Secretary Clinton Arrives in Yerevan, Expresses "Concern" over Today's Killing of Armenian Soldiers by Azeris, Extends Support to Armenia's Undemocratically-Elected Leaders, Encourages Ties with Genocidal Turkey
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Clinton Praises Armenia For Election Conduct, Turkey Policy
Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Yerevan, 4Jun2012.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Armenia’s recent parliamentary elections and reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for an unconditional normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations as she ended a one-day visit to Yerevan late on Monday.
The short trip was the opening leg of Clinton’s second tour of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in two years. It involved talks with President Serzh Sarkisian and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian as well as an address to Armenian civil rights activists.
“We are pleased to see Armenia continue to work to strengthen your democratic institutions, to promote transparency, advance the rights of a free press, root out corruption, respect universal rights and freedoms,” Clinton told a joint news conference with Nalbandian.
The short trip was the opening leg of Clinton’s second tour of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in two years. It involved talks with President Serzh Sarkisian and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian as well as an address to Armenian civil rights activists.
“We are pleased to see Armenia continue to work to strengthen your democratic institutions, to promote transparency, advance the rights of a free press, root out corruption, respect universal rights and freedoms,” Clinton told a joint news conference with Nalbandian.
Armenia - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a news conference in Yerevan, 4Jun2012.
“I was very pleased at the reports from international monitors about Armenia’s parliamentary elections last month being generally competitive and inclusive, where candidates were able to campaign for the most part without interference,” she said. “There were some electoral problems that were identified, and we hope that Armenia will work with the OSCE and others to ensure that the next election is even better.”
Official results of the May 6 elections gave Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) a landslide victory. The country’s leading opposition groups have refused to recognize their legitimacy, alleging serious fraud. Clinton’s remarks as well as the European Union’s similarly positive reaction to the election conduct will put the authorities in Yerevan in a stronger position to dismiss those allegations.
Clinton also commended the Armenian government’s efforts to improve the domestic business environment. “We are pleased at the progress Armenia has made and we encourage that even more progress occur this year,” she said. “I’m convinced that unleashing the Armenian people’s entrepreneurial energy can transform the economy and we look forward to being your partner in doing that.”
In a further boost to Sarkisian’s international standing, Clinton again endorsed official Yerevan’s view that Turkey should stop linking parliamentary ratification of the U.S.-brokered normalization agreements signed with Armenia in 2009 to a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“We strongly support ratification of the Turkey-Armenia protocols without preconditions,” she said. “We commend Armenia and President Sarkisian for the leadership they have shown on this issue.”
Official results of the May 6 elections gave Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) a landslide victory. The country’s leading opposition groups have refused to recognize their legitimacy, alleging serious fraud. Clinton’s remarks as well as the European Union’s similarly positive reaction to the election conduct will put the authorities in Yerevan in a stronger position to dismiss those allegations.
Clinton also commended the Armenian government’s efforts to improve the domestic business environment. “We are pleased at the progress Armenia has made and we encourage that even more progress occur this year,” she said. “I’m convinced that unleashing the Armenian people’s entrepreneurial energy can transform the economy and we look forward to being your partner in doing that.”
In a further boost to Sarkisian’s international standing, Clinton again endorsed official Yerevan’s view that Turkey should stop linking parliamentary ratification of the U.S.-brokered normalization agreements signed with Armenia in 2009 to a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“We strongly support ratification of the Turkey-Armenia protocols without preconditions,” she said. “We commend Armenia and President Sarkisian for the leadership they have shown on this issue.”
Armenia - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian at a news conference in Yerevan, 4Jun2012.
“As I said when I was here two years ago, the ball remains in Turkey’s court,” stressed the chief U.S. diplomat.
A visibly satisfied Nalbandian spoke of Washington’s and Yerevan’s “common approach” to normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations, a key U.S. policy goal in the region. “That position has been and remains: the normalization of relations without preconditions,” he said.
Clinton further made clear that the United States will remain “very actively involved” in international efforts to improve Turkish-Armenian ties and end the Karabakh conflict. “There is no linkage between the protocols process and the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations as they are separate,” she said. “But we are equally engaged and pushing hard to try to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh matter.”
Both Sarkisian and Nalbandian praised the current state of U.S.-Armenian ties, saying that they have “reached the highest point in history.” “We highly appreciate the U.S. role in our region,” the Armenian president was quoted by his press office as telling Clinton.
http://www.armenialiberty.org/content/article/24603657.html
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A visibly satisfied Nalbandian spoke of Washington’s and Yerevan’s “common approach” to normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations, a key U.S. policy goal in the region. “That position has been and remains: the normalization of relations without preconditions,” he said.
Clinton further made clear that the United States will remain “very actively involved” in international efforts to improve Turkish-Armenian ties and end the Karabakh conflict. “There is no linkage between the protocols process and the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations as they are separate,” she said. “But we are equally engaged and pushing hard to try to achieve a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh matter.”
Both Sarkisian and Nalbandian praised the current state of U.S.-Armenian ties, saying that they have “reached the highest point in history.” “We highly appreciate the U.S. role in our region,” the Armenian president was quoted by his press office as telling Clinton.
http://www.armenialiberty.org/content/article/24603657.html
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Washington expects continuation of dialogue with Armenia - Hillary Clinton (PHOTO)
June 04, 2012 | 20:02
YEREVAN.- President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received on Monday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as she arrived on a working visit to Armenia.
President Sargsyan recalled that 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and U.S. He stressed that during 20 years the relations have been developing gradually.
“Historic ties between the two nations, large Armenian community of U.S. as well as the ideas of freedom, justice and democracy promoted establishment of good relations between the states,” Sargsyan said.
The Armenian leader gave appraisal of U.S. role in the region adding that bilateral relations are built on the basis of mutual respect and confidence, presidential press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
“I want once again thank the United States for assisting Armenia during 20 years,” he said.
In her turn, Secretary Clinton noted it is honor to her to visit Armenia in the year marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the states.
Hillary Clinton said Washington greatly values partnership with Armenia, and continues support for the development and increasing welfare of the Armenian people.
Clinton stressed that she personally and President Obama appreciate contacts with Armenia and expect continuation of the dialogue. Secretary of State added she is aware of how hard President worked in order to find a solution to regional problems concerning Armenia.
Thus, the United States are committed to assist and support his ongoing activities as an excellent leader, she emphasized.
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21:25 04/06/2012 » Politics
US ready to assist with your continuous activities as good leader – Hillary Clinton to Serzh Sargsyan
President Serzh Sargsyan received today U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
According to presidential press office, welcoming the guest, the President in particular said,
“Indeed, you are always a desirable guest in Armenia. This year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, and I am happy that we can state that during these 20 years our relations progressed and today are at the highest historical level. Certainly, the ties between our peoples have a deeper history, and I am happy that we can state today that the ties between our peoples, the large Armenian community of the United States as well as the ideas of freedom, justice and democracy contributed to the establishment of good relations between our countries.
According to presidential press office, welcoming the guest, the President in particular said,
“Indeed, you are always a desirable guest in Armenia. This year, we mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, and I am happy that we can state that during these 20 years our relations progressed and today are at the highest historical level. Certainly, the ties between our peoples have a deeper history, and I am happy that we can state today that the ties between our peoples, the large Armenian community of the United States as well as the ideas of freedom, justice and democracy contributed to the establishment of good relations between our countries.
I am happy that our relations are built on mutual respect and confidence, and we can always sincerely discuss any issue interesting either side. We highly assess the role of the United States in our region.
Once again, I want to thank you for the assistance of the United States to Armenia during these 20 years. You are welcome.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said,
“Mister President, it is an honor for me to be here again in a year when we mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. The United States closely cooperated with Armenia in the past 20 years. We place a high value on partnership with Armenia, and continue assisting the development of Armenia, Armenian people and its growing prosperity.
Both me and President Obama highly assess our communications with you. We have had many conversations, and, as you noted, they were very sincere, which is typical of friendship. And I know that you worked diligently to find a solution to regional problems concerning Armenia. So, we expect to continue our dialogue. The United States is ready to assist with your continuous activities as a good leader.
Once again, I want to thank you for the assistance of the United States to Armenia during these 20 years. You are welcome.”
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said,
“Mister President, it is an honor for me to be here again in a year when we mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. The United States closely cooperated with Armenia in the past 20 years. We place a high value on partnership with Armenia, and continue assisting the development of Armenia, Armenian people and its growing prosperity.
Both me and President Obama highly assess our communications with you. We have had many conversations, and, as you noted, they were very sincere, which is typical of friendship. And I know that you worked diligently to find a solution to regional problems concerning Armenia. So, we expect to continue our dialogue. The United States is ready to assist with your continuous activities as a good leader.
Of course, I am happy to enjoy sunny weather in Yerevan, and so are all the Americans who travel with me.”
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Clinton Calls Soldier Deaths ‘Senseless’
President Sarkisian meets with Secretary of State Clinton in Yerevan on June 4
YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called the death of young soldiers and innocent civilians “senseless” after she expressed concern over the instability in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Hours before her scheduled arrival in Yerevan, Azeri soldiers violated the cease fire and killed three Armenian soldiers in the Tavush district of Armenia.
Clinton also said that force cannot resolve the conflict, reported the Associated Press. She failed to condemn Azerbaijan for its continued aggression.
Clinton warned that Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions have the potential to escalate into a much broader conflict that would be tragic for all concerned.
She added that the U.S. would continue working with France, Russia and others on mediation efforts.
Clinton arrived in Armenia Monday afternoon and after a reception at the US Embassy (see below) she met with President Serzh Sarkisian.
“Historic ties between the two nations, large Armenian community of U.S. as well as the ideas of freedom, justice and democracy have promoted establishment of good relations between the states,” Sarkisian told Clinton, adding that in the 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, relations had been developing gradually.
In assessing the US role in the region, Sarkisian said bilateral relation are built on the basis of mutual respect and confidence, the presidential press service reported.
“I want once again thank the United States for assisting Armenia during the last 20 years,” he said.
In her turn, Secretary Clinton noted it is honor to her to visit Armenia in the year marking the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the states.
Clinton said that Washington greatly values its partnership with Armenia, and continues to support the development and increasing welfare of the Armenian people.
Clinton stressed that she, personally, and President Obama appreciate contacts with Armenia and expect continuation of the dialogue. Clinton added that she was well aware of how hard the president has worked to find solutions to regional problems concerning Armenia.
Thus, the United States is committed to assist and support his ongoing activities as an excellent leader, she emphasized.
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Clinton saddened by Chinari incident, promises to ask Azerbaijani leadership “serious questions”
“I was saddened to hear the latest news,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a news conference at the Presidential Palace in Yerevan, commenting on the ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan recorded today.
Mrs. Clinton expressed concern over death of soldiers. “Force cannot resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, force must be ruled out.”
“I will visit Baku the day after tomorrow, and I have serious questions to ask the Azerbaijani leader. Both me and the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are convinced that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and a way should be found in this direction,” the senior U.S. official noted.
She called on the sides to refrain from use of force, because there is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“The only path for a solution is through the negotiating table,” Mrs. Clinton added.
www.panorama.am/en/politics/2012/06/04/clinton-briefing/
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Mrs. Clinton expressed concern over death of soldiers. “Force cannot resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, force must be ruled out.”
“I will visit Baku the day after tomorrow, and I have serious questions to ask the Azerbaijani leader. Both me and the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group are convinced that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and a way should be found in this direction,” the senior U.S. official noted.
She called on the sides to refrain from use of force, because there is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“The only path for a solution is through the negotiating table,” Mrs. Clinton added.
www.panorama.am/en/politics/2012/06/04/clinton-briefing/
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No military solution to Karabakh conflict - Hillary Clinton
June 04, 2012 | 20:51
YEREVAN.- There can be no military solution to the Karabakh conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a joint press conference with Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian (Photos).
Clinton said she was saddened to hear about the recent developments and was concerned over senseless killing of young soldiers.
Use of force would not settle the dispute, therefore it should be excluded, Hillary Clinton is confident.
She urged both sides to refrain from using force, adding she would voice the same call in Baku on June 6.
According to her, the recent developments should not keep back the sides from peace talks.
It is necessary to find ways to final solution and in this context the role of not only presidents but the citizens of both states is important, she said.
“Such incidents threaten to lead to the worse ones which can be fraught with graver consequences,” Secretary of State said noting that the OSCE Minsk Group spares no effort to avoid such scenario.
“The conflict must be settled based on all the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, not prioritizing any of them. It is necessary to continue the process and it is in the interests of all the sides to find solution and avoid use of force or threat of force,” she concluded.
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Hillary Clinton: I believe in Armenia’s bright future
June 4, 2012 - 22:24 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - During her meeting with journalists in Yerevan, U.S. Secretary of State said she’s glad to be in Armenia again and hailed the warm welcome she was given.
As Hillary Clinton said, “today, we’re looking back on the way we passed and assess what can be done in future.”
In her speech, the Secretary of State dwelled on U.S.-Armenia cooperation, U.S. assistance in Karabakh conflict settlement and normalization of Yerevan-Ankara ties.
She also stressed U.S. interest to reforms in Armenia, specifically in tax and customs sectors.
“I believe in Armenia’s bright future,” she said.
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, in turn, noted that Clinton’s previous visit of concurred with U.S. Independence Day and this one, with the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
As Nalbandian noted, 20 years ago, then Secretary of State James Baker stressed Armenia and U.S. support of democracy as a unifying factor.
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Washington welcomes deepening of democracy in Armenia - Hillary Clinton
June 04, 2012 | 21:07
YEREVAN.- Washington welcomes deepening of democracy in Armenia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Yerevan on Monday.
Clinton emphasized she had already met with local human rights advocates. In the context, Secretary of State stressed she is pleased with positive assessments of the parliamentary elections noted by the European observers. According to their assessments, all the candidates had opportunities for equal competition.
The U.S. official said there were some shortcomings but she hopes Armenia, jointly with OSCE, will continue way to democratic reforms. She also expressed hope that Armenia will continue to improve and will achieve “elections without cases of bribery ”.
Photo by Sona Barseghyan
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Ball is still in Turkey’s court - U.S. Secretary of State
June 04, 2012 | 21:01
YEREVAN.- Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations is in U.S. interests, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Yerevan on Monday
Washington always welcomed the rapprochement without any preconditions, she said during a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edwrad Nalbandian.
“The ball is in Turkey’s court,” she said, adding that there is no link between normalization of Armenia-Turkey ties and tension in Yerevan-Baku relations.
“U.S. will continue to play active role in the settlement of both issues,” she said expressing hope that finally the borders in the South Caucasus will open and regional cooperation will be established.
In October 2009 Armenia and Turkey signed protocols in Zurich to normalize diplomatic relations between the states. However, in 2010 the Armenian president suspended the process due to Turkey’s non-constructive stance. Ankara set preconditions and linked the reconciliation process to resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
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04.06.2012 22:06
“More than once we have expressed our common approach on the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. That position has been and remains the normalization of relations without preconditions,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton in Yerevan. “You have made an exclusive contribution to this process. Unfortunately, the ball continues to remain in the Turkish court,” Nalbandian continued.Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations is in U.S. interests, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, in turn. Washington has always welcomed the rapprochement without any preconditions, she said. “The ball is in Turkey’s court,” Mrs. Clinton said, adding that there is no link between normalization of Armenia-Turkey ties and tension in Yerevan-Baku relations.
“U.S. will continue to play an active role in the settlement of both issues,” she said expressing hope that finally the borders in the South Caucasus will open and regional cooperation will be established.
Minister Nalbandian said no negotiations are taking place today. “The talks ended with the signing of the two protocols,” Nalbandian said, adding that “Turkey has no right to pose any preconditions.
“The relations should be normalized without reconditions, this stems from the interests of the international community, as well,” the Armenian Foreign Minister concluded.
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Clinton: US interested in Armenia’s good relations with neighbors
June 04, 2012 | 21:43
YEREVAN. - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton believes that twenty years of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United States provide an opportunity to stop for a while, turn around, asses the distance which was passed and finally outline the future moves.
During her working visit to Armenia, Clinton held a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan on Monday
According to her, U.S. is interested in securing good relations between Armenia and its neighbors and Washington is working in this direction. In particular, Clinton stressed that Washington called for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions.
Talking about the Monday meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Hillary Clinton said the sides discussed a wide range of issues, in particular, the Armenian-American bilateral relations, regional issues, Armenia’s peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, country’s relations with its neighbors as well as regional security.
During her working visit to Armenia, Clinton held a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan on Monday
According to her, U.S. is interested in securing good relations between Armenia and its neighbors and Washington is working in this direction. In particular, Clinton stressed that Washington called for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions.
Talking about the Monday meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Hillary Clinton said the sides discussed a wide range of issues, in particular, the Armenian-American bilateral relations, regional issues, Armenia’s peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, country’s relations with its neighbors as well as regional security.
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Armenia and Turkey not involved in negotiations - Armenian FM informs Clinton and media
June 04, 2012 | 21:18
YEREVAN. – No negotiations are running or run between Yerevan and Ankara on normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Yerevan on Monday.
According to him, negotiations run earlier and ended up by signing Armenian-Turkish protocols, which Turkey does not respect and does not implement them, at the same time putting forward preconditions.
“I do not believe Turkey has the right to set preconditions for normalizing bilateral relations. It should be realized without any preconditions, this is the position of both Armenia and international community and this is what [Secretary] Clinton has repeated for many times,” Nalbandian stressed.
To note, protocols on normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey were signed on October 10, 2009 in Zurich. However, the ratification of protocols in both parliaments was suspended due to the unconstructive position of Turkey, as the latter put forward preconditions after signing the protocols.
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Armenian FM thanks Clinton for 20-year-long US assistance
June 04, 2012 | 21:36
YEREVAN.- Twenty years of diplomatic relations between Armenia and U.S. serve as a good basis for further development of negotiations, strengthening and expanding the partnership, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian said during joint press conference with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Yerevan.
According to Nalbandian, the previous visit of Secretary Clinton in Armenia on July 4, 2010, coincided with the U.S. Independence Day and this year is marked by the 20th anniversary of Armenia-US diplomatic relations.
“Coincidence attaches positive symbolism to bilateral relations. Moreover, between the previous and present visits we met several times on the margins of different international forums,” Nalbandian said adding that this visit speaks about Washington’s exceptional attitude towards the region.
Speaking about warm Armenia-US relations, Nalbandian underscored important role of the Armenian community in U.S. and thanked Hillary Clinton for personal contribution to strengthening bilateral ties. He gave appraisal of Armenia-US cooperation in the struggle against international terrorism within peacekeeping missions aimed to protect peace and strengthen security.
Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to Secretary Clinton for assistance to development of democratic institutions in Armenia and for exceptional contribution to normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.
Nalbandian pointed out U.S. efforts as a co-chairing state of the OSCE Minsk Group on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
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US concerned by Azeri-Armenian tensions
YEREVAN, Armenia — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she is very concerned about instability in the Nagorno-Karabakh region disputed by Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Clinton says the death of young soldiers and innocent civilians is "senseless" and that force cannot resolve the two-decade conflict.
She spoke Monday from Armenia's capital after three Armenian soldiers were killed and five wounded after clashing with Azeri forces near the border. It wasn't clear if there were Azeri casualties.
Clinton warned that Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions have the capacity to escalate into a much broader conflict that would be tragic for all concerned.
She said the U.S. would continue working with France, Russia and others on mediation efforts.
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Clinton In Armenia To Urge Peace Talks With Azerbaijan
June 4, 2012 10:56 AM EDT
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in the Armenian capital of Yerevan amid growing tensions between Armenia and its neighbor Azerbaijan.
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(Photo: Wikipedia)
Nagorno-Karabakh
Nagorno-Karabakh
Clinton reportedly will seek to ease the hostile relations between the two former Soviet republics by suggesting a series of peace talks.
In Yerevan, Madame Secretary will meet with Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
She will journey to Georgia on Tuesday, travel to Azerbaijan on Wednesday and then move on to Turkey.
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a deadly war from 1988 to 1994, in tandem with the collapse of the Soviet Union, over the Nagorno-Karabakh region that both sides claim. At least 30,000 people died in the conflict, which ended in a tense ceasefire in 1994.
Nagorno-Karabakh, which has a majority Armenian population, remains a de facto independent state but is partly under the military control of Armenia.
Since the 1994 ceasefire, there have been periodic breaches of the ceasefire manifested by cross-border raids and shootings. In fact, Armenian media reported that on Monday three Armenian soldiers were killed by Azerbaijani troops in the Tavush province of the country.
Technically, Armenia and Azerbaijan remain at war, and the Azeris have repeatedly threatened to re-take Nagorno-Karabakh by force.
Human rights activists also want Clinton to discuss alleged abuses perpetrated by Azerbaijan upon opposition groups and dissidents.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has repeatedly cited abuses committed by Azerbaijani police and security officials against dissidents and journalists, ahead of the much-anticipated EuroVision song contest in the capital city of Baku.
“The Azerbaijan government doesn’t respect its own citizens’ freedom of speech,” HRW stated.
“Journalists are routinely harassed and intimidated, and critical journalists can be locked up under the country’s strict libel laws. Others have been victims of bogus criminal charges, like drug possession, and imprisoned. The government has banned all foreign radio stations on FM frequencies, including BBC and Radio Free Europe.”
Azerbaijan, whose population is overwhelmingly Shia Muslim, nonetheless has tense relations with Iran. However, as an oil-rich nation, the Azeris have received much foreign investor interest.
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To contact the editor, e-mail: editor@ibtimes.com
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04.06.2012 18:33
Anna Nazaryan“Radiolur”
The violation of the ceasefire regime at the line of contact hours before US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s visit, which left three killed and several wounded, was blackmail, political scientist Yervand Bozoyan told a press conference today.
This is not new. The rival takes harsh steps before every important visit, thus trying to blackmail the international community, he added.
How will Hilary Clinton react to the incident? This will become clear after her meetings in Armenia. Before that political scientists prefer to speak about domestic political issues.
Expert of public administration Harutyun Mesrobyan says he has no expectations form the new parliament. According to him, the new National Assembly has no new qualities.
He said one should not worry about the fact that Prosperous Armenia Party did not join the coalition. Mesrobyan reminded that the former coalition was formed after the presidential elections. He advised to wait for the next presidential elections to see what will happen.
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Clinton warns over Armenian, Azeri violence
Mon Jun 4, 2012 2:35pm EDT
* Armenia, Azerbaijan traded barbs on Monday
* War between Azeris, Armenians erupted in 1991
* Sporadic violence flares along ceasefire line
YEREVAN, June 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began a trip to the South Caucasus region on Monday calling on arch rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan to renounce violence that she warned could slip into a broader regional conflict.
Post-Soviet nations Armenia and Azerbaijan traded accusations on Monday ahead of Clinton's arrival over violence that killed three Armenian soldiers and wounded soldiers on both sides of their shared border.
"I am very concerned by these incidents and have called on all parties, all actors, to refrain from the use or threat of force," said Clinton speaking to journalists. "There is a danger that it could escalate into a much broader conflict that would be very tragic for everyone concerned."
War between ethnic Azeris and Armenians erupted in 1991 over the mostly Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh region which broke away from Muslim Azerbaijan with the backing of Christian Armenia as the Soviet Union collapsed two decades ago.
Sporadic violence still flares along a ceasefire line negotiated in 1994. Some 30,000 people were killed and about 1 million became refugees, the majority in Azerbaijan.
Clinton's South Caucasus trip will focus largely on U.S. interests and security in the region criss-crossed by energy pipelines, fraught with territorial disputes and the site of a five-day war between Russia and pro-western Georgia in 2008.
Clinton was scheduled to meet Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian during a less than five-hour visit before traveling on to Georgia and then Azerbaijan, a major oil and gas producer.
The Secretary of State also urged Armenia and Turkey, whose border has been closed since 1993 to work towards a normalisation of relations.
"We are committed to seeing ... Armenia and Turkey normalise relations because we think this is a path forward to a better future for the citizens of both countries," she said.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in an act of solidarity with ethnic kin in Azerbaijan during the Nagorno-Karabkah conflict.
Lack of a permanent settlement to the frozen conflict, despite mediation led by France, Russia and the United States, scuttled Ankara's and Yerevan's efforts to normalise relations.
While Armenia and Turkey signed an agreement in October 2009 to normalize relations, open the border and take steps to develop trade, tourism and economic cooperation, the two sides never ratified the pact.
Clinton also urged Armenia, whose closed borders make it largely dependent on Iran and its former Soviet master Moscow to pursue reforms to improve its economy as well as to strengthen democratic institutions.
"Private sector investors are looking for an open business climate with predictable rules and independent judiciary, transparent regulations, taxes and customs," she said, adding that the United States was pleased at progress Armenia had made.
From Yerevan, Clinton flies to Georgia's Black Sea resort of Batumi where she will spend two nights before traveling to Azerbaijan, where her visit has been carefully calibrated to spend roughly the same amount of time as she did in Armenia. (Additional reporting by Margarita Antidze, Writing by Thomas Grove, Editing by Michael Roddy)
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US concerned by Azeri-Armenian tensions
By BRADLELY KLAPPER, Associated Press – 15 minutes ago
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday kicked off three days of diplomacy in Europe's Caucasus, expressing concern about recent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan as she hopes to mediate progress on a slew of trade and territorial disputes.
In the middle of a weeklong European tour, Clinton decried the "senseless deaths of young soldiers and innocent civilians" as part of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — just hours after the latest border clash. Armenia said three of its soldiers died and five were wounded. It wasn't clear if any Azeri soldiers died.
"I am very concerned about the danger of escalation of tensions and the senseless deaths of young soldiers and innocent civilians," Clinton told reporters after a dinner with Armenia's president and foreign minister. "The use of force will not resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," she said, urging the sides to refrain from violence.
The border clash underscored the instability of a region with long-simmering problems and surrounded by powerful neighbors Russia, Turkey and Iran. She left Armenia Monday night for neighboring Georgia, looking to strengthen security ties with a stalwart U.S. ally that was crushed in its 2008 war against Russia and hopes to regain control over two lost provinces. She visits Azerbaijan Wednesday.
Warning that Azeri-Armenian tensions could escalate into a broader conflict with terrible consequences, she said the U.S. would continue to press with France, Russia and others on mediation efforts.
The mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh enclave is within ex-Soviet Azerbaijan, but was taken over by Armenia during a six-year separatist war that killed about 30,000 people and displaced 1 million. Since the war's end in 1994, it has remained under the control of Armenian troops and ethnic Armenian forces.
Violations of the cease-fire have been frequent, and diplomatic efforts to solve the conflict have failed. The U.S. hopes that at the least Armenia and Azerbaijan can agree to a set of basic principles that might lead toward peace. These include the return of territories and uprooted people to their homes, and an eventual vote on the area's future.
Washington also wants to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey, whose enmity reflects the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Ottoman Empire-era killing of some 1.5 million Armenians.
The Obama administration has tried hard to help Armenia improve its economy, not least as a nod to the influential Armenian-American community, which is particularly strong in the Los Angeles area. Clinton, making her second trip to the region as secretary of state, helped Armenia and Turkey reach an agreement in 2009 that would have opened up their borders and normalized relations.
But the deal stalled back as Turkey's parliament refused to ratify it.
"The ball remains in Turkey's court," Clinton lamented.
Armenia's problems are compounded by its geography. Cut off from trade with its booming neighbor Azerbaijan on one side and Azerbaijan's ally Turkey on the other, it must conduct all its international commerce through Georgia and Russia to the north. It is heavily dependent on Moscow for fuel.
In Georgia, Clinton will underscore America's commitment to its pro-Western partner's defense and its hope of regaining control of breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Both declared independence after Russian troops routed the Georgian military over five days of fighting. Few governments beside Moscow have recognized them.
In Azerbaijan, America's top diplomat will continue efforts toward a breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, while addressing democracy and media freedom shortcomings. But she'll also underline oil-rich Azerbaijan's close cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism and its booming economy, which has expanded fourfold since 2004, attending an energy industry gathering in the capital of Baku to promote American companies and future investments.
She will likely speak to officials as well about Azerbaijan's southern neighbor, Iran.
Azerbaijan has arrested dozens of people it claims were hired by the Islamic republic to carry out attacks against the U.S. and Israeli embassies, as well as Western-linked groups and companies.
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Associated Press writer Avet Demuryan contributed to this report.
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Hillary Plays the Caucasus: Of Conflict and Civil Rights
June 4, 2012 - 10:56am, by Giorgi Lomsadze
Three Armenian soldiers were killed by gunfire from neighboring Azerbaijani just as US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton was about to go country-hopping in the South Caucasus.
Clinton arrived in Yerevan today and, after a stop in Georgia, is due in Baku on June 6.
To hear the Azerbaijani news service APA tell it, the “preventive measures,” which wounded three Armenian soldiers as well, were directed at stopping the Armenian military from infiltrating Azerbaijan from Armenia's northern Tavush region.
But, as is the standard case in Caucasus countries hosting Clinton, you need to tune into the news on the other side of the conflict line for the second side of the story.
But, as is the standard case in Caucasus countries hosting Clinton, you need to tune into the news on the other side of the conflict line for the second side of the story.
Armenian news reported that the Armenians died in a shootout as they tried to halt an infiltration from Azerbaijan. “Thanks to [the] courage[ous] actions of the soldiers… [the] enemy was drawn back,” ArmenPress cited Armenia’s Ministry of Defense as saying.
The not-so-frozen Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region is most definitely going to be discussed with Madam Secretary in both places.
Civil rights as well. An area where there's a lot to chat about with both sides; Georgia, too.
With Clinton already in Yerevan, visiting an awards ceremony for defense of human rights, Azerbaijan on June 4 opted to free youth activist and former parliamentary candidate Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, a Harvard University alumni, who was sentenced to two years in prison in 2011 for allegedly dodging military service.
The Washington, DC-based civil-rights watchdog Freedom House earlier called on Clinton to put "a particular emphasis on the ongoing concerns about human rights and democracy throughout the region, especially in Azerbaijan and Armenia."
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Clinton Visits Georgia
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 4 Jun.'12 / 22:03
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Georgia’s Black Sea resort town of Batumi late on Monday, where she will meet Georgian leadership, civil society and opposition representatives on June 5.
She arrived in Georgia from Armenia and will then visit Azerbaijan on June 6. This is her second trip to the region. Secretary Clinton first visited three states of South Caucasus in July, 2010.
Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze welcomed the Secretary of State in the Batumi airport.
On Tuesday morning Clinton will open the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission plenary session. The commission was established under the 2009 strategic partnership charter between the two countries, which sets a framework of bilateral cooperation, covering four priority areas, involving defense and security; trade and economy; democracy and people-to-people contacts.
After opening the commission session the Secretary of State will meet President Saakashvili, followed by a joint news conference.
The Secretary of State will also participate in a ceremony of handing over two Georgian coast guard patrol vessels, renovated with the U.S. funding.
She will meet representatives from three opposition groups, involving Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of New Rights Party; MP Giorgi Targamadze, leader of Christian-Democratic Movement (CDM) and three representatives from Bidzina Ivanishvili-led opposition coalition, Georgian Dream: Davit Usupashvili, leader Republican Party, Tea Tsulukiani, deputy chairperson of Our Georgia-Free Democrats and Maia Kobakhidze, chairperson of Ivanishvili’s party.
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