Khatami stresses expansion of ties with Armenia
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami of Iran here
Wednesday evening underlined the need for further expansion of
Iran-Armenia cooperation.
In a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan, he
stressed that Iran and Armenia share identical views on many regional
and international issues.
He called for promotion of Tehran-Yerevan relations in the energy,
gas and communications sectors and said that bolstering bilateral
ties in those areas would pave the way for expansion of commercial
cooperations among regional states.
The Iranian president further called for settlement of peace in the
entire region and underlined the need to solve the existing problems
facing regional countries.
Turning to vast economic potentials in both Iran and Armenia, Khatami
called for promotion of foreign investments in the two countries.
For his part, the Armenian premier stressed the importance of
Iran-Armenia political ties and lauded the great efforts made by
the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish peace and stability in
the region.
Expressing his satisfaction with the current level of Tehran-Yerevan
political ties, he called for expansion of economic cooperation
between the two countries.
President Khatami, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived here
Wednesday morning on the first leg of a tri-nation regional tour
which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan.
Khatami`s official visit to Armenia is taking place in response to
an official visit by President Robert Kocharian to Iran in 2001.
The visit, it is believed, could open new phases of cooperation
between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and
Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami on this regional tour.

Deep Iran-Armeniaties basis for new relations: Khatami
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Tehran, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami said here Thursday
that deep-rooted ties between Iran and Armenia would be the basis
for establishing new mutual relations in cultural, economic and
social fields.
Addressing Iranians residing in Armenia, Khatami pointed to expansion
of Persian linguistics in Armenia, saying this indicates strong
historical bonds between the two countries.
“The Armenian people have safeguarded their identity particularly
during the 70-year communist rule and Armenians residing in Iran are
present in various fields vigilantly,” he added.
The Armenian government and nation are on the path of progress and
economic, scientific and commercial ties between Tehran and Yerevan
can facilitate development of the two countries.
Prior to President Khatami`s remarks, Iran`s Ambassador to Armenia
Alireza Raeisian presented a report on the status of Iranians residing
in Armenia.

Khatami leaves Yerevan for Belarus
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami wrapped up his
two-day visit to Armenia on Thursday and left for Belarus, seen off
at he Yerevan airport by his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian.
A group of senior Armenian officials were present at the airport to
see off the Iranian president. Before his departure, both presidents
reviewed the guard of honor.
Khatami`s visit to Armenia made in response to Kocharian`s 2001 visit
to Tehran is said to have opened a new chapter in bilateral ties.
During his stay in Yerevan, Khatami met and conferred with Kocharian,
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdarsian and Prime Minister
Andranik Markarian.
In a meeting between visiting President Mohammad Khatami and his
Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian on the final day of Khatami`s
two-day visit to Armenia, the two sides stressed the need for upgrading
the level of Tehran-Yerevan ties which are based on deep-rooted
friendship between the two nations.
The two sides called for continuation of regular consultations between
the two countries` officials.
During Khatami`s visit to Armenia, which took place at the invitation
of Kocharian, the two presidents discussed various aspects
of mutual relations as well as prospects of cooperation in an
atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect. The two sides also
exchanged views on key regional and international developments.
Khatami and Kocharian assessed as very good the outcome of 5th
meeting of Iran-Armenia joint economic commission and expressed hope
that implementation of the memoranda of understanding signed by the
two countries and effective activities of the commission would boost
bilateral cooperation between economic and transportation sectors of
both states and increase volume of mutual trade.
They cited construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, Kajaran tunnel,
hydroelectric power plant on Aras river and a number of other
joint ventures as among factors effective in promoting regional
cooperation.
The two presidents termed the current regional and international
situation as sensitive and welcomed restoration of peace, stability
and sustainable security to the region.
They assessed the Iranian president`s initiative of dialogue among
civilizations and consensus among all countries as an effective factor
for consolidation of friendship and understanding among nations.
Iran and Armenia stressed the important role of the United Nations
and other international organizations in strengthening peace and
security across the globe.
The two sides also exchanged views on the campaign against terrorism,
organized crimes and narcotic drugs and underlined the determination
of their respective countries to counter them. President Mohammad
Khatami arrived in Yerevan Wednesday on the first leg of his regional
tour which will also take him to Belarus and Tajikistan.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Energy Minister Habibollah Bitaraf,
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Safdar Hosseini and
Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying President
Khatami in his regional tour.
Iranian and Armenian economic delegations, in the presence of Mohammad
Khatami and Robert Kocharian here Wednesday signed seven agreements
on energy cooperation.
The contracts envisages mutual cooperation in field of energy,
constructing a wind farm in Armenia, procedure for customs agreement,
financing the laying of a 40 kilometer gas pipeline in Armenia.

