Armenian president names new envoy to USA – full version

Mediamax news agency
19 Mar 05

YEREVAN

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has signed a decree appointing
Tatul Markaryan to the post of Armenian ambassador to the USA, the
press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Mediamax news
agency today.

Tatul Markaryan is 41. He was born in Kapan. In 1985, Markaryan
graduated from the Yerevan Institute of Economics, did his
postgraduate study in 1989 and received a PhD in economics. Markaryan
also studied at the faculty of international research of the John
Hopkins University (Washington, USA) and received a master’s degree in
international relations.

In 1990-91, Markaryan was an assistant to the deputy chairman of the
Armenian Supreme Soviet. In 1991-94, he was an assistant to the
Armenian vice-president and at the same time, head of the Armenian
prime minister’s staff.

In 1994-98, he worked as an adviser at the Armenian embassy in the USA
and as a deputy head of the diplomatic mission.

In January 1999, Tatul Markaryan was appointed adviser to the Armenian
foreign minister and in June 2000, a deputy foreign minister.

Markaryan was a special representative of the Armenian president in
the negotiations on the settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict
in 2002-2003.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENCE OF NAGORNY KARABAKH:
RESOLUTION OF OPPOSITION JUSTICE BLOC

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. Armenian National Assembly must
immediately recognize the independence of Nagorny Karabakh, says a
resolution adopted at today’s conference on problem of peaceful
settlement of Karabakh’s conflict organized by the opposition Justice
bloc. The resolution was read out by Leader of Armenian Democratic
Party Aram G. Sargsyan.

Representatives of both the opposition and the ruling parties
participated at the conference. The resolution says that the Karabakh
problem’s essence in various international instances has been
distorted recently and now it is presented as an especially
territorial quarrel between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The recent
resolution adopted by the PACE proves it.

As a result, the independence of Karabakh from Azerbaijan found itself
doubtful. There are high-rank officials in Armenia continuing to
insist with dangerous optimism that Narogny Karabakh is in no
danger. The authorities have to submit to the international community
the full-value (diplomatic note) consisting the state position of
Armenia on Karabakh problem.

Besides, it is necessary to have a common concept and the program of
actions concerning the settlement problem, as well as to establish a
Center coordinating its realization. An active propagandistic activity
aimed to introduce the international community the Karabakh problem’s
essence is also necessary, resolution stresses.

To note, conference participants addressed a letter to the Council of
Europe. They stated the history of Nagorny Karabakh, its involving
into the structure of Azerbaijan and the Karabakh conflict based on
the historical facts. -r-

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OPPOSITIONISTS DIFFER ON POSSIBLE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING IN
KARABAKH

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. Resumption of war is the most undesirable
development of the Karabakh conflict, says the leader of the Republic
party, MP Albert Bazeyan.

Bazeyan sees no need in the deployment of international peacekeepers
on the Karabakh-Azeri contact line. “The Karabakh defence forces have
already proved their independence in ensuring their countries
security,” says Bazeyan.

Bazeyan’s colleague Stepan Zakaryan is of different opinion –
international peacekeeping may serve the interests of the Armenian
side if the forces are deployed on the present contact line. This may
also depend on what countries are involved in the peacekeeping. In the
Karabakh peace process one should not rely exclusively on the
international community, says Zakaryan noting that the biggest threat
for Karabakh is overwhelming corruption in Armenia, a country ensuring
its security.

GERMANY’S POSITION HAS SERIOUS MOTIVE FOR SUPPORT TO DRAFT RESOLUTION
ON GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. Draft resolution “Commemoration Day of
Armenians on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the masacre on
April 24, 1915 – Germany must promote reconciliation and peace between
Turks and Armenians” stresses the responsibilities of Imperial Germany
that arises from knowing of the events without trying to prevent them
German opinion can easily support this motion. Christoph Bergner MP,
the editor of the draft resolution on genocide, and President of the
German-Caucasian Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag, stated during
the interview to ARMINFO.

According to the deputy, in this connection the position of Germany
has serious grounds for supporting this draft. It is explicitly not a
resolution calling for the acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide
like the resolution adopted by the French Parliament, but a motion for
promoting dialogue and understanding both within Turkey and between
Turkey and Armenia. The evidence by now is as clear as it was 90 years
ago.

The archives of the German Foreign Ministry are open to all
researchers and have been so for over 50 years (cf. the statement of
the German ambassador to Turkey on March 12). These archives contain
well-known evidence for the events 1915-1916, because Germany being a
close ally of the Ottoman Empire had excellent information on all
proceedings within the Ottoman borders. The documents concerning the
Armenian subjects of the Ottoman Empire have even recently been
published on the internet, Christoph Bergner said.

ADVISER OF GEORGIAN PRESIDENT BLAMES RUSSIA FOR ACTIONS LEAD TO
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN OTTOMAN TURKEY

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. Russia could hardly use once again
long-suffering Armenian people (the matter concerns the Armenian
community of Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia) as a “blunt
instrument” to achieve its interests in the region. As ARDF informed
ARMINFO, Adviser of Georgian President on Foreign Affairs Georgy
Gachechiladze says in an interview to “Rao-Rao” Georgian newspaper.

He stressed that they have found themselves in Georgia as a result of
massacre and mass deportation from Ottoman Turkey early in 20th
century. Gachechiladze says that this terrible crime was provoked
exactly by Russia armed and appealed Turkey to organize revolt against
Turkish power, later on Russia left there people helpless doomed them
to the mass annihilation. “Taking into account these historical
realities I am sure that Armenian people will not forget its tragic
past not to follow Russia’s tastes and not to create problems for
Georgia sheltered and guarantee safe conditions for them”, he noted.

To note, this statement caused discontent of ARFD party stressed in a
statement receiving by ARMINFO that “Such statements express Turkey’s
official version about Genocide and try to introduce society that
Armenian people were the instrument in the hands of other countries
but not the victims of Turkey’s barbarian policy. Gachechiladze
demonstrated disrespect towards the memory of victims of Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey”. The ARFD statement stresses that the
threatening expressions of Georgian official does not do a public
officer of a democratic state but resemlbes the statement of an
authoritarian state’s offical. -r-

LIBERATED TERRITORIES SHOULD BE PLACED TO NAGORNO KARABAKH’S CONTROL:
NEW TIMES LEADER

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. The Karabakh peace process should place
the liberated territories under Karabakh’s control and should discuss
both their and Karabakhs status, the leader of the New Times party
Aram Karapetyan at a conference held by the Justice opposition bloc
today.

The present Armenian authorities have no resources to settle the
Karabakh conflict favorably for the Armenian side. There has been
nothing but empty talk and fruitless meeting since the conclusion of
the truce 10 years ago, says Karapetyan.

The chairman of the political council of the Republic party Albert
Bazeyan said that the Karabakh conflict can be settled only by peace
talks. Military settlement has no prospects. The conflicting parties
should realize that the conflict can be settled through compromises
only. It is for the Karabakh people to decide what compromise the
Armenia party should make. Armenia’s development is a guarantee to any
agreements and compromises by Karabakh – and so Armenia needs restored
constitutional order and democracy.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LONG STAY OF SETTLERS IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONTROLLED TERRITORIES TO
SERIOUSLY COMPLICATE NAGORNO KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. The OSCE Minsk Group Fact-Finding Mission
says in its conclusions from a visit to the territories controlled by
Nagorno Karabakh that although most settlers interview by the FFM
expressed a desire to return to the areas from which they fled it is
clear that the longer they remain in the controlled territories the
deeper their roots and attachments to their present places of
residence will become.

Prolonged continuation of this situation could leader to a fait
accompli that would seriously complicate the peace process.

In most areas examined except Lachin settlers were found living in
miserable and isolated conditions, In this respect their situation is
comparable to that of many persons dislocated by the conflict.
Considering also the appalling conditions of the refugees and IDPs on
the Azerbaijan side the situation in the occupied territories should
also be seen in humanitarian terms as an additional factor motivating
efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement., Prolonged lack of
resolution of the conflict hampers economic development and impedes
the possibility of improving living conditions for all its victims.

In conclusion the co-chairs appreciate the cooperation extended by the
governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as by the NK authorities
before and during the work do the mission.

TURKEY ELABORATES NEW STRATEGY ON FIGHT AGAINST ARMENIAN CLAUSE

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. During the sitting of the Coordination
Council on fight against “groundless ideas of the Genocide of
Armenians in Ottoman Turkey”, which was held in Ankara under the
chairmanship of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Abdullah Gul,
the participants elaborated a news strategy on fight against the
Armenian clause. Turkish daily Hurriyet informs.

According to the resource, within the framework of the measures on
fight against Armenian clause Turkey particularly intends to intensify
the propaganda activities on the international arena and present to
the world “the real fact of the events of beginning of the 20th
century”, as well as to open a museum telling about “the tolerance of
Ottoman Turks”. Besides, the authorities of Turkey intend to make
efforts towards removal from several text-books of France, the USA, as
well as other countries provisions accusing Turkey of genocide of
Armenia.

AZERI DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: NKR SEPARATISTS DO NOT ACT IN ISOLATION
FROM ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. Statement of OSCE representative Richard
Morphy on responsibility of NKR leadership for populating Armenian
people on the territories controlled by NKR is in political
interests. As Baku 525th daily informs, says Azeri Deputy Foreign
Minister, personal representative of Azeri President on Karabakh’s
problem settlement Araz Azimov.

Azimov says that the statement was made by the order of co-chairmen
and is beyond of logic. “Let us to see where Karabakh starts and ends
and where Armenia starts and ends. Karabakh is an Azeri territory,
however Robert Kocharyan headed separatists in Karabakh is Armenia’s
President and Serje Sargsyan lived in Karabakh is Armenia’s Defence
Minister. It shows that NKR separatists do not act in isolation from
Armenia. Any their step depends on the will of the official Yerevan”,
Azimov noted. -r-

CONGRESSMAN RADANOVICH PLEDGES TO SUPPORT GENOCIDE REAFFIRMATION EFFORTS

WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. The Armenian Assembly’s campaign
for reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide gained strength today as
Representative George Radanovich (R-CA), a member of the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, vowed to sponsor and support initiatives
leading to U.S. recognition of the attempted annihilation of the
Armenian people.

AAA reports that in a speech before Congress today, Radanovich thanked
current and former U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia John Evans and Harry
Gilmore for publicly using the term to characterize this crime against
humanity. “I thank the Ambassadors for their statements and pledge to
continue my ongoing efforts to sponsor initiatives that would build on
the U.S. record towards an inevitable, full and irrevocable
U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide,” Radanovich said. Evans,
who has studied Russian and Ottoman History at Yale and Columbia
Universities, as well as the Kennan Institute, publicly affirmed the
Armenian Genocide during meetings with major Armenian-American
communities last month.

During those exchanges, Evans declared, “the Armenian Genocide was the
first genocide of the twentieth century.” Gilmore, who has also
studied the subject extensively, recently told Radio Free Europe/
Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that, “There is no doubt that the Armenian
events were genocide.” The former diplomat told the news agency that
the United Nations Genocide Convention, which was adopted following
World War II, “sets up a standard and the massacres and deportations
of the Ottoman Armenians meet that standard fully.”

On the heels of these and other pubic declarations, the Armenian
Assembly launched a national campaign to urge President Bush to
properly recognize the Armenian Genocide in his statement of
remembrance next month.

To that end, the Assembly mobilized its nationwide network of
activists to join this effort, and those of Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ), who are rallying Members of Congress to urge the President
to formally recognize the Genocide.