Kosovo – no precedent for Nagorno-Karabakh
2010-08-13
In July, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, The Netherlands adjudged that the Kosovan declaration of independence in 2008 did not violate international law. Despite the fact that the Armenian media attempted to capitalise upon this ruling by considering that it paved the way for the self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh, the reverse was the case. In the Kosovo situation, the international community had acted to support the interests of the Kosovan people. However, Armenia is recognised by the UN as the aggressor nation regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its occupation of the seven surrounding regions, making it imperative to facilitate the immediate return of the nearly one million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Unlike Kosovo, not a single country recognises Nagorno-Karabakh, and hence no precedent has been set. This point was recently re-echoed by Bernard Fassier, OSCE Minsk Group French Co-Chair, who commented: "Armenians consider Kosovo to set a precedent that should be applied to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, this is impossible – Nagorno-Karabakh remains unrecognised by any country, including Armenia."
Fassier went on to stress the difference between the conflicts. He explained: "Kosovo is a conflict inside the country, whereas Nagorno-Karabakh is a conflict between two countries – Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moreover, there were international forces in Kosovo for many years, yet there were no international forces in Nagorno-Karabakh." In addition, the international community intervened when ethnic Albanians were being cleansed from Kosovo, whereas they remained impassive and apathetic when Azerbaijanis were the victims in Nagorno-Karabakh, undergoing ethnic cleansing by the Armenian militia. Another difference between the two scenarios is that four outstanding UN Security Council Resolutions call upon Armenia to withdraw its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Pressure must thus be applied to Armenia, forcing the withdrawal of its forces.
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ARTE airs Armenian-biased film
2010-08-13
Azerbaijanis and those who believe in journalistic impartiality were dismayed to view a documentary entitled Haut Karabagh: Gomchassar, shown on the Franco-German ARTE television channel and subsequently hosted on its website. The report was replete with myriad inaccuracies – Nagorno-Karabakh was said to be an independent country; there were claims that recognition will come over time; it stated that the conflict has ended; presented the war as having a religious basis; highlighted the alleged Christian religious allegiance between Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; accused Azerbaijan of falsifying history to increase its claim to the land; and alleged that it is guilty of inhibiting resolution.
The Azerbaijani Embassy in France has since sent a protest letter to ARTE TV President Jérôme Clément, advising him of the details regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its consequences. The Embassy has condemned the shooting and distribution of such films, produced with the assistance of the Armenian diaspora, noting that they hinder resolution. It has since offered to assist in the production of a more accurate documentary.
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Slain soldier’s body remains in Armenian hands
2010-08-13
Despite having been killed over a month ago, the corpse of 22-year-old Azerbaijani soldier Mubariz Ibrahimov remains unrepatriated. The dead soldier was shot in the back during skirmishes with the Armenian militia along the northern part of the Nagorno-Karabakh contact line, close to the Chayli village in the Terter region. The fighting also claimed the lives of four Armenian soldiers.
In order to recognise Ibrahimov’s sacrifice, President Aliyev has posthumously bestowed the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan on the dead soldier. The authorities in the Bilesuvar region, in which Ibrahimov was born, intend to rename a school and a street in his memory.
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Agdam invasion – never forgotten
2010-08-13
The date of 23 July is remembered with sadness by Azerbaijanis across the world, for it marks the date in 1993 when most of the Agdam region in Nagorno-Karabakh was invaded by the Armenian militia, resulting in 6000 deaths. The invaded territory amounted to one city and 80 villages, causing 128,000 residents to become IDPs. To commemorate thus, the Irali Public Association has opened a new website and blog about the region at www.myaghdam.wordpress.com. The site contains a great deal of information, focusing on the the historical monuments, culture, architecture, and renowned figures of Agdam.
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Too early for a referendum
2010-08-13
The EU has agreed that it would be premature to hold a referendum on the status of of Nagorno-Karabakh. Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus, commented: "Any voting on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh will only occur at the end of a long process. It is now necessary to agree the principles upon which this should evolve to create guarantees for all sides." He called upon both Azerbaijan and Armenia to implement the Madrid Principles, as proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group. However, talks to resolve the conflict appear to have stalled, with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs requesting: "A greater spirit of compromise to reach an agreement regarding a common basis for continuing the negotiations."
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Bryza defends against detractors
2010-08-13
Matthew Bryza, President Obama’s controversial nominee for the post of US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, underwent his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on 22 July. He defended himself against allegations of bias in favour of Baku, stating his resolve to be an even-handed advocate of US policy in the Caucasus.
Bryza, currently Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, has been the most visible US diplomat in the South Caucasus for a considerable period. In May, he was nominated as Washington’s Ambassador to Baku, filling a post that has remained vacant for over a year. Azerbaijan has welcomed Bryza’s nomination, and Azerbaijani-American groups have pledged their support, thereby enhancing his confirmation chances. However, Armenian-American groups have vehemently opposed the nomination, alleging anti-Armenian bias.
During his confirmation hearing, Bryza denied such accusations by stating: "The only way to have any success in pursuing US interests is to remain objective and fair to both parties. Criticism... has come from both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and that’s the cost of doing diplomatic business."
Bryza faced more difficult questioning than most ambassadorial nominees, primarily from two Democrat Senators representing large Armenian-American constituencies – Barbara Boxer of California and Robert Menendez of New Jersey. The diplomat expounded a message of hope: "Ultimately, if Azerbaijan succeeds in blending democratisation, prosperity, and elements of its own culture, it could become an example for transitional countries around the world."
Much of the controversy around Bryza has related to his wife, Zeyno Baran, a Turkish-American scholar at the Hudson Institute in Washington. He explained said that his marriage would present no conflict of interest, and that a thorough State Department vetting of his finances found nothing untoward. He revealed: "It is, in fact, her sharp, brilliant mind, her commitment to the same sort of international values to which I am committed – peace, prosperity, democratisation, and the compatibility of Islam and democracy – that brought us together in the first place."
Richard Lugar, a Republican Senator from Indiana, formally 'introduced' Bryza to the committee. He commented: "Matthew Bryza is uniquely qualified to advance US priorities. His personal efforts have been fundamental in achieving improved relations amongst nations in the Caucasus and enhancing energy security."
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German parliamentarians to hold talks
2010-08-13
Bundestag MP Manfred Grund, member of the Germany–South Caucasus Parliamentary Friendship Group, has stated that European integration and the implementation of European legal standards into domestic law are the main objectives of Azerbaijani–German parliamentary co-operation. He commented: "I intend to visit Azerbaijan with a delegation in October or November to hold consultations with Azerbaijani parliamentarians."
It is expected that Bundestag foreign policy experts will closely monitor elections in Azerbaijan, as part of the OSCE observation team. Grund said that the EU has made proposals to the region regarding integration within the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership Programmes. However, he stressed that: "The countries determine the extent to which they will accept European standards and implement them in their own legal framework, thereby coming closer to the EU." Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Grund commented that Germany is a member of the OSCE Minsk Group and that the German government supports the steps taken within this organisation to resolve the situation.
He commented: "The European Parliament clearly supports the basic principles for resolving the conflict, and demands the withdrawal of Armenian forces in conjunction with other prerequisites. Under the Madrid Principles, a mutual understanding should be achieved, at least regarding a temporary status of Nagorno-Karabakh. This decision will be based on a compromise between the principle of territorial integrity and the right to self-determination."
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Raising awareness in the UK Parliament
2010-07-19
TEAS has launched a campaign to encourage MPs to sign Early Day Motion (EDM) 408, tabled on 6 July in the House of Commons to highlight the outstanding UN and EU Resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh, urging a swift conclusion to the conflict. Tabled by Mark Field MP, Chair, Azerbaijan All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), the EDM is sponsored by MPs from the three main political parties.
TEAS thus encourages all friends of Azerbaijan to complete the online form at http://bit.ly/n-kedm which automatically generates a letter to relevant constituency MPs, requesting their support.
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Deadly skirmishes in Nagorno-Karabakh
2010-07-19
Just one day after the Azerbaijani-Armenian meeting in St. Petersburg, the night of 18–19 June saw violence along the northern part of the Nagorno-Karabakh contact line, near the Terter region of Azerbaijan. This confrontation resulted in the deaths of four Armenian soldiers and one Azerbaijani. Elkhan Polukhov, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesman, commented that the deadly skirmish was attributable to: "The continuing occupation of Azerbaijani lands, illustrating that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not frozen, despite the Armenians claiming that this is the case."
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, who are overseeing peace negotiations, commented: "We strongly condemn the use of force and regret the senseless loss of life. Such an incident is an unacceptable violation of the 1994 Ceasefire Agreement and is contrary to the stated commitment of the sides to refrain from the use of force or the threat of the use of force." The Co-Chairs called upon: "The sides to exercise restraint, both on the terrain and in their public communications, preparing their populations for peace, and not for war. There is no alternative to a peaceful negotiated solution to the conflict, and war is not an option."
Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus, described the clash as: "A deplorable event that should not have taken place. This incident demonstrates that there is a tense situation along the line of contact that can easily get out of hand, and it is necessary to take whatever measures are available in order to reduce tension and build confidence. This is ultimately necessary in order to arrive at a negotiated solution on the issue."
His position was reiterated by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who requested that both sides should: "Respect the ceasefire, restrain from the use of force, or any threat thereof, and continue efforts for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The EU reiterates its full support for the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the work of the three Co-Chairs."
Meanwhile, the body of Azerbaijani soldier Mubariz Ibrahimov remains in Armenian hands. Elmira Suleymanova, Azerbaijani Ombudsman, has since appealed to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for assistance in repatriating his remains.
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Armenian damage reaches AZN70bn
2010-07-19
It has been calculated that the total damage suffered by Azerbaijan due to the conflict with Armenia over the invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions has reached AZN70bn (£57.9bn). The statement was made by Ali Hasanov, Head of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs. Hasanov commented that this figure would be re-evaluated following the withdrawal of the Armenian militia and the return of the IDPs to their homeland.
Hasanov explained that numerous lawsuits had been initiated by Azerbaijani IDPs and been filed with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This year, over $100m (£66.4m) will be spent on projects for IDPs, including construction of a new settlement in Agdam.
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Clinton in Azerbaijan
2010-07-19
On 4 July, Hillary Clinton visited Azerbaijan, being the first US Secretary-of-State to do so for 18 years. During her trip, she made an attempt to repair previous strains in US-Azerbaijani relations. Bilateral energy and security co-operation, together with resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, took centre-stage as major discussion topics.
Throughout the meeting, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stressed that his priority was Nagorno-Karabakh. He explained: "This is a major problem for us, and the main threat to regional security. We want to find a resolution as soon as possible, as our people are suffering." Clinton stressed the importance of US-Azerbaijani relations, commenting that the US remains committed to its ties with Azerbaijan and that: "The issues that you mention are of importance to us. We stand ready to help both Azerbaijan and Armenia achieve and implement a lasting peace settlement. The final steps toward peace are often the most difficult. But we see peace as a possibility."
Clinton praised the bonds between Azerbaijan and the US as "deep, important, and durable." She continued by stating: "Our soldiers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We deeply appreciate the commitment and sacrifice of the people and government of Azerbaijan, as we continue these important missions. Today, President Aliyev and I discussed ways of deepening this partnership." Her Baku trip was followed by a flight to Yerevan.
Clinton’s journey came in the wake of a visit by Robert Gates, US Defence Secretary, aimed at guaranteeing US supply lines for Afghanistan. Since 2001, military aircraft and supply trucks have carried US and NATO forces and equipment to Afghanistan via Azerbaijan.
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Bringing the realities to the US
2010-07-19
Dr Parvin Ahanchi, Fulbright scholar and Leading Researcher at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences presented a lecture entitled Occupation and Conflict in Azerbaijan at the San José Peace and Justice Centre, California. This was attended by students and public from universities across northern California and members of the Centre.
Ahanchi, born in Shusha, Nagorno-Karabakh, gave a detailed description of the conflict that began in 1987 when Armenia sought to annex her homeland. She explained how the flames were fanned by the Armenian diaspora, the Dashnaktsutiun party, and Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet President. She went on to discuss the continuing occupation of nearly 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territory, and the humanitarian disaster caused by nearly a million IDPs and refugees being relocated across Azerbaijan.
The speaker, who was widowed during the conflict, also underlined that war damaged peaceful relations between Azerbaijani and Armenian people and remains a tragedy for both nations. Ahanchi outlined the apathy of the international community, screened the documentary film War against the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijan, and presented information from the Justice for Khojaly campaign. Smriti Rana, Co-ordinator, San José Peace and Justice Centre, commented that the lecture was of great interest, with many facts being unknown to most US citizens.
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Outrage over US aid allocations
2010-07-19
There has been widespread international condemnation over the vote in the US House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations markup session to allocate $10m (£6.6m) of direct aid to 'Nagorno-Karabakh' as a part of the fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget. This constitutes a $2m (£1.3m) increase on the FY2010, and doubles the FY2009 budget allocation. The allocation of aid directly to Nagorno-Karabakh is also in contravention of US State Department policy in the region. The Subcommittee also approved $44m (£29.2m) in aid to Armenia.
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MP lobbying for Khojaly
2010-06-01
In order to commemorate the appalling tragedy of the Khojaly Massacre,
during which 613 innocent lives were lost to Armenian aggression in
1992, an Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled by Mike Hancock MP. This
calls for a renewed international peace effort towards the
Nagorno-Karabakh invasion, based around Armenian implementation of four
outstanding UN Security Council Resolutions. These stipulate the
withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories and return
of around one million IDPs and refugees to their homeland.
Last
year's EDM attracted cross-party support from 32 MPs, but this year TEAS
is aiming to place increased pressure on MPs by launching a simplified,
automated system whereby UK residents may send letters to MPs in their
constituency. Go to http://bit.ly/a55vOu to play your
part.
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Alleged NK group launched in UK Parliament
2009-12-24
TEAS was dismayed to read news from several online channels that the Westminster Parliament has approved the formation of a Nagorno-Karabakh All-Party Parliamentary Group by Viscount Waverley.
We can assure all our friends that no such Group has been formed. A simple check with the Registrar of All-Party Groups within the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards would have established this fact – as indeed would a 'phone call to Viscount Waverley. The reporters who produced this information were clearly falsely informed and undertook insufficient research.
We have advised all news channels carrying this misleading information that this news is incorrect.
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