued efforts to play
a constructive role, and hoped the three would continue seeking to
bring the two parties together for an earnest and in-depth dialogue,
leading to a breakthrough in negotiations.
The representative of Turkey, aligning himself with OIC, pointed
out that there was an ongoing peace process within the Minsk
Group framework. While there were concerns that the United Nations
might cause some "deviation", it should not be forgotten that the
foundations of the Minsk process were indeed embedded in the United
Nations Charter. Thus, it was difficult to understand how the United
Nations could derail a process that the Organization had helped bring
to fruition in the first place.
He said everyone should support the draft resolution as a means
towards that goal, turning it into an opportunity, rather than a
distraction. Everyone should remain committed to the Minsk Group
framework. As for timing, Turkey begged to differ with the argument
that the text might blur the assessment of the co-chairs. If it was
a critical time in the Minsk process, then there could be no better
occasion for the General Assembly to extend its support for the
early and peaceful settlement of the 16-year-old conflict. The draft
resolution sufficiently addressed the core of the predicament. After
all, the problem was essentially one of occupation, as close to 20
per cent of Azerbaijan’s territory was occupied.
The representative of Armenia said it was unprecedented for a
draft resolution to be put to the vote without there having been
any consultations on it, in cynical disregard of the foundation of
the United Nations and every other organization. The purpose of the
drafters had never been to encourage or facilitate discussion. It was
simply a way for Azerbaijan to list its wishes on a piece of paper. If
the intention had truly been to contribute to the success of ongoing
negotiations, Azerbaijan would have put its energy into the existing
Minsk Group negotiation format.
He said that, after Azerbaijan had militarized the conflict 20 years
ago, there had been a full-scale war between Armenians of Nagorno
Karabagh and Azerbaijan. The result was thousands dead, nearly 1
million refugees and lost territories on both sides. Today, there was
a self-maintained ceasefire and negotiations under the auspices of
the Minsk Group. Despite that and attempts by Azerbaijan to divert
from the peace process, the talks were indeed moving forward.
There was now a negotiating document on the table that addressed all
fundamental issues, security being foremost among them. The Minsk
Group co-chairs had presented the latest version to the two sides at
the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Madrid.
Yet, Azerbaijan risked sabotaging that process by presenting a draft
that ignored fundamental international norms and the real issues,
which must be addressed, he continued. In short, the draft was
counterproductive. It called for the immediate and unconditional
withdrawal of armed forces, while ignoring the security vacuum
that would result. Who would be responsible for the security of
the population of Nagorno Karabagh, which was already vulnerable,
in the absence of "international cover" safeguarded by those very
armed forces?
The draft also called for self-governance within Azerbaijan,
he noted. That had become impossible 20 years ago and was not
possible today, when the security of the Armenian minority was
clearly endangered. The international community had demonstrated
that it understood that, in various conflicts around the world. The
Government of Azerbaijan had forfeited its right to govern people it
considered its own citizens when it had unleashed a war against them
20 years ago. Armenians would not return to such a situation. Just as
victims of domestic violence were not forced back into the custody of
the abuser, the people of Nagorno Karabagh would not be forced back
into the custody of a Government that sanctioned pogroms against them,
and later sent its army against them.
Noting that the draft also asked for commitment by the parties to
humanitarian law, he questioned their commitment to the non-use of
force, the peaceful resolution of disputes and all the other provisions
of the Helsinki Final Act. The draft talked about territories and
refugees, but not how the consequences of the conflict would be
resolved if the original cause was not addressed.
Refugees and territories had been created by an Azerbaijan that
had "unleashed a savage war against people it claims to be its own
citizens". Only when the initial cause was resolved would the fate
of all the territories and refugees in question be put right.
The draft was a "wasted attempt" to predetermine the outcome of the
peace talks, he said. That was not how responsible members of the
international community conducted the difficult but rewarding mission
of bringing peace and stability to peoples and regions. The co-chairs
had found that today’s text did not help the peace talks.
Armenia also knew it would undermine the peace process and asked
other delegations not to support it.
Taking action on the draft resolution, the Assembly adopted the text
by a recorded vote of 39 in favour to 7 against (Angola, Armenia,
France, India, Russian Federation, United States, Vanuatu), with 100
abstentions (see annex).
The General Assembly President then stated that, under Article 19 of
the Charter, Paraguay’s vote would not be recorded today.
The representative of Indonesia, speaking in explanation of position
after the vote, said he had voted in favour of the text because
it reaffirmed Charter principles and objectives in addressing the
conflict; it supported the peaceful settlement of the conflict and
underlined the principles of respect for territorial integrity and the
inviolability of internationally recognized State borders. It was to
be hoped that the adoption of the resolution would contribute to the
intensifying of efforts to achieve a settlement that was acceptable
to both sides and in accordance with international law.
Indonesia continued to support the mediation efforts within the
framework of the Minsk Group, as well as bilateral consultations
between the parties. Both parties should remove obstacles to the
peace process.
The representative of South Africa said his delegation had abstained
from voting on the resolution because it supported the efforts of the
Minsk Group towards the settlement of the dispute between Azerbaijan
and Armenia, specifically the "Basic Principles for the Peaceful
Settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh Conflict". As a member of the United
Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Union, South Africa
affirmed the territorial integrity of States and took note with concern
of the latest developments in the region, specifically the outbreak of
violence between the two sides on 4 March. The parties should return
to negotiations based on the norms and principles of international law.
The representative of Libya, having also voted in favour, said
he supported countries under the yoke of occupation and the right
of refugees to return. Libya had hoped that the parties would have
reached agreement, but the international community had been asked to
pronounce itself on the item. The will of the international community
should be supported, as should the principles of national sovereignty
and territorial integrity. Flowing from the draft, the two parties
should overcome obstacles through direct negotiations, respecting
international law and international humanitarian law.
Right of Reply
The representative of Azerbaijan emphasized the utmost importance of
the resolution, which had been adopted despite the efforts of some
Member States. The text indicated Member States’ firm stance. It was
timely, constructive, balanced and based on international law.
It provided the population of the Nagorny Karabakh region with the
possibility of self-rule and the territorial integrity of the State to
which it belonged, as well as the right of return and the withdrawal
of all occupying forces. It also supported mediation efforts and
made clear to Armenia that settlement of the conflict could only be
achieved on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
He said the Armenian side and those supporting it must understand that
negotiations could continue only on the basis of international law,
and the status of Nagorny Karabakh could only be defined at the level
of international law. As long as Armenia continued to dictate its will,
proceeding from a fait accompli that sought to tear the region away
from Azerbaijan, it would not achieve peace with Azerbaijan. There
could be no talks on the basis of a fait accompli; objective conditions
must be created, such as relieving the territories of occupation,
rehabilitating them and allowing the return of refugees.
There was deep resentment over the position of the Minsk Group
co-chairs, who had voted against the resolution, since the text
had been drafted carefully on the basis of the settlement they had
repeatedly assured that they would pursue, he said. However, the
co-chair’s draft contained more disagreements than clarity.
Azerbaijan had taken note, however, of the co-chair’s support for
continuing the process and expected them to work towards a draft on
basic principles, which would take today’s resolution into account.
Azerbaijan would continue to be guided by the principles adopted in
the resolution and by the draft on basic principles.
ANNEX
Vote on Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan
The draft resolution on the situation in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan (document A/62/L.42) was adopted by a recorded vote of 39
in favour to 7 against, with 100 abstentions, as follows:
In favour: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Georgia,
Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova,
Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda,
Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
Against: Angola, Armenia, France, India, Russian Federation, United
States, Vanuatu.
Abstain: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina,
Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile,
China, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,
Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique,
Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama,
Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
Korea, Romania, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname,
Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom,
Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia.
Absent: Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi,
Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji,
Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands,
Mauritania, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Paraguay,
Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Syria, Tajikistan, Tonga, Tunisia,
Turkmenistan, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.
