Month: June 2005

UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL: ALLIANCE RECOGNIZES TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND
SOVEREIGNTY OF AZERBAIJAN
YEREVAN, JUNE 25. ARMINFO. NATO recognizes territorial integrity,
independence, sovereignty of all the PfP signatory-states. The
Azerbaijani 525th newspaper reports that NATO Under Secretary General
John Colston made this statement during his meeting with the Personal
Staff of the State Frontier Service of Azerbaijan.
He says that his structure actively cooperates with international
organizations to maintain regional stability in the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijan has chosen the right way to come closer with the
EuroAtlantic union and makes a tangible contribution to development of
international cooperation in the defense sphere, John Colston says. He
expressed gratitude to the leadership of Azerbaijan for progressive
policy of participation in NATO actions in Afghanistan and Kosovo. He
pointed out the large financial expenses the process was connected
with, adding that the alliance was ready to support reforms aiming
Azerbaijan-NATO rapprochement. Special reports will be prepared
shortly reflecting the basic directions of cooperation between the
alliance and Azerbaijan, Colston says.

INTRODUCTION OF DUAL CITIZENSHIP IN ARMENIA TO BECOME THREAT FOR ITS
NATIONAL SECURITY, ULB MEMBERS THINK
YEREVAN, JUNE 25. ARMINFO. If in the draft constitutional reforms of
Armenia the provision on permission of dual citizenship is not
withdrawn or it does not provide for that the persons, who possess the
status of dual citizen does not have the right to elect or to be
elected, then the United Labour Party will call on the society of the
country to vote against this document. ULP leader Gurgen Arsenian
stated during the news conference at the discussion club Azdak,
Saturday.
At the same time Arsenian said he does not care Armenia will be
expelled from the Council of Europe for that or not. “I will not allow
Armenia to become a field for experiments for internal and external
forces”, the ULP leader said. He stressed that the introduction of the
dual citizenship in Armenia may become a threat of national security
of the republic. “Nobody can guarantee that the same situation as in
Abkhazia, where the 80% of the population are at the same time
citizens of Georgia and Russia, will be created in Armenia after the
introduction of the dual citizenship in the republic”, Arsenian
said. According to him, the introduction of the dual citizenship in
Armenia will result in direct interference of foreign states in the
internal affairs of the republic. “The foreign super-powers will
motivate their interference in the internal process of Armenia by that
they defend the interests of their citizens, who at the same time are
citizens of Armenia”, Gurgen Arsenian said.
Arsenian blamed the ruling coalition for that it unwillingly agreed
with the remarks of the Venice Commission, and, at least adopted them
only under the pressure of the united Europe. Arsenian mentioned,
criticizing the ruling coalition he realized that the presidents is
its fourth side. At the same time the leader of the United Labour
Party declared of the draft constitutional amendments are adopted at
the referendum, then their party will obey the will of the people.
However, the ULP will continue explanation work among the society of
the country in order to prove that the revised Constitution does not
meet the interests of the Armenian people.
Arsenian welcomed the decision of the opposition to stop the boycott
and take part in the revision of the draft constitutional amendments,
as the opposition reached a deadlock, from where it can hardly go
out. According to him, inactivity of the opposition depraves the
power. He said in the period of the absence of the opposition at the
parliament the ULP had to fulfill its mission and the mission of
radical opposition. Arsenian said that during the two years of the
boycott the opposition showed the public that it is possible not to go
to work but receive salary.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
25. Juni 2005
Wer Geschichte fälscht, ist verkrüppelt;
“J’accuse” oder “Germinal”? Literatur und Politik in der Türkei
von Ahmet Altan
Wenn ein wichtiger Schriftsteller aus der Türkei einen der
angesehensten Preise der Welt zugesprochen bekommt und dann jemand
aus Deutschland in Istanbul anruft und fragt, wie denn die Reaktionen
auf diesen Preis in der Türkei seien, positiv oder negativ, dann
haben wir offensichtlich ein Problem. Warum fällt einem als erstes
die Frage ein, ob man es in der Türkei als Ausdruck von Freundschaft
oder von Feindschaft versteht, wenn Orhan Pamuk, ein Autor der
allerersten Güte, den Friedenspreis des Deutschen Buchhandels erhält?
