Month: November 2006

SPEAKERS OF PARLIAMENTS OF “CAUCASUS FOUR” TO COME TOGETHER
Author: S.Agayeva
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
The next meeting of the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the CIS
countries has been scheduled to take place in Saint-Petersburg
on November 15-17, Trend reports with reference to the website
of the Assembly. The meeting is expected to cover the improvement
and reformation of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), 15th
anniversary of the CIS, precepts and results of co-operation within
the Commonwealth. It is planned to adopt a number of documents,
especially eight laws linked with the security, recommendations
regarding migration, several legal documents including ecological,
water and education codes.
In addition, within the meeting of the Assembly, it is expected to
hold the meeting of the “Caucasus four” – heads of the parliaments of
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Russia. This meeting is expected to
bring together the Chairman of the Russian State Duma Sergey Mironov,
Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament Oktay Asadov, Georgian Speaker
Nino Burdjanadze and Armenian – Tigran Torosyan.

AZERBAIJAN: PRESIDENT ALIYEV WALKS TIGHTROPE BETWEEN RUSSIA, WEST
By Valentinas Mite
Radio Free Europe, Czech Rep.
Nov 9 2006
PRAGUE, November 9, 2006 (RFE/RL) — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
visited Moscow today on the heels of a trip to Brussels during which he
signed a memorandum on cooperation in energy with the European Union.
Ahead of the visit, President Vladimir Putin officially gave his stamp
of approval to his Azerbaijani counterpart’s visit to EU headquarters
and NATO.
“I would like to congratulate you on your successful visit to
Brussels,” Putin said. “I know, indeed, the visit was very practical,
concrete. Important agreements have been made regarding Azerbaijan’s
participation in European efforts in the energy field.”
Behind The Scene
But some observers believe that away from the microphone, Putin cannot
have much good to say about Azerbaijan’s efforts to curry favor in
the West.
Ali Kerimli, who heads leading Azerbaijani opposition party Popular
Front, says the issue was sure to be a hot topic during today’s talks.
“Every year it is becoming more and more difficult for Aliyev to stay
in two places at the same time,” Kerimli said. “To be at a friend,
a satellite, a supporter of the authoritarian Russia, and at the same
time to participate in all the NATO and EU integration programs.”
A commentary in the Russian daily “Kommersant” on November 9 suggested
that, as compensation for this policy, Russia might ask Azerbaijan to
participate in an energy blockade of Georgia. The daily wrote that
the Kremlin is prepared to offer Russian investment in Azerbaijan’s
energy sector and also to supply Russian armaments at a discount.
Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, branded as a “strategic
partnership,” are complicated.
The Karabakh Card
Shain Abbasov, an independent analyst based in Baku, says many in
Azerbaijan believe that the resolution of Azerbaijan’s conflict
with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh is in the hands of Moscow, not in
the West.
Nagorno-Karabakh has been under the control of Armenia since a 1994
cease-fire ended a six-year war. Russia plays a key mediating role
as the sides try to come to an agreement on the region’s final status.
However, Kerimli has said the conflict serves Moscow by helping Russia
to preserve its influence in both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Analyst Abbasov says the Kremlin’s policy toward Armenia, a Russian
ally, remains more benign than toward Azerbaijan.
“Armenia is a traditional Russian ally in the southern Caucasus,”
Abbasov said. “You know that Azerbaijan is a member of GUAM, which
in principle is considered to be an anti-Russian political grouping
and nobody tries to hide it very much. So there is no doubt that
Azerbaijan is trying differently from Armenia to balance its foreign
policy between the West and Russia.”
Analysts have also suggested that some practices in Azerbaijan —
antidemocratic ones — serve to bring it closer to Russia than
the West.
Everything Under Control
Abbasov, for example, says Aliyev is clearly following Russia’s model
of “controlled democracy.”
Azerbaijani police breaking up an opposition demonstration in November
2005 (AFP)”In fact, Azerbaijan is clearly following the Russian way,
the way of Putin’s democracy,” he said. “It is under way already
now. There is no question which way Azerbaijan might choose.
Aliyev’s administration has already made a choice, and we are already
heading down this road. You can see all this pressure on the press,
a very strict authoritarian way of rule and so on. In fact, we have
a very similar situation as in Russia.”
As for other topics, economic issues were likely on today’s agenda —
including natural-gas prices. .
Moscow could threaten, as it has done to other neighboring states
of late, to raise considerably the price of its gas exports to
Azerbaijan. But the move might not provide much leverage in getting
Baku to avoid making overtures to the West. Azerbaijan uses only an
estimated 10.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, and only
1.5 billion of that is imported from Russia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KASHATAGH REGION IS BECOMING EMPTY
A1+
[01:24 pm] 09 November, 2006
We would like to draw your attention to a recent series of reports
that have appeared in both the Armenian and Diasporan press focusing
on the worsening socio-economic situation in the Kashatagh region. As
a result, Armenians are leaving this vitally strategic area in
increasing numbers.
When the Karabagh war ended, Armenians the world over heaved a
collective sigh of relief and jubilation.
After years of struggle and much sacrifice, Artsakh was once again
delivered into the hands of its rightful owners. So too had Kashatagh
(Lachin), the lands once artificially separating Armenia from Artsakh,
been liberated.
But Kashatagh needed an influx of Armenians to make the land flourish
once again. Therefore, in 1994, Armenia initiated a much-heralded
policy of repopulating Kashatagh and its environs. Primarily, Armenian
refugees from Azerbaijan and other indigent families from Armenia were
encouraged to move to Kashatagh with promises of generous financial
and material assistance.
Many did heed the call and moved to Kashatagh. Given the fact that
Armenia itself was in dire financial straits at the time, this
initiative was both commendable and noble. According to various
sources, Kashatagh’s repopulation reached a peak of about 20,000 in
the late 1990s.
Today, however, the remaining population has dipped below 10,000. Some
say it has reached a low of 7,000.
In the last few years, authorities of the NKR have taken over the
governance of Kashatagh from Armenia, and yet the situation has
continued to deteriorate.
Armenians who initially were encouraged to move there now feel a
sense of neglect and isolation.
Surprisingly, some news reports cite the fact that many local officials
agree that the situation in Kashatagh needs immediate attention. We
fear that if conditions do not improve, we soon might be facing an
area of land devoid of Armenians. No one wants this to happen.
We the undersigned find it troubling that the responsible authorities
in Armenia and Karabakh seem to be indifferent to the unfolding tragedy
in Kashatagh. Therefore, we ask that your respective governments
analyze the situation and take the necessary measures to ameliorate
the conditions faced by the residents of Kashatagh and thus reverse
the present exodus from the region.
We also ask that your governments clarify their positions regarding
the resettlement policy in Kashatagh. Unfortunately, many Armenians
there believe they have been betrayed and are to be used as pawns in
future political negotiations. The Armenians of Kashatagh deserve to
know where they stand.
As Armenians concerned with the plight of our compatriots in
Kashatagh we can no longer remain silent when faced with the inaction,
mismanagement, and dare we say, corruption, that is the hallmark of
many local officials in Kashatagh. “Business as usual” should not be
tolerated and we urge you to take appropriate and quick action.

PUTIN INVITED ALIYEV TO MOSCOW
A1+
[02:22 pm] 09 November, 2006
Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, is currently in Moscow on
working visit. Today, he is to meet with Vladimir Putin, President
of Russia.
The official sources don’t reveal the details as it is a working visit.
But the Russian media claims that the parties will discuss the possible
increase of the gas price imported to Azerbaijan. The two presidents
will also refer to the Karabakh conflict settlement.
Aliyev will stay in Moscow till November 10.
Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow from Brussels where he discussed
the prospects of Azerbaijan’s integration to the European Union
and NATO. Reminder: Ilham Aliyev is in Moscow on the invitation of
Vladimir Putin.

FIRE BROKE OUT IN KENTRON
A1+
[02:38 pm] 09 November, 2006
On November 8 an alarm went off that a fire broke out on Moscovian 31,
Yerevan at 6:55p.m.
Two fire brigades immediately arrived on the scene.
The fire was extinguished at 7:36 p.m.
Five-square roof of a car-maintenance service belonging to H.Tamazyan
was burned to ashes.
Another fire broke out in house 33, Rustavelli Street, Yerevan at
about 5:56 p.m. on November 8. A fire brigade was sent to the scene.
Six-square ceiling was burnt down.

US ELECTIONS MEET ELECTORAL REFORM TARGETS
A1+
[01:29 pm] 09 November, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C., 8 November 2006 – The electoral environment in the
United States is characterized by a high level of transparency and
professionalism of election officials.
The electoral reforms, initiated by the 2002 Help America Vote Act
(HAVA) appear to have been fully or largely implemented in most
States. However, the introduction of new electronic voting systems
has sparked nationwide debate regarding their reliability and voter
confidence in the process.
Those are the main preliminary conclusions of an Election Assessment
Mission, deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions
and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to follow the 7 November mid-term
congressional elections at the invitation of the U.S. authorities.
“The overall election administration, including the processing of
voters on election day, seemed professional and efficiently organized
in most polling stations we visited,” said Giovanni Kessler, who
headed the mission.
“However, the swift introduction of Direct Recording Equipment (DREs),
at times without a voter verifiable audit paper trail, appeared to
negatively impact on voter confidence. This remains a challenge for
the future.”
Commenting on the campaign, Kessler raised his concern that a large
number of political advertisements consisted of personalized attacks
on opponents.
The OSCE/ODIHR assessment mission focused on the administration of
the process, in particular on specific issues related to the 2002
Help America Vote Act (HAVA) including new voting technologies,
voter registration, and absentee and provisional balloting…

CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN MUSEUM
Gridskipper, NY
Nov 9 2006
As far as zany named museums the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisboa is
on par with The Casea Museu Dr. Anastacio Goncalves also in Lisboa. The
two share more than their names: both are small art museums that have
grown from the collections of eccentric collections. Calouste Sarkis
Gulbenkian, the originator of the eclectic collection of Renaissance
paintings, Far East carvings, Armenian mosaics and more, was born
in Scatter, Turkey in 1869 to American merchants but took British
citizenship in 1902. He made a fortune negotiating petroleum rights
in the Middle East and took up art collecting. He lived his last days
in Lisboa at the still-standing Hotel Aviz. Upon his death in 1955,
a foundation was formed to showcase his sizeable collection. Right now,
an exhibit on loan from the Smithsonian of Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
on/museu-calouste-gulbenkian-213661.php

UPU GRANTS MORE PRIVILEGES TO AZERBAIJAN FOR ARMENIAN OCCUPATION
Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 9 2006
Compensation rate for Azerbaijan will be 16.5% in international postal
exchange from January 1, 2007.
Communication and Information Technologies Ministry told APA
that Universal Postal Union has granted exceptional privileges to
Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan will enjoy the privilege during one year. Azerbaijan was
awarded privileges because of occupation of its territories by Armenia
and lots of damage to the country.
Azerbaijan will get benefit of $60 000 as a result of the privilege.
The compensation will be accumulated in UPU fund and will be spent
on projects in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan purchased nine automobiles for postal delivery on account
of the compensation in the fund.
As per Beijing congress in 1999, the developed countries gave 8%
of privileges to the developing countries in postal exchange.
URL:

EC REPORT PRAISES, CRITICISES TURKEY
NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Nov 9 2006
One of the key requirements set by the EC is the opening of Turkish
ports and airports to Greek Cypriot trade.
Guncelleme: 21:14 TSİ 09 Kasim 2006 PerşembeBRUSSELS –
The European Commission’s report on Turkey’s progress in meeting the
requirements of the European Union’s membership criteria, released late
Wednesday, contains both praise and criticism, along with a threat.
While noting that Turkey had made some progress in certain areas,
notably regarding relations between military and civilian authorities,
the report also highlighted a number of deficiencies, especially in
the fields of human rights, freedom of expression and minority rights.
The report also called on Turkey to open its ports and airports
to trade from Greek Cyprus, setting a time limit of mid December,
when the EU is to hold its end of year summit. The report said that
Turkey is obliged to allow the free movement of goods from the ten
new members of the EU, including the Greek Cypriot administration,
under the Ankara Agreement.
“The EU will monitor whether or not Turkey fully implements this by
the end of 2006,” the report said. Turkey has not fully implemented
the Additional Protocol to its customs union with the EU, and has
not opened its ports to Greek Cypriot ships.
“This limits free movement of goods and means violation of the Customs
Union agreement,” the report said. The report also said that there are
communities which can be defined as a minorities in Turkey other than
Jews, Armenians and Greek Orthodox people, according to international
and European standards.
“Turkey’s position on minority rights has not changed,” according to
the report. “According to Turkish authorities, minorities in Turkey are
defined by the Lausanne Treaty signed in 1923 as the Jews, Armenians
and Greek Orthodox people.” Human rights violations in Turkey are
declining, the report noted, but there was still room for improvement.
While Turkey had made some advances in allowing broadcasts in mother
tongue languages other than Turkish, the EC said that freedom of
expression remained a concern, especially in regard to article 301 of
the Turkish Penal Code, which covers the crime of insulting Turkish
identity.
The report said that Turkey has to amend Article 301 in order to be
more closely aligned to EU standards.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

INDO-ARMENIAN BUSINESS
The Hindu Businessline, India
Nov 9 2006
There are several potential areas of trade with Armenia where Indian
businessmen can either invest or set up joint ventures, says Harshad
R. Mehta, honorary consul general of Armenia in Mumbai and promoter
of the Rosy Blue and Orpa Group of Companies, which have been doing
business in Armenia for the past 35 years.
A diamond entrepreneur with offices in 15 countries, Mehta
celebrated the Consulate’s first anniversary with an exhibition
of rare photographs at a Diwali gala, which was attended by Armen
Baibourtian, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia,
and Ashot Kocharian, Ambassador of Armenia in India.
Indo-Armenian relations go back a long way: 2,500 years; the commercial
relationship between the two countries dates back to the medieval
period, the first recorded visit being that of the Armenian trader
Thomas Cana who came to the Malabar coast in 780 AD.
As of last year, some 50 firms operated in Armenia with Indian capital
and investments of about $1.1 million. The total trade between India
and Armenia in 2005 amounted to $15.8 million (exports from India,
$15.5 million and imports to India, $0.3 million). Next on the anvil,
says Mehta, is an Indo-Armenian Chamber of Commerce.
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