UNPO, Netherlands
May 30 2006
Circassia: Minority Asserts its Identity
Long considered Turkey’s most integrated and harmonious ethnic
minority, the Circassians have recently started claiming more
community rights including own language schools and want the
international community to pressure Russia into recognising what they
say was a “genocide” carried out by Czarist troops in the mid 1860s.
The move coincides with the start of Turkey’s membership talks with
the European Union which has enshrined minority rights in many of its
policies.
According to estimates, some 120,000 Circassians live in Jordan,
45,000 in Syria, and 4,000 in Israel, but the bulk of the diaspora –
3.5 million – live in Turkey. This figure is four times more than the
population living in the Circassians’ traditional homeland in the
North Caucasus, a mountaneous region north of Georgia and Azerbaijan
consisting of several semi-autonomous republics in the Russian
Federation.
Circassians, who are mostly Sunni Muslim, annually commemorate May 21
in rememberance of the mass deportation of their compatriots
beginning on that day in 1864 following the end of the
Russian-Circassian War.
The war ended with the fall of Circassia and was followed by the
forced removal of between 1.2 and 1.5 million Circassians from their
lands. Up to 500,000 died of hunger and illness during the forced
exodus, a deathtoll that Circassian activists say formed part of a
genocidal plan by the Czarist troops to obliterate their nation.
“May 21” commemoration activities have steadily increased in recent
years in different parts of Turkey. The main event this year was an
international conference held in Istanbul last week and attended by
Circassian and Russian intellectuals to discuss the mass
deportations. Titled the International Caucasus Conference, the
gathering was organised by the Caucasus Foundation. Another major
event was a meeting in Kefken a town on the Black Sea coas where the
first Circassians, landed in Turkey after being deported. That
gathering was organised by the Caucasus Federation representing 51
Circassian associations
The recent upsurge in Circassian activism have led some observers to
associate it with attempts by Kurds in Turkey to assert their
autonomy and by Armenian lobbying the international community to
force Turkey to acknowledge as “genocide” the mass deaths of
Armenians during Ottoman rule between 1915-20.
“Circassians have begun realising their identity and painful history
in recent years. There were no such events five years ago,” says
Mehdi Nuzhet Cetinbas, honorary president of the Caucasus Foundation,
in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).
“We are discussing some possible initiatives on the recognition of
the Circassian ‘genocide’ by parliaments around the world. The
Turkish parliament hesitates recognising the Circassian genocide
because of Western pressure on [Ankara to] recognise the Armenian
‘genocide’.
“When the Duma (the lower house of Russia’s parliament) accepted a
proposal about Armenians last year, some Turkish deputies [by way of
retort] suggested recognising the Circassian genocide in return last
year, but it was impossible because of Turkey’s warm economic
relations with Russia,” Cetinbas told AKI.
Last year the Circassian Congress, a nongovernmental organisation
based in Maikop, capital of Adygea Republic (a north Caucasus
traditional home of Circassians), applied to the Duma and the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to
recognise the Circassian genocide. The Russian parliament has to date
given no response so far.
Fehim Tastekin, the founder editor of the Agency Caucasus, a news
agency based in Russia’s Caucasus region, says that Moscow is
increasing the pressure on Circassian’s living in ethnic group’s
traditional regions.
“Russia has recently abolished local constitutions in Circassian
regions such as Adygea, Karachay-Cherkes and Kabardino-Balkaria.
According to new Russia legislation, if Circassians returning home
apply for citizenship, they will only be able to have Russian
citizenship and not Circassian. They will need to speak Russian and
show they have lived in Russian territory for at least five years.
“Also Circassian regions are losing their autonomy rights. Now they
can’t choose their president directly. The Kremlin appoints local
leaders in accordance with the new law,” Tastekin told AKI.
Asked whether Circassians living abroad are seeking land compensation
from Russia, Cetinbas replied: “For now this is not on our agenda. We
know Russia will not help on this point and international communities
will not give their support. But if parliaments recognise that the
genocide took place, this will mark a start that will allow us to
talk about more tangible means of compensation.”
“The Circassian diaspora wants to return home. The young generations
do not speak our language. To change this it is crucial that the
Turkish government supports the opening of Circassian language
schools. It is not enough to give permission for private language
courses to be held. We want positive discrimination because
Circassians see Turkey like their own homeland, and are co-founders
of the modern republic,” Cetinbas said.
While current diplomatic barriers continue to frustate Circassian
attempts for international recognition, Cetinbas remains confident
that circumstances will change in the future. “I hope all nations
will know about the Circassian’s tragedy,” he said.
;par =4578