Sie fällt einem ein, weil solche Fragen begründet sind. Heute hat in
der Türkei kaum jemand Zweifel an Pamuks literarischer Qualität. Wenn
heute hinterfragt wird, warum er ausgezeichnet wird, wenn ein
Schatten auf diesen Preis fällt, von dem ich glaube, daß ihn Pamuk
wahrlich verdient hat, dann hat Literatur damit nichts zu tun.
Dafür verantwortlich sind der türkische Mangel an Mut, Tatsachen zu
akzeptieren, und die europäische Geringschätzung der Literatur. Die
Türkei ist ein Land, das seinen Kindern seine Geschichte falsch
beibringt. In diesem Land lernt kein Kind in der Schule, daß in einer
vergangenen Zeit Türken Armenier auf eine blutige Reise über die
Schwelle des Todes geschickt haben.
Wenn eines Tages jemand diese Wahrheit in schlichten Worten
ausspricht, sind die ersten Reaktionen unausweichlich der Aufschrei:
“Das ist gelogen!” Wer so schreit, hat auf seine Weise sogar recht,
denn ihm wurde nie etwas von diesen Dingen erzählt. Der ist nämlich
davon überzeugt, daß jemand, der so etwas sagt, ein Feind der Türken
ist. Daß eine ganze Menge Türken glauben, die Welt hasse die Türken,
liegt an der erbärmlichen Unkenntnis ihrer Geschichte, daran, daß sie
unwissend gehalten werden. Das ist der erste Grund für die Reaktionen
auf Pamuks mutige Äußerungen zum Problem der Armenier.
Der andere ist der bedauerliche Mangel an Liebe zur Literatur, der
bei den Europäern in letzter Zeit zu beobachten ist. Europa erweckt
den Eindruck, als messe es Autoren, die außerhalb seines Territoriums
leben, mehr an ihrem politischen Mut als an ihrem literarischen Wert.
Politischer Mut sammelt mehr Applaus als literarischer Wert. Die
Europäer geben ein so seltsames Bild ab, als würden sie, wenn Émile
Zola Pakistani wäre, sein “J’accuse” für wichtiger halten als
“Germinal”.
Kein wahrer Schriftsteller wünscht sich, daß sein politischer Mut
seinen literarischen Wert verdunkelt, sondern findet so etwas
vielmehr beschämend. Aber manchmal werden Schriftsteller mit solchem
Leid konfrontiert, daß sie nicht anders können, als mit einem
Aufschrei die Menschen aufzuwecken, und daß sie versuchen, das
Gewissen der Leute aufzustören, um menschlichen Schmerz zu lindern.
Daß sie das tun, erhöht ihren literarischen Rang nicht; und wenn sie
es nicht tun, wird er nicht gemindert. Sie tun so etwas, weil sie
keine Wahl haben.
Aber daß Europa sein Ohr mehr dem politischen Aufschrei öffnet als
dem feinen Flüstern der Literatur, weckt bei den Leuten Zweifel. Sie
fragen sich: “Interessiert sich Europa für einen Schriftsteller, der
mich kritisiert, weil er die Wahrheit sagt und mich so in
Schwierigkeiten bringt, oder weil es seine Literatur schätzt?” Und
die das Sagen im Lande haben, stacheln solche Verdächtigungen
schamlos auf.
Daß Pamuk diesen wohlverdienten Preis gleich nach der Diskussion um
die Armenier erhält, führt leider zu mißgünstigen Verdächtigungen.
Nicht wenige rümpfen die Nase wegen dieser Auszeichnung und
unterstellen ihr außerliterarische Motive. Ich glaube, dieser Preis
würde Deutsche, Türken und auch Pamuk glücklicher machen, wenn die
Türkei ihrer eigenen Vergangenheit nicht so unwissend gegenüberstünde
und ihre Schriftsteller, die Tatsachen aussprechen wollen, nicht dazu
verurteilte, “mutig zu sein”, und wenn Europa eine Liebe zur
Literatur demonstrierte, die die Leute davon überzeugte, daß sie nur
mit literarischen Maßstäben gemessen wird.
