Armenian And Azeri Conflict

[Ashot]

OSCE MINSK GROUP EXPECTS ARMENIAN AND AZERI LEADERS TO STRIKE VERBAL AGREEMENT BEFORE NATIONAL POLLS

 

BAKU , JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS; The co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group from France, Russia, and the United States have resumed their shuttle diplomacy in an effort to help Armenia and Azerbaijan hammer out a final agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement starting with Azeri authorities on Monday.

Their first meeting was with Azeri foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov. Later they were to meet with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, a co-chairman of the Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told journalists a day earlier that the mediators expect Azeri and Armenian presidents to reach an oral agreement on the settlement before the presidential elections in both countries.

The U.S. diplomat also opposed attempts to equate the Nagorno-Karabakh and the Kosovo conflicts ‘since each of them is unique.’

The final version of the basic principles for peaceful settlement of the conflict developed by the peace brokers was handed to Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers at an OSCE ministerial council meeting in Madrid on November 29 for transmission to heads of states.

According to Azeri media reports, the document calls for a gradual resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict that would begin with the liberation of at least six of the seven Armenian-controlled Azerbaijani districts around Karabakh. The final stage is a referendum of self-determination on Karabakh future status.

 

 

[Ashot]

U.S. COCHAIRMEN OF MINSK GROUP OPTIMISTIC ABOUT KARABAKH DEAL

 

YEREVAN, JANUARY 15, ARMENPRESS: The U.S. cochairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Mathew Bryza, said today in Yerevan that the Armenian-Azerbaijani talks have reached a point where they can hammer out an agreement on the basic principles for settlement of their dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mathew Bryza made the remark when speaking to journalists after addressing an international conference in Yerevan on Wider Europe and Regional and International Security Prospects.

Bryza praised the conflicting sides for not creating obstacles for the talks to move ahead saying they are proceeding in a constructive atmosphere.

He said he and the other two cochairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group from Russia and France are trying to specify through their meetings with heads of both countries their approaches to a package of proposals for peaceful settlement of the conflict that was conveyed to the sides late last November.

Bryza said the cochairmen could not make forecasts whether the agreement might be reached before the February 19 presidential election in Armenia or after it. He said each side presents its approaches and ideas and the other one needs time for their careful study.

Bryza said he disagrees with speculations that the window of opportunity closed, adding if there is will and a social desire to end the conflict the window would remain open.

Mathew Bryza also expressed hope that the national election in Armenia would not affect the process of talks because all candidates are interested in keeping the process go on.

The cochairmen were to depart for Nagorno-Karabakh today. On Thursday they will be back to Yerevan and then again will head for Azerbaijan. Bryza said they were leaving for Nagorno-Karabakh to learn the situation on ground.

 

[Ashot]

Vladimir Kazimirov: Progress in the Karabakh settlement hardly possible in 2008

 

Addressing the international conference on “Larger Black Sea Region: Perspectives of International and Regional Security” underway in Yerevan, former Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Vladimir Kazimirov noted that the unresolved nature of the Karabakh conflict, the “no war, no peace” situation is a serious challenge to the security and stability in the Black Sea Region.

 

According to Mr. Kazimirov, if the status of Nagorno Karabakh is a priority for the Armenian side and the territories and return of refugees is a priority for Azerbaijan, then the priority of the international community is not to allow a new war to break out. There are numerous bases for this, two of which are peculiar to this conflict: the necessity to stop the bloodshed between Armenians and Azeris, and Baku’s threats of new war and revenge.

 

According to Kazimirov, the military rhetoric of Baku and propagation of hatred toward Armenians, abrupt growth of the military budget, the twofold attitude toward the accidents at the contact line and the refusal from any contacts with Armenians deserve not only discussion, but also condemnation. He noted that the presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russia and the United States, as well as the Kosovo issue exclude any real progress in the Karabakh settlement. However, the international community and first of all the Minsk Group must use this “window” to counter the above-mentioned negative phenomena.

 

According to Vladimir Kazimirov, the Armenian side must be more initiating. In his words, it refers also to Stepanakert, which has an opportunity to become a party to the negotiations.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

AZERI PRESIDENT RESUMES WAR RHETORIC

 

BAKU, JANUARY 17, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev has resumed his belligerent rhetoric telling a gathering of his country fellows in Agdam region bordering Nagorno-Karabakh that the war with Armenia was not over yet.

“Although Armenia repeats from time to time that it has won the war, it is not true, as only the first phase of the war is over,” Aliyev told Thursday.

Aliyev cited increased military spending and steady economic growth as guarantees of bringing Nagorno-Karabakh back.

Aliyev claimed that in the past Armenia was ready to pull put its troops from four regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. Now, seeing the growing economic might of Azerbaijan, he said, Yerevan is willing to return all seven regions.

According to Aliyev, this is evidence that Azerbaijan will soon attain to its ultimate goal. He further claimed that authorities in Yerevan realize well that time is not playing into their hands.

“Nagorno-Karabakh will never be independent. This is also supported by the international mediators. Armenia accepts, though unwillingly, this reality, ‘ he was quoted by Trend news agency as saying.

[Ashot]

Venice Commission ready to provide legal assistance to the Karabakh settlement process

 

 

The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe is ready to provide legal support to the Karabakh conflict settlement process, Mediamax reports.

 

Secretary of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio said: We are ready to give legal recommendations that will help resolve the issue. However, for that we need to have the political consent of the conflicting parties.

 

Mr. Buquicchio noted that the OSCE Minsk Group can apply to the Venice Commission for getting legal advice. It would be sounder, since it has been long involved in the resolution of that conflict, the Secretary noted.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Co-Chairs present the results of the negotiations in Artsakh

 

On January 17 RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian received the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Bernard Fassier, Matthew Bryza and Yuri Merzlyakov.

 

The Minsk Group Co-Chairs informed the Foreign Minister about the results of the negotiations with the leadership of Artsakh and shared the impressions from the monitoring at the contact line of the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

 

Minister Oskanian and the Co-Chairs dwelt on the non-agreed questions of the document on the bargaining table.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told the reporters in Baku that Turkey must normalize the relations with Armenia.

 

Turning to the Karabakh issue, he noted that "the positions of Armenia and Azerbaijan have come closer." "I see constructiveness on both sides. But there is still much to do," Bryza added.

 

The leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan is authorized to share the information about the negotiation process with anyone it wants, American Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza told "Novosti Azerbaijan" in response to the question about the properness of informing the society about the negotiation process.

 

"I know that the Presidents and Foreign Ministers of both countries are well aware of the negotiation process. For example, I know that in Armenia they talk with members of the Government, and they have the right to share the information with anyone they want. The same is in Azerbaijan," he said.

 

Bryza noted also that speaking about the involvement of Nagorno Karabakh in the talks, they meant both the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

The European Parliament adopted the resolution on a more effective EU Policy for the South Caucasus.

The European Parliament resolution on a more effective EU Policy for the South Caucasus passed on January 17, 2008 with several paragraphs referring to specifically Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict.

 

The resolution refers extensively to the need to resolve regional conflicts as well as transport and energy issues, and economic cooperation.

 

The resolution affirms that “a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict -- a conflict which exacerbates relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan -- and of Georgia's internal conflicts in Abkazia and South Ossetia, is essential for stability in the EU neighbourhood, as well as for the economic and social development of the South Caucasus region.”

 

Referring to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the resolution states that “the project bypasses the existing and fully operative rail line in Armenia; urges the South Caucasus republics and Turkey to pursue effectively policies of regional economic integration and to refrain from any short-sighted and politically motivated regional energy and transportation projects which violate ENP principles of sound development.”

 

Further, regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict specifically, the European Parliament “notes that the contradiction between the principles of self-determination and territorial integrity contributes to the perpetuation of the unresolved post-Soviet conflicts in the South Caucasus region; considers that this problem can be overcome only through negotiations.”

 

Finally, the Parliament “calls on key actors in the region to play a constructive role in resolving unresolved post-Soviet conflicts in the region and to take steps to normalize its relations with neighbors; reiterates its call upon Turkey to engage in serious and intensive efforts for the resolution of outstanding disputes with all its neighbors, in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other relevant international conventions, and including a frank and open discussion on past events; reiterates its call on the Turkish and Armenian Governments to start the process of reconciliation for the present and the past, and calls on the Commission to facilitate this process while taking advantage of the regional cooperation realized within the ENP and Black Sea Synergy policy; calls on the Commission and the Council to address the opening of the Turkish border with Armenia with the authorities of those two countries.”

