cease-fire violations by azeris

[Yervant1]

Should Armenia make territorial concessions: poll

17:40 | July 14,2016 | Politics

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg580705/pngf32hH1zzvE.png


In the article entitled “When Armenians are inclined to concessions, it ends in disaster” a poll was conducted whether Armenia should agree to territorial concession in the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

89 percent of the respondents think that territorial concessions shouldn’t be made, 9 percent agree to territorial concession and 2 percent don’t know the answer.

The poll was conducted among 207 people.

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg580705/pngoXEqCCxs8m.png

http://en.a1plus.am/1241012.html

[Yervant1]

Tevan Poghosyan: Once we cede lands, we shall negotiate out of fear

11:50 | July 15,2016 | Politics

Armenian lawmaker Tevan Poghosyan has shared his opinion about the
latest discussions in connection with the Karabakh conflict.

Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic) is not put in anyone’s pocket and
no one can take it out to give, cede or exchange with anyone. If
anything happens, it will happen only through war but there we can
only blame ourselves for not being about to fight in a proper way and
win again. The lands in Artsakh belong to the people of Artsakh. It
means the owners are Armenians and I am convinced that all Armenians
will stand up for these lands.

Foreign ministers, ambassadors, mediators from different countries
will come and go. They will make various proposals, always considering
the interests of their countries. Our goal is to stay here and never
leave our lands. This is our interest and let us mind our business.
And the proposals made by Lavrov or Warlick or someone else cannot
interfere here. Everyone acts in their own interests.

“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to
negotiate.” These words of Kennedy are really for us. As long as we
have lands, we shall not fear to negotiate, but once we cede lands we
shall negotiate out of fear.

Our war is not over either on the frontlines or in international
platforms. And it is not important who and why targeted us, it is more
important whether we are ready to defeat today’s enemies. So let’s
interests in our live and work. So, let us live and work defending our
own interests,” Mr said in a Facebook post.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__en.a1plus.am_1241058.html&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=DdV-lHmHRjgaFkCpv6lPgZN1LSza6x0Z7SUkxJgZN9E&s=DH_9EQRijkj3wJe0mEkSTLvAzpB-Z__JbTa2v33yQD4&e=

[Yervant1]

Karabakh army foils Azerbaijan’s raid attempt

YEREVAN, July 15. /ARKA/. Karabakh troops foiled the Azerbaijani
side’s raid attempt Thursday night on the eastern section (Akna) of
Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line, the press office of Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic’s defense ministry reported Friday morning.

According to the press release, Azerbaijanis have breached the
ceasefire regime on the contact line 27 times over the night – they
fired 1,400 shots from light and sniper guns at Karabakh positions.
--0---

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__arka.am_en_news_politics_karabakh-5Farmy-5Ffoils-5Fazerbaijan-5Fs-5Fraid-5Fattempt_&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=ybuJTjjJFNnGWeT8U5we36zOycL9zGnfZqF-nbN33WM&s=HtXEM43zJ8gyNHHuq8ur51bGtZ06hvmvmCUHxc8C-aI&e=

[Yervant1]

Examination reveals Azerbaijanis decapitated Armenian serviceman when
he was still alive

19:17, 15 July, 2016

YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS. The preliminary investigation of
criminal cases that violated the international humanitarian law during
the Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno Karabakh in early April is
underway at the General Military Investigative Department of Armenia,
“Armenpress” was informed from the press service if the Investigative
Committee.

Under the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross
and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-office the 18
bodies of Armenian soldiers were handled to the Armenian side on April
10. The external examination of the bodies recorded traces of tortures
and vandalism.

Forensic examinations have been appointed to find out the causes of
the death of each Armenian soldier.

“By now we have the conclusions of the forensic examinations of 7
soldiers, which prove the violation of international humanitarian law
by the Azerbaijani side”, reads the release issues by the
investigative committee.

N 0411/20 conclusion documents that 30-year old Armenian major was
beheaded while he was alive. Both wrists of the major were also cut
off when he was alive.

According to N 034/1 and N 02 conclusions, two more Armenian
servicemen were beheaded after being killed.

Additional information will be provided after the conclusions of the
forensic examinations of the other servicemen are completed.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__armenpress.am_eng_news_854392_examination-2Dreveals-2Dazerbaijanis-2Ddecapitated-2Darmenian-2Dserviceman-2Dwhen-2Dhe-2Dwas-2Dstill-2Dalive.html&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=qH-7CA5eo7h_yogZa4IR2RxmUtFOsAxE-XujqdB5Fk8&s=CEn9pihEg1hGcMkaFS4hY25VhB0ZALXf3c1bq2nZilc&e=

[Yervant1]

What did Serzh Sargsyan reveal

July 16 2016

One of the superpowers is engaged in the task of solving the Karabakh
problem “by force”

Until Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in Baku that the
“two parties to the conflict are more than ever closer to the prospect
of success” on Karabakh settlement issue, Serzh Sargsyan made a
remarkable message on Karabakh settlement.

The people of Nagorno Karabakh may live a secure life exclusively
outside the borders of Azerbaijan, said Serzh Sargsyan in an interview
with Al Mayadeen TV channel, adding, – “No one doubts now that if
Karabakh by a bad joke at least one day appears in Azerbaijan’s
territory, no Armenians will be left in Karabakh. So, most importantly
that Nagorno Karabakh is outside Azerbaijan’s territory, this is
important.” He stressed that even if the whole world tries to
convince, the people of Karabakh would never agree to live in
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, “Certainly, I am not talking about
forceful integration for any superpower, even any international
organization, can solve this problem by force, what I mean is that it
is possible to eliminate the people of Karabakh, any type of violence
can be applied, but to convince to live in the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan is impossible.” S. Sargsyan assured that the people of
Karabakh will eventually be the final decision-maker on the status
based on the principle of free expression of will and the right to
self-determination, and Azerbaijan will have to respect this decision.

Official Yerevan argues that Azerbaijan should recognize the right to
self-determination and the exercise of this right by the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh, and the start of the Karabakh settlement package
should be given by Azerbaijan with the recognition of Karabakh.
Meanwhile, official Baku is talking about a phased settlement of the
conflict and connects the change in status quo with “liberation of the
occupied territories.”

Sargsyan’s stance is not new for any Armenian. The question is why S.
Sargsyan all of a sudden decided to remind the position of the
Armenian side, moreover with emphasis addressed to “any superpower”
that is able to solve the Karabakh conflict “by force”. The remark, as
they say, is more than transparent. One of the superpowers surely is
engaged in the task of solving the Karabakh problem “by force”, and it
is clear to everyone which of the superpowers we are talking about.

No matter how official Yerevan denies the existence of “Lavrov’s
plan”, the statements of official Yerevan and Baku in the recent
period, as well as Moscow’s estimates, are enough to claim that
Moscow, however, has a “plan” and is consistently moving ahead. This
“plan” perhaps existed prior to the April four-day war, simply, now
the Kremlin uninterruptedly emphasizing the necessity of “urgent”
solution of the Karabakh conflict is trying to show how unacceptable
is the status quo.

Moreover, without disclosing the details, Lavrov argues in Baku that
the two parties to conflict are more than ever closer to the prospect
of success, this is in the case when the ideas included in the OSCE
Minsk Group official statements regarding the expansion of Kasprzyk’s
office and the investigation of border incidents, were not practiced.
Accordingly, what make Moscow and Baku so happy? Which are the
“positive motives” of Lavrov’s visit for Azerbaijan?

In fact, it should be stated that after the four-day war in April, to
make Baku’s claims “audible”, Moscow has assumed a specific role
although it is presented and displayed as an impartial mediator’s
role, however, it is clear that it is an aspiration to assume the role
of a “manager” in the settlement process.

The emphases in the interview with “Al Mayadeen” TV channel contains
concern and anxiety in Serzh Sargsyan’s speech, which he did not want
to hide aiming to somehow disclose the expectations, which one of the
superpowers currently has from the Armenian side. It is no coincidence
also that the Russian pro-Azerbaijani officials have re-intensified
again in recent days, with their known estimates. While Lavrov was in
Baku, Sergey Markov, the RF president’s proxy acting with
pro-Azerbaijani statements, also representative of the Russian Public
Chamber, predicted a speedy and serious breakthrough in Karabakh
conflict settlement, naturally, presenting Baku’s known
prerequisite-demands on the way to its implementation.

Another pro-Putin Russian politician, leader of the Russian
Liberal-Democratic Party, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, is always in the right
place at the right time. He has also found out how the Kurdish and
Armenian issues should be solved: if Turkey and Russia unite the
trade, economic and military efforts. In this context, according to
Zhirinovsky, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem will be solved, “Let the
Kremlin solve, it, let our president solve it. A specific status can
be found for Nagorno Karabakh so that both Armenians and Azerbaijanis
are satisfied.” Many people, of course, do not take the statements of
these people serious even in Russia but even there, everyone knows
when and for what these people speak.

EMMA GABRIELYAN

“Aravot”

14.07.2016

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__en.aravot.am_2016_07_16_178749_&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=6vY0vaSEltkgFkUH70t26itgEEPrD9XfZWgrP8mDZU4&s=xSiALR2-SRgTZUuDnf4DIfpC_Wbc9BkaE15y3Rzug_8&e=

[Yervant1]

“In case of war there can be planned defeat” (video)

18:59 | July 16,2016 | Politics

“The cancellation of the Russian-Turkish agreement would be good, but it isn’t realistic. It isn’t realistic, as today Russia isn’t guided by it; it means that it is a past stage for them. There is status quo, first, and second, of course, the issue of arms sales must be put forward. That is an important issue and fully unacceptable and irrelevant to allied relations,” highlighted political expert Hayk Martirosyan, touching upon the NKR issue and the risks and challenges in the current phase.

But on the other hand Hayk Martirosyan notes that at present inciting anti-Russian moods isn’t beneficial for Armenia, as to take into account all this, Armenia and Russia are allies.

“Frankly speaking we shouldn’t blame Russia. They take as much as we give, and if we give us fully, they will fully take it. Russia is a superpower and has great claims like all the superpowers.” said political expert.

The political expert considers the conduct of referendum in Karabakh to be the best thing, but at the same time he draws the attention to another important fact.

