Month: November 2006

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 11 2006
SPEAKER OF AZERBAIJAN PARLIAMENT MEETS ITALIAN DELEGATION
[November 10, 2006, 22:22:51]
Speaker of Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic Ogtay Asadov
November 10 met with the delegation led by President of the
Constitutional Court of Italy Franco Bile visiting the country to
take part at the international conference held at Constitutional
Court of Azerbaijan in Baku.
The friendly ties between Azerbaijan and Italy successfully develop,
Mr. Asadov noted. The negotiations President of Azerbaijan carried
out in Italy in February 2005 and the signed documents have opened a
new phase in development of relations. As stated, today the goods
turnover between two countries has reached $1,5 billion. All the
large-scale economic projects in region have been initiated by
Azerbaijan and now the country plays importunate role in Europe’s
energy safety, the Speaker of Azerbaijan stressed.
Ogtay Asadov spoke of the inter-parliamentary links between the Milli
Majlis of Azerbaijan and Italian Parliament. He also updated the
guest on ensuring human rights and freedoms in the Republic, the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the UN Security
Council’s resolutions to solve the problem.
President of the Constitutional Court of Italy Franco Bile expressed
gratitude for hospitality they were shown during the event in Baku.
`Azerbaijan develops intensively and ensures human rights at high
level. We are convinced that reciprocal visits will have positive
influence on development of our relations’, he underlined.
The sides also had exchange of views on a number of other questions
representing mutual interest.

Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE)
Nov 10 2006

OSCE Office helps promote environmental awareness in Armenia’s
regions

YEREVAN, 10 November 2006 – As part of its environmental activities
in Armenia, the OSCE Office in Yerevan will co-host an
awareness-raising event in the province of Aragatsotn tomorrow.
The event, which has as its goal the eventual clean-up of the area
surrounding the village of Artashavan, will be attended by 15
non-governmental organizations’ representatives and 25 volunteers. It
is organized by the OSCE Office, the Public Environmental Information
(Aarhus) Centre in Lori, and the NGO Compatriot Unity.
The participants will be briefed on the Aarhus Convention and its
principles, problems related to environmental security and the OSCE’s
engagement in this field. They will also learn more about regional
history, which is tightly connected with the development of the
Armenian alphabet.
In addition, they will pay a visit to Saghmosavank, where the
so-called Monastery of Psalms of the 12th century is located.
The OSCE Office in Yerevan supports the establishment of a network of
Aarhus centres in the regions of Armenia to promote the Aarhus
principles. Currently, there are five centres in three provinces of
Armenia and one in the capital, Yerevan.

Fistful of Euros, Sweden
Nov 10 2006
323 Years of Caffeine
by Alex Harrowell
One of Thomas Barnett’s commenters complained about Europe being a
cafe society, so why not some café-blogging? After all, the collectif
antilibérale over at European Tribune had a whole thread on
brasseries not so long ago. Der Standard has a long article on the
history of Viennese kaffeehäuser, going back to 1683 and the second
siege of Vienna.
First of all, a classic trope of European history-the fact everyone
knows, but that turns out to be rubbish. Like King Canute telling the
tide to back off (a little like keeping spam out of our comments
threads, but I digress) – everyone remembers that, but hardly anyone
realises that Canute did it to humble his courtiers with the limits
of power, rather than in a gesture of deluded arrogance. Every
schoolboy knows that one Georg Franz Kolschitzky was rewarded for
sneaking through the Turkish lines with a message by being given a
stash of coffee beans from captured stocks. Another version is that,
after the relief of Vienna, he looted the beans from the Turks’
abandoned baggage train, or bought them for a song from a soldier who
didn’t know their value.
The only problem is that it’s not true.
In fact, the first café in Vienna was opened by an Armenian who was a
former servant at the Imperial Court, and who may also have been a
spy. (What else? Cafés are for conspiring.) There are obvious
parallels between the two stories, and it’s hard not to imagine that
Kolschitzky was a more patriotic and Catholic figure for little
Austro-Hungarian boys’ consumption. Brief consideration also debunks
the story that no-one knew what the brown beans were – Venice had
opened the first European café in 1647, and this key strategic
technology spread rapidly along the sea trade routes, so that cafés
were opening in numbers in London in the 1650s.
Gambling and billiards were common from the word go. 40 years on,
newspapers began to appear, and another 20 years saw the first café
with music. Booze and hot food had to wait until 1808, when Austria
joined Napoleon’s trade embargo on the UK and immediately lost access
to coffee. But it was 1856 before women were admitted. From then on,
the sky was the limit-or rather, it was until the eruption of the
short twentieth century.
Vienna’s Ringstrasse is today surprisingly short on cafés; there are
essentially three worth speaking of, the Schottenring at the top end,
the Schwarzenberg at the Schwarzenbergplatz halfway down, and the
Prückel at the Stubentor near the bottom. The reason is grim. Most of
the luxury car showrooms and airline offices are former Jewish cafés,
expropriated before the extermination of their clientele, and
converted to their new use postwar because of their fine locations
and ample clear space on the ground floor. A curious architectural
echo of this exists in London, where a recently opened restaurant
that claims to be an attempt at a classic café-restaurant occupies,
yes, a former car showroom.
My favourites were the Stadlmann, next to the Institute of Political
Science on the Währingerstrasse, and the Alt Wien in the city centre
on Bäckerstrasse. And the Hawelka, but everyone loves the Hawelka.
Any favourites?
2748.php
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
NATO PA TO DISCUSS NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
[November 10, 2006, 19:24:13]
Since November 11, the first vice-speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament,
the head of delegation of Azerbaijan in Parliamentary Assembly of
NATO (NATO PA) Ziyafet Askarov and MP Siyavush Novruzov will be on a
visit in the Canadian city of Quebec to participate in 52nd annual
session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
In the frame of session, will be conducted meetings of political
committee, committees on defense and safety, on economy and safety,
on science and technology, and also political groups and Standing
Committees, press service of Milli Majlis told.
In meeting of subcommittee `Further opportunities of safety and
defense’ of the Committee on Defense and Safety, will be heard the
report on the topic `The Role of NATO in region of Southern
Caucasus’. Also will be conducted exchange of views on situation in
the countries of region, development of relations with NATO, the work
done in the field of individual cooperation, and on other questions.
On action, also will take place discussions on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The session is to consider acceptance of the declaration of the Riga
Summit of NATO. The document will reflect importance of rendering
assistance to the countries of Southern Caucasus and the Balkans,
observance of democratic standards in the member states of the
Organization.
The visit will end 19 November.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Coming elections affect internal political situation in Armenia:
deputy

Source: Trend
Author: Trend

10.11.2006

(ArmInfo) -. The coming elections affect the internal political
situation in Armenia, RA Parliament deputy, Viktor Dallakyan, said
during today’s press-conference in “Pastark” discussion club.
According to him, RA authorities are nor ready to give the power in
case of defeat in elections. “There is no understanding in the
country that the power may be left for the reason that you have been
given less votes, therefore, the authorities will do and do their
best to achieve their reelection”, the deputy said. In his opinion,
imitation of amendments to the Electoral Code is going on in the
Parliament at present. It is unclear, Dallakyan said, if the
international supervisory missions will be invited to the elections,
since this issue also is not discussed by pro-power forces.
“Everything is being done to falsify the elections again”, the deputy
confirmed, reports Trend.
As for the question who will take the place of judges in Election
Committees in the light of the RA Constitutional Court’s decision on
unconstitutionality of the presence of judges in Electoral
Committees, V. Dallakyan said that it would be true to give the
liberated places to opposition.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
U.S. Middle Eastern Policy Needs Help and Positive Impulses from
Turkey – Azeri Politician

