Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2005

Turkish Amb. says Turkey, Armenia should forge ties

Baku, September 15, AssA-Irada

Turkey and Armenia are neighboring countries and should forge ties.
There is a need for a dialogue on the issue, Turkish ambassador to
Azerbaijan Turan Morali has said.
`The visit by any Turkish group to Armenia is normal. Relations must
be established between our countries. Turkish and Armenian people
can’t live without any ties for a long period’, Morali said.
The Turkish diplomat added that he is not aware of any specific group
of people that will visit Armenia.*

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| 19:39:31 | 15-09-2005 | Official |

KOCHARYAN MET U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA

Today Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans.

In the course of the meeting the American diplomat thanked the Government
and people of Armenia for assistance to victims of Katrina hurricane. The
interlocutors discussed the process of introduction of changes to the
Constitution of Armenia as well. Thereupon J. Evans noted reforms will open
new development opportunities to Armenia.

Besides, the parties discussed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

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| 18:59:09 | 15-09-2005 | Politics |

USAID ISSUED STATEMENT ON ELECTRIC NETWORKS OF ARMENIA

The USAID Statement issued on the Electric Network of Armenia says, “It has
been reported that Midland Resources Holding (MRH) has recently requested
permission from the Government of Armenia and the Public Services Regulatory
Commission (PSRC), as required by Armenian laws and regulations, to sell its
shares of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA).

The PSRC took aggressive steps to seek clarification of this issue in early
August. USAID notes that these steps fall squarely within the mandate of the
PSRC, as the regulating body tasked with implementing relevant Armenian
laws.

A transparent and robust decision-making process, managed by a strong
regulator, is key to protecting the interests of energy consumers. USAID is
happy to continue assistance to the PSRC and others to ensure the design and
implementation of such a process.

USAID will continue to observe, with interest, the process currently
underway to evaluate and respond to MRH’s request.”

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| 21:07:09 | 15-09-2005 | Politics |

ARMENIA REFORMS OSCE

OSCE member-states held discussions dedicated to the OSCE reformation. The
Armenian delegation headed by Deputy FM Armen Bayburdyan took part in the
discussions.

The member-states presented their position on the report on raising the OSCE
efficiency worked out by a group of diplomats and political figures.

The report touches upon the principal issues such as OSCE legislation, legal
status of the organization, efficiency of the structures and OSCE field
missions.

Armenia’s position is as follows: the RA is interested in raising the
efficiency, role and authority of the OSCE and considers that preserving a
standards base and fulfilling the commitments to the CoE it is essential to
adapt the OSCE to the realities and challenges of the 21st century. Upon
completion of the discussions it was decided to form a working group, which
will elaborate a package of proposals for presenting them at the meeting of
the OSCE FMs to be held this December in Ljubljana.

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| 18:56:06 | 15-09-2005 | Politics |

NKR PARLIAMENT PASSED LAWS

The recurrent sitting of the NKR National Assembly was held on September 14.
The agenda consisted of 20 items.

According to a report of the NKR parliament’s press service, the deputies
approved the draft bills `On Consular Service’ and `On International
Treaties’ submitted by Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan.

When commenting on the possibility of joining of the International Crisis
Group (ICG) to the Karabakh conflict settlement process Arman Melikyan said
that the proposals made by the ICG maintain some elements negative for the
Karabakh party. The MInsiter also pointed out to the fact that in the report
issued by the Group the Karabakh conflict is presented as a conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

At that the NKR FM noted that the ICG respects the sovereignty of Nagorno
Karabakh and its aspiration for international recognition.

Arman Melikyan also informed that in the near future Karabakh will express
attitude to the report.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pan Armenian News

ALEXY II EXPRESSED HOPE FOR SOONEST SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

15.09.2005 07:21

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On the invitation of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and
religious leader of Azerbaijan Allahshukur Pashazade Patriarch of Moscow and
all of Russia Alexy II is in Baku. «The relations between Azerbaijan and
Russia have reached mutual trust and a new phase of development. They are
based on friendly and good neighborly relations,» I. Aliyev stated. «We can
be proud of people of difference confessions living in peace and accord in
Azerbaijan, which is an important condition in the development of the
country,» the Azeri leader noted. In his turn Alexy II noted that «religious
figures have always hailed peace and accord.» He said he hoped for the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict to be settled in the near future. «Religious
figures believe that the Karabakh conflict can be solved peacefully, via
dialogue,» Alexy II stated.