–Boundary_(ID_c7aN1EsYZmXt1WINmuYDFQ)- –
KOCHARYAN REDUCES CURBS ON MEDIA OUTLETS
The Moscow Times
March 14 2008
Russia
YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan on Thursday
lifted media restrictions imposed as part of a state of emergency
declared last month in the wake of a disputed presidential election.
Kocharyan’s decree, expected to take effect Friday, allows independent
media outlets to report on the government’s course and domestic
political issues. It also lifts restrictions on political leafleting
and other forms of party campaigning. A ban on public meetings and
strike action, however, remains in place.
Following the Feb. 19 vote, election officials declared Prime Minister
Serzh Sargsyan the winner over opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
who claimed fraud and led supporters in days of protests. The
government declared a 20-day state of emergency on March 1, after
clashes between protesters and police left eight people dead and
dozens injured.
Kocharyan eased some of the restrictions earlier this week, allowing
political parties to resume activities and ending the expulsion of
nonresidents from the capital, Yerevan.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed doubt
on Wednesday that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh could be solved soon, saying there were problems on
both sides.
"We have been close several times," Rice said at a Capitol Hill hearing
on the State Department’s budget. "And so we’ll continue to try to
work that. But I just have to emphasize, we have problems on both
sides right now, and we’re trying to make sure that both sides act
responsibly."The state of emergency in Armenia had made it necessary
to suspend some U.S. programs there, Rice said.
TER-PETROSYAN’S OBJECTIVE: INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY INTO THE MARCH 1 EVENTS IN ARMENIA
Armen Ayvazyan
10.03.2008
The in-depth analysis of the recent events in Armenia is still to
come; nevertheless, we can draw certain conclusions. First of all,
we would like to touch upon one of the extremist statements made by
former Armenian presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosyan. During
the Constitutional Court hearing on March 5, 2008, the ex-President
demanded that "an international inquiry into the March 1 events"
be launched1.
Let us try to understand what an "international inquiry into the
March 1 events" could mean.
We are already accustomed to seeing the first President of Armenia
use terms and concepts quite readily without defining their legal
content. We should keep in mind that the "international inquiry"
of any event has quite specific contents and regulated procedures
of implementation.
First, this means that the UN Security Council, which gives permission
for such kind of "international inquiries", has to admit that the event
constitutes a violation of the international commitments of the given
state and creates security threats on the regional and global level.
Second, it is necessary to set up a special investigative body –
a commission – under the auspices of the United Nations, that is to
say, a committee vested with emergency powers in a sovereign state.
Third, the activity of such investigative team, first of all, envisages
granting it unlimited authority for conducting a thorough study of all
the materials of the "March 1" case. This would-be commission could
carry out the interrogation of any citizen of Armenia, including
the officials, the officers of the Police, the National Security
Service and the Armed Forces, as well as the highest leaders of the
state. Incidentally, these people could not refuse to give testimony.
Fourth, as international experience has demonstrated time and
again, the specialists of a multinational investigative team (the
investigators, prosecutors, criminologists, intelligence officers,
translators, etc.), first and foremost, represent and protect the
interests of their own states, in spite of the mandate vested in
them. That is to say, they comply with the political agenda of their
states. As a matter of fact, such commissions are set up with that
particular purpose. As a rule, their work is prolonged for as long as
required for accomplishing the political objectives of their respective
states. Let’s just recall how, in the period between 1991 and 1998,
UNSCOM (The United Nations Special Commission) was engaged in the
perpetual search for non-existent nuclear weapons in Iraq and how
the entire process of its activities was used to impose all kinds
of pressures and introduce ever newer sanctions restricting the
sovereignty and undermining the state machinery of that Iraq.
Of course, proposing to launch such an international inquiry into
"the March 1 events", the first President of Armenia might have been
unaware of these basic truths, which are the subject of study for the
experts in international law and national security. But then we have
the right to conclude that Ter-Petrosyan is unaware and ignorant of
the issues about which he makes public statements. However, if he is
aware of the subject matter and nonetheless continues to insist on
his proposal, the strongest doubts emerge whether he believes in the
very idea of an Independent Armenia. No special mental efforts are
required for imagining what statements Ter-Petrosyan’s proponents
will make in response to our judgments: "The authorities are afraid
of an international inquiry, and this proves the righteousness of
the opposition" etc. But let’s refrain from hysteria and examine the
essence and possible consequences of implementing the proposal by
the former Armenian President.
It is not a secret that the United States and its allies play first
fiddle in many international organizations, under the auspices of
which the international investigative commissions are set up. If we,
for a moment, conditionally imagine that a similar commission has
been set up with the purpose of investigating the March 1 events, it
won’t be hard to guess that the predominant role in the international
investigative team will belong to the representatives of those Western
countries which have specific geopolitical interests and tasks in
our region. The members of the investigative group will be granted
legal immunity throughout the territory of Armenia, in accordance
with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United
Nations. In the meantime, they will be actively engaged in espionage,
as did, for instance, the UNSCOM leaders and members who later made
public statements about their activity. Thus, citing anonymous sources,
the Washington Post and Boston Globe reported that Richard Butler had
known of and cooperated with a US electronic eavesdropping operation
that allowed intelligence agents to monitor military communications in
Iraq. This was confirmed by UNSCOM insider Rod Barton on Australian
television in February 2005. This intelligence was used to target US
air attacks on Iraq.
To have a more complete picture as to what powers are vested with
such investigative bodies, let’s quote several paragraphs from the UN
Security Council Resolution 1595 which led to the creation of the "UN
international independent investigation Commission based in Lebanon to
assist the Lebanese authorities in their investigation of all aspects
of this terrorist act (i.e. the assassination of former Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri), including help to identify its perpetrators, sponsors,
organizers and accomplices":
[UN Security Council] Decides that, to ensure the Commission’s
effectiveness in the discharge of its duties, the Commission shall:
– Enjoy the full cooperation of the Lebanese authorities, including
full access to all documentary, testimonial and physical information
and evidence in their possession that the Commission deems relevant
to the inquiry;
– Have the authority to collect any additional information and
evidence, both documentary and physical, pertaining to this terrorist
act, as well as to interview all officials and other persons in
Lebanon, that the Commission deems relevant to the inquiry;
– Enjoy freedom of movement throughout the Lebanese territory,
including access to all sites and facilities that the Commission
deems relevant to the inquiry;
– Be provided with the facilities necessary to perform its functions,
and be granted, as well as its premises, staff and equipment,
the privileges and immunities to which they are entitled under the
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
In February 2006, a decision was made for setting up a Special Tribunal
for Lebanon, and in December 2007 the Netherlands agreed to host the
tribunal in The Hague.
Now, a couple of words about the inevitable consequences of the
implementation of Ter-Petrosyan’s proposal.
The very process of setting up such body – i.e. including the proposal
in the agenda of the UN Security Council, discussing and voicing
Armenia’s internal problem in that tribunal, disputing the mandate etc.
– will be a powerful blow to Armenia’s sovereignty and international
reputation.
The activity of such a would-be team in Armenia will, in its turn,
undermine the country’s fledgling national security system which,
as shown by the recent events, has serious flaws and is in its
formative stage. Actually, the ex-President proposes to hand over a
most important component of Armenia’s sovereignty, its justice system,
under the control of the international forces which are absolutely
not interested in the strengthening of Armenian statehood. If we take
into consideration the factor of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
which may, at any moment, revert into a new aggression against
Armenia, independent Armenian statehood will "sing its swan song"
as a result of the formation of such a committee. Perhaps, during
the rally of February 22, 2008, Ter-Petrosyan had a good reason to
inspire his audience with the following thought, "freedom is a value
higher than independence, higher than all the victories, higher than
statehood itself. Who needs such a state, such authorities and such
independence that do not bestow freedom to the individual."