Bedauerlicherweise durchleben wir eine Zeit der Defekte. Jede
Gesellschaft hat ihre eigenen Defekte. Die Türkei ist durch die Lügen
über ihre eigene Vergangenheit verkrüppelt. Europa ist behindert,
weil es mit der Taubheit von jemandem, der seine Kreativität
weitgehend verloren hat, dazu neigt, politischen Heldenmut in anderen
Ländern wichtiger zu nehmen als Literatur. All diese Defekte werden
am Ende in der Literatur gespiegelt.
Ein wertvoller Schriftsteller wie Pamuk, der der Stolz der Türkei
sein müßte, wird mit ungerechtfertigten Unterstellungen gepeinigt,
eine hohe Auszeichnung von Zweifeln überschattet. Es ist nicht
leicht, Defekte schnell zu beheben, aber wenn Europa glaubwürdiger
macht, daß es die Literatur nur als Literatur sieht, dann tut es
etwas dafür, einen so wichtigen Schriftsteller wie Pamuk, der keines
außerliterarischen Maßes bedarf, vom Zwielicht ungerechtfertigter
Anschuldigungen zu schützen.
Aus dem Türkischen von Christoph K. Neumann.
Der Schriftsteller Ahmet Altan wurde 1950 in Istanbul geboren. Auf
deutsch erschien sein Roman “Der Duft des Paradieses”.

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
June 23, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN WELCOMES SUMMER INTERNS TO WASHINGTON
Nearly 40 Participate in DC and Yerevan Intern Programs
Washington, DC – Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian,
together with Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, officially welcomed the
Assembly’s largest summer intern class in a decade on June 22 at
Assembly headquarters in Washington, DC. Some 30 college students,
participants of the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program,
engaged in a lively debate with Assembly leaders on issues ranging from
recognition of the Armenian Genocide to the Nagorno Karabakh peace
process.
“It was a pleasure for me to meet with students from across the U.S.,
Armenia, Canada, and England, who have come to Washington to learn more
about the political process and how they can effectively advocate for
Armenian issues,” said Barsamian. “The students asked thoughtful
questions on a variety of issues, proving that the intern program
continues to attract bright, ambitious students to the Assembly. These
are truly young leaders who will advocate for us in the years ahead.”
Barsamian also added that the longest running Armenian-American
internship program in the U.S. is reaching new heights. The combined
enrollment in the DC and Yerevan programs is at its highest level in
over a decade, with close to 40 students participating this year.
“I appreciated learning more about the Assembly’s efforts to strengthen
the U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh relationships,” said intern Christine
Serdjenian, a student at Brown University. “We all have a vested
interest in seeing Armenia and Karabakh succeed, and our intern class is
eager to do our part in advancing our issues.”
During their time in Washington, students will intern in offices on
Capitol Hill or with government agencies, think tanks and media outlets.
They will also take part in a full schedule of cultural and educational
activities such as the Assembly’s Capitol Ideas and Lecture Series
Programs.
On June 21, for example, the group met with Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) to learn more about the Armenian
Genocide resolution that was introduced in the House of Representatives
last week. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. George Radanovich
(R-CA), together with Congressmen Schiff, Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), calls upon the President to “accurately
characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000
Armenians as genocide.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2005-072
Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the following links:

Caption: Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian, second
from right, and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, far right, met with
Assembly summer interns in Washington on June 22. Liana Zakharyan,
legal assistant to the Consul at the Armenian Embassy, bottom left, also
addressed the group.

Caption: Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), center, during his meeting
with Assembly interns on Capitol Hill on June 21.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse — English
June 25, 2005 Saturday 6:29 PM GMT
Petro-dollars funding big military build up in Azerbaijan: Aliyev
BAKU June 25
Azerbaijan is using revenue from record-high oil prices to fund a
massive increase in military spending, President Ilham Aliyev said
Saturday, warning that the army would be prepared to reconquer the
ethnic-Armenian separatist region of Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijan will spend 300 million dollars (248 million euros) on its
armed forces in 2005, a 70 percent increase over last year, the Azeri
leader said at a ceremony in a military academy.
“The adversary must know that the Azerbaijani army can mobilize at
any moment and liberate the occupied territories,” Aliyev said.
“Spending on the country’s defense force will grow continuously.”
In May, Azerbaijan inaugurated a US-backed pipeline, which will
deliver oil from Caspian Sea oil fields to the Mediterranean and is
expected to generate as much as 160 billion dollars for the country
over the next 30 years.
Analysts say Baku may try to use the money to finance an attempt to
restore control over Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenian forces took control of the mountainous area and seven other
regions in a bitter war in the early 1990s, but Azerbaijan has
refused to give up its claim to the territory.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Die Welt
25 juni 2005
Programmieren in Armenien
Frankreichs Firmen verlagern Mitarbeiter in Billiglohnländer
von Gesche Wüpper
Paris – Firmenchefs in Frankreich haben eine neue Betätigung für sich
entdeckt. Als Reiseveranstalter wollen sie ihren Mitarbeitern zu
Aufenthalten in exotischen Destinationen verhelfen. Völlig selbstlos,
versteht sich. Im Rahmen von Restrukturierungsplänen bieten sie ihren
Mitarbeitern die Weiterbeschäftigung in Billiglohnländern an, zum
ortsüblichen Gehalt. Jüngstes Beispiel ist Lycos France.
Vor kurzem kündigte der Internetanbieter einen Restrukturierungsplan
an: Die Geschäftsführung kündigte 75 der 109 Angestellten in
Frankreich, bot aber gleichzeitig 34 von ihnen eine
Weiterbeschäftigung in Armenien an. Betroffen sind nach
Gewerkschaftsangaben Programmierer, die in Frankreich auf ein
Monatsgehalt von 2000 bis 3500 Euro kommen. In der ehemaligen
Sowjetrepublik können sie nun auf den landesüblichen Lohn von 300 bis
500 Euro pro Monat hoffen. Der dem Betriebsrat vorgelegte Plan sei
falsch interpretiert worden, rechtfertigt sich nun die
Geschäftsführung. Nähere Angaben machte sie nicht.
Lycos Frankreich ist nicht das erste Unternehmen, das in dieser Form
Arbeitsplätze von Frankreich in Billiglohnländer verlagert. Anfang
April hatte Sem Suhner, ein auf die Herstellung von elektronischen
Spulen spezialisierter Mittelständler aus dem Elsaß, neun
Mitarbeitern gekündigt und ihnen einen neue Beschäftigung in Rumänien
angeboten – für 110 Euro im Monat. “In unserem Bereich konkurrieren
mit uns Länder aus dem Osten und Asien, mit Kosten, die außer
Konkurrenz stehen”, hatte sich Unternehmens-Chef Michael White
gerechtfertigt.
Max Sauer, ein bretonischer Pinsel-Produzent, bot 29 Angestellten die
Weiterbeschäftigung auf der Insel Mauritius an, für ein Monatsgehalt
von 117 Euro. Socapex de Dole im ostfranzösischen Jura offerierte
seinen Mitarbeitern Posten in Mexiko oder China zu einem Stundenlohn
von zwei Euro, einen kostenlosen Heimflug pro Jahr inbegriffen.
Erst im vergangenen Jahr hatten die sogenannten Ganoven-Chefs in
Frankreich für Aufsehen erregt. Sie hatten den Produktionsstandort
auch ins Ausland verlegt, allerdings ohne die Mitarbeiter zu
informieren. In einer Nacht- und Nebelaktion hatten sie
Produktionsmaschinen abtransportieren lassen, so daß die Mitarbeiter
morgens vor leeren Fabriken standen.
Das sei menschenunwürdig und skandalös, empören sich französische
Politiker nun über die Stellenangebote von Lycos und Co. Dabei können
die Unternehmen arbeitsrechtlich noch nicht einmal belangt werden.
“Ein Arbeitgeber, der eine betriebsbedingte Kündigung in Betracht
zieht, hat die Verpflichtung, nach einer Weiterbeschäftigung
innerhalb des Unternehmens oder der Gruppe zu suchen ohne
geographische Begrenzung”, sagt der auf Arbeitsrecht spezialisierte
Anwalt Henri-José Legrand. Das sei nicht nur zulässig, sondern sogar
vorgeschrieben, wenn es keine andere Lösung gebe.
Im April 1995 hatte das oberste Gericht zwei dafür entscheidende
Urteile gefällt. Die Arbeitgeber würden ihren Mitarbeitern die
Weiterbeschäftigung in Billiglohnländern nicht aus Zynismus
vorschlagen, meint auch der Arbeitsrechtler Gilles Bélier: “Sie
werden von der Gesetzgebung dazu gezwungen.”

