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Tag: Nagorno-Karabakh

  • ‘Good Basis’ for Solving Armenia Conflict: Azerbaijani President

    ‘Good Basis’ for Solving Armenia Conflict: Azerbaijani President

     

     

     

     

     

    AFP

    Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday said there was “a good basis” for resolving a long-running conflict with Armenia after talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev near Moscow.

    “It seems to us that there is now a good basis for a resolution of the conflict, which would fit with the interests of all states and would be based on the principles of international law,” Aliyev said.

    “If the conflict is resolved in the near future, I am sure that there will be new perspectives for regional cooperation,” Aliyev said.

    Aliyev also expressed his concern over the situation in the region following Russia’s war in Georgia, saying that conflict “should be resolved in a peaceful way, through dialogue, by finding common points and based on mutual respect.”

    Aliyev visited Medvedev at his residence near Moscow for talks on last month’s conflict in Georgia and on Azerbaijan’s conflict with its neighbour Armenia over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

    Armenia and Azerbaijan remain in a tense stand-off over the enclave, which ethnic Armenian forces seized in the early 1990s in a war that killed nearly 30,000 people and forced another million on both sides to flee their homes.

    A ceasefire was signed between the two former Soviet republics in 1994 but the dispute remains unresolved after more than a decade of negotiations, and shootings between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the region are common.

  • All the right moves: Turkey’s charm offensive inspires hope

    All the right moves: Turkey’s charm offensive inspires hope

    The pace of the thaw taking place between Turkey and Armenia is nothing short of breathtaking. Much attention has been focused on Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s having attended a football match in Yerevan at the invitation of his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, but the two sides are already moving beyond symbolism. A deal has been struck under which Armenian power stations will supply electricity to Turkey, and state-run Turkish Radio Television has signed a cooperation pact with Armenia 1 TV. In turn, the rapidly warming bilateral ties are already fueling plans for a new grouping of countries in the Caucasus, one whose remit would include multilateral arbitration of international disputes. Gul has even professed full confidence that the issue which caused Turkey to close its border with Armenia in 1993, the latter’s war on Azerbaijan over the Nagorno Karabakh enclave, can be resolved with relative ease.

    The Daily Star – Editorial – All the right moves: Turkey’s charm offensive inspires hope.

  • The Enemy of My Friend

    The Enemy of My Friend

    by Gayane Abrahamyan
    11 September 2008

    Isolated Armenia plays a careful diplomatic dance with Georgia and Russia. From EurasiaNet.

    YEREVAN | The Georgia-Russia war has placed Armenia in a bind. Officials in Yerevan are feeling pressure to take sides, either supporting their country’s strategic partner, Russia, or its neighbor, Georgia, through which 70 percent of Armenian exports flow.

    Economic issues have so far driven Yerevan’s response. But a factor looming in the background of any geopolitical discussion is Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This has upped the stakes for Yerevan, as Armenian officials do not want to do anything that could impede the realization of their desires to see the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh break free from Azerbaijan.

    Currently, economics dictates that Armenia pay attention to its relations with Georgia. Under blockade by Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia’s only reliable outlet for exports and imports is through Georgia. The war, and its complicated aftermath, has thus inflicted a considerable amount of damage on the Armenian economy.

    Much of the harm can be traced to Russian efforts to close Georgia’s Black Sea ports, as well as a major railway. One of the consequences of this action was that some 107 train cars of wheat, 10 fuel containers, and 50 additional rail cars with miscellaneous goods were left in limbo, Gagik Martirosyan, an adviser to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, said in a statement. The unloading of ships with goods meant for Armenia reportedly resumed only on 1 September, according to the government.

    The delays are stoking concern about a possible wheat shortage in Yerevan. Repairs on the railway were due to be finished this week, according to the Georgian government. An alternative railway line can handle only much smaller loads, Martirosyan said.

    The owner of one flour processing company said on 6 September that Armenia would face a continuing shortage of flour if the railway is not reopened soon. “[P]eople buy 50 sacks of flour instead of the 10 or 20 they used to get before,” said Vanik Musoian, owner of the Mancho Group, which also imports wheat. “Many villagers try not to sell their wheat.” Some 2,500 tons of wheat imported by the Mancho Group remain in Batumi, while another 7,000 tons are still in Russia. The company is attempting to import wheat from Iran.

    Gasoline has been another problem. Until late August, many stations countrywide posted “No gas” notices. Although the government declared that gas reserves were sufficient to withstand a temporary shortfall, drivers who were forced to wait in long lines to buy fuel scoffed at the assurances.

    Gagik Torosian, the executive director of Yerevan’s Center for Economic Development and Research, believes that if the war had lasted longer, “Armenian citizens would once again have experienced the hardships of the ’90s, when people stood in line for both gas and bread.”

    While the importance of Armenia’s relationship with Georgia has been highlighted in recent weeks, there are powerful factors favoring Russia. Russian companies control Armenia’s telecommunications sectors, are responsible for management of its railway network, and have sizeable interests in its energy industry. Russia in 2007 accounted for just over 37 percent of Armenia’s foreign investment or $500 million, according to government figures.

    FRIENDS ON ALL FRONTS

    For many Armenians, the situation underscores a need to enhance Yerevan’s long-time policy of complementarity — trying to maintain good ties with both the United States and Russia. Diversity in foreign relations could provide a hedge against any given geopolitical development in the future becoming a major source of domestic distress. “We will develop and enlarge our bilateral strategic partnership with Russia in every way and plan to enhance and strengthen our partnership with the United States,” said President Serzh Sargsyan at a 3 September meeting with diplomats.

    For now, Armenia is striving to avoid a choice and remain on friendly terms with both Russia and Georgia.

    Russia seems willing to allow Armenia and other formerly Soviet states to remain neutral. On 3 September, for example Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev issued a statement saying that “Russia will not impose pressure on any country to recognize the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.”

    For one analyst, the true test of Russia’s partnership with Armenia will be whether Moscow stays true to its pledge concerning Abkhazia and South Ossetia. “Armenia is in Russia’s hands,” said Stepan Grigorian, chairman of the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional Cooperation in Yerevan. “But if Russia considers us partners, then it will not impose pressure.”

    Other Armenian analysts and politicians believe that, sooner or later, the Kremlin will indeed expect Yerevan to provide political support for Moscow’s actions. If this happens, it will be the Karabakh issue that weighs most heavily in the minds of Yerevan policy-makers. Armenia can’t ignore Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and then expect diplomatic help in any effort to win potential recognition of Karabakh, analysts say. “The fates of these two countries are much like the one of” Nagorno-Karabakh, analyst Levon Melik-Shahnazarian said. “If we don’t say that now, we will lose the moral and the political right to blame any other country that does not recognize the independence of [Karabakh] because of its own interests.”

    Opposition parliamentarian Larisa Alaverdian, a member of the Heritage Party, is advocating a way to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia, while still potentially preventing a diplomatic falling out with Tbilisi: only the Armenian parliament should recognize the independence of Georgia’s separatist territories. “The risks are high that relations with Georgia may be damaged. That is the reason I suggest that only the National Assembly recognize them, which is just an expression of popular will and can’t have consequences for the executive branch,” Alaverdian said.

    In his 3 September comments, Sargsyan set recognition of Karabakh as the precondition for any recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. “Having the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia can’t recognize another formation in the same situation until it recognizes the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” he said.

    Gayane Abrahamyan is a reporter for the ArmeniaNow.com weekly in Yerevan. A partner post from EurasiaNet.org.

  • How do Azerbaijani political scientists value Turkey’s recent initiatives for solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

    How do Azerbaijani political scientists value Turkey’s recent initiatives for solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

     [ 11 Sep 2008 16:02 ]

    Baku. Elnur Mammadli–APA. “The Minsk Group says for years that Nagorno Karabakh problem is resolved, only details remain, but 17 years later it is clarified that there is no any agreement, it was imitation only. How we can believe that we will not lose another 17 years with Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s initiative”, said political scientist Vafa Guluzadeh in his interview to APA about his reaction to Turkey’s recent initiative for solution of Nagorno Karabakh problem. In his opinion Abdullah Gul said nothing concrete except common words. “Gul did not say that he talked with Sargsyan and Armenian troops would leave the occupied regions. There were no such talks. Therefore these ideas are only the words”.
    Guluzadeh said the Minsk Group was not working and even if its composition changed it would give nothing to Azerbaijan. “There is one question. These lands will be liberated when Russia falls. It is only imitation to establish groups or to organize meetings in Paris, Brussels and other places”.

    Political scientist Rustam Mammadov also said that Russia had a key of Nagorno Karabakh problem. “The foreign forces, who intend to interfere it face with Russia’s dissatisfaction and military force. Both Europe and the United States make step back before this force. It was observed during the Georgian events. I do not believe that Armenia will make steps toward the solution of the problem at Turkey’s direction, because Armenia directly connects with Russia. Armenia will do that what Russia orders”. Mammadov said Turkey also understood that and it made efforts to solve problems with Armenia only. The scientist said he did not expect the elimination of the Minsk Group, “because the countries represented in the Group tried to carry out their interests here”.

    Political scientist, MP Aydin Mirzazadeh is dissatisfied with activity of OSCE MG and noted that it was impossible to establish the best group than it. MP supports Turkey’s mediation and added that Turkey’s mediation in MG would be good step.
    “Co-chairs have been elected with agreement of the conflict parties. There is need for mediation of Turkey. Armenia has rejected it every time. If Armenia wants mediation of Turkey, Azerbaijan will agree to it. All efforts should be made to solve Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

    Political scientist Gabil Huseynli noted that withdrawal of Russia from OSCE MG was on the agenda today. To him, the US pursues policy in this direction.
    “Turkey wants to substitute MG with Caucasus Platform. Though International actors, states defining world policy attach importance to the role of Turkey in the region, they will not allow official Ankara to enter OSCE MG. Change of format is real. If Azerbaijan insists on the issue, probably Turkey can enter the group”, he said. To him, Turkey’s mediation in MG will have considerable influence on the solution to the problem.

