Month: September 2006

CO-CHAIRS MET WITH AZERI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

Today, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2006

Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, who are mediating in the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, are expected to visit the region
soon.

They discussed their visit to the region in private meetings with
Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and
Vartan Oskanian yesterday.

The discussions also focused on removing current obstacles for further
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The meeting with Armenian foreign minister covered current phase
of the negotiating process and discussion of raising of the GUAM
"frozen conflicts" at UN General Assembly.

The co-chairs are expected to meet with OSCE authorities in Helsinki
this week. They will report on the present situation of the settlement
of the conflict, APA reports.

URL:

ARMENIAN FM DISCUSSED PROSPECTS OF THE REGULATION OF NK PROBLEM WITH OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS

TREND, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2006

On September 26, the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
discussed with the Co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group the prospects of
regulating the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, "Novosti-Armenia" News Agency
reported quoting the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the present stage of
the negotiation process regarding the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, with regards to including in the agenda of the U.N. General
Assembly, the proposals of the GUAM countries regarding the prolonged
conflicts, Trend reports.

The sides also touched upon the possibility of resuming negotiations.

In addition Oskanyan plans to hold meetings with the U.S Deputy
Secretary of State, Nicolas Burns, and the Chairman of the
U.N. Assembly, General Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa.

The Armenian Foreign Minister is participating at the 61st session
of the U.N. Assembly General in New York.

GEORGIA AIMS TO RESOLVE "FROZEN" CONFLICTS BY FORCE – BORDYUZHA

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Sept 27 2006

DAGOMYS, September 27 (Itar-Tass) – The Georgian leadership aims at
"resolving so-called frozen conflicts by force," Secretary General
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Nikolai Bordyuzha said.

"I have no doubts whatsoever on this account," Bordyuzha said at the
11th "All Russia-2006" forum on Wednesday, "the Georgian leadership’s
actions, especially its Defense Ministry’s, are aimed at aggravating
the situation."

"Georgia is seeking to join NATO, but cannot realize this wish until
the "frozen conflicts" have been settled. Its leadership therefore is
counting to achieve the solution of the South Ossetian and Abkhazian
problems at all costs, including by using force," he underlined.

Tbilisi should understand that the use of force will expand the
conflict, "which will affect not only Georgia but also Armenia and
Russia. How can it be quenched afterwards?" Bordyuzha went on to say.

In his view, the main thing now is not to rush things, in order to
prevent the worsening of the conflict situation.

"One should understand that Georgia will never change its geographic
position and will remain Russia’s neighbor. Rulers come and go,
while peoples and neighboring states remain. One should think not
about his wishes of the present moment, but extrapolate his actions
for a long-term perspective. It appears the Georgian leadership lacks
such an understanding," the CSTO secretary general underlined.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT GIVES INTERVIEW FOR QATARI TV CHANNEL
Author: A.Ismayilova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2006

On 27 September Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev gave an interview
for correspondents of Qatari television channel Al-Jazeera, Abdulmun
Salim Adil and Khuda Khalil Rakhmay, Trend reports.

The President spoke about ex-President Heydar Aliyev’s services in
the establishment of modern Azerbaijan, Armenian aggression, ways
for resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Azerbaijani President also touched upon the economic development
of the country, foreign policy and Azerbaijan’s position in the
international community.
From: Baghdasarian

CONGRESS OF TURKIC STATES

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2006

Nazim Ibrahimov: "This arrangement fulfilled its important historic
function"

"10th Congress of Turkic States was very important step on the path
to consolidation of Turkic States. One could say that it has already
fulfilled its important historic function," informed Nazim Ibrahimov,
a chairman of the State Committee for the work with Azerbaijanis
living abroad.

It is appropriate mention that 10th Congress of Turkic States
was held in Anatolia. Attended the arrangement as a member of
Azerbaijani delegation Nazim Ibrahimov informed about its activity
and importance. He said that the participation of the President of
the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the congress once more
proves that how friendship and cooperation with Turkic States is
important for our State: "Azerbaijani President’s speech concerning
holding joint forum of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas next year,
recommendations concerning joint activity aiming to prevent Armenian
propaganda and other addresses to conferees met response. I think that
the joint forum scheduled for next year will reinforce the cooperation
between Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas and create the opportunities
for their joint activity," emphasized N. Ibrahimov.

Committee Chairman stated that to date Azerbaijani Diasporas operating
in different countries worldwide and Diasporas of Turkic States are
close cooperating. According to N. Ibrahimov, their joint activity
can impact positively upon common cause: "First forum of Diasporas
scheduled for next year will discuss work done since ever and determine
future perspectives of cooperation. Senior officials of Azerbaijan
and Turkey will attend the forum. Taking into consideration their
recommendations steps for further development of collaboration between
both states’ Diasporas will be taken."