LONDON, June 25 (Reuters)
Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:32 PM BST
Wimbledon-Nalbandian ends Murray’s challenge
By Pritha Sarkar
Argentina’s David Nalbandian clawed back from two sets down for the first
time in his career on Saturday to spike the challenge of British wildcard
Andrew Murray 6-7 1-6 6-0 6-4 6-1 and reach the Wimbledon fourth round.
Former finalist Nalbandian looked to be heading towards the exit after
Murray turned the weight of British expectation to his advantage to grab a
4-2 lead in the fourth set.
But the 18th seed fought back defiantly and used all his experience against
the 18-year-old ranked 312 in the world and who was playing in only his
seventh match on the main tour.
After Nalbandian had levelled the match at two sets apiece, a cramping
Murray, who needed courtside treatment before the start of the fifth set,
ran out of steam and bowed out following three hours and 13 minutes of high
drama on Centre Court.
Although Murray walked out of the famed arena with the sound of deafening
applause ringing in his ears, there was no masking his disappointment.
“He played very good and it was very tough for me in the beginning but I
knew if I could win the fourth, I would win the match,” said Nalbandian.
“He lost this match because of his physical problems and needs to work on
that.”
Murray’s exit also left Britain without a singles competitor in the second
week of the grasscourt championships for the first time since 1991.
For more than 2-1/2 hours, though, Murray looked to be on the brink of
causing another spectacular upset just two days after swatting aside 14th
seed Radek Stepanek.
NOISY FANS
Roared on by the boisterous fans packed into the most famous stage in
grasscourt tennis, the Dunblane teenager left the Argentine shell-shocked
with the ferocity of his groundstrokes.
The moment Murray sealed a two-set lead, the crowd, including actor and
fellow Scot Sean Connery, leapt to their feet to roar their approval.
Murray appeared to take a breather in the third set before once again
turning on the heat in the fourth.
But Nalbandian, sensing Murray’s fatigue, refused to lie down.
He crunched winners past the young Scot to pull back to 4-4 and kept his eye
on the ball to save three more break points in the next game.
That appeared to take the fight out of Murray and his lanky frame let him
down.
Murray’s hopes faded into the twilight and he bowed out with a forehand
error on match point.
“My legs were knackered, I just couldn’t move towards the end. I was annoyed
I couldn’t keep going in the fifth set. My leg just went because I was so
tired,” he said.
The Argentine will run into another teenager on Monday, France’s Richard
Gasquet, as he aims to reach the last eight for the first time since his
runner-up finish in 2002.

A1plus
| 14:43:16 | 25-06-2005 | Politics |
PREMIER- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT
According to the coalition’s draft adopted within the process of
constitutional reform the Prime Minister is rather helpless and can be
defined as the executive director of the government. The coalition’s draft
constitutional amendments has nothing in common with the semi-presidential
government system, this project is typical for the president one. `The most
important question is whether the parliament is empowered to form the
government or not? Besides, whether the President has the right to dismiss
the Prime Minister without the consent of the parliament? If these two
components are absent, the draft proves to be not appropriate to the
semi-presidential government system’, Justice faction secretary Victor
Dallakyan stated.
According to the logic of the semi-presidential government system the
parliament should be entitled to form the government. The opposition has
made the following proposal: once the opposition proposes a nominee for the
post of the Prime Minister, if the parliament does not approve it, the
initiative passes to the National Assembly. However, the coalition’s draft
calls for the following principle: the President has the right to propose
the Prime Minister twice, if the parliament does not ratify it, the
President dissolves the parliament.
`If the President proposes a nominee twice and every time the candidature is
rejected the President dissolves the parliament he uses all the instruments
at hand to form the government, which will be useful for him’, Victor
Dallakyan says. In his opinion, the items, according to which the President
appoints this or that parliament member by the presentation of the Prime
Minister are symbolic, since the President himself appoints or dismissed the
Prime Minister, thus the latter is only a mechanism in the President’s
hands. Consequently, according to the coalition’s draft the government and
the Prime Minister is subordinate to the one, who appoints them, that is to
the President. To note, the semi-presidential system supposes that the
President cannot dismiss the Prime Minister, who enjoys the support of the
parliamentary majority.
For Ramkavar Azatakan extra-parliamentary party there is no particular
difference who appoints the Premier, responsibility is the most important
factor. Party leader Harutyun Harutyunyan noted, `Is we follow the principle
of power division, it is even natural if the President appoint the Prime
Minister. Thus he undertakes the responsibility for the activities of the
government.’
Diana Markosyan

A1plus
| 14:42:49 | 25-06-2005 | Politics |
POLAND’S MODEL THE BEST
Semi-presidential system of state government supposes that the government
should enlist the trust of the parliamentary majority. Consequently the
parliament should take part in formation of the government to efficiently
apply domestic and foreign policy’, special of constitution right Vardan
Poghosyan says. In the states of Eastern Europe the parliament is given a
particular role in the formation of the government. In Slovenia, Bulgaria,
Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro the Prime Minister and Ministers are
elected by the parliament. Another model is applied Romania and Croatia. In
these states the President proposes a nominee for the post of the Prime
Minister after holding consultations with the parliamentary factions.
In Romania the President proposes a candidature after consulting with the
party possessing most seats in the parliament or in case there is not such,
with all the parties presented in the parliament. If after the first
nomination the parliament rejects the government program, the President is
entitled to dissolve the parliament.
In Lithuania the situation is a bit different. The parliament appoints the
Premier and confirms the government program. If after the submission of the
program the Seimas does not issue and decree during 30 days or the
government program is not ratified twice in 60-day term the President can
declare of extraordinary elections. The new Seimas with the support of 3/5
votes can initiate extraordinary presidential election. The President is not
empowered to dissolve the Seimas if the latter does not confirm the nominee
for the post of Prime Minister. The constitutional and legislative power of
Lithuania follows one simple principle – President should propose a nominee,
who will receive support of the parliament. The Seimas can be dissolved only
in case it fails to ratify the government program.
Vardan Poghosyan considers that the Polish Constitution gives the most
precise definition for the process of government formation. `If the Sejm
does not ratify the candidature of the Prime Minister, who is appointed by
the President, and the program submitted by him, the Sejm in entitled to
dissolve the government. If the Sejm does not have the majority, the
President appoint the government proposed by the `minority’. If the newly
formed government received the vote of no confidence, the Sejm is subject to
dissolution.
On Vardan Poghosyan’s opinion, the Polish model is the best one for Armenia,
as it in the best way expresses the logic of the semi-presidential
government system.
Victoria Abrahamyan

Azerbaijan News Service
June 25 2005
PRESIDENT OUTLINES AZERBAIJAN’S MILITARY POWER TO RELEASE OCCUPIED
LANDS ON ARMY DAY CELEBRATION
2005-06-25 16:53
President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev estimates peaceful
talks with Armenia over settlement of Daqliq Qarabaq conflict as
concession by Azerbaijan. `Today they speak of concessions. Holding
peaceful negotiations is the biggest yield from Azerbaijan’s side’,
stated Ilham Aliyev during the graduate ceremony of the High Military
School cadets named after Heydar Aliyev. President assured that
Azerbaijan will recover occupied lands by Armenia. `Peace agreement
will be signed and Azerbaijan will get back occupied territories. Our
position is based on principles of international law. Azerbaijan
enjoys political superiority. Adopted documents and discussion of the
Daqliq Qarabaq conflict at international organizations prove that’.
At the same time Ilham Aliyev pointed out necessity to attach
constant attention to armed forces. `Taking into account that
Azerbaijan is in state of war we must always show care to national
army’, said Ilham Aliyev. Commander in- Chief noted that formation of
the armed forces is one of the priority tasks before the government.
`In 2005 year state budget increased by 35 percent compared to 2004
year. Military spending amounted to 135 million USD in 2003 year, 175
million USD in 2004 and in 2005 year it equals to 300 million USD.
The process to increase military spending will be carried on in
following years too’. President added that in connection with
increase of the 2005 year state budget military spending was also
increased accordingly. `It is connected with dislocation of Russian
army bases from Georgia to Armenia. These bases are not given to
Armenian side but transferred to its territory. However it is
necessary to take adequate steps’, outlined Ilham Aliyev. `At present
Azerbaijan’s army is the strongest in the South Caucasus. We must
strengthen and develop our army. Azerbaijan obtains military
techniques, armament and equipment. The process will be ongoing in
future too. The enemy should know that Azerbaijan can release
occupied territories at any time’, stated Mr. Aliyev. Military parade
was held in the territory of military school.