GARABAGH MEDIATORS FOLLOW UP ON CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Baku, July 3, AssA-Irada
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen mediating settlement to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict on Monday issued
a statement to follow up on their latest remarks that caused a great
deal of debate.
“Taking into account recent speculation about the basic principles
for a peaceful settlement of the Garabagh conflict proposed to both
parties by the Minsk Group co-chairs, it is necessary to make the
following clarification,” said the document released by the French
embassy in Baku.
“On June 22 the co-chairs reported to the OSCE Permanent Council on
the results of the past months of negotiations between the sides
on the Upper Garabagh conflict. They reported on their intensive
mediation activities over the past seven months aimed at achieving
agreement on the basic principles for a settlement.
“Throughout their mediation efforts, the co-chairs stressed the
confidence of their nations and of the international community that
the dispute can be resolved in no other way than a peaceful one”.
The mediation efforts of the intermediaries resulted in the proposal
to Presidents Aliyev and Kocharian of a “set of fair, balanced, and
workable core principles that could pave the way for the two sides
to draft a far-reaching settlement agreement”.
“The principles are based on the redeployment of Armenian troops from
Azerbaijani territories around Upper Garabagh, with special modalities
for Kalbajar and Lachin districts (including a corridor between
Armenia and Upper Garabagh), demilitarization of those territories
and a referendum or population vote — at a date and in a manner to be
decided through further talks — to determine the final legal status
of the region,” the Minsk Group said.
“Suitable pre-conditions would have to be achieved for the vote
to take place in a non-coercive environment in which well-informed
citizens have had ample opportunity to consider their positions after
a vigorous debate in the public arena.”
The mediators indicated that deployment of an international
peacekeeping force and a joint commission for implementation of the
agreement would be established, and international assistance would
be made available for demining, reconstruction, and resettlement of
IDPs in the occupied territories and the war-affected regions. The
MG said the sides would renounce the use or threat of use of force,
and international and bilateral security guarantees and assurances
would be put in place.
Touching on the most recent meeting between the two leaders in
Bucharest, the intermediaries said that unfortunately, the two did
not reach agreement on these principles. The co-chairs, however,
continue to believe that the proposals developed through the past
two years of negotiations “hold the best potential for achieving a
just and lasting settlement of the conflict”.
“We strongly believe that it is now time for the two Presidents to
take the initiative for achieving a breakthrough in the settlement
process based on these principles, and stand ready to assist the
parties to conclude an agreement if the Presidents indicate they are
prepared to do so,” the statement said.
“Although no additional meetings between the sides under the auspices
of the Co-Chairs are planned for the immediate future, they will be
ready to reengage if the parties decide to pursue the talks with the
political will that has thus far been lacking.”