 

[AK-47]

Armenian army ready to rebuff any Azeri aggression

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian army is ready to rebuff any Azerbaijani aggression, RA Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan told reporters today.

 

“Ilham Aliyev will have to account for his irresponsible statements. If Azerbaijan wants 2 more million refugees, it will get them in case it resumes war in Karabakh,” the Minister said.

 

A couple of days ago Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said that “war with Armenia is not over yet.” “Armenia did not win the war. Only the first part of war was completed,” Aliyev said and added, “Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent and this position is supported by the international mediators.”

 

---------------------------------------------

 

NKR Army planning to modernize anti-aircraft defense

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The NKR Defense Army is planning to obtain a new system of anti-aircraft defense, NKR Defense Minister, general lieutenant Movses Hakobyan said.

 

Each square meter of the sky above Nagorno Karabakh is defended and three weapon emplacements will be enabled in case of danger, according to him.

 

“However, equipment needs modernization and we are planning to increase military expenses this year,” he said.

 

The Minister did not name the country the armament will be bought from, Novosti Armenia reports.

 

[hyethga]

Armenian army ready to rebuff any Azeri aggression

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian army is ready to rebuff any Azerbaijani aggression, RA Defense Minister Mikael Harutyunyan told reporters today.

 

“Ilham Aliyev will have to account for his irresponsible statements. If Azerbaijan wants 2 more million refugees, it will get them in case it resumes war in Karabakh,” the Minister said.

 

A couple of days ago Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said that “war with Armenia is not over yet.” “Armenia did not win the war. Only the first part of war was completed,” Aliyev said and added, “Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent and this position is supported by the international mediators.”

 

---------------------------------------------

 

NKR Army planning to modernize anti-aircraft defense

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The NKR Defense Army is planning to obtain a new system of anti-aircraft defense, NKR Defense Minister, general lieutenant Movses Hakobyan said.

 

Each square meter of the sky above Nagorno Karabakh is defended and three weapon emplacements will be enabled in case of danger, according to him.

 

“However, equipment needs modernization and we are planning to increase military expenses this year,” he said.

 

The Minister did not name the country the armament will be bought from, Novosti Armenia reports.

 

LOL

 

You have to give it to ole' Mikhail Harutunyan, the papik can sure tell good jokes.

 

[AVO]

He has the right idea, Aliev was talking to the people of Agdam, many of whom are refugees from the surround areas of NKAO. So, its understandable that he would promise them things that are far away from reality. Harutunyan's comment was directed towards those same rural Azeris, warning them that they could again become refugees, because of their president.

[Ashot]

Vonts qochvor eghelen nentsel kmnan...

[Ashot]

What is Azerbaijan ready for?

 

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev declared during the meeting with the Ambassador of South Korea to Azerbaijan Ambassador of South Korea to Azerbaijan Liu Quang Chul that “Azerbaijan is ready to ally all existing methods to liberate its territories unless Armenia refuses from its invasive policy.”

 

According to “Novosti-Azerbaijan,” the parties underlined the importance of military cooperation between the two countries.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Joe Knollenberg calls for in military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan

 

Given Armenia’s support in the global war against terrorism as well as the ongoing attempts by Turkey and Azerbaijan to isolate Armenia, the Armenian Assembly of America today expressed its opposition to the Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Budget.

 

As in years past, the Budget proposal calls for asymmetrical military assistance to Azerbaijan and Armenia. The Administration’s spending plan recommends $3 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to both countries, but Azerbaijan is slated to receive $600,000 more than Armenia ($300,000) in Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance.

 

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently proclaimed that “Armenia did not win the war. The war is not over. Only the first stage of the war has been completed.” He added that Nagorno Karabakh will never be independent.

 

“Given Azerbaijan’s increased war rhetoric, I have strong concerns with giving any military aid to Azerbaijan, and we definitely should not give them more than we’re providing Armenia,” stated Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

 

“I will work with my colleagues to ensure that Armenia has the resources needed to continue to strengthen its democracy as well as ensure its security,” continued Knollenberg.

 

The FY 2009 Budget also calls for $24 million in economic assistance to Armenia, the lowest request to date made by the Administration. The figure represents $34 million less than what Congress approved last year, and $11 million less than the Administration’s request in FY 2008.

 

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny echoed Congressman Knollenberg’s concerns, stating: “President Bush missed an important opportunity to demonstrate that his Administration is serious about a policy of regional cooperation and economic integration in the region.”

 

“Azerbaijan’s continued threats to resume war, undermines U.S. objectives in the region and I am confident that Congress will reject this approach,” Ardouny added. “In a budget that calls for over $39 billion in the International Affairs account, $24 million for Armenia is woefully inadequate. Rather than reduce funding to Armenia, we urge the Administration to work with Congress to end the dual blockades imposed upon her by Turkey and Azerbaijan.”

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[elle]

Azerbaijan and Georgia are more afraid of the independence of Kosovo than Serbia

Kosovo will start wars in Caucasia

 

Global Research, November 30, 2007

PanARMENIAN.Net - 2007-11-20

 

The leader of the winning Democratic Party in the parliamentary elections in Kosovo Hashim Tachi announced that right after December 10 the authorities of the country will proclaim its independence. The announcement made by Tachi evoked the predictable reaction of the EU, as one of the members of the international “three” on identifying the status of Kosovo, which replaced the UN after the failure of the Ahtisaari plan. The truth is that at present moment the UN is too concentrated on the Near East, to really take an interest in the Balkans and that's why is willing to solve this problem as soon as possible.

 

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Member States call upon the Kosovo Albanians to refrain from one-sided declaration of independence, whereas Washington promises to recognize the independence of the country already in January. Russia's viewpoint is clear; it is against the separation from Serbia and suggests “wide autonomy” instead. Practically the world found itself in a diplomatic deadlock, which is fraught with inner tensions in the Balkans. The truth is that the EU special representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby is more optimistic about things. “I hope that the declaration of independence of Kosovo will not become a destabilizing factor in the Balkans,” he said also adding that in this case the disposition of the EU depends on the fact that the Kosovo problem is a special case. “Every conflict has its own history, its specific character and every conflict needs an individual approach, respecting the international law. The resolution of the Kosovo problem must not have any influence on the resolution of other conflicts but perhaps it is inevitable that Kosovo will give birth to hopes or apprehensions for other unsolved problems. Nevertheless, the EU is always for the resolution of any kind of conflict exceptionally from point of view of international law,” emphasized the Finnish diplomat. In his turn the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Carl Bildt announced that Hashim Tachi must understand the difference between the announcements made by an oppositional politician and by responsible political figures.

 

Several years ago Carl Bildt was the active mediator in the negotiations held over the issue of the status of Kosovo, which he called “the most sensitive region in Europe, where any abrupt movement may be fatal”. The EU representatives and the UN Administration in Kosovo say that Tachi most probably will put the declaration of independence off till a more suitable period, to achieve a maximum support abroad. “Tachi will take an advantageous position, but he will do nothing unless Washington and the EU key Member States give him the permission. He very carefully follows America's advice. And they choose mid January,” quotes the British The Guardian the words of a UN official, working in the capital of Kosovo Pristina.

 

By the way, the headquarters of NATO and UN in Kosovo have designed contingency plans, taking into consideration several possible unpleasant scenarios in the development of events, among them inter-ethnical violations and massacres, attacks by the underground military groupings of both parties, crisis and the seizure of the Northern regions of Kosovo by Serbia, which will bring to separation of the country. The fact that the creation of the seventh state on the ruins of Yugoslavia is happening with the agreement of the International Community, may have decisive consequences for the neighboring countries. This is particularly applicable for Bosnia, where the non-operating model of three-body state, invented by Dayton, is still preserved, political instability is being observed, and the Bosnian Serbs are looking forward to the Kosovo crisis coming to a head.

 

The statements about the “Kosovo precedent”, which may be used in resolution of conflicts in post-Soviet areas, and in particular in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, are not supported by the critics. The most important thing is that independence of Nagorno-Karabakh was won and not granted. This is a very important factor in conflict regulation process. One thing is being granted this independence by someone and another thing is to win it. Nagorno-Karabakh doesn't owe anything to anyone. This is why Azerbaijan and Georgia are more afraid of the independence of Kosovo than Serbia is. Everything is clear here, if Kosovo is separated, there will be war. In case with Karabakh the renewal of the military actions will end as quickly as they start. And the thing is not in Armenia, the World Community has several key viewpoints, which impede Baku's efforts of “liberating their lands: the Middle East is the phantom of the independent Kurdistan. Another important factor that shouldn't be left unmentioned is the oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, gas pipeline Baku-Erzrum and the new gas pipeline from Turkey to Greece and then to Europe. Unleashing a new war in such conditions will put the entire world under a menace, which is clear no one wants. According to Peter Semneby, Azerbaijan develops very quickly and thinks it's powerful, but this doesn't mean that it can resolve conflict with military or economic pressure. These hopes of Azerbaijan are simply exaggerated.

 

[Ashot]

I am guessing that Armenia is co-sponson COSOVO to become independent? just for the heck of it - we wanna see another nation besides Armenians pressure those bastarts - if a war is what they want, they shall have it!!!

 

Nice one Elle jan, thanks for this news!

[elle]

NP!

[Ashot]

Tigran Torosyan: War will mean violation of commitments before the UN and the CoE

 

“Irrespective of what the Azerbaijani authorities will declare, they understand pretty well that if they start war, the situation of 1994 will repeat,” Speaker of the national Assembly Tigran Torosyan told reporters before the international conference on “The countries of the Caucasus and the Middle East: Possible partners in the process of forming a regional; security system.”

 

The Parliament Speaker noted that Azeri authorities know that launching war will mean staying apart from all international events, all international organizations. It will mean violating the simple norms and commitments, which they assumed joining the UN and the Council of Europe.

 

“I think that in any case, these “patriotic” statements will be probably made before the presidential elections in Azerbaijan, but I see no serious sense in those,” Tigran Torosyan added.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[elle]

NAGORNO-Artsax: AZERBAIJAN UP FOR A FIGHT, BUT ARMENIA UNBOWED

Ahto Lobjakas 2/09/08

A EurasiaNet Partner Post from RFE/RL

 

EU officials touring the South Caucasus this week were confronted by heated words from President Ilham Aliyev, who told them Azerbaijan is ready to "wage war" with neighboring Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Artsax.

 

EU officials touring the South Caucasus this week were confronted by heated words from President Ilham Aliyev, who told them Azerbaijan is ready to "wage war" with neighboring Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Artsax.

 

Azerbaijan’s recent windfall of oil and gas revenues appears to have persuaded Aliyev that he could turn the tables on Armenia, which has long held the military upper hand in the dispute over Nagorno-Artsax, a predominantly ethnic-Armenian territory located within Azerbaijan.

 

In talks on February 4 with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dmitrij Rupel, who was representing the current EU Presidency, Aliyev indicated Baku was contemplating waging war for control of the disputed territory, which together with a strip of adjacent Azerbaijani territory has been under Yerevan’s control since a 1988-94 war between the two countries.

 

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU’s external relations commissioner, tells RFE/RL that Brussels firmly rejected Baku’s "inflammatory" rhetoric. "I clearly said, not only to the authorities, but also at the press conference, that I think it is highly important that they avoid any inflammatory speech at the moment of presidential elections," she says.

 

Both countries are holding a presidential vote this year -- Armenia on February 19, and Azerbaijan in October. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which has spent more than 15 years mediating talks between the two sides, has indicated an election year is not likely to see major progress on the issue.

 

Baku, however, appears impatient. The Azerbaijani leadership, Rupel said, appears to feel that "time is not on Armenia’s side." Nor is money. Azerbaijan’s defense budget this year will exceed $1 billion; Armenia’s is just one-third of that figure.

 

Azerbaijan has enjoyed spectacular economic growth over the past few years. The country’s GDP grew by 25 percent in 2007, almost exclusively on the strength of oil and gas exports.

 

Azerbaijan’s minister for economic development, Heydar Babayev, says he expects his government to generate upward of $150 billion in oil and gas revenues by 2015.

 

Armenia, meanwhile, has no lucrative natural resources. It is landlocked, blockaded by neighbors Turkey and Azerbaijan, and -- at Baku’s behest -- bypassed by oil and gas pipelines, as well as rail and road projects, which originate in Azerbaijan.

 

’Winning The Peace’

 

But, as Rupel notes, Armenia has "alliances that speak for it." This is a reference to Russian backing. Throughout the Nagorno-Artsax conflict, Russia is rumored to have given Armenia military equipment worth $1 billion. Russia provides for most of Armenia’s energy needs and has bought up most of its energy infrastructure.

