Los Angeles Times
September 8, 2004 Wednesday
Home Edition
‘Komitas’ reawakened;
Anna Djanbazian brings back to life her ballet about the revered
Armenian, inspired by ‘the idea of survival … and not giving up.’
by Victoria Looseleaf, Special to The Times
Do a Google search for Komitas and more than 9,000 entries pop up.
The revered Armenian historical figure, who was born in Asia Minor in
1869 as Soghomon Soghomonian, assumed the name Komitas a quarter of a
century later, when he was ordained as a monk in the Armenian church.
But his work as a composer — more than 4,000 songs in Armenian,
Kurdish, Arabic and Persian, as well as numerous instrumental works
— is what made his reputation.
Add to this the facts that Komitas went insane after Turkey began
carrying out the Armenian genocide in 1915 and that he spent two
decades in mental hospitals before dying in Paris, and it’s easy to
see why a performing artist would be drawn to his story. Indeed,
Iranian-born dancer-choreographer Anna Djanbazian has been fascinated
with him for many years. In 1982, she created a two-act ballet,
“Komitas, Kroong Bnaver (Komitas, Banished but Not Forgotten),” in
Iran. The production featured 45 dancers, with Djanbazian as the
female lead opposite her husband in the title role.
Now, her locally based Djanbazian Dance Company is about to breathe
new life into this contemporary dance drama when it receives its U.S.
premiere this weekend at the Glendale Community College Theatre. But
its creator, 52, no longer performs, and she says her original vision
has been affected by time and by her own life struggles.
The new production was inspired by “the idea of survival and being
here and working, and not giving up,” explains Djanbazian, who
received a master’s in choreography from UCLA in 1990 and founded her
troupe in 1992. She also says that the more than 20 years she had to
think about the ballet nurtured its evolution. “The world has
changed, and the way people look at things. Also, my life and tastes
changed. The steps are not exactly the same, but Komitas’ story is,
which I wanted to introduce through his spiritual fragility and
struggle, through my eyes.”
Djanbazian’s eyes have taken in a lot. Her father, Sarkis Djanbazian,
was a renowned dancer-choreographer who in 1942 founded the first
classical ballet school in Iran. Born in Russia, he had studied dance
in St. Petersburg, but after the government arbitrarily expelled him
in 1937, he resettled his family in Tehran. Anna began dancing at 3;
her father died of a heart attack eight years later, in 1963. Her
mother, however, maintained the Djanbazian Dance Academy while
sending the teenage Anna to Russia for five years to continue her
training.
Djanbazian mounted “Komitas” in Tehran in 1982 in part to celebrate
the academy’s 40th anniversary.
“I loved Komitas’ ideology and his approach toward life. His music
was mesmerizing,” she says. But in her experience, that music “was
usually presented by scholars through lecture demonstrations and
recitals. Very rarely was dance set to it.”
She says Armenians have long considered Komitas’ music “a song of the
people,” and so she chose various tunes and instrumental works —
from religious and children’s songs to lively peasant and wedding
airs — as much for their emotional content as for their melodies.
There was one problem: Iran was in chaos under the reign of Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini. “We were in the disaster of revolution,” she
recalls, “and I was working underground, with the fear of the
government interrupting. We had several incidents when they barged in
and were looking for things — going over my costumes, pictures,
books. It was terrible.”
The show did go on, but within two years Djanbazian had closed the
school and moved to Los Angeles with her mother. In 1988, she honored
her heritage by opening a Djanbazian Dance Academy in Glendale. Now
located in La Crescenta, the school has 100 students, 22 of whom are
in Djanbazian’s company and will perform in “Komitas.” She hopes
eventually to take the evening-length work to Armenia, where her
troupe toured for three weeks last year.
Her father’s dances continue to figure prominently in her life. Two
years ago, she earned a local Lester Horton Dance Award for restaging
his “Memento (An Uzbek Dance),” and last year she received a Horton
for costume design for “What Is Inside Every Woman.”
