KOLEROV: RUSSIA ACTS ON THE BASIS OF THE LAW ON COMPATRIOTS
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
The choice of each unrecognized state is to appeal to Russia or
minimize its participation in the conflict settlement. Chief of the RF
Presidential Department for Inter-Regional and Cultural Relations with
Foreign Countries Modest Kolerov stated it speaking at the conference
“Parallel CIS. Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie, the South Caucasus and Nagorno
Karabakh as realities of the post – Soviet territory”.
In his words, “40 000 of Russian citizens in the South Ossetia, 150
000 in Abkhazia is the imperative we cannot ignore”. “Both sides of the
conflict are compatriots for us, we should take it into consideration
and guarantee their humanitarian rights”, noted he.
According to Modest Kolerov, modern conception of human rights submits
such claims, including the right to free choice of citizenship, free
access to communications, the right to information, the right to free
choice of educational and cultural activity. “These are fundamental
rights”, stated Kolerov.

‘APPROVAL OF ARMENIAN BILL WILL HARM OUR INTERESTS’
By Anadolu News Agency
Zaman, Turkey
Sept 16 2005
zaman.com
US State Department Assistant Secretary for legislation affairs, Matt
Reynolds, wrote a letter to Henry Hyde, US House of Representatives
International Relations Committee head, indicating that the US
administration is against the approval of Armenian bills seeking for
recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide.
The House discussed two Armenian bills earlier today.
Despite the letter of objection prepared by the US administration
and sent to Hyde, the bill has been approved by the House.
Reynolds’s letter to Hyde said US President George W. Bush acknowledged
in his April 24 statement the “tragic events that happened in Eastern
Anatolia when the Ottoman Empire was about to end,” which Armenians
are inclined to see as the 90th anniversary of the so-called genocide.
The letter also indicated the committee apparently determined to
discuss these bills, but the US administration would resist the
approval of these two bills.
If these bills are put on the agenda of the House General Assembly
for discussion, that will harm Turkish and American relations and
stop Ankara and Yerevan relations from improvement.

US HOUSE TAKES REVENGE OF MARCH 1 MOTION BY THE ARMENIAN DRAFT
By Ali H. Aslan
Zaman, Turkey
Sept 16 2005
zaman.com
The US House of Representatives International Relations Committee
endorsed two resolutions recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide.
The committee passed draft 195 with 35 – 11 vote; draft 316 was voted
40 – 7.
Many US representatives taking floor during the draft negotiations
mentioned Turkey’s refusal of the March 1 motion to allow US troops
to open a northern front before the Iraqi war.
Genocide allegations brought to the agenda of the general council
is under the initiative of the House Chair of the Republican Party,
Dennis Hastert.
If Hastert makes his preference on the direction, the drafts will
definitely be adopted in the US Congress; however, Turkish and the
US administrations are like-minded that the adoption of such a draft
will harm relations.
US State Department deputy official responsible for the judicial
issues Matt Reynolds sending a letter to the Committee Chair, Henry
Hyde, announced they stand firm against such a draft.
Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff submitted the draft entitled,
“Commemoration Decision of the Armenian Genocide between 1915 and 1923”
to the House of Representatives.
Republican Rep. George Radanovich prepared the second draft calling
the US presidents to include the so-called Armenian genocide in
foreign policy.
When a similar draft came to the issue, the committee’s senior
co-chair, Tom Lantos, of the Democrat Party prevailing by his
pro-Turkey attitude five years ago said “yes” for both drafts based
on the refusal of the March 1 motion.
Lantos claimed more US soldiers were lost in Iraq today because the
March 1 motion was not approved in the Turkish Parliament.
Turkey did not consider US interests and did not help US over the
Syrian issue, and did not allow opening the northern front for
the Iraqi war. I support both Armenian drafts under the context,
Lantos added.
Committee Chair Hyde mentioned the dispute between Turkey and US
before the Iraqi war and its bill for the US.
Hyde also voted for the Armenian draft.
Another issue frequently carried to the agenda against Turkey during
the sessions was the trial of renowned Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk.
Participants of the Committee, who approved the drafts, often
referenced the Jewish genocide, the Holocaust, and drew attention to
Germany’s responsibilities over the event.
Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler, who is of the Jewish origin, made one
of the strongest attempts to support Turkey.
Wexler managed to include a statement sent by the Turkish Ambassador
in Washington, Faruk Logoglu, to the records.
Beside the Armenian groups, some ethnic Greek organizations, such as
the American Helen Institute (AHI), called to support the drafts sent
to the Congress leaders.
American-Turkish Council (ATC) Chairman Brent Scowcroft also sending
a letter to the House Chair, Hastert, warned the drafts coming to
the issue will cause a great harm on Turkish-American relations.

