NKR PRESIDENT: BEHAVIOR OF BAKU AUTHORITIES MORE AND MORE POSTPONE DAY OF KARABAKH CONFLICT’S RESOLUTION
STEPANAKERT, SEPTEMBER 2. ARMINFO. Baku authorities try to conceal
the successes of Nagorny Karabakh in construction of a legal and
democratic state from Azerbaijani people by all means possible, not
allowing their citizens to visit NKR and communicate with Karabakh
people. It is not accidental, however, such behavior has no prospects,
a it is even more postpones the day of full and mutually advantageous
resolution of the conflict. NKR Presiden Arkady Ghouakssyan made such
an address on the occasion of the 14th Anniversary of NKR Independence.
According to ARMINFO’s special correspondent to Stepanakert, in his
address NKR President said that such acts by the Azerbaijani leadership
as well as its unwillingness to negotiate with the Karabakh conflict
cast a serious doubt on the prospects of the conflict’s settlement
by civil methods on the basis of reasonable compromises. That is why
the fact of the unsettled conflict remains a factor threatening with
new destabilization in the region, Arkady Ghoukassyan thinks. He
once more assured all those present that NKR leadership adheres
exclusively to the peace settlement of the conflict. “At the same
time our people must be sure that no one will be able to deprive us
from the independence gained by means of irreplaceable losses. The
All National NKR Defense Army is able to give a proper counteraction
to all those who will dare to encroach upon our Motherland. We have
all the necessary means and possibilities for it,” NKR President says.

INSUPERABLE DISCORDS ON PRINCIPAL ISSUES CAUSED QUARRELS IN “REPUBLIC” PARTY
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2. ARMINFO. Contradictions arisen between “Republic”
party’s leadership and its 7 board members around some principle
issues was the reason induced the latters to leave it, former member
of party’s board Albert Bazeyan stated in an interview to ARMINFO.
“We have repeatedly tried to convince party’s leadership that it is
impossible to fulfill change of power constantly scanning “revolution”
word, however, it was in vain. We tried to induce them not to
make hasty statements, not to give non-weighted estimations of our
opposition colleagues’ activity, however, it was without success”,
he stated. “Besides, there were also contradictions with party’s
leadership on foreign policy’s orientation issue. They proclaim
themselves westernized, but advocate for full stopping relations with
Russia. It is a lop-sided position”, he added.
Bazeyan did not rule out the possibility of creating a new party by
those who left “Republic”. At the same time, he did not rule out the
possibility of their reconciliation with party’s leadership, too.
In his turn, leader of “Republic” Aram Sargssyan stated that he is
an pro-Armenian political figure preaching western values. “I would
like that Armenian people lives on European standards”, he noted.
Sargssyan stressed that some forces try to turn to advantage from
contradictions in “Republic”, however, it will not prevent the party
to realize its plans. He also stressed that “Republic” may support
new ideas of Bazeyan and his adherents if any, and once again stated
that the party headed by himself does not intend to deviate from its
revolutionary course.
To note, ex-mayor of Yerevan Albert Bazeyan, ex-defence minister
Vahgarshak Harutyunyan, Gevork Andrikyan, Hayrapet Margaryan, Hovhannes
Aharonyan, Simon Grigoryan, and Armen Mkrthcyan left “Republic”
party. Party’s Shirak branch declared about its self-dissolution
earlier. Branch’s head also explained such a decision by contradictions
arisen with party’s leadership around principle issues.

YURI MERZLYAKOV: AFTER KAZAN MEETING PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND
AZERBAIJAN MOST LIKELY TO TAKE A TIME-OUT
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2. ARMINFO. Cochairman of OSCE Minsk Group from
Russia Yuri Merzlyakov positively assesses the results of the meeting
of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Kazan.
In the interview to Radio Liberty Yuri Merzlyakov mentioned that the
meeting in Kazan was constructive and the cochairmen were satisfied
with its results and estimations, which the Armenian and Azerbaijani
sides give. The negotiations passed on the basis of the Prague
principles and the presidents also discussed that the cochairmen had
earlier proposed. No new proposal was discussed in Kazan, nothing
has changed yet, there are several issues and if the sides reach
agreements regarding these issues it will be possible to speak of
signing of some document, Merzlyakov informed. After the meeting in
Kazan the observers began to think that this time as well the parties
of the negotiations will not put their details on the table, and most
likely take a time-out. However, it is not excepted that the foreign
ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet already in October.

THE RESIDENTS OF ARTSAKH WANT PERPETUAL INDEPENDENCE
A1+
| 18:27:10 | 02-09-2005 | Social |
“I wish for the Artsakh independence to be perpetual as it was won
at the cost of numerous lives. May Artsakh to develop together with
Armenia. Let the rainbow after the rain gather all the Armenians from
all over the world together”, this is the wish of Epraxia Karapetyan
who lost his son and his 60-year-old husband in the Karabakh war.
On September 2 the population of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
celebrates the 14th anniversary of independence. In connection with
this, in different residences on Karabakh events were organized. In
Askeran the people and the officials visited the monument to the
Unknown Soldier and put flowers on it.
After that the soldiers of the Askeran detachment marched under the
Armenian and Artsakh National Anthems. According to Commander Samvel
Beglaryan, the duty of the Army is to nurture patriotism and heroism
in the hearths of the young generation, as the future of the country
is theirs.
The local officials congratulated the population. After that the
spiritual leader of the Askeran St. Mariam Church sent his blessings
and congratulations to all the Armenians, “This is the Independence
day of all of us as every meter of land was won with the blood of an
Armenian. So I congratulate the Armenians from all over the world. May
the Lord support our countries”, said the priest.
And yesterday evening the local municipality handed medals to 6 local
veterans of the Great Patriotic War on behalf of Robert Kocharyan.
Lilit Asryan
>>From Artsakh especially for “A1+”

Azerbaijan condemns Armenian leader’s visit to breakaway region
ANS TV, Baku
2 Sep 05
[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today attended
festivities in Susa [a town in Karabakh populated mainly by Azeris
until 1992] and Xankandi [Stepanakert] organized by the Armenian
community of Nagornyy Karabakh and devoted to the 14th anniversary
of independence from Azerbaijan.
[Passage omitted: reported details]
[Correspondent over video of Bahmanov] The head of the Azerbaijani
community of Nagornyy Karabakh, Nizami Bahmanov, has said that
[Karabakh separatist leader] Arkadiy Gukasyan is deceiving the
Armenian community of Karabakh by issuing such statements. First, if
living standards were high and there was prosperity in Xankandi, its
population of 120,000 would not have fallen to 70,000. Moreover, 50 per
cent of the 70,000 have left this town. Most of them are now in Russia
and other countries. What Gukasyan says is aimed at consoling people.
As for Kocharyan’s participation in the festivities, on the one hand,
the Armenian authorities attend peace talks organized by the OSCE
Minsk Group, and on the other, they do such things.
Kocharyan’s visit to Susa and Xankandi proves that Armenia is an
aggressive country.
[Passage omitted: minor details]
[Bilik Dunyasi news agency has quoted the head of the press and
information department of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Tahir
Tagizada, as saying that Kocharyan’s visit to Karabakh “runs counter
to the priorities of the peace process”.]

OSCE envoy says Armenian constitutional reform “positive”
Mediamax news agency
2 Sep 05
Yerevan, 2 September: The head of the OSCE mission in Armenia, Vladimir
Pryakhin, today described as “positive” the process of constitutional
reform in Armenia.
Pryakhin said the constitutional amendments adopted by the parliament
in the second reading have considerably improved the document. The
head of the OSCE mission in Armenia described the constitutional
amendments as a product of joint work of the authorities, parliament,
civic society, opposition and international organizations. Meanwhile,
Pryakhin said the draft contained certain shortcomings and
contradictions.
“The failure of the constitutional referendum may hamper the process
of democratic reforms in Armenia,” the OSCE ambassador said. He also
said he hoped the majority would say “yes” to the reform.

British envoy says constitutional reform to ensure democracy in Armenia
Arminfo
2 Sep 05
Yerevan, 2 September: If the constitutional changes are approved
in the November referendum, it will ensure Armenia’s democratic
development, the British ambassador to Armenia, Thorda Abbott-Watt,
has told Arminfo.
“It is vital for Armenian citizens to realize this and participate
actively in the referendum,” the ambassador said. Commenting on
heated debates at extraordinary sessions of parliament about the draft
amendments and the opposition’s negative assessment of the document,
Abbott-Watt said the opposition’s presence at the extraordinary
sessions was a positive move.
Predicting the outcome of the upcoming referendum, the ambassador
expressed the hope that Armenia had learnt a lesson from the
bitter experience of the 2003 election and that the referendum on
constitutional changes would go without falsifications.
“The electoral institutions need to be improved, a lot needs to be
changed and we shall follow the process closely,” the ambassador said.

