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TOP STORIES
06/28/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
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1) Oskanian Reveals More Details of OSCE Plan
2) Erdogan Reacts to Claims of Danish Parliamentarian
3) Oskanian Meets with Georgian Officials
4) Mutafyan Disagrees With Catholicos on Genocide Recognition
1) Oskanian Reveals More Details of OSCE Plan
TBILISI (Armenpress, RFE/RL)Armenia's foreign minister Vartan Oskanian
announced Wednesday during a press conference that OSCE Minsk Group US
co-chairman Matthew Bryza's revelations last week of confidential
provisions of
a proposed Nagorno-Karabakh peace plan were incomplete and failed to present
other important principles outlined by the plan, reported the Armenpress news
agency. He stressed that the Armenian foreign ministry's statements reflect
the
true nature of the OSCE proposed plan.
Security guarantees for the corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
as well as the need for a temporary status for Karabakh were two key
principles
that according to Oskanian should have been included in the interview Bryza
gave to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
"One of the key components of peaceful resolution should be guaranteeing the
security of the corridor between Armenia and Karabakh. The second, until a
referendum to decide the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a temporary
status should be determined for the region," said Oskanian in response to
questions during a press conference with his Georgian counterpart Gela
Bezhuashvili.
The foreign minister added that for the first time, the co-chairmen of the
OSCE Minsk Group determined that the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
shall be determined through a referendum of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. He
added that the OSCE peace proposal is balanced and all encompassing, pledging
Armenia's continuous willingness to negotiate with Azerbaijan within the
framework of the outline proposals.
"The Karabakh issue has its logical elements and we should allow for a
natural
progression of the process and not artificially accelerate it," said Oskanian
in response to questions regarding a possible meeting between Armenian and
Azeri leaders during the upcoming G8 Summit, reported Armenpress.
In a joint statement that was circulated by the U.S. embassy in Yerevan on
Wednesday, the Minsk Group's American, French and Russian co-chairs said their
hitherto confidential peace plan envisages a self-determination referendum to
be held in Karabakh after the liberation of Armenian-occupied territories in
Azerbaijan, reported RFE/RL Wednesday.
The statement was presented to the OSCE's decision-making Permanent
Council in
Vienna last Thursday and was not made public until being posted on the U.S.
embassy website almost a week later. Washington's new top Karabakh negotiator,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, revealed details of the
proposed peace plan to RFE/RL shortly after the Permanent Council meeting.
"These principles include the phased redeployment of Armenian troops from
Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, with special modalities for
Kelbajar and Lachin districts [separating Karabakh from Armenia proper]," said
the co-chairs. "Demilitarization of those territories would follow. A
referendum or population vote would be agreed, at an unspecified future date,
to determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh."
"An international peacekeeping force would be deployed," added the statement.
"A joint commission would be agreed to implement the agreement. International
financial assistance would be made available for demining, reconstruction,
resettlement of internally displaced persons in the formerly occupied
territories and the war-affected regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. The sides would
renounce the use or threat of use of force, and international and bilateral
security guarantees and assurances would be put in place."
The mediators said the sides to the conflict would also have to work out
practical modalities of the Karabakh referendum. "Suitable preconditions for
such a vote would have to be achieved so that the vote would take place in a
non-coercive environment in which well-informed citizens have had ample
opportunity to consider their positions after a vigorous debate in the public
arena."
This peace formula seems largely acceptable to Armenia. Its Foreign Ministry
argued that the mediating powers have thereby recognized the Karabakh
Armenians' right to self-determination. The ministry said in its statement
that
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian have agreed to the proposed
referendum but remain divided on other, unspecified issues.
The Azerbaijani side initially responded positively to Bryza's disclosure of
Minsk Group peace proposals. But in a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign
Ministry in Baku chided the U.S. official for "taking them out of the general
context of the proposed document." It also reiterated that Baku is only ready
to grant Karabakh "the highest status of autonomy" and will never recognize
its
secession from Azerbaijan.
The mediators, meanwhile, warned that failure by the two sides to cut a
framework peace deal before the end of this year would close a rare "window of
opportunity" to eliminate the principal source of instability in the South
Caucasus.
"We see no point right now in continuing intensive shuttle diplomacy we have
engaged in over the past several months," they said. "We also see no point in
initiating further presidential meetings until the sides demonstrate enough
political will to overcome their remaining differences."
Meanwhile in Baku, the Azeri Foreign Ministry of issued a statement
Tuesday in
response to what it termed continuing attempts by Armenia to distort the
essence of the ongoing Karabakh peace talks, reported Armenpress and RFE/RL.
