Russia interested in resolution of conflicts in S Caucasus
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004
On Thursday Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nikolay Ryabov held
a news conference on completion of his diplomatic mission in
Azerbaijan. Ryabov said his country is interested in a resolution
of conflicts in South Caucasus region. “Russia would benefit both
politically
and economically if the conflicts in South Caucasus are resolved
as soon as possible. It is absurd to believe that it is interested
in the ongoing conflicts.” The ambassador stated that the recent
developments in North and South Caucasus prove the need for taking
new steps and well-considered ideas to settle regional conflicts.
“The course of developments shows that ignoring these processes could
be disastrous”, he said.
Touching upon the Upper Garabagh conflict, Ryabov stated that
there is sufficient potential for further talks to be held by the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Astana, Kazakhstan on the
initiative of Russian President Putin. Ryabov stressed Azerbaijan’s
moral and financial support to the victims of the recent terrorist
act in North Osetia. “We highly appreciate the support by the
government of Azerbaijan, the delivery of 7.5 tons of the needed
medicine to the victims, considering there are hundreds of thousands
unsettled refugees in Azerbaijan. The ambassador also said that a
number of problems between Russia and Azerbaijan have been resolved.
“However, this does not mean that the current relations between our
countries are cloudless, although we are close, both from political
and ethnic standpoints.” The new Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan has
not been announced yet. Initially, the position was to be assumed by
the governor of Russia’s Astrakhan region Anatoliy Guzhvin, who has
passed away. Ryabov has been reassigned to Kishinyov, Moldova.

BOSTON FILM FESTIVAL
By Janice Page, Globe Correspondent | September 16, 2004
Boston Globe, MA
Sept 16 2004
[parts omitted]
‘Germany and the Secret Genocide’ One and a half million citizens of
the Ottoman Empire were exterminated between 1915 and 1923 during
the Armenian Genocide, and it’s the position of this J. Michael
Hogopian-directed documentary that Germany bears substantial
responsibility — if not for the Turkish government-ordered killings,
then at least for their coverup. Hogopian’s collection of evidence
seems well-researched and historically important. Unfortunately,
it’s more academic case-building than anything else.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO cancels exercises in Baku
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004
NATO Supreme Command has decided to cancel the long-planned exercise
in Baku hours before it was due to start on Tuesday after Azerbaijan’s
authorities refused to allow officers from Armenia to participate. The
alliance spokesman in Brussels said in a written
statement that the exercises were called off due to the non-observance
to the principle of “inclusiveness” for all allies and partners,
under which all NATO exercises are conducted. The announcement
came after a wave of protests over the weekend in Baku against the
Armenian officers’ intended participation in the two-week exercises,
entitled Cooperative Best Effort. President Ilham Aliyev said last
week he opposed the Armenian officers’ visit and was taking necessary
measures to prevent it.
“There is hardly anyone in Azerbaijan who would accept Armenian
officers’ visiting the country. I therefore object to their arrival in
Azerbaijan. Armenia has occupied our land and violated Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. Only after this aggression ends can our
relations become normal and conditions be created for journalists
and public figures to meet. Until the conflict is settled, any
communication is out of the question.” The United States has
criticized Azerbaijan for excluding Armenia from participation in
the exercises. The State Department said it supports NATO’s decision
to cancel the exercises and that it “deeply regrets” Azerbaijan’s
refusal not to issue visas for Armenian participants.
Public outcry
For the first time in many years, the Azerbaijani people share
unity of views. Regardless of party affiliation, positions or views,
the public has voiced a joint protest against the Armenian officers’
planned arrival. Garabagh Liberation Organization members, hundreds of
non-government organizations (NGOs), war veterans, and refugees held
numerous protest actions in Baku. Influential news media, including
independent ANS TV, expressed their protests by suspending broadcasts
for several hours. Over 10 newspapers voiced their indignation with
the Armenian officers’ planned visit by publishing their front pages
blank. Parliament members also expressed their protests with the
Armenian officers’ planned visit. Several MPs refused to attend a
parliament session last week in this connection. Defense Minister
Safar Abiyev said he strongly objects to Armenians’ intended arrival,
since there are no relations between the two countries. “Armenia
does not recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and would not
give up its territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and
Armenia have no diplomatic relations, therefore, participation of
Armenian military men in the exercises in Baku is inappropriate.” He
also mentioned that Azerbaijan refused to attend NATO exercises held
in Armenia last year. Caucasus clerical leader Sheikh Allahshukur
Pashazada also said that he opposes the Armenian officers’ visit. “I
do not support their arrival”, he said. With regard to the protest
actions conducted by the Azerbaijani public, Pashazada said that
“every citizen has rights and is entitled to using them”.
Opinion
Former Foreign Minister, political analyst Tofig Zulfugarov said such
a biased decision was made by NATO disregarding the real situation
in the region. He said that although this step was undesirable for
Azerbaijan, it gave some food for thought to those making decisions on
holding international events in Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan is a victim
of aggression, and ignoring this is a mistake by the forces trying
to cover up the occupation of Azerbaijan’s land and the presence of
hundreds of thousands of refugees. I believe that NATO Secretary
General’s decision was erroneous.” Zulfugarov went on to say that
Azerbaijan’s refusal to allow Armenian officers to enter the country
is explained by the current situation in the region. The reaction of
the Azerbaijani public to a possible presence of Armenian citizens in
the country was natural, he said. “However, I believe this situation
will yield certain positive results to Azerbaijan, which has shown
a firm stance on the issue. This position should be considered by
NATO and other international entities in the future.” Nonetheless,
the political analyst did not rule out a future decline in relations
between Azerbaijan and NATO, in particular, the United States.
Concern
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday expressing its
concern with the cancellation of NATO’s “Cooperative Best Effort-2004”
exercises. Azerbaijan regards the exercises as an important step in
its integration into the Euro-Atlantic community and had created all
the suitable conditions to hold the exercises in Baku, the statement
says. The document also outlines the reasons for the Azeri public’s
protest against the planned visit by Armenian military men to Baku. “As
a result of Armenia’s aggression, 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory
was occupied and more than one million people became refugees and
internally displaced persons. The government of Armenia is taking
a non-constructive position in peace talks, therefore, the Armenian
officers’ participation in the exercises in Baku is impossible,” the
statement says. The statement also expressed Azerbaijan’s adherence
to Euro-Atlantic values and principles, its commitment to cooperation
with the North Atlantic Alliance, and a hope for further development
of long-term and fruitful partnership.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 16 2004
MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND THE PRESIDENT
OF ARMENIA ROBERT KOCHARYAN WITH PARTICIPATION OF CO-CHAIRS OF THE
MINSK GROUP
[September 15, 2004, 16:32:27]
On September 15, the meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev and the President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan has taken place
in Astana with participation of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group,
AzerTAj correspondent reports.
During the conversation, underlined was importance of carrying out of
such meetings for peace settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, activation of all efforts with a view of the
solution of the conflict. Co-chairmen of the Minsk Group Yury
Merzlyakov (Russia), Steven Mann (USA) and Henry Jacolin (France)
informed the Presidents on the work done recently and the carried out
negotiations.
At the meeting, the negotiators had comprehensive exchange of views
in connection with settlement of the conflict proceeding already long
years.
After the meeting, Yuri Merzlyakov informed journalists that the
discussions of Presidents included the questions discussed on the
Prague negotiations. One of the put forward offers concerns clearing
of the regions adjoining to Nagorny Karabakh, returning of the IDPs
to their homelands and warranting of their safety. The Azerbaijan and
Armenian sides have discussed the ideas on negotiations. After
negotiations in Astana, official Baku and Yerevan will present to
co-chairs the offers on the basis of which the Minsk Group will carry
out its activity. The held negotiations and all ideas focused in the
discussion of presidents were within the framework of territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan. Many moments arising during negotiations,
also are connected to the reasons and consequences of the conflict.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 16 2004
TRIPARTITE MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND
THE PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA ROBERT KOCHARYAN WITH PARTICIPATION OF THE
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN
[September 15, 2004, 16:32:08]
After the private meeting of two presidents, was held a tripartite
meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President
of Armenia Robert Kocharyan with participation of the President of
Russia Vladimir Putin, correspondent of AzerTAj reported from Astana.
