NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY: TO AGREE WITH NEW REFERENDUM IN KARABAKH MEANS FOR ARMENIA TO REFUSE RECOGNITION OF RESULTS OF 1991 REFERENDUM
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. To agree with
holding a new referendum to decide status of Nagorno Karabakh means
for the Armenian side to refuse recognition of legality and results
of the 1991 referendum.
This is said in the publication entitled “Demographic Trap” placed
in the NKR Foreign Ministry’s official web site.
According to the publication, some European structures push forward
their interests in the issue of the Karabakh settlement, – which in
reality correspond with the Azerbaijani ones for a number of reasons,-
using for that purpose “public organizations,” formally independent,
but in reality, controlled by the above-mentioned structures.” One
of them, “International Crisis Group” (ICG), attempts to put under
doubt legality of the December 10, 1991 referendum, which clearly
expressed the NKR people’s will and was held corresponding to norms
of the international right and the USSR legislation functioning then.
As for the NKR Azerbaijani minority, it was given all possibilities
for expressing free will, but under pressure of official Baku, Azeris
refused their rights and ignored the referendum, displaying just by
it indiference towards future of the country.
“If the Armenian side agrees the idea of the postponed referendum,
after signing the agreement, neither RA nor, especially, NKR may
obstacle Azerbaijan under “peace-keepers'” cover and change demographic
situation in the NKR after “refugees'” return, organize diversions,
instigations and interracial clashes to strain the situation in future
and to pressure on the Armenian inhabitation of the NKR,” is said in
the publication of the NKR Foreign Ministry’s official site. According
to the source, even if the referendum takes place, during the period
of time preceding it, the demographic picture will change in the
NKR in favour of Azerbaijan, and the results of the referendum will
unequivocally be for the latter’s “territorial integrity.”

TURKEY READY TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA, TURK CHAIRMAN OF NATO PA SUB-COMMISSION ASSURES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A delegation of the
NATO Parliamentary Assembly Subcommittees on Democratic Governance
and Future Security and Defence Capabilities arrived in Armenia. The
delegation met with the NATO PA Armenia delegation on June 12.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the NA Public Relations Department,
as for the Armenia-Turkey relations, Armenian delegation head Mher
Shahgeldian mentioned that Armenia has stated many times about its
readiness to start relations without preconditions.
Vahit Erdem (Turkey), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Future
Security and Defence Capabilties mentioned that the NATO has proved
during the history by its structure and peculiarity that it may
create cooperation possibilities for countries having a problem,
especially mentioning as a example development of relations between
Turkey and Greece. It was mentioned that the NATO continues policy
of open doors. According to him, Turkey is ready to develop relations
with Armenia and does not condition them with solutions of conflicts.
Turkey finds that one must look towards future but not past in
the 21st century, must develop relations coming from centuries,
re-starting friendship.
Issues relating to regional conflicts and the Black Sea regional
cooperation were discussed during the meeting with OSCE Deputy
Ambassador Kramp and Military Attache’ Karl Hofstra and RA Foreign
Ministry’s OSCE Department Chief Varuzhan Nersisian.

HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT OF RA ARMED FORCES GENERAL HEADQUARTERS MAJOR-GENERAL BASENTSI AZROYAN DIES
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Head of the Intelligence Department of
RA Armed Forces General Headquarters Major-General Basentsi Azroyan
died on June 12, at the age of 59.
The ceremony of requiem will take place at 18:00, June 13, in
Yerznkian 4, apt 27, the ceremony of last farewell will take place
at 12:00-14:00 at the building of the G.Sundukian National Academic
Theater, the funeral at 14:00 the same day at the Yerablur pantheon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA FOREIGN MINISTER PRESENTS PRIORITIES OF FOREIGN POLICY OF ARMENIA TO NATO PA
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues relating to
the Armenia-NATO relations, Armenia’s Eurointegration and regional
cooperation were discussed at the June 12 meeting of RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
delegation paying a regional visit to Armenia.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, Minister Oskanian presented priorities of
the foreign policy of Armenia, security elements, relations with
neighboring stated. The peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno
Karabakh issue was also discussed briefly.
25 members of the NATO PA Subcommittees on Democratic Governance,
Future Security and Defence Capabilities and the NATO PA International
Secretariate, headed by representative of Turkey Vahit Erdem and
representative of Bulgaria Chetin Kazak, are among the delegation
staff.

