Month: October 2006

PACE CHIEF CRITICIZES CHIRAC GENOCIDE REMARKS

Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Oct 2 2006

The Council of Europe’s parliamentary leader criticized Monday
suggestions by French President Jacques Chirac that Ankara should
recognize World War I era massacres of Armenians as genocide if it
wanted to join the European Union.

"One can’t change the rules in the middle of the game," Council of
Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President Rene van der Linden
told reporters, referring to EU membership conditions for Turkey.

Referring to the French President, who said Saturday that Turkey
needed to come to terms with its Ottoman past, van der Linden said:
"This is not the first time he has changed his mind."

The EU has not made recognizing the 1915-1917 massacres as genocide
a condition for entry into the block, and up until Saturday France
had refused to make a direct link between the two. But when asked
in Yerevan whether the two should be linked, Chirac said "Honestly,
I think so."

"If there are serious questions, we will tackle them but we don’t
add to (existing) conditions," van der Linden said in describing the
procedure for entry into the EU. "If there is a loss of confidence,
we create mistrust then the entire negotiation will suffer," then
lawmaker added.

Founded 60 years ago, the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe is not
part of the European Union.

In a related development, a leading French Socialist who hopes to run
for the presidency said Sunday his party shared Chirac’s view on the
Armenian genocide. "This is also the position of the Socialist Party,"
said former finance minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a contender
for selection as the Socialist candidate for next year’s French
presidential election.

Turkey strongly denies responsibility for genocide, arguing that
300,000 Armenians and at least as many Turks died in an internal
conflict sparked by attempts by Armenians to win independence in
eastern Anatolia.

"We have considered that acknowledgment … of the Armenian genocide
should be made a condition of Turkey’s entry into the EU," Strauss-Kahn
said on television. "There are plenty of other conditions, but this
one is symbolic," he stressed.

France, with 400,000 citizens of Armenian descent, officially
recognized the events as genocide in 2001, putting a strain on
relations with Turkey. Previously, however, France had refused to make
a direct link between the genocide issue and Turkey’s EU membership
bid. The bloc of 25 nations has not made it a condition.

YEREVAN TO CELEBRATE ITS 2788TH ANNIVERSARY OCTOBER 13-14

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 14:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian capital of Yerevan will celebrate its
2788th anniversary this year. As Chief of the Department of Culture,
Sport and Youth of the City Hall Kamo Movsisyan told journalists,
festivities will be held in the capital October 13-14. "10 delegations
will visit the city during the celebration," he said.

The festivities will be full of surprises this year and these will be
held under the personal supervision of Yerevan Mayor Yervand Zakharyan.

The opening ceremony will take place in the National Academic Theater
of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiarov, while the closing will
be in the Sport and Concert Complex after K. Dermichyan October 14,
reports Novosti-Armenia.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BERNAR FASIE: "CHANGING NEGOTIATIONS FORMAT OUT OF QUESTION"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006

OSCE MG co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernar Fasie (France),
Matthew Bryza (USA) have gave a press conference in Baku today,
APA reports.

They regarded the meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as constructive.

Bernar Fasie said their principal aim is to restore direct dialogue
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We have somewhat achieved our aim in the meeting we had in Baku.

Elmar Mammadyarov agreed to meet with Vardan Oskanyan and we hope
Oskanyan to give a positive answer too".

They also tried to make clear "Co-chairs creativity has run out".

"We started mediation mission with new energy after summer holiday.

Our countries consider military solution to the conflict impossible
and make amendments to the settlement principles".

Yuri Merzlyakov said the principles changed in summer. Bernar Fasie
said they will not release the details.

Bryza said he is optimistic about meeting in Baku and hopes for
constructive meetings in Yerevan and Khankendi. Touching on Verdan
Oskanyan’s statement that Garabagh should also join the settlement
process, Fasie said that changing format of the negotiations is out
of question.

He also touched on the journalists’ remark on their calling Khankendi
as Khankendi/Stepanakert.

"We want to make the parties closer by using this form".

Yuri Merzlyakov took a stance on the issue of Lachin and Kalbajar.

"Liberation of Lachin and Kalbajar is an issue which can be discussed
by the Foreign Ministers, we can say nothing until they agree on this
issue".

INAL BATU: "AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY SHOULD TAKE JOINT ACTION AGAINST ARMENIAN IMPUDENCE"

Today, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006

"The European Union countries have been making severe remarks regarding
the sa-called ‘Armenian genocide.’"

"This made both Turkish people and brotherly Azerbaijani people
run out of patience. This is a systematized campaign which aims to
make the Turkish people loose confidence in the European Union and
its targets," Turkish diplomat, parliamentarian from the Republic
People’s Party Inal Batu told the APA.

The parliamentarian noted that politicians aim to take votes from
electors benefiting from the groundless ‘Armenian genocide.’

"They promised Turkey that it will be treated like other countries
at the discussions. The European Union promised not to put additional
demands for Turkey. However, they did not keep these promises.

Europeans have realized that groundless claims of ‘Armenian genocide’
make us fury, and they focus on this issue on purpose," Mr.Batu said.

"France is leading in this process. What aim might a state official
Jacques Chirac have by visiting Armenia? This visit shows how Chirac is
far from feelings of justice and historic consciousness. The European
Union keeps ignoring Armenia’s occupying important parts of Azerbaijani
territory leaving more than one million people to become displaced
persons while it keeps on making groundless ‘genocide’ claims."

Turkish parliamentarian said the Turkish world faces an injustice
bloc. "They are conducting a secret war against us ignoring the
history. Regrettably, France which is taking pride in claiming to be
the cradle of democracy and civilization is leading in this war. I
wish the unfair campaigns against Turkey and Azerbaijan end as soon
as possible."

He stressed Azerbaijan and Turkey should make joint efforts.

"We share the same language, religion, culture and history. We are
two brotherly countries that have become target of Armenian injustice
and charlatanism. US and European Union break new records every day
regarding double standards. See the latest troubles that happened
to Lebanon. I wonder whether the West will simply observe if Arab
states attacked Israel. Or if Turk Cypriots dominated in Cyprus and
Turks acted in the same way, what would the situation be. We face
such standards of the West in our daily life. Now, there is ‘clash
of cultures.’ Permanent support for Christians in Muslim-Christian
conflicts strengthens hostility against Islam. Though Azerbaijan and
Turkey are secular states, I must say our conditions are becoming more
difficult. We suffer injustice due to bad approach towards Islam,"
he stressed.

Inal Batu have worked for Turkish Foreign Ministry for 40 years. His
last diplomatic mission was to be Turkish ambassador extraordinary
and plenipotentiary ambassador to Italy. He is a prominent diplomat
and politician for defending Turkey’s rightful position on the false
‘Armenian genocide.’

URL:

VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL TALKS HELD AT AZERBAIJANI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS – RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR AT OSCE MINSK GROUP
Author: E. Huseynov, A. Mammadova

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006

Russian Ambassador Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair,
informed journalists that very interesting and useful talks on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution took place at the Azerbaijani
Ministry of Foreign Affairs today [on 2 October]. He was commenting
on the results of consultations held in Baku with the Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, the Deputy Foreign Minister as
well as Araz Azimov, the Special Envoy to the Azerbaijani President.

"The talks dealt with the resumption of direct contacts between both
parties in the near future. Merzlyakov stated.

In turn the U.S. Ambassador Matthew Bryza, the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair, said that during the talks he viewed the meeting to be
very constructive.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will also hold consultations with the
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

ILHAM ALIYEV: "OUR POLICY MUST BE AGGRESSIVE, IT MUST ATTACK"

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2006

Monday Azeri President Ilham Aliyev addressed the audience in the
course of the Parliament’s fall session.

"We should switch to the information and economic attack and strengthen
our external potential", stated I. Aliyev speaking about the ways of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’s settlement, Day.az reports.

