ASSEMBLY OF ETCHMIADZIN AND CILICIA PATRIARCHIES AT HOLY SEE OF
ETCHMIADZIN

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. An assembly of representatives of the
Patriarchies of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Great House of Cilicia was
held at Holy See of Etchmiadzin March 4-5.

The press service of Holy See Etchmiadzin informs ARMINFO that the
meeting aimed preparation of a single project of the two Patriarchies
“Renewal of the Armenian Apostolic Church.”

On March 4 Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received the
assembly participants. The current canonic situation in the AAC,
Christian education of the Armenian flock, maintenance of spiritual and
cultural heritage, training of priests, development of inter-confession
relations, the Church-state relations, as well as protection of the
Armenian people’s rights and use of up-to-date technical means were
discussed.

The meeting resulted in preparation of a joint document for its further
submission to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I.

ARMENIA HAS NO SOCIAL OR POLITICAL PREREQUISITES FOR REVOLUTION

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. Armenia has no social or political
preconditions for revolution, says presudential advisor for national
security Garnik Isagulyan commenting on the opposition’s revolutionary
plans for this spring.

These statements come from personal ambitions, he says noting that
the opposition is showing its political incompetence by calling
for revolution now that in May the whole world will be watching
parliamentary elections in Nagorny Karabakh. “I suppose they have
already realized that for they have begun saying they are not holding
but just preparing for revolution this sprig.” “Otherwise it would
be high treason,” says Isagulyan.

He says that the ruling coalition would be much stronger given stronger
opposition. There are some opposition moods inside the coalition
itself. But they are not so deep as to split the coalition. They are
quite natural, says Isagulyan.

TURKEY TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SOONER OR LATER

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. Turkey realizes that sooner or later it
will be forced to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, says presidential
advisor for national security Garnik Isagulyan.

But it is concerned for the possible consequences – particularly for
possible compensation,

Nevertheless Turkey will have to revise its policy on Armenia
especially considering its aspiration to join EU.

Europe realizes that the recogntion of the Armenian Genocide
is a guarantee against similar occurrences in the future. The
acknowledgement process is being encouraged by both Armenia’s
consistent foreign policy and Turkey’s intention to become part of
the civilized and democratic European family. All this is fostering
progress in the matter.

Armenia has repeatedly stated that it is ready to establish relations
with Turkey with no preliminary conditions and it is strange that
Turkey links this issue with Armenian-Azeri relations. “In fact Turkey
has fallen hostage to its own position and is well aware of it,”
says Isagulyan.

ARMENIAN-AZERI CONFLICT CAN BE SETTLED ONLY WITH NAGORNY
KARABAKH’S PARTICIPATION

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
can be settled by peaceful talks only with the participation of
Nagorny Karabakh, says former Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group
Vladimir Kazimirov.

If anybody knew how this can be done he would have to be asked,
says azimirov noting that he has repeatedly proposed his alternative
solution to the conflict. He says that the conflicting parties should
first of all proclaim that Nagorny Karabakh is the gist (subject
and object) of the problem and that they are ready for historical
reconciliation.

Then they should start trilateral talks on all aspects of the
problem. There should be neither winners or losers in this century
long conflict. The parties need a draw to free their decedents from
revenge complex. What has already happened in Azerbaijan and Armenia
in Nakhichevan and Karabakh cannot be replayed without blood. But quick
settlement should include withdrawal of troops from the territories
outside Karabakh. The smell of oil is irremovable but it should not
be allowed to determine the fate of the whole region.

It is for the parties to decide if Nagorny Karabakh should be part
of Azerbaijan or Armenia or be independent. If they fail this should
be determined by the people in a democratic way. The non recognition
of the referendum held in Nagorny Karabakh in 1991 according to the
Soviet law because of non participation of the Azeri community is
is a weak argument considering the fact that it was Baku who ordered
this non participation.

It is a difficult question if a new referendum can be held without
the participation of several tens of thousands of Azeri voters.
Nakhichevan regularly holds elections despite the lack of big percent
of former Armenian voters, notes Kazimirov.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN CASE OF RESUMPTION OF MILITARY OPERATIONS RESPONSE OF
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RELATING TO INITIATOR OF BLOODSHED WILL BE
STRICT

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. in the case of resumption of military
operations in the issue of settlement of the Karabakh conflict the
response of the international community regarding the initiator of the
bloodshed will be strict. Former Cochairman of OSCE Minsk Group from
Russia Vladimir Kazimirov stated answering the question of the daily
“Yerkir”.

According to him, not only Russia, but all the cocochairing states
of the OSCE Minsk Group, majority of other states and international
organizations not only won’t they approve the actions of the
initiators of the new bloodshed, but take stricter position. For
example, even David Atkinson marked what position the Council of
Europe will take, Vladimir Kazimirov said. Speaking of the reality
of threats of resumption of military operations the Russian expert
noted that the manifestations of revanchism should be vied not taking
into account the obstinate attempts of Baku to solve the Karabakh
conflict by force in 1990s. The result turned to be the opposite to the
expectations, and the parties had to declare cease-fire in 1994 without
any pre-conditions. But somebody took it as a induced pause. The fact
of threats to resolve the conflict by force – it is still an internal
political bluff, constant signal of dissatisfaction, reluctance to
resign themselves to losses and to make serious concessions.

The threats are against series of international obligations of
Azerbaijan, they make an ass of it. But one should not ignore the
revanchism in Baku, especially at official levels. It is harmful,
it hinders to resume serious negotiations. The manifestations of
revanchism have become such obsessive that it is high time the
international organizations to respond it. It already requires
special examination and investigations, Vladimir Kazimirov stressed.

In his opinion, he considers the guarantee of security of the people
of Nagorny Karabakh the guarantees of four or even five levels: –
obligations of all the parties of the conflict to solve all the moot
points exceptionally by peace; obligations of the adversarial party
(grounded demilitarization of all liberated districts right up to
determination and coming into force of final status of Nagorny
Karabakh); – own potentialities of Nagorny Karabakh (in a short
period to attract additional resources of Armenia if necessary); –
international guarantees corroborated by the resolution of UN Security
Council. Of course, we shall think also about guarantees of security
for Azerbaijani population who return to liberated territories. Despite
the demilitarization, the security of the residents of these districts
must be ensured surly at several levels, the Russian expert stated.

TURKEY VENTS ITS POLITICAL AMBITIONS AGAINST ARMENIANS AND KURDS ON
NAMES OF ANIMALS

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. “Corrections” of the Latin names of wild
animals by Turkish authorities are nothing but political games,
Armenian Nature Protection Minister Vardan Ayvazyan informs ARMINFO
commenting on the instruction of the Turkish Ministry for Environment
and Forest Economy Protection on liquidation of adjectives from the
names of a number animals bearing any relations to Kurdistan and
Armenia.

In particular, Turkish Mass Media reports that in conformity with
instructions of the Turkish authorities, the red fox more known as
“Kurdistani fox” will be called just red fox, moufflon. Besides,
“wild Armenian sheep” has been renamed into “wild sheep of Anatolia.”
The Armenian roe deer will be called just roe deer from now and on.
According to Turkish Mass Media, Head of the Department for
Protection of Nature and National Parks of Turkey Professor Kemal
Yalinkilich stated that the scientific names of these wild animals
were changed “within the interests of the country”. “At present some
strange games are wages with respect to our country. A number of
persons use the names of representatives of our fauna in order to
emphasize that Kurds and Armenians lived here. Changing the names of
these animals, we have put an end to these games,” the professor
said.

Commenting on this statement, Vardan Ayvazyan pointed out that the
political problems were not solved by combating Latin names. the
minister said adding that it is Turks who have waged “these strange
games” for the last five centuries.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: APPLICATION OF EXPERIENCE OF COOPERATION OF THREE
BALTIC STATES IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS CAN BECOME A GOOD PLEDGE OF
STABILITY AND PEACEFUL INTERACTION

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
received Chairwoman of the Latvian Parliament Ingrid Udre Monday.

The presidential press-service informs ARMINFO that Ingrid Udre
presented political and economic processes in Latvia after joining
the EU. She said that despite numerous reforms carried out in Latvia
before its admission to the EU, there was still much to do for full
conformity with European standards. She noted that Latvia was due to
pay more attention to the relations with the South Caucasian states
entering the way towards integration into Europe, in particular, with
Armenia. In his turn, Robert Kocharyan noted that Armenia’s intention
to integrate into the European family was very serious and the
reforms in the country were carried out just to meet European
standards. The president said that in that aspect the way passed by
Latvia would further remain in the focus of attention of Armenia.
President Kocharyan also called the cooperation of the three Baltic
states a good example for imitation and its application in the South
Caucasus could become a good pledge of stability and peaceful
interaction.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

New head of British NGO branch introduced to Karabakh authorities

Arminfo, Yerevan
7 Mar 05

Stepanakert , 7 March: The deputy foreign minister of the Nagornyy
Karabakh Republic, Masis Mailyan, today received Edward Row, the
outgoing head of the Nagornyy Karabakh branch office of the British
NGO, the Halo Trust. Edward Row introduced the new head of the branch
office, Valon Kumnova, to the Karabakh government, the press service
of the Nagornyy Karabakh Foreign Ministry has told Arminfo.

Masis Mailyan pointed to the importance of the Halo Trust’s
mine-clearance work in Nagornyy Karabakh. He thanked Edward Row for
the effective cooperation with the republic’s Foreign Ministry,
saying that the ministry would continue to facilitate the
organization’s work in the future.

Valon Kumnova, in turn, expressed his readiness to develop the
traditions of cooperation between the Halo Trust and the Karabakh
authorities.

ROUND TABLE “SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONLFICT AND STATE
CONSTRUCTION” IN NKR

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. A round table on the topic “Settlement
of
Karabakh problem and state construction” was held in NKR capital of
Stepanakert on the initiative of a newly established party
“Movement-88.”

According to ARMINFO’s special correspondent to Stepanakert,
participating
in the event were political figures of NKR, experts, public
representatives
and journalists. In particular, the diplomatic aspect of Karabakh
conflict’s
settlement was discussed.

NKR MP Maxim Mirzoyan pointed out with regret that independence must
be
built strictly in conformity with the regulations. One should not
speculate
on our victory in the war. He came out for existence of a health
opposition
in the country. One of the promoters of the newly established party
“Free
Motherland” Artur Tovmasyan stated that the parties must not have
disagreements in the key issues of Karabakh conflict’s settlement. He
said
that David Atkinson’s report has an economic hidden motives and
“smells with
oil.”

Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Commission Vahram
Atanesyan
came out for openness of discussions on Karabakh problem; in
particular,
Karabakh party must be more informed of the negotiations between the
foreign
political departments of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Representative of
ARFD
Vahram Balayan said that the international community allowed Karabakh
to
development in conformity with international standards and finally
the two
Armenian states must unite. Similar discussions will be organized in
future
as well.

CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE OF OSCE SEES PRECONDITIONS FOR OPTIMISM IN
SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

YEREVAN, MARCH 7. ARMINFO. The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE,
Slovenian Foreign Minster Dimitrij Rupel, urged Permanent Members
of the UN Security Council on Friday to use their influence to help
end some long- standing conflicts in the OSCE region. Addressing the
Security Council in New York, he said there were signs that conflicts
in parts of Moldova and Georgia and in Nagorno-Karabakh, sometimes
referred to as “frozen”, were starting to thaw. “It is difficult for
inter-state organizations to deal with non-state actors, even if –
as in some cases – they are de facto authorities,” Minister Rupel said.

“There are times when the leverage of powerful states – including
Permanent Members of this Council – can be crucial. I urge you to
exert that pressure in the context of OSCE mediation efforts to help
resolve these long- standing conflicts.”

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office said he had noted with interest the report
of the UN High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. The
OSCE had gone through a similar process two years ago which resulted
in its Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the
Twenty-first Century. “Through the implementation of this Strategy,
I believe that the OSCE can take on some of the UN s burden in the
OSCE area,” he said.

“As the UN Panel noted, the Security Council s ability to more
proactively prevent and respond to threats could be strengthened by
making fuller and more productive use of regional organizations. The
OSCE is well positioned and well-equipped to do so.”

The Chairman-in-Office said that in addressing new threats to security,
the bottom line for the OSCE was upholding the rule of law.

“For example, we have to be sure that efforts to combat terrorism are
not done in a way that violates human rights. And that border guards
learn sophisticated techniques and a proper code of conduct. And
that human trafficking is tackled by effective investigation, law
enforcement and prosecution.” He singled out policing as a good example
of the type of hands-on work that the OSCE was doing effectively to
address the needs of participating States.

“Good policing has a vital role to play in the prevention of conflict,
the preservation of social stability during political crises and the
post-conflict rehabilitation of societies,” Minister Rupel said.

“No other international organization currently possesses the
potential to strengthen long-term law enforcement capacity- and
institution-building in the OSCE region in the States most susceptible
to crime, corruption and human rights violations.”