MATTHEW BRYZA: ARMENIA WILL NOT WITHDRAW UNLESS GIVEN REIMBURSEMENT
ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 13:23
US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Matthew Bryza declared that Armenians
will not withdraw the troops from territories under their control
unless they are confident that a reimbursement will follow, MEDIAMAX
Agency informs.
“Will the withdrawal of Armenian troops promote the weakening of
tension?
This is for sure. That is why this issue is the central element of our
pivotal principles. However, Armenians will not withdraw their troops
just because we’ ll tell them “it will help weaken the tension.” They
will do that only in case they receive reimbursement,” the American
mediator said.
Matthew Bryza declared that the referendum or a popular vote on the
future status of Nagorno-Karabakh is “extremely important” for the
Armenian side, and “it is what Azerbaijan must propose the Armenians.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AS CHAIR OF THE COE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RUSSIA WILL PROMOTE THE SETTLEMENT OF THE KARABAKH CONFLICT
ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 13:33
During its presidency over the CoE Council of Ministers Russia will
play an important role in the resolution of the conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan, RF Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Glushko
declared, speaking at the CoE Council of Ministers during PACE summer
session. In his words, recently the OSCE Minsk Group has been applying
efforts to find a way of mutual concessions, which will guarantee
long-term settlement of the issue. We’ll continue urging Armenian and
Azerbaijani authorities to hold on the dialogue to make best use of
the existing window of opportunities.

VARDAN OSKANYAN COMMENTS ON THE STATEMENT OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS
ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 14:10
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian commented on the statement of
the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in an interview to Armenpress.
Question: The co-chairs in their statement say that “our approach
has been a modified one: we have not tried to solve all aspects of
the conflict in one phase. Instead our principles seek to achieve a
major degree of progress but defer some very difficult issues to the
future and envision further negotiations.” What does this mean?
V.Oskanyan: The actual negotiating document on the principles that is
on the table today is all-encompassing. It covers all the principles
affecting the resolution of the conflict. It includes the core issue
of status of Nagorno-Karabakh, territories, refugees, security issues,
peacekeeping and every other conceivable issue that is necessary in
order to arrive at a lasting resolution of the conflict. Only after
full agreement on all these basic principles would the parties, as the
actual negotiating text says, “in cooperation with the co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk group to begin work on the elaboration of an agreement
on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.” In other words,
the agreement on principles will be comprehensive. The final agreement
may envision implementation over time.
Question: In their report, the co-chairs say “the principles include
the phased withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories
around Nagorno-Karabakh, with special modalities for Kelbajar and
Lachin districts.” What are these special modalities?
V.Oskanyan: This formulation is indeed very broad, and for a
reason. This issue has two layers. One is the issue of Lachin, where
the actual negotiating text on principles provides clear language
stating that there will be “a corridor linking Nagorno-Karabakh to
Armenia.” For Armenia, it’s very clear that this corridor must have
the same status as Nagorno-Karabakh. The second layer is the issue of
Kelbajar. For Armenia, this also is clear: based on security concerns,
Kelbajar can be returned only after the referendum is conducted
and the final status of NK is determined. Azerbaijan’s position is
different on Kelbajar. That’s the disagreement that the co-chairs
are addressing in their statement. The co-chairs’ language in the
actual negotiating text, with regard to this issue, is generally in
line with our approach.
Question: The co-chairs say that there will be a referendum / popular
vote ” to determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh,”
but they don’t say who will vote.
V.Oskanyan: The actual negotiating text on principles clearly specifies
that “the final legal status will be determined through a referendum
or population vote by the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.”
Question: The co-chairs also say “certain interim arrangements
for Nagorno-Karabakh would allow for interaction with providers of
international assistance.” What does this mean?
V.Oskanyan: This is only one element of a much more detailed section
in the actual negotiating text, which addresses interim status for
Nagorno-Karabakh.
We think the co-chairs have emphasized international
engagement, because that ‘s a major problem for the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Their current, unrecognized, de-facto status,
has not allowed them to benefit from the generosity of international
organizations. In the actual negotiating text, the provisions address
such rights of control over their political and economic viability
and security, upholding their personal privileges and freedoms, the
right to democratically elect officials to govern Nagorno-Karabakh,
the authority to effectively legislate and administer the internal
affairs of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Question: What is Armenia’s overall assessment of the content of the
document as it stands today?
V.Oskanyan: This not a perfect document for anyone. However,
there are enough solid and balanced provisions, with the right
trade-offs on the main issues – status, territories and security –
that we are prepared to continue to negotiate on the basis of these
principles. In today’s context, Azerbaijan’s rhetoric about autonomy
and desperate calls for militarization surprise us. We have at hand
a real opportunity to resolve all issues, including the much-maligned
issue of refugees. But Azerbaijan must revert to real situations and
real opportunities, rather than illusory maximalist hopes. Today,
we hope that Azerbaijan will realize that we have a chance to resolve
the conflict and achieve a lasting peace.