ARMENIAN MINISTER BACKS GARABAGH MEDIATORS’ PROPOSALS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Baku, July 3, AssA-Irada
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has praised the latest
proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen mediating settlement
to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.
“The proposals are largely acceptable for the Armenian side and we are
ready to continue talks with Azerbaijan,” he told a news conference
in Yerevan on Monday.
The minister said the suggestions equally benefit both parties to
the conflict, regarding this as “the right way to reach compromise”.
“I believe that Azerbaijan will realize this and take appropriate
steps,” said Oskanian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE TACKLES MONITORING OF AZERI LAND SET ABLAZE BY ARMENIANS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 4 2006
Baku, July 3, AssA-Irada
The OSCE chairman’s special envoy Andrjej Caspzyk started a monitoring
of the occupied Azeri territories set ablaze by Armenians over the
past month. The three-day research will take place on the frontline
as well as a number of villages of the Aghdam and Khojavand districts,
the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said the observations will be
reflected in a relevant report. He said that considering the gravity of
the situation, the Azerbaijani side has offered to provide assistance
in the activities.
“Andrjej Caspzyk was expected to go there today and I discussed this
with him last week. He will conclude based on his findings which
areas have been affected and how much damage has been inflicted,”
Mammadyarov said.
The Foreign Ministry says over 132 hectares of Azerbaijani land have
been burnt down by Armenians. The financial damage amounts to millions
of dollars.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN READY FOR KARABAKH WAR, MP TELLS ARMENIAN DAILY
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
8 Jun 06
Azerbaijani MP Musa Quliyev has said that he regarded war as the
last option for the settlement of the long-standing dispute between
Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagornyy Karabakh. In an interview with
Armenian Aykakan Zhamanak daily, Quliyev added that Azerbaijan was
ready for war. If the incumbent Armenian president fails to agree
with Azerbaijan on a solution to the conflict, Baku will wait for
the next Armenian president, Quliyev said. The MP also said that he
did not regard Armenia as his motherland although he was born and
brought up there. The following is the text of Naira Zograbyan’s
report by Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak on 8 June headlined
“We are ready for war”; subheadings have been inserted editorially:
An interview with a member of the Milli Maclis [Azerbaijani parliament;
from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party], Musa Quliyev.
[Aykakan Zhamanak correspondent] Mr Quliyev, you were born in the
Sisian Region of Armenia. For how long did you live there?
“Armenia is not my motherland”
[Musa Quliyev] I was born in the Urut village of Sisian Region and
went to a secondary school in Sisian. My parents lived in Urut till
1988. I lived there until I was 17, then I studied in Baku, but spent
my holidays in Urut for 10 years.
[Correspondent] Do you think Armenia is your motherland in a sense?
[Quliyev] I do not think Armenia is my motherland even though I was
born and brought up there.
[Correspondent] When you arrived in Armenia you immediately visited
your native village Urut. Did you meet your kith and kin or neighbours
there?
[Quliyev] What kith and kin or neighbours do you mean? Even the graves
of my father and grandmother were destroyed. What are you talking
about? Of course, I found my house where an old man lives nowadays. He
was quite friendly. I gave him a gift. We had a talk. In Sisian deputy
of your parliament Ovik Azoyan met me. Our parents used to be friends
for many years. But I say again that I could not find my father’s grave
as the Azerbaijani cemetery of Urut has been absolutely demolished.
[Correspondent] You lived in Armenia for many years. Do you not feel
nostalgic for our country?
[Quliyev] I do not feel nostalgic for Armenia, I just miss my native
village Urut.
Azeri public do not justify Ramil Safarov
[Correspondent] Mr Quliyev, you were moving freely in Armenia, nothing
threatened your security, you were not met with anti-Azerbaijani
actions or slogans. Why is anti-Armenian hysteria immediately raised
when an Armenian delegation arrives in your country?
[Quliyev] What should they do – shoot a deputy? As for our attitude to
Armenian delegations, here the problem is different. Our territories
are occupied, there is a large number of refugees and naturally people
feel differently.
If you speak about intolerance, I lived in Armenia and know who
is tolerant and how tolerant they are. We were regarded here as
second-rate people.
[Correspondent] But were Armenians not regarded as second-rate people
in Azerbaijan?
[Quliyev] You should ask Azerbaijani Armenians about that.
[Correspondent] You did not forget to mention the occupied territories
and refugees. But there is history which says that Karabakh as well
as the territories which you consider to be your motherland are
Armenian territories.
[Quliyev] Your history says so.
[Correspondent] Azerbaijani Ramil Safarov who killed Armenian officer
Gurgen Markaryan [at NATO courses in Budapest in February 2004]
was named the person of the year in Azerbaijan. Do you think it is
normal in the 21st century for people to name a murderer the person
of the year?
[Quliyev] Safarov was not named the person of the year. Your
information is false. There were some public organizations which
suggested supporting Safarov, but Azerbaijan has never officially
named him the person of the year. He was not called a hero.
[Correspondent] As an individual can you justify Safarov’s action? What
do the Azerbaijani public think about the murder?
[Quliyev] I myself do not justify his action. A man may be killed
only at war or in accordance with a court verdict. As for the view
of the Azerbaijani public, clever people and politicians believe that
it was a wrong action.
[Correspondent] Does it mean that you agree with the life sentence
for Safarov?
[Quliyev] Nevertheless, I think that the punishment was severe. He
could have been sentenced to 15 to 25 years if the murder had not
been given political colour.
Azerbaijan ready for Karabakh war
[Correspondent] Mr Quliyev, how do you assess the latest meeting of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents? Do you share the [OSCE Minsk
Group] co-chairs’ optimism that 2006 may be a critical year for the
Karabakh conflict settlement?
[Quliyev] I assess positively the meeting of the two presidents and I
think that there is still a chance to settle the conflict peacefully,
such meetings are necessary.
[Correspondent] You speak about a peaceful settlement to the conflict
whereas Azerbaijan makes bellicose statements from time to time at
a very high level.
[Quliyev] You forget that not Armenian but Azerbaijani territories are
occupied. I regard war as the last option for the conflict settlement
and we are ready for it.
[Correspondent] Do you share the view that Armenians and Azerbaijanis
are genetically incompatible?
[Quliyev] There is no such incompatibility. We are neighbours and
are forced to live next to each other. We simply have to find the
formula of peaceful coexistence.
[Correspondent] Finding that formula depends on the Karabakh issue,
but the parties cannot agree their positions. As a deputy of the
Milli Maclis, how do you see a settlement to the Karabakh conflict?
[Quliyev] One thing is indisputable – Karabakh is Azerbaijani land and
the conflict should be settled within the framework of international
norms.
[Correspondent] But nations’ right to self-determination is also an
international norm. Does that mean that you agree that the Karabakh
people may be independent on their territory?
[Quliyev] We have put forward our position clearly: the Karabakh
conflict should be settled according to international norms, and
within the framework of those norms, Azerbaijan is ready to give
Karabakh a high level of autonomy.
[Correspondent] But the Armenian president declared clearly that
Karabakh and Armenia will not agree to any level of autonomy.
[Quliyev] If they do not agree, let me say in jest, we shall wait
for the next president.
[Correspondent] Nevertheless, you forget a very important detail:
Armenia won the war and one should take this into account.
[Quliyev] Armenia did not win the war, it won a battle. These are
different things.