Karabakh leader rubbishes Azeri appeal to vote in November polls
Arminfo, Yerevan
2 Sep 05
Stepanakert, 2 September: “I am glad that Azerbaijan has a good sense
of humour,” Arkadiy Gukasyan, president of the Nagornyy Karabakh
republic [NKR], said today commenting on Azerbaijan’s appeal to
the residents of Nagornyy Karabakh to participate in the upcoming
parliamentary election in Azerbaijan.
A special Arminfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert that at
today’s festivities devoted to the 14th anniversary of Nagornyy
Karabakh’s independence, Gukasyan said that the NKR had already
been established. The NKR managed to defend its independence in very
complicated circumstances, i.e. in the situation of blockade and war
that was unleashed by Azerbaijan. “However, we won because we knew
we were defending our motherland.”
At the same time, the Karabakh leader expressed the confidence that
the NKR will succeed in establishing good and friendly relations
with all neighbours. “We are building a democratic state and going
forward.” Undoubtedly, we could have done more. However, in any case,
Nagornyy Karabakh is standing very firm on its own feet and I believe
it has a future,” Gukasyan said.
Commenting on the recent meeting between the presidents of Armenia
and Azerbaijan in Kazan, the Karabakh president said that the
negotiations are confidential and it would be wrong to reveal its
essence prematurely. “I think everything is developing in a usual
manner and there are no grounds for concern,” Gukasyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BARRICADES AT THE CENTER OF YEREVAN
A1+
| 15:01:17 | 02-09-2005 | Social |
One of the central streets of Yerevan – the Buzand street near
the Republic square, has been “decorated” with barricades since
yesterday. They were built along the street at a distance of several
meters from one another. It is noteworthy that the raw material for
the barricades was the ruins of the houses leveled to earth “for
state needs”.
“Maybe the objection of the Buzand street residents will bring the
people to their senses so that they will fight for their pride and
their property”, says Sedrak Baghdasaryan, resident of the Buzand
street.
Besides the barricades, one can see chairs and sofas in the streets,
with whole families on them. “We took them out of the houses ourselves,
as we know that on Monday they will come and ruin everything”, says
Sedrak Baghdasaryan.
There is another scene in Buzand 23. Near the ruins a chair is
standing on which 65-year old Angela Mouradyan is sitting. She is
looking steadily at the ruins. She lived in that house for 40 years.
Yesterday, when the house was being destroyed before her eyes, she
tried to resist. As a result of it, she got several injuries on her
hands and legs.
By the way, despite yesterday’s hard rain, the family spent the night
outdoors. They also claim that the electric equipment of their house
has disappeared. They do not know where they can find it.

KARABAKH ISSUE PROTRACTED
A1+
| 13:12:10 | 03-09-2005 | Politics |
Taking into consideration the absence of any formal information board
member of the Armenian National Movement Vahagn Hovhannisyan gives
the following assessment to the current stage of the Karabakh conflict.
During recent 7 years no progress was fixed in the Karabakh conflict
settlement process. The incumbent leadership of Armenia and Azerbaija
are protracting the settlement in order to hold the power.
-In you opinion what are the Presidents of both states doing during
their meetings?
-They are just trying to show they are not inactive.
-Do you think they succeed? Don~Rt the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
notice anything?
-One should not anchor big hopes with the Co-Chairs. They all have
different positions on the Karabakh issue.
-Rumors over the Karabakh conflict have become greater lately. How
do you explain that?
-The Co-Chairs themselves said that no document is ready yet. As
a matter of fact there is nobody now involved in the settlement
process. The conflict will be resolved only in case the Armenian and
Azerbaijani authorities are legal. Presently the Presidents of both
states are concerned over their own problems.
-Does it means that you bound the Karabakh settlement with Armenia
and Azerbaijan only? Doesn~Rt Karabakh have any role in this process?
-Since 1988, thanks to the incumbent, any role of Karabakh in the
process has been excluded. Levon Ter-Petrosyan once said that he will
signed the document only in case Karabakh approves it. The policy of
the incumbent leadership is quite opposite. Today Karabakh is a mere
observer. However it should be engaged the negotiations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress