AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Sept 2 2006

SETTLEMENT OF THE ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT –
MAJOR PROBLEM FOR AZERBAIJAN
GREAT BRITAIN SHOWS SERIOUS INTEREST IN SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION
[September 02, 2006, 13:52:41]
On September 1, Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, colonel-general Safar
Abiyev has met with the ambassador of the United Kingdom of the Great
Britain and Northern Ireland to the country Lawrence Bristow, press
service of the Ministry told.
Ambassador L. Bristow, speaking of the purpose of the meeting, has
noted: `After visit of the Duke of York, Prince Andrew to Azerbaijan,
interest of the Great Britain to Azerbaijan has increased. He has
noted that settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is the major problem for Azerbaijan. We hope that this
conflict will shortly find solution. The United Kingdom now takes big
interest in resolution to this question.
Colonel-general Safar Abiyev has noted: `Azerbaijan cooperates with
the Great Britain both in the frame of the NATO’s `Individual
Partnership Program” , and in a bilateral format. We know that the
Great Britain also is interested in settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan gives great
value to expansion of cooperation with the Great Britain.
Having ascertained, that Azerbaijan makes efforts for the peace
resolution of conflict, the Minister said: `Armenia takes of a
destructive position, therefore, elimination of the problem is
delayed. Armenia does not carry out requirements of 4 Resolutions of
Security Council of the United Nations in connection with the given
conflict, and the world community does not exert to Armenia any
pressure for the quick withdrawal of its armies from the occupied
territories. Azerbaijan will never reconcile that its lands were
under the Armenian occupation. `Using all political, economic means,
including the military way, we shall release our lands’, Abiyev
stressed.
Ambassador L. Bristow has noted: `We well understand, what factors
define the today’s policy of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has the right to
release its lands. At the same time, the Azerbaijan state should
carry out this policy in the balanced form. The given policy should
form harmonious economic, political development of Azerbaijan and, at
last, promote peaceful clearing of its lands. `My 3-years supervision
on Southern Caucasus allow come to such a conclusion, that the
Armenian society has undergone pressure of external forces’.
Safar Abiyev has emphasized: `We consider, that the present policy
pursued by the Armenian state will lead to its full breakdown. It is
impossible to forget history. It has been for thirteen years as the
Azerbaijani lands are under occupation of Armenia. But Armenia should
not forget, that present territory of the Armenian state is former
Azerbaijani land’.
The Ambassador, estimating military-political conditions on Southern
Caucasus, has noted: `Turkey is one of the leading states of NATO.
The economic base of Azerbaijan is strong and harmoniously develops
in all branches. In what position there will be Armenia in 10-15
years?’
Then, colonel-general Safar Abiyev and Mr. L. Bristow had
comprehensive exchange of views on present military-political
conditions on Southern Caucasus, historical roots of
Arm3enian-Turkish and Armenian-Azerbaijani conflicts. He has noted,
that delay of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict represents greater threat for large economic projects
carried out in Azerbaijan.
Therefore, the European states participating in the mentioned
projects, including the Great Britain, should demand from the
Armenian state – the aggressor to refuse the claims and as soon as
possible to withdraw armies from the Azerbaijani territories.
The guest, having emphasized, that Azerbaijan is on a correct way in
the question of settlement of the conflict, has expressed confidence
that its just cause would shortly win. `Today, there is no factor
interfering economic development of Azerbaijan. Injustice concerning
Azerbaijan should be as soon as possible eliminated’, he underlined.
Minister of Defense, having noted, that shares his views, has told:
`The European states should understand this, we together should put
for this effort.
The sides also focused developments of questions of the Azeri-British
military cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
FIRST MEETING OF NEW WCC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The first meeting of the new WCC Central Committee opened on Wednesday 30
August in Geneva. The Armenian Church is participating in this meeting with
two delegations: Bishop Vicken Aikazian and Paula Devedjian on behalf of the
Catholicosate of All Armenians, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora
Bairakdarian representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The new Central Committee was elected last February by the 9th Assembly of
the WCC in Porto Alegre, Brazil. His Holiness Aram I has been the moderator
of the WCC Central and Executive committees for an unprecedented two terms
from 1991 through 2006.
This meeting, 30 August – 6 September, will mainly concentrate on outlining
the WCC’s projects for the coming seven years.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

US EMBASSY URGES ARMENIAN OFFICIALS TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE
CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS
Yerevan, September 1. ArmInfo. There has been a great deal of media
commentary in recent days about an alleged tape that the
U.S. Ambassador is said to have conveyed to President Kocharian
implicating Nature Protection Minister Vardan Ayvazian for
corruption. The press release of the US Embassy in Yerevan states that
the American side is unaware of the existence of any such tape, and
has not conveyed any tape to the President. ‘We have a continuing
dialogue with Armenian government officials at many levels on the
well-known problem of official corruption. When we become aware of
credible allegations of corruption, we of course convey this
information to appropriate Armenian officials at a high level. We
strongly urge Armenian officials to investigate and prosecute
corruption allegations, and especially those involving government
ministers or other senior officials. Armenia cannot develop into a
fully successful democratic and economically sound state without
assurance of integrity at all levels of government,’ says the
published statement.

Artsakh celebrating the 15th anniversary of independence

ArmRadio.am
02.09.2006 11:14
Artsakh is celebrating today the 15th anniversary of its independence
` the declaration of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. On this occasion
congratulating messages have been issued by RA president Robert
Kocharyan and NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan. The delegation headed by
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan has left for Stepanakert to
participate in the celebrations. Yesterday evening a meeting featuring
NKR authorities and society, and guests from Armenia, Russia,
Abkhazia, South Ossetia and other countries was held in the capital.
Today a gala concert is scheduled in the central square, which will be
concluded with a salute.

