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TOP STORIES
07/06/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
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1) Kocharian Wraps Up Iran Visit
2) Bryza Jumps The Gun, Again!
3) US, Turkey Sign 'Strategic Vision' Document
4) Karabakh Urges Inclusion Conflict Resolution Process
1) Kocharian Wraps Up Iran Visit
TEHRAN (RFE/RL, Armenpress)President Robert Kocharian Thursday ended a
two-day
visit to Tehran during which he and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad
called for the strengthening of the already close economic and political links
between Armenia and Iran, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The two men met twice and presided over the signing of seven Iranian-Armenian
agreements covering a broad range of areas on Wednesday. One of the agreements
paves the way for the construction of a third transmission line that will
connect the power grids of the two neighboring states.
The high-voltage line will allow for a substantial increase in exports of
Armenian electricity to Iran after the construction of a pipeline which is due
to start pumping Iranian natural gas into Armenia next year. Yerevan borrowed
$34 million from Tehran to finance the ongoing work on the first Armenian
section of the pipeline and will repay the loan with electricity supplies.
Ahmadinejad and Kocharian were widely expected to discuss the
under-construction pipeline and, in particular, Russia's desire to control it.
However, they were not reported to have mentioned the issue at their joint
news
conference.
The two leaders only stressed, in general terms, the need for their nations to
bolster their relationship which Ahmadinejad said has a "huge potential."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes and supports the development of ties
with Armenia in various areas, particularly in energy fields as well as
transportation, sports, and tourism," The Tehran Times daily quoted
Ahmadinejad
as saying. "I hope the Armenian president's trip to Iran would serve as an
important step toward the development of all-out ties between the two
countries."
Kocharian, for his part, reportedly welcomed "noticeable progress" in the
development of Iranian-Armenian ties, while calling for unspecified "new
steps"
to implement bilateral agreements signed in the past. He also threw his weight
behind an extremely ambitious idea to build a rail link between Armenia and
Iran.
It is not clear whether mounting international tensions over Iran's
controversial nuclear program were also on the agenda of Kocharian's separate
talks with Ahmadinejad and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
Armenian officials have repeatedly expressed hope for a "diplomatic" solution
to the dispute. Yerevan fears that possible US military action against Iran
could thwart the implementation of Armenian-Iranian energy projects and have
other unpredictable consequences.
Kocharian highlighted Iran's significance for Armenia by choosing to publicly
shake hands with Ahmadinejad and invite him to Yerevan at a time when Tehran's
nuclear standoff with the West is coming to a crunch. The Iranian president is
facing Western ostracism for his hard line on the issue and public denials of
the Holocaust.
Before wrapping up his trip, Kocharian met with the Armenian community of
Iran
to hear their ideas about how to boost cooperation between Armenia and the
community and other Armenia-Diaspora related issues, reported the Armenpress
news agency.
The Armenian-Iranian community commended the "One Nation-One Culture"
festival
organized and held for the third consecutive time by Armenian authorities,
suggesting that this festival may be taken beyond Armenia to the countries
with
strong Armenian communities.
The community members pledged active participation in the third
Armenia-Diaspora conference scheduled for September in Yerevan.
During the meeting president Kocharian awarded the Armenian medal of Mkhitar
Heratsi to prominent Iranian-Armenian psychiatrist Harmik Davtian.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian positively assessed the results of
Kocharian's visit to Iran. He said the visit was important taking into
consideration the fact that after the election of the new president a new team
has been formed in Iran.
"Today the two countries aim to expand relations. In this respect we have
executed quite positive changes," the foreign minister said, while
underscoring
the importance of the meeting of the two presidents.
Oskanian also emphasized the political importance of the visit, saying that
quite serious developments are taking place in the region, in which Iran is
fully and actively involved and therefore, it is useful for the Armenia to be
aware of Iran's posturing on regional issues.
It is important that Iran, as a regional country, learns about the
developments in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh peace process directly from
Armenia, explaining that Kocharian informed his Iranian counterpart about the
developments in that realm.
2) Bryza Jumps The Gun, Again!
YEREVANThe US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told the Haykakan
Zhamanak newspaper Wednesday that US Ambassador-designate to Armenia Richard
Hoagland will assume his post in some two weeks, immediately after his formal
confirmation by the US Senate.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, however, held delayed Hoagland's
confirmation following a controversial and often heated hearing process last
week when he failed to provide satisfactory answers to inquiries from key
committee members on US policy on the Armenian Genocide and the dismissal of
the current US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, who characterized the events
of 1915 as "a Genocide."
Both Houses of Congress are on their annual July 4 recess and will
returned to
Washington next week. When the Senate committee hearing resume, Hoagland faces
a new set of questions submitted late last week regarding the aforementioned
issues.
Late last month, in his capacity as co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Bryza
leaked confidential principles of a peace plan, sending the diplomatic
community in a furor over the disclosure of sensitive information regarding
the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
. "Hoagland is a very attentive person and he is perfectly aware of the
history
of the Caucasus. As for incumbent Ambassador Evans, he is an excellent
personality and Ambassador. It's not true to sat that he is recalled and even
removed from diplomatic service," Bryza said.
"Ambassadors serve the President and they are obliged to follow his policy.
President Bush's policy as it regards the mass killings of Armenians is
precise
and he mentions it in his annual statement. Certainly if somebody doesn't
agree
with the president's policy, he can take his own decisions, however they
should
not be announced publicly. We all serve the President and our job is to
contribute to his policy. We should also give him advice but when matter
concerns public statements we should support the President's policy," Bryza
said.
Evans' recall is said to be caused by his statement on the Armenian Genocide.
On February 19, 2005, during his public presentation at the University of
California, Berkeley, hosted by Armenian Studies Program Executive Director,
Prof. Stephan Astourian, Evans announced, "I will today call it the Armenian
Genocide." The Ambassador, who has studied Russian History at Yale and
Columbia
universities and Ottoman History at the Keenan Institute, argued that, "we,
the
US government, owe you, our fellow citizens a more frank and honest way of
discussing this problem. Today, as someone who's studied it... There's no
doubt
in my mind what happened."
3) US, Turkey Sign 'Strategic Vision' Document
WASHINGTON (Anatolia News Agency) Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that they have agreed on common
vision document between Turkey and the United States.
Following their meeting at US State Department on Wednesday, Gul and Rice
held
a joint news conference.
Gul said, "we have discussed Iraq, Iran, the PKK and Middle East problem as
well as energy issues and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project which will
be implemented soon. We would like to host a US representative during the
inauguration ceremony of the pipeline."
When asked why Turkey and the United States needed a strategic vision
document, Gul said that the strategic vision document reflects the shared
values of the two countries like democracy, human rights and free market
economy as well as the close cooperation, adding that they thought it would be
beneficial to put these things down on paper and accept as a reference.
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Rice expressed pleasure about
Turkey's initiatives in the region, and said that they discussed the problems
in the Middle East and the situation in Iran.
She stressed that Iran should meet the demands of international community and
show that it is sincere in this issue. Rice thanked Gul for the support he
gave
for extension of democracy in the region.
Rice said the strategic vision document underscores the mutual trust that
exists between the two countries.
The document is a reminder that the relationship is broad and deep and based
on shared values and interests, Rice said.
Stressing that Turkey-US relations continue on basis of strong friendship,
strategic relation and dependence on common values, Rice noted that the vision
document will have great contribution to regional and global stability.
Upon a question about PKK terrorism, Rice said that the United States defines
PKK as a terrorist organization, and she made specific reference to the joint
US-Turkish stand against the violence employed by PKK.
No one wants the PKK to carry out attacks anywhere, especially from north of
Iraq, Rice said.
Upon a question, Rice praised the diplomatic efforts of Turkey with the
Syrian
government to ease accelerating tension between Israel and Palestine.
Rice noted that Turkish envoys have told Syrian authorities, as directly as
possible, that they should use their leverage to secure the release of the
Israeli soldier detained by Palestinians.
Rice called the Turkish role very helpful.
She urged Israel and Palestine to show restraint in order to prevent a
further
deterioration of the situation.
The situation in Gaza is very tense, she said.
Rice noted that the United States exerts efforts for humanitarian aid to
Palestine, adding that Hamas should fulfill its responsibilities as well.
Upon a question about Iran's nuclear program, Rice warned Iran not to delay
talks aimed at ending its nuclear program.
If indeed Iran is trying to stall, it's not going to work, Rice said. She
added, we need to know if the path of negotiation is open or not.
Rice said a substantive response from Iran was needed before the Group of
Eight leaders meet later this month.
4) Karabakh Urges Inclusion Conflict Resolution Process
YEREVAN (YERKIR) Nagorno-Karabakh Republic foreign minister Georgi Petrossian
Wednesday emphasized that the country's position on the conflict resolution
process remained unchanged and urged the inclusion of a Karabakh side in the
peace process.
"Nagorno-Karabakh took part in the establishment of the cease-fire, thus
it is
entitled to participate in talks that will decide its fate," Petrossian
emphasized.
He emphasized that Karabakh would not like to see the elimination of the
results of the conflict, but rather concrete solutions to resolve the issue.
He also reported that during their visit to the US, Karabakh representatives
voiced their concerns over publicizing the principles of a peace plan drafted
by the OSCE Minsk Group.
Late last month, the Minsk Group US co-chairman Matthew Bryza leaked the
confidential details of a peace plan being negotiated for the last two years.
"The latest developments in the conflict resolution process have created a
new
situation and it is not yet how the talks will resume," said Petrossian.
Meanwhile, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan told a
press conference Wednesday that the latest proposals by the OSCE Minsk Group
can serve as a basis to continue the peace talks and the conflict resolution
process.
Ghulyan said that not all provisions proposed by the Minsk Group are
acceptable to the leadership of both Armenia and Karabakh.
"Publicizing the principles of the OSCE-proposed peace plans by the mediators
is aimed at launching public discourse among the parties to the Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict." said Ghulyan.
"In doing so, the Minsk Group co-chairs provide an opportunity to the parties
to find a solution to the problem on their own," added Ghulyan.
The speaker expressed optimism that the resolution to the conflict would be
comprehensive, citing recent statements by the Minsk Group co-chairmen. In
discussing a possible resolution by this year, Ghulyan emphasized the
political
situation in Azerbaijan, as well as the posturing by the Azeri leadership as
reasons that Baku was not willing settle conflict as soon as possible.
"An agreement by Azerbaijan to engage in dialogue with Nagorno-Karabakh will
signal Azerbaijan's willingness to resolve the conflict," Ghulyan said.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.
TOP STORIES
07/06/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) Kocharian Wraps Up Iran Visit
2) Bryza Jumps The Gun, Again!
3) US, Turkey Sign 'Strategic Vision' Document
4) Karabakh Urges Inclusion Conflict Resolution Process
1) Kocharian Wraps Up Iran Visit
TEHRAN (RFE/RL, Armenpress)President Robert Kocharian Thursday ended a
two-day
visit to Tehran during which he and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad
called for the strengthening of the already close economic and political links
between Armenia and Iran, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The two men met twice and presided over the signing of seven Iranian-Armenian
agreements covering a broad range of areas on Wednesday. One of the agreements
paves the way for the construction of a third transmission line that will
connect the power grids of the two neighboring states.
The high-voltage line will allow for a substantial increase in exports of
Armenian electricity to Iran after the construction of a pipeline which is due
to start pumping Iranian natural gas into Armenia next year. Yerevan borrowed
$34 million from Tehran to finance the ongoing work on the first Armenian
section of the pipeline and will repay the loan with electricity supplies.
Ahmadinejad and Kocharian were widely expected to discuss the
under-construction pipeline and, in particular, Russia's desire to control it.
However, they were not reported to have mentioned the issue at their joint
news
conference.
The two leaders only stressed, in general terms, the need for their nations to
bolster their relationship which Ahmadinejad said has a "huge potential."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes and supports the development of ties
with Armenia in various areas, particularly in energy fields as well as
transportation, sports, and tourism," The Tehran Times daily quoted
Ahmadinejad
as saying. "I hope the Armenian president's trip to Iran would serve as an
important step toward the development of all-out ties between the two
countries."
Kocharian, for his part, reportedly welcomed "noticeable progress" in the
development of Iranian-Armenian ties, while calling for unspecified "new
steps"
to implement bilateral agreements signed in the past. He also threw his weight
behind an extremely ambitious idea to build a rail link between Armenia and
Iran.
It is not clear whether mounting international tensions over Iran's
controversial nuclear program were also on the agenda of Kocharian's separate
talks with Ahmadinejad and Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
Armenian officials have repeatedly expressed hope for a "diplomatic" solution
to the dispute. Yerevan fears that possible US military action against Iran
could thwart the implementation of Armenian-Iranian energy projects and have
other unpredictable consequences.
