Author: Zargarian Hambik

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT MAY ANNUL DECISION ABOUT TRANSFERRING ZANGEZUR TO ARMENIA

news.az
Tue 08 December 2009

Gultekin Hajibeyli Interview with Gultekin Hajibeyli, deputy chairman
of Azerbaijani Parliament committee on international relations and
interparliamentary ties.

The Karabakh conflict has started 20 years ago while the OSCE Minsk
Group that has been meditating it settlement is almost 18 years old.

The group has yet failed to attain a breakthrough in the conflict
settlement. Is it not time to transfer the settlement mission to the
UN Security Council?

I think Minsk group’s activity in the past period showed that its
purpose is not to attain settlement but to create a visibility of
efforts in this direction. The periodical visits of the MG co-chairs
to the region, statements of the frequently replaced co-chairs showed
that it is senseless to expect this formation to provide assistance to
the fair resolution of the conflict. It is not surprising considering
that the countries with traditionally strong Armenian Diasporas are
represented among the three MG co-chairs. As is known, the French
Senate has recently recognized the mythical "Armenian genocide". It
would have been logical to include Turkey into the list of the
co-chairs to attain a balance in mediation. But nothing of this kind
is done. Therefore, the sole familiarization with the list of the
Minsk Group co-chairs shows the direction in which the settlement
process is held.

You have mentioned France, but the third co-chair-the United States-has
not yet made any serious pressure on aggressor Armenia…

Right. The United States have long been allocating direct financial
assistance to the occupational regime in Nagorno Karabakh under
pretense of the humanitarian aide. In other words, it would be naïve
to expect from the OSCE Minsk Group to make a significant contribution
to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict with such composition.

Obviously, there are two variants of settlement: concessions from
Azerbaijan’s part which would mean capitulation and disavowal of
occupational policy by Armenia. Though the recent events show that it
would be very difficult to call Armenia encouraged by the superpowers
to order and peace

The MG co-chairs state that the so-called corridor of 15 km in width
will be created in the Lachin region of Azerbaijan and transferred
under Armenian controll. Is there is a notion of "a corridor" in the
international law?

No, there is no. And certainly, there is a question: then why not
open a corridor between the main part of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan
Autonomous Republic that was isolated from the rest part in the result
of the transfer of ancient Azerbaijani lands of Zangezur to Armenia
under the Soviet regime? Who has said that the security of Karabakh
Armenia is more important than the security of 400,000 Azerbaijanis
residing in Nakhchivan? In fact, the transfer of the "Lachin corridor"
under Armenian control means the transfer of the whole Lachin region
to Armenia which is obviously inadmissible

By the way, in the early 1990s it was proposed to create another
corridor linking Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan via Megri.

The territory of the former Zangezur, which is a part of ancient
Azerbaijani lands, was presented to Armenia as a "gift" on 1 December
1922 on occasion of the anniversary of establishment of the Soviet
regime in this country. I think as today the Azerbaijani Republic
is a successor of the Azerbaijan People’s Republic of 1918-1920 that
involved Zangezur, we can raise this issue in the legal area.

Moreover, the corridor via Megri will not only annul the enclave
situation of Nakhchivan but also lead to the closer neighborhood of
Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Do you think such script is possible?

Certainly, it is not. On the whole, the mass settlement of Armenians in
the South Caucasus with the further creation of the artificial Armenian
state in the ancient Azerbaijani .lands and the further establishment
of the Armenian autonomy in another Azerbaijani region – Karabakh-
for the purpose of creating conditions for new annexation of the
Azerbaijani lands-aims at creating a barrier between Azerbaijan and
Turkey and preventing their integration.

Can the Azerbaijani parliament annul the political and legal acts
on the transfer of Azerbaijani lands to Armenia adopted by the USSR
government?

This is a principal issue. Milli Medjlis (Azerbaijani Parliament)
can at least annul the decision about transferring Zangezur to Armenia.

The situation about Irevan which was surrendered by the government of
the Azerbaijan People’s Republic in 1918 due to political expediency
is quite different. The thing is that a fierce fight was conducted at
that time for Baku and the situation was that there could have been
created serious problems with recognition of this city as a capital
of Azerbaijan at the Versailles peace conference. As we have already
mentioned, Zangezur was transferred after creation of the USSR and
I think we can and must return to this issue.

CHAIRMAN OF HERITAGE BOARD: ARMENIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS HAS NO REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REPLACE POWER IN ARMENIA

ArmInfo
2009-12-07 16:47:00

ArmInfo. "I don’t think the Armenian National Congress (ANC) has real
opportunities to replace the power in Armenia",- Chairman of Board
of Heritage oppositional party Armen Martirosyan said to ArmInfo
correspondent.

"ANC Leader Levon Ter-Petrossyan himself confessed this saying that
it is impossible to do anything only by the forces of the Congress. I
think that only in case of unification of the whole opposition one can
effectively fight against the authorities as in fact the authorities
are very weak and the only thing that stills allows them to stay up is
the inconsistency of the opposition. This inconsistency has objective
and subjective reasons, however, there is much more subjectivism
here",- he said.

At the same time, Martirosyan pointed out that the calmness in the
Armenian political field after the heated discussions and protest
actions against signing of the Protocols is deceptive. "The thing
is that the heated discussions, processions and rallies are only the
top of the iceberg while the ground is constant internal fermentation
which is still going on today. The underground processes did not only
stop but were multiplied by new ones",- he concluded.

AKHURYAN SUGAR MILL TO BE PUT INTO OPERATION IN MAY 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.12.2009 13:26 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan attended Monday
the construction area Akhuryan sugar mill which will be supposedly
put into operation in May 2010.

Functioning in full capacity, the mill will produce some 220 thousand
tons of sugar, with internal market demand of 90 thousand tons. The
sugar will be exported to Georgia, Russia and India.

Patriarch Ilya II Assures That Issues On Status Of The Armenian Apostolic Church In Georgia, Ownership Of A Number Of Armenian Churches, Preservation And Restoration Of Local Armenian Churches Will Be Solved

ARMENPRESS
DECEMBER 4, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Catholicos of all Georgians, Patriarch
Ilya II received in his residence December 3 Armenian ambassador to
Georgia Hrach Silvanyan and Primate of the Georgian Diocese of the
Armenian Church, Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.

Armenian Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department told
Armenpress that during the meeting the sides discussed in details
issues on the status of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia,
ownership of a number of Armenian churches, preservation and
restoration of local Armenian monuments, including churches.

Patriarch Ilya II assured that the mentioned issues will get their
solution through joint efforts and noted the importance of development
of Armenian-Georgian ancient-long relations. He also expressed his
desire to host His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II

GAROYIAN HONORED AS PERSONALITY OF YEAR IN CYPRUS

Yerkir
04.12.2009 13:04
Yerevan

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra – In a celebratory
ceremony, Speaker of the House, Marios Garoyian, was honoured by the
Armenian National Committee of Cyprus as the "Personality of the Year
2009" for his valuable services to the Armenian-Cypriot community
and the Armenian Question.

This memorable ceremony took place at Latsia Municipal Theatre last
Friday night, 27 November 2009, in the presence of a large number of
officials and guests.

Opening remarks were made by Vahan Aynedjian, who spoke about
the history of the "Personality of the Year" award and the
personal/political connection the ANC has with Garoyian, whom he
called "yeghpayr". ANC Cyprus Chairman Hagop Manougian spoke of the
tragic history of the Armenian people that led to the formation of
the worldwide network of Armenian National Committees, pursuing the
restoration of the rights of the Armenian people and the recognition
of the Armenian Genocide.

Soprano Sona Gargaloyian and pianist Lilian Khatchadrian continued with
two beautiful songs, which were followed by a PowerPoint presentation
on the life of The Hay Tad Personality of 2009, Marios Garoyian.

Megerditch Megerditchian – member of ARF Dashnaktsoutiun’s Political
Bureau – addressed us, saying that Cyprus and Armenia are faced with
the same menace, Turkey, which, despite the violations of so many
principles of International Law, is assigned by the great powers
more and more tasks, because of its geostrategic location; therefore,
he said, the collaboration between our countries is imperative.

Accepting the prize – from ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Cyprus Representative
Hagop Kazandjian – Marios Garoyian thanked the Armenian National
Committee of Cyprus, and spoke on a personal and a political level,
reminiscing the trauma Turkey caused his generation, calling the
struggle with Turkey a historical obligation and a debt to our
ancestors. He declared himself committed to serve the Hay Tad and
the Armenian-Cypriot community.

The ceremony was completed, with a rich cultural programme by the
"Sipan" Dance Ensemble of the Hamazkayin Cultural Association,
followed by a reception, where Garoyian received the congratulations
of the attendees.

U.S. WANTS NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE SOLVED ONLY THROUGH ITS EFFORTS: RUSSIAN EXPERT
T. Teymur

Today
882.html
Dec 2 2009
Azerbaijan

Russia-based Political Technologies Center Vice President Sergei
Mikheyev says the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Turkey-Armenia borders
will certainly be discussed during Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s visit to the United States.

"Most likely, the Karabakh conflict will be discussed behind closed
doors. There will be no public statements on this issue at all,
or they will be of streamlined nature. The parties will voice their
"concern" and express hopes for "settlement of the conflict as soon
as possible" as usual," the expert said.

"There are quite objective reasons – the U.S. and Turkey are not
able to bilaterally resolve the issue. At most, they may offer some
mediation services. Mediation capacity of the United States and Turkey
in this matter is also limited," he said.

"With regard to opening of Turkish-Armenian border, the parties can
be more frank in this matter because this process was possible due to
U.S. influence on Turkey. The United States understands it will be
impossible to tear Armenia from Russia without removing the country
from the isolation. Forcing Russia out of the Caucasus remains one
of the most pressing problems for the Americans whatever they speak
about the "reset."

Mikheyev also does not exclude option of U.S pressure on Armenia to
liberate the occupied Azerbaijani lands.

"There pressure is likely to happen. But this pressure is unlikely
to be open. U.S. wants Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to be solved only
through its efforts. But all too obvious pressure on Armenia will
cause a strong wave of anti-American sentiment in Armenia and could
disrupt plans for the rapprochement of U.S. and Armenian positions
on the geopolitical positioning," he said.

"Actually, anyone who would favor in Armenia refusing to support the
Nagorno-Karabakh, let him be American, Russian or Turkish, risks to
ruin his public reputation in this country," Mikheyev said.

DISGRACE TO TURKISH HYPOCRITES!
By Armen Gevorgyan

news.am
Dec 2 2009
Armenia

One could hardly remain untouched by the "kind and honest" faces
of the two Turkish humanists – President Abdullah Gul and Premier
Recept Erdogan — who initiated democratic movement and rapprochement
with Armenians, Kurds and Greeks. How great is their indignation at
the Swiss citizens, who, in a recent referendum, voted against the
construction of minarets in their country. "Disgrace!" Gul exclaims,
echoed by Erdogan’s "Fascism!" Indeed, the bloodthirsty Swiss fascists
are violating poor Muslims’ rights – Muslims want nothing but construct
a couple of minarets. A real reason for indignation, is it not?

On the other hand, it is "by a sheer accident" that Messrs Gul and
Erdogan, who have been at the helm of the Turkish state for a decade,
have overlooked the fact that the crosses are removed from ancient
Armenian churches in their home country, Turkey — the churches
of a people that has been living in that land for centuries without
"flooding" it like Muslims have flooded into Switzerland over the last
decade. At present, we are offered to view the Turkish authorities’
consent to reinstall the cross on the Akhtamar Church on Lake Van as
the best of the deeds. They are even thinking about allowing religious
services there. Gul and Erdogan must be unaware of the fact it was not
as a result of referendum that the cross was removed from the Akhtamar
Church. Rather, it was after the annihilation and deportation of all
the church people. It was only ten years later that they "guessed
right": the cross could be reinstalled. Armenians do not live in
the region any longer, but it would not be a bad thing to develop
the local tourist industry. President Gul and Premier Erdogan have
not probably seen the ruins of Ani, hundreds of destroyed churches
and monasteries. They failed to notice that their predecessors,
champions of democracy, drowned the faith in God or, as Muslims call
him, Allah in blood. They committed a crime against humanity even
their grandchildren cannot exonerate themselves from.

And the persons in question pose as judges of European democracy,
while it is under Europe’s actual pressure that they have to face the
products of their civilization, wriggling and resorting to various
diplomatic tricks to conceal their history of barbarity, reinstalling
crosses and rewriting their laws. "Disgrace!" we will exclaim, and
we are one hundred percent right.