DISCUSSION OF ISSUE DIRECTLY CONCERNING ARMENIA NOT ENVISAGED BY AGENDA OF PACE SUMMER SESSION
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Discussion of an issue directly relating
to Armenia is not invisaged by the agenda of the summer session of
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to be convened in
Strasbourg on June 26-30. Tigran Torosian, the RA NA Speaker, the head
of the Armenian delegation to the Assembly informed the Noyan Tapan
correspondent about it. He did not exclude possibility of discussion
of an issue relating to the South Caucasian region, especially to
Azerbaijan, connected with holding parliamentary elections in that
country. According to T.Torosian, involvement of the above-mentioned
issue in the agenda of the Assembly is greatly provided by discussions
envisaged before that at the monitoring committee.
It is still uncertain if Tigran Torosian undertaken the NA Chairman’s
post these days will head the national delegation to the PACE in
future as well, or commissions of the delegation head will be passed
to another member of the delegation.

TIGRAN TOROSIAN: ARMENIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROCEEDS AT HIGHER RATE THAN DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Problems of cooperation between the RA
National Assembly and the IMF were discussed during the June 13 meeting
of the RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian and IMF Resident Representative
to Armenia James McHugh. NT was informed about it from the RA National
Assembly PR Department.
J. McHugh attached special importance to the RA NA’s supervisory
function over all stages of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper,
as well as over programs that the IMF implements jointly with the RA
government and the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA).
T.Torosian said that over the last five years, Armenia’s economic
development has proceeded at a higher rate than the democratic
processes in the country such as the establishment of civil society,
the fight against corruption and polarization of incomes. Whereas,
acoording to him, a complete succees can be achieved only by combining
these two components, which will allow Armenia to occupy its worthy
place in the international commmunity.
Both sides underlined the importance of keeping the public informed:
people should have a clear idea of what is going on and what
expectations to have after each measure taken. It was pointed out that
both awareness and providing information about ongoing developments
are aimed at conveying positive impulses to the society, which is no
less important than economic development and political stability.

TURKEY HAVING NON-CONSTRUCTIVE POSITION IN ISSUE OF NKR INDEPENDENCE RECOGNIZES INDEPENDENCE OF MONTENEGRO
Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006
ANKARA, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Turkey has recognized the Republic of
Montenegro separated from Serbia through a referendum. According to the
Chihan Turkish news agency, Foreign Minister of Montenegro Vlahovich
applied to his Turkish colleague Abdullah Gul for the latter to assist
the international recognition of his state. Gul responded positively
and instructed to undertake all necessary measures for establishing
diplomatic relations with Montenegro.
It is interesting that the Turkish press considers the independence
of Montenegro a good precedent for recognition of the independence of
the self-proclaimed republic of North Cyprus but says nothing about
the fact of Nagorno Karabakh’s becoming independent of Azerbaijan
through a referendum 15 years ago.

MONUMENT TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS OPENED IN FRENCH CITY OF TOULON
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
PARIS, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Ambassador of Armenia
to France Edvard Nalbandian and Toulon Mayor, Senator, former Minister
Hubert Falco opened solemny in the Toulon central park on June 9 the
tufa-built khachkar (cross stone)-monument dedicated to memory of the
1915 Armenian Genocide victims erecting of which the Armenian community
of Toulon assisted. Prefects, deputies, mayors, local self-government
bodies and heads of the French Armenian organizations, hundreds of
representatives of the Armenian community were present at the ceremony.
The French Naval Orchestra performed at the ceremony of opening the
khachkar hymns of Armenia and France, the two countries’ flags were
bent, numerous wreaths were laid to the monument.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, in his speech Ambassador E.Nalbandian mentioned
that khachkars-monuments dedicated to memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims were opened in different cities of France during the recent
years. These khachkars-monuments express the whole French people’s
unreserved condemnation of the Genocide and solidarity with the
Armenian people in a notable and obvious way.
“Within the framework of the Year of Armenia in France, about 40 oldest
khachkars created by Armenian masters will be exhibited in Louvre,
at the exhibition entitled Armenia Sacra, as the brightest display
of the Armenian people’s culture,” E.Nalbandian said.
During the visit paid to Toulon, Ambassador E.Nalbandian discussed
with Hubert Falco preparatory process of events envisaged in Toulon
within the framework of the Year of Armenia to France.