“The most dangerous scenario in Karabakh, which is theoretically possible and there are constant rumors about it, is that war may break out. We must pay attention to it, that as a result of war scenario all the commanders, from the lowest to the highest, must bear responsibility for the territories to be ceded, as theoretically it isn’t excluded that it may be a planned defeat,” highlighted the political expert, adding that today that is the biggest problem.

https://youtu.be/HemhELrUzyk

http://en.a1plus.am/1241211.html

[Yervant1]

Bigger War Possible

http://www.keghart.com/sites/default/files/images2/Keghart-Logo-Banner.jpg Editorial, 17 July 2016

Political observers who follow the Armenia/Azerbaijan conflict agree that Baku launched its surprise attack on Nagorno-Karabagh in early April to drag Yerevan to the negotiation table and to force Armenians to hand Karabagh and the surrounding buffer zone to Azerbaijan. Baku achieved the first part of its objective as Russia, the United States and France—co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OECE)—scrambled and arranged meetings to stop further fighting and to find, yet again, a permanent solution to the conflict. Since the mini-war the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have met in Moscow, Vienna and in St. Petersburg.

http://www.keghart.com/sites/default/files/images2/War-Karabagh.jpg

The Vienna meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russia, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault of France, shepherded Armenia and Azerbaijan to agree to halt cease-fire violations although it is Azerbaijan which has violated the ceasefire countless times since 1994. The St. Petersburg meeting saw an agreement to increase the number of observers on the conflict line and to arrange high-level monthly meetings between the two warring states. But before the ink was dry on the agreements, Azerbaijan got into a diplomatic trouble when President Ilham Aliyev and his chief foreign policy aide (Novruz Mammadov) made a mockery of what Baku had agreed to at the international meetings.

Mammadov wrongly claimed on Azeri TV that the St. Petersburg meeting had resulted in an agreement favorable to Azerbaijan. He elaborated that the agreement would lead to the “gradual liberation of the seven districts around Karabagh” and that Karabagh's future will be determined following the removal of Armenian rule over the buffer zone. Russia took strong exception to Mammadov’s analysis and through foreign office representative Maria Zakharova accused Mammadov of “loose interpretation” of the agreement. In a highly undiplomatic language Zakharova went on to say that Mammadov’s interpretation was “very dishonest … unscrupulous… frivolous… perverse.”

But the big bomb was still to come. After agreeing in St. Petersburg to increase the number of observers on the conflict line, Aliyev went back on his word when he returned to Baku. Back at home he said he was against increasing the number of monitors because that would solidify the status quo which he regards as illegitimate. Aliyev’s U-turn can be interpreted as an indication the Azeri president is against increasing the number of monitors because such a development could curtail Azerbaijan’s constant violations of the ceasefire.

Constant violation of the ceasefire is another way of saying a war of attrition. With little resources and smaller army/population, Armenia can’t afford a prolonged war of attrition. Thus a continuation of the pre-war Azeri strategy of non-stop ceasefire violations could force Yerevan to try to stanch the blood-letting by attacking Azerbaijan. Conversely, after raising, for two decades, his public’s expectations of conquering Karabagh, Aliyev may be forced to make another—and a more ambitious—attack than that of April.

Returning to the OECE series of meetings, while the phased ceding of Karabagh’s buffer zone to Azerbaijan seems to be OECE’s first goal, the three co-chair countries are vague about the future of Karabagh. Over the years there have been various proposals as to the fate of Karabagh. In the recent negotiations Armenia has chosen to be circumspect about what Yerevan would consider a just solution. People who don’t trust President Serge Sargsyan have good reason to worry about his cryptic intentions. Although as interior minister he was one of the people who dumped President Levon Ter-Petrosyan (1997) supposedly for agreeing to implement the Kazan document for phased Armenian withdrawal, he later admitted that he had supported that very document. A few weeks ago Jirayr Sefilyan, hero of the Karabagh War and head of the Founding Parliament political group, was jailed when he accused the Sargsyan regime of conspiring to give away Karabagh. Desperate for his release, members of his group took over a police station in Yerevan on July 17 and repeated Sefilyan’s accusation. Will Sargsayn, with Putin’s backing, agree to Azeri demands and hand over Karabagh? Or does he now agree with most Armenians in Armenia and in the Diaspora that giving Karabagh to Baku would be the beginning of the end for Armenia?

Sargsyan is cognizant of Armenian public mood following the barbarity of the Azeri forces during the April war. He knows his citizens are more ready for military solution than at any time in the past 25 years. Likewise the Azeri public.

Armenia has begun to receive some of the high-tech weapons it purchased from Russia with the $200 million Russian loan. These include multiple launch rocket systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, signal monitoring systems, flame throwers and armored cars. Azerbaijan has similar weapons.

Impatient due to the slow pace of “progress” at the negotiating table, erratic Aliyev may decide to hit Karabagh/Armenia for any number of reasons: War of attrition is slow in producing results; the Azeri public—long promised victory—might force Aliyev’s hand to opt for a military solution; considering the meager gains of the April war, Aliyev might decide he has to raise the ante and go for broke by launching a full-scale war; he may also decide to hit Armenia before all $200 million worth of weapons have been delivered. The recent Russian/Armenian agreement which put Armenia inside the Russian air-defense umbrella would have no impact on Baku’s decision to go to war. When Armenia rushes to Karabagh’s defense in an Azeri attack, Russia would not be obliged to protect Armenia because the protection clicks only when Armenia is the defender. When Yerevan goes to Karabakh’s rescue, it becomes the aggressor.

It has been 100 days since Azerbaijan’s blitzkrieg. What has Armenia done—other than purchase the above Russian systems—to better counter Azeri aggression? Sargsyan made cosmetic changes when he dismissed some senior military officers. However, the army is essentially the same one which had a difficult time pushing back the Azeris in April. When Samvel Babayan, Karabagh’s former top military commander (1993 to 1999), visited Karabagh soon after the mini-war, he criticized the Armenian military leadership and urged for urgent “modernization” of the two Armenian armies. The Armenian “foot soldiers” seem to be ready for a looming war, but what about the mid-level and senior officers? Is ex-General Babayan correct in his assessment of the two Armenian armies? Has Armenia merely tweaked its war strategy or made substantial improvements since April? The milquetoast Armenian response to continued Azeri ceasefire violations doesn’t inspire confidence in the muscle and strategy of the Armenian defense forces. Perhaps Hrant Bagratian, former prime minister of Armenia and now MP, and retired Major. Gen. Arcady Ter Tadevosyan were admitting the Armenian forces are weaker than that of the Azeris when the pair said that Armenia could deploy nuclear bombs if threatened by Armageddon.

[Yervant1]

Sarkisian Discussed Possible Concessions During Artsakh Visit, Say
Karabakh Activists

19/7/16

Artsakh President Bako Sahakian greets President Serzh Sarkiasian when
he arrived in Stepanakert in June

YEREVAN—Details of Presidents Serzh Sarkisian’s weekend trip to
Stepanakert were overshadowed by the seizure of a police station in
Yerevan on Sunday by a group loyal to the “Founding Parliament”
calling itself the “Daredevils of Sassoun.”

Azatutyun.am reported Tueday that while in Stepanakert on Saturday,
Sarksiain met with a group of Artsakh activists who played a major
role in the Karabakh Liberation Movement in the late 1980s and early
1990s and discussed possible territorial concessions.

Two of them told Azatutyun.am’s Armenian Service that Sarkisian
solicited their views on the idea of returning to Azerbaijan districts
around Karabakh that were liberated during the Artsakh war and are
part of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“He asked each of us what we think,” one of the participants, Razmik
Petrosian, told Azatutyun.am.

“Ninety percent of us spoke out against such concessions. Why should
we make them?” said Petrosian who added that Sarkisian insisted that
neither Armenia nor Karabakh are being pressured by the Russian, U.S.
and French mediators to make such concessions.

Petrosian, however, surmised that Russian sale of weapons to
Azerbaijan amounts to pressure and said that Armenia was being
pressured by external forces to make unilateral concessions despite
Sarkisian’s assertions to the contrary.

Listen to the azatutyun.am Armenian Service report.

“We have no intention to give up lands,” another Karabakh activist,
Hamlet Grigorian, told Azatutyun.am.

“Neither the Armenian president nor the Karabakh president claimed the
opposite,” Grigorian added saying that the topic of territorial
concessions is being imposed by external forces.

According to Grigorian, concession of any Karabakh territory signifies
depleting the region of Armenians, which he called unacceptable.
During the same discussion, the small swath of territory that was lost
during the four-day war in April was also discussed with all agreeing
that it must be reclaimed.

Sarkisian’s weekend trip to Artsakh, which he cut short due to the
tense situation in Armenia, is the second such excursion after
one-on-one talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in St.
Petersburg, Russia last month.

Since then, interest by highest levels of the governments representing
the Minsk Group co-chairing countries has placed a greater emphasis on
the conflict resolution, with, Secretary of State John Kerry and
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussing a Karabakh conflict
resolution as recently as last Thursday.

Last week, after meeting with the leadership of Azerbaijan in Baku,
Lavrov claimed that a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was
“closer than ever.” Of course, the top Russian diplomat did not
qualify this statement nor did he explain what his declaration would
mean for the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and its citizens.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__asbarez.com_153096_sarkisian-2Ddiscussed-2Dpossible-2Dconcessions-2Dduring-2Dartsakh-2Dvisit-2Dsay-2Dkarabakh-2Dactivists_&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=M2hO_My41SywljMYdeRVyHTx_LC9MLv2WR4SietrFV4&s=Aw6bbMfI-B3Kf13Fzld7NFTIjztXiox7eSrXYogi_pg&e=

[Yervant1]

Negotiations with Azerbaijan impossible, says public figure

12:34 • 20.07.16

The Azerbaijani authorities are not the kind of authorities with which
negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh could be possible, says the
president of the Assembly of Armenians of Europe.

At a news conference in Yerevan, Karo Hakobyan called for the
Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora to avoid a silent inaction over
Karabakh, noting that such a behavior would be detrimental for the
people in the country, and the entire Armenian nation.

“Our efforts in Europe are directed first of all to spreading the
reality that the Azerbaijani authorities are not the right authorities
to negotiate with in a civil manner. Secondly, [we seek to
demonstrate] that Karabakh’s status within Azerbaijan is simply
impossible,” he said, ruling out any negotiations on the part of the
Diaspora.

Hakobyan stressed, however, the Diaspora’s possible role in supporting
the process, calling for active work towards uniting that potential
with diplomatic efforts.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.tert.am_en_news_2016_07_20_sardarapat_2084201&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=6t14xW3sTLhFK8VbxPKw8-8Me6JRoQ_piEw95iLV3Ho&s=Rbcsq4IEJrrIE-OylgP098fRR7nv88E5mghldmiK_J8&e=

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Azerbaijan targets positions in Talish village with grenade launchers

by Marianna Mkrtchyan

Thursday, July 28, 13:06

Situation remains tense on Line of Contact on the Nagorno Karabakh and
Azerbaijani troops, as Azerbaijan keeps shelling at the Karabakh
positions. According to the NKR Defense Army press-office, the
Azerbaijani side violated ceasefire 24 times overnight, firing more
than 130 shots using small arms of various calibers.