“God gave me a good memory,” says Djanbazian, whose own dance
creations, she says, number about 80. “Since I was watching his class
when I was very little, all the students came to me to know their
next steps. That became a habit — to learn everything.”
Unfortunately, routine of a sadder stripe has also followed
Djanbazian. In 1996, her husband died, and four years later she fell
ill with cancer, which was what forced her to stop dancing.
“It gave me a chance to look at life differently,” she says. “And if
I can get back my energy, I’m going to perform. Not like before, but
differently.” Until then, Djanbazian’s creativity infuses “Komitas,”
featuring 25-year-old Arsen Serobian in the title role. A guest
artist with Djanbazian’s troupe, he was born in Armenia and has
danced with companies including the Moscow Ballet Theatre and the
Moiseyev Dance Company.
“I knew about Komitas from school,” Serobian says. “I love his
music.” Portraying first a monk, then a musician and finally an exile
in the throes of a breakdown (in a haunting solo) is “like going back
to that time and experiencing his pain and his love.”
Iranian-born Ani Grigorian, 21, a student of Djanbazian’s since she
was 7, will dance the role the choreographer made for herself. “We go
through a lot of emotions when we dance our people’s history,”
Grigorian says. “We lived through hard times and tragedy, but we
survive with a sense of pride.”
“Komitas” depicts Turkish forces’ 1915 slaughter of Armenians from
eastern Turkey as a tableau of chest-pounding angst, with
backward-bending dancers ending as crumpled heaps. Like Djanbazian’s
own saga, though, the drama concludes on a hopeful note.
“I show how people get stronger because of Komitas,” says Djanbazian.
“The libretto ends with this resurrection, with all of the people on
their feet.”
*
Djanbazian Dance Company
Where: Glendale Community College Theatre, 1500 N. Verdugo Road,
Glendale
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (pre-show lecture by Arto
Tchakmakchian at 7:15 p.m.); 5 p.m. Sunday (pre-show lecture at 4:15
p.m.)
Price: $20 to $40
Contact: (818) 580-2170
GRAPHIC: PHOTO: PREPARATION: A reflection of Ani Grigorian, left,
Narinea Ghazarians, Arsineh Ananian and Arsen Serobian rehearsing.
PHOTO: IN SYNC: “Komitas,” at the Glendale Community College Theatre,
says Arsen Serobian, right, with Narinea Ghazarians, is “like going
back to that time and experiencing his pain and his love.”
PHOTOGRAPHER: Photographs by Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times

Iranian, Armenian cultures, civilizations enjoy strong bonds: Khatami
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — Visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami
here Thursday said that the Iranian and Armenians cultures and
civilizations have had strong bonds from the dawn of history.
Addressing Armenian scientists, intellectuals, scholars, and
university professors at the State University of Yerevan, he said
Iranians and Armenians have always acted as pillars of civilization
in the Iranian plateau.
“One of the very interesting facts about our common past is that
even the differences in religious creeds, that usually cause serious
cleavage among the people of the same regions, have not been able
to break the bonds of friendship between the peoples of ancient Iran
and Armenia.”
Even during the modern period of nation-state formation, when border
disputes between the old empires and the new states lead to various
forms of territorial and non-territorial disputes, not only there
were no discords between Iran and Armenia, but also the ties between
the two countries grew much stronger than ever before, the Iranian
president noted.
As to Iran-Armenia scientific, industrial, political and cultural
cooperation, he said Armenia and Armenians played a great part in
the constitutional revolution of Iran and profoundly supported that
national cause of the Iranians.
The Armenians played an important part in the development and victory
of the Islamic Revolution and in the establishment of the Islamic
Republic by engaging in an epic and memorable struggle in its support,
he added.
The establishment and further development of many new educational,
scientific, and industrial institutions in Iran is indebted to the
worthy measures taken by the people of Armenia, he said adding that
the share of the Armenians in opening up the prospects of modern
development and progress to Iran is of very great significance.
Among Iranians, Armenians are well-known for their honesty, gentleness,
integrity, and love of freedom, he said adding, “Our Armenian
compatriots have always been a party to all our joys and sorrows.”
These have been the root cause of the positive attitude that the
Iranians have towards Armenians, the president said noting, “This
great asset can be utilized by our thinkers and scholars to develop
our better and greater common future.”
Elsewhere in his speech President Khatami underlined the need to
establish a constructive pattern and to create a greater conceptual
understanding between the two nations.
In the process of carrying out Dialogue among Civilizations,
reaching a mutual understanding is of far greater significance
than coming to a common decision and a common viewpoint, he added.
The prerequisite for achieving a mutual understanding of course is
nothing but expanding mutual contacts, the president said adding that
contact is the prerequisite for the materialization of dialogues.
President Khatami further expressed his pleasure for witnessing that
the scientific and cultural relations between Armenia and Iran have
taken the form of a very orderly dialogue, and that certain aspects
of each civilization and culture have become subject of discussion and
the means of establishing further cooperation. The special attention
paid by Armenian universities to the teaching of the Persian language,
and the outstanding participation of Iranian professors and students
in the educational environments in Armenia is a manifestation of
the determination of both nations to expand bilateral relations,
he reiterated.
“We should have no doubt whatsoever that this expansion of relations
will lead to the establishment of a deeper mutual understanding and to
the safeguarding of the historical assets which the two civilizations
have inherited,” the president concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri embassy in Georgia denies Armenian servicemen entry visas
Bilik Dunyasi news agency
8 Sep 04
Baku, 8 September: The Azerbaijani embassy in Georgia has refused to
issue entry visas to Baku to the Armenian servicemen who are planning
to take part in NATO exercises [on 13-26 September].
“The Armenians have already appealed to the embassy, but we are not
going to accept their request,” the Azerbaijani ambassador to Georgia,
Ramiz Hasanov, has said.

Iranian president visits Armenian genocide complex
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
9 Sep 04
[Presenter] The second day of the Iranian president’s official visit to
Armenia started with a visit to Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian genocide
memorial complex. The Iranian president paid tribute to the genocide
victims and laid flowers on the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex.
[Correspondent over video of the ceremony of laying flowers on
the genocide memorial] Iranian President Mohammad Khatami visited
Tsitsernakaberd this morning and paid tribute to the victims of
the 1915 genocide. The director of the genocide museum said that
the Iranian president’s visit to Tsitsernakaberd is a historical
event. The director presented the Iranian president with books on
the history of the Armenian genocide.
[Passage omitted: The report lists the leaders of Muslim countries
who visited the genocide complex in the past and the countries that
have recognized the genocide]
In violation of the established rule, the Iranian president was allowed
to travel around the complex by car due to his poor health. A similar
exception was made only for Pope John Paul II.
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II will receive the Iranian
president at the Holy See of Echmiadzin today.
Tatevik Nalbandyan, “Aylur”.

Iranian president’s speech brings boycotting Armenian opposition to parliament
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
8 Sep 04
[Presenter] Speaking in the Armenian National Assembly today,
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami expressed his opinions on
democracy. Opposition MPs were also present at the meeting despite
their continued boycott of parliamentary sessions.
[Correspondent, over video of meeting in the National Assembly]
Extending a warm welcome to the Iranian president, the speaker of
the Armenian parliament, Artur Bagdasaryan, expressed hope that his
visit will give a new impetus to the development of Armenian-Iranian
relations.
[Artur Bagdasaryan, captioned] The achievements that our two countries
have made in the political and economic sphere, in education, science,
culture and in the spheres of economy and energy contain a great
potential for development. We are sure that after your visit these
relations in all the fields will be developed.
[Correspondent, over video of Khatami in parliament] The Iranian
president’s speech in the Armenian National Assembly was devoted to
globalization processes and development of democracy. The president
stressed that for the development of democracy it is necessary to
study and analyse the moral aspects of democracy. Those new world
processes which are the result of globalization have created a need
to once again define and explain the concept of democracy which
will prevent a collapse of democracy and restrict the development of
inhumane approaches, the Iranian president said.
He noted that Iran and Armenia have a potential as well as a rich
historical past and a basis for regional cooperation and cooperation
on the international arena. The Iranian president went on to add
that his country is ready and intends to expand bilateral relations
with Armenia, promote the settlement of the regional conflicts and
achievement of peace, stability and cooperation in the region.
Mohammad Khatami’s speech in the National Assembly brought members
of all political parties to the session hall.
[Stepan Demirchyan, leader of the Justice opposition bloc, captioned]
We did not declare a boycott against the Iranian Republic. This is a
tribute of respect and we attach great importance to Armenian-Iranian
relations and hope that this visit will promote a further development
of these relations.
[Correspondent] All the members of the parties of the National Assembly
outlined the importance of strengthening Armenian-Iranian relations.
[Galust Saakyan, the chairman of the Republican Party faction,
captioned] Our policies are complementary. We have to note that
during these 14 years the first friendly visits and cooperation which
were important for Armenia have all been connected with Iran. This
cooperation is mutually beneficial not only for Armenia and Iran but
for the whole region.
[Armen Rustamyan, Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly’s standing
commission for foreign relations, captioned] This is an important
and at the same time a historic visit because since the establishment
[of independence] we have had very good relations with Iran. We have
never serious problems with Iran. We always try to develop relations
and cooperation with Iran and of course there is a great potential
which we did not yet use. In particular, Iran’s role in regional
issues is very important.

Iran, Armeniapresidents stress consolidation of ties
IRNA, Iran
Sept 9 2004
Yerevan, Sept 9, IRNA — Iran and Armenia here Thursday issued a joint
communique expressing strong readiness to consolidate friendly ties
and fruitful bilateral cooperation in all fields.
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 sides stressed the need for high level
of Tehran-Yerevan ties which are based on deep-rooted friendship
between the two nations.
The sides called for continuation of regular consultation between
the two countries` state bodies.
During President 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 understanding and mutual respect.
The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and international
developments.
Khatami and Kocharian assessed as very good the outcomes of 5th
meeting of Iran-Armenia joint economic commission and expressed hope
implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between the
two countries and effective activities of the commission would boost
bilateral cooperation between economic sectors and transportation as
well as trade volume.
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 fruitful factors for expansion of regional
cooperation.
The presidents termed the current regional and international
situation as sensitive and welcomed restoration of peace, stability
and sustainable security in the region.
They assessed President Khatami`s initiative of dialogue among
civilizations and consensus among all countries as an effective factor
for consolidation of friendship and understanding between nations.
Iran and Armenia stressed the important role of the United Nations and
other international organizations in strengthening peace and security.
The sides also exchanged views on campaign against terrorism,
organized crimes and narcotics and hallucinogenic drugs and expressed
determination to adopt measures to counter them.
President Mohammad Khatami arrived here 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.

Turkish envoy says Azerbaijan should grant visas to Armenian officers
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
9 Sep 04
[Presenter Namiq Aliyev] The Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan,
Ahmet Unal Cevikoz, believes that official Baku should grant visas
to the Armenian officers to take part in the NATO exercises [on 13-26
September]. He explains his position by the Azerbaijani government’s
commitments to NATO.
[Cevikoz speaking to journalists in Turkish] The Armenians’ involvement
in the Azerbaijan-hosted exercises is a very sensitive issue. But
one should bear in mind that after joining the Partnership for Peace
Programme, Azerbaijan made commitments regarding its relations with
NATO. One of these commitments is to give an opportunity to all NATO
members and partners to take part in exercises on its territory. If
Armenia wants to observe the Azerbaijan-hosted exercises and has
appealed over the issue, Azerbaijan should provide this opportunity.