MEETING DEDICATED TO PREPARATORY WORKS OF ARMENIA-DIASPORA THIRD CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE IN FRANCE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A meeting with the
French Armenian Organizations’ Coordinating Commitee took place at the
RA Embassy’s invitation in France on June 10. All French Armenian main
structures are in the staff of the committee. The meeting was dedicated
to preparatory works of the Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference.
RA Ambassador to France Edvard Nalbandian presented issues on agenda
to be discussed at the conference, especially drawing attention to
one of main themes of the conference, to program of development of
rural communities of Armenia, also touched upon the forum entitled
“New Solutions for Old Problems for Nation-State of XXI Century.”
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, opinions were exchanged at the meeting on
securing proper participation of the French Armenian community in the
conference and on issues of involving French experts in the program
of development of rural communities.
Issues relating to formation of the French Armenian delegation at the
conference, preparing reports and proposals on themes on the agenda
were discussed.
At the Ambassador’s request, the French Armenian Organizations’
Coordinating Committee undertook organization issues connected
with participation of the Armenian community of France in the
Armenia-Diaspora Third Conference and committed itself to prepare
for the conference in the best way.

GATHERING-EVENING OF FRENCH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TAKES PLACE IN MARSEILLES
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 13 2006
MARSEILLES, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A gathering-evening
of the Armenian community of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure, France, took
place in Marseilles on June 8. It was initiated by Regional Council
Chairman Michel Vauzelle, and its’ guest of honour was Ambassador of
Armenia in Paris Edvard Nalbandian. About 300 representatives of the
Armenian community organizations of the region were present at the
evening. The region Chairman and the Armenian Ambassador made opening
speeches, heads of Armenian organizations made speeches as well.
As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, in his speech Ambassador Nalbandian touched
upon preparatory works connected with the year of Armenia in France,
mentioning that it is envisaged to hold more than 300 events in about
50 cities of France from September 2006 to the next September. The
events will take place in the most authoritative halls and institutions
of France.
The Ambassador also attached importance to decentralized cooperation,
as an important component of the Armenian-French traditional friendship
relations, and emphasized that within the framework of the year of
Armenia in France, a conference dedicated to the Armenian-French
decentralized cooperation was organized in Paris on October 17, 2006,
under the patronage of the National Assembly and Senate heads, in
which delegations from sister-cities and regions, the two countries’
parliamentary friendship groups will participate.
Prospects of cooperation established between the region of
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure and the marz of Lori in the spheres of
agriculture, health care, education and culture were discussed.
Those making speeches touched upon the law adopted by France
concerning recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its possible
addition by the principle condemning its refusal. It was stated that
necessity of condemning refusal by force of law arises just for the
reason that Turkey continues to lead refusing policy at the state
level and successively to refuse reality of the Armenian Genocide,
giving reason for its new displays and outbursts.
Issues connected with a visit to be paid to Armenia by
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azure Regional Council Chairman Michel
Vauzelle in the first half of this year were also discussed. A large
representative delegation, Mayors, Deputies, representatives of local
authorities and public organizations as well as a group of businessmen
will accompany M.Vauzelle during the visit.
Provence-Alpes-Cote D’Azur is considered one of important regions of
France which involves six departments and has an influential role in
political and economic life of whole France.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress