Bastard Bryza gets smacked!

[Gavur]

Yerevan to U.S. envoy: We will publish Nagorno Karabakh dossier


“The items of a frame agreement on the conflict settlement made public by the new U. S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk group for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Matthew Bryza are only separate elements of the document proposed to the parties that do not reflect the essence of the draft agreement,” Republic of Armenia President’s Spokesman Victor Soghomonyan told REGNUM.

In his words, “in any case, if revelations of the kind appear in the mass media in the future, the Armenian party will make public all documents discussed at the talks for the last seven-eight years,” “in particular, the draft agreement on the principles of ‘a common state,’ a document discussed in Bucharest not long ago. I am convinced everything will become quite clear then. By the way, it was the Azerbaijani party that rejected all the three projects,” Soghomonyan remarked. Touching upon Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statements, Armenian President’s Spokesman said, “We find it inappropriate to periodically comment on the utterances which are different in their form but similar in content.”

[Gavur]

Armenia Urged To Follow Azeri ‘Democratic Reform’




(Photolur photo: Matthew Bryza.)

(who is an old friend of Turkey)


By Harry Tamrazian in Prague

Azerbaijan is moving faster than Armenia in democratizing its political system despite being considered a more undemocratic country by Western human rights organizations, according to a senior U.S. administration official.

In an RFE/RL interview late last week, Matthew Bryza, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia, implied that President Robert Kocharian has to follow Azerbaijan’s reform example if he wants to be received by President George W. Bush at the White House.

Washington normally snubs those foreign leaders who were not elected in polls deemed free and fair by the international community. Bush made what is widely seen as an exception to that rule when he held talks with Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliev at the White House last April. The talks came five months after an Azerbaijani parliamentary election that was denounced as fraudulent by Western observers.

Asked whether Kocharian too can now count on securing a White House reception, Bryza said, “We obviously don't look at balancing presidential meetings like that, but there's no reason not to want President Kocharian to come to Washington. Let me just say I hope we can see a similar series of positive steps on democratic reform in Armenia as we hope we are starting to see in Azerbaijan.”

“Maybe we're wrong about Azerbaijan. Maybe we're overly hopeful. But we think things are moving in a positive direction. And we hope to see more of that from Armenia,” he said.

Bryza claimed that there were “some significant improvements” in the Azerbaijani authorities’ conduct of the November parliamentary election even if they “didn't go as far as we would like.”

A monitoring mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, headed by a U.S. congressman, described the polls as deeply flawed, citing numerous serious violations witnessed by its observers. Western human rights groups also condemned a brutal break-up by security forces of a big opposition demonstration in Baku against the official vote results.

In a statement issued ahead of Aliev’s Washington trip, Human Rights Watch urged Bush to “press for concrete progress in Azerbaijan’s poor human rights record.” The respected watchdog said the Azerbaijani government continues to harass political opponents and has yet to implement election-related recommendations of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

Another New York-based group, Freedom House, again rated Armenia more highly than Azerbaijan in it latest annual survey of political reform across Eastern Europe and the former Soviet that was released earlier this month. “Azerbaijan’s democratic performance continues to show signs of deterioration, especially in the categories of electoral process and civil society,” the survey said, explaining a drop in the country’s already poor democracy rating.

By contrast, the same rating assigned by Freedom House to Armenia improved slightly. The watchdog argued that although the November constitutional referendum in Armenia was also flawed, it resulted in the enactment of amendments that “should provide a more even balance of power between the president, Parliament and the judiciary.”

Bryza insisted that democratic reform is high on the Bush administration’s agenda but admitted that other factors such as Azerbaijan’s oil reserves and geographic location are also at play. “Just because Azerbaijan hasn't gone as far as we would like on democracy doesn't mean we're going to ignore our energy interests or our military interests,” he said.

“Why would we freeze out President Ilham Aliev from contact with our president forever because we think he needs to do more on democracy? That doesn't make sense,” he added.

Turning to the Armenian government, Bryza pointed to its handling of the constitutional referendum which was also criticized by European observers and denounced as fraudulent by the Armenian opposition. Washington expects relevant “positive changes” from Yerevan before the next Armenian elections, he said.

Incidentally the Bush administration official stopped short of questioning the Kocharian administration’s commitment to democratic change when he spoke with RFE/RL in the wake of the disputed referendum. “It’s too early to judge whether or not democracy has moved forward,” he said on December 7.

Bryza also steered clear of criticizing the Armenian authorities’ democracy and human rights records when he visited Yerevan last March, stressing instead the importance of building democracy “from the bottom up.” He said Washington regards Armenia as a “democratizing country.”

[Gavur]

Armenia Ready For Relations With Turkey Without Preconditions

Yerevan, June 26. /ARKA/. Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic relations with Turkey without any preconditions, RA Presidential Spokesman Victor Soghomonyan told ARKA, commenting on an interview give by the American Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Mathew Bryza to the Liberty Radio.
Armenia has repeatedly stated this, Soghomonyan said. He pointed out that, by stating that the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement will contribute to the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations, Bryza expressed his point of view.
Still earlier, Matthew Bryza stated that Armenia and turkey were ready for the establishment of normal relations. He pointed out that the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would contribute to this process. P.T. -0--

[Gavur]

Apparently a hit and run driver as well!

U.S. Embassy Worst Traffic Offender Among Moscow Missions

http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/1151.html##13

Rossiyskaya Gazeta
August 23, 1997
[translation for personal use only]
ITAR-TASS report: "You Must Be Answerable, Messrs. Diplomats.
All Is Not Well With Car Driving by U.S. Diplomats in Moscow, Nor
With Road Transport Discipline"

The cup of Moscow's patience was caused to overflow by an incident
that happened 18 August, in which a U.S. diplomat was involved. While
driving an Isuzu Trooper car, license number 004D210, near house No. 13 on
Parfenov Street in the evening, Matthew Bryza, second secretary at the U.S.
Embassy in the Russian Federation, knocked down a woman who was crossing
the street at a designated place. As a result, she received a fracture at
the base of the skull and was taken to hospital in a coma. At present the
casualty is still in a grave condition.
Valeriy Nesterushkin, official spokesman for the Russian Federation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has reported that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow
has been handed a letter from the Moscow Internal Affairs Main
Administration Investigative Administration asking Bryza to turn up to
testify to the essence of what happened or to submit such a testimony in
written form.
On 20 August, however, by decision of the Department of State, Matthew
Bryza interrupted his tour of duty and was recalled from Moscow. He is now
in the United States. The U.S. Embassy has been notified that Bryza's
departure does not close the matter. At the end of the investigation the
U.S. Department of State will be informed of its results, and, if Bryza's
guilt is established, we will insist that appropriate measures be taken
against him, despite his departure from Russia. Of course, the right to
material and moral damages in favor of the victim and her family also
remains.
Valeriy Nesterushkin pointed out that, according to the Moscow State
Automobile Inspectorate's data, staffers of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow
committed 141 violations of the Road Traffic Regulations between 1 January
and 18 August. This is the highest indicator among the diplomatic missions
in Moscow. The U.S. Embassy accounts for 14 percent of all violations
committed in the city by diplomats from more than 140 embassies. This
attests to the poor road transport discipline of U.S. Embassy staffers.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly informed the embassy
of these facts and noted with concern the growth of this negative trend.
"We most earnestly request the leadership of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to
urgently take all measures to rectify the situation," the Russian diplomat
declared.
Meanwhile.... [subhead]
James Rubin, official spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, has
declared that the decision to recall Matthew Bryza from Moscow was made in
connection with the fact that the diplomat "is no longer able to work
efficiently in Moscow because of this incident."
"We have absolutely no grounds for believing that the diplomat was in
a state of alcoholic intoxication," Rubin pointed out. "He has not been
known to violate the Road Traffic Regulations before." On Monday 18 August
Bryza was traveling with his wife after engaging in sport and, according to
him, was driving the car at a speed of 24 km per hour. Rubin expressed
regret at the tragic incident. He reported that the U.S. diplomat had
answered the policemen's questions. The Russian authorities are continuing
to investigate what happened.