Committee chairman added that all measures to hold high level forum
will be taken. As N. Ibrahimov informed, the Committee met with the
representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas arrived in our
country, and different countries. According to him, during a Congress
different commissions in which attended Azerbaijani delegation were
established: "The Congress fulfilled its historical function. At the
arrangement the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkish
Prime-Minister attended. The Congress was an important step for
consolidation of Turkic Diasporas. On the other hand, Azerbaijani
President’s speech made at the arrangement once more proved that he
is one of the leaders of Turkic world."

–Boundary_(ID_aZrpSZGaaDKM5lP44/n8u A)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR FM: "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE ISSUE CONCERNING FATE OF THE WHOLE NATION WITHOUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ITS OWN OPINION"

Regnum, Russia
Sept 27 2006

On September 26, Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan
received UK Parliament’s House of Lords Deputy Speaker, Humanitarian
Aid Relief Trust Chairwoman, Baroness Caroline Cox, who arrived
in Stepanakert as head of delegation of British and American
philanthropists.

As REGNUM is informed at NKR foreign ministry press office, opening
the meeting, the NKR foreign minister expressed readiness to support
programs, fulfilled by American and British philanthropists in
Nagorno Karabakh in every possible way. Being requested by the guests,
Georgy Petrosyan characterized the current stage of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement. In particular, the minister expressed his anxiety
in connection with Azerbaijan’s attempts to transfer the problem’s
settlement from under the aegis of OSCE Minsk Group to the UN. "We
seriously study arisen situation, draw conclusions in order to make
appropriate steps," the NKR foreign minister stressed. At that, Georgy
Petrosyan stressed, it is impossible to solve question, concerning
fate of the whole people without taking into consideration its own
opinion. "We have played our role for concluding an armistice. Why are
we robbed of right to strengthen peace now?" the NKR minister asked.

Responding to question on relations with Armenia, Georgy Petrosyan
stressed: "Armenia is guarantor of NKR independence and safety. As
for an aspect of political relations, principle of non-interference is
kept by the both republics." Speaking about ceaseless information war,
the minister paid attention to a stir, created by Baku in connection
with fires in border zone. "We addressed to OSCE, proposing to
conduct monitoring, aimed at receiving unbiased opinion on happening
events. Republican authorities are ready to receive international
experts and to show them everything, in which they interest in,"
the NKR FM head stressed. Georgy Petrosyan expressed hope that the
delegation’s members will gain unbiased insight on Nagorno Karabakh
and share appropriate information in their fields.

BILGEHAN: TURKISH PEOPLE WILL NEVER ACCEPT FALSE "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" CLAIMS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2006

"Turkey will face pressures for the false "Armenian genocide"
till Armenia gives up its groundless claims. The main thing here
is Turkey’s demonstrating decisiveness and rejecting the baseless
claims once and for all," member of Turkish parliamentary delegation
to PACE, CHP parliamentarian Gulsun Bilgehan told the APA’s Turkey
bureau exclusively.

The parliamentarian said there some shortfalls in the work to prove
groundlessness of the false claims of "Armenian genocide".

"Despite certain measures, the report of the European Parliament
showed there still some shortfalls in this field. This is due to the
unstable activity of the authorities. The French experience showed
that pretenders go back when they encounter a severe reaction. For
instance, France rejected its bill on recognition of the false
"Armenian genocide". We’ll continue our struggle if the similar bill
is on the agenda. I think the authorities make some mistakes and do
not work efficiently regarding this matter," she said.

Ms.Bilgehan stressed that the Turkish people will never accept the
false "genocide" claims.

"The Turkish people will never accept these claims. All must know
this. We are not going to enter the European Union by accepting a
false claim," she stressed.

Gulsun Bilgehan is Turkey’s second President Ismet Inonu’s
granddaughter.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DUTCH POLITICAL PARTIES SCRAP CANDIDATES WHO DENY WWI MASSACRE OF ARMENIANS WAS GENOCIDE

International Herald Tribune, France
The Associated Press
Sept 27 2006

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands The two largest Dutch political parties
have scrapped ethnic Turkish parliamentary candidates who refuse to
acknowledge the mass killings of Armenians during World War I amounted
to genocide.

The candidates include Ayhan Tonca of the governing Christian Democrat
Party. Tonca is one of the country’s most prominent Muslim politicians
and is chairman of an umbrella organization of Islamic groups known
as CMO.

The Christian Democrats also retracted the candidacy of Osman Elmaci,
and the opposition Labor Party ended the candidacy of Erdinc Sacan.

In their platforms ahead of next month’s election, both parties have
staked out positions on Turkey’s possible entry into the European
Union, a divisive issue around the continent.

The Labor Party has adopted a view shared by others in Europe that
Turkey should be required to recognize the killings as genocide before
it can be allowed to join the EU.

Whether the mass killings of a million or more Armenians in the last
years of the Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago constituted a genocide
has been the subject of academic and political debate.

The Netherlands and most European governments consider it a genocide.

Turkey and many Turkish scholars, and others, vehemently deny the
deaths resulted from systematic slaughter, saying the death toll of
1.5 million is wildly inflated and that both Armenians and Turks were
killed in fighting during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

The U.S. government has shied away from using the word "genocide"
to define the killings.

