Armenian premier, German foreign minister discuss economic ties
Arminfo
24 Jun 04

YEREVAN
The fact that the South Caucasus countries have been included in the
Wider Europe: New Neighbourhood programme is very important for
Europe, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said today at a
meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan who is
currently paying a working visit to Germany.
The press service of the Armenian government has told Arminfo news
agency that the German minister noted the possibility of developing
and implementing projects within the framework of the participation of
the South Caucasus countries in the programme.
Commenting on the situation in the South Caucasus at the German
minister’s request, Markaryan said that certain preconditions set
forth by Turkey and Azerbaijan hinder the establishment of effective
regional cooperation.
Noting expanding Armenian-German economic cooperation and experience
gained in this sphere, Markaryan stressed that it was necessary to
further boost joint economic programmes and direct German investment
in the Armenian economy.

Armenian ministry blames border tension on water reservoir
Arminfo
24 Jun 04

YEREVAN
The Armenian Defence Ministry has described as absurd the report in
the Baku-based Zerkalo newspaper that Armenian snipers have killed
Azerbaijani army officers.
The press secretary of the Armenian defence minister, Col Seyran
Shakhsuvaryan, has told an Arminfo correspondent that the tension on
the contact line of the armed forces between Armenia’s Tavush Region
and Azerbaijan’s Qazax District emerged after the Azerbaijani side
attempted to seize the pump station which supplies Armenian border
villages with drinking water. At the same time, the press secretary
roundly denied reports that “the Azerbaijani side has improved its
positions”. “They are where they were,” Col Shakhsuvaryan said.
Apart from this, reports about “numerous casualties on the Armenian
side” do not correspond to reality. “The Armenian side recently lost
two people, and this was reported,” the press secretary said.
He also said that the Azerbaijani village and road mentioned in the
report are located in a different place. Seyran Shakhsuvaryan also
denied that the road had come under fire.
Commenting on the Azerbaijani casualties, the press secretary did not
rule out that servicemen could have fallen victim to internal
clashes. The ministry’s press secretary also said that the Armenian
side had no information about the killing of Azerbaijani officer
Teymur Panahov.
[Passage omitted: quotes from Zerkalo report]

Azeri speaker to take Armenian leader to international tribunal
Lider TV, Baku
25 Jun 04

[Presenter] Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov has issued a specific
instruction to take Armenian President Robert Kocharyan to the
international tribunal as he confessed to criminal activities from the
rostrum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
[Alasgarov] I think that Kocharyan is a criminal. He himself admitted
that he had participated in the Karabakh war and was proud of it. As a
criminal, he should be taken to an international tribunal. I am also
in favour of this. I am asking lawyers from both the opposition and
the authorities to learn the procedure and prepare a draft
decision. We will appeal to relevant organizations to make sure that
international courts deal with this issue.

Armenian leader’s speech to Council of Europe turning point for Karabakh –
paper
Hayots Ashkarh, Yerevan
25 Jun 04

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s speech to the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe has moved the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict to the legal plane, according to an article
in an Armenian newspaper. Kocharyan played Armenia’s “trump card”,
when he said that Karabakh had never been part of independent
Azerbaijan, so recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity had
nothing to do with Karabakh, according to the article. “Europe can use
its real weapon, great international and political authority, and at
one stroke, by means of the NKR’s independence, cut the Karabakh knot
and ensure stable peace in the whole region,” the article concluded.
The following is the text of Vardan Grigoryan’s report in Hayots
Ashkarh on 25 June headlined “The real way of peace”:
It should be said that by means of Robert Kocharyan’s speech in
Strasbourg Armenian foreign policy has made that turning point in the
Karabakh negotiating process, which society was expecting for over 10
years. This was the transfer of the Karabakh settlement process to the
legal plane.
Robert Kocharyan’s strict, full and logical speech from the PACE
[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe] rostrum and
explanation of separate points of the Karabakh issue during the
briefing with deputies, was a turning point in the history of the
positions adopted by Armenian diplomacy on Karabakh. Saying that
Armenia has always been in favour of a peaceful settlement of the
conflict, has always accepted the proposal of the mediating parties
for a common state, the Paris principles, the Key West accords, at the
same time from the high European rostrum the Armenian president
revealed the trump card of the Armenian party: the legal content of
the Karabakh issue. That is:
a) The NKR has never been within an independent Azerbaijan, for this
reason recognition of the territorial integrity of the latter has
nothing to with Nagornyy Karabakh;
b) Nagornyy Karabakh declared its independence along with Azerbaijan
(and even a little earlier) and on the same legal basis, the USSR
constitution and laws, two independent states were formed on the
territory of the former Soviet Azerbaijan;
c) The legal grounds of the NKR independence are flawless, so in such
conditions, instead of the trite “compromises” often applied by the
world community, these grounds should be discussed and gain their
strict assessment, which have the same meaning;
d) From the point of view of preserving peace only the package option
for a settlement poses a lesser danger than today’s status quo. So any
breaking of the latter, without including all the important problems
connected with the Karabakh conflict, will unavoidably lead to a drop
in the parties’ motivation to reach a final settlement and this may
have unpredictable consequences.
All this complex of questions shows that at the current moment in the
negotiating process Armenia is trying to solve three main problems:
1. In proclaiming its devotion to the Paris principles and Key West
accords, which have become a logical ending of the model for a
political settlement, Armenia has been presented before the world
community as a constructive party which is ready for mutual
compromise;
2. Being ahead of Azerbaijan in terms of constructiveness and
commitment to the accords, at the same time the Armenian party
strictly sets its bottom line – the Key West accords, from which it
cannot retreat;
3. As Azerbaijan is the initiator of revising the accords, the
Armenian party supports the world community in transferring the
problem to the legal plane in order to get out of the deadlock, that
is, in international law not to look for the “golden mean” but to
decide who Nagornyy Karabakh, which is strictly preserving all the
laws proclaimed in its independence, belongs to? We think that in this
way we may reach a quick and fruitful settlement of the Karabakh
issue. That is, by discussing the legal grounds of the NKR’s
independence and establishing that they are flawless Europe may settle
all the problems in one go and enter our region. In these conditions
Azerbaijan will have no option but to recognize the fact, as the main
subject of the argument – Nagornyy Karabakh will be immediately taken
out of the field of competition between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Europe
can use its real weapon, great international and political authority,
and at one stroke, by means of the NKR’s independence, cut the
Karabakh knot and ensure stable peace in the whole region.

