Armenia, Azerbaijan `Close To Karabakh Deal'

[Gavur]

Robert Kocharyan: Nkr Is Able To Be Independent

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: NKR IS ABLE TO BE INDEPENDENT


“I have not given rise to think that our stand in Karabakh settlement issue has become changed”.
Today RA President Robert Kocharyan who arrived in Nagorno Karabakh to take part in the activities devoted to the 14th Anniversary of Proclamation of Nagorno Karabakh Republic has informed journalists of the fact.
According to RA President, “our stand has not been changed, and the 14 years have testified to the NKR viability. It is able to have its own statehood”. Robert Kocharyan stressed that Nagorno Karabakh Republic could serve as an example for some post – Soviet Republics.
“Nagorno Karabakh cannot be subject to bargaining, and people of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh are unanimous in the opinion”, said President of Armenia.
Touching upon Armenian and Azeri Presidents’ meeting in Kazan Robert Kocharyan noted it had been favorable. “The negotiation process has some positive tendencies”, emphasized he.
RA President said Nagorno Karabakh took part in the talks indirectly. Robert Kocharyan stated after the meetings referring to the settlement he informed the NKR President of the outcomes.
NKR President Arkady Ghoukasyan refused to make comments on the settlement process referring to its confidentiality. “I guess it is not time to throw light on all the particulars of the talks, however, I believe everything is all right, and Nagorno Karabakh need not worry”, said NKR President.

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Ra President Is Taking Part In The Celebrations In Stepanakert – Baku Is Indignant At

RA PRESIDENT IS TAKING PART IN THE CELEBRATIONS IN STEPANAKERT – BAKU IS INDIGNANT AT THE FACT


Festivities devoted to the 14th Anniversary of proclamation of the Republic are taking place in Nagorno Karabakh.
On September 2, in the morning, representatives of leadership and public visited Stepanakert memorial complex to honor the memory of those perished during the Karabakh national liberation movement. Some time later representatives of the NKR leadership headed by NKR President Arkady Ghoukasyan and RA official delegation headed by RA President Robert Kocharyan visited the memorial complex as well.
In the evening the concert is to take place on the NKR capital Central Square. Sport activities are also to be sponsored.
It should be noted that the fact that RA President Robert Kocharyan is taking part in the celebrations has resulted in hysteria in Azerbaijan. According to the Azeri official Tair Tagizade, “RA President’s action not only contradicts with the priorities, but with the peace process”. “Unfortunately, Yerevan takes steps that cannot contribute to the peace talks’ activation”.
Tagizade also threatened with representatives of the Russian culture that were going to visit NKR in connection with the celebration. “I guess the problem connected with permission to visit the territory of Azerbaijan will depend on the fact whether they visited the occupied territories”.
To remind, some Russian stars took part in the celebration of the 13th Anniversary of NKR independence: Valentina Legkostupova, Soso Pavliashvili, Nadejda Babkina, Katya Lel and others. Azeri Ministry of Culture forbade the above – mentioned actors the country. During the interview for Echo Soso Pavliashvili said: “Whether I have been invited or not is not your business. Leave me alone! I do not care who will live in Karabakh – Armenians or Azeris. It makes no difference to me, I do not interfere with the politics and I do not care about it!”

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Azerbaijan's Unwillingness To Negotiate

AZERBAIJAN'S UNWILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE WITH NKR CHALLENGE TO
CIVILIZED SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT: ARKADY GHUKASYAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 2 2005

YEREVAN, September 2. /ARKA/. Azerbaijan's persistent unwillingness
to negotiate with the Nagorno-Karabakh side is a serious challenge to
a civilized settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem on the basis
of reasonable compromises, says a message of NKR President Arkady
Ghukasyan on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the proclamation
of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).

According to him, official Baku is doing all in its power to conceal
the NKR's progress in building up a rule-of-law democratic state
from the Azerbaijani people by not allowing Azerbaijan's citizens to
isit the NKR and communicate with the country's people. "However,
this behaviour has no prospects, as it is more and more alienates
the two peoples from each pother thus postponing a comprehensive and
mutually acceptable settlement of the conflict," President Ghukasyan's
amessage says.

According to him, the unsettled conflict remains a factor posing a
threat of new destabilization of the situation in the region. The
NKR leader stressed the NKR's commitment to a peaceful settlement
of the conflict with Azerbaijan. "Meanwhile, our people can be sure
that nobody can deprive us of our independence, which was gained at
the cost of irreparable losses. The NKR Defense Army is able to give
an effective rebuff to all those who will dare to encroach on our
Homeland. It has all necessary means for that," Ghukasyan said.

