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Edited on November 19-23
KNUT VOLLEBAEK: OSCE EXPECTING COMPROMISES FROM
AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
''I've an impression that the presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia are set to continue the peace talks.'' These are the
comments of the OSCE acting Chairman Knut Vollebaek on the
meeting between Azerbaijan's Heydar Aliyev and Armenia's
Robert Kocharian held at the Istanbul summit with
participation of foreign ministers of OSCE member states.
Having noted that no separate documents on the Karabakh
conflict were adopted at the summit, Knut Vollebaek
underscored it didn't mean that OSCE considered the issue
non-urgent. ''The Karabakh crisis was reflected in the OSCE
Istanbul Declaration. Besides, a special statement of the
OSCE Minsk Group's co-chairs was adopted,'' Mr Vollebaek said.
According to him, the Istanbul Declaration greets the facts of
direct Aliyev-Kocharian talks and notes that the Minsk Group
is ready to render all-round assistance to the adjustment
process. ''I would like to emphasize the necessity of
continuation of the political dialogue between the two
countries,'' Knut Vollebaek said adding that OSCE is expecting
compromises from both parties.
8 YEARS PASSED SINCE GARAKEND TRAGEDY
8 years have passed since November 20 of 1991, the day when
the helicopter carrying a group of Azeri state figures and
journalists, as well as Russian and Kazakh officials was shot
down by Armenian occupants. This date has gone down in
Azerbaijan's history as one of many tragedies caused by the
Karabakh war. Nonetheless, it is one of the most bitter
tragedies that we remembered for ever. The helicopter crashed
down near the village of Garakend. Many prominent Azeris died
there: Tofig Ismayilov, Ismet Gayibov, Mamed Asadov, Osman
Mirzayev and many more. Real patriots, prominent
socio-political figures, leaders of law-enforcement bodies,
and journalists. All died with no survivors. First reports
from the spot said the helicopter had crashed to a mountain.
A new version had appeared later saying that the helicopter
had been shot down by Armenian militants. There was the third
version, too, according to which, the helicopter was shot down
by political adversaries of the then authorities. Durable
investigation which had been held with participation of a
special parliamentary commission and attempts to get at the
heart of the matter using the cockpit voice recorder tape did
not answer the question who arranged the crime. Since then,
we have been doing homage to the victims of the tragedy for 8
years. Asked if there is hope that the crime will be
disclosed, the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Eldar Hasanov
said as follows: ''Unfortunately, we still have yet to
disclose this crime.'' But according to the then-Prosecutor
General Murad Babayev, the crime was disclosed: ''It was
established at the time that the crime was committed by
Armenian militants.'' Asked why the investigation had not been
completed, Babayev answered that ''due to some reasons, it was
impossible to made responsible these criminals, i.e.
Armenians.''
Copyright 1999 Azerbaijan News Service
US Congress to keep ban on aid to Azerbaijan government in force
until 2000
Posted Sunday, November 14, 1999 - 12:06 GMT by News Editor
Washington is not just far from recognising Armenia as an aggressive
state, but on the contrary, it is trying to drag Azerbaijan, which
has been subject to aggression, into a defeatist (American-style)
peace by putting economic and other kinds of pressure on it.
Besides this, a new president is to be elected in the USA in 2000. In
this context, it would be out of place to "hurt" Armenian voters.
The US Congress House of Representatives has kept troublesome Section
907 in force until the year 2000. Furthermore, according to a
newly-adopted bill, it is also planned to increase aid to Armenia to
89.6m dollars next year. We should remind you that before this, the
document was approved by relevant congressional commissions.
Of course, Azerbaijan has already proved that it can do without US
government aid. But the talk is undoubtedly about the political
aspects of the issue. It is no secret to anyone today that Section
907 characterises very well the US position towards our country and
on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict: Washington is not just far from
recognising Armenia as an aggressive state, but on the contrary, it
is trying to drag Azerbaijan, which has been subject to aggression,
into a defeatist (American-style) peace by putting economic and other
kinds of pressure on it. At this moment, they do not omit to provide
the invader with financial-humanitarian assistance.