Aliyev reminded that being elected a President he had set increase of
the military expenditure a principal goal. "We should put pressure on
Armenia, otherwise it will hardy liberate our territories. We should
also be ready for a war", the President underscored. At the same time
Aliyev noted using both political and economic factors Azerbaijan would
be able to turn the heat on Armenia. "Yet, after Azerbaijan becomes a
hundred times stronger than Armenia, the war may become unnecessary",
he believes.

According to the state’s Head, some opponents’ reproaches that the
conflict has not been settled are groundless. "It happens because
Azerbaijan cannot cope with unfavorable proposals. As a President
I will not go to the proposals that do not meet the Azerbaijan’s
interests. It is an issue number one, all our efforts should be
directed to this", the President stated.

Aliyev informed that the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs were arriving in
the region current week.

"We do not deny the format, however, we believe other international
organizations can also contribute to the peacemaking process",
he concluded.

Day.az, October 2, 2006 .

DE FACTO INFORMATION-ANALYTICS AGENCY’S COMMENT DE FACTO
Information-Analytics Agency has repeatedly noted that if Azerbaijan
resumed hostilities it would inevitably result in this state’s
destruction. The Armenian armed subdivisions can terminate the
Azerbaijani Republic’s short history. Perhaps, Azerbaijan must be
ready for a war, as the first in the line of succession President
believes. However, the Azerbaijan’s problem is that the Armenian
subdivisions are "ready" for such a course of events. And first of
all it concerns the moral spirit’s level, though, as for armaments,
we do not lag behind the Azeri army that spends hundreds of millions
for its needs.

Generally speaking, a war, blasphemously as it may sound, is favorable
for Armenians, who will face a country stuck in corruption and mutual
accusations, where a part (the Turks) tries to assimilate all the
national minorities. Nevertheless, even taking into consideration
the situation, Armenia is peaceable as always, offering constructive
approaches to the conflict’s settlement every time, unlike its
reflexive neighbor that doubts if to begin a war with Armenia or not,
yet, under condition that "Azerbaijan is a hundred times stronger
than Armenia".

However, Aliyev is not Hamlet, and Azerbaijan will never be "a hundred
times" stronger than Armenia. Moreover, Azerbaijan will never be
stronger than the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, as a party struggling
for its Motherland always relies on the native land’s vivifying saps.

Maybe that is a reason that Azerbaijan denies negotiations with
Nagorno-Karabakh, being aware that it has lost confrontation to it,
and not Armenia. However, going on involving Armenia in the negotiation
process, Azerbaijan is trying to lead the problem’s solution to the
other sphere, where, as practice shows, nothing can be settled. Sure,
Azerbaijan may not agree with the mediators’ proposals, no matter
how weighted they are.

However, the fact can just strengthen the international image
and authority of the NKR, which has been proving to the world its
ability to protect its statehood, and not only at the battlefields,
for fifteen years.

So, I. Aliyev will have to sit at the negotiating table with the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President, who was been elected by the
whole nation. The realities’ recognition is inevitable, even for the
politicians staking on "the information and economic attack".

ARMENIANS CELEBRATE CULTURE
By Mathew Padilla

OCRegister, CA
Orange County
Oct 2 2006

Baklava, a rich pastry of thin dough, nuts and honey, is found in
many cuisines of the Middle East but was invented by Armenians,
says Seta Mergeanian.

She may be right – the pastry’s origins are a bit hazy, with Turks
generally getting the credit. What’s not in dispute is her pride,
a common vibe during Saturday and Sunday’s Orange County Armenian
Festival.

Mergeanian helped organize the second such festival in two years at
the Laguna Hills Community Center. Her goals were to get Armenians
to come together and share their culture with others.

Festival facts and highlights

~UThe festival featured other such edibles as soujouk, an aged spicy
beef; tabouli, a kind of parsley salad with bulgur (wheat), lemon,
and sometimes mint, tomato and onion; and shish kebab.

~UOrange County is home to nearly 11,000 people of Armenian descent,
according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Armenian groups claim the figure
is much higher, in the range of 25,000 to 50,000.

~UAbout 6,000 people came to the second annual Armenian festival in
Laguna Hills.

~UThe festival Sunday was on target to raise $14,000 for local schools,
double last year’s total, according to one organizer.

ALIYEV: THERE WILL BE NO TRADE-OFFS IN GARABAGH ISSUE DURING MY PRESIDENCY

Azeri Press Agency
Oct 2 2006

"I take delight when I look at the renovation of the parliament’s
building. I wish parliament had had such a renovated building when I
was a parliamentarian," Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said in his
address to the opening of the parliament’s autumn session, APA reports.

The head of state said the repairing of the parliament building in a
way that meets modern standards is the part of the construction works
carried out in Azerbaijan. He said this will improve efficiency of
the parliament’s work.

Stating that the role of the parliament in the Azerbaijani society
is increasing, President Ilham Aliyev said parliamentary elections
have always been the start of a new period.

Touching on the state budget for 2007, the head of state said the
government is focusing on the development of non-oil sector.

"We are reproached that Azerbaijan’s state budget is increasing by
the account of oil. But in fact, the government is implementing big
projects to improve non-oil sector. The state budget for 2007 will
target social sphere," he said.

Azerbaijani President also said the infrastructure projects in the
country will be completed by 2007-2008. Noting that the period of
juridical state institution will start in Azerbaijan after 2008,
Mr.Aliyev said political reforms are being carried out.

Touching on the measures implemented in the regions, the head of
state said 450, 000 jobs have been created, 600 schools were built
in the past two years and big currency flows into the country. He
said Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalak-Kars railroad will be opened which will
create a new situation in the country.

"Azerbaijan faces no problem but Nagorno Garabagh. The solution
of the Nagorno Garabagh does not depend on Azerbaijan only. Our
position in this issue remains unchanged. That is Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity should be ensured, UN four resolutions should
be implemented. We support granting high autonomy to Nagorno Garabagh
within Azerbaijan. There are favorable opportunities for the solution
of the problem now. We are making information attack in this field.

This should be followed by economic attack. Azerbaijan’s military
budget will reach Armenia’s state budget. Azerbaijan should choose
attacking policy. Our opponents reproach us sometimes for not finding
a solution to the Nagorno Garabagh problem. This cannot be solved
as Azerbaijan does not agree to any compromises. I will not make
any trade-offs during my presidency. We support negotiating process
in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group," Azerbaijani President
underlined.

AZERI PRESIDENT RECEIVED OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006

On October 20, The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the
co-chairs of OSCE Minsk Group in the Presidential Palace, Trend reports
with reference to the Press Service of the Presidential Apparat.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on the present situation
and prospects of negotiations were held regarding the settlement of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

ARMENIAN PM: TOTAL VOLUME OF FRENCH INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIAN ECONOMY EXCEEDS $160 MLN

ARMINFO News Agency
September 30, 2006 Saturday

The total volume of French investments in the Armenian economy exceeds
$160 mln, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan said during
a meeting with a group of French businessmen who came to Armenia
together with French President Jacques Chirac.

The press service of the Armenian Government reports Margaryan to
say that there are 111 companies with French capital in Armenia –
among them such world renowned companies as Pernod Ricard, Castel,
Credit Agricole. Margaryan said that there are good opportunities
for organizing joint ventures in industry, agricultural processing,
power engineering, telecoms and IT.

The Armenian community of France is a good basis for economic
cooperation and is very helpful in joint projects.

Margaryan told the French businessmen that in the last 5 years the
macro-economic situation in Armenia has been stable and predictable.

In 2005 the economy grew by 14%, industry by 7.5%, export by 31.5%,
foreign investments by 31%. The foreign trade turnover between Armenia
and France is successfully developing. There are wide opportunities
for commodity turnover growth. Margaryan is sure that the conduct of
the Year of Armenia in France will open up new prospects for friendship
and cooperation between the two nations and states.

The French businessmen expressed interest in investment in health care,
agricultural light industry and IT.

To note, in Jan-June 2006 the volume of French investments in the
Armenian economy totalled $4.6 mln – 48.1% less than in Jan-June
2005. The foreign trade totalled $25.3 mln – 52.4% more than a
year before.