IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE CAN UPSET ENERGY AND ECONOMIC BALANCE IN REGION, TURKISH PARTY CONSIDERS

07.04.2005 06:30

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Zaman Turkish newspaper has published an article
on the issues of the building and prospects of using Iran-Armenia
gas export pipeline. According to the data in the article, the gas
pipeline project was worked out in 1992, the agreement on its building
being signed in 1995. The pipeline is expected to begin operation in
the beginning of the next year. The length of the Iranian part of the
pipeline is 100km, the Armenian â~@~S 41km. The estimated cost of
the project makes $220 million. Article author Ferket Ortan, who is
international political correspondent says that after the realization
of the project the energy and economic balance in the region that
is close to Turkey can change. There is also a project of extending
the gas pipeline till Supsa Georgian port, then to Feodosia Ukrainian
city along the ground of the Black Sea and transiting to the European
countries via Ukraine. Ukraine and the EU are highly interested in
diversification of gas sources and actively support the project. Russia
naturally is against the project of extension of the gas pipeline. The
author noted that «the realization of the project will result in
approach of its participants (Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Ukraine)
with the EU and changing the balance in the region, where Turkey is
also situated. It is an important circumstance and it is desirable
for Turkey to know it beforehand,» Iran. ru reported.

–Boundary_(ID_itvn9TSnEbzu7zjwrux2NQ)–

Ziyafet Asgarov: “Violation of ceasefire is related with critical position of Armenian leadership”

07 April 2005 [16:38] – Today.Az

“Violation of ceasefire is related with the situation created in
Armenia.” Deputy Chairman of Milly Mejlis (parliament) Ziyafet Asgarov
said these words while expressing his attitude to ceasefire violations
in borderline regularly.

“Prague process continues, resolution of PACE has been adopted,
Armenian administration realizes that, it is high time to speak and
they avoid it”. According to Z. Asgarov’s opinion, Yerevan not 
obeying ceasefire, tries to form  an opinion in world community as
if Azerbaijan side violates stability and peace talks : “In reality,
Armenian administration is in critical  situation, and therefore,
they undertake to use  provocation like this.”

According to Z.Asgarov’s words, the latest times the world community
support position of Azerbaijan and understands that Armenia is
invader:”It is not casual that, intelligence organ of USA stated
Armenia to be a state which is obstacle to peace, security in South
Caucasus”.

–Boundary_(ID_cwDgriQjRYcs/RD9dXBgeQ)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenians fired at our positions in the direction of Goranboy and Aghdam

07 April 2005 [15:55] – Today.Az

Divisions of Armed Forces of Armenia from their positions in 3.2 km to
the east of the occupied part of the village Tapgaragoyunlu of Goranboy
region machine-gunned at the opposite positions of the Armed Forces of
Azerbaijan located in the that territory at 20.30 till 21.25 yesterday.

Armed Forces of Armenia again from their positions in 0.4 km to the
east of the occupied village Namirli of the region Agdam fired at the
opposite positions of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan in the territory of
that village at 00.10 till 01.35 and from the positions in 1.6 km tom
the south of the village Ahmadaghali machine-gunned at the positions
of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan located in that village at 04.00 till
04.10 on 6 April.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEVER EXCLUDE WAR

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
06 April 05

The second day of the parliamentary hearing at the RA National Assembly
on the topic “The Issue of Nagorno Karabakh: Ways of Resolution” began
with the report by the secretary of national security, minister of
defence of RA Serge Sarghissian. Presenting the prospect of resolution
of the Karabakh conflict, the minister of defence declared that the
model “a unified nation and two states” is strategically favourable
for us. According to him, it will prevent accusations of annexation
of Karabakh set forward by Azerbaijan against Armenia.

FOREIGN POLICY

The minister of defence of Armenia characterized the foreign policy
for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict as both successful
and problematic. However, he said there is no need to worry. “Not
overlooking the advantages, it would be much more useful to pay greater
attention to these problems, for their correct interpretation would
help us press ahead with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict not
forgetting about the security of Armenia, Karabakh and the entire
Armenian nation,” said Serge Sarghissian.

APPROACHES

In reference to approaches to and principles of the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict the minister noticed that in the talks lasting
for 13 years within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group four main
approaches to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict have been
formed: unification of Nagorno Karabakh and the Republic of Armenia;
recognition of the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
legitimately; creation of a united state on the basis of Azerbaijan
and the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh; high level sovereignty of Nagorno
Karabakh within the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the minister,
the concept of self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh
underlies the approach of the Armenian side, whereas the Azerbaijani
approach is based on the principle of recognition of the territorial
integrity and indivisibility of the borders of Azerbaijan. In the
Minsk talks the attitude of the Armenian side towards the models
of solution of the issue starts from the principle of providing the
physical security of the Armenians of Karabakh, as well as necessary
conditions for their steady democratic development. According to the
minister, the present development of the talks for Karabakh prompts
that it is preferable to take into consideration the orientation of
Nagorno Karabakh to progressive global processes. In his opinion,
the three basic principles can be put in the following way:
a. the impossibility of Karabakh being subject to Azerbaijan;
b. the impossibility of Nagorno Karabakh existing as an enclave,
necessity for land border with Armenia and international guarantees for
Nagorno Karabakh to participate in the progressive global processes;
c. need for international guarantees that the war will not be resumed.
“It is necessary to come to an agreement on adapting these 3 principles
to the national interests of the Armenian nation and ground them,”
stated the minister assuring that only in the case of reaching a
national agreement on these basic principles will it be possible
to expect united and effective team work of our representatives
on foreign political issues on the resolution of the Karabakh
conflict.

RETURN TERRITORIES

In this connection Serge Sarghissian said that negotiations can
be conducted for the security area. The minister believes that
the territories forming the security area will not be returned
without taking into consideration the security of the population
of Nagorno Karabakh. According to him, certain compromises can be
reached through negotiations if Azerbaijan gives guarantees for not
resuming war confirmed by authoritative international organizations
and countries. “I think the Armenian side is willing to discuss
the possibilities of compromise within this pragmatic framework,”
mentioned the minister.

COMPROMISE

Then the minister tried to render the circumstances in which the
Armenian side may make a compromise. First of all, Serge Sarghissian
pointed out once again that the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is
possible only through peace talks, on the basis of compromises, at the
same time pointing out the compromises that the Armenian side may agree
to make. “We regard the fact that Armenia has not officially recognized
the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh as a principal compromise, although
NKR was established legitimately and has existed as an independent
democratic state for many years now.” Another compromise pointed
out by the minister was the formulation in the January 25 Resolution
1416 of the Council of Europe that the question of independence of
territories (i.e. Nagorno Karabakh) of the state (i.e. Azerbaijan)
must be solved through the democratic expression of the will of the
people living in the given territory. In this context the minister
singled out the proposal of the chairman of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly Pierre Leluche, according to which it is preferable to hold
a second referendum among the population of the former Autonomous
Region of Nagorno Karabakh on the democratic self-determination of
Nagorno Karabakh. “We think the second principal compromise can be
based on this proposal. Despite the legitimacy of establishment of the
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh and the fact of its lasting existence
as an independent economic and democratic state the Armenian side
may agree to hold a second referendum among the population of the
former Autonomous Region of Nagorno Karabakh at their present place
of residence.”

PROBABILITY OF RESUMPTION OF WAR

The RA minister of defence touched upon the probability of resumption
of war. Serge Sarghissian does not exclude the probability of
resumption of war. “I did not exclude it in 1995, and in 1998,
and in 2000 and today I do not exclude it either. There is always
such probability, and nobody is secured against it,” said the
minister. Moreover, he believes that if military actions are resumed,
we will win by all means. “And the cost of the victory will depend
on how the Armenian people, the political forces of Armenia protect
the rear of the army. If, God forbid, military actions start and
a situation similar to that in Azerbaijan in 1992-1994 occurs in
Armenia, we will face destruction. Statesmen and countries start war,
armies continue it, but it is people that win,” said the minister.

TO CONCLUDE

At the end of the report the RA minister of defence Serge Sarghissian
emphasized that for the sake of effectiveness of our unified actions
in Karabakh resolution all the participants of this political process
must come together around the above mentioned basic principles and
approaches.

CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN. 06-04-2005

Reno Harnish: “USA is interested in quickest peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”

07 April 2005 [16:44] – Today.Az

US government is interested in quickest peaceful settlement of Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict, which stems the tide of social and political
development of the Southern Caucasus.

The agency Trend reports, the US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish
stated during his meeting with refugees and internally displaced
persons of Barda and Terter region.

The ambassador indicated, trenchant policy, conducted by leadership of
Azerbaijan all over the world in connection with Armenian-Azerbaijan
conflict, enables hoping, this problem is to be solved in the nearest
future, and refugees, driven away from their native hearths and
internally displaced persons are to return to their native lands.

The diplomat got introduced with social objects, constructed in
villages Imirli of Barda region and Mamyrly of Terter region, which
are financially supported by international humanitarian organization
of USA “Save the children”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VLADIMIR KAZIMIROV: ONE CAN HARDLY EXPECT HOSTILITIES TO RESUME IN KARABAKH

07.04.2005 04:40

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In compliance with the logic of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict tone can hardly expect resumption of hostilities
at least in the next 2-3 years, former OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair
Vladimir Kazimirov stated at discussions over the Nagorno Karabakh
issues in Yerevan. In his words, the resumption of hostilities is not
favorable to Armenia, however it may become a force revenge for the
Azeri party. One should not expect local clashes aiming to attract
the attention of the international community. Unleashing local
clashes will be easy, but difficult to finish, Vladimir Kazimirov
noted. Thereupon the considered the response “the settlement of the
conflict should proceed only peacefully” to the militant calls voiced
in Baku inadmissible. As noted by Kazimirov, he has written to OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel about it many times.

ARMENIANS TO RULE OVER GLENDALE

A1+
07-04-2005

Elections to the city administration, in which Armenian candidates
also participated, were held in Glendale.

To note, elections of the Clerk were held for the first time since
1929. Artashes Kasakhyan, who left behind 8 other nominees, was elected
for the position and became the first Clerk of the City Administration
for the recent 75 years.

“Last time when the Clerk was elected Herbert Hoover, Trotsky was
not expelled from the Soviet Union, the economic crisis had not begun
and Artashes Kakhasyan was not born yet”, Glendale News Press writes.

Armenians were also elected to the City Council, board of the Glendale
College as well as the Educational Council of Glendale.

IN MEMORY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS AND POPE

A1+
07-04-2005

A concert in commemoration of the victims of the Armenian Genocide
will take place in the hall after Aram Khachaturyan on April 8 at 7
p.m. local time, maestro Alexander Siranosyan informed today.

He will conduct the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia while he
daughter, cellist Astghik Siranosyan will be the soloist. The program
includes the “The Symphonic Poem and “The Poem for Cello and string
Band” by Mirzoyan. “The Concert for Cello” by Saint-Sans and the
premiere of “The Italian Symphony” by Vincent d’Andy dedicated
to the memory on Pope John Paul II.

Format of Azeri, Armenian FMs’ meeting determined

AzerNews
6-15 April 05

The format of the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers
due in London on April 15 has been determined.

It will be attended by OSCE chairman’s special envoy Anzhei Kaspshik
and the Minsk Group (MG) co-chairs, says Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov.

Commenting on the reports saying that Armenia was not aware of
the planned meeting, Mammadyarov said Kaspshik informed him that
the meeting will take place. “I believe the MG co-chairs and Mr.
Kaspshik,” the Foreign Minister said. The Armenian Foreign Ministry
spokesman Kasparian said earlier that Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanian is expected to meet only with the MG co-chairs on April 15 and
that no agreement on the meeting had been reached with Mammadyarov yet.

MPs to discuss Upper Garabagh conflict

AzerNews
6-15 April 05

The Milli Majlis (parliament) will discuss the Upper Garabagh problem
before May 8, the anniversary of occupation of Azerbaijan’s Shusha
District by Armenia, Parliament Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov said on
Tuesday.

The status of talks over settlement of the Upper Garabagh conflict
and a report on the results of the OSCE fact-finding mission’s visit
to the occupied Azerbaijani regions will be discussed.

“An appeal to international organizations will be adopted at the
end of the discussions. We will try to reveal Armenia’s policy of
aggression,” the Speaker said.

Opposition MP Alimammad Nuriyev and MP Zahid Oruj, deputy chairman
of the pro-government Ana Vatan Party, stressed the need for holding
hearings on the frequent ceasefire violations at the parliament.