Now we sit and think: If Azerbaijan had mopped up Karabakh from
brigands and restored its territorial sovereignty, which measures
would the USA have taken against our country?
Even though it seems surprising, we should say that they would not
have taken any? America is America and as a rule it reckons with a
stronger side (read: those who shed blood, break necks and seize
lands!), just like the USA itself, which is never fond of
international norms, likes to be reckoned with. Thus, it emerges that
in order to get rid of Section 907, which is a mechanism of economic
pressure on us, we should above all rescue Azerbaijan from an
authoritarian regime - from the authorities that have lost their
serious internal and external support and from the authorities that
have dealt deadly blows to our country's democratic image and exposed
it to international pressure by putting it on the list of the most
backward and corrupt countries of the world.
Therefore, the decision of the House of Representatives was not quite
unexpected, including to White House leaders. It is no coincidence
that this time, not a single influential representative of official
Washington, including President Clinton, regarded it as necessary to
request that Congress repeal the section. However, official
Washington used to talk about the unfairness of Section 907 and say
that Clinton himself could use his right of veto and repeal the
section. Why not? This section is of special importance to the USA
today as it has turned into an effective instrument of pressure on
Azerbaijan. In any case, the Americans probably think so. Besides
this, a new president is to be elected in the USA in 2000. In this
context, it would be out of place to "hurt" Armenian voters. For this
reason, we do not forget about our conscience and declare that if the
repeal of the section depends 50 per cent on Azerbaijan, America's
goodwill is of the same importance in this issue.
Meanwhile, there is one more issue we have to broach. Under the
incumbent authorities, Azerbaijan has been unable to find good
friends. On the contrary, we can see that both Russia and Iran, and
America, which we thought was the only fair mediator, have increased
pressure on our country. On the one hand Russia and Iran are
threatening us in different ways and on the other hand the USA is
"frowning" at us. Is this the result of a "wise" policy? Or is it the
skill of those who said that the Popular Front government, which
failed to establish relations with neighbours, had no skills.
Maybe it is not true?!
Source: 'Yeni Musavat', Baku
Copyright from Habarlar-L
TASS: Chirac optimistic about Nagorny Karabakh settlement.
DATELINE: ISTANBUL, November 19
French President Jacques Chirac on Friday said he was quite opitimistic
about the prospects of settlement in Azerbaijan’s volatile Nagorny
Karabakh autonomous republic.
Chirac said he had met both Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and his
Azerbaijani counterpart Geidar Aliyev during the OSCE summit here and
the countries are likely to sign a settlement treaty within a month.
According to him, both presidents are willing to sign the treaty as soon
as possible.
Nagorny Karabakh is the area of special interest for France, which has
traditional ties with Armenia and “exceptionally good” relations with
Azerbaijan, Chirac said, adding that he had spent a lot of efforts on
the settlement in the region.
ARMENIAN, AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENTS CALL FOR REGIONAL SECURITY
SYSTEM...
In their speeches to the OSCE Istanbul summit, both
Robert Kocharian and Heidar Aliev advocated the creation of a
South Caucasus security system that would complement the
existing European security system, Reuters and Noyan Tapan
reported. That system would involve the three South Caucasus
states plus Turkey, Russia, and the U.S. Aliev said that
under the terms of such a regional security agreement, all
foreign troops should be withdrawn from the region, according
to Turan. It is unclear whether Moscow would agree to close
its military base in Armenia. LF
...DISCUSS KARABAKH CONFLICT.
Kocharian and Aliev met on 18
November in Istanbul with OSCE Chairman in Office Knut
Vollebaek and the foreign ministers of the three states that
co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group (the U.S., Russia, and France)
to discuss the ongoing efforts to resolve the Karabakh
conflict. No details of those talks were revealed. The two
presidents also met separately on 19 November with U.S.
