More on OSCE Minsk Negotations & Aliyev in UK‏

US HAILS KARABAKH PEACE TALKS AS 'BREAKTHROUGH'TurkishNY July 15 2009Ahead of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents' key meeting inRussia, US mediator of the Minsk Group Matt Bryza tells the Daily Newsthat the strengthening dialogue has brought mediation efforts to a'new and hopeful level' and welcomes Moscow's contributionsThe United States has welcomed the progress in the peace processbetween regional rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan concerning the disputedNagorno-Karabakh territory."There is a real breakthrough in negotiations," said Matt Bryza,U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasianaffairs. The U.S. official on Monday attended the European Union'sflagship Nabucco natural gas pipeline project signing ceremony inAnkara, where he spoke to the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.Together with Russia and France, the United States is co-chairing aninternational panel, the Minsk Group of the Organization for Securityand Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, which has sought to mediate thedispute between the two countries.The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are due to meet in Russiaon Friday for the sixth time in 13 months and the third time inthree months."The OSCE Minsk Group's mediation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflictis accelerating. ... The increasing pace of their meetings reflectsa strengthening of the dialogue between the presidents," Bryza said."These factors have brought our mediation effort to a new and hopefullevel. We hope the presidents' meeting on July 17 will build on theimportant progress they made in St. Petersburg on June 4, and clearthe way to finalize the set of basic principles proposed by the MinskGroup co-chairs in Madrid in November 2007."He stressed President Barack Obama and Secretary of State HillaryClinton were providing their personal support to his efforts as theU.S. mediator."The three Minsk Group co-chairs, from the United States, Russia,and France, work together as a strong and collaborative team. Wewelcome the important and positive contributions by Russian PresidentMedvedev," said Bryza.In recent remarks marking the most revealing announcement to date onthe details of the peace process, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevsaid the Armenian pullback from five territories was reflected inthe Minsk Group's proposals and only after the complete withdrawalcould there be discussion about the status of Karabakh."The question of the phased withdrawal of Armenian forces from occupiedterritories outside Nagorno-Karabakh is the first stage. Immediatelyafter the signing of agreements, troops are slated to be withdrawnfrom five regions," Aliyev was quoted as saying, adding that thewithdrawal of forces from the two regions would take place five yearsafter the initial pull back.While in London on Monday, Aliyev, who did not attend the Nabuccosigning ceremony in Ankara, instead sending his energy ministerNatik Aliyev, said Nagorno-Karabakh would never be recognized as anindependent country.


ANCA CHAIRMAN DENOUNCES MINSK GROUP PRESSURE TO SECURE UNILATERALARMENIAN CONCESSIONS IN KARABAGH PEACE TALKS-- Hachikian Letter to Pres. Obama Calls for Direct NagornoKarabagh Republic Participation in Peace Negotiations; ExpressesConcern Regarding Madrid Principles as Basis for Ongoing TalksWASHINGTON, DC ? Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)Chairman Ken Hachikian expressed "profound disappointment" today atthe unreasonable pressure being applied by the Organization ofSecurity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairs,which could threaten the viability of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.The concern was expressed in a July 14, 2009, letter to PresidentObama, where Hachikian noted that the Minsk Group's "heavy handed"approach to secure unilateral and dangerous concessions byArmenians regarding the Nagorno Karabagh conflict would "imperilthe security of Armenia, the Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR) andthe Armenian people; increase the prospects of renewed Azerbaijaniaggression; and undermine the ability of the actual parties to thisconflict to reach a truly lasting and durable peace."Hachikian went on to argue that the Nagorno Karabagh Republic'sparticipation in the peace process is fundamental to the success ofthe endeavor. "As a direct party to this conflict, the primaryvictim of Azerbaijan's aggression, and a full stakeholder in thesearch for regional peace, the Nagorno Karabagh Republic must be afull and equal participant in all aspects of the peace process,"explained Hachikian. Similar concerns were addressed in letterssent to French Ambassador to the U.S. Pierre Vimont and RussianFederation Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.The ANCA has also initiated a letter writing campaign to PresidentObama and the State Department as well as the Embassies of Franceand Russia in the U.S. encouraging Armenian Americans and humanrights activists to express their thoughts to Minsk Group Co-Chaircountry leaders. The action alert may be viewed at:http://capwiz.com/anca/issues/alert/?alertid=13737266&type=MLArmenian President Serge Sargsyan and Azerbaijan president IlhamAliyev are set to meet on Friday July 17th in Moscow.Concerns about the Nagorno Karabagh peace process and ongoingArmenia-Turkey dialogue based on an undisclosed "roadmap" werepresented at a pan-Armenian conference held at the Nagorno KarabaghRepublic's capital, Stepanakert, on July 9-10. Over 120 Armenianleaders from some 25 countries, representing a broad cross-sectionof the political, academic, religious, business and civil societyleadership from Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh, and the Diasporadiscussed the ongoing Karabagh negotiations and unanimously adopteda resolution urging Karabagh's direct participation in the talksand calling for vigilance in the face of pressure to adopt a "hastysolution to the problem and Azerbaijan's belligerent statements."The full text of Hachikian's letter to President Obama and theresolution from the pan-Armenian conference are provided below.#####July 14, 2009The Honorable Barack ObamaPresident of the United States1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NWWashington, DC 20500Dear Mr. President:In the wake of the G8 Summit and on the eve of the planned July17th meeting in Moscow between President Serzh Sargsyan of Armeniaand President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, I am writing to sharewith you the profound disappointment of the Armenian Americancommunity over the undue and unreasonable pressure being applied ina heavy-handed manner upon Armenia by the Minsk Group Co-Chaircountries to force unilateral and dangerous concessions byArmenians regarding the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. Theseconcessions would imperil the security of Armenia, the NagornoKarabagh Republic (NKR) and the Armenian people; increase theprospects of renewed Azerbaijani aggression; and undermine theability of the actual parties to this conflict to reach a trulylasting and durable peace.Mr. President, in 2008, you pledged to work "for a lasting anddurable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that isagreeable to all parties, and based upon America's foundingcommitment to the principles of democracy and self determination."Such a settlement is severely hampered by exclusion of the dulyelected representatives of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic from thecurrent peace process. As a direct party to this conflict, theprimary victim of Azerbaijan's aggression, and a full stakeholderin the search for regional peace, the Nagorno Karabagh Republicmust be a full and equal participant in all aspects of the peaceprocess. Without this participation, a fair and enduring peace issimply not possible.Furthermore, the so-called Madrid Principles are not in line withthe nature of the conflict and its history. They completely ignorethe will of the NKR people that they have already legitimatelyexpressed through the referenda of 1991 and 2006.The concerns of the worldwide Armenian community are outlined inthe attached resolution that was unanimously adopted at a pan-Armenian Conference on July 11th in Stepanakert, the capital of theNagorno Karabagh Republic. This conference brought togetherArmenian leaders from over 25 countries, representing a broadcross-section of the political, academic, religious, business andcivil society leadership from Armenia, Nagorno Karabagh, and theDiaspora. After a detailed two-day review of the Nagorno Karabaghpeace process as well as the state of Armenian-Turkish relations,the Conference concluded that both the flawed framework of thecurrent talks and the Basic Principles referred to by thePresidents of the OSCE Minsk Group's Co-Chair countries, France,the Russian Federation, and the United States of America, representa direct threat to Armenia's and NKR's viability and hence shouldnot be endorsed by the authorities of Armenia.Mr. President, we look to your principled leadership to direct ourMinsk Group representative to ensure that direct dialogue and thefundamental right to the self-determination of the people of NKRbecome an integral part of the Nagorno Karabagh peace process tosecure a lasting peace in the region.Sincerely,Kenneth V. HachikianChairman
MADRID PRINCIPLES CONFIRM UNRESERVED DEFEAT OF
ARMENIAN DIPLOMACY, IDHR STATESNOYAN TAPANJULY 15, 2009YEREVANThe Institute for Democracy and Human Rights thinks that Madridprinciples on the Artsakh problem settlement confirm the unreserveddefeat of the Armenian diplomacy. Considering inadmissible the call ofthe U.S., Russian and French Presidents in the July 10 joint statementon quickly reaching a final agreement in connection with them, IDHRconsiders more revolting the Armenian authorities' defeatist andunreasonable position on this occasion.According to the IDHR, RA Foreign Minister E. Nalbandian's July 11statement confirms that the RA authorities are shamelessly ready toyield Armenian state interests, the RA and NKR peoples' rights forsafe life and development."We think in a similar circumstance that, to overcome the situationwith dignity, the RA authorities must state at least at the RAPresident's level that our state and people do not accept thestated principles. It must be also unequivocally demanded that theRepublic of Nagorno Karabakh is recognized a full and equal memberof the negotiations. It is inadmissable to sit at the negotiationstable on the occasion of the Artsakh problem, without satisfyingthese conditions. The Armenian party has all the preconditions forthe victory from both legal and historic-cultural and militaryviewpoints. And the compromises and defeats in the politicalnegotiations are provided only by diplomates' and elite's politicalflabbinees and weakness," is stated in the IDHR July 14 statement.If the present authorities of Armenia can not realize and carry outthe interests and fundamental rights of the state and the people,then, according to the IDHR, they must quickly leave their positionsor must be removed from them. Moreover, it must be carried out at thelevel of the RA President or government, but not the Foreign Minister.The IDHR expresses its assistance to all those forces who expressedresoluteness for keeping all the territories confirmed by theConstitution of the Republic of Artsakh, recognition of the statestatus of Artsakh or uniting with Armenia and are ready in thisdirection. The IDHR also calls the authorities of the Republic ofArtsakh to express a principal position and reject Madrid principlesand exert pressure on the RA authorities on that occasion.

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN: "I CANNOT RULE OUT A MILITARY
SOLUTION TO THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"AzerTagJuly 15 2009Azerbaijan"In the process of the conflict settlement between Armenia andAzerbaijan "more encouraging dynamics" has formed, there are the firstresults, but they are insufficient so far for the achievement of thespecific goal - establishment of the final peace", said Presidentof Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his speech at the Royal Institute ofInternational Affairs in London."For the past 15 years we have been living in the conditions in whichwe have neither war nor peace," the president noted. He stressedthat any settlement of the conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh shouldinclude the preservation of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. "Weunderstand Armenia's concern and are ready to consider correspondingissues. We are also ready to provide the needed autonomy levelto Nagorno-Karabakh, but only within the framework of the unitedAzerbaijani state," President Aliyev emphasized. The president alsonoted that the sides involved in the conflict should clearly realizethat there can be no talk about independence of Nagorno-Karabakh,because this contradicts the principles of international lawand already adopted on Nagorno-Karabakh resolutions of theleading international organizations, including the UN SecurityCouncil. "Azerbaijan is committed to the peaceful settlement of theconflict, the past 15 years have proved in reality our clear-cutposition," President Aliyev stressed. The president also noted,"Unfortunately, I cannot totally rule out a military solution, as wehave the total and based on international laws right to restore ourterritorial integrity that not a single country questions." "TodayAzerbaijan has powerful and modern armed forces that are capable ofrestoring the country's territorial integrity," President Aliyevstated adding that Baku "intends to continue to seek the conflictsettlement by peaceful methods."


AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT MEETS MEMBERS OF UK
PARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEEAzerTagJuly 15 2009AzerbaijanAzerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has today met members of the UKParliament`s Foreign Affairs Committee.Mike Gapes, the committee`s chairman, said the House of Lords ispleased to once again host the President of Azerbaijan. He stressed theimportance of the Azerbaijani leader`s visit to London, expressingconfidence it would contribute to developing the Azerbaijan-UKrelations.Gapes said the meeting with the Azerbaijani President is a goodopportunity to exchange views on ongoing processes in the countryand regional and international matters.The Committee chairman praised Azerbaijan`s achievements in energysector, saying it would be interesting to learn the Azerbaijanileader`s vision of cooperation in this regard.President Ilham Aliyev highlighted ongoing development processesin Azerbaijan.He praised the Azerbaijan-UK relations, saying they see overalldevelopment.The President said the two countries have "an intensive politicaldialogue" and "successfully cooperate on energy and security andfight together against terror".The President also touched upon the Azerbaijan-EU cooperation, andsaid it is being continuously expanded. President Ilham Aliyev saidAzerbaijan is today "a key energy supplier for Europe".The President also spoke of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict overNagorno-Karabakh, including ongoing talks to resolve the dispute.

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS BRITISH PREMIER
GORDON BROWNAzerTagJuly 13 2009AzerbaijanAzerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today has met here with BritishPrime Minister Gordon Brown.The British Premier congratulated Azerbaijani leader on economicachievements his country has reached. Brown said Great Britainand Azerbaijani have "successful cooperation" in various fields,including energy".Talking about international terror, British Premier praisedAzerbaijan`s "active participation" in antiterrorism coalition.He also hailed Azerbaijan`s democratic reforms, sayingAzerbaijan-European Union relations are "successfully developing".Brown stated his country will further support Azerbaijan ininternational arena."We have great potential to further expand political and economicrelations", Brown said.Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said bilateral relations are"successfully developing" in various spheres, including political andeconomic. Touching upon energy cooperation, the Head of State praisedAzerbaijan-bp cooperation. The President said the two countries havegreat potential to further advance relations in other fields.Ilham Aliyev raised awareness of the British Premier on achievementsAzerbaijan has gained in economic, energy and non-oil sectors.President Aliyev said Azerbaijan is "rapidly" integrating into Europeanfamily, adding new stage for Azerbaijan-EU cooperation has opened.Touching upon Armenia`s conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh,President Aliyev said 'aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan isan obstacle to the regional progress.'As to Azerbaijan`s participation in anti-terrorism coalition, IlhamAliyev pointed out his country is making a great contribution toprovide regional and international security.The Azerbaijani leader also talked about his country`s role in securingEurope`s energy security.**After the meeting, president of Azerbaijan State Oil Company RovnagAbdullayev and Chief Executive of BP`s Exploration & Production AndyInglis signed a memorandum of mutual understanding.**Meanwhile, wife of British Prime Minister Sarah Brown has met withAzerbaijan`s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.**British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah Brown haveseen off President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife MehribanAliyeva from the residence.
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