AZG Armenian Daily #166, 16/09/2005

SCHIFF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION PASSED BY COMMITTEE

Both Chairman Henry Hyde and Ranking Member Tom Lantos Support Measures

WASHINGTON, DC (September 15, 2005) – For the first time in five years, the
House International Relations Committee passed Armenian Genocide legislation
(H. Con. Res. 195 and H. Res. 316) clearing the way for a historic vote on
the House Floor.

In June, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) secured a commitment for today’s
mark-up from House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde
(R-IL). A mark-up is the final hurdle a bill must pass before a vote by the
full House of Representatives is possible.

The Schiff resolution (H. Con. Res. 195) commemorates the Armenian Genocide
and urges Turkey to acknowledge the role of the Ottoman Empire in those
atrocities. The resolution also urges Turkey to go beyond recognition of
the Genocide and reach a just resolution with the Armenian people. The
Schiff resolution has 85 co-sponsors.

The United States still does not officially recognize the 1915-1924 genocide
of 1.5 million Armenians. This genocide is recognized by the European
Union, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Russia
and Switzerland.

After passing the Schiff resolution, the committee then approved a second
resolution recognizing the genocide that was sponsored by Congressmen George
Radanovich (R-CA), Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Frank
Pallone (D-CA).

“This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We are
working to ensure our country recognizes this terrible tragedy while some of
the victims are still alive, including the three brave survivors here
today,” said Schiff. “I urge the entire community to call Members of
Congress and demand a quick floor vote for H. Con. Res. 195.”

“Our entire community is grateful to Congressman Schiff for his efforts
today in the International Relations Committee and for his tireless work to
pass an Armenian Genocide Resolution,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive
Director, Armenian National Committee of America. “We look forward to
building on the Committee’s action and to working with all members of
Congress to secure a full Floor vote on Armenian Genocide legislation at the
earliest opportunity.”

Congressman Schiff is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues and he represents the largest Armenian population in the United
States. He is a member of both the House Judiciary and International
Relations committees. The 29th Congressional District includes the
communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel,
Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple
City.

AZG Armenian Daily #166, 16/09/2005

Karabakh issue

RESUMPTION OF WAR IN KARABAKH IS VERY PROBABLE

ICG’s Report Contains A number of Unpleasant Moments for Armenia

The lasting Nagorno Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is the
most significant obstacle to peace and stability in the South Caucasus. On
September 14, the International Crises Group made public its first report on
Karabakh regulation titled “Viewing the Conflict from the Ground”. “Whatever
is being done at the internationally mediated negotiations, at ground level
resumed war appears a real possibility”, the report says. The 30 page long
report presents situation in Nagorno Karabakh, in 7 Armenia-controlled
territories as well as the living conditions of the Azeri refuges in special
refugee camps.

The report contains a number of unpleasant formulations for Armenia and NK.
“Nagorno Karabakh has inspiration for independence and argues with some
reason that it has a democratically-elected government that is meeting the
preconditions of statehood… Nagorno Karabakh has mono-ethnic institutions
and become one of the world’s most militarized societies”

“Nagorno Karabakh forces, reinforced by many conscripts and contracted from
Armenia, occupy some 13.4 per cent of Azerbaijan’s land (11.722 sq. km.).
This includes some 92.5 per cent of the former Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous
Oblast (NKAO), five districts outside Nagorno Karabakh, and significant
segments of two others. The occupied territory outside the former NKAO
amounts to 7.409 sq. km., close to double the territory of the former Soviet
oblast… This includes part of the districts of Martuni and Mardakert (327
sq. km.), which were in the NKAO, as well as the pre-war Shahumian district
and Getashen Settlement (701 sq. km.) northeast of the NKAO. Stepanakert
authorities claim these last two should be part of present day Nagorno
Karabakh as they also declared secession from Soviet Azerbaijan in 1991. In
addition they consider Lachin (1.835 sq. km.) to be part of Nagorno Karabakh
and say ‘it cannot be subject to compromise, as it connects Karabakh to the
outer world’, even though it was never part of NKAO, and no Armenians lived
there before the war”.

“Probably some 413.000 Armenians fled Azerbaijan and regions in Armenia
bordering it, and 724.000 Azerbaijanis (and Kurds) were displaced from
Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts… Before the war
the 424.900 inhabitants of those districts were almost exclusively Azeris,
none of whom remain. Towns like Agdam (28.200), Kelbajar (8.100), Jebrail
(6.200) and Fizuli (23.000) have been systematically leveled so that only
foundations remain. Even electrical wiring, pipes, and other infrastructure
have been sold as scarp. Authorities in Stepanakert have done nothing to
stop the destruction process”.

“Stepanakert’s settlement policy in Lachin and Kelbajar, and to lesser
extent Agdam, appears to be a violation of international law and is likely
to complicate the implementation of any political settlement… As the chair
of the Nagorno Karabakh parliament said, ‘once Armenians start burying their
dead there, it will be difficult to move them again'”.

A chapter of the report title “Life in Nagorno Karabakh” says that though
internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh is
independent de facto and its military and economic safety is guaranteed by
Armenia.

The report provides detailed account of construction of Karabakh’s armed
forces. “NK may be the world’s most militarized society. The highly trained
and equipped Nagorno Karabakh Defence Army is primarily a ground force, for
which Armenia provides much of the backbone. A Nagorno Karabakh official
told Crises Group it has some 20.000 soldiers, while an independent expert
estimated 18.500. An additional 20.000 to 30.000 reservists allegedly could
be mobilized… According to an independent assessment, there are 8.500
Karabakh Armenians in the army and 10.000 from Armenia. If these figures are
accurate, Nagorno Karabakh’s 65 persons per 1.000 inhabitants under arms
would surpass almost all other countries for proportion of population in the
military”. Based on hundreds of interviews and observations, the ICG arrived
at a conclusion that the NK armed forces played a significant role in
politics. The situation has changed after the then commander-in-chief of the
army was imprisoned.

The report underscores that Armenia fills up half of Karabakh’s budget. “The
US is the only other state that provides direct governmental assistance [to
Karabakh]”.

A whole chapter deals with Azeri IDPs (internally displaced persons). It
says that they keep on living in terrible living conditions and meanwhile it
cites accusations that the IDPs have turned into “political pawns” in
Azerbaijan’s politics.

The most serious obstacle to dialogue and reconciliation between Armenian
and Azeris is nationalism, the report says. The report ends with a very
unpleasant sentence for both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The ICG quotes
the words of an Armenian student who says, “I am Yerevani and refuse to
serve in the army once I graduate. I will simply leave Armenia because
people from Karabakh are even worse than Azerbaijanis. Why do we have to
serve them?”

By Tatoul Hakobian

AZG Armenian Daily #166, 16/09/2005

UN

ARMENIA AMONG UN CO-CHAIR COUNTRIES

60th session of the UN General Assembly opened in New York. UN Yerevan
office informed that the main committee of the General Assembly was elected
in the beginning of the sitting. The committee is going to work during the
whole session. Jan Eliasson from Sweden was elected the head of the
committee. Besides, 21 countries in chair were elected. Armenia is one of
these countries. It’s worth reminding that Armenia is represented by Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian.

UN Yerevan office also informed that the main six committees were elected.
They added that the fourth committee deals with special political and issues
of decolonization and Yashar Aliyev, permanent representative of Azerbaijan
to UN, leads that.

It is noteworthy that “the situation in occupied territories of Azerbaijan”
issue is included on the initial agenda of the general committee.

AZG Armenian Daily #166, 16/09/2005

Turkey-EU

AUSTRIA AGAINST TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP TO EU

Erdogan Delivers Lessons of Morality to Europeans

Citing the CNN-Turk TV, Liberty Radio informed that Turkish PM strictly
criticized the EU member countries, which put forward new preconditions on
the eve of the membership negotiations with Turkey. “Turkey has committed
all of its commitments. Putting forward new demands after that, as well as
disputes on the eve of the negotiation process contradict the morality of
the international diplomacy,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in New York.

The British Guardian wrote in its September 14 issue that Austria stated on
October 3 that it is incorrect to unfold negotiations with Ankara. Vienna
considers it expedient to begin negotiations with its neighbor Christian
Croatia. Croatia was to begin membership negotiations in the spring of 2005,
but the process was delayed when Zagreb refused to hand Ante Gotovina,
criminal of Balkan wars, to the Court of Hague.

The Great Britain, as well as France agreed that Turkey should acknowledge
Cyprus to achieve EU membership.