Armenia, Azerbaijan `Close To Karabakh Deal'

[Joseph]

This one is pretty good

http://www.armenica.org/history/en/overview/karabakh93.html

[Gavur]

Kazimirov: No One Going to Impose Peacekeeper to Karabakh Conflict Parties

19.01.2006 20:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ No one is going to impose peacekeepers to the parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Russian President's Plenipotentiary Representative on Nagorno Karabakh (1992-96), former Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov said during an on-line interview in OpenArmenia.com forum. “Let them solve the problems themselves! However, can they agree and specifically observe arrangements? This is proved by nothing yet. Out of the agreements just made within the 18 years of conflict, two were broken rather quickly and a third one – that on the cease-fire – is kept on the whole, but not ideally. Judge yourself whether the parties can agree on everything themselves and the most important to observe all arrangements without assistance from outside?” he remarked.

Answering a question when in his opinion the process on settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict itself will begin, Kazimirov said, «Yes, these are merely consultations, though at the high and even top level, search for a number of contact points. However, it is time to restore the full talks. The next meeting of the two Presidents could give green to it, however the traffic lights became jammed on the yellow,» the Russian diplomat stated. «All parties to conflict should take part in the negotiations. The OSCE Budapest Summit has commissioned the Minsk Group co-chairs to hold talks between the parties to conflict. No one has canceled that decision.» In his words, the two parties have in fact deformed the negotiation process. It is strange this did not meet OSCE proper counteraction. The lack of ability to assert and put into effect one's decisions, passed at a summit forum is not the best attestation of effectiveness of an international organization, he summed up.

[Gavur]

Armenian Foreign Minister Marked The Meeting With His Azeri Colleague As 'difficult"

THE ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MARKED THE MEETING WITH HIS AZERI COLLEAGUE AS 'DIFFICULT'

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20. ARMINFO. The Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian marked the meeting with his Azeri colleague Elmar Mamediarov as 'difficult'. "We reached a really difficult stage. In spit of a generally positive atmosphere the difficulties are evident," said Mr. Oskanian in an interview to radio "Liberty".

He informed that an agreement about the meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan was achieved on the meeting. The President of France Jacques Chirac invited Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliev to meet together in France. The date of the meeting has not been determined yet, but for certain it will take place in the next 10 days.

On their meeting the Ministers worked out a document that will be taken for a basis on the meeting of the two Presidents. "We have not worked out a project of agreement between Armenian and Azerbaijan, but the present document concerns the main principles of Karabakh conflict settlement. Mr. Oskanian said that the document can be worked out in detail and transformed into a project of an agreement in case Armenia and Azerbaijan come to a consent on its main principles.

The meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers was held at the Russian embassy in London with the participation of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen.

[Gavur]

Osce Minsk Group Co-chairmen – Arkady Ghukasyan Meeting Was Held In Yerevan

On December 14 OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs had over one-hour long meeting with the President of Nagorno-Karabakh Arkadi Ghukasyan. Following the meeting, Co-Chairs refused to tell journalists anything about negotiations. Instead, Arkadi Ghukasyan answered a long range of questions. He particularly mentioned that no written suggestion has been presented to him. One could infer from Arkadi Ghukasyan’s speech that the parties to the conflict have not come close to the resolution of the conflict. NKR President stated that any solution envisages concessions. However, one concession is by no means possible, Artsakh will never be returned to Azerbaijan.

http://www.panorama.am/index.asp?sel=2261&l=e

[Gavur]

The European Parliament Finds Settlement Of The Karabakh Conflict Important

A1+

| 20:03:02 | 20-01-2006 | Politics |



On January 19 the report "European Neighbor Policy" prepared by
EP member Charles Tannock from Britain was adopted in the European
Parliament plenary session.

As a result of the official and non-official discussions of
several weeks prior to the session more than 50 amendments had been
represented. Before the ratification of the resolution long discussions
took place in the session.

President of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee
Mary-Ann Izler Begin represented several amendments including one
condemning the elimination of the Armenian monuments in Juga with which
she called on the Azeri authorities to put an end to the destruction
of the Armenian medieval historical monuments.

By another amendment of Izler-Begin the European Parliament urged
Russia and Turkey to play a constructive role contributing to the
peaceful settlement of the conflict and re-establishment of the
regional cooperation, and thus calling on Turkey to open the borders
with Armenia.

Paying attention to the arguments brought by the Armenian side,
that any announcement at this point can affect the negotiations about
the peaceful settlement of the conflict, quite a balanced resolution
was adopted. According to it, as the Karabakh conflict hinders the
development and regional cooperation of both Armenia and Azerbaijan,
as well as the realization of European Neighbors Policy, EU calls on
the parties to avoid one-sided actions and military announcements, try
to lead a constructive dialogue with all the sides concerned and thus
work for the peaceful settlement of the conflict respecting the rights
of the ethnic minorities and the principles of international law.

[Gavur]

Kocharian-Aliyev Likely To Meet 10 Feb

By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily #011
24/01/2006

Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in early February in
Paris, Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian told RFE/RL while
commenting on his meeting with his Azeri counterpart in London. "The
venue and the exact day of the meeting will be finalized by the
French side and they should announce [it] soon, [in] the coming
days," Oskanian said adding that the French side has already handed
the invitations to both presidents. France will officially announce
the place and hour of the meeting but the Armenian and Azeri FMs will
not meet before that time.

Oskanian expressed caution, saying the talks he had in London with
Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mamediarov had "reached their
purpose," which was to pave the way for a presidential summit. The
Armenian foreign minister said both sides were still working on what
he described as a "non paper" that intends to serve as a framework
document for future talks: "It is not a draft agreement, let's make
that very clear. This is a half-page text where certain principles
of the [conflict's] resolution have been articulated and this serves
as a guideline for talks between the [foreign] ministers, and also
the presidents [of both countries]. Once those principles [will] be
agreed [upon], then [they] could serve as a basis for a more detailed
document, which eventually could serve as a guiding document for the
resolution of the conflict."

As daily Azg had earlier reported, the second day of London meeting
Elmar Mamediarov labeled the talks intensive and rich. Though all
details of the meeting are kept under wraps, the Azeri Trend agency
quotes minister Mamediarov as calling "unclear" the next stage of
negotiates. The Azeri FM stated that the talks were rather tough but
meanwhile rather wide. "The basic principles of negotiation principle
still top the agenda," Mamediarov said.

Tair Tagizade, spokesperson for the Azeri Foreign Ministry, provided
no information on the date of Armenian and Azeri presidents though,
as Azeri Press reports citing diplomatic sources, the sides agreed
to meet on 10 February.

[Hovik]

France To Host Armenia-azerbaijan Talks On Disputed Territory

FRANCE TO HOST ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN TALKS ON DISPUTED TERRITORY
Received Tuesday, 24 January 2006 18:21:00 GMT
YEREVAN, Jan 24, 2006 (AFP) - The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet in Paris on February 10 at the invitation of French President Jacques Chirac to seek ways to resolve a long-standing dispute over the territory of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian officials said here Tuesday.
"We are optimistic" about the talks, said Viktor Sogomonyan, spokesman for Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, as he announced the date of the meeting.
The invitation from Chirac was announced during talks last Friday in London between the foreign ministers of the two ex-Soviet republics.
Armenia and Azerbaijan remain in a tense military standoff over Nagorno Karabakh and have held years of fruitless negotiations under the mediation of the Minsk group, made up of France, Russia and the United States.
Nagorno Karabakh is a mountainous territory located inside the borders of Azerbaijan but inhabited mainly by ethnic Armenians.
Armenian and Azerbaijani forces fought for control of the territory from 1988 to 1994. The conflict left around 25,000 people dead -- estimates vary widely, depending on the source -- and led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, most of them ethnic Azeris.

[Gavur]

Nkr President Met Osce Chair - In - Office

KARABAKH WILL NEVER DENY ITS INDEPENDENCE

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Jan 26 2006



January 24 Nagorno Karabakh Republic President Arkady Ghoukasyan met
OSCE new Chair - in - Office, Belgian FM Karl de Gucht. Principal goal
of Karl de Gucht's first visit to the region is acquaintance with the
stands of parties of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Meeting with the NKR
authorities has become the first one in the schedule.

According to the NKR President, the meeting is of great importance both
for the Karabakh party and OSCE Chair - in - Office. Arkady Ghoukasyan
acquainted Karl de Gucht with Stepanakert's official stand. Answering
De Facto question NKR President said: "Nagorno Karabakh people have
declared their independence, so the NKR leadership must defend it
obeying their will. We will not deny independence, and we are ready
to discuss all other issues within the frames of the negotiation
process. There are no closed themes for us.

We are ready to discuss any subject put forward by Azerbaijan,
naturally, under condition that Azerbaijan will discuss the issues
urgent for us. There cannot be one - sided movement. Talks are
reciprocal process. Our openness and readiness for compromises is
in direct proportion to Azerbaijan's readiness. We believe, and it
was stressed at the meeting with the OSCE Chair - in - Office today
that the issues referring to Nagorno Karabakh directly cannot be
settled at the talks without Nagorno Karabakh's participation" In
Arkady Ghoukasyan's words, OSCE Chair - in - Office did not reject
his idea having noted that NK must participate in the talks. "Beyond
all manner of doubt no one should take a different view of the fact.

As far as we must participate in the talks we have got a lot of
questions. Some issues are still vague for us. As we do not participate
in the processes they will remain vague until we receive a reply to
the questions. Naturally, our meetings with OSCE Chair - in - Office
and Co - Chairs are very important, however, they cannot supersede
direct talks with our opponents", noted A. Ghoukasyan.

When commenting on Karl de Gucht's optimism concerning the fact that
settlement could be achieved in 2006 NKR President stated: "I respect
and appreciate his optimism. The mediators' optimism is really very
important. However, if we have grounds for great optimism is another
question. It is quite a subjective category. OSCE Chair - in - Office
really wishes to attain results this year", stated NKR President.

As for expectations from Armenian and Azeri Presidents' meeting
scheduled for February in Paris, according to NKR Head, only Robert
Kocharyan and Ilham Aliyev can answer the question. "They should
give reply if we have good grounds to expect any results. I do not
rule out that the talks will be efficient on some issues. However,
I cannot say if it will be or not. We all strive for the conflict
settlement, as the alternative to settlement is a war. The war is
the most horrible thing, we should avoid it", stated Arkady Ghoukasyan.

Head of NKR noted he wanted to be an optimist; however, Azerbaijan's
stand did not give occasion for that. "In the context of the possible
settlement I do not understand Azeri President, who gives his
scientists an instruction to prove that Armenians have never lived
in Karabakh, making statements on readiness to settle the conflict
by force of arms", noted Head of NKR.

In NKR President's words, Azerbaijan's ambition to conduct talks with
Armenia only is propaganda. "When Azerbaijan begins negotiating with
NK it will mean it is ready to settle the conflict. Nagorno Karabakh
has got a lot of issues to be discussed with Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
should receive answers to them from us", said A Ghoukasyan.

NKR President does not consider the issues referring to peacemakers
urgent. "The issue is not on the agenda today. It is supposed that if
the parties have reached agreement they will apply for introduction
of peacemaking forces. I do not think any country or international
organization can force us to receive peacemaking force. If we
all coordinate the issues and make a request, then the issue will
become urgent", said Arkady Ghoukasyan who headed NKR MFA and the
NKR delegation at the Karabakh talks for many years. In his words,
the issue can be the last among those being discussed.

While commenting on Georgy Petrosyan's appointment as NKR FM, the
President remarked the appointment's political aspect was that the
NKR leadership was ready to cooperate with all the powers despite
their position towards authorities. "We have got one big opposition -
Azerbaijan. All the rest are ours", stated NKR President.

[Hovik]

OSCE mission visits Karabakh, occupied territories

Mediamax news agency
27 Jan 06

Yerevan, 27 January: A delegation of the OSCE High Level Planning Group
(HLPG) has completed its mission in Nagornyy Karabakh and left for Vienna.
Members of the HLPG visited Nagornyy Karabakh and adjacent territories [of
Azerbaijan], which are under control of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic [NKR],
to collect information [for a possible peace-keeping operation], the NKR
Foreign Ministry told Mediamax news agency today.

The OSCE representatives expressed their satisfaction with the level of
cooperation with the authorities of the republic, the NKR Foreign Ministry
reported.

[Hovik]

First Steps Taken

FIRST STEPS TAKEN

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
27 Jan 2006


The administration of Artsakh State University decided to take some of
the schools of the country under its patronage and to provide them
with not only methodical aid but also support with necessary
furniture, stationery, textbooks. The first on the list is the
secondary school of the village of Sos.

Recently the rector of Artsakh State University Hamlet Grigorian met
with the staff of the school. During the meeting the delegation of the
school voiced the problems of their school. The university
administration promised to provide the school with desks, blackboards,
cables, sockets, locks, chalk, sports equipment, equipment for
mathematics, physics and chemistry laboratories. The school lacks
methodical books, as well as textbooks of English and geography.

For instance, there is only one textbook of geography for the 20 8th
grade pupils of the school. Hamlet Grigorian, Rector of Artsakh State
University, promised to work out the programme of support and
implement it until this autumn. The problem of stationery and
computers was solved on the spot. Besides the material problems, the
level of education was discussed. He promised to visit the school with
a group of professors and see the situation of the school.

Hamlet Grigorian said in the nearest future the university will take
one of the schools of the region of Martakert under its patronage.

AA.
27-01-2006