Kirkorov To Visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Remorse For His Sins

RUSSIAN SINGER PHILIP KIRKOROV TO VISIT ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL IN
REMORSE FOR HIS FORMER MISTAKES

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Russian pop star Philip Kirkorov is going
to visit the Armenian Genocide Memorail and Museum during their
forthcoming tour in Yerevan, says Temine Ayrumyan, spokesperson of the
Manukyan company who invited Kirkorov to Armenia.

Ayrumyan says that Kyrkorov is feeling remorse and is going to
apologize for his earlier mistakes against Armeians, a nation he also
belongs to.

Meanwhile many Armenian pop singers and some 30 youth organizations
are protesting against the tour of Kirkorov mostly because of his
pro-Turkish repertory (remakes of Turkish pop star Tarkan) and public
insult of Armenian journalist Irina Aroyan, an action that generated
wide public disapproval in Russia leading to his oust from the Russian
show business.

Ayrumyan claims that she daily receives 350 calls in Kirkorov’s
support. “We expected such attitude but could not help inviting g him
as he is the best,” she says. Meanwhile only 30% of the tickets have
been sold to date. The tickets for his Dzoraberd restaurant concert
range from $80 to $150 and for the Concert Complex one from 3,000 AMD
to 15,000 AMD ($6-30).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan’s attempts to regain Karabakh “pointless” – Armenian FM

Azerbaijan’s attempts to regain Karabakh “pointless” – Armenian minister

Mediamax news agency
29 Mar 05

YEREVAN

Two-day parliamentary hearings on the settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict started at the Armenian National Assembly today.

Speaking at the hearings, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
stated that the Karabakh settlement process is experiencing a
“complicated stage” today, our Mediamax parliamentary correspondent
reports.

The Armenian foreign minister said that “all the attempts of
Azerbaijan to turn back time are doomed to failure”. Vardan Oskanyan
noted that at present, there are elements of the package, as well as
stage-by-stage settlements of the conflict at the “negotiating table”.

The Armenian foreign minister acknowledged that Azerbaijan is trying
to transfer the settlement process from the OSCE Minsk Group to other
international organizations which give preference to the principle of
the territorial integrity of states. At the same time, Vardan Oskanyan
noted that the world has seen precedents when the principle of a
nation’s self-determination takes priority and cited East Timor, Sudan
and Kosovo as examples.

Vardan Oskanyan stressed that the Karabakh problem has no military
solution and described Baku’s demands to return Nagornyy Karabakh to
Azerbaijan as “pointless”. Oskanyan said that the Azerbaijani side is
deliberately dodging the issue of Nagornyy Karabakh’s status, putting
forward the problem of the adjacent territories.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BAKU: Azerbaijan interested in developing of relations with Russia

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 29 2005

AZERBAIJAN INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING OF RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA
[March 29, 2005, 19:10:52]

Murtuz Alaskarov, chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli
Majlis) met on March 29 Sergey Stepashin, chairman of the Audit
Chamber of the Russian Federation, reported AzerTAj correspondent.

Speaker of the Parliament said the joint efforts made by Russia’s and
Azerbaijan Presidents has given a renewed impetus to the strategic
partnership between two countries. Speaking of expanding economical
cooperation he noted that commodity turnover between Azerbaijan and
Russia has been achieved $1 billion for the last year. Azerbaijan is
intersted in developing relations with Russia and today there were
over 500 schools and 1 University where are teaching in Russian. It
is an allegation of the great interest in our country to Russian
language and culture.

Murtuz Alaskarov has informed the guest on Armenian-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said that Azerbaijan is backing the
peasful settlement of the conflict on the base of international laws.
We hope that Russia as member of the OSCE Minsk group to be play an
active role in a settlement process. Armenians were resettle in
Nagorno-Karabakh after the Russian-Iranian War, and a new book in
that will be published soon, said Murtuz Alaskarov.

The Russia’s Audit Chamber chief said that Russia is also interested
in expanding of relations with Azerbaijan. He noted that stability
which has been created in Azerbaijan by the great historic figure
Heydar Aliyev it is sucessfully saving at present too. It is also
allegation that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has suitably
been continued the line of policy by Heydar Aliyev.