Comparing this anarchist doctrine by Ter-Petrosyan with his obsessive
idea of handing over Armenia’s liberated territory to Azerbaijan
and deploying international "peacekeepers" there, his continuous
calls directed to the West for intervening in the internal affairs
of Armenia2 as well as his most recent proposal on launching an
"international inquiry into the March 1 events", it is possible to
conclude that the ex-President of Armenia presents and lobbies the
interests of certain authors of the international political system,
entities which have demonstrated no support for the interests of
Armenian statehood and the Armenian people. It is likely that the
principal thesis of Ter-Petrosyan’s pre- and post-election program was
precisely the international investigation of the events in Armenia,
as declared in his March 5 speech; this is why the disorders of March
1 were provoked.
The implementation of the programs authored by such virtual and at
the same time recognizable actors are clearly obvious in Iraq where
the loss of statehood and the collapse of the country are just a
matter of time, as many analysts believe. It is also necessary to
admit that the events which took place in Iraq were predetermined
by the activity of the above-mentioned UN Special Commission. But
if Saddam Hussein’s regime was really criminal and deserved the
condemnation of the international community, the matter in our case
is different as it deals with the ambitions and harmful activities of
the first RA President who is trying to strike an equally undermining
blow to the re-established Armenian-statehood which, in the course
of less than 20 years of its history, faced a war of existence and
an economic blockade; a country which is even now subject to most
powerful informational and psychological attacks and the threat
of a new Turkish-Azerbaijani invasion. It is also interesting
to underline that during his tenure, Ter-Petrosyan never raised a
question for launching an "international inquiry" in connection with
the slaughters and massacres of Armenians, organized by the Azerbaijani
authorities in Sumgait, Baku, Kirovabad, Getashen, Maragha and other
Armenian-populated areas.
What’s described above are just some of the possible consequences
of Ter-Petrosyan’s demand for conducting an "international inquiry
into the March 1 events", and we hope that they will never come true
as far as Armenia is concerned; the Armenian people will never allow
anything of the kind to happen.
Nevertheless, the Armenian authorities have to admit that along
with many other mistakes and shortcomings (social and human resource
policies, the inability to hear the voice of the public, etc.) they
also committed a strategic mistake: with their acquiescence – and
sometimes even support – and through foreign assistance, a powerful
fifth column, headed by Ter-Petrosyan and the Armenian Pan-National
Movement, has struck roots and organized itself in Armenia.
To cure this disease without pain is, alas, no longer possible;
that time has now passed. But removal of the malignant tumor is,
nonetheless, mandatory.
Armen AYVAZYAN – Doctor of Political Science, Director of the "Ararat"
Center for Strategic Research.
ARMENIAN CB PUBLISHES CURRENCY MARKET ANALYSIS
ARKA
March 11, 2008
YEREVAN, March 11. /ARKA/. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) has
published the results of an analysis of Armenia’s currency market,
which show a USD downfall on November 23-25, 2007.
The CBA press service reports that the downfall recorded in Armenia
on November 23-25 (days off) resulted from speculations by some banks
and exchange offices, as well as from large-scale cash transactions
effected by a number of businessmen. The report says that some
violations were revealed, which forced the CBA to apply sanctions
against the violator banks and exchange offices.
Specifically, during the period under review, the lowest purchase rate
was set by the Prometey Bank – AMD 280/$1. The too low exchange rate
set by the bank’s branch on Tigran Mets avenue caused the citizens
wishing to exchange US dollars at a higher exchange rate to rush
to the nearby Ardshininvestbank office, which resulted in a long
queue there. In its turn, the Ardshinivestbank took advantage of
the situation and purchased US dollars at an exchange rate of 291
AMD/$1. One more bank, HSBC Bank Armenia, which is located at a
distance from the Ardshininvestbank, set an exchange rate of 300
AMD/$1, which formed a much longer queue.
The CBA conducted inspections at the Prometey Bank, focusing attention
on currency purchase and sale transactions. The inspections revealed
violations of relevant regulations, and the CBA applied sanctions
against the bank.
Specifically, the work of one of the branches of Prometey Bank was
suspended – the branch was most active in the purchase and sale
of currency.