Earlier this month the European Parliament voted for the inclusion
of a clause requiring Turkey "to recognize the Armenian genocide as
a condition for its EU accession."

Though their parliamentary runs were ended, the three politicians were
not expelled from their parties. None could immediately be reached
for comment Wednesday.

Tonca and Elmaci had initially said they would assent to the Christian
Democrat Party’s official position acknowledging the killings as
genocide, but both later denied they shared that view in an interview
with a Turkish newspaper.

"As a result of an interview in the Turkish paper Sabah, a discussion
took place between the party and Mr. Elmaci and Mr. Tonca," the
CDA said in a statement. "In this discussion it was determined that
there is a structural difference of opinion over recognition of the
Armenian Genocide."

It said the men would not be candidates and thanked them for their
services.

Labor’s Sacan had never accepted his party’s position accepting the
genocide as a fact.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands The two largest Dutch political parties
have scrapped ethnic Turkish parliamentary candidates who refuse to
acknowledge the mass killings of Armenians during World War I amounted
to genocide.

The candidates include Ayhan Tonca of the governing Christian Democrat
Party. Tonca is one of the country’s most prominent Muslim politicians
and is chairman of an umbrella organization of Islamic groups known
as CMO.

The Christian Democrats also retracted the candidacy of Osman Elmaci,
and the opposition Labor Party ended the candidacy of Erdinc Sacan.

In their platforms ahead of next month’s election, both parties have
staked out positions on Turkey’s possible entry into the European
Union, a divisive issue around the continent.

The Labor Party has adopted a view shared by others in Europe that
Turkey should be required to recognize the killings as genocide before
it can be allowed to join the EU.

Whether the mass killings of a million or more Armenians in the last
years of the Ottoman Empire nearly a century ago constituted a genocide
has been the subject of academic and political debate.

The Netherlands and most European governments consider it a genocide.

Turkey and many Turkish scholars, and others, vehemently deny the
deaths resulted from systematic slaughter, saying the death toll of
1.5 million is wildly inflated and that both Armenians and Turks were
killed in fighting during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

The U.S. government has shied away from using the word "genocide"
to define the killings.

Earlier this month the European Parliament voted for the inclusion
of a clause requiring Turkey "to recognize the Armenian genocide as
a condition for its EU accession."

Though their parliamentary runs were ended, the three politicians were
not expelled from their parties. None could immediately be reached
for comment Wednesday.

Tonca and Elmaci had initially said they would assent to the Christian
Democrat Party’s official position acknowledging the killings as
genocide, but both later denied they shared that view in an interview
with a Turkish newspaper.

"As a result of an interview in the Turkish paper Sabah, a discussion
took place between the party and Mr. Elmaci and Mr. Tonca," the
CDA said in a statement. "In this discussion it was determined that
there is a structural difference of opinion over recognition of the
Armenian Genocide."

It said the men would not be candidates and thanked them for their
services.

Labor’s Sacan had never accepted his party’s position accepting the
genocide as a fact.

PRESIDENT’S ADVISER: INSTITUTE FOR FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION MUST NOT BECOME A WINDOW FOR IT

Panorama.am
17:26 26/09/06

"A state institute established to combat corruption first of all
must protect the rights of citizens on legal basis and must not
develop into a new window to bolster corruption," Vahram Nersisiants,
economic adviser of the Armenian president, told reporters today
while presenting the results of an annual meeting of International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) in Singapore.

In his words, the gathering paid special attention to corruption
and its effective administration. The participants underscored the
creation of a database.

Such information should contain specific cases instead of general
impressions, World Bank officials think.

Nersisyants said IMP and WB will draft a paper based on the
considerations of the gathering.

According to a recent WB report, the situation with corruption
deteriorated in Armenia in 2005. The source says that tax
administration has become more corrupt.

Thus, more companies pay bribes while registering or paying
taxes. Corruption is reported as the major impediment in Armenia for
the development of small and mid size businesses.

OWNERS OF ALIENATED HOUSES DEMAND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE BILL

Panorama.am
18:18 26/09/06

People gathered in front of National Assembly demanded public hearings
of the law on alienation of property for public and state needs while
the parliament was discussing it. The extraordinary session was held
at the initiation of the executive. Grigor Harutunyan, secretary
of Justice Block, thinks if the text is not going to be changed
then the title must change into "Law on alienation of property for
team and authority needs." Hmaiak Hovhannisyan, independent deputy,
also thinks that any oligarch can buy the property which will be
alienated. Justice Minister Davit Harutunyan referred to European
Court practice saying that private physical entities may also buy
the property if there is a "public interest." He also assured that
the bill envisages "protection mechanisms so that the damage to the
owner will be minimal." The executive has also included a provision
in the bill upon the suggestion of the United Nations which says
compensation against property must be 10% higher than the market
price instead of previous 5%.

An owner, however, complained that $41850 was paid against 115.6
sq. meter space at 9 Buzand address, which is not enough to buy
another flat. Ms. Knarik said her 6-person family is living on rent
for a year now.