ARMENIA SPEAKER ACCUSES AZERBAIJAN OF ABUSING POSITION AT PACE
RIA Novosti, Russia
June 29 2006
YEREVAN, June 29 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia’s parliamentary speaker
accused Azerbaijan of using the rostrum of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe to insult Armenia, the parliament’s press
department said Thursday.
Tigran Torosyan told PACE Secretary General Terry Davis in Strasbourg
Wednesday: “The PACE session in Strasbourg is highly important
for joint discussion of issues linked with the fulfillment of the
countries’ obligations, while Azerbaijan is using the PACE rostrum
to insult and slander Armenia.”
Torosyan said Azerbaijani delegates had accused Armenia of starting
forest fires in troubled Nagorny-Karabakh, a region in Azerbaijan
with a largely ethnic Armenian population, and neighboring territories.
He said Nagorny-Karabakh had asked the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, the world’s largest regional security body,
two weeks ago to monitor the situation and prove the accusations false.
Torosyan also said that in this situation the Armenian delegation
could not abstain from reciprocal statements. He said false insults
and accusations were unworthy of the Council of Europe’s principles,
and proposed taking steps to resolve the situation.

KARABAKH WILL DECIDE FUTURE WITH REFERENDUM…EVENTUALLY
By Christina Tashkevich
The Messenger, Georgia
June 29 2006
Military parade in the de facto republic’s capital Stepanakert
The Armenian Foreign Ministry says the OSCE Minsk Group, which
moderates negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Karabakh
conflict, for the first time confirmed that the people of Karabakh
should determine their future status through a referendum.
The Armenian side says the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed
on the referendum issue, and the only disagreement left concerns the
sequence of how the military conflict should be settled.
Armenia says Azerbaijan is deliberately stalling in this regard.
The Azeri minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmar Mammadyarov, denied
Azerbaijan artificially delays the negotiating process, calling the
claims groundless.
“We need to consider the form of autonomy to be given to
Nagorno-Karabakh. This autonomy could follow the example of
Nakhichivan, Tatarstan, Bashkiria or other models. The issue of
status should be considered together with communities of Karabakh,
and relations should be established between these communities,”
Mammadyarov said.
The Azeri ministry says the Minsk Group co-chairs and the US co-chair
of the group, Matthew Bryza, have indicated only the general outline
of stage-by-stage peaceful settlement, currently under discussion.
“The Azeri side once again re-affirms being prepared to grant
Karabakh the highest status of self-rule within the framework of
the internationally-recognized territorial integrity of the Republic
of Azerbaijan and based on the current Constitution of Azerbaijan,”
says the statement.
The meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on June 4-5
did not bring any results towards conflict settlement, despite the
intention of international observers to finalize a framework agreement
at the meeting.
Both Armenian and Azeri authorities agreed that no major movements
forward have been achieved at the meeting.
The co-chairs of the Minsk Group, however, say the sides can sign
the peace agreement this year. Observers back in Baku and Yerevan
note that, in case of an internationally recognized referendum,
the enclave’s reunification with Armenia or independence will be
legitimized.
Matthew Bryza, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for
European and Eurasian affairs, who has recently replaced Steven Mann
as the U.S. co-chair of the Minsk Group, told RFE/RL the framework
agreement would call for the removal of Armenian troops from Karabakh
as well as economic assistance to the region. After these issues
are resolved, the future status of Karabakh can be decided at the
referendum.
However, Bryza indicates the Minsk Group would not try to arrange
another round of presidential meetings or “broker an agreement.”
“We just don’t know where the presidents are right now. We’re
encouraging them, we’re nudging them by taking a step back. Nudging
them to show that they have this political will,” he told RFE/RL.
The US diplomat notes the cooperation of the OSCE with Russia on
the Karabakh issue is more fruitful than the cooperation to resolve
conflicts in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transdnistria.
“I would also say the United States has worked hard to keep the
Georgians as constructive and moderate as possible, and I hope
our Russians colleagues and friends will do the same in terms of
encouraging the Abkhaz to be constructive and moderate,” he said.
Bryza, as well as other US officials, hope to put the issue of frozen
conflicts in the region on the agenda of G8 summit in St Petersburg
in July, while Russian authorities does not approve of the idea.
While Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdnistria are all
striving to be recognized, experts agree that there is a clear reason
why Karabakh did not join the union of the rest de facto republics,
which was recently formalized at a meeting in the de facto Abkhaz
capital of Sokhumi. There is an opinion that while Abkhazia, South
Ossetia and Transdnistria are oriented to Russia, Karabakh stays
oriented to Yerevan, which in turn not only turns for advice to Russia,
but also is waiting for the resolution of the conflict with the help
of Europe and the United States.