YOU CAN’T LOOK TO THE FUTURE IF YOU DENY THE PAST, HEAD OF AAA YEREVAN OFFICE CONSIDERS
ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 15:34
On June 28 Senate Foreign Relations Committee members George Allen
(R-VA) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) bombarded US Ambassador to Armenia
Designate Richard Hoagland with questions about official US complicity
in Turkey’s campaign of Genocide denial, questioning him, during his
confirmation hearing, regarding his ability to effectively represent
the United States in Armenia without properly recognizing the Armenian
Genocide.
Hoagland said that no one in the Administration has ever denied
the tragic events that befell the Armenians. He said his visit to
the Genocide Museum and Memorial in Yerevan was a very sobering and
disturbing experience, but added that the Administration’s position
is clear and that, if confirmed, he would uphold US policy. Hoagland
noted that he is against “getting stuck in the past” and wants to
focus on “living in the future.”
“You can’t look to the future if you deny the past,” commenting on
Hoagland’ s words, Head of the Yerevan Office of the Armenian Assembly
of America (AAA) Arpi Vardanyan said in an interview with “Radiolur”
correspondent Alisa Gevorgyan. Hoagland’s response serves as a basis
for Arpi Vardanyan to infer that as US Ambassador to Armenia he will
have opportunities to visit the memorial to the Genocide victims,
but he will never use the word “genocide” like any other US Ambassador
to Armenia except John Evans.
Let’s not forget that the rumors about the recall f John Evans came
about just after using the word “genocide.”
Notwithstanding the political position of this or that
country, the struggle for recognition of the Armenian Genocide
continues. Furthermore, Armenians are struggling not only for
recognition of the massacre of our people but also for prevention of
any genocide in the world.

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN DEPUTY FMS DISCUSSED BILATERAL RELATIONS
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2006 14:06 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin
held consultations with RA Deputy FM Gegham Gharibjanian. The parties
discussed bilateral relations, Russia-Armenia cooperation within
the CIS and some regional problems. They stressed the importance of
coordinated efforts for the development of integration processes in
the post soviet space, the CIS reformation and CSTO strengthening. On
behalf of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Gegham Gharibjanian expressed
condolences on the tragic death of the Russian diplomats in Iraq.

“UNION FOR ARMENIA” DOES NOT EXCLUDE COOPERATION WITH ANY OTHER PARTY
ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 16:18
The “Union for Armenia” Party is going to have an important place in
the National Assembly to be formed in 2007, member of the People’s
Deputy group Vahram Baghdasaryan assured today. In the fall the Party
will hold a sitting, and then it will become clear how they are going
to participate in the elections – within a block or alone.
Secretary of the People’s Deputy group, member of the initiating
group of the “Union for Armenia” Party Vahram Baghdasaryan urges the
journalists and political forces not to be troubled about the fate
of the “Union for Armenia” Party.
According to Vahram Baghdasaryan, currently the Party has about 30
thousand members. This was the firs time the number of the adherents
of the Party was made public.
Turning to the most burning issue of the recent days – the statement
of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs – member of the People’s Deputy
group noted that opening the cards in the middle of the process means
that the Co-Chairs are in a stress, and the settlement of the Karabakh
issue will be further protracted.
Mr. Baghdasaryan is confident that the decisive resolution of the
Karabakh issue will suggest serious changes in the domestic life of
Armenia. Vahram Baghdasaryan remarked that still from 1988 the shifts
of power have been connected just with this issue. Therefore, today
he called on the political forces not to make the Karabakh issue a
matter of their intrigues. Vahram Baghdasaryan does not see the rapid
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

NKR FM AND PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MET WITH MATTHEW BRYZA
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2006 14:14 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the framework of the U.S. visit NKR National
Assembly Speaker Ashot Ghulyan and Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan
met with the OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza. The
interlocutors discussed the current stage of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement and regional developments. The NKR officials
briefed on Nagorno Karabakh’s position on the settlement process
and pointed out to the necessity of legal aspect of the problem. The
parties agreed on continuation of consultations, in Stepanakert as
well, reported the NKR MFA press office.

OSCE MG DOESN’T SEE POINT IN INITIATING FURTHER PRESIDENTIAL MEETINGS
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2006 14:22 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “We see no point right now in continuing the
intensive shuttle diplomacy we have engaged in over the past several
months. We also see no point in initiating further presidential
meetings until the sides demonstrate enough political will to overcome
their remaining differences. Of course, the Co-Chairs will remain
available to both parties to serve faithfully and impartially as
mediators,” says the statement made by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs
and submitted to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna June 22. “Acting
in complete unity among the mediators, we have delivered a product
reflecting our best efforts, and we strongly believe that it is now
time for the two Presidents to take the initiative for achieving a
breakthrough in the settlement process. It is the only way to secure
the positive results already achieved through the last two years of
negotiations, in order not to restart them later from scratch. We
will remain vigilant. We will continue our analysis and close
consultations among ourselves in our unified and effective framework,
in our continuing capacity as Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, supported
by Ambassador Kasprzyk and his team. We will be ready to reengage if
indeed the parties decide to pursue the talks with the political will
that has thus far been lacking.
In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to
the Chairman in Office, Minister de Gucht, whose close interest and
constant attention to the issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement,
including his introductory remarks before the last meeting of two
Presidents in Bucharest, have contributed greatly to our work in the
first half of 2006,” the statement says.

GAZPROM GOING TO PURCHASE IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2006 14:41 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ When addressing Gazprom stockholders at the annual
sitting Deputy Chairman of Gazprom’s Management Committee Alexander
Ryazanov said Gazprom is going to purchase the abuilding Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline. In his words, the purchase of the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline is conditioned by the necessity of raising the durability of
gas delivery to Armenia because of instability of gas delivery via
Georgia, which misappropriates some amount of gas. The gas pipeline
is likely to be put into operation in 2007, its’ capacity will make
1.2 billion of cubic meters per year, reported Russian media.

G8 SUPPORTS OSCE MG MEDIATING EFFORTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
30.06.2006 14:45 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Foreign Ministers confirmed that the G8 supports
the mediating efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group for the peaceful
settlement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, says the statement by
the G8 chairman made at the meeting of the G8 Foreign Ministers. “We
stressed the necessity of the soonest coordination of fundamental
principles of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement in order to make
it possible in 2006. We call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to demonstrate
political will and reach an agreement during the current year and
prepare the publics for peace but not for war,” says the document,
reported RF MFA press office.