As regards the bank’s other branches, Prometey Bank was ordered to
strengthen control over their activities. In case they failed to
properly execute the bank’s instructions, their activities were to
be suspended within two months. The CBA also instructed the Prometey
Bank to revise its activities and present a new program, which will
not envisage a policy of making currency purchase and sale one of
the priorities, which will reduce the share of incomes from these
operations in the bank’s total incomes.
The CBA also found that banks, particularly the Armeconombank and
the Araratbank, as well as related clients (individuals) effected
exchange transactions with US dollars. Some of the persons are known
to have been workers of exchange offices. The persons in question were
effecting repeated transactions on November 23-25. The CBA provided
information on them to Armenia’s law-enforcement bodies.
On November 19-23, 2007, the CBA also recorded large-scale monetization
transactions with US dollars – up to $10mln. The information at the
CBA’s disposal does not make it possible to know what happened with
$3mln later.
The CBA reports that organizations carrying out large-scale business
activities and served by Unibank and HSBC Bank Armenia effected
large-scale transactions involving the deposition and withdrawal
of US dollars. The banks in question also recorded large-scale
transactions involving the deposition and withdrawal of foreign
exchange in cash by clients. The CBA reports that the operations in
question are most likely intended for serving the shadow turnover of
the business organizations. The CBA presented the information to the
RA Customs Service.
During the period under review, the lowest exchange rate was set by the
exchange offices of the Armenia hotel complex (274 AMD/$1), Keramika
(275 AND/$1), PSR (Ani hotel) (275 AND/$1). According to the CBA,
the companies in question have always set low exchange rates on the
market. As regards other exchange offices, the Valletta Ltd set the
lowest exchange rate – 276 AMD/$1.
Inspections conducted by the CBA revealed numerous violations committed
by the Valletta Ltd and a number of other exchange offices. Among
the violations are the failure to issue receipts, deviations of the
cash balance from the calculated amounts. The CBA imposed fines for
the violations – 50,000 AMD to 75,000 AMD. The CBA also intends to
invalidate the licences issued to seven exchange offices.
DAVID NALBANDIAN RANKS 7TH
armradio.am
10.03.2008 17:12
Argentinean Armenian tennis player David Nalbandian maintained the
7th place in the weekly list of the best tennis players of the world
issued by the Professional Tennis Association today.
Roger Federer tops the list with 6 630 points, Spanish Rafael Nadal
comes second with 5 980 points. Novak Jokovich of Serbia is the third
with 2 750 points.
CHARLES ANASTASE’S MOVE TO COUTURE
Catwalk Queen
nastas.html
March 10 2008
UK
Illustrator turned stylist turned designer Charles Anastase has just
announced he is leaving ready-to-wear for couture. The London-based
designer of French-Armenian descent has been invited by the Chambre
Syndicale to show this July.
Anastase has been working as an artist since 2000 and came to
prominence after a Calvin Klein underwear campaign featured his
illustrations. He was awarded a 50000E prize from the Ministère de
la Culture in France which helped him put on his first show in Paris,
an Alice in Wonderland-themed collection.
Snap up a piece of Anastase style with a floral dress from Start
(£399), or his slouchy rain mac from Browns (£555).
–Boundary_(ID_26bqWAdkyk6kX83gQudgy A)–
RA MOD DELEGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN ARMENIA-NATO MILITARY-POLITICAL COMMITTEE SESSION
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.03.2008 14:37 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The delegation of the Armenian Defense
Ministry departed for Brussels to take part in the Armenia-NATO
military-political committee session.
The delegation includes Ara Nazaryan, Deputy Defense Minister, colonel
David Tonoyan, head of international military cooperation and defense
programs division, and Ara Mesropyan, head of Armenia-NATO cooperation
department of international military cooperation and defense programs
division.
The Armenian delegation and representatives of NATO member states
will discuss the resulting report on Planning and Revision Process
elaborated during the February 4-8 visit of the NATO assessment group,
RA Defense Minister’s spokesman, colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told
PanARMENIAN.Net.
The parties will also focus on implementation of Defense and Military
Tasks, the IPAP’s second stage.