The Azeri statement said that the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh could not be
determined until the territories currently occupied by Armenian forces are
liberated and the entire conflict zone demilitarized.
The statement also affirms Baku's willingness to grant the NKR the highest
degree of autonomy within Azerbaijan stipulated by the current Azeri
constitution.
2) Erdogan Reacts to Claims of Danish Parliamentarian
STRASBOURG (Combined sources)"You shouldn't confuse the concepts of insult and
freedom of criticism," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after
claims of Danish radical left parliamentarian Rune Lund following the meeting
of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg.
Lund claimed that under the freedom of expression he must have the right to
say that "Turks committed genocide on Armenians, occupied Cyprus and outraged
Kurds."
Erdogan, in return, reacted strongly and said, "You should not fail to
distinguish between the concepts of insult and freedom of criticism. The
Danish
parliamentarian claims that there is a Armenian genocide, but his statements
must be based on scientific data."
Enumerating freedom of expression and thought among indispensable common
goals
of humanity, Erdogan said, "All freedoms have a limit under international laws
on human rights. You cannot have unlimited freedoms."
On the other hand, Rene van der Linden, the President of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said that PACE extends full support
to the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative launched by Turkey and Spain.
In the session, Linden indicated that the aim of this initiative is to help
people understand each other's cultures, and avoid fanaticism and extremism.
3) Oskanian Meets with Georgian Officials
TBILISI (Armenpress)Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian arrived in
Georgia June 27 on a two-day official visit. On the first day of his working
visit, Oskanian met with his counterpart Gela Bezhuashvili.
In their welcoming remarks, the two foreign ministers expressed their shared
belief that Armenian-Georgian relations, based on solid historic ties, will
continue to develop in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.
The two ministers discussed bilateral issues in detail. They noted that the
Armenian-Georgian bilateral agenda is a full one and their broad relationship
is reflected in frequent hihg-level meetings and visits.
Oskanian spoke about the economic and political importance of the
operation of
the Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway and its contribution to the growth of trade in
the region, equally benefiting all countries.
The Georgian foreign minister affirmed that Georgia is aware of its bridging
role and responsibility in the region and will continue to work for more
favorable transit conditions for Armenia. He explained that Georgia, too, is
interested in ensuring diversified transport routes.
On the topic of Javakhk, Oskanian stressed that the Armenian government
stands
prepared to work with the Georgian government to resolve the socio-economic
problems facing the population.
They addressed issues of border delimitation and confirmed that there exists
the political will on both sides to resolve outstanding issues and reach a
mutually acceptable solution.
Oskanian briefed his colleague on the current state of the Nagorno Karabakh
negotiations. In turn, Minister Bezhuashvili spoke about the negotiations
surrounding Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Oskanian also met with Georgian parliament chairwoman Nino Burjanadze, who
expressed hope that Oskanian's visit will boost bilateral ties between the two
countries.
Burjanadze said there exists a good legal framework that can support
cooperation between the two countries. She also emphasized Armenia's clear-cut
position in regard to Georgian-Armenian relations.
"Armenia has stressed many times that it defends Georgia's territorial
integrity, which is very important issue for us. Both Armenia and Georgia
stress that conflicts must be solved exclusively through peaceful means and
dialogue," Burjanadze said.
"We are happy that the people in Javakhk have proved smarter that some people
predicted and did not prevent the withdrawal of the Russian base from
Akhalkalaki, realizing what is good for Georgia is good for every citizen,
irrespective of their ethnic belonging," she commented.
She also spoke about the Karabakh conflict, emphasizing Georgia's good
relations with Yerevan and Baku, saying Georgia wants the conflict to be
resolved peacefully.
During his visit, Oskanian also visited the Armenian embassy in Tbilisi and
will deliver a lecture at the Georgian Center for Strategic and International
Studies before returning to Armenia.
4) Mutafyan Disagrees With Catholicos on Genocide Recognition
ISTANBUL (Marmara)The Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafyan
told reporters Wednesday that he did not agree with statements made by His
Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians regarding the need for
the
Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Mutafyan proposed that the "1915
issue" be addressed by historians and sociologists in order for the sides to
"understand each other's sensitivities."
During a pontifical visit to Istanbul, Catholicos Karekin II said the
Genocide
was not a debatable issue for Armenians and it is a fact that Turkey should
recognize. The Turkish press reacted adversely to this statement, with one
newspaperthe Hurriyetcharacterizing the Catholicos' visit as a protest
demonstration.
Mutafyan said that the Catholicos' statements were not unexpected and since
his pontifical visit was being covered by the Armenian media and would be seen
by the Diaspora communities, "the Catholicos spoke taking into consideration
Diasporan sensitivities."
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
06/28/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <http://www.asbarez.com/>HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) Oskanian Reveals More Details of OSCE Plan
2) Erdogan Reacts to Claims of Danish Parliamentarian
3) Oskanian Meets with Georgian Officials
4) Mutafyan Disagrees With Catholicos on Genocide Recognition
1) Oskanian Reveals More Details of OSCE Plan
TBILISI (Armenpress, RFE/RL)Armenia's foreign minister Vartan Oskanian
announced Wednesday during a press conference that OSCE Minsk Group US
co-chairman Matthew Bryza's revelations last week of confidential
provisions of
a proposed Nagorno-Karabakh peace plan were incomplete and failed to present
other important principles outlined by the plan, reported the Armenpress news
agency. He stressed that the Armenian foreign ministry's statements reflect
the
true nature of the OSCE proposed plan.
Security guarantees for the corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,
as well as the need for a temporary status for Karabakh were two key
principles
that according to Oskanian should have been included in the interview Bryza
gave to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
"One of the key components of peaceful resolution should be guaranteeing the
security of the corridor between Armenia and Karabakh. The second, until a
referendum to decide the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, a temporary
status should be determined for the region," said Oskanian in response to
questions during a press conference with his Georgian counterpart Gela
Bezhuashvili.
The foreign minister added that for the first time, the co-chairmen of the
OSCE Minsk Group determined that the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
shall be determined through a referendum of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. He
added that the OSCE peace proposal is balanced and all encompassing, pledging
Armenia's continuous willingness to negotiate with Azerbaijan within the
framework of the outline proposals.
"The Karabakh issue has its logical elements and we should allow for a
natural
progression of the process and not artificially accelerate it," said Oskanian
in response to questions regarding a possible meeting between Armenian and
Azeri leaders during the upcoming G8 Summit, reported Armenpress.
In a joint statement that was circulated by the U.S. embassy in Yerevan on
Wednesday, the Minsk Group's American, French and Russian co-chairs said their
hitherto confidential peace plan envisages a self-determination referendum to
be held in Karabakh after the liberation of Armenian-occupied territories in
Azerbaijan, reported RFE/RL Wednesday.
The statement was presented to the OSCE's decision-making Permanent
Council in
Vienna last Thursday and was not made public until being posted on the U.S.
embassy website almost a week later. Washington's new top Karabakh negotiator,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, revealed details of the
proposed peace plan to RFE/RL shortly after the Permanent Council meeting.
"These principles include the phased redeployment of Armenian troops from
Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, with special modalities for
Kelbajar and Lachin districts [separating Karabakh from Armenia proper]," said
the co-chairs. "Demilitarization of those territories would follow. A
referendum or population vote would be agreed, at an unspecified future date,
to determine the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh."
"An international peacekeeping force would be deployed," added the statement.
"A joint commission would be agreed to implement the agreement. International
financial assistance would be made available for demining, reconstruction,
resettlement of internally displaced persons in the formerly occupied
territories and the war-affected regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. The sides would
renounce the use or threat of use of force, and international and bilateral
security guarantees and assurances would be put in place."
The mediators said the sides to the conflict would also have to work out
practical modalities of the Karabakh referendum. "Suitable preconditions for
such a vote would have to be achieved so that the vote would take place in a
non-coercive environment in which well-informed citizens have had ample
opportunity to consider their positions after a vigorous debate in the public
arena."
This peace formula seems largely acceptable to Armenia. Its Foreign Ministry
argued that the mediating powers have thereby recognized the Karabakh
Armenians' right to self-determination. The ministry said in its statement
that
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian have agreed to the proposed
referendum but remain divided on other, unspecified issues.
The Azerbaijani side initially responded positively to Bryza's disclosure of
Minsk Group peace proposals. But in a statement on Tuesday, the Foreign
Ministry in Baku chided the U.S. official for "taking them out of the general
context of the proposed document." It also reiterated that Baku is only ready
to grant Karabakh "the highest status of autonomy" and will never recognize
its
secession from Azerbaijan.
The mediators, meanwhile, warned that failure by the two sides to cut a
framework peace deal before the end of this year would close a rare "window of
opportunity" to eliminate the principal source of instability in the South
Caucasus.
"We see no point right now in continuing intensive shuttle diplomacy we have
engaged in over the past several months," they said. "We also see no point in
initiating further presidential meetings until the sides demonstrate enough
political will to overcome their remaining differences."
Meanwhile in Baku, the Azeri Foreign Ministry of issued a statement
Tuesday in
response to what it termed continuing attempts by Armenia to distort the
essence of the ongoing Karabakh peace talks, reported Armenpress and RFE/RL.
The Azeri statement said that the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh could not be
determined until the territories currently occupied by Armenian forces are
liberated and the entire conflict zone demilitarized.
The statement also affirms Baku's willingness to grant the NKR the highest
degree of autonomy within Azerbaijan stipulated by the current Azeri
constitution.
2) Erdogan Reacts to Claims of Danish Parliamentarian
STRASBOURG (Combined sources)"You shouldn't confuse the concepts of insult and
freedom of criticism," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after
claims of Danish radical left parliamentarian Rune Lund following the meeting
of the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg.
Lund claimed that under the freedom of expression he must have the right to
say that "Turks committed genocide on Armenians, occupied Cyprus and outraged
Kurds."
Erdogan, in return, reacted strongly and said, "You should not fail to
distinguish between the concepts of insult and freedom of criticism. The
Danish
parliamentarian claims that there is a Armenian genocide, but his statements
must be based on scientific data."
Enumerating freedom of expression and thought among indispensable common
goals
of humanity, Erdogan said, "All freedoms have a limit under international laws
on human rights. You cannot have unlimited freedoms."
On the other hand, Rene van der Linden, the President of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said that PACE extends full support
to the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative launched by Turkey and Spain.
In the session, Linden indicated that the aim of this initiative is to help
people understand each other's cultures, and avoid fanaticism and extremism.
3) Oskanian Meets with Georgian Officials
TBILISI (Armenpress)Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian arrived in
Georgia June 27 on a two-day official visit. On the first day of his working
visit, Oskanian met with his counterpart Gela Bezhuashvili.
In their welcoming remarks, the two foreign ministers expressed their shared
belief that Armenian-Georgian relations, based on solid historic ties, will
continue to develop in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.
The two ministers discussed bilateral issues in detail. They noted that the
Armenian-Georgian bilateral agenda is a full one and their broad relationship
is reflected in frequent hihg-level meetings and visits.
Oskanian spoke about the economic and political importance of the
operation of
the Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi railway and its contribution to the growth of trade in
the region, equally benefiting all countries.
The Georgian foreign minister affirmed that Georgia is aware of its bridging
role and responsibility in the region and will continue to work for more
favorable transit conditions for Armenia. He explained that Georgia, too, is
interested in ensuring diversified transport routes.
On the topic of Javakhk, Oskanian stressed that the Armenian government
stands
prepared to work with the Georgian government to resolve the socio-economic
problems facing the population.
They addressed issues of border delimitation and confirmed that there exists
the political will on both sides to resolve outstanding issues and reach a
mutually acceptable solution.
Oskanian briefed his colleague on the current state of the Nagorno Karabakh
negotiations. In turn, Minister Bezhuashvili spoke about the negotiations
surrounding Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Oskanian also met with Georgian parliament chairwoman Nino Burjanadze, who
expressed hope that Oskanian's visit will boost bilateral ties between the two
countries.
Burjanadze said there exists a good legal framework that can support
cooperation between the two countries. She also emphasized Armenia's clear-cut
position in regard to Georgian-Armenian relations.
"Armenia has stressed many times that it defends Georgia's territorial
integrity, which is very important issue for us. Both Armenia and Georgia
stress that conflicts must be solved exclusively through peaceful means and
dialogue," Burjanadze said.
"We are happy that the people in Javakhk have proved smarter that some people
predicted and did not prevent the withdrawal of the Russian base from
Akhalkalaki, realizing what is good for Georgia is good for every citizen,
irrespective of their ethnic belonging," she commented.
She also spoke about the Karabakh conflict, emphasizing Georgia's good
relations with Yerevan and Baku, saying Georgia wants the conflict to be
resolved peacefully.
During his visit, Oskanian also visited the Armenian embassy in Tbilisi and
will deliver a lecture at the Georgian Center for Strategic and International
Studies before returning to Armenia.
4) Mutafyan Disagrees With Catholicos on Genocide Recognition
ISTANBUL (Marmara)The Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafyan
told reporters Wednesday that he did not agree with statements made by His
Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians regarding the need for
the
Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Mutafyan proposed that the "1915
issue" be addressed by historians and sociologists in order for the sides to
"understand each other's sensitivities."
During a pontifical visit to Istanbul, Catholicos Karekin II said the
Genocide
was not a debatable issue for Armenians and it is a fact that Turkey should
recognize. The Turkish press reacted adversely to this statement, with one
newspaperthe Hurriyetcharacterizing the Catholicos' visit as a protest
demonstration.
Mutafyan said that the Catholicos' statements were not unexpected and since
his pontifical visit was being covered by the Armenian media and would be seen
by the Diaspora communities, "the Catholicos spoke taking into consideration
Diasporan sensitivities."
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.