A PACKAGE OPTION WITH THE PHASED REALIZATION
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
A model of the Karabakh issue settlement enabling to combine the
principle of territorial integrity with the nations’ right to self –
determination was outlined at the second session of the PACE temporary
committee on Karabakh issue that took place in Paris on September 12.
On September 15, in the course of the press conference on the
outcomes of the PACE sitting on Karabakh issue in Yerevan RA NA deputy
from Justice Faction Shavarsh Kocharyan informed of the details and
estimated the Paris discussions. According to Shavarsh Kocharyan, the
settlement scheme assumes liberation of the territories controlled
by the NK armed forces, return of the Azeri refugees and conduct of
the referendum on the status’ determination.
In Shavarsh Kocharyan’s opinion, there are some positive shifts in
the scheme; however, it contains danger as well. He believes the
positive aspect is recognition of the fact that Karabakh’s status
should be determined on the basis of the nations’ right to self –
determination. Besides, they realize that Karabakh cannot be an
enclave. Thus, according to the scheme, Karabakh should have a corridor
connecting it with Armenia. Shavarsh Kocharyan noted Armenian party
had managed to withstand the attacks of Azeri delegation, which tried
to raise the issue of Nahkijevan and draw parallel between Karabakh
and Nahkijevan. Representatives of Armenian party stated Nahkijevan
was not an enclave and had bordures with both Turkey and Iran.
Mentioning the negative aspects of the settlement option Shavarsh
Kocharyan dwelled upon the issue referring to a referendum. He said
according to the logic of the scheme’s realization the referendum
will not be conducted in the near future. In his words, the danger
is that return of the territories weakens Karabakh’s stand: status
quo is violated, so Azerbaijan is likely to settle the conflict by
force of arms.
Shavarsh Kocharyan does not accept opinion that the option is like
the one suggested in 1997. “There is significant difference: in
1997 they suggested that we should return the territories, refugees,
and then start talks on the issue referring to the status. Now there
is a solution of the issue referring to the status”, noted Shavarsh
Kocharyan. “It is the settlement’s package option providing phased
realization”, stated he.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MODEST KOLEROV: RUSSIA CONSIDERS BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFLICTS ON THE POST SOVIET TERRITORY TO BE ITS COMPATRIOTS
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
Russia considers both sides of the conflicts on the post Soviet
territory to be its compatriots. Chief of the RF Presidential
Department for Inter-Regional and Cultural Relations with Foreign
Countries Modest Kolerov stated it speaking at the conference “Parallel
CIS. Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie, the South Caucasus and Nagorno Karabakh
as realities of the post – Soviet territory” in Moscow.
According to Tribuna newspaper (Russia), in spite of warning of one
of the conference’s organizers, the CIS Institute Director Constantine
Zatulin that the conference’s goal is scientific and not political, the
guests did not want to confine themselves to purely “scientific” goals.
A member of the Armenian delegation, RA Democratic Party leader,
RA NA deputy Aram G. Sargsyan noted the fact that the conference
“Parallel CIS. Abkhazia, Pridnestrovie, the South Caucasus and Nagorno
Karabakh as realities of the post – Soviet territory” was organized
by the CIS Institute testified to the fact that Russia was interested
in its influence and strengthening of the stand in the Caucasus.
“The difference of Nagorno Karabakh from other unrecognized republics
is that they are ready to become associative members of the Russian
community, while Nagorno Karabakh is striving for independence from
Azerbaijan and free existence”, stated he.
He noted participants of the Armenian delegation “presented legal
aspects of the Karabakh issue, pointed out usage of double standards
by the international community”. “Azerbaijan states Armenia has
organized the conference, and it is provocative. However, one thing
is obvious – Azerbaijan is not ready for the civilized coexistence
with its neighbors”, believes Aram Sargsyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RA MFA PRESS SECRETARY’S STATEMENT CALLED “DIPLOMATIC MANEUVERS” IN BAKU
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
RA MFA press secretary Hamlet Gasparyan’s statement on Nagorno
Karabakh process “is nothing more than diplomatic maneuvers”, Head of
the International Department of the Azeri President’s Administration
Novruz Mamedov stated, Azeri Trend agency reports.
To note, Hamlet Gasparyan said Armenia’s stand had not been changed –
if Azerbaijan raised an issue referring to Nagorno Karabakh at the
UN Armenia would cease talks, so Azerbaijan would have to negotiate
with Stepanakert. RA MFA press secretary said it while commenting
on placing the issue “About the situation on Azerbaijan’s occupied
territories” on the UN General Assembly 60th sitting’s agenda.
According to Mamedov, “Armenia sees that Azerbaijan’s stand on Nagorno
Karabakh settlement is supported by the international community
and is trying to threaten Azerbaijan with suspension of talks and
negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh”.