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 30, 2006
___________________
GRADUATION PROGRAM SET FOR JUNE 10
For the past six years they have focused on learning the Armenian language,
faith, culture, and traditions through the Khrimian Lyceum, the Eastern
Diocese’s educational program for local Armenian School graduates. On June
10, six Khrimian students will graduate, with five more marking the
completion of the first half of the six-year program.
Students in the program meet monthly for regular classes and guest lectures
from experts in a variety of fields. Along with the program held at the
Diocesan Center in New York, a Khrimian Lyceum was also recently started in
the Boston area.
WRAPPING UP A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
The last few sessions of the New York area Khrimian Lyceum have been filled
with special speakers. Parents and other guests were invited to join the
young scholars for a symposium on April 8, 2006.
“We wanted to give students a deeper understanding of the different
disciplines of our culture,” said Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of
Armenian studies for the Diocese. “Plus, we wanted to expose them to
contemporary events and thinking, to see a little of the possible future for
our people.”
Using a slide show of his work, Harry Koundakjian, a photographer and
coordinator of the Middle East archives for the Associated Press, spoke
about the disasters, wars, and landmark events — including the inclusion of
the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations — that he has covered in his
career. He was followed by freelance reporter Florence Avakian, who used
her life story to encourage the students to follow their dreams in choosing
a career path.
Armenian architectural expert Kevork Khrimian spoke about the cultural and
historic aspects that shaped Armenian architecture, particularly its great
churches. Actress and playwright Nora Armani spoke about the Armenian
stage, particularly the two key centers of Armenian theater in the 19th
century: Tbilisi, Georgia, and Istanbul.
THOUGHTS FROM AN ALUMNA
During their May class, before taking their final exams, the Khrimian Lyceum
students heard from a successful alumna, Ani Nalbandian, who spoke about her
self-published book “Polis: A Way of Life.”
She spoke about how the lessons she learned at the Khrimian Lyceum helped
strengthen her identity.
GRADUATION
Six students will graduate this year during a ceremony at New York City’s
St. Vartan Cathedral at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 10. Five others will go
through the azkatroshn ceremony marking the completion of half the program.
During that ceremony, each student will be joined by sponsors who pledge to
support them in their education.
For more information on next year’s program and how to register your
children, contact Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian by e-mailing
[email protected] or calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 48.
— 5/30/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Photo-journalist Harry Koundakjian presents a photo of
the rising of the Republic of Armenia’s flag at the United Nations to
students at the Khrimian Lyceum symposium at the Eastern Diocesan Center on
April 8, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Journalist Florence Avakian with the young students at
the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Kevork Khrimian speaks about Armenian architecture
during the Khrimian Lyceum symposium on April 8, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Students in the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum program listen
to Nora Armani speak about Armenian theatrical traditions.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): Khrimian Lyceum graduate Ani Nalbandian speaks about the
power of young people during the last day of class for the 2005/2006 school
year.

Outlook , India
May 29 2006
Indian men, women suffer defeat
>From Our Chess Correspondent Turin (Italy), May 29 (PTI) Indian men
suffered their second defeat in the Chess Olympiad going down to
defending champion Ukraine in the seventh round while their women
counterparts were outdone by United States in quick time here.
After Viswanathan Anand drew with former World championship
challenger Vassily Ivanchuk on the top board, Grandmaster Krishnan
Sasikiran also signed peace pact besides GM Sandipan Chanda.
But a shocking loss on the third board by former world junior
champion P Harikrishna cost dearly to the Indians as they lost by a
narrow 1.5-2.5 margin in the end.
Overnight sole leader Armenia had it easy with a 3-1 victory over
giant killer Netherlands with a 3-1 margin in this round, the Russian
men were sitting pretty with a 3-0 score and one game in hand against
Belarus.
The Indian women had a bad day for the first time in the women’s
Olympiad, being played simultaneously, as they were thrashed by the
US by a huge 0.5-2.5 margin.
The loss for the Indian eves – worried by health problem of Koneru
Humpy — was really shocking as they had been doing quite well so far
in the event. Humpy was rested for the first time in the Olympiad
while Swati Ghate and Mary Ann Gomes also cited health problems.

uefa.com, Switzerland
May 29 2006
MIKA add to cup collection
Monday, 29 May 2006
FC MIKA have won the first Armenian Super Cup in their history after
beating league champions FC Pyunik 3-2 at the Republican stadium in
Yerevan.
Decisive contribution
Armen Shahgeldyan, who scored the only goal in MIKA’s Armenian Cup
final win against Pyunik, opened the scoring for MIKA after 17
minutes and then set up his side’s second six minutes later,
providing the pass for Vardan Hovhannisyan to drive the ball into the
net from 18 metres.
Third time lucky
Agvan Lazarian pulled a goal back for Pyunik before Shahgeldyan won
and converted a penalty in the second half to put the game out of
Pyunik’s reach. Levon Pachadzhan scored again for Pyunik but they
could not complete a comeback leaving MIKA to celebrate their first
Super Cup win in three attempts.
Photo:
ope/news/Kind=2/newsId=425638.html

PanARMENIAN.Net
Explosion Hit Airbus Plant in France

29.05.2006 15:37 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ An explosion hit an Airbus factory in southern
France on Monday, injuring at least five people, emergency officials
said. The reason for the blast was unclear. Two people suffered
serious injuries, according to the regional fire and rescue
department. Rescue teams surrounded the aircraft plant, in the city of
Toulouse in the French Pyrenees.
According to preliminary data, the explosion happened in a building
containing a hydraulic press, what caused the building to
collapse. The cause of the blast, which occurred at 7:45 a.m. (0545
GMT), was not immediately clear, said Associated Press.
Toulouse is home to Airbus Industry, one of the world’s two largest
manufacturers of commercial airliners.
To remind, on the night of May 3 Airbus-320 belonging to Armavia
national carrier crashed in the Black Sea 6 km away from Adler airport
killing all of 113 people aboard, including 6 children and 8
crewmembers. Among them were 26 Russian citizens, one Ukrainian and
one Georgian citizen, while the rest were Armenian citizens.

Yemen Times, Yemen
May 29 2006
Mocha…Yemeni coffee

Mozi Bayer Los Angeles, USA [email protected]

Most of the Americans know very little about Yemen but most of them
knows the word: Mocha, very well. Americans love to drink coffee. In
recent years Starbucks Coffee shops were open in all over the United
States. They became so popular that they even established branches in
European countries and even in Middle East. Most of the Americans
stop in one of the coffee shops on the way to work and they sip their
coffee while they drive.
When you are in Starbucks Coffee Shop, you will see lots of varieties
of coffees. Coffee from Brazil, from Colombia and Mocha Coffee. In
fact the Mocha coffee is one of the most popular ones.
The Americans who drink Mocha coffee don’t know that the name comes
from Yemen. Al Mucha, the historical port city of Yemen had given its
name to this popular coffee. When Yemen was ruled by Turks, coffee
was brought to Ottoman Empire from the port of Al Mucha. Turks
invented a cooking style of coffee and for many centuries it is known
as Turkish Coffee. Armenians and Greeks cook coffee exactly at the
same way, but for nationalistic purposes, they call the coffee;
Armenian Coffee, or Greek Coffee.
These days in my home country, Turkey, tea is drank much more than
the Turkish Coffee. First of all coffee is imported from South
America and it is much more expensive than tea which is grown in
Turkey. Secondly most of the young people finds coffee very strong
and they prefer the soothing taste of brewed tea. It is great to
drink a cup of tea flavored with a slice of lemon either in a cold
winter day, or in a hot summer night. Nevertheless Turkish coffee is
drank in some occasions, such as in engagement and wedding
ceremonies. The young people who prefer to drink coffee use the
instant coffee instead of traditional Turkish Coffee. Nescafe is the
most popular instant coffee brand and even when the people uses other
brands, they still call instant coffee as Nescafe!
Mocha gives its name not only to coffee, but also to coffee flavored
ice cream and chocolates.
I regret that Yemen today is producing much less coffee than a
century ago. I heard that Qat plants is replacing the coffee ones. I
hope the Yemeni farmers will show more interest to their legendary
coffee and they will give more chance to coffee lovers in the world
to taste their Mocha coffee.
;p= letters&a=1

RIA Novosti, Russia
May 29 2006
Armenia, Azerbaijan report fatalities in disputed border clash
13:37 | 29/ 05/ 2006

YEREVAN/BAKU, May 29 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia and Azerbaijan both
claimed fatalities after a shootout between soldiers in the region of
Nagorny-Karabakh, and accused each other of breaching a ceasefire
agreement Monday.
“An Armenian military serviceman was killed as a result of a shot
from the Azerbaijani side at Armenian positions in the Noyemberyansky
region at around 8.30 p.m. [Moscow time, 4.30 p.m. GMT] May 27,”
defense ministry spokesman Seiran Shakhsuvaryan said.
But an Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman denied the claim, and
said an Azerbaijani soldier was killed.
“An Azerbaijani soldier was killed as a result of shelling by
Armenian units stationed on mount Lele-Ilahi in Azerbaijan’s Fizuli
region,” Ilgar Verdiev said.
The conflict between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and
Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region with a
largely Armenian population, first erupted in 1988, when the region
claimed independence from Azerbaijan to join Armenia.
Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988 and
1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded in
1994, leaving Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.

Armenian general to attend Baku meeting of CIS defence council – agency
Arminfo
29 May 06
Yerevan, 29 May: Maj-Gen Aleksey Antonyan, representative of the
Armenian armed forces in the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States]
and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, will represent
Armenia at a meeting of the Council of Defence Ministers of the CIS
countries in Baku, the press secretary of the Armenian Defence
Ministry, Col Seyran Shakhsuvaryan, has told Arminfo.
The meeting will take place on 31 May. As was reported earlier,
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan will not take part in the
meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

New Anatolian, Turkey
May 29 2006
Azerbaijani parliamentarian: Key to solving Nagorno-Karabakh is in
Russia’s hands
Senem Caglayan – The New Anatolian / Ankara

Azerbaijani parliamentarian Akram Abdullayev said that the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem is a legacy of the Soviet Union to
Azerbaijan and Armenia and therefore the key to a solution rests in
Russia’s hands.
Speaking to The New Anatolian in an exclusive interview, Abdullayev,
who describes himself as a close friend to Turkey, also dismissed the
efforts of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia towards finding a solution
to the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that the issue is
more complicated than was predicted. He urged the big powers to work
in cooperation with Russia in order to find a solution.
Warning against the dangers of a failure to find a diplomatic
solution to the disputed enclave, Abdullayev said that the
Azerbaijani people might think of military options since it is
unacceptable for them to give these lands to Armenia. Citing the
growing Azerbaijani economy and military, and predicting that the
Azerbaijani military budget will equal Armenia’s in the years to
come, Abdullayev stated that time is on Azerbaijan’s side.
Abdullayev, a member of the Turkish-Azerbaijani Interparliamentary
Friendship Group, expressed his hope for further development and
strengthening of relations between the two countries in various
areas, calling on Turkey and other Turkic nations to bring the
genocide committed against the Turks to the agenda of European
parliaments in retaliation for Armenian genocide claims.
Touching on the Iranian nuclear standoff, the Azerbaijani
parliamentarian said his country favors a diplomatic solution to the
crisis, warning of the dangers of military action against Iran for
the region. Abdullayev also hinted at Azerbaijan’s readiness to act
like a bridge between the U.S. and Iran to bring the nuclear standoff
to an end, citing his country’s good relations with the U.S. and
historic ties with neighboring Iran.
Amid the current row between the Iranian Azeris and Tehran over an
Iranian newspaper’s publication of humiliating cartoons of Iranian
Azeris, Abdullayev stated that although the Iranian Azeris play an
important role in their country’s politics, they would not push for a
regime change in the country, despite the assertions of some U.S.
circles. Warning against any kind of foreign intervention in the
domestic affairs of a country, Abdullayev said, “The Iranian people
choose their presidents and their regime. Foreign intervention would
create dangerous results and many problems.”
Here’s what Akram Abdullayev had to tell us:
TNA: How do you see the level of relations between Turkey and
Azerbaijan, and what could be done to further develop relations?
Abdullayev: I see no problem in bilateral relations. During the
latest visit of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to Azerbaijan,
the two sides had consultations on how to further develop relations,
and this visit was also the confirmation of strategic friendship and
cooperation between the two countries. Whenever Azerbaijan faces a
problem during Council of Europe (CoE) meetings, Turkey is the sole
supporter of Azerbaijan. The mutual support during the Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) meetings is another indicator of
our warm relations and friendship. I hope our relations will be
further developed in various areas.
TNA: What’s your idea about the Nagorno-Karabakh problem? Are you
hopeful about a solution?
Abdullayev: Certainly, all the problems have solutions. Talks to find
a peaceful solution to the dispute will continue. President Ilham
Aliyev also discussed this issue during his meeting with U.S.
President George W. Bush in Washington. But should no peaceful
solution be found to the disputed enclave, the Azerbaijani people are
in favor of regaining these lands through military means. We won’t
give up these lands. We won’t present them to Armenia. If a solution
isn’t found through peace, the last resort for us is war.
TNA: What are your expectations from Turkey in this dispute?
Abdullayev: In this problem, Turkey is Azerbaijan’s political
partner. Turkey has an important role in the process of finding a
solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute but at the same time Turkey
has its own problems with Armenia. Armenians brought the Armenian
genocide claims to the agenda of the world in order to create a
headache for Turkey. Turkey has to work for the benefits of
Azerbaijan.
TNA: Could the process of normalization of relations between Turkey
and Armenia contribute to efforts to find a peaceful solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute?
Abdullayev: This problem can’t be solved even if Turkey establishes
diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan or within the process of
normalization of relations because the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute isn’t
the problem of the region. The efforts of Turkey, Azerbaijan and
Armenia aren’t enough to solve the problem. We need the efforts of
big powers and organizations. The key to a solution is especially in
the hands of Russia. The Russian Army is in Armenia and if Azerbaijan
tries to find a solution through military means, it will face the
Russian Army.
It seems to me that finding a solution to the divided enclave is very
difficult. But time is on Azerbaijan’s side. This year Armenia’s
total budget is $1 billion, and the Azerbaijani military’s share of
the total budget is $600 billion. According to Aliyev’s estimates,
the Azerbaijani military’s share of the budget will be higher that
Armenia’s budget in the years to come. Azerbaijan is building up its
military but Armenia is unable to do that. Azerbaijan’s total budget
is more than $4 billion this year and it will be more than $6 billion
next year. As our country will develop economically, we will take our
deserved place among the world states and will have a big position.
TNA: Why aren’t Russia and other big powers working for a solution?
Do they have any interests in the continuation of the dispute in
Nagorno-Karabakh?
Abdullayev: There are visible and invisible sides of politics. The
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute didn’t start yesterday, it stems from the
1988 events while Gorbachev was president. Fifteen republics split
off from the Soviet Union. At that time the Soviet Union created
problems for each split-off republic in order to stop their
development. For instance, it created the Abkhazia problem for
Georgia, the Crimean problem for Ukraine and the Nagorno-Karabakh
problem for Azerbaijan and Armenia. At that time nobody wanted the
dissolution of the Soviet Union but this process was inevitable in
general. The Nagorno-Karabakh dispute is the legacy of the Soviet
Union to Azerbaijan. For these reasons, a solution could only be
found as a result of negotiations between Russia and other big
powers.
TNA: What is Azerbaijan’s position towards the Armenian genocide
claims and the French bill introducing prison terms for people who
question these claims?
Abdullayev: While bringing the genocide claims to the agenda of
European parliaments, Armenia aimed at creating an obstacle for
Turkey’s membership bid in the European Union. Those who brought the
issue to the French Parliament are the European parliamentarians well
paid by the Armenian lobby. Today, neither the Turkish genocide nor
the Armenian genocide is important for France.
Turks are a nation which faced a brutal genocide. But they didn’t
make their voices heard in the world. I think both Turkey and other
Turkic nations should bring the genocide committed against the Turks
to the world’s agenda and should work for the recognition of the
genocide by the international community.
TNA: What’s the position of Azerbaijan towards the nuclear standoff
between Iran and the West?
Abdullayev: Azerbaijan supports finding a diplomatic solution to the
nuclear crisis and it opposes military action against Iran.
Azerbaijan is a historic neighbor of Iran and the two countries have
good relations. There are some 20 million Iranian Azeris living in
Iran. Therefore, Azerbaijan can’t accept military action against Iran
and can’t stand to shed the blood of our brothers.
TNA: Can Azerbaijan play a mediator role between Iran and the U.S. in
the nuclear crisis, given the role of the Iranian Azeris?
Abdullayev: It might be or might not be. Since 2001 Azerbaijan has
become a member of the anti-terror coalition. It has good relations
both with the U.S. and Iran. Besides, it has cultural ties with Iran.
Iranian Azeris play a role in Iranian politics. For those reasons,
Azerbaijan can be a bridge between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. hasn’t
suggested that Azerbaijan play such a role yet, but the Azerbaijani
Parliament might consider debating this issue.
TNA: Can the Iranian Azeris be a catalyst for regime change in Iran,
as asserted by some U.S. circles?
Abdullayev: I don’t accept the intervention of any country in the
domestic affairs of another. If the Iranian citizens want to change
the regime, they will vote in accordance with this aim. The Iranian
president and regime are determined by the votes of its citizens.
Therefore, this issue should be left to the citizens. Even if the
U.S. wants to change the regime, it would be very difficult, and
intervention in Iranian politics would create dangerous consequences.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 29 2006
ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION IS ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT
Interview with NKR Attorney General Armen Zalinian, the head of the
Task Force on NKR Constitution.
AA: “Mr. Zalinian, you have been working on the NKR Constitution bill
for over a year. In what stage are you now?” Armen Zalinian:
“Generally, the process of working out and adopting a constitution
defies hastiness. Every point requires a thorough consideration,
meaningful and tried approaches and tools. We are guided by these
principles, and considerable work has been done so far. The concept
of the NKR Constitution has been published, and currently the
constitutional committee is discussing the first two chapters, namely
the provisions on constitutional order and the basic human and civil
rights, freedoms and duties. It means that soon we are going to have
the main law of our country.” AA: “What are the basic tenets of the
NKR Constitution?” Armen Zalinian: “Those are reflected in the
concept. As a constitution of a sovereign, democratic, legal, social
state, in the NKR Constitution the right for self-determination
fulfilled by the people of Artsakh, promotion of democracy, rule of
law, human rights and freedoms, promotion of local governance,
establishment of a civil society will be set down. These are the main
components, upholding law and lawfulness between the society and the
state. The key idea of the Constitution is the following scheme: rule
of right through the law.” AA: “In the long run, how will Nagorno
Karabakh benefit from the adoption of the Constitution? After all,
the country has existed without a constitution for 15 years.” Armen
Zalinian: “A country’s constitution is the determinant and the result
of a people’s historical evolution. A constitution imbibes the spirit
of a people, its legal thought and heritage, established in the
course of centuries, the system of values, which guide the
aspirations of these people. The fact that Karabakh lived without a
constitution for years on is ordinary from the standpoint that a
newly established country is unable to adopt a constitution in a
short period of time. It is necessary to have experience in state
building and a choice of guidelines. Besides, the people of NKR were
forced into a war and then had to overcome the hardships of this war
in the legal, social and economic, spiritual and cultural and, why
not, home political spheres. Over the past 15 years a tangible
experience in state building has been accumulated, which is a
sufficient ground for having our own constitution.” AA: “Is the NKR
Constitution going to be a copy of the Constitution of the Republic
of Armenian in terms of contents and form?” Armen Zalinian: “The NKR
Constitution will be a constitution of a sovereign, democratic,
legal, social state with semi-presidential governance. It will be
consistent with the tendencies and demands of development of
constitutionalism in the world. And the reality determined by the
necessity of strengthening our independent statehood will certainly
be taken into consideration. The necessary tools have been worked
out. In this context, the constitutional experience of the Republic
of Armenia, the logic and philosophy of the constitutional reform are
very important. Several provisions introduced in the renewed
Constitution of Armenia will be used in our Constitution. The
constitutional experience of other countries is also taken into
consideration. In other words, we pick up everything that is
positive, everything that proved successful.” AA: “What will be the
procedure of adopting the Constitution?” Armen Zalinian: “Naturally,
a referendum. I believe that our people will vote to the referendum
on the Constitution, because the adoption of the Constitution will be
another important step towards the establishment and strengthening of
our republic.”
SVETLANA KHACHATRIAN.