Police thwart picket outside German embassy
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2004
Baku, September 8, AssA-Irada
The Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (WAPFP) members held another
action in protest against the planned arrival of Armenian officers to
Baku to attend NATO exercises outside the German embassy on Wednesday.
The police prevented the protesters from approaching the embassy
building.
10 party members were detained and taken to the Sabayil district
police department, including Ali Jafarov, a nominee for additional
parliamentary elections.
The detained protesters were released an hour later. The adviser
to the WAPFP chairman said the party intends to continue pickets in
front of embassies of NATO member-states in Baku.*

NGOs insisting on protest action
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2004
Baku, September 8, AssA-Irada
On Tuesday representatives of 62 NGOs, on the initiative of
the National NGO Forum, discussed the Armenian officers’ planned
participation in the NATO exercises to be held in Azerbaijan shortly
within the Partnership for Peace program.
The participants decided to hold a march on September 11 in protest
against the arrival of Armenian military men in Baku.
However, the Mayor’s Office of Baku did not register and returned
the notification letter it received from the NGO Forum on Wednesday,
explaining it by the fact that the letter was not received within
five days ahead of the protest action, as required.
The organization has further decided to hold the protest action at
4-6 p.m. on September 13 along one of the approved routes.*

Radical group holds protest action in west region
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2004
Baku, September 8, AssA-Irada — Members of the Garabagh Liberation
Organization’s (GLO) branch in Shaki, West Azerbaijan have held
a picket in protest against the planned participation of Armenian
officers in NATO exercises to be held in Baku in September.
The GLO deputy chairman Shamil Mehdi told AssA-Irada that during the
picket arranged close the city’s Cemetery of Martyrs the protesters
showed placards «Shame on those who invite Armenians to Azerbaijan!»,
«Freedom to Garabagh!» and «Release GLO members!».
A statement condemning Armenian officers’ planned visit to Azerbaijan
was issued at the end of the protest action.*

Khatamiterms universities as centers of thoughts
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here Thursday said
universities are the centers of thoughts and champions of dialogue
among civilizations.
“I am happy (the initiative of) dialogue among civilizations has been
welcomed by university professors and students,” Khatami said after
delivering a speech at Yerevan State University.
Human beings faced war, grudge, terror and two world wars over the
past century and terrorism also was expanded in the world, he added.
He noted that dialogue among civilizations seeks the rule of justice
in the world and direct human life towards peace.
The UN General Assembly accepted the initiative in 2001 without
opposition, he said, adding reputable centers have been established
in this regard.
“Although the idea of dialogue among civilizations was put forward in
2001, the anti-peace forces showed reactions including the September
11 events which warmongers filled the world with war and occupation
under the pretext of campaign against terrorism. “But human conscience
is against such actions,” Khatami said. He stressed that Armenia is
among suitable countries to promote dialogue among civilizations.

Khatamistresses scientific exchanges with Armenia
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Tehran, Sept 9, IRNA — President Mohammad Khatami here Thursday
stressed the importance of expanding scientific and cultural exchanges
with Armenia.
In a meeting with President of Yerevan State University Radick
Martirossian, Khatami underlined Iran`s status in various fields of
science and technology as well as existence of reputable universities
in the country.
Martirossian, for his part, said Iran is among the scientifically
advanced countries, adding Armenia can make use of scientific and
technical experiences of Iran in an appropriate way.
He called for establishing ties between the two countries`
universities.
Before delivering a speech at Yerevan State University, President
Khatami met the university`s board of directors.

President Aliyev holds private meeting with OSCE MG French co-chair
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 9 2004
Baku, September 8, AssA-Irada — President Ilham Aliyev visiting
France held a private meeting with Henry Jacolin, the French co-chair
of the OSCE Minsk Group on Wednesday.
Following the meeting Aliyev had a 45-minute talk with Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov.
Declining to elaborate on the meeting, Mammadyarov said the fact
that whether there is progress in talks will be determined after
the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents to be held in
Astana shortly.
The same day, President Aliyev met with Christian Poncelet, Chairman
of the French Senate, on Wednesday. The parties focused on the Upper
Garabagh conflict and discussed economic and political relations
between the two countries.
Later in the day, President Aliyev attended the opening of an
exhibition of works by Azerbaijani artists organized for the first
time at the museum of the French Senate.*
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Iranian president meets Armenian nationalist party leaders
Noyan Tapan news agency
9 Sep 04
Yerevan, 9 September: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, who is
paying an official visit to Armenia, met representatives of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun [ARFD] in the
reception hall of the National Security Service on 9 September. These
are representatives of the party bureau, Grant Markaryan and Armen
Rustamyan, and the chairman of the ARFD faction in parliament,
Levon Lazarian.
Having welcomed the visit of the Iranian president to Armenia,
Markaryan stressed the importance of the visit for the development of
Armenian-Iranian relations and regional policy. Noting the significance
of the agreements and practical programmes signed during the visit,
Markaryan expressed his confidence that the visit would mark a new
stage in the history of centuries-old Armenian-Iranian friendship. He
expressed his hope that the agreements would help expand relations
between the states in the political, economic and cultural spheres.
The information service of the ARFD Supreme Council told Noyan Tapan
that Khatami noted the importance of the role that Armenia and the
Armenian people have been playing in the region and in the dialogue
of civilisations for thousands of years.
Speaking about the ARFD, which is an all-Armenian body, the Iranian
president also stressed its role in uniting the Armenian people living
all over the world, and its role in processes intended to strengthen
national conciliation.