Source: Trend
Author: S.Ilhamgizi

10.11.2006

The U.S. Administration understands that it should not take any steps
annoying Turkey. Because tomorrow while withdrawing the American
troops from Iraq, they will need Turkey, Politician Rasim Musabeyov
informed Trend, commenting on the election of Nancy Pelosi, who has
been known with his pro-Armenian position, as the Speaker of the USA
House of Representatives.
He stressed that it is not worthy to await the recognition of the
separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of election of a
person who appeared with Armenian interests. It is not in the
disposal of the Speaker or House of Representatives. The Congress can
not demonstrate pro-Armenian position, with the initiative of the
Speaker. The Congress may demonstrate pro-Armenian position in
several spheres. `The USA is the only country that provides direct
humanitarian assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh. For instance, the volume
of this aid may be increased with the initiative of the Speaker,’ the
politician said. Touching upon the so-called `Armenian genocide’, he
underlined that the Congress has the authority to make a statement on
this issue. The document should be approved by the Senate and
President to come into force.
According to him, during the power of the democrats, the question of
`Armenian genocide’ was included into the agenda. `But at this time,
the President Bill Clinton forwarded a protest letter and the Speaker
closed this topic. The position of the government included that
discussing such question is contrary to the interests of the USA.
Generally the USA Administration understands that if it takes any
steps annoying Turkey, then tomorrow while withdrawing the American
troops from Iraq, they will need Turkey, but maybe they can not
receive this assistance from Turkey. In addition, the Middle Eastern
policy of the USA needs the help and positive impulses of Turkey. I
consider that the European lobby in the USA is stronger than the
Armenian lobby. And it is in favor of Turkey,’ Musabeyov underlined.
Musabeyov added that taking any steps in favor of the `Armenian
genocide’ in the USA will be aimed at putting pressure on Turkey.
The politician stressed that it does not need to exaggerate the
pro-Armenian position of the new Speaker Nancy Pelosi. `First of all,
she will serve the interests of the USA, and the pro-Armenian
position is in the third or fifth place,’ he said.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 10 2006
Musa Panahov: Vietnam-Armenia railway impossible without Azerbaijan
[ 10 Nov. 2006 17:43 ]
The decision, made at Korean conference of the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, on laying a
railway line from Armenia to Vietnam is impossible to come true,
Azerbaijani Transportation Minister Musa Panahov told APA.
The commission Executive Secretary KIM Hak-Su told media that the
conference discussed issues concerning construction of
Armenia-Vietnam railway, intensification of the activities in
North-South transport corridor etc.
Mr. Panahov says Azerbaijan joined Trans-Asia Railway Convention at
the conference.
`Azerbaijan stipulated that Azerbaijan will not resume any relations
with Armenia until it withdraws its armed forces from Azeri lands and
sign a peace agreement. The railway line can’t come true with
Azerbaijan,’ he underscored. /APA/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaman Online, Turkey
Nov 10 2006
Armenians Pleased with Democrats’ Victory
By Zaman, Washington
Friday, November 10, 2006
zaman.com
The Armenian lobby in the United States is happy about the victory of
the Democrat Party in the congressional elections. Armenians find the
new Congress leaders closer to themselves and hope that the genocide
claims will pass into law.
A written statement released by the American Armenian Assembly (AAA)
expressed the Armenians’ satisfaction over Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s
new post as Speaker of the House.
Brian Ardouny, the executive director of AAA, said if the alleged
genocide passed in Congress, new opportunities would arise for them.
Sending a statement last month to Harut Sassounian, the owner of the
California Courier, Pelosi said she was in support of the Armenian
claims on genocide and added, `This initiative has the strong
supports of both parties in the House of Representatives. I will
continue backing these efforts in the 110th Congress.’
The American Armenian National Committee also remarked that they were
quite happy about Nancy Pelosi’s new post.
Preparing reports and maintaining files on politicians according to
the extent they support their allegations and making these public for
the Armenian people, the Armenian organizations in the country are
known to have been harboring hatred against President Bush and the
former chairman of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert for
not backing their unfounded claims.
The majority of those closer to the Armenian policies are from the
Democrat Party.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AsiaNews.it, Italy
Nov 10 2006
Increasing Russian control of Iranian gas

Russia’s energy giant Gazprom takes over Iran-Armenia gas pipeline;
Russian government is interested in participating in
Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. From Moscow Iranian nuclear
negotiator threatens to review Iran’s ties with IAEA if Russian
amendments are not included in Security Council draft resolution on
his country’s nuclear programme.