Having emphasized importance of carrying out of such meeting within
the framework of summit in Astana, President Vladimir Putin has told:
“It is very glad that presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia continue
the negotiations connected to settlement of this heavy problem. We
support these negotiations and bilateral meetings. And the main is
that both sides wish peace settlement of the conflict. I hope, that
the conducted negotiations will be productive. Though any result has
not been achieved yet, nevertheless, each meeting is a step forward.
It is confident, that leaders of both countries will come to the
common denominator. Irrespective of results of negotiations, the
today’s meeting is a step forward.
President Robert Kocharyan has told: “It is our second meeting. The
first had fact-finding character. The present meeting was enough
interesting, and the wide discussion connected to the conflict has
taken place. We have carried out a detailed exchange of opinions on
the certain moments”. Robert Kocharyan has told that informs about
it to the President of Russia in absence of journalists.
The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has thanked President of
Russia Vladimir Putin for the activity shown in the settlement of the
said question. The head of Azerbaijan State has told: “Russia as our
neighbor and the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, plays important role
in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. At
the present meeting, we have discussed the problem, had exchange of
opinions. We aspire to establishment of peace in our region. We hope,
that our further negotiations will be fruitful.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 16 2004
REPORT REFLECTING THE POSITION OF AZERBAIJAN FOCUSED AT PACE SESSION
[September 16, 2004, 13:11:17]
Regular sitting of Political Committee of Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe has taken place in headquarters of the Council
of Europe in Paris, 14 September, AzerTAj reported.
Members of Committee have discussed the new concepts of estimation
of the condition of the democratic development, the report under the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, connection between
Europe and the USA, position in Macedonia, the pact of stability in
Southeast Europe and other questions.
The report prepared in connection with the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, has caused hot discussions among deputies.
The English deputy Terry Davis, who started since September of this
year to work in the post of the Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, in detail informed the colleagues that in due time, during
his activity as the rapporteur, repeatedly visited the region for
detailed acquaintance with the problem, in detail talked not only
to heads of the state, politicians, but also representatives of the
public, has collected rich material and, at last, has prepared on
the said topic a report covering all spheres.
In the report, offered for discussion of deputies, completely have
found the reflection of the reason of occurrence and historical roots
of the conflict. In the report, it was emphasized that Armenia which is
putting forward territorial claims, occupied the lands of Azerbaijan
and has pursued in the occupied territories ethnic cleaning, that the
rights of more than one million Azerbaijan refugees and IDPs have been
breached, and that the aggressive state until now remains indifferent
to known resolutions of Security Council of the United Nations that
stipulates territorial integrity and sovereignty of each country,
on unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the
occupied Azerbaijan territories, and in activity of the Minsk Group
mediating in the peace settlement of the conflict while there is no
fundamental change, that for the prompt elimination of the problem
it is necessary to provide, first of all, territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, then it will be possible to raise the question about
status of Nagorny Karabakh, and the means allocated in the budget of
Armenia on military charges, much more than it is allocated for the
same sphere in Belgium, and it represents serious threat for region
of Southern Caucasus.
Deputies Asim Mollazadeh, Samad Seyidov, Daniel Gulle and Jose Durie
(France), Hanna Severinsson (Denmark), Andzey Vielovieysky (Poland),
David Atkinson (England) have emphasized in the remarks during
discussions, that Armenia conducting aggressive policy has occupied
not only Nagorny Karabakh, but also other Azerbaijan lands five
times surpassing it on territory, that activity of the Minsk Group
while remains ineffectual, and refugees and IDPs do not trust the
international organizations, that territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
is recognized internationally, and granting to Nagorny Karabakh of
the status probably only under condition of inviolability of borders
of Azerbaijan, spoke about safety Armenians living there. It has been
marked also, that the report has a little bit compromise character.
Armenian deputies Tigran Torosyan and Armen Rustamyan, not receding
from the principle to blacken all and everything, began to prove that
Azerbaijan the first has untied war. A. Rustamyan, always distinguished
by his conservative statements, has gone further away, trying to impart
deputies the ideas that Azerbaijan, being guided by the positions
resulted in the report, will undertake new steps, even will untie war.
At discussion of the question on appointment of the new rapporteur in
connection with election of Mr. Terry Davis as the Secretary General,
participants of session have unanimously voted for nominee of candidate
David Atkinson.
The head of delegation Milli Majlis in PACE Samad Seyidov has
told: “The impressive part of the report submitted by Terry Davis
to Political Committee for discussion, reflects the position of
Azerbaijan. There were widely commented hard conditions of the refugees
and the facts of occupation of Azerbaijan territories, ethnic cleaning
by Armenia on the occupied territories, and the problem of one million
refugees and IDPs. But at the report, also there are moments, which
are not corresponding to Azerbaijan’s position. As a whole, I want to
note, that the report reflects our position. The new rapporteur is the
head of our democratic group David Atkinson. He should complete the
report and present it in the advanced form on forthcoming in January
of the next year of session for discussion of deputies. We trust, that
the substantive provisions found today the reflection in the report,
such questions as occupation of the Azerbaijan lands, territorial
integrity of our country, inviolability of its borders and others,
once again will find reflection in the report which will be submitted
to January session”.

Protest action due in Moscow
Azer News, Azerbaijan
Sept 16 2004
The Movement for Azerbaijan will hold a sanctioned action in Moscow
on September 25 in protest against Armenia’s unfair policy toward
Azerbaijan.
Along with Azeris living in Russia, the rally, aimed at conveying
Armenia’s policy of occupation to the international community, will
be joined by intellectuals of Russian and other nationalities.
A resolution to be adopted by the protesters will be forwarded to
diplomatic representations of the UN Security Council permanent
members and the Armenian embassy in Moscow.
From: Baghdasarian

Aliyev, Kocharian negotiate Nagorno-Karabakh
Interfax
Sept 16 2004
Astana. (Interfax) – A Wednesday one-on-one meeting between Azerbaijani
and Armenian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in the Kazakh
capital city of Astana, which they had following a tripartite meeting
with Russian President Vladimir Putin, lasted for over four hours.
“The presidents have clarified certain positions and standpoints,
and now we have to take time to find where we stand” after this round
of negotiations, Kocharian told the press.
The negotiating process concerning the resolution of the Nagorno-
Karabakh problem is “underway,” Kocharian said. He admitted, however,
“We can’t boast of anything special.”
Both parties treat the dialogue “with patience,” he said. “We are
discussing very difficult problems that we have inherited,” he said.
Aliyev assessed the meeting positively. “I deem it positive that
meetings between the foreign ministers, with the co-chairmen of the
[OSCE] Minsk Group involved, are held regularly,” he said.
The Azerbaijani leader admitted that the two presidents cannot say
anything specific as to what they had discussed behind closed doors.
“We always have to confine ourselves to very general phrases, and
there will be no exception today, because the process is extremely
important,” Aliyev said.
He said the two presidents had summarized outcomes of previous
negotiations between the two foreign ministers.
Aliyev and Kocharian once again thanked President Vladimir Putin
for willingness to mediate in their dialogue. “We thank the Russian
president for understanding,” Kocharian said.

German co. to pump $20-$25 mln into Armenian metals plant
Interfax
Sept 16 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Germany’s Cronimet intends to invest $20
million-$25 million in the Pure Iron works in Yerevan, which processes
molybdenum concentrate.
The money should reach the plant in 2005-2006, in accordance with
an investment program, Genrik Karapetian, the plant’s director,
told Interfax.
Most of the money will be spent making the plant more environmentally
friendly, introducing new technology and putting new products on line,
Karapetian said.
The Pure Iron works currently produces pure molybdenum but eventually
plans to make metal plates and special alloys, he said.

Islam Online, UK
Sept 16 2004
Israel Moves to Drive Arabs Away From Al-Quds
Photo file of occupied Al-Quds
By Mohammad Yassin, IOL Correspondent
GAZA, September 16 (IslamOnline.net) – Palestinian experts warn
against Israeli plans to drive Palestinian citizens away from occupied
Al-Quds (Jerusalem) under pretexts of development, saying the Jewish
state’s real motive is striking a demographic balance between in the
overwhelmingly Palestinian city.
Al-Quds Municipality has showed Monday, September 13, new plans for the
structural map of occupied Jerusalem, explaining population density
in the old city which affects the living standard and welfare inside
the city, as per the Municipality.
In a report published by Israeli daily Ha’aretz Monday, it suggested
decreasing that density as regards “all alleys”, except for what is
known as “Jewish Alley”, claiming the Alley had already been developed
recently and needed no evacuation of some inhabitants.
The Municipality further said it was ready to “compensate those willing
to leave their homes with alternative houses outside the Old City.
“Plans to evacuate the Palestinians living in the Old City lies within
the demographic struggle after large numbers of Palestinians moved into
the Old City as a result of the construction of the self-styled Israeli
separation wall two years ago,” Khalil Tafkaji, a Palestinian expert
for settlement affairs told IslamOnline.net Wednesday, September 15.
Tafkaji said the return of some Palestinians to their homes the Old
City would lead the Palestinians to outnumber the Israeli settlers
living in the city.
“The return of Palestinians and restoring their old homes after they
were forced to leave them in 1967 means that the number of Palestinians
in the city would increase.”
The Palestinian expert mocked at the Israeli proposals to offer
financial compensations and new houses for the Palestinians who leave
the city.
“There are no available lands for construction out of the Old City
as a result of the Israeli confiscation of 35% of Al-Quds lands since
the 1967 war.”
Tafkaji said the Israeli governments had been adopting a constant
policy to evacuate the Palestinian citizens from occupied Al-Quds
since 1973.
“Struggle in the Old City is raging on even very small batches of
lands as the case with Al-Aqsa mosque.”
According to Israeli estimates, there are 24,098 Muslims living in
the Old City, contrary to 2,408 Armenian Christians, 5,269 Christians
in the Christian Alley and 2,328 Jews in the Jews Alley.
Golden Opportunity
Dr. Ekrema Sabri, the mufti of Al-Quds, for his part, warned the
Israeli schemes only aim at grabbing lands of Palestinian citizens
in the occupied Al-Quds.
“As the Jews immigrate into the city, Palestinians are forced out of
the city, with the aim of affecting the demographic balance in favor
of the Israelis.”
Sabri said the current developments on the world arena provide the
Jewish state with a golden opportunity to carry out its plans.
“Israel believes that world developments give it a chance to implement
its aggressive schemes.”
Sabri maintained the Palestinians living in the city fight the Israeli
temptations to leave their homes, calling on the Palestinian Authority
to support the civil and humanitarian institutions in the city.
“If these institutions are supported, they can provide the Palestinian
citizens with all necessary services, and therefore they can stick
to their homes.”
Al-Aqsa institution for Islamic sites preservation in the occupied
Palestinian lands, meanwhile, called on the Palestinian citizens to
support their peers in Al-Quds.
“This scheme clearly reveals the Israeli attempts to control Al-Aqsa
mosque and enhancing Jewish immigration into the city,” it said in
a statement, a copy of which was obtained by IslamOnline.net.
The leading figure of Neturei Karta, an organization within the
Orthodox Jewish community which represents hundreds of thousands of
Orthodox Jews around the world, said: “We are in total opposition to
the Zionists’ views of the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque. It is clearly
forbidden according to the Torah and the rabbinical authorities.”