NATO WON’T SUBSTITUTE MINSK GROUP IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT – OFFICIAL
by Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
July 4, 2006 Tuesday
NATO does not want to substitute the OSCE Minsk Group as the Karabakh
settlement intermediary, Assistant Secretary General Jean Fournet
told a Tuesday press conference in Baku.
He is taking part in the NATO Week in Baku.
NATO encourages the Azerbaijani and Armenian search for Karabakh
peace settlement, he said. The alliance thinks that both countries
should avoid moves that may endanger the peace process, he added.
NATO shows big interest in the settlement negotiations, however,
the Minsk Group remains the chief intermediary, Fournet said.
He said that the alliance has a good partnership with all the three
South Caucasian republics and Russia. He said the cooperation will
develop, as all of them encounter the same challenges: terrorism,
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and human trafficking.

CLERICS CONCERNED ABOUT WORLD DEVIATION FROM RELIGIOUS VALUES
Yelena Dorofeyeva, Olga Kostromina
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
July 4, 2006 Tuesday
Delegates to the World Religious Summit are concerned about the modern
world’s deviation from religious values. They think this may lead to
degradation of mankind.
Ethnic and cultural tensions and conflicts threaten mankind, said
Cardinal Walter Kasper. Secularism, especially that in the Western
world, is the main reason for weaker morals, he added. At the same
time, the cardinal stressed the danger of attempts to misuse religion
as a pretext for hatred and murder.
U.S. rabbi Arthur Schneier called for promoting public cooperation
through inter-religious dialog. He thinks that Judaists, Christians,
Muslims and Buddhists must help world leaders to fight intolerance.
Politicians should not treat with contempt the role of religions in
their country, the rabbi said. In his opinion, religion can make a
weighty contribution to the public development.
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Iliya II said that politicians
“should more actively use the religious factor in the globalization
epoch.” “Church and religious leaders may play a serious role in the
solution of such problems as terrorism, national conflicts, refugees,
drug addition and poverty,” he said. In some countries clerics have
such powers, he said.
Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II spoke of the dangerous public
alienation from religious values. He thinks that this alienation is
a cause of cloning and euthanasia.
A Hindu cleric, Sri S.T. Swamiji, said they must recognize the
diversity of the world bestowed by Lord, and help other people accept
this world as it is.
Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassun reminded delegates of the
high mission of human beings. He said that religions are bound to
care for natural resources and people created after the image and
likeness of God.

