24 YEARS # 7 (1142) The Noah’s Ark 27 February 23 YEARS 2017 The #28 Noah’s Ark Published(1116) Since 1993 25 July Weekly Newspaper H I G H L I G H T S Նոյյան Տապան շաբաթաթերթ (անգլ./ֆրանս.) 2016 Published Armenia, Georgia “agree”Since 1993 Weekly Newspaper HIGHLIGHTS ÜáÛÛ³Ý î³å³Ý ß³µ³Ã³Ã»ñà (³Ý·É. / ýñ³Ýë.) on new trade routes to Russia Hostages Released In Yerevan Georgia - Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili (L) greets his Armenian counterpart Karen Karapetian in Tbilisi seeSee page p. 2 6 InIn ThisThis IssueIssue Noyan Tapan Press-Center Artsakh Referendum 2017: 76.52% say U.S. Condemns Armed Attack on Armenian Noyan Tapan Press Center holds different discussions, press conferences, yes to Constitutional reform p.5 round tables, teleconferences, seminars each week which are broadcast Police p.5 live on the Internet. We invite you to take advantage of the Center, as well as to place your banner in our Press Room. Tel: 060 35 11 22. Oil prices rise as market shrugs off Armenia Finance Minister seeks to Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan, 0009 Turkey coup bid move on from macro stability p.8p.6 California State Board of Education Noyan Tapan Printing House adoptsDonation expanded raised Armeniandue to SCDM Genocide curriculum p.16 is offering coloured and black and white offset and digital Founder’s participation in printing of books, brochures, booklets, journals, etc with Victorintl marathons Ambartsumian for thoseInternational Science high quality and low prices Tel: 060 35 11 22 Prizesuffering not to frombe awarded oncology this year p.p.12-13p.16 Address: Isahakyan 28, 3rd floor, Yerevan 0009 The Noyan Tapan Highlights www.nt.am 25 July #28 (1116) 2016 2 POLITICS Constitutional Refedendum a proof of Artsakh’s committment to democratic processes system of governance that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh con- sider more relevant to their needs,” he added. “It is commendable that more than hundred international observ- ers representing three dozen countries assessed the Referendum as well organized, transparent and in line with international stan- dards,” Minister Nalbandian said. “The exercise of fundamental freedoms is a universal right that cannot be subject to limitations. For quarter of a century Na- gorno-Karabakh has been conducting processes inherent to demo- cratic societies and there is no doubt that the people of Artsakh have certainly gained the right to live according to the same universal values that the free democratic world enjoys,” the Foreign Minister added. “Once again the people of Artsakh demonstrated that their will to build democratic society is irreversible notwithstanding all odds of “The referendum held on February 20 is yet another evidence of continuous use of force and threat of force, economic blockade and the determination of the people of Artsakh to organise their public other hostile actions perpetrated by Azerbaijan. It does not come as life by democratic processes,”Armenian Foreign Minister Edward a surprise that the ongoing democratic processes in Artsakh are met Nalbandia said in a statement. with such an extreme discontent in Azerbaijan – a country notorious “The current Constitutional Referendum is aimed at choosing the with its human rights violations,” Minister Nalbandian concluded. Armenian Defense Minister meets representatives of OSCE Austrian Chairmanship the OSCE is based on common values and principles, the Defense Minister deemed the Azerbaijani policy of hindering the activity of the Yerevan Office and defaming the ini- tiatives of the OSCE unacceptable. Ambassador Günther Bächler reiterat- ed the importance of intensification of the OSCE efforts towards settlement of the Karabakh conflict and easing of tensions. he voiced hope that the situation around the Ye- revan Office would be solved in compliance with the interests of Armenia and the OSCE. Armenian Defense Minister Vigen the development of democratic institutions The interlocutors exchanged views on Sargsyan received on February 23 Ambas- in Armenia, modernization of electoral sys- the mechanisms of cooperation during the sador Günther Bächler, Special Representa- tems and improvement of human rights. forthcoming parliamentary elections in Ar- tive of the OSCE Austrian Chairmanship for Noting that Armenia’s cooperation with menia. the South Caucasus. The Defense Minister expressed support for the priorities of the Austrian presidency targeted at the settlement of conflicts, easing of tensions and establishment of an atmo- sphere of trust. Presenting the worrisome situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact, Vigen Sargsyan attached importance to the efforts towards implementation of an investigation mechanism and stressed the importance of condemnation of the breach of all arm con- trol commitments by Azerbaijan. Referring to the situation around the OSCE Yerevan Office, Vigen Sargsyan valued the role of the Office and the OSCE at large in 27 February #7 (1142) w 2017 www.nt.am The Noyan Tapan Highlights POLITICS 3 Deadly Fighting Reported In Karabakh ing to “mislead its own people and the international community.” “Azerbaijan`s military-political leadership has been escalating the situation along the Line of Contact and spreading disinformation for several days,” the ministry spokesman, Artsrun Hovannisyan, wrote on his Facebook page. “The Armenian side is observing the ceasefire regime and call- ing on the Azerbaijani side to refrain from steps aimed at further escalating the situation,” he added. Azerbaijan`s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov and army chief of staff, General Nejmeddin Sadiqov, visited the demarcation line around Karabakh just two days before the latest escalation. News reports said they instructed Azerbaijani frontline troops to take Ceasefire violations around Nagorno-Karabakh dramatically “tougher and more resolute measures” in response to what they intensified on February 25, with Karabakh`s Armenian-backed called growing Armenian “provocations.” military saying that it repelled major Azerbaijani attacks at two U.S., Russian and French mediators urged the parties to the sections of the frontline. Karabakh conflict to “adhere strictly” to ceasefire agreements Azerbaijan`s Defense Ministry confirmed deadly fighting along immediately after hosting a meeting between the Armenian and the Karabakh “line of contact” but claimed that it is the Arme- Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Munich on February 16. The nians who attacked its frontline positions. three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group warned that “war is The Karabakh Defense Army said Azerbaijani forces used dem- not an option.” ining machines and other “special means” when they attempted to The mediators also renewed their calls for the warring sides to seize its positions at frontline sections east and southeast of Kara- implement confidence-building agreements that were reached bakh early in the morning. They were pushed back, suffering sig- by the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents last year. The agree- nificant casualties in the process, the army claimed in a statement. ments envisage international investigations of truce violations and “Several [Azerbaijani] corpses are lying in no man`s land,” said deployment of more OSCE observers in the conflict zone. Arme- the statement. “Nobody was killed or wounded on the Armenian nia says that Azerbaijan has been dragging its feet over these safe- side.” guards. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, for its part, said Armenian Such violations have steadily intensified in recent weeks after troops “tried to penetrate our positions.” It reported a “heavy several months of relative calm that followed four-day hostilities combat clash” in an area near southeastern Karabakh where “the around Karabakh in April 2016. The two sides have accused each enemy attempted to capture beneficial positions” but was forced other of using mortars and rocket-propelled grenades on a virtu- to retreat. ally daily basis. “As a result of the combat clash, our armed forces suffered casu- On February 18, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan warned alties,” ministry added, according to the APA news agency. It did Azerbaijan against launching large-scale military operations in not give any numbers. the run-up to Armenia`s parliamentary elections scheduled for The Karabakh Armenian army was quick to deny the Azerbaija- April 2. “Today some in Azerbaijan still have illusions that an Ar- ni claims. “How can a defending side suffer casualties in no man`s menia focused on elections will be very distracted and therefore land?” read an army statement released later in the morning. vulnerable … Any [armed] provocation would receive a worthy Armenia`s Defense Ministry similarly accused Baku of seek- response,” he said. MEPs not on Interpol’s “wanted list,” Armenia’s Ombudsman says Azerbaijan will achieve nothing with gel, Eleni Theocharous and Jaromir Steti- senseless and false statements, Armenia’s na, are carriers of democratic values. The Human Rights Defender has said. visits of foreign guests and their activity “The Members of the European Par- in Artsakh have always and will always liament are not wanted by the Interpol, be lawful.” and this has already been confirmed by “We have to do our best to reach the rec- RA Police,” Ombudsman Arman Tatoy- ognition of Artsakh with its democratic an said, commenting on the information institutions,” the Ombudsman said. that a criminal case has been instigated Arman Tatoyan reiterated his commit- against MEPs Frank Engel, Eleni Theo- ment to work to ensure the democratic charous