In addition, Azerbaijan targeted Talish village positions with grenade
launchers RPG-7. Earlier on the same day, Azerbaijani drones were
noticed in the north of the Line of Contact.
The NKR Defense Army frontline units refrained from retaliation and
have the situation under control.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.arminfo.am_index.cfm-3Fobjectid-3D206A8F50-2D549A-2D11E6-2DA0C80EB7C0D21663&d=DQIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=Hky-LhxTjM1j-7BGfphgljVCEhhehvaJCG_jM-kJdEY&s=tYjsd2UhoHr6n34Z7lNHRJDJadTME5euzKTaw4lieJI&e=

[Yervant1]

TASS, Russia
Aug 1 2016


Armenian president says unilateral concessions in Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement ruled out


August 01, 20:49 UTC+3 YEREVAN

Nagorno-Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan, the president stresses

YEREVAN, August 1. /TASS/. Unilateral concessions in the
Nagorno-Karabakh settlement are excluded, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan said on Monday.

"There will be no unilateral concessions on the path of the settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, it is ruled out," he said.
"Nagorno-Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan, it is excluded."

"I have always been ready to sacrifice not only my office but also my
life to reach a settlement format that would be acceptable for my
people," the Armenian president said at a meeting with public
activists and the clergy.

The meeting was focused on the situation following the recent seizure
of a police precinct in Yerevan by armed men.

Supporters of the armed group accuse the Armenian leaders of readiness
for concessions to Azerbaijan.


https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__tass.ru_en_world_891939&d=DQIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=glb4ZPm7eJ5MEALcyjaDpixrKxqjLKOfsMHUrpKnA78&s=PLMbm7Nm7xliTS2A37MGLoeubuyThR9mF7pJDnlMu0o&e=

[Yervant1]

Haykakan Zhamanak, Armenia
Aug 4 2016


Russia "pushing" Armenia on Karabakh conflict resolution



"Direction to Moscow"

Yesterday [3 August], it became known that [Armenian President] Serzh
Sargsyan would leave for Moscow on 10 August. According to the
official communique, he will hold a meeting with Russian President
Vladimir Putin to discuss essential issues included on the political,
trade-economic, humanitarian and bilateral cooperation agenda, as well
as issues related to the integration processes in the [Russia-led] EEU
[Eurasian Economic Union] zone.

It is mentioned in the last part of the communique that Sargsyan and
Putin will also touch upon a number of international and regional
issues. Of course, this is about the Karabakh conflict settlement.

Our sources close to the [Karabakh] settlement process say that
Sargsyan's visit to Moscow might be conditioned by internal political
developments - the failed armed rebellion - taking place in Armenia in
the context of the Karabakh conflict settlement. 'It is about the
Karabakh conflict settlement. I think it is not accidental that two
days ahead of the official statement about his visit [to Moscow],
Serzh Sargsyan said that he was ready to lay his life down for this
issue.

This means that if territories are ceded [to Azerbaijan], he will not
be able to keep the situation in the country under control. This was a
preventive statement. Russia will try to understand whether under such
circumstances the Armenian side can go for territorial concessions.
This is a very dangerous phase,' our source said, noting that the
presidential administration had published the information about the
visit to Moscow a weak ahead of the visit. 'Usually, the statements
about Sargsyan's visits are being published 1-2 days ahead of the
visits. It is not accidental that the statements about president's
self-sacrifice and the communique about his visit have been published
so early,' the source said, recalling that the president had earlier
visited Artsakh [Karabakh] and held discussions with the
Nagorno-Karabakh authorities.

It is noteworthy that the US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group
[mediating peaceful settlement to the Karabakh conflict] James Warlick
came forward with a statement at the same time when the president's
communique was spread. He said in an interview to [Russia's] RIA
Novosti agency that he 'expected the parties to the Karabakh conflict
to implement commitments on the peaceful resolution of the conflict'.

Of course, first of all this is about the commitments taken up in
Vienna and reconfirmed in St Petersburg [Russia] to introduce trust
and incident investigation mechanisms on the contact line [between
Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops].

However, the current discussions do not focus exclusively on this. The
process of the Karabakh conflict settlement has double 'bottom'.

According to our sources, along with the realization of trust
measures, discussions are now being held with Russia's exclusive
mediation around real ways to settle the conflict. There are two
issues: the one pushed forward by Russia and approved by Azerbaijan
implies the return of territories in exchange for stronger guarantees
of Karabakh's security (Karabakh's status is mentioned rather dimly)
and the other implies the return of territories in exchange for the
realization of Karabakh's right for self-determination. This one is
pushed forward by Armenia, which is trying to get the support of other
co-chairmen [of the OSCE Minsk Group] - France and the USA.

It is not accidental that the US analysts have recently started to
speak about Russia's zeal to settle the Karabakh conflict, thus
ousting France and the USA. 'At this stage, the peace between Armenia
and Azerbaijan stems from Moscow's interests. Russia has changed its
stance and now it is interested in the settlement of the problem
instead of keeping it frozen,' US analyst Michael Rubin thinks.