Armenian opposition leaders hail president’s address to Council of Europe
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
24 Jun 04

[Presenter] The reaction to [Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan’s
speech in Strasbourg and his news conference have become a subject of
discussion in Armenia. According to our correspondent, irrespective of
their political views, people are talking with admiration about the
president’s speech and his answers during the news conference.
[An unidentified woman in the street] I felt proud that Robert
Kocharyan is the president of our country. He gave clear, correct
answers to all the questions, especially, to the Azerbaijani
journalist’s question on Nagornyy Karabakh. I was simply astonished.
[Another unidentified woman in the street] As a citizen of Armenia, I
was very pleased with the president’s speech and it seems to me that
today there is no other statesman in our political field who could
deliver such a speech in Strasbourg. He is a well-established
politician in our political field.
[Chairman of the Union of Armenian Writers Levon Ananyan in his
office] I think that the republic’s president gave clear, distinct
answers to all the questions concerning our foreign policy,
Turkish-Armenian relations and the genocide. I hope that it will
increase our country’s rating in the international community.
[Presenter] The Armenian president’s speech from the rostrum in
Strasbourg has had a positive influence on the country’s political
field. Even Robert Kocharyan’s political opponents highly spoke of his
speech. For example, speaking about Armenia’s position on the
settlement of the Karabakh problem, Artashes Gegamyan [the leader of
the National Unity Party], said that he was satisfied with Mr
Kocharyan’s assessments and approaches.
The leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia, Aram Sarkisyan, said
that one of the main parts of Mr Kocharyan’s speech concerned the
legal aspect of the Karabakh problem. According to Sarkisyan, the
president expressed the opinion that Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity has nothing in common with the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic
[NKR].
Representatives of the [ruling] political coalition have also said
that after Robert Kocharyan’s speech in Strasbourg, the international
community will have a more accurate impression about Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri minister regrets Armenian leader’s “aggressive rhetoric”
ANS TV, Baku
24 Jun 04

[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has already left
France. His speech at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe [PACE] on 23 June is being analysed as a confession of
occupation at the state level.
[Correspondent over video of Kocharyan speaking at PACE] This is
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan’s confession. Yes, I do not
recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. I participated in the
military operation in Nagornyy Karabakh from 1988 to 1994 and am proud
of this.
The head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, MP Samad Seyidov, said
that the Armenian president’s speech did not cause discontent only
amongst Azerbaijani MPs, but also European MPs.
[Samad Seyidov by telephone from Strasbourg] There was a big scandal
here, because of his statement at the Council of Europe that he had
occupied lands and was proud of it. This is a disgrace. At today’s
discussions on the Nagornyy Karabakh-Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict,
[Secretary-General elect] Terry Davis said that the Armenian president
had said those words yesterday. However, we should bear in mind that
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity has been recognized by the UN.
[Correspondent] Seyidov said that the shorthand report of Robert
Kocharyan’s report was already ready and the speech would be analysed
and reflected in documents and a resolution of the Council of
Europe. A quote: Kocharyan has actually exposed himself with his
statement in Strasbourg. He did not behave like a president, but a
ringleader. He will soon be brought to book at a military court for
his utterances, end quote.
Robert Kocharyan’s scandalous speech is already being debated in all
Council of Europe committees. The MP said that this issue would also
be debated at the autumn session of PACE.
[Samad Seyidov] We both protested against this, are preparing the
necessary documents for the next session, and members of our
delegation are meeting other delegates to prove that the information
given was wide of the mark. At the same time, we are planning to take
several other concrete steps.
[Correspondent] We asked the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry for its next
steps. Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that the aggressive
rhetoric from the influential Council of Europe rostrum caused regret
and did not serve a peaceful resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict.
Afat Telmanqizi for ANS.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE mediators concerned over truce violations on Azeri-Armenian border
Arminfo
25 Jun 04

YEREVAN
The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group for the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict are concerned over the situation on the
border between Armenia’s Tavush Region and Azerbaijan’s Qazax
District.
The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuriy Merzlyakov, has
said in an interview with Regnum news agency that the OSCE co-chairs
are concerned over the situation in the area of the water reservoir
[on the border]. “In our assessments we are guided by the reports of
Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal representative of the OSCE’s
chairman-in-office, who monitored the contact line between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces on 12-15 June,” Merzlyakov
noted. The co-chairman said that on the basis of his reports, the
envoys of the OSCE Minsk Group countries in Baku and Yerevan had
informed the presidents about their concerns and called on them to
prevent the escalation of tension. “The conclusion is as follows –
the cease-fire is being violated, and this has to be stopped as soon
as possible,” the Russian co-chairman noted.

Georgia restores Armenia’s rail link to Ajaria
Arminfo
25 Jun 04

YEREVAN
In accordance with an agreement signed between the railway companies
of Armenia and Georgia, the Yerevan-Tbilisi-Batumi railway link was
restored on 24 June in order to enable Armenian citizens to spend
their summer holidays at Georgia’s Black Sea resorts, the press
service of the Armenian Ministry of Transport and Communications told
Arminfo news agency today.

Bouygues’ Saur unit wins 41.2 mln usd water management contract in Armenia
AFX Europe (Focus)
Jun 25, 2004

PARIS (AFX) – Bouygues SA’s water unit Saur has won a 41.2 mln usd
contract to renovate and manage the water distribution network in
Armenia, the Armenian government said.
The contract covers management operations in 38 cities and 250
villages until 2009.
[email protected]

Armenia set to expand cooperation with NATO – deputy minister
Hayots Ashkharh, Yerevan
25 Jun 04

Text of Vaan Vardanyan’s report by Armenian newspaper Hayots Ashkharh
on 25 June headlined “What took place in Baku should be regarded as an
incident”
An interview with [Armenian] Deputy Defence Minister Artur
Agabekyan. He comments on the events that have taken place in Baku.
[Hayots Ashkharh correspondent] How do you assess the events in Baku
when an attempt was made to lynch two Armenian officers who attended a
NATO conference within the framework of the Partnership for Peace
programme?
[Artur Agabekyan] I think it may be regarded as an incident. Our main
purpose has always been to use any invitation to cooperate with
NATO. Only by means of cooperation, can numerous regional problems be
settled.
[Correspondent] Even if Azerbaijan seems unable to ensure the security
of Armenian officers on its territory?
[Agabekyan] I would not like to give such assessments, as if there is
any bias here. I think that on the first day of the conference, they
simply could not predict such an incident. In the next few days,
security was already seriously ensured and our officers took an active
part in the subsequent work of the conference. We managed to reach
such a level that we shall participate in upcoming summits as a
fully-fledged party with five Armenian officers in attendance. We
shall have posts in a multi-national unit which is being formed.
[Correspondent] Does it mean that the participation of the rank and
file is ruled out?
[Agabekyan] We wanted the Armenian rank and file to participate in the
exercises together with officers. But the incident let it be known
that only the participation of officers is expedient. Because ensuring
the security of officers is much easier for Azerbaijan than of the
rank and file. The point is that the rank and file will live in
barracks together with representatives of other countries’ rank and
file. As for the officers, they live separately as is the case in our
country. So in September, we shall take part in those exercises and
expect support from the NATO member countries and the USA. We hope
that the Azerbaijani party will learn a lesson from the incident and
will seriously ensure the security not only of Armenian officers, but
also of the whole event. After the last incident, not only Gen Murad
Isakhanyan, but also all the other participants in the conference
think that what took place was an attempt not only on the life of
Armenian officers, but also of all the participants in the
conference. The Azerbaijani party seems to have drawn conclusions from
this.
[Correspondent] How will you explain the latest worsening of the
situation on the defence positions in the village of Berkaber? An
Armenian contract serviceman was killed. Against the background of the
conference, is the Azerbaijani party deliberately worsening the
situation?
[Agabekyan] I would not like to connect these two questions. Such
worsening sometimes takes place along the entire Armenian border
during the period of time between shifts and engineering work. What
took place near the village of Berkaber was due to engineering
works. The Azerbaijani party tried to take a more favourable position
and the heights that were controlled by our observation posts. Our
units took relevant steps. I think that this activity will be
temporary. In any case, we should understand that we do not guard an
ordinary border, we guard the border with Azerbaijan. Unfortunately,
in such a situation, we may have losses and wounded, this is the
difficulty of service. But we have to find the strength and resist
it. Our general staff is cooperating with international structures. We
always visit sectors of the border and try to reduce the intensity of
firefights there.