MURDER OF AFRICAN STUDENT IN ST. PETERSBURG SOLVED
Kommersant, Russia
Sept 16 2005
Vladislav Piotrovksy, head of the criminal police of the Main
Department of Interior Affairs in St. Petersburg, announced yesterday
that the murder of Congolese student Roland Epassaka, who died Tuesday
night after being knifed on September 9, had been solved.
Piotrovsky and other city officials met with about 100 students from
African and Asian countries yesterday in the building of the city’s
legislative assembly. “The victim was acquainted with acquainted with
the most disorderly contingent in the neighborhood where he lived,”
Piotrovsky told the students. “On September 9, he and his brother
and one more acquaintance were drinking alcoholic beverages in the
apartment he rented. Then he young man went to the store near the Metro
station, where he met acquaintances who attacked him… The identities
of those people have been established and more evidence is being
gathered now.” He added that it is hard for the police to guarantee
the safety of students who live away from campus, not in dormitories.
The students began to object, but they were politely led out of the
building at that point. A spontaneous action emerged in the courtyard
of the building and the students marched along Nevsky Prospekt to
Smolny Palace, the city governor’s residence on the Square of the
Proletariat Dictatorship, where they were dissuaded from continuing
by the police. The city prosecutor’s office refused to confirm that
the murder had been solved. A spokesman there said that “so far,
no one has been charged and no one has been taken into custody in
the case.” Kommersant has determined that the suspects in the case
are the victim’s Armenian former girlfriend and her new friend,
a Chechen national. They have in fact been taken into custody, but
for living in the city without registration.

NAGORNO KARABAKH PARLIAMENT ADOPTED LAWS “ABOUT CONSULAR AND DIPLOMATIC SERVICE” AND “ABOUT INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS”
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
At the first plenary sitting of the NKR NA of the fourth convocation
that took place on September 14 Nagorno Karabakh Republic National
Assembly adopted laws “About Consular and Diplomatic Service” and
“About International Agreements”.
The Karabakh parliamentarians discussed about 20 issues and approved
some projects referring to amendments in the laws on fixed payments
and taxes. The deputies also listened to the NKR Finance and Economy
Ministry’s report “On Implementation of the NKR State Budget in
the First Quarter of 2005” and the CEC information on conduct of
parliamentary elections in NKR on current June 19.

FM CONFIDENT OF FAIR ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 17 2005
Foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov visiting the United States has
expressed confidence that the parliamentary elections due in Azerbaijan
this November will be free.
Mammadyarov said remarkable work has been done to conduct free
elections in the country, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The minister ruled out the repetition of national movements that
swept Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan, saying that the
government and President are interested in holding a fair poll.
Mammadyarov said that the parliament vote will be much more free than
the previous elections, as considerable work has been carried out to
ensure it meets international standards.
With regard to unrest during the election process, the minister said
both the demonstrators and law enforcement should refrain from violent
actions. “Protesters and police should not beat each other” he said.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh,
Mammadyarov said it is unlikely to be settled in the near future. “I
wish I could say that we are close to resolving the conflict. But
there are many problems,” he added.

THE PROPOSALS OF ICG CONTAIN A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT ARE UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE NKR
DeFacto, Armenia
Sept 16 2005
The proposals of International Crisis Group (ICG) contain a number
of proposals that are unacceptable for the Karabakh party. Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan stated it while
answering the question of the NKR NA deputy Gegham Baghdasaryan
concerning official Stepanakert’s attitude towards the ICG proposals
on the Karabakh conflict settlement.
Among the negative elements the Minister mentioned the circumstance
that Karabakh conflict had been presented as contradiction between
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the report. The NKR Foreign Minister pointed
out some positive moments as well having noted the ICG respected
Nagorno Karabakh’s sovereignty. Arman Melikyan said the NKR MFA was
to express its attitude to the report in the near future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress