NAGORNO KARABAKH MFA: OFFICIAL BAKU PURSUES A GOAL TO ERODE NKR ECONOMY
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
July 18 2006
Today the Nagorno Karabakh Republic MFA made a statement on the
fires on the Nagorno Karabakh territory bordering to Azerbaijan. The
statement runs, in part:
“The fires on the Nagorno Karabakh territory bordering with Azerbaijan
have been taking place since early June 2006. The situation is a
subject of serious anxiety for the Karabakh leadership, because it
poses a threat for the security of the NKR and its population.
A special commission formed by the representatives of the ministries
and departments responsible for security issues has been established
in the NKR to study the circumstances and reveal the reasons
for the inflammation. The subunits of fire-prevention service,
the NKR Department for Emergency Situations and the leadership of
local administrations and population have been mobilized for the
localization of the centers of the inflammation and non-admission
of fire spreading. A twenty-four-hour duty has been organized in all
the communities to prevent from emergency situations.
However, the situation in the regions that is becoming worse in
connection with the fires is pregnant with unfavorable long-term
consequences for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic agriculture and food
security. The number and area of the fires of wheat fields on the
territories bordering with Azerbaijan have sharply risen.
As a result of the work of the NKR special commission the incontestable
data have been received that indicate that the reasons for the fires
were the Azerbaijani party’s intentional hostile activities. By these
actions the official Baku pursues a goal to erode the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic economy and deprive it of the possibility of advancing
development. To conceal its intentions the Azerbaijani leadership from
the very outset has launched a wide-ranging propaganda both in the
local and foreign mass media, trying to lay the blame on the Karabakh
side, which is a continuation of a propaganda and psychological war
against the Nagorno Karabakh Republic people and is an awkward attempt
to screen the act of aggression.
We would like to remind that as early as in 2001 the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic authorities suggested via the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement a package of measures on
establishing confidence between the conflict parties, in particular,
we offered cooperation on non-admission of inflammation of pastures and
agricultural territories in the bordering regions. To our regret, then
the official Stepanakert’s initiative was not supported in Baku and was
not honored with proper attention by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen.
Moreover, as early as June 15, 2006, the NKR MFA addressed a request
to the Office of the OSCE Chairman-in Office’s Personal Representative
to hold a crisis-monitoring on the territory bordering with Azerbaijan
to estimate the real situation on the spot and refute the Azerbaijani
party’s forced accusations.
We draw the attention of the whole international community and
especially the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen to the circumstance that in
case the measures concerning Azerbaijan’s hostile activities are not
undertaken the official Stepanakert will have the right to undertake
adequate retaliatory activities to ensure the Republic’s security”.

NKR FOREIGN MINISTER: “ACHIEVEMENT OF SOLUTIONS IS POSSIBLE ONLY
WITH PARTICIPATION OF LEGALLY ELECTED AUTHORITIES OF THE NKR”
Lragir.am
18 July 06
Nagorno Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian commented
upon the statements of IA REGNUM, made during the summit of the Great
Eight countries in Saint Petersburg.
“One may only welcome a statement of the Great Eight countries on
maintenance of the intermediary efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and on
necessity of co-ordination of the core principles of the conflict’s
peaceful resolution. Nagorno Karabakh has always come out in favor
of peaceful resolution of the problem and is ready to exert every
effort to achieve the agreement on establishing long-term peace in
the region. Unfortunately, it is not everything that depends on the
mediators. Considering Azerbaijan’s extremely destructive position
and its unwillingness to be in any contact with Nagorno Karabakh
it is very difficult to find an acceptable and correct solution to
date. The President of the Russian Federation has fairly noted that
Russia is not going to impose any solutions on the parties to the
conflict and that the compromise must be reached by people.
Taking into account the Russian Federation’s readiness to become a
guarantor of the agreements’ fulfillment we remind once more that the
achievement of solutions directly concerning the future of our country
and our people is possible only with participation of representatives
of legally elected authorities of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
the main and the most suffered party to the conflict”.