******

[imported_Hellektor]

Gavur, I always had a bad feeling about this Bryza SOB right from the start.
I remember commenting on the destruction of Jugha khachkars he shamelessly said something like: it was sad, but the US could do nothing because they were in another country.
As if Iraq or Afghanistan or Vietnam are just US states...

[Gavur]

Kazimirov: Frame agreement on Nagorno Karabakh lacks peace guarantees



The “frame agreement” on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement voiced by the U.S. does not guarantee non-resumption of hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh, as the mere peacemakers’ dislocation here is not enough, the OSCE Minsk group Russian Co-Chair in 1992-1996, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov told REGNUM while commenting on the statements made by the new U.S. Co-Chair for the conflict settlement Matthew Bryza.

“It is the key issue. Without not just rhetorical but substantial guarantees provided by the conflict parties themselves and by international organizations (perhaps, even the U. N. Security Council) one will not manage to initiate the first stage, in which the Azerbaijani party would like to see the liberation of a part of the occupied territories and the return of forced migrants there.” To start implementing measures planned in the first stage, one would need to first rid of the threats of forceful revenge, to stop violating the principles of the peaceful conflict settlement, non-application of force and threatening by force, Kazimirov said. “Only if all the parties, without exception, denounce irresponsible and inadequate dreams of power can open the way for real changes in the situation, for practical implementation of coordinated measures”, Vladimir Kazimirov stated. He noted that “it is quite naïve to hope to obtain something from peaceful steps first and then get ‘the rest’ by force – this is only the way to deceive yourself.”

Speaking on the Matthew Bryza’s extensive interview as a new Co-Chair, the Russian diplomat noted it was an unusual and even too pretentious interview. “It may seem that the conflict parties and mediators have failed to reach accords on Karabakh and decided to come to understanding on something and all of a sudden agreed to abandon the confidentiality of the negotiation process. However, another approach is applied sometimes: rules are invented exactly to be violated,” Kazimirov observed. He also reminded that a few years ago Baku, despite an agreement on the talks’ confidentiality, had published the full texts of the three proposals made in 1997-1998 by the three Co-Chairs (Russia, the U. S. and France) to the three conflict parties -Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Nagorno Karabakh. Then Yerevan did the same. “It is a bit strange that such an interview is actually the first step taken by the new U. S. Co-Chair. Couldn’t he wait for the first visit to the conflict region? There were many bold mediators on Nagorno Karabakh both here, in Russia, and in other countries as well. However, where are their achievements?” Vladimir Kazimirov wondered.

In his words, in case the parties and mediators really decided to make public the essence of the “frame agreement,” it would be much more reliable to read out the text of the project presented to the two parties instead of a private interview with its retelling. “The document’s original is always more convincing than its retelling. Otherwise, this kind of breaking of micro-agreements between the parties is worthy of regret. Especially if it has been done not by a conflict party that can have different interests but a mediator who must honor any agreements, including the procedural ones,” Vladimir Kazimirov summed up.

Permanent news address: www.regnum.ru/english/663593.html

[Gavur]

Armenian MP: Bryza’s proposals disregard Nagorno Karabakh interests






“Proposals made by the U. S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk group for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement Matthew Bryza do not correspond to the Nagorno Karabakh’s interests and completely reflect Azerbaijan’s stand. In part, this concerns unconditional return of the territories forming the NKR’s security belt”, the Chair of the Nagorno Karabakh Permanent Committee for External Relations Vahram Atanesyan stated in an interview to REGNUM.

The deputy regarded the American mediator’s statements as an attempt to put pressure on the conflict parties, with all destructive outcomes. “Nagorno Karabakh should participate in the talks on the conflict settlement, and no document can be adopted without the Nagorno Karabakh Republic leadership and people”, Vahram Atanesyan said.