Then Sergey Stepashin speaking of sucessfull cooperation between the
Audit Chambers.

Touching upon the problem over Nagorno-Karabakh, Sergey Stepashin
said the conflict has given a concern for all countries in the
region, `and we has been supported a peacefull and equitable solution
of the conflict. I think the parliaments will be intensify its
efforts on that’.

BAKU: Aliyev receives Turkish navy delegation

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 29 2005

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES TURKISH NAVY DELEGATION
[March 29, 2005, 19:10:57]

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received at the
Presidential Palace a delegation of the Naval Forces of Turkey led by
Admiral of the Fleet Ozden Ornek, March 29.

The Azerbaijani leader spoke of the steady development of relations
between Azerbaijan and Turkey in political, economic and all other
fields. `Azerbaijan and Turkey are actively involved in the global
energy projects including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan,’ he said.
President Ilham Aliyev also noted both countries hold a common stance
with respect to international issues, and, in this connection, highly
appreciated the Turkey’s constant support of the fair position of
Azerbaijan as for the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Recalling his latest visit to Turkey, he noted it
had contributed much to further strengthening of the bilateral ties.
Touching upon Azerbaijan-Turkey cooperation in the field of army
building, the President described the role Turkey plays in the
building of the Azerbaijan’s army as extremely important. He
expressed confidence that the visit by the Turkish navy delegation
would make a valuable contribution to further deepening of both
military cooperation and interplay between the two countries on the
whole.

Having expressed satisfaction with the constant development of the
relations between the two friendly countries, Commander the Naval
Forces of Turkey, Admiral of the Fleet Ozden Ornek mentioned the
strengthening of the Azerbaijan-Turkey military cooperation. He
underlined that much work has been done in army building over the
past years, and said he had witnessed a great progress in the
Azerbaijani army, including the country’s Naval Forces. The guest
expressed confidence the cooperation in military sphere will be
steadily developing in the future.

US Department Of State Releases Report on US Support to Human Rights

A1 Plus | 18:14:45 | 29-03-2005 | Politics |

US DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASES REPORT ON US SUPPORT TO HUMAN RIGHTS

Armenia

The Government’s human rights record remained poor; although there were
some improvements in a few areas, serious problems remained.

The president, who is directly elected, has extensive powers that are
not checked by the legislature or judiciary. Recent elections v
including the controversial 2003 presidential election v have not met
international standards. There were some limits on freedom of assembly,
the media and religious freedom.

However, in a positive step toward religious freedom, the Government
registered the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Judges remained subject to pressure
from the executive branch and corruption was a problem. Some members of
the security forces committed a number of human rights abuses. Security
forces beat pretrial detainees, and impunity remained a problem. There
were instances of arbitrary arrests and detentions. In April, police
used excessive force to disperse an opposition rally, detained
opposition politicians and raided opposition party offices. The
Government’s assistance with the creation of a civilian prison
monitoring board and decision to permit independent monitoring of prison
conditions were positive developments. While the Government took steps
to limit trafficking in persons, violence against women and trafficking
of women and children remained problems. The U.S. human rights and
democracy strategy focused on the promotion of democratic institutions
and processes, the development of a vibrant civil society, fundamental
freedoms, rule of law, human rights and anti-trafficking measures.

United States officials regularly met with Armenian government
officials, parliamentary opposition leaders, religious minorities and
human rights activists regarding these issues. In 2004, the United
States sent two high-level State Department officials to Armenia who
engaged leaders on a variety of human rights issues. United States
officials raised human rights concerns during all high-level encounters
with Armenian officials, including during the meetings of the
U.S.-Armenia Task Force in May and October. The Embassy hosted numerous
representational events and roundtables during the year to raise
awareness and encourage dialogue in support of these objectives.