However, the NKR has no right to be contented with what has been
achieved, as "by only presenting the passed way as heroism, without
clear plans for tomorrow, we can lose what we have achieved, which our
posterity will never forgive." "We have to strengthen the country's
defense capacity, speed up the development of the economic, social and
cultural sectors, completely employ the intellectual and spiritual
potential, industriousness and professionalism, multiply Artsakh's
cultural heritage," the NKR President's message says.

According to him, such development is impossible without further
democratization of the NKR's socio-political life, building up
of civil society. "This holiday each of us must fully realize
his responsibility for Artsakh's future. Of course, we still have
many problems to solve. But we can overcome all the difficulties
only by combined efforts, conscientious labor, mutual confidence
and consideration of each Artsakh citizen's needs and wants," NKR
President Arkady Ghukasyan said in his message. P.T. -0--

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Principal Problem Of Karabakh Settlement

PRINCIPAL PROBLEM OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT - ABSENCE OF TRUST BETWEEN YEREVAN AND BAKU

Pan Armenian News
05.09.2005 04:59

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian and Azeri Diasporas should be
attracted to the Karabakh settlement process to establish trust
between the conflicting parties, head of the department for national
relations of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis Sergey
Markedonov stated, RIA Novosti reports. "The principal problem of
Karabakh settlement is the absence of trust between Yerevan and
Baku", he says. The expert reminded that Baku insists on return
of the territories and then determination of the status of Nagorno
Karabakh. "However the Armenian party doubts Azerbaijan will keep its
promise", Markedonov added. He stressed that there is a key problem
of trust, which cannot be solved by Russia, the U.S., Turkey or the
OSCE Minsk Group. "There should be contacts and discussions of new
models. Presently package and stepwise variants of settlement have
collided and no progress is observed. Bilateral activity of Armenia
and Azerbaijan should be more serious while the OSCE Minsk Group
should not be expected to work a miracle," he said. In his opinion,
a different scheme should be elaborated, since neither package
nor stepwise variants are compromise. As for Russia's initiative,
the political scientist noted that "to make any proposals, Russia
should have precise Caucasian strategy that is absent at present.
Nevertheless, in Markedonov's opinion, taking into account the strong
Armenian and Azeri Diasporas Russia can transmit the experience upon
the Armenian-Azeri relations in the South Caucasus. "Russia can use
it as a resource of informal reconciliation", the expert resumed.

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Pace Karabakh Conflict Committee Second Session To Be Held In Paris September 12

PACE KARABAKH CONFLICT COMMITTEE SECOND SESSION TO BE HELD IN PARIS SEPTEMBER 12


05.09.2005 02:50

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “The Council of Europe is not going to assume OSCE Minsk Group (MG) functions. On the contrary, the structure intends to use its resources to assist soonest settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” stated member of the PACE Azeri delegation, Democratic Reform Party Chairman Hasim Mollazade, reported the Echo Baku newspaper. It should be noted that the second session of the PACE Temporary Committee on Karabakh conflict will be held in Paris September 12. The first sitting of the kind passed in Strasbourg during the PACE June session in 2005. British MP Lord Russell-Johnston heads the Temporary Committee. As accentuated by Mollazade, the Committee main goal is to put into practice the PACE Resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, adopted this January. According to the information provided by the MP, OSCE MG Co-Chairs are invited to the sitting. Besides, Yerevan and Baku representatives, who take part in the conflict settlement process, will leave for France. Commissioners on the talks of Armenia and Azerbaijan are also expected to take part in the session. At the same time representatives of all OSCE MG countries, that form part of the CE, will arrive for the Committee sitting. According to Mollazade, all three MG Co-Chairs have confirmed their participation. Besides, the EU will also be represented at the coming meeting. In his words, to all appearance, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie will join the discussion. First of all, the MP notes, September 12 the parties will specify the state of the negotiation process. The meeting participants will also discuss steps for soonest possible implementation of the PACE Resolution on the Karabakh conflict. The Azeri MP emphasizes that the Azeri party is seriously preparing now. First of all, in Mollazade’s words, “the Azeri delegation intends to raise the issue of comparing the ways of conflict settlement with international legal norms.” In the Milli Mejlis deputy’s words, putting into practice the UN Security Council Resolution is an important aspect. The MP reminds that the PACE January Resolution indicates this. “The Karabakh conflict has become a case of one of most grave humanitarian tragedies in Europe,” Mollazade emphasizes. “The main goal of the meetings is to work out recommendations for implementation of the conditions of the CE Resolution,” the MM deputy says. As Mollazade notes, the exact date of the next meeting will be determined at the sitting.

[Gavur]

Osce Leader To Convey «aliyev's Frank Verbal Message» To Kocharian

OSCE LEADER TO CONVEY «ALIYEV'S FRANK VERBAL MESSAGE» TO KOCHARIAN


06.09.2005 03:33

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel will convey «a very frank verbal message of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev» to Armenian President Robert Kocharian in the course of their today's meeting. Mr. Rupel stated it after a meeting with NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan late last night. In the words of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, who had arrived in Yerevan, the solution of the Karabakh problem should be found as a result of conciliation of two principles: territorial integrity and people's right to self-determination. D. Rupel noted that «the details that should be discussed in the course of the talks are the point.» A. Ghukasyan's conversation with D. Rupel continued longer than it was planned before, which in the NKR President's words evidences the OSCE interest toward the NKR authorities' stand. He called the OSCE Chairman-in-Office visiting the region twice an unprecedented fact. «This evidences desire to facilitate the process and speed it up,» A. Ghukasyan stated, reported Mediamax.

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“azerbaijan Ready To Recognize Karabakh’s Right For Self-determination”

| 14:43:04 | 06-09-2005 | Politics | A1plus:

“AZERBAIJAN READY TO RECOGNIZE KARABAKH’S RIGHT FOR SELF-DETERMINATION”
A1plus:Upon completion of the meeting with OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan answered reporters’ questions.

-Do you see any progress in the Karabakh conflict settlement and what is your position on conduction of a referendum in the NKR?

-It it hard to say whether there is progress or not. Anyway there are definitely some positive elements. I think that Azerbaijan has entered a more constructive field. As for the referendum, in my opinion, the fact that Azerbaijan is ready to recognize Karabakh’s right for self-determination is positive.

-What do you think about the format of the negotiations between the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents?

-These meetings cannot be referred to the OSCE Minsk Group format. I rate the Kocharian-Aliyev talks as positive, however these talks cannot be complete without NKR’s participation. Meanwhile the Minsk Group has limited its activities to the format of visits.

-Taking into consideration the current situation, do you rule out the possibility of repetition of the scenario of 1998?

-I think history is not likely to repeat, thus repetition can be excluded.

-Your meeting with Mr. Rupel lasted longer than scheduled. What was the reason for it?

-I suppose the meeting was interesting for both of us. We did not complete our meeting, since it was impossible to discuss all the issues. Anyway the fact that the Chairman-in-Office visits the region for the second time is extraordinary in itself.

-Why extraordinary?

-He wishes to speed up the settlement of the conflict

-Do you think the conflict can be resolved till the end of the current year?

-It’s not real

-Today Ilham Aliyev made some militaristic statements. Do you thinks it’s a part of election campaign or a real threat?

-Aliyev is likely to be solving inner political problems, however it impedes the process.

-Do you imagine Karabakh’s status lower than the status of independence?

-It’s like to be “a bit pregnant”.

To note, yesterday Ankady Ghukasyan touched upon the inadmissibility of a stepwise settlement of the conflict. “Karabakh can agree on a stepwise settlement only in case our own issues are settled first”, he noted.

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Azeri Expert On Nk: Aliyev Depends On West Opinion

AZERI EXPERT ON NK: ALIYEV DEPENDS ON WEST OPINION

Pan Armenian News

06.09.2005 04:52

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I do not consider that the current "Prague
process" will result in a specific outcome, head of the Department of
Conflictology and Migration of the Institute of Peace and Democracy
Arif Yunusov stated in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. "Our peoples
were suggested various options. And they now propose a recurrent one
that can be summed up as follows: try to unite two latest options -
the package one with the stepwise one," he added. "On the one hand,
Armenia returns 5 occupied regions around Nagorno Karabakh (Lachin and
Kelbajar regions will still remain under Armenians' control). Refugees
return to these regions, communication resumes between the parties to
conflict. The most important issue - the NK status - will be decided
in 10-15 years via a referendum. Now discussion between the parties
concerns technical matters: when to hold the referendum (in 10, 15,
25 or 50 years), who will take part in it, etc. However, a general
agreement is available," A. Yunusov remarked. "Why I am pessimistically
predisposed? The point is that both the Presidents and our peoples
are hostages of the sentiments and views already available, as well as
the geopolitical situation in the region. People in Armenia are fully
convinced that the Karabakh issue is in fact solved, one merely has to
wait for the time when both the international community and the Azeri
people themselves "ripen" to understand that fact. I.e. the fact that
NK should be part of Armenia or become an independent state. Being
part of Azerbaijan in any form is out of question. Thus, expecting
compromises from Kocharian is not serious," the political scientist
stated. As of Azerbaijan, to the contrary, A. Yunusov added, "the
discontent over the talks and the number of war advocates to liberate
Karabakh increase." However, Azeri authorities depend on the West and
first of all Americans very much. The large money invested in Caspian
oil prevents the West from considering the settlement of the Karabakh
issue by force. I.e. Ilham Aliyev depends on the opinion of the West,
the Azeri expert emphasized. "Besides, Azeri authorities consider that
in a year huge oil dollars will flow to Azerbaijan and the Armenian
economy will be in a deplorable condition in a few years. Thus, one
even does not have to fight - Armenia will fall to your feet itself,"
Yunusov stated. In his words, strong discontent with the Minsk Group
is available in the Azeri society, as well as the hard political and
economic situation in the country (Azerbaijan - editor's note). Thus
Aliyev has to maneuver." "Like Kocharian he does not want to resort
to serious talks, as these demand considerable concessions. This is
pregnant with losing popularity among one's own people. Both the
authorities and the peoples are not ready to compromise today yet,"
Yunusov summed up.

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OSCE Head Confirms Major Progress In Karabakh Talks

OSCE Head Confirms Major Progress In Karabakh Talks


By Ruzanna Stepanian

Armenia and Azerbaijan are inching closer to the resolution of their conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the chairman-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said on Tuesday after talks with leaders of the two neighboring states.

Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country currently holds the OSCE’s rotating presidency, told reporters in Yerevan that the conflicting parties are finding it possible to reconcile their diametrically opposite positions following the latest meeting of their presidents. He suggested that a Karabakh peace accord may therefore be reached as early as this year.

“I hope that the positions of the two sides will approach as closely as possible,” Rupel said. “There are signs of that happening.”

“I guess one of the important issues here is the principle of territorial integrity and the principle of self-determination of peoples. I understand that these two principles can be reconciled. This was the message that I got yesterday in Baku and also here in Yerevan,” he added at a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanian.

According to the Armenian government’s press office, Rupel made a case for combining the two principles of international law at a meeting with Prime Minister Andranik Markarian. Markarian found that approach “acceptable,” a government statement said.

While in Yerevan, Rupel also met with Presidents Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Arkady Ghukasian of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Kocharian’s office did not release any details of the meeting.

Rupel’s visit to Baku and Yerevan came a week after crucial talks held by Presidents Ilham Aliev and Robert Kocharian in Russian city of Kazan in the presence of international mediators acting under the OSCE aegis. Russia’s chief Karabakh negotiator, Yuri Merzlyakov, described them as “very positive” in an interview with RFE/RL last Friday.

“I don’t want to give any details at this point,” said Oskanian. “But I think Mr. Rupel was very right to say that common ground between the parties on key issues is visible today. That is really the case.”

“But as they say, the devil is in the details and so when we, the [Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign] ministers, start to elaborate on those principles and get into details, we could face serious obstacles,” he cautioned.

Speaking to RFE/RL late on Monday, Ghukasian was more skeptical about chances of a Karabakh settlement. “In my opinion, Azerbaijan is today working in a more constructive manner than it was in the past,” he said. “But it is very difficult to see tangible progress because there are numerous issues that have still not been agreed upon.”

Observers believe that the two sides are unlikely to announce any compromise deals on Karabakh until parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and a constitutional referendum in Armenia that are slated for November. They have reportedly been discussing a gradual settlement of the conflict that would end in a referendum on independence in Karabakh.
/ Radio Liberty

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Nkr Authorities To Be Involved In Settlement Process Within Osce Minsk Group

NKR AUTHORITIES TO BE INVOLVED IN SETTLEMENT PROCESS WITHIN OSCE MINSK GROUP

YEREVAN, September 6. /ARKA/. The authorities of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) will be involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process within the OSCE Minsk Group after the details of negotiations are specified, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan told a press conference. According to him, the resumption of the OSCE Minsk Group's activities and the NKR's involvement in the process are possible only after the positions of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents on the principal issues are close, and the Foreign Ministers achieve results in discussing the details of the negotiations. "The process will be easy to reanimate within the OSCE Minsk Group, and the NKR authorities will mechanically be involved in the process," Oskanyan said. P.T. -0--