    Political scientist, Head of Political Innovation and Technology Center Mubariz Ahmadoglu positively assessed Turkey’s initiatives for mediation. Moreover, he did not think that MG could be withdrawn from the process.
    “The relations between the US and Russia are tense and I cannot imagine that their representatives will sit around the same table soon. I do not think that MG can be collapsed. The group will function inactively. It is understood in Turkey as well. I suppose to Turkey’s mediation seriously. Armenian side is not expected to agree to it”, he said.

  • Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Armenia Inclined to Free Azerbaijan’s Lands: Turkish President

    Azerbaijan, Baku, 11 September/ TrendNews/ President of Turkey Abdullah Gul has stated that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan, Dunya bulteni news agency of Turkey reported.

    Abdullah Gul said to journalists after his visit to Baku that Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan and that Sarkisyan understands significance of resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

    “Armenia is inclined to free occupied lands of Azerbaijan. I witnessed it during my meeting with Sarkisyan,” Gul said.

    Gul said he believes Russia also has a positive attitude toward the resolution Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “I think Russia also wants Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to be solved. Because Russia will not accept its isolation in the region,” he added.

    Source: news.trendaz.com, 11.09.08

  • Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations AND TURKEY

    Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations AND TURKEY

    Barack Obama on the Importance of US-Armenia Relations

    “Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915″ ….  Barack Obama

    | January 19, 2008

    I am proud of my strong record on issues of concern to the one and a half million Americans of Armenian heritage in the United States. I warmly welcome the support of this vibrant and politically active community as we change how our government works here at home, and restore American leadership abroad.

    I am a strong supporter of a U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy. As President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia, which has been a reliable partner in the fight against terrorism and extremism. I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination. And my Administration will help foster Armenia’s growth and development through expanded trade and targeted aid, and by strengthening the commercial, political, military, developmental, and cultural relationships between the U.S. and Armenian governments.

    I also share with Armenian Americans – so many of whom are descended from genocide survivors – a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide. That starts with acknowledging the tragic instances of genocide in world history. As a U.S. Senator, I have stood with the Armenian American community in calling for Turkey’s acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide. Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term “genocide” to describe Turkey’s slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. I shared with Secretary Rice my firmly held conviction that the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts are undeniable. An official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy. As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

    Genocide, sadly, persists to this day, and threatens our common security and common humanity. Tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics – displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter – that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915. I have visited Darfurian refugee camps, pushed for the deployment of a robust multinational force for Darfur, and urged divestment from companies doing business in Sudan. America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.

    I look forward, as President, to continuing my active engagement with Armenian American leaders on the full range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. Together, we will build, in new and exciting ways, upon the enduring ties and shared values that have bound together the American and Armenian peoples for more than a century

    ===========Obama’nın en büyük yalanı=================

    Obama’nın en büyük yalanı – ABD sahillerinde ve Alaskadaki kaynaklardan petrol  karşı çıkarken, ABDnin dışdan gelen petrolden asıllı yapmayaçağını söylemesi.Barack Obama is a classical liar. People get hooked onto the opportunity to reduce oil imports, withdraw from Iraq, reduce U.S. military presence worldwide. But no one really asks a question, how a man opposing the drilling off the U.S. coast or within the U.S. proper is  planning to accomplish these. Obama’s argument – Renewable energy? Good ideal, but it won’t appear out of  magic in January 2009, when the new President takes office. Obama is not a scientist and not a God to invent it within even 4 or 8 years.

    But most importantly, will any of you, American voters, be willing to turn off their lights and not drive their cars, for President Obama to accomplish his utopic yet false promise – the answer is clearly no. Just the opposite, the one who opposes drilling in U.S. will have to increase the dependence on foreign oil = U.S. military presence worldwide.

    And this is only one of his sheer lies apart from those vis-a-vis foreign policy. Obama talks about opposing special interest groups, while his words here about Turkey:

     

     

     

    “As a President, I will maintain our assistance to Armenia; I will promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades… America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and  responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President.”

    are paid by ANCA and ArmeniansForObama campaign, which IS a special interest group. I don’t understand how any Turk can even think to vote Obama, while it’s John McCain who at every single campaign meeting cites Turkey as an ally, a democratic nation and an example for the Muslim world, and most importantly opposes U.S. interference into historical issues between Turkey and Armenia.So, if Turkish pride somehow affects your choices as American voter, voting Obama is the last thing to do. Unless you want to walk in this country ashamed in front of Armenians, or even worse, be charged (like in France) for denying that your ancestors were murderers, just for being Turks.

    Javid Huseynov [javid@azeris.com]