Kocharian highlighted Iran's significance for Armenia by choosing to publicly
shake hands with Ahmadinejad and invite him to Yerevan at a time when Tehran's
nuclear standoff with the West is coming to a crunch. The Iranian president is
facing Western ostracism for his hard line on the issue and public denials of
the Holocaust.
Before wrapping up his trip, Kocharian met with the Armenian community of
Iran
to hear their ideas about how to boost cooperation between Armenia and the
community and other Armenia-Diaspora related issues, reported the Armenpress
news agency.
The Armenian-Iranian community commended the "One Nation-One Culture"
festival
organized and held for the third consecutive time by Armenian authorities,
suggesting that this festival may be taken beyond Armenia to the countries
with
strong Armenian communities.
The community members pledged active participation in the third
Armenia-Diaspora conference scheduled for September in Yerevan.
During the meeting president Kocharian awarded the Armenian medal of Mkhitar
Heratsi to prominent Iranian-Armenian psychiatrist Harmik Davtian.
Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian positively assessed the results of
Kocharian's visit to Iran. He said the visit was important taking into
consideration the fact that after the election of the new president a new team
has been formed in Iran.
"Today the two countries aim to expand relations. In this respect we have
executed quite positive changes," the foreign minister said, while
underscoring
the importance of the meeting of the two presidents.
Oskanian also emphasized the political importance of the visit, saying that
quite serious developments are taking place in the region, in which Iran is
fully and actively involved and therefore, it is useful for the Armenia to be
aware of Iran's posturing on regional issues.
It is important that Iran, as a regional country, learns about the
developments in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh peace process directly from
Armenia, explaining that Kocharian informed his Iranian counterpart about the
developments in that realm.
2) Bryza Jumps The Gun, Again!
YEREVANThe US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told the Haykakan
Zhamanak newspaper Wednesday that US Ambassador-designate to Armenia Richard
Hoagland will assume his post in some two weeks, immediately after his formal
confirmation by the US Senate.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, however, held delayed Hoagland's
confirmation following a controversial and often heated hearing process last
week when he failed to provide satisfactory answers to inquiries from key
committee members on US policy on the Armenian Genocide and the dismissal of
the current US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, who characterized the events
of 1915 as "a Genocide."
Both Houses of Congress are on their annual July 4 recess and will
returned to
Washington next week. When the Senate committee hearing resume, Hoagland faces
a new set of questions submitted late last week regarding the aforementioned
issues.
Late last month, in his capacity as co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group,
Bryza
leaked confidential principles of a peace plan, sending the diplomatic
community in a furor over the disclosure of sensitive information regarding
the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
. "Hoagland is a very attentive person and he is perfectly aware of the
history
of the Caucasus. As for incumbent Ambassador Evans, he is an excellent
personality and Ambassador. It's not true to sat that he is recalled and even
removed from diplomatic service," Bryza said.
"Ambassadors serve the President and they are obliged to follow his policy.
President Bush's policy as it regards the mass killings of Armenians is
precise
and he mentions it in his annual statement. Certainly if somebody doesn't
agree
with the president's policy, he can take his own decisions, however they
should
not be announced publicly. We all serve the President and our job is to
contribute to his policy. We should also give him advice but when matter
concerns public statements we should support the President's policy," Bryza
said.
Evans' recall is said to be caused by his statement on the Armenian Genocide.
On February 19, 2005, during his public presentation at the University of
California, Berkeley, hosted by Armenian Studies Program Executive Director,
Prof. Stephan Astourian, Evans announced, "I will today call it the Armenian
Genocide." The Ambassador, who has studied Russian History at Yale and
Columbia
universities and Ottoman History at the Keenan Institute, argued that, "we,
the
US government, owe you, our fellow citizens a more frank and honest way of
discussing this problem. Today, as someone who's studied it... There's no
doubt
in my mind what happened."
3) US, Turkey Sign 'Strategic Vision' Document
WASHINGTON (Anatolia News Agency) Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that they have agreed on common
vision document between Turkey and the United States.
Following their meeting at US State Department on Wednesday, Gul and Rice
held
a joint news conference.
Gul said, "we have discussed Iraq, Iran, the PKK and Middle East problem as
well as energy issues and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project which will
be implemented soon. We would like to host a US representative during the
inauguration ceremony of the pipeline."
When asked why Turkey and the United States needed a strategic vision
document, Gul said that the strategic vision document reflects the shared
values of the two countries like democracy, human rights and free market
economy as well as the close cooperation, adding that they thought it would be
beneficial to put these things down on paper and accept as a reference.
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Rice expressed pleasure about
Turkey's initiatives in the region, and said that they discussed the problems
in the Middle East and the situation in Iran.
She stressed that Iran should meet the demands of international community and
show that it is sincere in this issue. Rice thanked Gul for the support he
gave
for extension of democracy in the region.
Rice said the strategic vision document underscores the mutual trust that
exists between the two countries.
The document is a reminder that the relationship is broad and deep and based
on shared values and interests, Rice said.
Stressing that Turkey-US relations continue on basis of strong friendship,
strategic relation and dependence on common values, Rice noted that the vision
document will have great contribution to regional and global stability.
Upon a question about PKK terrorism, Rice said that the United States defines
PKK as a terrorist organization, and she made specific reference to the joint
US-Turkish stand against the violence employed by PKK.
No one wants the PKK to carry out attacks anywhere, especially from north of
Iraq, Rice said.
Upon a question, Rice praised the diplomatic efforts of Turkey with the
Syrian
government to ease accelerating tension between Israel and Palestine.
Rice noted that Turkish envoys have told Syrian authorities, as directly as
possible, that they should use their leverage to secure the release of the
Israeli soldier detained by Palestinians.
Rice called the Turkish role very helpful.
She urged Israel and Palestine to show restraint in order to prevent a
further
deterioration of the situation.
The situation in Gaza is very tense, she said.
Rice noted that the United States exerts efforts for humanitarian aid to
Palestine, adding that Hamas should fulfill its responsibilities as well.
Upon a question about Iran's nuclear program, Rice warned Iran not to delay
talks aimed at ending its nuclear program.
If indeed Iran is trying to stall, it's not going to work, Rice said. She
added, we need to know if the path of negotiation is open or not.
Rice said a substantive response from Iran was needed before the Group of
Eight leaders meet later this month.
4) Karabakh Urges Inclusion Conflict Resolution Process
YEREVAN (YERKIR) Nagorno-Karabakh Republic foreign minister Georgi Petrossian
Wednesday emphasized that the country's position on the conflict resolution
process remained unchanged and urged the inclusion of a Karabakh side in the
peace process.
"Nagorno-Karabakh took part in the establishment of the cease-fire, thus
it is
entitled to participate in talks that will decide its fate," Petrossian
emphasized.
He emphasized that Karabakh would not like to see the elimination of the
results of the conflict, but rather concrete solutions to resolve the issue.
He also reported that during their visit to the US, Karabakh representatives
voiced their concerns over publicizing the principles of a peace plan drafted
by the OSCE Minsk Group.
Late last month, the Minsk Group US co-chairman Matthew Bryza leaked the
confidential details of a peace plan being negotiated for the last two years.
"The latest developments in the conflict resolution process have created a
new
situation and it is not yet how the talks will resume," said Petrossian.
Meanwhile, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan told a
press conference Wednesday that the latest proposals by the OSCE Minsk Group
can serve as a basis to continue the peace talks and the conflict resolution
process.
Ghulyan said that not all provisions proposed by the Minsk Group are
acceptable to the leadership of both Armenia and Karabakh.
"Publicizing the principles of the OSCE-proposed peace plans by the mediators
is aimed at launching public discourse among the parties to the Nagorno-
Karabakh conflict." said Ghulyan.
"In doing so, the Minsk Group co-chairs provide an opportunity to the parties
to find a solution to the problem on their own," added Ghulyan.
The speaker expressed optimism that the resolution to the conflict would be
comprehensive, citing recent statements by the Minsk Group co-chairmen. In
discussing a possible resolution by this year, Ghulyan emphasized the
political
situation in Azerbaijan, as well as the posturing by the Azeri leadership as
reasons that Baku was not willing settle conflict as soon as possible.
"An agreement by Azerbaijan to engage in dialogue with Nagorno-Karabakh will
signal Azerbaijan's willingness to resolve the conflict," Ghulyan said.
All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier
and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and
subscription requests.
(c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.
ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for
academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through
mass media outlets.