TWO DOCUMENTS REGARDING OCCUPATION POLICY OF ARMENIA WERE DISSEMINATED IN PACE
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
June 29 2006
Two documents regarding the occupation policy of Armenia was
disseminated by the Azeri delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE), Rafael Huseynov, the member of Azeri
delegation in PACE, told Trend.
He noted that in the document “Crimes of Armenia against humanity”,
there were used different facts of bloody Armenian terror against
Azerbaijan during XX century. “We raised a question before the Council
of Ministers that the document should be presented to a separate
discussion and gave recommendations for the consideration of the
facts in the European Court on Human Rights,” told Huseyinov.
Besides, he stressed that the second document was named “Ethic
cleansing held by Armenian against Azerbaijan”. “It was stated in
the document that Armenia and Armenian lobby jeopardize not only
Azerbaijanis, but also several countries around the world. They
implements secret and clear separatism policy in the territories
densely populated by Armenians. It is described in the document that
Armenians is continuing its separatism policy against Azerbaijan,”
Huseynov stressed.
According to Huseynov, special points of the document describe
the mass destruction of Azerbaijans by Armenians in 1905 in Baku,
Nakchivan, Iravan and Zangazur. Besides, thousands of Azerbaijanis
were killed in Karabakh, Shusha, Jabrail and Ganja in November of
the same year. “In 1914, Armenians killed 150 thousand Azerbaijanis
in Khoy and Urmiya and 200 thousand in Kars, Arzurum and Ardakhand.
Under the Bolshevik regime, Armenians killed 50 thousand Azerbaijanis
in Baku, Shamakhi, Guba, Kurdamir and Lankaran in March-April 1918,”
added Huseynov.
Besides, Huseynov ruled out that 1930-1937s were described as a new
phase of ethnic cleansing. “It was especially stated in the document
that more than 50 thousand Azerbaijanis were departed from their native
land to Kazakhstan and Siberia. Besides, it was mentioned that the
ethic cleansing of Azerbaijanis was realized according to the special
decision of Council of Ministers of USSR dated December 20, 1947
and March 19, 1948 under the pressure of Armenian representatives in
Kremlin. During these years, 150 thousand Azerbaijanis were departed
from Armenia to the territories that had bad climate. Many people
died in result of departure. The next ethnic cleansing policy of
Armenians is related to Nagorno-Karabakh,” he stressed, adding that
in connection with this issues, a question will be raised before PACE
on appointment of reporters.

RF, ARMENIA COMMANDOES, POLICE HOLD JOINT EXERCISE
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
June 29 2006
TSAKHKADZOR (Armenia), June 29 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Interior Minister
Rashid Nurgaliyev is satisfied with the results of the anti-terrorist
exercises of commandoes of the Russian Interior Ministry and Armenian
crack policemen that were held at the highland Armenian resort of
Tsakhkadzor. During the war games that had four stages, Russian
commandoes from the unit Rus and their Armenian colleagues practiced
joint actions rebuffing an armed attack on the guarded motorcade,
a release operation of hostages and a detention operation of armed
bandits.
“These exercises are primarily aimed against international terrorism,
extremist groups,” said the Russian interior minister who arrived in
Armenia to take part in a meeting of the joint board of the Russian
Interior Ministry and Armenian police. The exercises “showed how
the special forces of our countries need coordinated actions during
special operations,” Nurgaliyev said watching the war games.
Russian and Armenian commandoes practiced new methods of special
operations for the first time, he pointed out. According to him,
the commandoes of the countries used these methods in a release
operation of hostages captured by terrorists in the building, during
the seizure of armed criminals and a release operation of hostages kept
in the car. “Fast and coordinated actions are practiced during such
exercises. Each of four operations was carried out for 5-7 seconds,”
the Russian interior minister said.
Chief of Armenian police Col-Gen. Aik Arutyunian praised highly the
exercises. “The exercises were fair and well coordinated,” he remarked.
Nurgaliyev and Arutyunian presented awards and personal arms to
the commandoes.
The next exercises between the commandoes of Armenia and Russia will
be held in Russia. “The next exercises may be held in Rostov-on-Don,
where we will also practice joint actions,” Nurgaliyev indicated.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW US AMB TO ARMENIA REBUFFS USE OF ‘GENOCIDE’, DESPITE SENATORS’ DEMANDS
Author: R. Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 29 2006
The candidate to the post of US Ambassador to Armenia, Richard
Hoagland, addressing to the Committee on international relationships
and did not use the word ‘genocide’ in his speech, Trend reports
citing the Turkish media. Hoagland was in need of Senate support to
achieve the adoption of his candidacy.
However, three pro-Armenian senators – George Allen and Norm Coleman,
republicans, as well as Paul Sarbanes, a democrat, demanded from
Hoagland to recognize the so-called ‘genocide’ of Armenian in Osmanly
Empire.
Despite the insisting questions by three senators Hoagland did not
used that word. “I’d not back ‘game of words’ and call on looking
forwards rather back, the US diplomat stressed.
In case of appointment to the post of Ambassador to Armenia, Hoagland
committed himself to support the development of regional relationships
between Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
John Evans, the former US Ambassador to Armenia, was recalled by the
US President George W. Bush in 2005 due to use of a word ‘genocide’,
regarding the events of 1915 in Osmanly Empire.
Currently Hoagland is acting US Ambassador to Tajikistan.