EU URGES ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO TAKE DECISIONS

news.am
Dec 1 2009
Armenia

EU reiterates its full support to OSCE Minsk Group efforts in Karabakh
conflict settlement based on "appropriate combination" of principles
and norms of international law, said Carl Bildt, EU Presiding Swedish
Foreign Minister, speaking at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Athens.

According to him, "appropriate combination" should be perceived as
support for the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan and
other OSCE principles, such as "non-use of force and the equal right
of peoples to self-determination."

"We welcome the intensified negotiations this year, including the
bilateral meeting on November 22 between presidents Aliyev and
Sargsyan .We call again upon Armenia and Azerbaijan to take the
necessary decisions to achieve a breakthrough with the endorsement
of the Basic Principles proposed in Madrid on November 29, 2007,"
underlined Carl Bildt.

OSCE MINSK GROUP STATEMENT OPENS DOOR FOR KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE

HULIQ
Dec 1 2009
SC

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan reported some further
progress today at the OSCE meeting in Athens where foreign ministers
from 56 European countries have gathered to discuss European Security.

The the statement, issued by the OSCE Minsk group, which mediates
the peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, reads that
both countries are willing "to complete work on the Basic Principles."

Madrid Basic Principles envisions referendum, opening door for Nagorno
Karabakh Independence.

Those principles also envision retreat of Armenian forces from
territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh and keeping a land corridor
between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic. Azerbaijan gets back
land and solution of the problem for Karabakh status recognition.

OSCE Minsk Group Statement

The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group, Foreign Minister
of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of France
Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of the United States
James Steinberg, released the following statement today:

"The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign
Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of
the United States James Steinberg met in Athens on December 1 with
the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Foreign
Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian.

The five Heads of Delegation recalled the commitments in the November
2008 Moscow Declaration and the December 2008 Helsinki OSCE Ministerial
Statement. They noted the positive dynamic in the talks, demonstrated
through six meetings this year between the Presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan. They agreed that the increasing frequency of these
meetings has significantly contributed to an enhanced dialogue between
the parties and forward movement toward finalizing the Basic Principles
for the Peaceful Settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, proposed
in Madrid on November 29, 2007.

Foreign Ministers Lavrov and Kouchner and Deputy Secretary Steinberg
reiterated the commitment of their countries, as expressed in the Joint
Statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the L’Aquila Summit of
the Eight on July 10, issued by their three Presidents, to support the
leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan as they complete work on the Basic
Principles and urged that the parties complete this work as soon as
possible. They stressed that agreement on the Basic Principles would
provide the framework for a comprehensive settlement to promote a
future of peace, stability, and prosperity for the entire region.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan reported on progress
during the course of this year in achieving common understandings on
points of the Basic Principles. They stated the willingness of their
countries to complete work on the Basic Principles, as stipulated by
the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries at L’Aquila. The Ministers
reaffirmed their commitment to work intensively to resolve the
remaining issues, to reach an agreement based, in particular, upon
the principles of the Helsinki Final Act of Non-Use of Force or
Threat of Force, Territorial Integrity, and the Equal Rights and
Self-Determination of Peoples."

GENERALS GURGREN DALIBALTAYAN AND ARKADY TER-TADEVOSYAN ASKED PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN TO SET SASUN MIKAELYAN FREE

ArmInfo
2009-12-01 12:47:00

ArmInfo. Colonel General Gurgen Dalibaltayan and Major General Arkady
Ter- Tadevosyan (knows as Commandos) have addressed a letter to
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan wherein they ask for release of
Sasun Mikaelyan from custody. S. Mikaelyan, the former parliamentarian
of Armenia, War Merit Cross Second Class decoration holder, was
arrested during mass unrest in March 2008 in Yerevan and sentenced
to 8 years of imprisonment.

The letter, in particular, says: "Dear Mr. President, Sasun Mikaelyan’s
health state has sharply worsened while in custody for a long period
of time. Irrespective of the circumstances he was arrested in, he
was a devoted fighter for freedom of Karabakh and for protection
of the borders of our country and his life is now in danger. As
witnesses and colleagues we highly appreciated Sasun Mikaelyan’s
heroic past. Proceeding from the aforementioned, we ask you to use
your powers of the president and set Mikaelyan free."