However, at this stage, it will be difficult for Armenia to thwart the
new initiative and to have the French and the US support for its own
initiative. The USA is usually not very active in foreign policy
issues ahead of the presidential election, and France alone is not
strong enough in the Karabakh settlement issue in order to
counterbalance Russia.

Russian expert in the Caucasus issues, political analyst Aleksandr
Perendzhiyev said in an interview with us that Sargsyan and Putin
would continue discussing ways to settle the Karabakh conflict. 'One
should not expect that this issue will be resolved by only one meeting
and that no one will know about it. It is an international issue and
there are other co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group as well. Besides,
the resolution or the final process should be made public. However, I
want to say that Russia is willing to settle the conflict since the
stability in the Transcaucasia is important for Moscow. Maybe it will
not be a popular thing to say for the Armenian side but I do not think
that the Armenian side should insist on its position of 'not an inch
of land' or 'no step back'. It is a scenario that will make a new war
more probable and it is not what Russia wants,' he concluded.

[Groong note: the above was translated from Armenian]

[Yervant1]

Views from Moscow: There is no Russian plan of ceding 5 Karabakh regions to Azerbaijan

• by David Stepanyan

• Monday, August 8, 17:52

http://www.arminfo.am/images/StandardImage/kr1.jpg

There is no Russian plan of ceding 5 Karabakh regions to Azerbaijan, Alexander Krylov, Head of the Center of Post-Soviet Studies at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences, told ArmInfo.

"In fact, the negotiation process has faced a stalemate. In this light, the negotiators comprehend that there is no prospect for a peaceful solution within the visible future, so they try to keep the situation under control and prevent a new war. They are simply trying to buy time in anticipation of a change in the current stalemate that would create new

opportunities for a peaceful or military resolution of the conflict," he said.

According to Krylov, what can change the balance of forces around Karabakh, is expansion of the activity of IS and similar organizations into the territory of the region, destabilization of the situation in the east of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The political analyst believes that in case of a power change in Armenia and a change of its course towards Euro-Atlantic one, the destabilization of Armenia will not meet Russia's interests.

Referring to diplomatic sources, Ani Armenian Analytical Center has published the so-called Putin Plan on Karabakh. The plan is rather close to the stage-by-stage settlement scheme of 1997 and consists of two major packages: 1) the Armenian forces are withdrawn from 5 regions - Aghdam Fizouli, Jebrail, Zangelan, and Kubatlu. 2) Nagorno Karabakh receives a firm intermediate status not implying a return to Azerbaijan's territory or an independent status within the visible future. The referendum for the implementation of the Karabakh people's right to the self-determination, which is stipulated by the Madrid and Kazan documents, is postponed for an indefinite period of time.

http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=F02FCA50-5D66-11E6-BDD90EB7C0D21663

[Yervant1]

Return of Karabakh regions would mark Armenia’s defeat – debate

17:09 • 08.08.16

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg583015/pnggahQWFB2Pp.png

The Russian-Azerbaijani-Iranian presidential talks in Baku are sure to have their impact also on Armenia, politicians said today, sharing their forecast of the meeting.

Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent interview to Azerbaijan’s AZERTAC news agency, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Arman Navasardyan noted that the Russian leader hinted posssible mutual concessions.

“Putin seems to be referring back to the Helsinki Final Act, which yielded practically no result over 25 years. The problem is in a kind of deadlock; people with common sense are now arriving at the conclusion that territories’ handover is out of the question. That implies being on the brink of extermination,” he noted.

The diplomat also expressed his concerns over Nagorno-Karabakh’s non-participation in the talks, which he said is a serious omission.

Aram Sargsyan, the Democratic Party’s leader also attending the news conference, said he is somewhat surprised by Nagorno-Karabakh’s conduct. “Their intervention is necessary at the moment. If the issue is not considered in the legal domain, where our positions are incomparably stronger, we would suffer a real defeat in the legal domain. It is time for [Nagorno-Karabakh President] Bako Sahakyan and the Nagorno-Karabakh parliament to finally speak up,” he added.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/08/08/aram-sargsyan/2100123

[Yervant1]

Moscow wants Armenia and Azerbaijan to find mutually acceptable peace
formula to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

YEREVAN, August 8. /ARKA/. Russia will continue its assistance to
Azerbaijan and Armenia to help them forge out a compromise and a
mutually acceptable peace formula to end the long-lasting
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said
Monday during a visit to Azerbaijan.

"This is a problem we inherited from our Soviet past. I know this is a
thorny issue for both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We will strive to ensure
that Armenia and Azerbaijan find a compromise solution acceptable for
both sides," Putin said according to RIA Novosti.

Putin added: "The should be no winners or losers. The winners should
be the peoples of the two countries, so that they feel they have
solved this challenge for the benefit of today's and future
generations”.

In an earlier interview with Azerbaijani news agency Putin said Moscow
is not trying to impose some ready-made solutions upon Armenia and
Azerbaijan, adding that the sides should reach an agreement and find
mutually acceptable solutions independently, without external
pressure.

‘Reaching a compromise means finding an optimal balance between the
principles of territorial integrity and the right of peoples to
self-determination. We are fully aware of the responsibility that
rests on the shoulders of the Armenian and Azerbaijani leadership. We
welcome the constructive approach that prevailed during the latest
summit on the conflict settlement held on June 20, 2016, in St.
Petersburg.

The final goal of the settlement should be an agreement with no
winning or losing sides, with mutual concessions and benefits for both
sides that are clear to the public in both Armenia and Azerbaijan. In
its turn, Russia is ready to support a solution that would be
acceptable to all parties involved and, together with other mediators,
to act as a guarantor of the settlement.’-0-

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__arka.am_en_news_politics_moscow-5Fwants-5Farmenia-5Fand-5Fazerbaijan-5Fto-5Ffind-5Fmutually-5Facceptable-5Fpeace-5Fformula-5Fto-5Fend-5Fnagorno-5Fkarabak_&d=DQIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=QpWdaDrQ0MNrTUU1ALRPavDh3ZcCPgcqPWrm1_LacYs&s=Eh-ExdyEm8v2CdGrdUl7JHeO8wfFU10G1CdQc6d8bmY&e=

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Armenia MFA: Turkey has no business engaging in Karabakh conflict

16:16, 10.08.2016

Turkey has no business engaging in the Karabakh conflict settlement, spokesperson for the Armenian MFA Tigran Balayan told Armenian News – NEWS.am, commenting on the statement of the Turkish FM Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

“We are still sure that Turkey has no business engaging in the Karabakh conflict. The only benefit which the completely pro-Azerbaijani Turkey can provide is to stay away from the [Karabakh] settlement process as much as possible,” Balayan stressed.

Earlier, Turkish FM Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that the Karabakh dispute influences security in the South Caucasus, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

“When considering Russia’s proposals, we see similarities with our offers addressed to Armenia. We will make our contribution to the solution of Karabakh conflict,” he said.

http://news.am/eng/news/341328.html

[Yervant1]

Sarkisian Says Armenia Ready to Implement Karabakh Agreements

10/8/16

President Serzh Sarkisian meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Wednesday

MOSCOW—After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at the Kremlin, President Serzh Sarkisian said Armenia is ready to implement agreements reached for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

Sarkisian emphasized the importance of the implementing previous agreements reached on the Karabakh conflict resolution, saying: “It is very important to implement the agreements reached; we are ready for this, reported the Russian TASS news agency.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tigran Balayan told Asbarez that Sarkisian was referencing agreements reached in Vienna in May and reinforced in a St. Petersburg in June.

During talks held between Sarkisian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in Vienna, mediated by Secretary of State John Kerry, the participants reached an agreement to take steps toward implementing the provisions of the 1994 cease fire agreement, establishing mechanisms to investigate border incidents, expanding the authority of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to conduct more frequent monitoring of the border and the possible resumption of the peace talks.

In June, during a meeting mediate by Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sarkisian and Aliyev, once again, pledged to implement the aforementioned agreements.

On Wednesday, Putin said that Russia wants to reduce tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan and hopes that the two countries will be able to find a compromise in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“During the talks, we focused on the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution in light of the trilateral Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan summit held in St. Petersburg on June 20 and my recent meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev in Baku,” Putin told a joint news conference.

Putin added that Russia would give all possible assistance to finding a solution to the “Karabakh knot”. He also expressed the hope that Armenia and Azerbaijan would be able to find a compromise without the losers and winners.

Putin also announced that he briefed Sarkisian on the details of talks he held with Aliyev on Monday in Baku. Ahead of the Aliyev meeting, Putin told reporters that Russia was helping Armenia and Azerbaijan to come up with compromise solutions to the Karabakh conflict, which he called a remnant of the Soviet Union.

Sarkisain and Putin also discussed the Eurasian Economic Union, of which both Russia and Armenia are members.

Putin said that Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner in the South Caucasus, saying the Armenia’s membership in the EEU has had a great economic impact.

“Armenia for us is a strategic partner in the Caucasus and we systematically build our relations of alliance along the most sensitive lines and in the international arena, first and foremost within the CIS,” the Russian TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying.

Putin also said that after reviewing statistics, he was pleased to see Armenia’s gross domestic product growth of 10 percent since joining the EEU.

Sarkisian added that during the first six months of the year., turnover of goods between Russia and Armenia has grown 12 percent, with exports to Russia reaching a historic high. The Armenian president attributed this growth to the EEU.

http://asbarez.com/153853/sarkisian-says-armenia-ready-to-implement-karabakh-agreements/

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Azerbaijan-sought settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through territorial concessions fails – Vahram Balayan

20:12 • 11.08.16

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg583351/pngUyMQhYslMS.png

Azerbaijan and the forces supporting it sought a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by means of handover of territories, but their plans failed, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Vahram Balayan said in an interview with Tert.am.

 

The forces in question have come to realize that people cannot be easily brought to their knees by military force.

 

Mr Balayan, following a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stressed that “in the core of the Karabakh conflict is the struggle of the people of Karabakh for the right for self-determination.” Do you think it was a message “by chance” given the rumors about discussions of a scenario envisaging return of five regions to Azerbaijan?

 

I think the hostilities in early April changed very much. In any case, if the available information is being examined, it is clear that not only Azerbaijan, but also the other interested sides were seeking to achieve goals by using force. Most likely, in the context of territories, they tried to force us into concessions. I think that the plans failed and those people have come to realize that people cannot be easily brought to their knees by military force and make them leave the course of peace. The mediators have come to realize that the process has reached stalemate and they may have submitted an option we are not informed of.