President Bill Clinton, who praised their commitment to
ongoing peace talks. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian told a correspondent for RFE/RL's Armenian Service
on 19 November that the summit played a "very positive" role
in removing barriers to further progress in the Karabakh
peace talks. Oskanian noted that the final document adopted
by the 54 summit participants hailed the recent direct talks
between Kocharian and Aliev but called for the resumption of
Minsk Group-mediated talks as "the most appropriate format
for finding a solution to the conflict."
Copyright from RFE/RL
Newsletter
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN WASHINGTON, D.C. NOVEMBER
19, 1999
Azerbaijani Delegation in Istanbul
President Heydar Aliyev led Azerbaijan?s delegation to the Istanbul Summit
of the 54 member-states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) on November 18-19. Addressing the Summit on November 18,
President Aliyev called for intensification of international efforts to find
a peaceful solution for the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and stressed the
importance of arms control agreements in Europe.
?I propose establishing a security and cooperation pact in the South
Caucasus,? said Mr. Aliyev. ?Such a pact would define principles of
interstate relations and conflict resolution. It would also lead to
withdrawal of foreign military forces and elimination of dividing lines in
the region as well as put an end to aggression, ethnic cleansing, separatism
and terrorism. This pact would promote cooperation and economic development
among the independent, democratic states of the South Caucasus. At the
threshold of the 21st century, success of the international community in the
South Caucasus could become an important step in building a free, secure and
undivided Europe.?
While in Istanbul, President Aliyev met with various world leaders,
including U.S. President Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Barak, French
President Chirac, German Chancellor Schroeder, Turkish President Demirel,
Presidents of GUUAM countries as well as with his Armenian counterpart,
Robert Kocharian. He also participated in the Summit of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation and the Turkic States Summit.
No document over Upper Karabakh was signed at the OSCE Istanbul
Summit, Kheyraddin Goja, Azerbaijani consul general said
Baku. 19.11.99. /AzadInform/. The Azerbaijani consul general Kheyraddin Goja
imparted, the OSCE Istanbul Summit held at the highest level had completed
its work today afternoon. According to him, no document over Upper Karabakh
was adopted at the summit. As to the President Heydar Aliyev's addressing,
due to the Ambassador, participants of the Summit highly appreciated it.
Other heads of states supported theses and provisions started by the
President.
Karabakh Forum of Azerbaijani Youth calls country's young men to appear from the united stand on Karabakh
Baku. 19.11.99. /AzadInform/. Today in the Press Club there was held a
press-conference of the organizations, embodied in the Karabakh Forum of
Azerbaijani Youth.
Chairman of Turan Youth Organization, member of the forum, E. Mamedli
stated, this structure, embodying about 20 youth organizations, made an
appeal to the participants of the OSCE Istanbul summit. In this appeal there
are emphasized Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and as a result of it
deprivation of thousands of people of their native homes, occupation of over
20% of our territories. There were stated also necessity of efforts of OSCE
member-states for implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions on this
conflict, compliance with principles of Lisbon summit and withdrawal of
aggressor from the occupied territories.
Members of the forum also called both the governmental and pro-opposition
youth organizations to appear from the united stand on Karabakh and unite in
this forum.
Copyright from Habarlar-L
From: Javid Huseynov
To: Azeri News Distribution List
Subject: ANS News, November 17, 1999
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 12:15:04 -0800 (PST)
AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION LEAVES FOR OSCE SUMMIT
The Azerbaijani delegation led by President Heydar Aliyev left
for Istanbul this afternoon to participate in the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe's 5th summit opening
tomorrow. The summit will be attended by heads of state and
government of 54 European countries and the United States.
Besides participating in the forum, Heydar Aliyev will hold
bilateral and multilateral meetings, particularly, his meetings
with US and Armenian presidents are expected. In his turn, the
press secretary of the president of Armenia, Vaghe Gabrielian
refuted the information on holding a trilateral meeting of the
presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the US during the summit.
At the same time, sources in the Armenian President's staff
don't exclude the possibility of holding a meeting of Azeri and
Armenian presidents and three co-chairs of the OSCE's Minsk
Group - US, France and Russia. Sources close to the US
government say a special statement will be made concerning the
Karabakh problem like it was during the previous Lisbon summit.
The main goal is that the document be supported by both the
Azeri and Armenian sides and be adopted on behalf of all summit
participants. Americans note that the recent terror act in the
Armenian Parliament and active stance of the Azeri opposition
expressing against the present variant of a peace agreement had
a serious effect on the peace process. The summit participants
are planning to adopt a Charter on security in Europe,
Concluding declaration, and to consider the issue on reduction
of usual arms in Europe. It's also planned to conclude an
agreement on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline within the
framework of the summit to be signed by presidents of
Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and the US, as well as the documents
concerning the prospects of natural gas exports from the Caspian
region. Simultaneously with the OSCE summit, a high-profile
meeting of the organization of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation, as well as a number of meetings regarding
cooperation in the field of power resources transportation will
be held in Istanbul. According to ex-state advisor on foreign
policy issues of Azerbaijan and presently an independent
politologist, Vafa Guluzadeh, the Istanbul summit will be the
most important of all previous ones. Guluzadeh reckons that the
OSCE must have at this stage the authority on realization of
decisions made by it, the same mechanism as NATO has. Moreover,
Guluzadeh even thinks that NATO, too, may become a mechanism of
OSCE. Other issue on the agenda - realization of the agreement
on usual arms - will have a principal importance for the
Caucasus region. Currently, Guluzadeh emphasized, Russia is
gravely violating this agreement in the Caucasus. Russian
military equipment concentrated in this region exceeds all
limits stipulated by the above-mentioned agreement and poses a
threat for regional stability.
WB PROMISES ADDITIONAL CREDITS TO AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA
ON POST-CONFLICT RESTORATION
''In event of signing a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and
Armenia on Nagorno-Karabakh, the World Bank (WB) is ready to
evolve within the framework of the program of post-conflict
restoration a strategy of supporting the transition period for
the whole region,'' said the WB president James Wolfenson.
Wolfenson expressed confidence that the peace process in the
Caucasus will develop. The WB official assured that if Armenia
and Azerbaijan reach agreement on Karabakh, the WB's
International Association of Development will allocate
additional credits to both countries. These means might be used
for integration of the refugees, who returned to the places of
their former inhabitance, as well as for restoration of the
infrastructure, including railways and highways that will
increase volumes of trade and the region's investment
attractiveness.
Copyright from Habarlar-L
AZERBAIJAN IS SO FAR BLOCKING THE EUROPEAN CONVENTIONAL ARMS
TREATY
BAKU, 13 NOVEMBER, AZER-PRESS. Azerbaijan wants itself a higher quote
under the European Conventional Arms Treaty, President Aliyev was telling
at the meeting with a group of Azeri writers.
'The territory and the population of Azerbaijan are twice as much as of
Armenia and Georgia, therefore, the quote should be as higher than in
these countries', insists President Aliyev.
He recalled that Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia were given equal quotes
during the CIS talks in Tashkent on 15 May 1992. In particular, they can
have 220 tanks, 220 armoured cars and other such military machinery
suggested in the European Conventional Arms Treaty. Owing to the struggle
for power in Azerbaijan at that time the Azeri experts could not secure
the quote of 400 items of each of the five kinds of military equipment
under the Treaty in Tashkent. The then defence minister Rahim Gaziyev who
is now convicted as a state criminal took the unpardonable liberty of
agreeing with his Russian counterpart to the same quote as was given to
Armenia and Georgia.
Another problem is that many weapons were shipped to Karabakh that went
out from under the control of Azerbaijan during the war with Armenia. 'We
are concerned also that Russia is making some use of its powers under the
Treaty to have deployed about 170 units in Armenia in addition to
Armenia's own quote', said President Aliyev. He went further to say that
in the four years of negotiations around the Treaty 'the USA sometimes
pressurised us in the fear that Russia might abandon the Treaty and thus
any control over its arms'.
Azerbaijan does not so far agree to enter the adapted Treaty when it will
be signed at OSCE summit in Istanbul.
Copyright Habarlar-L