To promote democratic institutions and processes, the United States
supported programs designed to strengthen the separation of powers.
Toward that end, the United States funded programs in Armenia to augment
the national legislative abilities to respond to citizen concerns. The
Armenian National Assembly provided its members with information they
previously lacked, such as drafts of past legislation and
non-governmental organization (NGO) literature. The United States helped
the National Assembly’s Control Chamber to improve legislative oversight
of the national budget and helped the Government improve the published
budget. The United States helped Armenian citizens access information on
pending legislation. With U.S. support and encouragement, the National
Assembly improved its transparency by holding committee hearings,
publishing draft laws in newspaper inserts and developing a tracking
system for citizen inquiries and communications. The program also
provided citizens with information about the National Assembly through
the creation of a website and publication and dissemination of draft
legislation.

The United States targeted its assistance to expand civic participation,
strengthen institutions of governance, and empower citizens to hold
government accountable by encouraging laws and policies needed to create
a democratic governance framework in Armenia. United States-funded
programs helped local governments improve internal management systems,
implement transition reforms, strengthen oversight and fiscal
responsibilities and increase public accessibility and accountability.

With U.S. help, more than 13,000 people participated in 240 town hall
meetings to discuss citizen concerns with community leaders. In more
than 660 dialogue groups held around the country, citizens discussed the
law on the legal status of property, community schools, privatization,
community development and apartment building administration, among other
issues. The impact of these programs was reflected in the concrete
actions taken by initiative groups that formed as a result of the
dialogues. Successful efforts included renovation of a local state
college and establishment of a library fund for the college,
legalization of supplementary constructions by building residents and
improvements in the sanitary situation in communities. Through these
programs, citizens created tangible improvements in their communities by
engaging in democratic processes at the local level.

To promote the development of a vibrant civil society, the United States
gave grants and technical assistance to advocacy NGOs and continued to
foster citizen participation at the grassroots level. The United States
supported public awareness campaigns, including campaigns to address the
societal costs of corruption and the shared responsibility for combating
it. The United States also launched a program to strengthen Armenian
NGOs through 82 grants in various sectors. This program has demonstrated
success as citizen advocacy programs deepen and broaden, and according
to USAID’s NGO Sustainability Index, NGOs in Armenia have significantly
increased their self-sustainable capacity.

The United States also provided 38 small grants in 2004 to NGOs and
independent media outlets that work to strengthen democratic
institutions and promote civil society in Armenia. These embassy-based
“Democracy Commission Small Grants” addressed issues such as citizens’
use of the newly passed Law on Freedom of Information, patients’ rights,
environmental education, the promotion of volunteerism, media literacy
and the integration of disabled youth into society. Following the
Government’s excessive reaction to peaceful opposition protests, the
Department of State issued a Statement in April which observed that
“Physical assaults, raids on political party offices and widespread
arrests and detentions of opposition activists by the police do not
contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to political dialogue.”
The United States also sponsored international visitors to observe
political parties in action during the U.S. elections.

To promote freedom of the media, the United States provided equipment
and technical assistance to increase journalists’ level of
professionalism and objectivity. A U.S-funded International Visitors
Program on media ethics introduced Armenian journalists to democratic
media practices in the United States.

To promote the rule of law, the United States continued to engage with
the Armenian Ministry of Justice and legal institutions. With the
assistance of a U.S.-funded NGO, the Government enacted legislation
creating a bar association for defense lawyers. Human rights advocates
believe that the new association will increase the legal defense of
human rights by improving the training and organization of defense lawyers.

Senior U.S. officials consistently engaged government officials on the
rights of women, children, minorities and the disabled. In 2004, the
United States began a Children’s Tolerance Education Program in
elementary schools and closely monitored and engaged the Government on
issues of intolerance.

United States officials urged greater respect for religious freedom. As
a direct result of international engagement, the Government of Armenia
legally registered Armenia’s Jehovah’s Witnesses and enacted new laws to
allow conscientious objectors an alternative to mandatory military service.