Permanent news address: www.regnum.ru/english/663554.html

[Gavur]

A Serious Basis For Continuing Negotiations: Armenian Fm

BASIC KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES ON THE TABLE TODAY REMAIN A SERIOUS BASIS FOR CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS: ARMENIAN FM








Yerevan, June 27. ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Ministry has appeared with a statement today:

Taking into account the statement that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group presented to the OSCE Permanent Council, in Vienna, on June 22, and the interview that Matt Bryza, the new US co-chair gave soon thereafter, where albeit partially, the principles of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were revealed for the first time, and also taking into account the recent desperate calls by Azerbaijan for a military solution and autonomy for Nagorno Karabakh, we would like to make several observations.

1. The co-chairs have partially revealed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution principles; they have left out references to a corridor linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, and issues relating to Nagorno Karabakh's status until a referendum;

2. The co-chairs have, for the first time, affirmed that the people of Nagorno Karabakh shall determine their own future status through a referendum;

3. Those items over which the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to disagree does not include a referendum; that concept has been agreed to by the presidents; The area of disagreement between the presidents has to do with the sequence in which the consequences of the military conflict are removed;

4. In an attempt to resolve this remaining area of disagreement, a proposal was made by the co-chairs after Rambouillet. This proposal was accepted by Armenia in Bucharest. Azerbaijan rejected it.

5. Armenia finds that the basic principles, overall, on the table today remain a serious basis for continuing negotiations; Armenia is prepared to continue on that basis to continue to negotiate with Azerbaijan;

6. Armenia believes that Azerbaijan's wavering on these principles is a serious obstacle to progress in the negotiations. If this policy continues, Armenia will insist that Azerbaijan conduct direct negotiations with Nagorno Karabakh.

7. Finally, we would remind Azerbaijan once again that regardless of the size of their military budget, they cannot force the people of Nagorno Karabakh to renounce freedom and the right to self-determination.

[Gavur]

Seyran Ohanyan :"We are not afraid of war"



SEYRAN OHANYAN: LATEST KOCHARYAN-ALIEV MEETINGS CANNOT BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS

ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 15:45

NKR Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Seyran Ohanyan declared
today in Yerevan that the latest meetings between the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan "cannot be considered negotiations process."

Seyran Ohanyan said that Azerbaijan continues to oppose the involvement
of NKR authorities in the talks, "which evidences that the Azeri side
does not want to resume the full negotiations process."

Commenting on the Azeri statements on resolving the question in a
military way, Seyran Ohanyan declared, "We are not afraid of war and
in case of necessity we are confident of our ability to resolving
military problems."

[Gavur]

Kazimirov: No Sufficient Answers to Questions Caused by Bryza Statement



29.06.2006 13:48 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The interview of US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Matthew Bryza causes several questions and sub-questions at once, former Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE MG Vladimir Kazimirov told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. “First. Is it agreed upon among the OSCE MG Co-Chairs, and maybe the parties, that the beginning Co-Chair makes a statement explaining the essence of their proposals to two parties out of the three? The response of Armenia and Azerbaijan shows that it surprised them. Is not it a surprise by the novice for the two his colleagues, who have been dealing with the settlement a few years more? There is much extravagance in that move of the novice. Mere trifle remains now – to work out this pretence by actions,” Kazimirov noted.

“Second issue: to which degree is his presentation of the essence of co-chairs’ proposals to the parties is full and reliable? Not everything is even here, judging by the response of Yerevan and Baku. The next sub-question: what is the cause of incompleteness of what Bryza said in his interview? Intention or not full assimilation of the material? Third, I would not like to believe that it is a completely independent decision of the individual, not controlled by the State Department leadership. However, what is the goal of the US diplomacy then, who chose that peculiar method to arrange interaction with co-chairing partners, when changing their representative? Will the two partner applause him? How will Armenian and Azeri journalists exploit this talkativeness of the new co-chair during his coming trip to the conflict region? Returning to traditional reserve of his colleagues will not be that easy now and it will even form an impression that is not favorable for him. Continuing in the same manner cannot last long and will form an impression of lightness,” Kazimirov stated.

“In a words, Matthew Bryza caused many questions, however there are no sufficient answers to these. There are additional questions instead. He caused more confusion and gossip, even exacerbated the debate between the parties to conflict. Is it necessary for the settlement, or it pursues other goals? It should be examined closely and time will show,” summed up the former Co-Chair of the OSCE MG.