REPORT OF RAPPORTEUR OF OSCE CONTAINS QUESTIONS DISSATISFYING AZERBAIJAN
Author: J.Shahverdiyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 29 2006
The report of the co-rapporteur of Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE on
Nagorno-Karabakh Goran Lenmarker contains several issues dissatisfying
Azerbaijan, Rabiyat Aslanova, the member of the Azeri delegation in
PA OSCE and also chairman of Azeri parliament’s permanent commission
on human rights, told Trend.
According to Aslanova, irrespective of the appeal of Azeri delegation
to the head of PA OSCE, the Nagorno-Karabakh issue wasn’t included in
the agenda of the summer session of PA. “But it doesn’t mean that we
will not raise this question at the session. In appearances of our
delegation it will be taken into consideration,” told Aslanova.
She noted that the key topic of the discussion at the summer session
will be “Strengthening of human security in OSCE region”. It is
directly related to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. “This time we should
try that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is included in the agenda,”
Aslanova stressed.
Besides, Aslanova ruled out that the report of the co-rapporteur of
PA OSCE on Nagorno-Karabakh Goran Lenmarker is ready which contains
several issues that are not satisfactory for Azerbaijan. “The
rapporteur tried to raise questions that are satisfactory for the
sides. But delivering to his attention that Azerbaijan is under
occupation, we require that he should prepare a fair report,”
Aslanova added.
Besides, Aslanova pointed out that evidently Lenmarker will have to
again work on the report.
The summer session of PA OSCE will be held in Brussels on 3-7 July.

LEO PLATVOET SUGGESTS FORMING A WORKING GROUP TO SEARCH FOR THE MISSING
ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 16:27
During the meeting with Armenian Parliament Speaker Tigran Torosyan
PACE Rapporteur for the Missing in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan,
Dutch MP Leo Platvoet discussed the outcomes of his latest visit
to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Platvoet noted it would be very
important for his mission to visit Nagorno-Karabakh and Abkhazia. The
PACE Rapporteur suggested that Tigran Torosyan provide him the list of
the missing Armenians to organize search for them in Azerbaijan and
find those, who are, possibly, still alive. To promote the search
for the missing, Platvoet proposed to form a working group with
participation of all parties under the patronage of the Red Cross.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN AFK “SYSTEMA” HOLDINGS CLAIMING TO BUY OTE SHARES
ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 17:58
The Russian AFK “Systema” Holdings, which participates in the tender
to purchase ArmenTel, claims to buy a small package of shares of the
Greek OTE Company. OTE possesses 90 percent of ArmenTel shares.
“If the Greek Government announces acceptable conditions of sale
of OTE shares, we’ll discuss the suggestion,” President of the AFK
“Systema” Holdings Vladimir Yevtushenkov said after signing the
contract on purchasing the Greek Intracom Telecom Company.

KARABAKH IN G8
Lragir.am
29 June 06
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin and U.S. Assistant
State Secretary Nicolas Burns discussed June 28 the settlement of
regional conflicts in the CIS, reports the news agency Mediamax. The
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Mediamax that burning issues
of U.S.-Russian relations, with the stress on the problems of CIS,
including the regional conflict were discussed. Nicolas Burn did
not deny that the Karabakh conflict might be discussed during the G8
Summit in July.

BRYZA VISITED NKR LEGACY IN WASHINGTON
Lragir.am
29 June 06
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nagorno Karabakh reported that
Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan and NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulyan met
with Mathew Bryza, U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. During the
meeting they discussed the present stage of settlement of the Karabkh
conflict. The meeting was on June 26 at the NKR representation to
Washington.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress