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Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330 Fax: (202) 315-3339
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Web: www.nkrusa.org <http://www.nkrusa.org>
ARTSAKH NEWS DIGEST
July 10, 2007 (#6)
POLITICS
It Took 16 Years to Happen...
In a surprise move, the first-ever official Azerbaijani delegation since the
establishment of independent NKR in 1991 traveled to Stepanakert to meet
with state officials. In the past, Azerbaijan harassed non-government
activists and journalists who visited NKR. Polad Bul-Bul-ogly, Azerbaijani
Ambassador to Russia co-headed a joint delegation that also included
Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatian. Meeting with them, Arkady
Ghoukasian welcomed the dialogue but also noted that Baku's military
rhetoric impedes the peace process. The sides exchanged views on potential
future contacts and confidence building. After Stepanakert, the delegation
flew to Yerevan and then to Baku where they met with presidents Robert
Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev.
Spoiling the positive atmosphere created by this visit, Aliyev claimed that
Azerbaijan is the most powerful country in the region and demanded Armenian
unilateral concessions threatening that he would go to war otherwise.
Lack of democracy in Azerbaijan impedes the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, said Gerard-Francois Dumont, a Sorbonne University
professor and editor of the "Population and Future" journal. He argued that
the people of Nagorno Karabakh should be the ones who determine the status
of their country.
Over 20,000 ethnic Armenian refugees that were forced out of Azerbaijan in
1988-1991 sent signed appeals to the NKR Government asking to protect their
humanitarian rights. The documents provide a legal mandate for Karabakh
authorities to represent the interests of the Armenian refugees from
Azerbaijan. Armenia-based Refugees and International Law organization says
that it continues receiving letters from ethnic Armenians who lost family
members, property, and otherwise suffered when over 400,000 Armenians were
forced out of their homes in Azerbaijan in early 1990s.
Ashot Ghulian, NKR Parliament Speaker, and Georgi Petrosian, NKR Foreign
Minister, responded to statements made by the Council of Europe officials in
relations with the upcoming presidential election. Both NKR officials said
that the people of Karabakh are determined to build a stronger democratic
society. They also invited European officials to monitor the July 19 ballot.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Levon Hairapetian, a Karabakh-born Russian businessman, launched the
construction of what will become a 30-meter (about 100 ft.) high dam on the
Khatchen River in Martakert District. He plans to invest over $7 million to
create an artificial lake to spur tourism, create new jobs and provide water
and electricity to nearby towns and villages.
The owner of the popular Hotel Nairi (www.nairi.nk.am
<http://www.nairi.nk.am>), Australian businessman Hakob Abulakian said he
would expand his investments in Artsakh beyond hospitality business.
SOCIETY
The population of Karabakh is growing. The first six months of 2007 saw a
10% increase in newborns as compared to the previous year.
***
We would like to hear from you. Just reply to this email with your comments
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Commen ts>. Thanks!
***
ARTSAKH NEWS DIGEST is a publication of the NKR Office.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in
Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public
representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, Artsakh. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government
under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is
available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 223-4330 Fax: (202) 315-3339
Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Web: www.nkrusa.org <http://www.nkrusa.org>
ARTSAKH NEWS DIGEST
July 10, 2007 (#6)
POLITICS
It Took 16 Years to Happen...
In a surprise move, the first-ever official Azerbaijani delegation since the
establishment of independent NKR in 1991 traveled to Stepanakert to meet
with state officials. In the past, Azerbaijan harassed non-government
activists and journalists who visited NKR. Polad Bul-Bul-ogly, Azerbaijani
Ambassador to Russia co-headed a joint delegation that also included
Armenian Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatian. Meeting with them, Arkady
Ghoukasian welcomed the dialogue but also noted that Baku's military
rhetoric impedes the peace process. The sides exchanged views on potential
future contacts and confidence building. After Stepanakert, the delegation
flew to Yerevan and then to Baku where they met with presidents Robert
Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev.
Spoiling the positive atmosphere created by this visit, Aliyev claimed that
Azerbaijan is the most powerful country in the region and demanded Armenian
unilateral concessions threatening that he would go to war otherwise.
Lack of democracy in Azerbaijan impedes the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, said Gerard-Francois Dumont, a Sorbonne University
professor and editor of the "Population and Future" journal. He argued that
the people of Nagorno Karabakh should be the ones who determine the status
of their country.
Over 20,000 ethnic Armenian refugees that were forced out of Azerbaijan in
1988-1991 sent signed appeals to the NKR Government asking to protect their
humanitarian rights. The documents provide a legal mandate for Karabakh
authorities to represent the interests of the Armenian refugees from
Azerbaijan. Armenia-based Refugees and International Law organization says
that it continues receiving letters from ethnic Armenians who lost family
members, property, and otherwise suffered when over 400,000 Armenians were
forced out of their homes in Azerbaijan in early 1990s.
Ashot Ghulian, NKR Parliament Speaker, and Georgi Petrosian, NKR Foreign
Minister, responded to statements made by the Council of Europe officials in
relations with the upcoming presidential election. Both NKR officials said
that the people of Karabakh are determined to build a stronger democratic
society. They also invited European officials to monitor the July 19 ballot.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Levon Hairapetian, a Karabakh-born Russian businessman, launched the
construction of what will become a 30-meter (about 100 ft.) high dam on the
Khatchen River in Martakert District. He plans to invest over $7 million to
create an artificial lake to spur tourism, create new jobs and provide water
and electricity to nearby towns and villages.
The owner of the popular Hotel Nairi (www.nairi.nk.am
<http://www.nairi.nk.am>), Australian businessman Hakob Abulakian said he
would expand his investments in Artsakh beyond hospitality business.
SOCIETY
The population of Karabakh is growing. The first six months of 2007 saw a
10% increase in newborns as compared to the previous year.
***
We would like to hear from you. Just reply to this email with your comments
<mailto:[email protected]?subject=Commen ts>. Thanks!
***
ARTSAKH NEWS DIGEST is a publication of the NKR Office.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the United States is based in
Washington, DC and works with the U.S. government, academia and the public
representing the official policies and interests of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, Artsakh. The NKR Office is registered with the U.S. Government
under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. Additional information is
available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.