TREND, Azerbaijan
July 17 2006
Chairman of Democratic Reforms Party met with Israeli ambassador
Source: Trend
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
17.07.2006
The chairman of Democratic Reforms Party Asim Mollazade met with the
Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Artur Lenk.
The meeting focused on the social-political situation in Azerbaijan,
the situation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, relations of Azerbaijan
and Israel, integration of Azerbaijan into Euro-Atlantic territory
and ensuring the security in the region in context of beginning of
the activity of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the recent events
in the Near East, Trend reports with reference to the same party.
Mollazade informed Lenk about the activity of the party. Besides,
he noted that he supports to resolve the process in Near East through
peaceful means and negotiations.

Democratic Armenia Union: US policy in Armenia has failed
Regnum, Russia
July 17 2006
The Democratic Armenia Union has initiated signatures collecting to
support the decision to recall US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans.
On behalf of the union on July 17 Chair of the National Press Club
Narine Lazarian talked to the press. She read out the statement and
informed that over 100 signatures haâ been collected and several
political parties joined the statement. As a REGNUM correspondent
reports, it is still unknown, which parties signed the document.
The statement says that drastic Armenia’s withdrawal from democratic
processes, decline of Armenia’s authority at international agencies,
deepening and encouraging of vicious deeds in the party sphere,
decline of freedom of speech, full control over electronic mass
media and censorship taking root, increase of corruption etc. have
become the basis for “a cynical falsification of outcomes of the
referendum on amending the Armenian constitution in November 2005,
which, in turn, brought about desperation in the country fixing a
social and political crisis.” The Democratic Armenia Union announces
that all that has shown failure of the US policy to spread democracy
and establish freedom values in Armenia. At the same time, the union
puts responsibility for the failure upon US Ambassador to Armenia
John Evans, US embassy and institutions that were designed to develop
democracy in the country on the account of US taxpayers.
“We, Armenian citizens, being concerned and interested in establishing
democracy, law obedient state and civil society in Armenia, call upon
the US Senate to speed up the process of replacing the ambassador,”
the statement runs. Besides, the union calls upon the Armenian
lobby to secure that a new US ambassador is devoted to democracy,
values of freedom in the name of strengthening Armenia and improving
Armenian-US relations.
The statement, according to Narine Lazarian, will be sent to the US
Senate and Armenian organizations.
It is worth mentioning, in March 2006 the issue was posed of
recalling US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans before hid term was
over. However, at present time the process has been suspended for an
unknown period. Richard Hoagland, who is now head of the US diplomatic
mission in Tajikistan, is a possible candidature to the post. It should
be noted, the reason for recalling the US Ambassador John Evans was,
most probably, his statement concerning the Armenian Genocide in the
Ottoman Empire in 1915. At a meeting with members of the Armenian
community in San Francisco on February 19, 2006, John Evans stressed
“necessity of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.” “I will today call it
the Armenian Genocide,” Evans said. Members of the US administration
and officials refrain from using the word “genocide” concerning the
events that happened in Turkey in the beginning of the last century
and preferred to use various descriptive phrases and attributes. “No
US official have ever denied this fact. Things should be called by
their proper names,” he noted.
“The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide in the 20th century,”
Evans is quoted as saying noting that the world was not ready for a
proper reaction then. “I pledge to you, we are going to do a better
job at addressing this issue,” Evans reportedly said then.
–Boundary_(ID_UxEWD7xpa8xRKBxhUdVp7g)–