National youth football teams of Armenia and Norway to meet in Yerevan

ArmRadio.am
02.09.2006 12:44
In the second qualification round of the Euro 2007 the national youth
team of Armenia will meet today the team of Norway. Edgar Manucharyan
will not play for the national team, since the leadership of the Dutch
`Ajax’ club did not permit him to leave for Armenia. Zhora
Hovhannisyan, playing for a Greek team, refused to participate in the
match of the national team.

President Kocharyan visited Vayots Dzor and Syunik marzes

ArmRadio.am
02.09.2006 12:48
September 1 President Robert Kocharyan paid a working visit to Vayots Dzor
and Syunik marzes.
In Jermuk city the President and the leaders ship of the region discussed
the prospects of tourism development.
In Syunik marz Robert Kocharyan learned about the process of construction of
the new Kapan-Meghri highway and Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. The President
visited also Meghri checkpoint.
During the consultations with the leadership of the marz reference was made
to the existing problems, the prospects of their resolution and future
programs.

From: [email protected]
Subject: FM Vardan Oskanian Belgian Senator Francois Roelants duVivier
Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian Belgian Senator François Roelants du
Vivier

ArmRadio.am
02.09.2006 15:24
September 2 RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian received the Head of
the Foreign Relations and Defense Committee of the Belgian Senate
François Roelants du Vivier.
Greting the guests, Minister Oskanian highly appreciated the Senator’s
contribution to raising the Armenian issues in Belgium and development
of Armenian-Belgian relations.
In his turn, MR. Du Vivier appreciated the Armenian-Belgian
cooperation, noting that it has been developing in a number of
directions.
The Belgian Senator shared his impressions from the visit to Nagorno
Karabakh and expressed his views on the settlement of the conflict. At
the guest’s request, Minister Oskanyan presented the current state of
the negotiations.
The interlocutors discussed issues related to Armenia-EU Actions Plan
in the framework of the EU new Neighborhood Policy. Reference was made
to regional developments and Armenian-Turkish relations.

PanARMENIAN.Net
French Armenians Brought Suit against Turkish Consulate General in Paris
02.09.2006 12:36 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Next week one of the Parisian courts will consider
the suit brought by Armenians against the Turkish Consulate General in
Paris. Hay Dat accuses the Turkish Consulate General of Armenian
Genocide denial campaign and demands to remove a part of the
Consulate’s website. The suit is based on the resolution adopted by
the European parliament in 1987 and the law condemning the Armenian
Genocide denial adopted in France in 2001, reported the RFE/RL.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Ghukasian Confirmed NKR Readiness to Hold Direct and
Constructive Dialogue with Baku
02.09.2006 13:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `The declaration on the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
proclamation is a brave political and legal act that was adopted is
accordance with the fundamental norms of the former USSR Constitution
and international law. It became epochal in the centuries-old history
of Artsakh. It reflected the will of our people who had chosen the
path of freedom and independence,’ NKR President Arkady Ghukasian said
in Stepanakert during the festivities dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of the NKR proclamation. He remarked that under the
circumstances independence proved to be the only way to secure
Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh, its development and
prosperity.
`I would like to remind that NKR was proclaimed at the time when no
single Armenian remained at the territory of the Azeri SSR. The
Azerbaijani leadership isolated Nagorno Karabakh from the outer
world. 15 years that have passed proved the historical necessity and
relevance of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s proclamation,’ Ghukasian
said. In his words, the economy of the state was almost completely
destroyed. Dwellings, hospitals, schools were demolished. `Half of
Nagorno Karabakh was occupied by Azerbaijan as result of bloody
battles. Thousands of people were killed but thanks to the incredible
efforts of our people and leadership as well as owing to Armenia and
Diaspora’s support the enemy was forced of retreat and conclude
armistice agreement signed by Stepanakert as well. Thus, the
Azerbaijani leadership actually recognized Nagorno Karabakh as a party
to conflict although now it denied this fact,’ the NKR leader said.
Arkady Ghukasian voiced regret over the fact that the `Azeri
authorities prefer to counteract the logic of political
development. Karabakh problem cannot be resolved by force. War will
bring new losses and sufferings to both peoples. I call on the Azeri
side to abandon delirious intentions to take revenge and settle all
the issues at the bargaining table,’ he said. At that he underscored
that the efforts of the NKR political leadership are targeted at a
peaceful settlement of the conflict. `We consider the irreversible
democratization process as factor promoting peaceful resolution of the
Karabakh conflict. The calls to war in Azerbaijan can be explained by
absence of democracy in the neighbor republic. If the process reached
a deadlock now, it’s not the fault of Karabakh or Armenia but the
result of Azerbaijan’s counterproductive position,’ Ghukasian said.
He remarked that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement is possible
only on the basis of mutual compromise that demands courage and
political will of the leaders of the conflicting sides. `I would like
to confirm Karabakh’s readiness to hold a direct and constructive
dialogue with Azerbaijan without preconditions. Such format will
reflect the core of the problem,’ Ghukasian concluded, reported IA
Regnum.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Lebanese Armenians Protest Turkish Soldiers
02.09.2006 13:10 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A group of Lebanese Armenians opposed Turkey’s
presence in Lebanon in a protest Thursday. Nearly 100 Armenians,
mainly university students, gathered before the U.N. office in Beirut
carrying banners claiming that Turkey collaborated with Israel. The
protestors then presented a U.N. official with an open letter
addressed to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, reported Zaman.