 

That is, you think that the president’s emphasis that the exercise of the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s right to self-determination will resolve the problem was not at all “by chance” and there was an option envisaging territorial concessions?

 

This option may have been offered as a result of the developments. Azerbaijan and its supporters have been convinced that it is impossible in this way.

 

But which forces are supporting Azerbaijan?

 

I cannot say for sure. Some forces are inspiring Azerbaijan, but they can hardly be named.

 

Why do you think that settling the conflict by means of territorial concessions failed?

 

I think this option was offered due to our army’s fortitude and determination. Their plans were different: unleashing war, reaching Stepanakert within days, split Armenian people, who would not rise in defense of their homeland, but their calculations proved wrong. People fought for their freedom in 1991, and the 25-year-long history - built up statehood and achievements – cannot be easily forgotten.

 

Is Russia among the countries that, as you say, were supportive of Azerbaijan in its attempts to settle the conflict by means of territorial concessions?

 

I cannot say for sure whether it was Vladimir Putin or anyone else. I have no facts at hand. True, Russia is supplying weapons to Azerbaijan and has common economic interests with Azerbaijan. On the other hand, one can hardly claim they had an arrangement. It is no secret that the United States has its own interests in the region as well. But I cannot say which one did this or that. But something did take place. Time will make things clear, and files will be declassified. Azerbaijan was apparently encouraged: those statements were not mere words. But Azerbaijan and its sponsors miscalculated.

 

What is your opinion of Russia’s more active role in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process?

 

It is clear Russia is an empire seeking influence over the post-Soviet territories. Russia will try to do it in the case of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. And we should take it with calm. That state has its own national interests.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/08/11/vahrambalayan/2102928

[Yervant1]

No return of territories – Albert Bazeyan

12:52 • 12.08.16

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Political figure Albert Bazeyan remains committed to the opinon he has had since 1996 that no return of territories is possible.

In an interiew with Tert.am, he re-affirmed his opinion.

“Any return is impossible,” he said.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/08/12/bazeyan/2103522

[Yervant1]

Lands vs peace’ wrong principle – Karabakh war veteran

19:36 • 12.08.16

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg583429/png2jyhsXdd_U.png

The Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) are unanimously opposed to any plan for returning lands as a peace guaranteee, says a participant of the 1990's liberation war.

Speaking to Tert.am, Vahan Badasyan, a veteran honored as Knight of Military Cross, cited a recent survey which he said reflects their society’s dominant position. “Ninety-five percent said they were against concessions,” he noted.

To secure future peace without losses, Badasyan stressed the need of consolidating the society on the path towards a political solution.

“What we need is Artsakh’s unity with Armenia. That must be urgently proposed as a top agenda issue,” he said.

“Instead of a war, we need to reinforce our army and be equip it with stronger military supplies. We need to really build a strong army ready for a war to prevent a war in question. The principle ‘lands versus peace’ is the opinion of the shabby-minded and week-willed. A strong army is a great power which the world will never leave unnoticed.”

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/08/12/badasyan/2103922

[Yervant1]

Right to self-determination keystone in Karabakh settlement process –expert

17:51 • 12.08.16

The Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) people’s right to self-determination should be at the heart of the current conflict settlement process, an Armenian expert said today, commenting on President Serzh Sargsyan’s speech delivered after the recent talks with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

“If the Artsakh people themselves do not exercise their right to self-determination, everything else will be unimportant. If this demand becomes a keystone in the negotiations, it might be possible to consider changes,” Manvel Sargsyan, Director of the Armenian Center for Strategic and National Research, told Tert.am.

According to the him, the proposals made so far have absolutely no realistic grounds. Asked whether the sides are now closer to a final settlement, Sargsyan said he thinks just the other way about. “We are much farther than we used to be. They say we should hand over territories, [threatening] otherwise a fighting. But is fighting ruled out in case of the handover? That’s the whole problem. No other model is being proposed by either any official or a political analyst …” he said.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/08/12/manvel-sargsyan/2103740

[Yervant1]

Restoring military balance only way to settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict – Nagorno-Karabakh MP

16:05 • 12.08.16

http://www.groong.com/news/attachments/msg583432/png7xxTBDHCUV.png


In an interview with Tert.am, Hayk Khanumyan, Chairman of the National Revival party and member of the National Assembly of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) commented on the latest meetings concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

He does not see any positive changes and points out a need to restore military balance and organize large-scale resettlement. In short, the state must be an efficient, with prospects for ensuring rapid economic growth.

Mr Khanumyan, what response did the Sargsyan-Aliyev meeting in Moscow and the subsequent statements evoke in Nagorno-Karabakh?

I cannot say anything about a response as Artsakh’s public and political life is not active in terms of public comments. By personal impression is that the negotiations have not seen any progress and we are entering the “negotiations for negotiations’ sake” format without any progress.

In your opinion, what is a solution, with external pressure over Nagorno-Karabakh being obvious?

The problem has no political solution, and each of the conflicting parties is seeking a maximalist solution. This entails the impossibility of resolving the conflict by means of mutual concessions. Therefore, we should re-enforce our military might. First of all, it is restoring military balance and organizing large-scale resettlement. In short, the state must be an efficient, with prospects for ensuring rapid economic growth.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/08/12/khanumian/2103586