London (AsiaNews) – Whilst Tehran is threatening to `re-examine’ its
relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if the
United Nations accepts a draft resolution proposed by the EU3 group
(UK, France and Germany) without Russia’s amendments, Russia’s giant
energy company Gazprom is picking up energy deals. In the latest one,
it bought control in a gas pipeline project between Iran and Armenia.
The Russian government is also getting involved in another project
that would see a pipeline bring gas from Iran to Pakistan and India.
All in all, these plans are worth billions of dollars if one
considers that Iran, which holds 18 per cent of the world’s known
reserves, is second biggest gas supplier after Russia.
Gazprom raised its stake in ArmRosGaz, a company that controls both
Armenia’s domestic gas distribution business and the
soon-to-be-completed gas pipeline from Iran, to 58 per cent.
Last year it had signed an agreement with the Armenian government
under which Armenia would have to pay only US$ 110 per cubic metre of
gas or about half the market price. In doing so, Gazprom will run
Iranian gas supplies to Europe, rid itself of a potential competitor
and achieve near monopoly in gas supplies to Western Europe.
`We hope to use the joint venture to become involved in extraction
and development [of Iranian gas],’ Alexander Medvedev, deputy
chairman of Gazprom, told The Times. And there is a lot of extraction
and development to do. Analysts in fact believe that 62 per cent of
Iran’s potential gas reserves – estimated at 27,000 billion cubic
metres – remain undeveloped.
But that is not all. Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli
Deora said that Russia was keen to participate in all aspects of the
proposed multi-million dollar Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline
project.
In a recent visit to Moscow, Mr Deora said that Russia’s Industry and
Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko expressed his country’s interest in
participating `in the technical and financial aspects of the proposed
Iran gas pipeline’
A final decision about this undertaking, with both Pakistan and India
as active participants, will be taken by the two governments and that
of Iran at a meeting yet to be scheduled but expected to be announced
in the next few days.
At the same time, Iran has made it clear that nuclear fuel production
will remain part of its energy strategy notwithstanding any
disagreement with the IAEA.
>From Moscow where he is currently on a visit, Ali Larijani, secretary
of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and Iran’s top nuclear
negotiator, said that Iran would review its ties with the
International Atomic Energy Agency if the draft resolution presented
in the last few days by the United Kingdom, France and Germany was
approved.
Russia has for its part submitted some amendments to the draft
proposal, which calls for sanctions, whose effects would be to lessen
its punitive aspects.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 10 2006
NKR BUDGET OWN REVENUES INCREASED BY ONE-THIRD
January-September, 2006 the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic /NKR/ state
budget own revenues made 6 milliards 846 millions drams, which is 34,
2 % more as compared with the same period last year.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the NKR Ministry of
Finance and Economy, the budget revenues had been mainly ensured at
the expense of tax incomes, which made 81, 5 % of the revenues’ total
amount.
For the same period the state budget expenses made 16 milliards 981,
8 millions drams. During the 9 months of the current year 5 milliards
188, 2 millions drams were spent for capital expenditures, which is
70, 6 % more than the same period last year. As compared with the
same period 2005 current expenses for the salary of the state
institutions’ employees increased by 15, 5 % making 3 milliards 50, 4
millions drams.
For January – September, 2006 the NKR social insurance state fund’s
own revenues made 1 milliard 809 millions drams, which is 15, 3 %
more than the level of the same period last year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress