Azerbaijan unwilling to show realistic approach to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
November 11, 2010 13:10
The international mediators’ efforts in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process are first of all aimed at maintaining the peace process and preserving the settlement format, Konstantin Zatulin, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for CIS and ties with Russian Nationals, RF State Duma, Director of the CIS Institute, told NEWS.am.
“Resumed sniping along the line of contact is a gross violation of the status quo. The side committing the violations, that is, Azerbaijan, is a most serious problem and threat to regional peace,” Zatulin said. He expressed concern over the growing tension during the past few months despite the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts. Russia is against a new war in the region, he said. A final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem must be reached on the basis of the principle of Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination along with the return of territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. “As far as I am concerned Azerbaijan is now unwilling to show a realistic approach to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. This may be the reason why the Armenian society will not accept any talks about any territorial concessions - even outside Nagorno-Karabakh. I think if an agreement could be reached, the co-chair countries would feel the need for showing political will, the issue could be resolved in some time,” Zatulin said.
He stressed that a military threat is in the air now. “We all know about the result very well. I would not advise anyone to tempt fate, as the ones unleashing wars are not the ones overbalancing. No one has yet convinced me that arms – even the most up-to-date – will enable Azerbaijan to resolve this problem as it wants to for ever,” Zatulin said. Any new hostilities will challenge any economic development prospects.
News from Armenia - NEWS.a
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Australia's first Armenian mayor working for positive change
.
Sydney, Australia - He was only two years old when his feet first trod upon the distant shores of the "lucky country", marking the end of a traumatic trek that had dragged the family all the way from the land of the Pharaohs, but Artin Etmekdjian has never looked back.
And now, a lifetime later, as he sits in his new office, at city hall, contemplating the culmination of a dream he has long held, Artin is gearing up to meet a new challenge.
As the newly elected mayor of the City of Ryde, near Sydney, Artin will have his work cut out for him. He is the first Armenian in Australia to hold such a position, but he has no time to sit on his laurels. His in-tray is already overflowing with "things to do."
Artin's election bolsters the growing strength and prestige of the Armenian entity in the Australian political arena where Joe Hockey (deputy leader of the Federal opposition party), Gladys Berejiklian (New South Wales shadow state transport minister) and fellow town hall councillor Sarkis Yedelian, have ventured, with the cheers of the electorate resounding in their ears.
Acutely conscious of his Armenian heritage, Artin nonetheless considers himself a true blue Aussie, proud citizen of a free country that has received him in open arms and that has provided a safe haven for hundreds and thousands of lost seekers of greener fields.
"I acknowledge my place of birth; however I am very grateful to my parents for selecting Australia as the family's eventual home and therefore consider myself as a proud Australian of Armenian heritage," he tells me.
Artin is confident that his election will impact on Armenians in Australia, especially young people, by encouraging them to be more involved in community life, and that "no matter where an individual may come from, success in Australia can be achieved - through hard work, patience and persistence."
He is brimming with confidence, determined to usher new winds of change and best serve the community that has accorded him the honor and privilege of mayor.
"I have always been driven by a desire and passion to serve the community and be an agent for positive change," he says.
With his cheerful countenance and avuncular bearing, Artin comes out as approachable and amicable but the appearance of docility does not mask the steel will that has seen him propelled to the seat of power he now occupies.
"Any community leader position will always require tough decisions, but most importantly the decision maker must stand on principle, and be fair and equitable in making the final decision," he says.
His constituents include 6,000 to 8,000 Armenians, scattered among a colorful multicultural mosaic made up mostly of Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese, with about 40% of them immigrants and some 60% with at least one parent born overseas.
For Artin, it is of paramount importance that the ethnic consciousness adapt to the values of the Australian way of life, and for the community to "work harmoniously and achieve greater integration and assimilation."
Many migrants promptly change their names upon arrival in Australia, opting for anglicized versions that come closer to the ethnic original, although most stop short at attempting to transmogrify their patronymics or family names.
But Artin has eschewed this expedient.
"I believe your name is sacred, at that it actually shows your heritage and should never be tampered with unless one's life is threatened," he stresses.
Although it is generally acknowledged that Armenians tend to vote Labor in Australian elections, Artin is convinced that they are ready to cross the floor to throw their support behind a compatriot, regardless of their political views.
The number of Armenians in Australia, mainly immigrants from the Middle East, has risen to 40,000. Of these, more than three quarters have settled in New South Wales. The ingathering has been propelled by the unsettled political and military situation in the Arab world. Here in Australia, on the verdant shores and among the hospitable true blues, they have found a second home where they can sleep deep o'nights, without the fear of being the random target of a sniper or a suicide bomber.
In their newly adopted home in this State, Armenians have created a vibrant nucleus, complete with youth clubs and Saturday schools, concentrated mainly around the capital city, Sydney's, verdant north shore, with the City of Ryde attracting a faithful following.
Artin has grand plans aimed at further helping develop Ryde, making it more attractive as the place to work and live in. He cites as an example a recently opened multi-stage shopping center that ranks as one of the most ambitious in the region.
From time to time, despite his preoccupation with his current mayoral mandate and the demands of his job, Artin's thoughts hover around the city of his birth, Cairo. And although he was too young to remember life there, he still feels a strong kinship with Egypt, and has been back there twice to visit with members of his extended family.
Perhaps, one day, when times are more auspicious, city hall might even envision strengthening the ties between Australia and Egypt, with some sort of twinning agreement, a "sister city" relationship.
But such a step would require careful consideration.
"My belief is that any relationship of this nature must be dealt with caution - firstly, due to the costs involved and ultimately, the importance of the relationship being beneficial to both parties.
If the occasion arises that the above is satisfied with an Egyptian city, the matter would be considered," he says.
Right now, he has more compelling tasks at hand. Championing accountability and transparency, he intends to be a team player, his aim in life to be able "to live a full life and give more to the community than I have been given myself."
Sydney, Australia - He was only two years old when his feet first trod upon the distant shores of the "lucky country", marking the end of a traumatic trek that had dragged the family all the way from the land of the Pharaohs, but Artin Etmekdjian has never looked back.
And now, a lifetime later, as he sits in his new office, at city hall, contemplating the culmination of a dream he has long held, Artin is gearing up to meet a new challenge.
As the newly elected mayor of the City of Ryde, near Sydney, Artin will have his work cut out for him. He is the first Armenian in Australia to hold such a position, but he has no time to sit on his laurels. His in-tray is already overflowing with "things to do."
Artin's election bolsters the growing strength and prestige of the Armenian entity in the Australian political arena where Joe Hockey (deputy leader of the Federal opposition party), Gladys Berejiklian (New South Wales shadow state transport minister) and fellow town hall councillor Sarkis Yedelian, have ventured, with the cheers of the electorate resounding in their ears.
Acutely conscious of his Armenian heritage, Artin nonetheless considers himself a true blue Aussie, proud citizen of a free country that has received him in open arms and that has provided a safe haven for hundreds and thousands of lost seekers of greener fields.
"I acknowledge my place of birth; however I am very grateful to my parents for selecting Australia as the family's eventual home and therefore consider myself as a proud Australian of Armenian heritage," he tells me.
Artin is confident that his election will impact on Armenians in Australia, especially young people, by encouraging them to be more involved in community life, and that "no matter where an individual may come from, success in Australia can be achieved - through hard work, patience and persistence."
He is brimming with confidence, determined to usher new winds of change and best serve the community that has accorded him the honor and privilege of mayor.
"I have always been driven by a desire and passion to serve the community and be an agent for positive change," he says.
With his cheerful countenance and avuncular bearing, Artin comes out as approachable and amicable but the appearance of docility does not mask the steel will that has seen him propelled to the seat of power he now occupies.
"Any community leader position will always require tough decisions, but most importantly the decision maker must stand on principle, and be fair and equitable in making the final decision," he says.
His constituents include 6,000 to 8,000 Armenians, scattered among a colorful multicultural mosaic made up mostly of Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese, with about 40% of them immigrants and some 60% with at least one parent born overseas.
For Artin, it is of paramount importance that the ethnic consciousness adapt to the values of the Australian way of life, and for the community to "work harmoniously and achieve greater integration and assimilation."
Many migrants promptly change their names upon arrival in Australia, opting for anglicized versions that come closer to the ethnic original, although most stop short at attempting to transmogrify their patronymics or family names.
But Artin has eschewed this expedient.
"I believe your name is sacred, at that it actually shows your heritage and should never be tampered with unless one's life is threatened," he stresses.
Although it is generally acknowledged that Armenians tend to vote Labor in Australian elections, Artin is convinced that they are ready to cross the floor to throw their support behind a compatriot, regardless of their political views.
The number of Armenians in Australia, mainly immigrants from the Middle East, has risen to 40,000. Of these, more than three quarters have settled in New South Wales. The ingathering has been propelled by the unsettled political and military situation in the Arab world. Here in Australia, on the verdant shores and among the hospitable true blues, they have found a second home where they can sleep deep o'nights, without the fear of being the random target of a sniper or a suicide bomber.
In their newly adopted home in this State, Armenians have created a vibrant nucleus, complete with youth clubs and Saturday schools, concentrated mainly around the capital city, Sydney's, verdant north shore, with the City of Ryde attracting a faithful following.
Artin has grand plans aimed at further helping develop Ryde, making it more attractive as the place to work and live in. He cites as an example a recently opened multi-stage shopping center that ranks as one of the most ambitious in the region.
From time to time, despite his preoccupation with his current mayoral mandate and the demands of his job, Artin's thoughts hover around the city of his birth, Cairo. And although he was too young to remember life there, he still feels a strong kinship with Egypt, and has been back there twice to visit with members of his extended family.
Perhaps, one day, when times are more auspicious, city hall might even envision strengthening the ties between Australia and Egypt, with some sort of twinning agreement, a "sister city" relationship.
But such a step would require careful consideration.
"My belief is that any relationship of this nature must be dealt with caution - firstly, due to the costs involved and ultimately, the importance of the relationship being beneficial to both parties.
If the occasion arises that the above is satisfied with an Egyptian city, the matter would be considered," he says.
Right now, he has more compelling tasks at hand. Championing accountability and transparency, he intends to be a team player, his aim in life to be able "to live a full life and give more to the community than I have been given myself."
John Kerry: Armenian Genocide Resolution to gain stronger support this year
PanARMENIAN.Net - Chairman of the United State Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Democrat John Kerry has said that the Armenian Genocide Resolution will gain stronger support this year.
However, he did not elaborate on further activity regarding the issue, Radikal Turkish newspaper reported.
As to Israeli-Turkish relations, Senator Kerry said the U.S. will seek to ease tensions between the two countries.
However, he did not elaborate on further activity regarding the issue, Radikal Turkish newspaper reported.
As to Israeli-Turkish relations, Senator Kerry said the U.S. will seek to ease tensions between the two countries.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Seyran Ohanyan: Armenian armed forces will continue coercing Azerbaijan into peace
Seyran Ohanyan: Armenian armed forces will continue coercing Azerbaijan into peace
November 9, 2010 - 12:14 AMT 08:14 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Bellicose statements constantly made by the Azerbaijani leadership are not new for Armenia, RA Defense Minister said.
“Instead of threatening war, Azerbaijan had better control the situation at the frontline, otherwise subversives would have not made attempts to penetrate into the Armenian territory. Moreover, it’s extremely strange when the Azerbaijani leaders present the subversives as heroes,” Seyran Ohanyan stated when commenting on the recent threats of the Azerbaijani President.
“Nevertheless, Armenian armed forces will continue coercing Azerbaijan into peace,” the Minister stated.
Delivering a speech at the funeral of a raider, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said Baku is ready for a new war, not only against Karabakh but against Armenia as well.
Russia to become involved in another war on post-Soviet space?
World » Former USSR
Russia to become involved in another war on post-Soviet space?
08.11.2010
Azerbaijan is ready to unleash another war. This times it does not go about Nagorno Karabakh. The story is about Armenia. Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev made a bellicose statement on November 7 at the funeral ceremony held for the saboteur, who was killed in an armed clash on the border with Nagorno Karabakh. The Azeris, the president said, were ready to use military force to solve the Karabakh question any time. Speaking about Armenia, Aliyev said that it was an illegal state.
The president's remarks fit the circumstances in which they were announced. On November 7, Azerbaijan bid farewell to two military men. One of them died on June 18 when the Azeri army was trying to break through the line of contact with armed forced of Nagorno Karabakh. Ilkham Aliyev signed a decree to award the title of the Hero of Azerbaijan to the saboteur; a street in Baku will be named after the military man.
According to the president, Azerbaijan does not refuse from negotiations with Armenia, albeit only before the moment when it is possible to retrieve the country's integrity peacefully. "If we see that it is impossible, Azerbaijan will retrieve its territorial integrity militarily," Aliyev said.
"I don't doubt that we have all opportunities for it - combat training, material and technical means, ammunition and weapons, the professional army, high morale and the will of the Azerbaijani nation. We will be able to retrieve the territorial integrity of the country militarily," Aliyev said.
Russia Today: Leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia discuss Nagorno-Karabakh settlement in Russia
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It is worthy of note that the Azeri president is known for his bellicose remarks. However, the statement that he said after the threat of using military power in Karabakh, has never been made before. Aliyev's remarks may mean that he denies the right of being an independent state not only to Karabakh, but to Armenia as well.
"Azerbaijan will retrieve its territorial integrity. Nagorno Karabakh is our land, our native land. The present Armenian state was founded on the land that historically belonged to Azerbaijan," Aliyev said. The president has probably forgotten that the ancient Armenian Kingdom was established hundreds and even thousands of years prior to the establishment of the Azerbaijani nation, not to mention the fact that Azerbaijan as an independent state was founded only in 1918.
Aliyev's remarks followed the talks with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, which took place on October 27. The two presidents agreed to exchange the bodies of the military men, who were killed in a battle on the contact line between the conflicting parties. In addition, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to continue the dialogue to regulate the long-standing conflict.
Was Aliyev intended to gain political profit from his bellicose remarks? It could be possible, taking into consideration the fact that parliamentary elections took place in the country on November 7.
Armed clashes in the area of the Karabakh conflict occur on a regular basis during the recent six months, and the conflict seems to escalate. In addition, Azerbaijan has been involved in arms deal lately, purchasing arms from foreign countries.
For the time being, officials of either Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh have not showed any reactions to Aliyev's remarks. Armenia has its own vision about the history of the region. There are officials in the Armenian administration who believe that Azerbaijan is the territory of Armenia, which was taken away from the country by Arab, Persian and Turkish conquerors. Such an interpretation is obviously an exaggeration. Aliyev went too far as well. The Armenian state was founded over 2,000 years ago and took the vast territory from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea during the peak of its power. Armenia was the first state in the world to have recognized Christianity. Therefore, it is incorrect (to say the least) to consider the Armenian land as the land of Azerbaijan.
The recent statement from the Azeri president is another fact to prove how complicated the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is. Too much blood has been shed during many centuries of the conflict between the two nations. The massacre of Armenians in Sumgait in 1988, the expulsion of Armenians from Baku, the subsequent expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the war in Karabakh during the 1990s that ended with the defeat of Azerbaijan's army - all that is still fresh in memory.
It goes without saying that the Azeri army is technologically more powerful than it was in 1994. The Armenian army was not born yesterday either. Baku needs to bear in mind the fact that neither Brussels nor Washington will support Azerbaijan, as it happened with Georgia in 2008. The Armenian lobby in the West will be stronger than the influence of Azeri energy carriers.
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict is like the conflict in the Middle East, which seems to last forever. Bellicose statements shatter all hopes for peaceful regulation of the conflict. Armenia may take efforts to prove that Azerbaijan is a militarist state that nurtures another genocide against the country.
Armenia is one of the few countries where Russia has its army bases. Like it happened with South Ossetia, Russia will not be able to sit on its hands in case of a military attack against its ally.
Sergey Balmasov Vadim Trukhachev Pravda.Ru
Russia to become involved in another war on post-Soviet space?
08.11.2010
Azerbaijan is ready to unleash another war. This times it does not go about Nagorno Karabakh. The story is about Armenia. Azeri President Ilkham Aliyev made a bellicose statement on November 7 at the funeral ceremony held for the saboteur, who was killed in an armed clash on the border with Nagorno Karabakh. The Azeris, the president said, were ready to use military force to solve the Karabakh question any time. Speaking about Armenia, Aliyev said that it was an illegal state.
The president's remarks fit the circumstances in which they were announced. On November 7, Azerbaijan bid farewell to two military men. One of them died on June 18 when the Azeri army was trying to break through the line of contact with armed forced of Nagorno Karabakh. Ilkham Aliyev signed a decree to award the title of the Hero of Azerbaijan to the saboteur; a street in Baku will be named after the military man.
According to the president, Azerbaijan does not refuse from negotiations with Armenia, albeit only before the moment when it is possible to retrieve the country's integrity peacefully. "If we see that it is impossible, Azerbaijan will retrieve its territorial integrity militarily," Aliyev said.
"I don't doubt that we have all opportunities for it - combat training, material and technical means, ammunition and weapons, the professional army, high morale and the will of the Azerbaijani nation. We will be able to retrieve the territorial integrity of the country militarily," Aliyev said.
Russia Today: Leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia discuss Nagorno-Karabakh settlement in Russia
function openPrint(url) {
var printWin = window.open(url,
"print",
"width=800,height=600,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes"
)
printWin.focus();
return false;
}
var _php_url_send = '/?area=popupSendToFriend&t=a&id=115688';
0Share
Print version
Font Size
Send to friend
var fs = new FontSizer('article');
It is worthy of note that the Azeri president is known for his bellicose remarks. However, the statement that he said after the threat of using military power in Karabakh, has never been made before. Aliyev's remarks may mean that he denies the right of being an independent state not only to Karabakh, but to Armenia as well.
"Azerbaijan will retrieve its territorial integrity. Nagorno Karabakh is our land, our native land. The present Armenian state was founded on the land that historically belonged to Azerbaijan," Aliyev said. The president has probably forgotten that the ancient Armenian Kingdom was established hundreds and even thousands of years prior to the establishment of the Azerbaijani nation, not to mention the fact that Azerbaijan as an independent state was founded only in 1918.
Aliyev's remarks followed the talks with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, which took place on October 27. The two presidents agreed to exchange the bodies of the military men, who were killed in a battle on the contact line between the conflicting parties. In addition, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to continue the dialogue to regulate the long-standing conflict.
Was Aliyev intended to gain political profit from his bellicose remarks? It could be possible, taking into consideration the fact that parliamentary elections took place in the country on November 7.
Armed clashes in the area of the Karabakh conflict occur on a regular basis during the recent six months, and the conflict seems to escalate. In addition, Azerbaijan has been involved in arms deal lately, purchasing arms from foreign countries.