Azeri authorities sanction anti-Armenian protest
ANS TV, Baku
9 Sep 04
The Baku executive authorities have replied in the affirmative to the
request of the United People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party to hold a
protest against the arrival of Armenian servicemen who are planning
to visit Azerbaijan to participate in exercises to be held in Baku
within the framework of NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme [on
13-26 September].
However, minor changes have been made. The Baku authorities gave
permission to the party to hold the protest not outside the Nariman
Narimanov cinema as requested, but near the Xatai underground station
outside the Xatai culture centre. The sanctioned protest, which is
expected to be attended by thousands of people, is to start at 1200
[0700 gmt] on 12 September.
The party’s chairman, MP Qudrat Hasanquliyev, has told ANS that a
group of MPs will not join the Milli Maclis [parliament] session
tomorrow in protest against the Armenian servicemen’s expected
visit to Baku. These are Qudrat Hasanquliyev, Alimammad Nuriyev,
Rufat Agalarov and Mais Safarli. Talks are under way with other MPs,
and the list is likely to expand.
From: Baghdasarian

Azeri TV says Armenian officers’ visit undermines state sovereignty
ANS TV, Baku
5 Sep 04
The Azerbaijani commercial TV station ANS has lashed out at
the government for not putting up “serious resistance” to NATO’s
pressure to host Armenian officers at the upcoming exercises on 13-26
September. In its weekly analytical programme, ANS editor in chief
Mirsahin said that “thousands of Azeris will probably meet them, not to
welcome, but to prevent this visit”. Speaking about the West’s stance
on this issue, he said that “Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia do not
exist for NATO as independent states, there is the South Caucasus
state”. Describing TV’s position as a call to nearly wage a war,
Mirsahin spoke about the possibility of a wider action of protest
by media outlets which could suspend “their activity on a long-term
basis”. The following is an excerpt from report by Azerbaijani TV
station ANS on 5 September:
[Presenter Mirsahin] There are no people in Azerbaijan who demand
Armenians’ withdrawal from the occupied lands in exchange for hostages’
lives. That is good. Azerbaijan has [leader of the Karabakh Liberation
Organization] Akif Nagi, but he and his team are already in jail.
A new political season has started. The authorities began this season
with the old team with the exception of a few replacements. National
Security Minister Namiq Abbasov has been ousted from the team, while
the well-forgotten member of the old team [ex-Foreign Minister] Hasan
Hasanov and relatively-forgotten [former ambassador to China] Tamerlan
Qarayev have been returned to the old team [appointed ambassadors to
Hungary and India, respectively]. Describing this as a move towards
national reconciliation, the president has called for an end to enmity
and malice. Here we should emphasize that Mr Aliyev’s proposal is
not new. The head of state has made three initiatives of this kind to
society since last September. We hope that the president’s proposal
will make an interesting turn in the political season.
As far as the opposition is concerned, it is quite weak in the
beginning of the new academic year. One could also describe the
situation in this camp after the presidential elections [15 October
2003] as a loss of balance. From this viewpoint, the summer was
favourable for the authorities’ opponents: a few round tables, a few
interviews and a few statements of local importance. This is a result
of the traditional opposition’s activity in summer that could not be
described as a danger for the incumbent authorities.
There is another interesting point here. Given the weakening of
the traditional opposition, the establishment of a new opposition
movement is gaining momentum. An idea that unites the new opposition
has to do with Azerbaijan’s vital problem, that is the restoration of
its territorial integrity. That is why, the entire nation and every
citizen fully and unanimously accept it. For this reason, this new
movement could be more dangerous for the authorities. This movement
is not without prospects although at first glance its leaders look
unpopular and the movement itself seems to be not serious.
The recent processes around the Karabakh Liberation Organization
have proved that any Azerbaijani political organization can gain
political dividends from this problem and take a place in the nation’s
heart. Let us analyse. What has happened in reality? [Passage omitted:
Reported details of protest against Armenian officers’ attendance at
Baku-hosted NATO seminar in June; court ruling against the protesters
was too harsh.]
This court ruling was not accidental. There were factors which made
this verdict necessary. First of all, mass indifference. In other
words, the authorities have received carte blanche to do what they
liked. Then came Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov’s
extremely cold-blooded statement.
[Azimov speaking to journalists] The arrival of two or three men is
not our defeat at all. But if we do not let them in, this is not our
victory either.
[Presenter] Then came Baku mayor Hacibala Abutalibov’s refusal
to authorize [anti-Armenian protests]. Then came [deputy chief of
Baku’s Yasamal district police department who was active dispersing
anti-Armenian protesters] Cingiz Mammadov’s club. [Video shows Cingiz
Mammadov brutally beating up a protester.]
Finally, Cingiz Mammadov’s protection at the ministerial level.
[Ramil Usubov, Azerbaijani Interior Minister, speaking to journalists]
I believe that Cingiz Mammadov is too harsh on himself. At the same
time, when he is on duty, he always tries to fulfil his duties. What
people say about him is defamation.
[Presenter] It is interesting, how many years in prison [judge]
Famil Nasibov, [prosecutors] Basir Haciyev and Tofiq Humbatov,
who have sentenced an Azerbaijani to three-five years in prison for
breaking a window of Avropa Hotel [NATO seminar venue], could give
to [Azerbaijani officer] Ramil Safarov who has been arrested and
charged with killing an Armenian officer in Hungary? Perhaps, capital
punishment or life sentence. This court ruling openly demonstrated
that the Azerbaijani court system is not independent and it even can
pass verdicts which are against Azerbaijan’s national interests. But
this already goes beyond all bounds, this oversteps the limits of a
crisis in the court system or this is a logical end of the situation
when the court system is based on telephone calls and orders.
All this should be probably and mostly about the fact that these
tendencies pose an extremely serious threat to Azerbaijan’s
independence. It is possible that one day NATO or the OSCE could
do anything in Azerbaijan against its people’s will. Not one, but
100,000 Armenians could come to Azerbaijan under the aegis of these
organizations. But we, the owners of this land, have to continue
grazing calmly. Sorry, this country is not a pasture. It used to
be a land of fire. When making the following statement, the head of
Azerbaijan, where interests of the USA, Russia and Iran are present,
perhaps wants to explain this.
[Ilham Aliyev, speaking to journalists] If you look at other
former Soviet republics, you can see that most of them have limited
opportunities to conduct an independent policy. There are different
factors here: political, geographical, economic and others. But
Azerbaijan lives as a fully independent state. This independence is
our priority.
[Presenter] True, what Azerbaijan has done for the West exceeds
what the West has done for Azerbaijan because when Azerbaijan does
something for the West, it does this precisely for the West. But when
the West does something for Azerbaijan, it does this precisely for the
West. Azerbaijan has sent its soldiers and officers to Afghanistan
and Iraq probably because it wants them to enter Nagornyy Karabakh
some time. But this is not happening yet. In the meantime, Nagornyy
Karabakh has been establishing its orchestra. Russia again plays
the first fiddle in this orchestra. The Armenian prime minister
congratulates the leadership of the separatist regime in Nagornyy
Karabakh on the occasion of another anniversary of this rebellious
entity’s independence, to be more precise, another year of the talks
[as heard].
The West is already inviting the Armenians not only to Baku hotels,
but to military grounds to conduct joint exercises. This is because
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia do not exist for NATO as independent
states, there is the South Caucasus state. From NATO’s viewpoint,
there is a conflict between ethnic Azeris and ethnic Armenians. It
is beneficial to settle it without a headache. That is why, they
have been preparing to send another group of the Armenian military to
Azerbaijan. Thus, if nothing extraordinary occurs in the nation’s gene
within one week, representatives of the Armenian Defence Ministry
will come to Baku on 12 September to take part in the exercises
in Azerbaijan.
On the eve of this visit, which damages our state independence,
Azerbaijani media outlets have signed a joint statement of protest. The
ANS Media & Broadcasting Corporation suspended its broadcasts for
three hours. The overwhelming majority of the country’s newspapers
and news agencies joined this protest and published blank front pages
on Saturday [4 September]. But this is only the beginning. If the
Armenian military are allowed to visit Baku, the media protest will
expand depending on the course of events and this will result in
suspension of their activities on a long-term basis. In any case,
this is a serious warning to the authorities which do not put up
serious resistance to NATO’s pressure and, in doing so, damage state
sovereignty. But if there is no another way out, you should hang
yourself. [Passage omitted: ANS was not always against peace talks.]
We tell you this because we have realized that talking to the Armenians
is idle talk before our president and foreign minister realize
this. That is why, now ANS is nearly openly calling on the nation
to wage a war. We recall all this also because we want that those
who paint ANS as almost racists, understand our current position as
a conclusion. It is not a coincidence that Armenian fugitives Artur
Apresyan and Roman Teryan have come to ANS. Probably because we are
not racists.
But now we are talking about the state’s influence and national
pride. After shame in Xocali and Susa, Kalbacar and Fuzuli, Agdam and
Zangilan, Qubadli and Lacin [occupied districts] we have repeatedly
said that time of revenge for this blood will come. This blood has
been spilt. But if the Armenians come to Baku now, thousands of
Azeris will probably meet them, not to welcome, but to prevent this
visit. For the time being, the Armenians are on one side and Baku on
the other. If anyone does not agree with this, let them send their
sisters to welcome the Armenian military with salt and bread.

Iranian president highlights importance of signed documents in Armenia
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
8 Sep 04
[Presenter] President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad
Khatami is on a two-day official visit in Yerevan at the invitation
of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. [Passage omitted: depiction
of welcome ceremony]
Our region needs stability, Iranian President Khatami said in
Yerevan. He believes that the development of science and education
guarantees security. Khatami spoke more about economic issues
in Armenian-Iranian relations and many of the documents signed in
Yerevan are manifestation of this. The Iranian leader believes that
his country’s policy is designed to build friendly relations with all
its neighbours. Armenian-Iranian relations could be a good example
for those wishing to coexist peacefully.
[Correspondent] The presidents noted the importance of permanent
consultations of the two countries’ legislative and executive
bodies. The protocol of the fifth session of the Armenian-Iranian
commission on economic cooperation, co-chaired by Artashes
Tumanyan [the head of the Armenian presidential administration] and
[Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance] Safdar Hoseyni
was also endorsed. A cultural cooperation programme for 2004-2007
was signed. The memorandum on Armenian-Iranian mutual understanding
stipulates cooperation in the customs and energy sectors. [Passage
omitted: covered aspects of Kocharyan’s speech.]
[Khatami, speaking in Persian with Armenian voice-over] We have
common interests in this region which could overshadow differences
of opinion. If we choose the way leading to peace, we shall manage
to resolve all problems.
[Passage omitted: economic cooperation dominates the agenda.]
[Khatami, with Armenian voice-over] Energy and communications are
signs of a country’s development. The major part of our agreements
covers this sectors. Armenia is on the North-South corridor. The more
opportunities Armenia gets in this project, the more the countries
along this corridor would benefit. The North-South corridor connects
Europe with the Caspian Sea. And the more we cooperate in these two
sectors, the more the region’s development would benefit from this.
[Passage omitted: the presidents spoke about Karabakh, the terrorist
attack in North Ossetia.]