The United States increased its assistance to anti-trafficking efforts
in Armenia, aiding the Government, local NGOs and international
organizations in their efforts. With U.S. assistance, the Government
began training consular officers to recognize and assist potential
victims of trafficking, and the United States invested in informational
and child-protective prevention efforts. The United States established
programs to research trends in trafficking and assisted in the creation
of anti-trafficking legislation. The United States continued to engage
the Government diplomatically on trafficking issues. The United States
also significantly assisted NGOs in creating, maintaining and
publicizing victim assistance programs nationwide.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Azerbaijan

The Scotsman, UK
March 29 2005

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Azerbaijan

“PA”

1. Azerbaijan had a hand in England’s most famous triumph when
`Russian linesman’ Tofi Bakhramov allowed Geoff Hurst’s goal to stand
in the World Cup Final win over West Germany in 1966. In fact
Bakhramov was not Russian but an Azeri – Azerbaijan was then part of
the Soviet Union. The national stadium in the capital, Baku, is named
after him – with a statue of Bakhramov outside.

2. The country regained its independence in 1991, after the collapse
of the Soviet Union.

3. Former world chess champion Gary Kasparov, who has just retired,
hails from Azerbaijan and is known as the `Beast of Baku’. In his new
political career he has vowed to campaign against Russian president
Vladimir Putin. Probably not an omen for Wednesday but Kasparov once
beat English challenger Nigel Short in a World Championship final.

4. Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest lake. As
well as its oil resources, the sea also provides another source of
income – caviar. You can take caviar tours if you visit the country,
which was also on the silk route between Europe and Asia.

5. The world’s first oil well was drilled near Baku, at the end of
the 19th century.

6. Azerbaijan was one of the settings for 1999 Bond film `The World
is Not Enough’.

7. The population is 93.4% Muslim with Russian Orthodox and Armenian
Orthodox Christian minorities. In 2002 it was visited by Pope John
Paul II even though there are only 120 Catholics in the country – one
of the smallest Catholic communities.

8. It has borders with Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Iran.

9. The country’s population is around eight million – similar to
London.

10. The Azeri unit of currency is the manat.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian MP Slates National Science Academy For Poor Work

ARMENIAN MP SLATES NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY FOR POOR WORK

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan severely criticized today the work of the National Academy
of Sciences of Armenia and its research companies.

The budgetary financing of science has grown from 2.9 bln AMD in 2003
to 4.1 bln AMD in 2005. But active financing is not effective without
specific programs. One should stop asking money for some abstract
things – the Government should know what it gives money for. Only 3-5
and 10-year programs should get financing. Of 40 research companies
operative are 4-5 with their directors have long being of pension age
clinging to their posts and preventing young specialists and managers
to climb up the ladder. Reforms do not mean closing research companies
and firing researchers. “Today we need specific proposals rather than
endless and pointless debates,” says Margaryan.

For this purpose the Government has set up a special commission fo
developing a long-term plan of reforms in science. These reforms will
be given all-out support by the Government. The first step is
additional monthly bonuses to candidates and doctors (5,000 and 10,000
AMD respectively) and this is not the end, says Margaryan.

Inspired by Margaryan’s criticism academic Anry Nersissyan stood up to
charge National Academy President Fadey Sargsyan with falsifying the
results of the last academy elections and misappropriating budgetary
funds. Sargsyan called him a liar.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Calmy-Rey faces delicate mission in Turkey

Swissinfo, Switzerland
March 29 2005

Calmy-Rey faces delicate mission in Turkey

Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey is travelling to Turkey on
Tuesday, 18 months after a diplomatic spat put paid to a previous
trip.

Ankara withdrew its invitation at the last minute after a cantonal
parliament voted to recognise the 1915 slaughter of hundreds of
thousands of Armenians as genocide.

Three months later – in December 2003 – a similar vote in the House
of Representatives reached the same conclusion, drawing fresh
condemnation from Turkey.

Armenians say around 1.8 million people were killed; Turkey disputes
this, putting the figure closer to 200,000.

The Turkish foreign ministry warned parliamentarians that the
decision could have “negative consequences” on relations between the
two countries.

The Swiss foreign minister is due to holds talks with her Turkish
counterpart, Abdullah Gül, on a wide range of issues.

Roberto Balzaretti, Calmy-Rey’s diplomatic adviser, told swissinfo
that discussions would cover mutual concerns such as “human rights,
minorities and economic relations”.

Asked whether Calmy-Rey would raise the Armenian question, Balzaretti
said it would be difficult “to avoid issues that have caused problems
in the past”.

Tread gently

Françoise Saudan, a member of the parliamentary foreign affairs
committee, who visited Turkey in August, cautioned that the Swiss
foreign minister would need to tread gently.

She said the genocide remained a touchy subject for Turkey, which had
not faced up to its past in the same way Switzerland addressed its
Second World War past.

But Jean-Jacques de Dardel, head of international security policy at
the Swiss foreign ministry, said this week’s visit was not about
resurrecting past disagreements.

“[She] is not going to Ankara to rekindle tensions, but to strengthen
relations between Switzerland and Turkey,” he said.

The issue of Turkish membership of the European Union is also likely
to feature during talks between both foreign ministers.

Calmy-Rey made it clear in December that the Swiss stood to benefit
should Turkey join the bloc.

Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, has signed a series of
bilateral agreements with Brussels covering areas including trade.

Iraq, which borders Turkey, and the Middle East are also expected to
be on the agenda.

Kurdish question

On the second day of her visit Calmy-Rey is due in the city of
Diyarbakir in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the country, where she
is expected to meet local representatives and non-governmental
organisations.

This section of the trip was viewed in poor light by Ankara in 2003.
Shortly after the invitation was withdrawn, the Turkish authorities
accused Calmy-Rey of meeting a member of a banned Kurdish
organisation in Lausanne.

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office later launched an investigation to
find out whether the Swiss foreign minister had been spied on by
Turkey’s secret service.

On the final day of her trip, Calmy-Rey is due to give an address to
the Swiss and Turkish business leaders in Istanbul.

“Turkey is Switzerland’s most important business partner in the
Middle East. Around 40 Swiss firms move there every year,” said
Balzaretti.

Swiss exports to Turkey totalled SFr1.9 billion ($1.6 billion) in
2004 – up 17 per cent on the previous year.

Last week the government lifted restrictions on arms exports to
Turkey, which were imposed in 1992 during a Turkish crackdown against
the Kurds.

swissinfo with agencies

Iraqi Students Protest Attacks by Religious Extremists

Political Affairs Magazine, NY
March 29 2005

Iraqi Students Protest Attacks by Religious Extremists
By Joel Wendland

Students at Basrah and Shatt Al-Arab Universities struck in mid-March
in protest of religious extremist violence aimed at women students
and others who support equal gender relations and secular lifestyles.

Thousands of students protested after the violence shouting slogans
such as “No to political Islam,” “No to the new tyranny,” and “No to
Sadr.” The police reportedly attacked the students during the strikes
and protests in order to disperse the demonstrations.

Picket lines on campuses and large demonstrations of thousands of
students and members of civil society organizations held outside the
Basrah government offices lasted for three days to protest the
violence.

A Kuwaiti newspaper reported that students affiliated with the
Engineering College at Basrah University were assaulted during a
picnic at a local park. Hooded men attacked male and female students
with rubber cables, guns, and clubs. One Armenian woman student lost
an eye due to a beating with a club. She was beaten and stripped.
Another male student, attempting to come to her aid, was shot and
killed.

Witnesses say the hooded attackers were members of the Mahdi militia,
an organization associated with Moktada al-Sadr, a religious leader
whose militia clashed with US forces in Najaf in April 2004. Sadr’s
“uprising” was reigned in by other Muslim clerics led notably by the
Ayatollah al-Sistani whose political coalition won a majority of
seats in Iraq’s National Assembly elections.

Witnesses also say that the students’ belongings, such as jewelry,
mobile phones, cameras, stereo players and loudspeakers, were stolen
or smashed to pieces by the militiamen. Female students not wearing
headscarves (some of whom are not Muslim) were severely beaten, and
at least 20 students were kidnapped, taken to Sadr’s office in
Al-Tuwaisa for “interrogation” and were only released late at night.

Student witnesses and participants in the three-day long
demonstrations said that the protestors demanded that the persons
responsible be brought to justice, that the Mahdi Army have its
offices removed from the university, and that al-Sistani (and other
national leaders) intervene to order an end to religious-based
violence.

Witnesses of the attack also say the police and some British soldiers
were nearby but refused to intervene. One report stated that as many
as 12 police cars were in the vicinity while the attack took place,
but offered no assistance.

In response to the students’ outcry, a spokesperson for al-Sadr
justified the actions of the militiamen in a television interview. He
stated that the Mahdi Army “believers” did what they did in an act of
“divine intervention” in order to punish the students for their
“immoral and outrageous behavior” during the “holy month of Muharram,
while the blood of Imam Hussein is yet to dry.”
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He added that he had sent the “group of believers” to observe and
photograph the students only. But when the militiamen saw them
playing loud music, “the kind they play in bars and discos,” and
openly talking to female students, the “believers had to straighten
things out.”

Thousands of students protested after the violence shouting slogans
such as “No to political Islam,” “No to the new tyranny,” and “No to
Sadr.” The police reportedly attacked the students during the strikes
and protests in order to disperse the demonstrations.

In an attempt to appease the students, local officials publicly
announced that they had met with Sadr and had resolved the matter
peacefully. Sadr’s representatives said they punish the attackers in
a special, private religious court.

Students condemned this action saying that local elected officials
had handed jurisdiction of a civil case to a private individual,
completely bypassing the rule of law. They pointed out the Basrah
governor’s close affiliation with the political coalition to which
al-Sadr and his following belong as a possible motive for this course
of action.

One student wrote on a blog, “The Governor literally appointed Sadr’s
office as judge, witness and law-enforcer. We might even say that the
Sadrists were in fact rewarded for their vile act.”

This student compared the situation to a fascist-style tactic often
used by the “university security” authorities empowered under the
Saddam Hussein dictatorship to seek out and destroy political
opposition on university campuses.

Student organization in different parts of the country, including
Baghdad, Arbil, and Suleimaniya condemned the attacks and sent
statements of solidarity with the Basrah students.

Students in Suleimaniya have been subjected to violence as well. Four
students were injured in Suleimaniya during the second week of
demonstrations against privatization of educational institutions in
the Kurdish region.

The Iraqi Democratic Youth Federation (IDYF) released a statement
condemning the attacks on the Basrah students. “While strongly
condemning these blatant violations of human rights, we consider this
attack a form of laying seeds threatening Iraq’ future democratic
schemes. We declare our full solidarity with the victims of the
attack … with all Iraqi youth and students, as they relentlessly
strive for a better future of a new Iraq.”

The IDYF called on all students and youth to declare solidarity with
the victims of the attack and to demand an end to “any oppression and
to attempts to use religion as cover for usurping the rights achieved
by Iraqi people through their own sacrifices and struggle.”

The Basrah University branch of the General Union of Students in the
Iraqi Republic protested the attacks and urged support for the
student demonstrations, saying: “We all aspire to a democratic Iraq
that would have nothing to do with Saddam’s regime and in no way
resemble the movement of Taliban.”

–Joel Wendland is managing editor of Political Affairs and may be
reached at [email protected].

No military solution for Karabakh problem – Armenian FM

Itar-Tass, Russa
TASS
March 29 2005

No military solution for Karabakh problem – Armenian FM

YEREVAN, March 29 (Itar-Tass) – Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanyan said there can be no military solution for the Nagorno
Karabakh problem.

“It can only be settled through compromise at the negotiations
involving three parties – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh,”
Oskanyan said at a parliamentary hearing in Yerevan on Tuesday over
the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

Armenia’s main approach envisions the right for Karabakh Armenians
for self-determination and its international acknowledgement, the
minister noted.

A settlement — including the elimination of consequences of military
actions, i.e. the liberation of the occupied territories — is only
possible if Azerbaijan recognizes this right which then should be
committed to record.

Oskanyan reminded about Yerevan’s position on the principles of
settlement of the Karabakh problem. They foremost rule out Nagorno
Karabakh’s subordination to Azerbaijan and envision a direct
geographic link between Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia, and the
guarantied safety of the enclave.

At present, the parties have not yet reached uniform approaches to
the settlement issues under discussion, the minister said, noting
that the new meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
– Robert Kocharyan and Ilkham Aliyev — will take place in May.