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 17 2006
G8 called Armenia, Azerbaijan to show political will and reach
agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh yet in 2006
Source: Trend
Author: À.Mammadov
17.07.2006
G8 called Armenia and Azerbaijan to show political will and reach
agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh, says the statement of G8 group chairman,
Trend reports with reference to ITAR-TASS.
“During the discussion, Nagorno-Karabakh issue was raised”, says
the document. “We confirmed that G8 upholds OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen arbitrating efforts and underlined the necessity in
soonest coordination of the basic principles of the conflict peaceful
settlement ye in 2006”, it says.
“We call Armenia and Azerbaijan to show political will and reach
agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as prepare national to peace,
not war”, the statement says.
–Boundary_(ID_cIb55x/OH/BWuJFBYZozsw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Today, Azerbaijan
July 17 2006
Azeri analyst says NATO execs ‘were aware’ of Armenian arsons
17 July 2006 [14:18] – Today.Az
An Azeri political analyst has said NATO generals were aware
beforehand that Armenians would set fire to the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan.
“About two months prior to the outbreak of the fire, Armenian general
Arzumanian openly stated at an event in NATO’s press-center that
they would burn Azerbaijani territories. The alliance officials did
not react to this in any way,” Rovshan Novruzoghlu said. He explained
this by what he called NATO’s intention to station its military bases
in the Aghdam, Fuzuli and Khojavand Districts.
“Superpowers are planning to set up both Russian and NATO bases in
the occupied areas of Azerbaijan, just like in Kyrgyzstan.”
The analyst added that Russia’s non-interference with the developments
is due to a previously-reached agreement, AssA-Irada reports.
/AzerNEWS/
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MP Warns against Overlooking of Mid-East Crisis
Fars News Agency, Iran
July 17 2006
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Chairman of the Parliament’s National
Security Commission stressed that the Middle-East crisis would continue
as long as realities of the region remain unheeded.
Speaking in a meeting with the chairman of Armenia-Iran Parliamentary
Friendship Group, Alaoddin Boroujerdi described the two countries’
relations excellent and stated that establishing deeper relations
with the neighboring states, including Armenia, sets a priority for
the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy.
The parliament deputy viewed the role of parliamentary friendship
groups influential in the development of bilateral relations and
reiterated the need for continued exchange of political visits.
Elsewhere, he referred to the ongoing crisis in the region and said
that the Islamic Republic of Iran is decisive to utilize all its
potentials to render help and assistance to the Iraqi people and
cooperate with the government of that country for the establishment
of stability and calm.
Boroujerdi termed presence of the alien troops a major factor
responsible for the intensification of the present unrests in Iraq
and stressed the necessity for the immediate withdrawal of foreign
troops from that country.
Regarding Afghanistan, the chairman of the Parliament’s National
Security and Foreign Policy Commission stated that Tehran would make
an optimal use of its potentials and capabilities to help to the
reconstruction of Afghanistan, adding that Iran has made enormous
efforts and dedicated many of its valuable troops to prevent transit
of illicit drugs to Europe .
Referring to the Middle-East crisis, the MP pointed out that the mass
killing of the innocent civilians with high-tech weaponries cannot
be interpreted as a display of power while it does not help to the
settlement of crisis either.
“Such actions would add up another black point to the Zionist regime’s
already dark performance report,” he continued.
Touching on Iran’s nuclear issue, Boroujerdi reminded that Tehran is
not asking for anything beyond its NPT rights, stressing that Iran
will not give up its right.
He described continued talks as a necessity for solving the current
stalemate, underlining that the Islamic Republic of Iran may not submit
to foreign pressures for the suspension of its nuclear enrichment.
For his part, head of Armenia-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group
Galust Sahakian viewed his country’s relations with the Islamic
Republic of Iran to be moving on a growing trend and further
stressed the need for the utilization of all the existing political
and parliamentary potentials for the deepening of mutual ties and
cooperation.
Noting the visit of the Armenian parliamentary friendship group to
Iran, he stated that continued exchange of political and cultural
visits between the two counties would render considerable help
and assistance to the development of mutual understanding and the
ever-growing expansion of relations.
To conclude his words, he called for the increasing support of the
Islamic Consultative Assembly for the development of the two states’
relations in various political, economic and industrial grounds.

BÝA, Turkey
July 17 2006
Civil Disobedience Spreads for Hrant Dink
Initiative For Freedom of Expression expand civil disobedience action
through public declaration denouncing themselves as “co-offenders” of
journalist Dink after appeals court upholds a suspended 6 month
sentence criminalizing his article in Agos weekly
BIA News Center
17/07/2006 Erol ONDEROGLU
BÝA (Istanbul) – The Initiative for Freedom of Expression has expanded
its civil disobedience action launched together with more than 20
intellectuals last March to embrace weekly Armenian Turkish Agos
newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink whose 6 month suspended prison
sentence for an article in the paper was upheld by the Turkish Court
of Cassation last week.
Although Dink will not serve the prison sentence unless he commits
a “similar offence” within the next five years, the appeals court
verdict criminalizes opinions he expressed in his February 2004 column
in Agos on “the Armenian Identity”.
Dink was found guilty of “insulting Turkish identity” under Article
301 of the criminal code despite the prosecutor’s opinion that an
offence of that nature had not taken place.
The initiative and those involved in its civil disobedience campaign
are now collecting more signatures from those willing to denounce
themselves as co-offenders of Dink and publicly state that they too
participated in his “offence”. The public declaration will then be
published through the media in the form of advertisements.
“We declare that on behalf of freedom of expression we defend Agos
newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrank Dink’s article which was regarded
as an offence under article 301 of the new Penal Code and that we
participate in this offence” a statement issued by the group and
circulating on the internet for more signatures says.
Already pre-signed by a number of renown Turkish intellectuals
including journalists, writers, jurists and human rights activists
involved in the campaign, the declaration demands controversial article
301 to be abolished immediately on grounds that it is an obstacle in
front of freedom of opinion and expression. .
The initiative has called on “everyone who is in an effort for the
democratization of Turkey and places importance in the freedom of
opinion and expression to undersign the text”.
As Dink’s written opinions are part of an upcoming “Freedom of
Expression Booklet” that is challengingly collecting articles that have
been made subject to thought crime prosecutions in Turkey, a large
number of signatures are expected to be collected in the expanded
phase of the campaign to publish it together with all the signatures.
RSF: We are baffled
In a separate development, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
has said in a statement that it “was baffled” by the appeals court
decision to uphold Dink’s sentence “for referring to the 1915 genocide
against the Armenians”.
“We are surprised by this conviction which is particularly shocking
for the entire profession,” said the press freedom organization.
“This ruling will strengthen the climate of self-censorship on subjects
which are seen as sensitive by the Turkish state.”
RSF said, “Turkey’s criminal law is among Europe’s most repressive
towards freedom of expression. It is unacceptable that criticism
of institutions or offences of opinion should be liable to prison
sentences. The criminal code, particularly Articles 301 and 125,
should be urgently amended to conform to European standards.”
It recalled that Turkey had already been condemned at least five times
by the European Court of Human Rights since the start of 2006, for its
failure to respect free expression and that Dink was further facing up
to three years in prison in connection with another trial in which he
is accused of “trying to influence the course of justice”. (EO/II/YE)
–Boundary_(ID_hieCd8t9bsai5J6EHhiSdQ) —

MATTHEW BRYZA’S STATEMENT NO SURPRISE FOR ARMENIA’S AUTHORITIES
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 17 2006
YEREVAN, July 17. /ARKA/. US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
Bryza’s statement was not a surprise for Armenia’s authorities,
RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyann told reporters.
“The OSCE MG Co-Chair regularly informed us of the negotiating
process,” the Minister said.
Oskanyan made a generally positive appraisal of the statement, as
“open brackets will allow all sections of Armenia’s population to
discuss this issue.”
The Minister also pointed out that he is not going to organize a
campaign for a framework agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh. “This document
is just a compromise which allows the parties to enter a new stage
in negotiations, and it is not perfect for Armenia,” Oskanyan said.
On June 23, Matthew Bryza made the fundamental principles of the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement public He pointed out that the conflicting
parties were discussing a framework agreement. Under the agreement,
Armenian forces are to leave the Azerbaijani territories under
control. The agreement also envisages the stationing of peace-makers in
the conflict zone, international economic aid to Nagorno-Karabakh and
a referendum on the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. P.T. -0-

COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S INFORMATION CENTER IN ARMENIA ORGANIZES MEETING
FOR COMBAT AGAINST TRAFFICKING
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 17 2006
YEREVAN, July 17. /ARKA/. The Information Center of the Council of
Europe in Armenia organized a regular meeting for NGOs involved in
the combat against trafficking.
The COE Information Center reported that the activity is aimed at
establishing cooperation in dissemination of the relevant papers
and releases of the COE and raising the public awareness of the COE
activity in the combat against trafficking.
The Special representative of the COE Secretary General Boyana Urumova
had a talk at the meeting and focus attention on the importance of
the COE Convention on the combat against trafficking.
COE expert Gulnara Shaginyan, in her turn, presented those works
in details, which were implemented during the elaboration of the
Convention and acquainted the participants with the role and importance
of the document at the European level.
Upon the end of the meeting, the participants watched the documentary
“Not For Sale”, shot by Internews NGO in association with the COE
information center. The meeting participants agreed on cooperation
in the combat against trafficking within the frameworks of the COE
activities. R.O. -0–
About 20 local NGOs and representatives of the Armenian Foreign
Ministry and UNDP took part in the meeting. R.O. -0–