For the time being, officials of either Armenia or Nagorno Karabakh have not showed any reactions to Aliyev's remarks. Armenia has its own vision about the history of the region. There are officials in the Armenian administration who believe that Azerbaijan is the territory of Armenia, which was taken away from the country by Arab, Persian and Turkish conquerors. Such an interpretation is obviously an exaggeration. Aliyev went too far as well. The Armenian state was founded over 2,000 years ago and took the vast territory from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea during the peak of its power. Armenia was the first state in the world to have recognized Christianity. Therefore, it is incorrect (to say the least) to consider the Armenian land as the land of Azerbaijan.
The recent statement from the Azeri president is another fact to prove how complicated the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is. Too much blood has been shed during many centuries of the conflict between the two nations. The massacre of Armenians in Sumgait in 1988, the expulsion of Armenians from Baku, the subsequent expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the war in Karabakh during the 1990s that ended with the defeat of Azerbaijan's army - all that is still fresh in memory.
It goes without saying that the Azeri army is technologically more powerful than it was in 1994. The Armenian army was not born yesterday either. Baku needs to bear in mind the fact that neither Brussels nor Washington will support Azerbaijan, as it happened with Georgia in 2008. The Armenian lobby in the West will be stronger than the influence of Azeri energy carriers.
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict is like the conflict in the Middle East, which seems to last forever. Bellicose statements shatter all hopes for peaceful regulation of the conflict. Armenia may take efforts to prove that Azerbaijan is a militarist state that nurtures another genocide against the country.
Armenia is one of the few countries where Russia has its army bases. Like it happened with South Ossetia, Russia will not be able to sit on its hands in case of a military attack against its ally.
Sergey Balmasov Vadim Trukhachev Pravda.Ru
Monday, November 8, 2010
Aliyev buries possibility of Karabakh conflict settlement through compromises
Aliyev buries possibility of Karabakh conflict settlement through compromises
November 8, 2010 - 18:33 AMT 14:33 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Deputy Foreign MinisterShavarsh Kocharyan said that apparently the Azerbaijani leader continues ignoring his own obligations before the international community and mediators, cynically acts contrary to the documents signed by him in Meiendorf and Astrakhan.
“Aliyev is dissatisfied with the history, which he taught in Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations, and creates his pseudohistory. He ignores the modern international law and tries to speak from the baseless positions of the law of might,” Shavarsh Kocharyan said, commenting on provocative statements of the Azerbaijani President.
The Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister noted that the Astrakhan declaration foresees confidence building measures through swap of POWs and bodies of dead persons. However, Ilham Aliyev uses the process quite the opposite – for contributing to the tension.
“The inherited regime of Aliyevs needs to be fed with blood, including of own nation. The consequences of the aggression unleashed by it are no longer sufficient - it wants to plunge own people into a new abyss, instigating to new bloodshed and continuing the efforts aimed at making the Azerbaijani society a hostage of its own unhealthy illusions. Aliyev sends subversives to their doom, who, according to him, knew in advance that they will not return alive, solemnly buries them together with the possibility of the conflict resolution through compromises,” said Shavarsh Kocharyan.
According to the Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister, the new round of the anti-Armenian hysteria has been launched the day of “elections” of representatives of Aliyev’s clan to the parliament to distract attention from another stage of the formation of medieval khanate.
“Aliyev has presented himself with a choice – either rejection of the medieval obscurantism, which is based on lie, hatred towards neighboring peoples, and of suicidal attempts of warlike gesture, or self-isolation of Azerbaijan and final rollback to the middle ages with inevitable political, psychological and humanitarian catastrophe,” said Kocharyan.
On November 7, speaking at the funerals of an Azerbaijani subversive, who died on the line of contact of the NKR and Azerbaijani armed forces, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that Baku is ready to unleash a new war - this time not only against Nagorno Karabakh, but against Armenia as well. According to him, Azerbaijanis are ready to resolve the Karabakh conflict in a military way at any moment.
Friday, November 5, 2010
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