Month: March 2007

ARMENIA TO BOOST NATURAL GAS IMPORT FROM RUSSIA

RosBusinessConsulting, Russia
March 12 2007

RBC, 12.03.2007, Yerevan 15:11:27.Armenia is poised to boost natural
gas acquisitions in Russia by 17.6 percent to 2bn cubic meters in 2007
against 1.7bn cubic meters in 2006, Chairman and General Director
of Armenia’s ArmRosGazprom (ARG) Karen Karapetyan told journalists
today. This increase in natural gas imports may be attributed to
a more intense installation of gas services, as well as higher gas
consumption by households, ARMINFO reported today, citing Karapetyan.

Karapetyan pointed out that there were 440,000 consumers of natural
gas in Armenia in 2006. The country planned to hike this figure by
50,000 in 2007 and another 50,000 in 2008-2009.

COMMANDER OF AZERI INTERNAL TROOPS: INTERNAL TROOPS STAND READY TO IMPLEMENT ORDERS OF SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 12 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend K.Zarbaliyeva / The 15th anniversary of
the creation of the Internal Troops of Azerbaijan Interior Ministry
is marked on 12 March. Due to it, the personnel of the Internal
Troops of Azerbaijan headed by the Commander of the Interior Troops,
General-Lieutenant, Zakir Hasanov, visited the memorial of the
ex-President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, in the Avenue of Honorable
Burial and Martyrs’ Avenue.

Hasanov briefed the media that on 12 March 1992 the soldiers of the
Internal Troops participated in the military operations against
the army of Armenia. According to the order of the Azerbaijani
President in 1995, 12 March was announced as Creation Day of the
Internal Troops. Hasanov said that several days ago the President of
Azerbaijan awarded 55 employees of the Internal Troops. He stressed
that the Internal Troops stand ready to implement the orders of the
Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

"The Internal Troops have high-level material and technical base
meeting international standards. International experts who visit
Azerbaijan also testify this fact. The highest appreciation to the
Internal Troops is made by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

He highly assesses the military training of the Internal Troops,"
he said.

BERNARD FASSIER: DIFFICULT TO GUESS OUTCOME OF MEETING IN GENEVA

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.03.2007 20:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "One of the goals of my visit to the region is
to prepare the meeting between Armenian and Azeri FMs in Geneva,
which will be held March 14," OSCE Minsk Group French Co-Chair Bernard
Fassier stated to a press conference in Yerevan. He said, the agreement
on holding a meeting was reached during the meeting of OSCE Co-Chairs
in Paris this February. "I am dealing with preparations alone because
my schedule of works is not so intense considered with other Co-Chairs,
but I am speaking on behalf of them. All my meetings in Baku and
Yerevan, including the meeting with the head of Nagorno Karabakh Arkadi
Ghukassian were productive and constructive," Fassier said. In his
words, to guess the outcome of Geneva meeting is difficult, but he
hopes that "the sides will be able to come to any agreement".

"The matter is not about some new offers or magic ways of
settlement. The matter is about the document on the table," the French
mediator stressed. He noted, if talks are successful, that is to say,
an agreement is reached on the main principles of settlement, as well
as if several constructive meetings are held, it will be possible
to speak about preparing a meeting between the presidents of both
countries. "But in any case during electoral campaign in Armenia no
steps will be made. We can speak about something concrete after May
12," Bernard Fassier told.

NATO DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL: NATO SUPPORTS PEACEFUL SOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
March 12 2007

The Deputy Secretary General of the North-Atlantic Alliance, Jan Furne,
briefed the media in Yerevan on 12 March that NATO supports peaceful
solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, ARKA reports.

"We have repeatedly stated that settling Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
lies in other plane, especially in the competence of the OSCE Minsk
Group," he said.

According to Furne, the Head of the Alliance is grateful to Armenia
for the information on Nagorno-Karabakh, provided by the Government
of Armenia within the NATO-Armenia Individual Partnership Program.

"Not involved in Nagorno-Karabakh problem, we attentively follow the
processes around this conflict," he said.

Jan Furne is in Armenia within NATO Week held between 12 and 16 March.

200 PEOPLE FOR TIBET INDEPENDENCE IN MARSELLE (FRANCE)
By Mathieu Vernerey

Phayul, Tibet
March 12 2007

We were nearly two hundred people gathered in Marseille (France)
to commemorate the Tibetan Uprising of March 10th 1959. These last
years, it was very difficult to mobilize people since the conjecture
of 2002 when the Tibetan Government in Exile requested to refrain
demonstrations, what created some confusion among Tibet supporters
in France and all over the world. This year in Marseille, we were
not many more people, maybe some few more, but there were old faces
and new ones.

This year in Marseille, people came back with a new spirit, with a
new hope and with a new determination. We shouted slogans for two
hours non-stop. We shouted slogans at the top our voice and from the
bottom of our heart : "Freedom for Tibet, Independence for Tibet,
Selfdetermination for Tibetan People, Last Chance for Negociations,
Decolonization of Tibet, No Olympics in China".

We walked during two hours from the Justice Palace to the Chinese
Consulate. We walked during two hours across the city over seven
miles. We walked and we shouted for the Tibetan Freedom.

After these two hours of walk and of so inspiring shouts, we arrived
in front of the Chinese Consulate. There were security policemen
waiting for us and protecting Chinese Consulate and French interests.

Of course, our protest was a peaceful one, but an energic one. But
more important, there were also French elected people waiting for us
protecting Tibetan sovereignty and French dignity.

Facing the Chinese Consulate, we unfurled gigantic banderoles
and large Tibetan flags. Then we started the solemn introduction
(Tibetan National Hymn and few minutes of silence) before reading
the Message of His Holliness the Dalai Lama. His appeal to unity was
very inspiring. His appeal to support TGIE’s Middle Way Approach was
legitimate and of course we listened to him.

We red some main parts of a last article of Jamyang Norbu (Looking
Back From Nangpa-La)also. By keeping in mind the words of Jamyang
Norbu, we remembered March 10th 1959. And so, on March 10th 1959,
Tibetan people may have surrounded the Norbulingka not only because
of fear that the Dalai Lama was about to be captured, but because
that he would make more concessions to Chinese demands, essentialy on
matters of sovereignty. What the Tibetan people basically did on that
March day in 1959 was declare : "We want the Dalai Lama back". And
they took him back.

After this, French elected people addressed to the meeting :
the Socialist MP (PS) Mr Christophe Masse, a representative of the
Republican MP (UMP) Mr Dominique Tian and the Green Regional Councillor
(Les Verts) Ms Catherine Levraud. They all expressed their strong
support to the peaceful struggle of the Tibetan people. They also
supported the Dalai Lama appeal for dialogue with China. But at the
same time, they acknowledged that there was no positive answer from
China and that there was no improvement in Tibet. So, after expressing
their support to the Middle Way Approach as a good and peaceful stand,
they said : "We support Tibetan Sovereignty. We support Tibetan right
to independence. Tibetans are not Chinese.

Tibetans are Tibetans. We support Tibetan Freedom".

A representative of the FRA Nor Seround (Socialist Armenian Youth)
expressed the support of her organization and of her community to
the just cause of Tibet. Being very optimistic, she feels that one
day Tibetan people will also get justice.

This demonstration in Marseille was held by the Marseillian TSG Tibet
Destination Rangzen which supports Tibetan Independence for more than
fifteen years. During all that journey, Tibet Destination Rangzen
collected some medical material for the Guchusum to bring help to
former political prisoners who are now refugees in exile. This is
why we all together remembered the Nangpa-La tragedy : "Remember
Nangpa-La ! Never give up Freedom!"

We were very happy to join this global revival of the Tibetan struggle
all over the world on this day. We were happy to believe again with
all our friends around the world that next time Tibet will restore
its sovereignty and its complete independence. We were happy to walk
and shout for a Free and Independent Tibet.

ticle=200+people+for+Tibet+Independence+in+Marsell e(France)&id=15932

SECOND GROUP OF LAWMAKERS STARTS LOBBYING IN US

Turkish Daily News, Turkey
March 12 2007

A second group of Turkish legislators started a visit to Washington
yesterday to lobby members of the U.S. Congress against a resolution
recognizing the killings of Armenians during World War I as genocide.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputies Egemen Baðýþ,
also a foreign policy advisor to the Turkish prime minister, and
Reha Denemec will today join the group made up of AKP deputy Vahit
Erdem, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies Ersin
Arýoðlu and Bihlun Tamaylýgil. The deputies are scheduled today to
meet Turkish Ambassador in Washington Nabi Þensoy. On Tuesday, they
will participate in a meeting of the Turkish-American Council and
have talks with the members of the Jewish organizations in the United
States. On Thursday they will have contacts with the members of the
U.S. Congress and the next day they are expected to return to Turkey.

The first of the planned three separate delegations, including
members of both the AKP and the CHP, started a visit to Washington
in late February to seek support against the resolution, expected to
be debated at the House of Representatives soon. The third delegation
plans to lobby in Washington next month.

–Boundary_(ID_VI7+gNfQL2NOaWjn+V4kdQ)–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKADI GHOUKASYAN TO STAY IN KARABAKH AFTER THE ELECTIONS

A1+
[10:08 pm] 12 March, 2007

"There are many decent people in Karabakh. If there are people in
Armenia who think they are perfect candidates for the NKR President’s
post they can come and participate in the elections provided their
participation is compliant with law", Arkadi Ghoukasyan announced
during today’s press conference while speaking of the possible
nomination of Arthur Aghabekyan.

"Any person can participate provided he has got the chance. It is
quite normal," Mr. Ghoukasyan notes. The President of NKR once more
assures that he is not going to run for the third term.

"It will be rather difficult for me to quit politics.

I want to pass my experience to the future president and government. As
you know it requires time and patience.

By the way, Arkadi Ghoukasyan isn’t going to leave Karabakh after
the elections.

ANKARA CONDEMNS SWISS COURT FOR GENOCIDE RULING

Kathimerini, Greece
March 12 2007

ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey has condemned the decision of a Swiss
court to impose a suspended jail sentence and a fine on a Turkish
citizen for denying that mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks
in 1915 amounted to genocide. In the first such conviction under
Swiss law, the court on Friday sentenced Dogu Perincek, head of the
leftist-nationalist Turkish Workers’ Party, to a 90-day suspended jail
term. "The court case was inappropriate, groundless and controversial
in every sense… The verdict cannot be accepted by the Turkish
people," Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said late on Friday.

UEFA TO PASS DECISION ON PLACE OF AZERBAIJAN-ARMENIA MATCH APR 12

Today, Azerbaijan
March 12 2007

AFFA Secretary-General Fuad Asadov’s interview with the APA-Sport
agency.

What issues will be discussed at the meeting of AFFA Executive
Committee to be held on March 16?

The meeting is aimed to confirm the agenda of the next AFFA conference
to be held on April 26. As usual, the conference will deal with the
results of the previous year. Thus, reports of auditor organizations
will be heard and auditor organization will be selected and confirmed
for next year, the budget will be approved. Some other issues may
occur during the conference. But main issues are those discussed in
previous conference which meets AFFA Regulations.

Youth and Sports minister Azad Rahimov said legionary limitation will
be extended in the conference. Has AFFA received any official appeal
on the issue?

According to the AFFA Regulations, we have sent official notifications
to all federation members three months before the conference. The
proposals are to be submitted by 45 days before the conference. No
club has made proposals on extension of legionary limitation so far.

UEFA president Michel Platini stated lately that Azerbaijan-Armenia
matches will probably take place in neutral fields…

Platini said the issue will be considered in near future. April
12 is a near future. AFFA has received a letter on the issue. They
invited us to the commission meeting to be held on April 12. After
a preliminary decision on the place of Azerbaijan-Armenia match is
approved that day, it will be submitted to the agenda of the UEFA
Executive Committee meeting to be held a week later in Cardiff,
Wales. If the final decision will be passed the matches to take place
in neutral fields, we will suggest Ukraine, Switzerland and Austria.

The exact place of the match will depend on the talks with Armenian
party.

It is stated that the matches will probably take place in Donetsk,
Ukraine…

Ukraine is among three suggested countries. If Armenia agrees, the
matches may be organized here. But for now, I cannot say what country
it will take place.

By the way, when are FIFA president Zepp Blatter and UEFA president
Michel Platini visiting Baku?

The date hasn’t been set yet, because it is unknown when Platini will
come. During his visit to Georgia lately, he stated he will also visit
Azerbaijan. He could go anywhere anytime before was elected UEFA
president. But he is not very busy. Platini was expected to visit
Azerbaijan the following day of UEFA Executive Committee meeting
on April 18. At that time Blatter wil make a visit to Pakistan. He
was also expected to come to Baku from there. But later on, it was
clear that UEFA Executive Committee will assemble on April 19, not
April 18. That’s why we don’t know the exact date of FIFA and UEFA
presidents’ visit to Baku.

Will they participate in only the opening ceremony of AFFA’s new
office?

Of course, they will not leave the country after participating in
an-hour ceremony. Blatter and Platini will have visit program. If
they come, they will stay for two days in Baku. They are expected
to view mini football fields constructed with financial support of
international organizations. They will probably meet with President
Ilham Aliyev, Youth and Sports minister Azad Rahimov.

Are the presidents expected to visit mini football fields in the
regions?

It depends on them.

When are Azerbaijani U-21 team’s matches in European championship
qualifying scheduled?

The draw of the group took place March 13. The calendar is to be
confirmed a month later fater the draw. UEFA will soon present us
the schedule of team’s first qualifying group.

Futsal Federation president Agarza Rzayev stated at the AFFA Executive
Committee meeting that Baba Asgerov will be appointed head coach of
the futsal team…

Agarza Rzayev has nothing to do with the appointment of head coach
of the team. He can make proposal as a federation president. For
the time being the Baba Asgerov is entrusted the team. We will take
into consideration the opinions of Futsal Federation leadership, team
figures and AFFA Futsal Committee when we appoint the head coach. But
I cannot say when the concrete decision will be made.

Has any official protest letter been sent to the UEFA on the unfairness
that Azerbaijani team faced during the European championship qualifying
in Netherlands?

We are preparing the letter right now. We have added the video records
and articles published in Dutch press outlet to the letter.

We are going to send the letter to the UEFA on March 12. But it
is impossible to play the match again. The UEFA may fine Serbian
Football Federation.

Have you paid the fine imposed on the AFFA after Sergey Sokolov failed
a doping test?

We haven’t received an answer to the third letter sent to the UEFA
asking to explain the reason why the AFFA should pay the fine. We
haven’t paid the fine. But it usually happens that way: UEFA removes
the fine from the amount transferred from the organization to the
fined national federation. They must have already taken the fine.

URL:

ARMENIA – NATO DIALOGUE EXCEEDS SECURITY ISSUES

Panorama.am
19:53 12/03/2007

Today the Armenian Foreign Minister received NATO Secretary
General on diplomatic issues, Jan Fiurne, ministry press services
report. Mr. Fiurne underscored the kick off of NATO week in terms
of advocacy efforts. He pinpointed to the importance of dialogue and
discussions on NATO role.

The interlocutors also attached important to attracting the public
into the dialogue on Armenia-NATO relations, which does not limit
itself only to security issues but includes a large specter of public
interests. The two made reflections to Armenia-NATO cooperation
individual partnership action plan.

NATO informal center official opened after the meeting where the
minister and NATO General Secretary assistant on diplomatic issues
participated.