ICG: TWO QUESTIONS HAMPER KARABAKH TALKS
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 17:05 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ International Crisis Group (ICG) Caucasus Project
Director Sabine Freizer stated that during the recent two months
the sides fail to reach an agreement because of two questions –
the status of Nagorno Karabakh and the issue of Lachin and Kelbajar.
According to her, the sides should make extra steps to reach a
compromise over the above-mentioned questions, reports RFE/RL.

VAFA GULUZADE: LEGALLY NOTHING CAN PREVENT AZERBAIJAN FROM STARTING WAR
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 17:12 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijani government has not undertaken any
obligation forbidding it to start war,” former presidential advisor
Vafa Guluzade stated.
According to him, the document on ceasefire of May 1994 records of
“ceasefire before achieving peace.”
“There are no other obligations except this one and the state leader
has many times said that if the peaceful talks fail the liberation of
lands is Azerbaijan’s indefeasible right. However it does not mean that
Azerbaijan will launch war. All including Europe know that Azerbaijan
will not do this,” Heydar Aliyev’s former advisor said. In his opinion,
Azerbaijan can take the move only being sure of capability to defeat
Armenia and Russia. “Only in this case the European Union mat ask
Azerbaijan to undertake not to defeat them,’ he said.
He also remarked that legally nothing can prevent Azerbaijan from
liberating the territories by force.
However, the political scientist remarked, war is a very complicated
variant, since “the occupant is Russia and Azerbaijan will have to
fight against Russia,” reports Media Forum.

UAE PRESIDENT VOICED READINESS TO DEVELOP COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 17:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ October 9 Armenian Ambassador to the United Arab
Emirates Vahagn Melikian among other 11 Ambassadors handed credentials
to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reported the RA
MFA press office. Vahagn Melikian conveyed Robert Kocharian’s best
wishes and voiced hope for strengthening bilateral relations in the
name of prosperity of the two peoples. For his part Sheikh Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan expressed readiness to deepen multilateral relations
with friendly states, including Armenia.

OTE DENIES ARMENTEL SELLING TO ARAB CONSORTIUM
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 18:11 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OTE Greek company made a statement refuting that the
outcomes of the tender on ArmenTel’s 90% of stocks have been summed
up. OTE said it will announce the winner and purchaser of ArmenTel via
press releases, Mediamax reported. To note, the other day some media
with a reference to informal sources spread information that Emirates
Telecommunications Corporation (ETISALAT)/Istithmar PJSC/Emergent
Telecom Ventures (ETV) assumed possession of ArmenTel.

ARKADY GHUKASIAN NOT GOING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 18:23 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ October 11 Nagorno Karabakh President Arkady
Ghukasian gave a briefing for local and accredited reporters, said
NKR MFA press office.
The NKR President said in part, “I have found it necessary to meet
with you an issue that aroused my concern lately. Rumors are being
spread about my intention to run for President for the third time.
Especially, the initiators of such rumors say that the NKR Constitution
is being adopted for this very purpose. I would never react to such
insinuations but for two reasons – the image of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic as a democratic state and the fundamental importance of
Constitution for the existence out our state.
As a politician and civilian I have no more important goal than
the international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and
building of a legal state.
During the years of my office I have been trying to speed up this
processes. You witnessed the difficulties we gave experienced on the
way to civic society formation. I do not conceal my consent with
the fact that many challenges were overcome thanks to our people,
who supported the President’s line. I have not turned off the way
and think it’s the only right way that exists.
Constitution is one of the most important conditions for a legal state
building and all the political forces in our state are unanimous on the
issue. During my election campaign I promised to render the essential
assistance in the elaboration and adoption of the Organic Law of the
country but unfortunately a number of circumstances conditioned by
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement didn’t allow us to adopt the
Constitution earlier. I must say that despite the efforts exerted by
the evil-wishers I feel obliged to keep my promise to people.
I deeply regret that my position is being distorted. I assure you
I have no intention to run for President for the third time. Even
is the Constitution provides for this right it does not mean that I
will exercise it. I highlight the norms of morals like the norms of
laws. As an individual and as President I did my utmost to make the
process of democratization of our republic irreversible.
I am convinced that Nagorno Karabakh will once more demonstrate
the high level of democracy and will use the chance to exercise a
civilized chance of power. In this view my major task is to secure
a fair election next year.
In conclusion I would like to voice hope that my today’s statement will
put an end to any fabrications that can damage the international image
of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and disorient public opinion on the
true aims of adoption of the NKR Constitution,” the NKR leader said.

SERGE SARGSIAN: MUTUAL CONCESSION AT GIVEN MOMENT MEANS RECOGNIZING THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION OF KARABAKH PEOPLE
By Aghavni Harutyunian
AZG Armenian Daily
12/10/2006
“We are not afraid of war but we do not want it either,” Serge
Sargsian, Armenian defense minister, stated in an interview with
Regnum agency and El Pais Spanish newspaper. In minister’s words,
the Azerbaijani economy shows tendencies of activation though Armenia
was ahead of its neighbor by economic growth indices in 2005.
Serge Sargsian believes that a battle-worthy army cannot be built
only on money, and he suggested not to rely on petrodollars and to
reconsider the lessons of an unsuccessful war against the people
of Nagorno Karabakh. The minister firmly believes that a peaceful
regulation can still be achieved. “Every peace agreement presupposes
accord of the sides. It’s like wedlock: if one side agrees and the
other does not then the alliance will fail. Therefore, if we strive
for a regulation of the dispute and Azerbaijan does not then what can
we do? We find the issue can be settled solely peacefully and based
on mutual concessions.”
The minister explains that as soon as stable peace will be achieved the
Azeri refuges can return to Nagorno Karabakh. Though there were many
clashes and wars during history, relations with Azerbaijan continued,
and the Armenians and Azeris lived side by side. But at present,
when the wounds are still fresh, Serge Sargsian thinks that the
return of refugees is impossible. And saying mutual concession one
should understand recognition of the right of the people of Nagorno
Karabakh to self-determination by Azerbaijan.
There are other elements of mutual concession too, but the minister
did not go into them.
The minister once again confirmed Armenia’s stance on taking the
Karabakh issue out of the OSCE Minsk Group format. Serge Sargsian also
thinks that Karabakh’s participation in the talks process is useful
at any stage; until now Azerbaijan refuses Karabakh’s participation
threatening to leave the talks if the later joins the negations.
Serge Sargsian assures that Armenia is ready for military actions if
they burst out even tomorrow. Yet, he thinks that there will be no
war in foreseeable future for several reasons: firstly, Azerbaijani
army is unable to start hostilities of that scale, secondly, the
world community will express its position on these actions. Reopening
of hostilities in Karabakh will mean renewing old conflicts in many
places. The defense minister finds that absence of military actions
is a positive thing in itself, and that is also the result of the
Minsk Group’s work.
As to the impact of sanctions against Iran, tension in Abkhazian and
South Ossetian issues on Armenia, Mr. Sargsian thinks the impact can
be only negative as they pose a threat to Armenia’s stability. As
stability is a key factor in the region, Serge Sargsian thinks
integration with Azerbaijan and Georgia possible. Yet, it will be
possible to discuss with Azerbaijan this issue after regulation of
Nagorno Karabakh issue.

PATRICK DEVEJIAN PROPOSES AMENDMENT IN THE LAW CRIMINALIZING THE DENIAL OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 10 2006
Representative of the Democratic Movement Union of France, Armenian
in origin, Patrick Devejian has proposed an amendment in the law
criminalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide, insisting that it
should not apply to researchers and historians.
The proposed amendment consists of only one clause, “These measures
do not apply to academic and scientific research.”
The European Armenian Federation calls on Parliamentarians to adopt
the law for the sake of “human dignity.”
In a statement attached to the proposed amendment Devejian noted
that the draft will prevent the political disputes by any country,
first of all meaning Turkey.

‘FRENCH BILL IS IDIOCY’ – AGOS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HRANT DINK SAID TO REUTERS
By Hakob Chakrian
AZG Armenian Daily
12/10/2006
In an interview with the Reuters, Hrant Dink, editor-in-chief of
Agos newspaper again labeled the French bill penalizing denial of the
Armenian Genocide “idiocy”. “You are citizens and your state uses this
(genocide issue) as a trump for the other party. The other party is
trying to make an attempt out of this and judge other people. This
is what I call idiocy. We are not obliged to be a pawn for these
irrational behaviors of the states toward one another. In order to
object to this kind of diplomatic nonsense, I will go to France,
oppose that law and commit the crime set by that law if necessary. I
want this irrational mentality to compete against one another to put
me in prison,” Dink was quotes as saying by Turkish Zaman daily.

ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE ALSO CONDEMNS FRENCH DRAFT BILL
By Hakob Chakrian
AZG Armenian Daily
12/10/2006
According to a press release received yesterday, Mesrop II Moutafian,
Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, also condemned the French draft
bill that envisages punishment for a denial of the Armenian Genocide,
the CNN-Turk website and Turkish newspapers reported.
The message says that the Patriarch stated that one should be led
by the initiatives directed to unfolding dialogues and to mutual
understanding. He said that they couldn’t accept any initiative
that doesn’t attain this goal. Moutafian added that whatever are
their grounds, all the initiatives that limit the freedom of speech
will make harm to the dialogue between the Armenian and the Turkish
societies. As a result, both sides, will contribute to strengthening
of nationalistic forces, he said.

SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER BAN KI-MOON IS ELECTED NEW UN SECRETARY GENERAL
By Petros Keshishian
AZG Armenian Daily
12/10/2006
South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-Moon has been elected new UN
Secretary General. He is to replace Mr. Koffi Annan in his office
from January 1, 2007.
The representatives of 15 member states of the UN Security Council
voted for Ban Ki-Moon who is 62.
According to the UN regulation, in the course of the coming few
days the representatives of 192 UN member states should approve the
candidacy of Ban Ki-Moon and the decision of the UN Security Council.
As for his appointment, Ban Ki-Moon stated that the first goal he
attains is to settle the crisis with the nuclear program of North
Korea.
France-Presse informed that Ban Ki-Moon’s candidacy was predictable
already last week, as 5 members of the UN Security Council had given
their consent for his appointment in the course of the preliminary
voting.
This is the first time in the UN History that common agreement was
secured so briefly.