AZERBAIJAN STATES BID TO CONTINUE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT TALKS
by Sevindzh Abdullaeva, Viktor Shulman
ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
July 4, 2006 Tuesday
Azerbaijan has confirmed its bid to continue negotiations on a
peaceful settlement of the conflict around the mostly Armenian
populated Azerbaijani enclave of Nagorno Karabakh on the basis of a
stage-by-stage approach.
“The Azerbaijani side believes the first stage consists of eight to
ten components, including the pullout from all occupied territories
outside Nagorno Karabakh, the withdrawal of Armenian troops from
there, clearing of the military action zones of mines, a return of
displaced people with guarantees of their security, and restoration
of communications,” a spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
told Tass on Tuesday.
At the second stage, the legal status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region
of the Azerbaijani Republic must be determined, Tair Tagizade said.
This is only possible “on the basis of the Azerbaijani Constitution
within the framework of its territorial integrity after the restoration
of pre-war ethnic composition of Nagorno Karabakh population and
guarantees of security for the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities,”
he added.
“The basis of the talks has always been obvious for Azerbaijan,”
the diplomat stressed, adding that in line with the format of the
Prague process, conflict settlement talks are based on discussions
between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan told a press conference
on Monday that “generally speaking, principles of the Karabakh
settlement proposed by the co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group for
Nagorno Karabakh are acceptable”.
“We are ready to continue negotiations on the basis of those
principles, which are comprehensive, rather balanced and contain
a right alternative for a compromise,” Tass quoted him as saying
in Yerevan.
The minister expressed hope that “Azerbaijan will reconsider its
view of the situation and an opportunity will be created to continue
negotiations and reach positive results”.
Settlement principles of the OSCE Minsk Group were voiced in Vienna
on June 22. As the first stage, the co-chairmen offer a stage-by-stage
withdrawal of an Armenian military group from Azerbaijani territories
surrounding Nagorno Karabakh, and an ensuing demilitarization of
these territories.
Azerbaijan and Armenia must refuse to threat to use force or use it,
and ensure guarantees of bilateral and international security.
A referendum is envisaged in the future, which will determine the
final status of Nagorno Karabakh. The time frame of the referendum
has not been fixed yet. Later, they co-chairman plan a deployment
of international peacekeeping forces and the setting up of a joint
commission for the implementation of the agreement.

ARMENIAN GDP GROWS 10.6% IN 5 MTHS
Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
July 4, 2006 Tuesday 2:55 PM MSK
Armenian GDP grew 10.6% year-on-year in the first five months of
2006 to 567.134 billion dram (418.28 dram/$1 on July 4), the National
Statistics Service told Interfax.
Industrial output fell 1.9% to 242.235 billion dram, but agricultural
output rose 2% to 84.185 billion dram.
Armenia’s foreign trade deficit grew 20.3% to $429.2 million in the
five months.
Foreign trade turnover rose 9.7% to $1.107 billion. Exports fell 4.6%
to $339.1 million, but imports grew 17.4% to $768.3 million.
The budget calls for GDP growth of 7.5% in 2006 as a whole. The
economy grew 13.9% in 2005.

KARABAKH STATUS CAN BE DETERMINED AFTER REFUGEES RETURN – AZERI SPOKESMAN
Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
July 4, 2006 Tuesday 1:03 PM MSK
A decision on the status of Nagorno- Karabakh can be taken only after
all refugees return to the predominantly ethnic Armenian enclave and
after safe living conditions for the Azeri and Armenian communities
have been established there, Azeri Foreign Ministry spokesman Tair
Tagizade told Interfax.
“Only after the pre-conflict demographic composition of the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan has been restored, after
security has been guaranteed and after conditions allowing the two
communities to live side-by-side peacefully have been established,
will it be possible to speak about a democratic constitutional way
to determine the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said on Monday that conflict
settlement initiatives presented by the OSCE Minsk Group “are generally
acceptable for Armenia. We are ready to continue talks with Azerbaijan
on ways to settle the Karabakh conflict,” he said.
“In my opinion, it is obvious that Armenia could have and should
have accepted them. You do not have to search for anything new. The
statement by the [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairmen overwhelmingly
confirmed it,” Tagizade said.
“We are speaking about liberating all occupied districts of Azerbaijan
outside Nagorno-Karabakh, withdrawing Armenian troops from the areas,
carrying out mine-sweeping operations, restoring road links, helping
refugees return to the districts and guaranteeing security,” the
spokesman said.

BAKU: KARABAKH PROCESS BASES ON CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN FMS BUT NOT PRESIDENTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.07.2006 14:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process
bases upon the consultations between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia
and Azerbaijan but not Presidents, head of the department of press
and information policy at the Azeri MFA Tahir Taghizade stated. He
“expresses surprise” over the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-chairs, “who again laid stress on the necessity of presidential
meetings.” “We are all well aware that the negotiation process bases
on the contacts between the Foreign Ministers. They should discuss the
whole scope of issues and build foundation for presidential meetings,”
Taghizade said. At that he pointed out to the identity of approaches
of the OSCE Minsk Group and Baku, which stands for stepwise settlement
of the conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress