Azeri opposition party pickets US embassy over Armenian MPs’ visit to Baku
ANS TV, Baku
19 Oct 04

[Presenter] An anti-Armenian protest action has been staged in
Baku. The United People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party [UPFAP] staged the
action protesting against a visit by Armenian MPs to Baku for the
Rose-Roth seminar of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly. The protest action
was held outside the US embassy in Baku.
[Correspondent, over video of the action] The UPFAP continues its
protest actions against the [planned] involvement of Armenian MPs in
the 58th Rose-Roth seminar of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly due in
Baku. Members of the party picketed the US embassy in Baku today.
The protesters demanded that an end be put to pressure on Azerbaijan
to ensure the participation of the Armenian MPs in the Rose-Roth
seminar and to unfair attitudes towards the Azerbaijani people. They
demanded that pressure be put not on Azerbaijan which was subjected to
aggression but on aggressor Armenia instead.
To recap, the UPFAP sent a letter to the Baku mayor’s office to get
permission to hold a series of protest actions. However, the mayor’s
office did not authorize the actions. The party members are set to
continue their pickets. Another picket protesting against the visit
by Armenian MPs to Baku will be held outside the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry on 26 October. Moreover, the party members will stage pickets
outside embassies of numerous NATO member countries.
[Passage omitted: reported details]
[Video showed protesters chanting Karabakh outside the embassy, police
officers dispersing the picket]
Ceyhun Asgarov, Emil Babaxanov, ANS.

RUSSIAN AIR UNIT IN TAJIKISTAN SAID TO COMPRISE 20 AIRCRAFT
Interfax-AVN military news agency web site
20 Oct 04
MOSCOW
The Russian air force unit to be stationed in Tajikistan will include
up to 20 warplanes and helicopters, the Russian Defence Ministry told
Interfax-Military News Agency on Wednesday (20 October).
“Russian attack planes and fighters, and also fire-support helicopter
gunships Mi-24 Hind and Mi-8 Hip should be deployed at the Ayni
airfield 20 km from Dushanbe in 2005,” the Interfax-AVN source said.
The deployment of the Russian air unit at the Ayni airfield is
stipulated by agreements on setting up a Russian military base in
Tajikistan that were recently signed between Moscow and Dushanbe, he
said.
Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov told reporters on Monday (18
October) that the Russian base “will definitely have an aviation
component”, which will include fighters.
Russia already maintains two air bases outside its territory, the
source said. “A Russian air team comprising up to 20 MiG-29 Fulcrum
fighters and Mi-8 helicopters is stationed at the Erebuni airfield in
Armenia. A Russian air base comprising up to 20 aircraft too, namely
Su-24 Fencer frontline bombers, Su-25 attack planes, Su-27 Flanker
fighters, L-29 planes, and Mi-8 helicopters, is deployed at the Kant
airfield in Kyrgyzstan,” he noted.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DRIVERS ATTACKED AND BEATEN ON NORT OSSETIA-GEORGIA BORDER
A1+
20-10-2004
The authorities of Georgian town of Tskhinvali helped Armenian
citizens, who found themselves trapped on the North Ossetia-Georgia
border.
The thing is that a huge number of vehicles accumulated on the road,
as they were barred from crossing the border. The town residents give
Armenians shelter, Regnum news agency says.
The agency also reports a group of masked gunmen attacked drivers and
beat them. Khachatur, one of the drivers, say Georgian journalists
asked them to give an interview and say something against
Ossetians. The journalists promised that, in that case, Georgian
authorities would let them continue their way. The drivers rejected
the offer.

Dar al-Hayat, Saudi Arabia
Oct 20 2004
Ayoon wa Azan (Trying the Neo-Cons)
Jihad Al Khazen Al-Hayat 2004/10/20
I demand that the neo-conservatives who worked for the war on Iraq,
and deliberately planned for its destruction and not only for the
ousting of Saddam Hussein, be tried before of the international war
crimes tribunal in Lahaye.
These criminals deserve to be the only prisoners at Guantanamo Bay;
however, I fear that if they go there, they would be subject to the
same torture that the Arab and Muslim prisoners went through. This is
why I prefer that they be tried in a decent court, in order for them
to respond to the accusation of deliberately killing more than 1,000
Americans, some 20,000 Iraqis, and the destruction of the
infrastructure of 25 million Iraqis.
I continue with brief comments on the news I followed these past two
days:
– The people surrounding Prime Minister Tony Blair denied that the
objective behind sending the British troops from Southern Iraq to
Baghdad is to help George Bush in the American presidential
elections.
This denial means that the accusation is correct, as the political
news is confirmed when it is denied, especially if the denial comes
from people renowned for their lies.
The British denial reminded me of the day when Secretary of State
Colin Powell denied the fact that the neo-cons are controlling the
American foreign policy; I have repeatedly wrote about this
non-elected Israeli mob, and did not find anything at the end of the
day that proved my words better than Powell’s denial of the existence
of this cabal.
– Would the reader have noticed the difference if Al-Jazeera and
Al-Arabiya televisions broadcast the scenes of the air raid
destruction in Fallujah, and said that these are Israeli attacks on
the Gaza Strip, or if they broadcast scenes of destruction from the
Gaza Strip and claimed that they are the product of American raids on
Fallujah?
There is no difference; both crimes are perpetrated with American
fighter jets and American money.
Nevertheless, there is a difference, which is the most important; I
support the attacks against the terrorists in Iraq, and the
destruction of Zarkawi’s network, if he or the network exist;
however, this does not happen through air raids, which kill innocent
people from Palestine to Iraq.
– The most hideous lie that has been repeated since 9/11, is Israel’s
claim that the United States and itself are facing the same
terrorism, and that America, after the terrorism it has been subject
to, understands what Israel is going through.
This is a hideous accusation against innocent Americans, as they were
monstrously killed inside their offices, without having occupied the
lands of others or threatened them. As for Israel, it is an occupying
terrorist state that undertakes Nazi crimes against the Palestinians,
and then wants them not to response to its attacks.
I would like to say that there is no resemblance between the American
victims and the Israeli casualties, who die in a land they are
occupying by force, are killing its people, and destroying their
houses. If there is some kind of resemblance, it is between the
terrorism of Al Qaeda and the terrorism of Sharon’s government.
– I have a thousand objections to the American policy vis-à-vis
Palestine, Iraq, and all Arabs and Muslims. However, this is one
thing, and fighting terrorism is another. It is the duty of Arabs and
Muslims to help the U.S. in its war on terror, especially that the
terrorists are among us. The U.S. is more capable than any other
country to get into a war on terror, and win it.
– The ousting of Saddam Hussein is an accomplishment we owe to the
Americans; but was it necessary to pay its price with the lives of
thousands of Iraqis, and casualties in the Coalition forces, along
with a massive destruction, at a time when we should have witnessed
reconstruction?
This week, five churches were subject to terrorist bombings in
Baghdad; I read a report that said that 1,000 college female students
out of 3,000, stopped going to college because they were afraid of
being attacked by fundamentalists, which reject mixed educational
institutions.
Such incidents did not occur during the days of Saddam Hussein; I
used to think that the purpose behind ousting him is to build a
democratic regime that would be better for all Iraqis, including
minorities, women, and sects.
The Christian Armenian sect in Jerusalem is boiling, after a Jewish
student spit on a cross worn by a Priest during a Christian religious
ceremony. The student was banned from entering the Old City for 75
days after the accident; and it turned out that the Jewish students
spit on the Christians and insulted them while praying. Officials in
the Israeli government have acknowledged this phenomenon, and said it
is caused by the atmosphere of religious non-compassion that Israel
is experiencing.
– Abu Hamza Al Masri will be tried in Britain, after the U.S.
demanded that he be tried on its soil.
I did not know that stupidity is an accusation punished by law; the
crime of Abu Hamza is not terrorism, but stupidity. However,
stupidity is in every person, and it is not a crime or a felony. If
this preacher had any link to terrorism, he would have been more
cautious, and he would have uttered less statements that harm Muslims
before others.
Abu Hamza is stupid, and his followers are naïve; he does not deserve
all the commotion.
Does any of the readers know the American TV star Bill O’Reilly? He
presents a famous program on Fox News; however, he became really
famous lately, after a former Fox employee called Andrea Mackris
accused him of sexual harassment, and the details are interesting.
O’Reilly is part of the neo-con cabal; I was happy that he fell
morally after he fell politically. However, I think that Al Franklin
was happier than I was; he is the writer of Lies and the Lying Liars
Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, in which he
dedicated a whole chapter to exposing O’Reilly’s lies.
Everyone will fall. Those who will not fall because of sex scandals
like O’Reilly, will fall because of financial scandals like Richard
Perle. However, it seems that the scandals of spying for Israel,
which are the most important, were not enough to make them fall; as
some of the neo-cons spied for Israel and were subject to
investigation; I have already said that, and will not repeat myself
again.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 20 2004
Russia Ready To Assist In Solving Nagorno Karabakh Conflict
AssA-Irada 20/10/2004 19:07
President Ilham Aliyev said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Tuesday that the political dialogue
between the two countries is on a high level.
Aliyev expressed a hope that Russia, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group, will step up its efforts to settle the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.
The two presidents discussed implementation of agreements signed
during Aliyev’s official visit to Moscow in February 2004,
fulfillment of tasks set for doubling the turnover of goods between
the two countries and prospects for strengthening the joint combat
against terrorism.
The parties also stressed the need for stepping up the international
community’s efforts to fight international terrorism.
Aliyev and Putin exchanged views on the present-day situation in the
Caucasus region as well. The Russian President welcomed the
continuation of talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents
over the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Russia is ready
to assist the sides in settling the conflict, Putin said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Reuters
Oct 20 2004
Virtual Vote Lets Non-Americans Pick President

LONDON (Reuters) – Even non-Americans can cast a vote in the upcoming
U.S. presidential election thanks to a Web site tracking world
opinion on the race for the White House.
Surfers clicking on can tick a virtual ballot
for President Bush, Democratic challenger John Kerry, or one of five
other candidates fighting to win the real vote on November 2.
Voters are asked to register which country they’re from, creating a
non-official tally of who the rest of the world would choose to lead
the planet’s most powerful country.
“It’s fun and obviously not constitutionally approved, but it is a
serious vote because the U.S. has power over all our lives and the
election will affect the world,” Ben Carey, one of the site’s
creators, told Reuters on Wednesday.
“The votes are coming in from everywhere, from places like Armenia,
Turkmenistan and Venezuela, and if we have a sizable number we’ll
release the results 48 hours before the real election,” he said.
Besides Bush and Kerry, who are neck and neck according to the latest
Reuters poll, voters can choose one of the other candidates,
including Ralph Nader of the Reform Party and Michael Peroutka of the
Constitution Party.
Carey, a British author, said the London-based Web site is
non-partisan and is not sponsored by any political party.

Agence France Presse
Oct 20 2004
Azerbaijan wants UN to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh
AFP: 10/20/2004
BAKU, Oct 20 (AFP) – The former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan will
take up the issue of the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh,
which is controlled by neighboring Armenia, at the UN general
assembly, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.
“Azerbaijan will propose that (the UN) discuss the situation
concerning Azerbaijan’s occupied territories…this cannot be
acceptable for the entire international community,” the ministry said
in a press release.
Azerbaijan fought a bloody war with its rival Armenia in 1990 over
the Nagorno-Karabakh ethnic Armenian enclave that left 35,000 people
dead and a million civilians displaced.
The conflict ended with a ceasefire in 1994.
The enclave was left in Armenian hands, but Azerbaijan still claims
the territory, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan claims the territory is a breeding ground for separatist
extremists. Critics say this is a tactic to rally international
support for Baku.
“Azerbaijan counts on the support of the UN and the whole
international community,” the ministry said.

Turkish Press review
Oct 20 2004
ARMENIANS BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
Columnist Oktay Eksi comments on Turkish-Armenian relations. A
summary of his column is as follows:
`Our efforts to become a member of the European Union have caused
some confusion. For example, everybody knows that the concept of
`minority’ comes from the Treaty of Lausanne. This is true not only
for us, but also for Greece, which signed the treaty as well.
Meanwhile, those who think it’s time to benefit from Turkey while
hindering our EU bid are hard at work. The most important such
initiative is the push to make Turkey recognize the so-called
Armenian genocide. Former Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen wrote
yesterday in Hurriyet, `Of course it’s out of the question for Turkey
to accept the claims of Armenian genocide.’ However, he also
suggested that we should normalize our relations with Armenia so we
can solve the problem. Actually Armenia’s deputy foreign minister
said a few days ago that it was ready to meet unconditionally with
Ankara in order to normalize relations. We’re against neither
Turkmen’s view nor efforts to improve relations with Armenia. We also
support the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) push to
normalize our relations with neighboring countries. However, this
can’t happen with the efforts and good will coming from one side
only. For example, Armenia wants to normalize relations but it also
supports cruel and unfair campaigns by the Armenian diaspora. In
addition, hostility against Turkey is still enshrined in Armenia’s
founding state papers, and Armenian President Robert Kocaryan doesn’t
seem to have given up his promise to US Armenian lobbying groups that
it would work hard for recognition of the genocide.’
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Cyprus News Agency
Oct 20 2004
Cyprus and Armenian House Speakers reassure common views
by Maria Fili
Yerevan, Oct 19 (CNA) — Cyprus House of Representatives President
Demetris Christofias and Armenia’s National Assembly President Arthur
Baghdasaryan said they have reassured during their talks here the
common views Cyprus and Armenia share on issues of common interest
and full understanding of each side’s positions.
Christofias and Baghdasaryan were addressing a banquet hosted by the
latter in Christofia’s honour on the occasion of his official visit
to Armenia, at the head of a parliamentary delegation.
Baghdasaryan said relations between Cyprus and Armenia have to be
developed further, expressing certainty that with his personality and
political prestige Christofias will contribute significantly towards
this direction.
He reiterated his country’s support to Cyprus’ struggle for a
settlement to its political problem, wishing for a speedy solution.
Christofias noted the similarity of the history of the people of
Cyprus and the people of Armenia, noting that ”we are two victimized
people that through their struggle to survive have developed a high
sense of solidarity and love for the individual and of justice.”
He noted his talks in Armenia were fruitful and were a follow-up of
the talks that took place during Baghdasaryan’s visit to Cyprus.
He stressed that agreements between the two countries must bear fruit
and pledged he will make every effort in this direction.

ArmenPress
Oct 20 2004
KOCHARIAN TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO TBILISI ON OCTOBER 22
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 20, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian will
pay an official three-day visit to the neighboring Georgia on October
22. Kocharian’s press service said the welcoming ceremony will be
held at Bagratashen village on the Armenian-Georgian border. In the
capital city Tbilisi Kocharian will have a conversation with his
counterpart Mikhail Saakashvili, which will be followed by enlarged
talks between the two countries’ delegations. The two presidents will
also meet with journalists.
Kocharian will also meet with parliament chairwoman Nino
Burjanadze, prime minister Zurab Zhvania and will also be welcomed by
the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia
II. Kocharian will lay a wreath at the monument to fighters for
united Georgia and participate in Tbilisoba- a festival dedicated to
Tbilisi. He is also scheduled to meet with members of the local
Armenian community. Kocharian will come back to Yerevan on October
24.
According to 2002 census, Georgia’s population was 4 mln 371,000
people, 250,000 of whom were Armenian. However, according to
unofficial figures, some 400,000 Armenians live in Georgia. They are
mainly concentrated in Tbilisi, Javakhk, Tsalka and Marneuli regions,
as well as in Ajaria and Abkhazia. Georgian Armenians take an active
part in social, political and cultural life of the country.
According to Armenian president press services, Armenian language
newspaper Vrastan (Georgia) has been published since 1920. In 1991,
it was published as the official newspaper of the Georgian
parliament, in 1992 it was given the status of an independent
newspaper, though it receives some funds from the state budget. The
number of copies during the Soviet times reached 45,000. At present,
it is a weekly with 2,500-3,000 print-run.
Once in a month, Paros, Arshaluis and Aghbiur newspapers publish
in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda regions as well as Ajaria. Under the
aegis of the Armenian Youth Union in Georgia another newspaper, New
Generation, publishes.
The Armenian government continues shipment of textbooks to some
154 Armenian-language schools in Tbilisi, Javakhk, Batumi, Kvemo
Kartli and Tsalka which have 28,000 students. The Sunday school in
Rustavi supported by the Armenian embassy in Georgia also receives
textbooks.
The reconstruction of the Armenian Drama Theater after Petros
Adamian in Tbilisi has finished recently. Georgian Armenian play an
important role in Armenian-Georgian cultural cooperation. They
organize theatre tours, concerts and exhibitions between the two
countries.
There are 13 Armenian acting churches in Georgia, particularly St
George and St Etchmiadzin churches in Tbilisi, St. Saver in Ajaria,
St. Sargis in Bogdanovka village of Ninotsminda and others.
There are several non-governmental organizations in Georgia,
including Union of Georgian Armenians, Armenian Youth Union, Union of
Tbilisi Armenians, Sayat-Nova cultural and educational union, Union
of Ajaria Armenians, Charles Anznavour union, Javakhk and some
others.