 

The Armenian government did not appeared cowed by Baku’s fighting words. Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian tells RFE/RL that Armenia is confident of its military capability. "No matter how strong the Azeris will be in the next 15 years, even with this kind of spending, even [if it] doubled every year, to catch up with Armenia’s commitment to defend itself and Artsax, that will require [as a] minimum 15-20 years," he says.

 

Oskanian says that Armenia would not be intimidated in any event. More importantly, he adds, he does not believe there can be a military solution to Nagorno-Artsax. "We fought twice with the Azeris, we prevailed, but we never claimed that we won the war," he says. "Unless we win the peace, we will never claim that we won the war."

 

Oskanian acknowledges, however, that the chances of "winning the peace" are receding and that Azerbaijan’s positions in the OSCE-mediated peace talks have hardened.

 

Rupel -- an old OSCE hand, having chaired the organization in 2005 -- also fears the Minsk Group, which oversees the mediation efforts, may face increasing obstinacy from Baku.

 

Nagorno-Artsax is a key issue in both countries’ election campaigns, and establishment candidates are expected to win in both countries, meaning novel approaches to the problem are not likely to be forthcoming.

 

Taking a longer-term view, Rupel says the conflict is rooted in the region’s Soviet past, when Josef Stalin arranged their borders in a way apparently designed to exacerbate ethnic strife.

 

Rupel says both Armenia and Azerbaijan need a "generational change." "You know, a new generation, younger people, [would] deal with problems like Nagorno-Artsax in an easier way," he says. "I think we have to rely on a new generation of politicians on both sides. There has been some generational change in Azerbaijan, as you know. We’ll see how it happens here [in Armenia]. Certainly, it is not a pleasant situation."

 

And what of the EU’s role? Rupel says the EU’s Neighborhood Policy is "as balanced as possible" between the two countries. The EU, he says, is "very careful not to upset one side or the other," with even its economic assistance being as "similar" as possible.

 

But money appears to be no object in this standoff. The EU has not been directly involved in the peace talks, and there appears to be little wish on either side for it to engage. As an ally in a conflict, meanwhile, the EU remains of little use.

 

 

[Aratta-Kingdom]

EU officials touring the South Caucasus this week were confronted by heated words from President Ilham Aliyev, who told them Azerbaijan is ready to "wage war" with neighboring Armenia

 

Talking is cheap. If they wanna war, they must start if now. Who is holding them back...?

Little Ilham, like I said before, will start a war to prolong his staying in power. But this time, the borders of Armenia will stretch to Kur river, and the borders of Medz Hayq[from the North-East...] will be restored. What was given to them by Stallin will be taken back by force.

[elle]

Talking is cheap. If they wanna war, they must start if now. Who is holding them back...?

Little Ilham, like I said before, will start a war to prolong his staying in power. But this time, the borders of Armenia will stretch to Kur river, and the borders of Medz Hayq[from the North-East...] will be restored. What was given to them by Stallin will be taken back by force.

 

 

How many yeasr does he still have in power?

Are their elections every 5 years like ours?

[AVO]

5 years, no more then twice

 

last one was in October 03

 

next one is this year in October

 

Which explains the war rhetoric

[elle]

5 years, no more then twice

 

last one was in October 03

 

next one is this year in October

 

Which explains the war rhetoric

 

 

Won't belive that Aliev will step down based on constitution....after all the Alliev clan has been in charge of Azerbaijan for so many years....They family is in charge of Azerbaijan, so it's hard to believe that the next president has to be independent

[AVO]

Thats why his talking about war, to keep the population scared and give them hope. Don't forget that they're turning papa Aliyev into Ataturk of Azerbaijan.

[Ashot]

Azeri FM discussed the Artsax issue in Paris

 

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, who in France for an official visit, had a meeting with French Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier. Press Secretary of the Azeri Ministry of Foreign affairs informs that the interlocutors turned to the current state and perspectives of the Prague process.

 

Yesterday Elmar Mammadyarov met with his French counterpart Bernard Couchner. Speaking about the regional conflicts, Couchner welcomed the decision to continue the negotiations on the Artsax conflict settlement. He stressed the importance of continuing the talks on the bases of the principles the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs proposed to Armenia and Azerbaijan in November, 2007.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

Edited February 16, 2008 by Ashot