Month: May 2008

SAFAR ABIYEV: "AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY HAS MANY COMMON FACTORS, INCLUDING DEMAND TO ARMENIA TO RELEASE THE OCCUPIED LANDS OF AZERBAIJAN"

Today, Azerbaijan
.html
May 1 2008

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Safar Abiyev received commander of
Turkish air forces general Aydoghan Babaoghlu.

The due information was provided by the press service for the Defense
Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Safar Abiyev noted that Azerbaijan also felt Turkey’s support in hard
times and this country was the first to recognize the independence
of Azerbaijan.

He noted that successful cooperation has been established in the
military and all other spheres and there is a need for their further
development.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense informed the visitor about the great
progress in the national army, conduction of military trainings and
education, meeting modern standards. He noted that the Turkish armed
forces have always supported Azerbaijani army in this issue.

"Azerbaijan and Turkey have many common factors, including the demand
from Armenia to release the occupied lands of Azerbaijan", said Abiyev.

In turn, Babaoghlu noted that Turkey will always remain loyal to the
principle "One nation-two states".

The meeting was attended by Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Khulusi
Kilich and military attache of Turkey to Azerbaijan Fahri Kyr.

SAFAR ABIYEV: "ARMENIA’S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES IS AN IMPORTANT POINT OF AZERBAIJANI-TURKISH JOINT INTERESTS"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 1 2008

Baku. Mahbube Gasimbeyli-APA. Azerbaijani Defense Minister
General-Colonel Safar Abiyev met on Thursday with the Commander of
Turkish Air Forces Army General Aydogan Babaoglu, Press-Service of
the Defense Ministry told APA.

Safar Abiyev underlined strong historical, spiritual and cultural
ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey and said Azerbaijan was always
seeing Turkey close together in rugged times. Speaking about the
present level of Azerbaijan-Turkish relationship, the minister said
there was successful cooperation in the military field as it was in
other fields. He emphasized the importance of further development
of the cooperation. He said Azerbaijani Army made a big progress in
the past several years through the modernized military training and
education. The minister said Azerbaijani Armed Forces have always
felt the support of Turkish Armed Forces. "There are many points
which unite Azerbaijan and Turkey and important point is the Armenian
withdrawal from the occupied Azerbaijani lands".

In his turn, Turkish General said he absolutely shared thoughts of
Azerbaijani defense Minister and Turkey would always be loyal to the
principle of "One Nation in Two States".

MANUCHARYAN: NO FUTURE AT AJAX

Virgin Media Sport, UK
May 1 2008

Ajax striker Edgar Manucharyan has admitted he does not have a future
at the club after becoming frustrated at his lack of first-team
opportunities.

The 21-year-old has not played a single minute for the first team
this campaign and does not want the same thing to happen next season.

"I have been fit for months but coach (Adrie) Koster still didn’t give
me a chance," said Manucharyan. "Another season at Jong Ajax is not
my cup of tea. If I can’t play at a higher level I will not improve."

The Armenia international has not ruled out the possibility of a
loan move.

"I hope things will change," he added. "Maybe Ajax can loan me out
for six months."

OPEN LETTER TO THE ARLINGTON COMMUNITY

Arlington Advocate, MA
tyle/columnists/x514712737
May 1 2008

On November 27, 2007 the No Place for Hate Steering Committee sent the
Board of Selectmen a letter informing them of our withdrawal from the
No Place for Hate program. This withdrawal was in response to the Anti
Defamation League’s (ADL) position on the Armenian Genocide. We decided
that we would not be able to continue our involvement in the program
unless the ADL revisited its stance on the Armenian genocide. The
ADL did not revisit its decision and we withdrew from the program.

At the time of our withdrawal, the steering committee decided by a
unanimous vote to continue to work along with many other groups and
residents, to ensure that Arlington is a place that is welcoming to
all and where the diversity that each of us brings is celebrated
and mutually respected. Over the months following our withdrawal,
we looked at how we could continue our work outside the umbrella of
the No Place for Hate program, making certain that anyone who wants
to join us in this effort will feel welcome.

The Committee has been reformed under a new name, Arlington Common
Threads. We still are comprised of representatives from the Board
of Selectmen, town manager’s office, Arlington Police Department,
Arlington Public Schools, Human Rights Commission and several community
organizations. On March 30, we went before the Board of Selectmen to
ask for their formal endorsement of Arlington Common Threads. They
unanimously agreed.

Arlington Common Threads is committed to fostering a positive
understanding between residents of all ethnic, racial and religious
backgrounds. We are committed to working closely in cooperation with
and to help further the important work of the many boards, commissions
and community groups in town that are working on issues of acceptance
and diversity in Arlington.

Currently we have two major projects in the works. One is the
development of a Web site, which will be used to inform Arlingtonians
about events that represent the diversity of our town and to provide
information about groups that work on issues of acceptance and
diversity. The other project will be to develop a community-wide event
that explores in a positive venue the diversity of cultural heritage,
ethnic and religious backgrounds in the town of Arlington.

In order to be successful we are seeking volunteers to expand our
committee and help with our projects. Everyone is welcome to become
involved with Arlington Common Threads. We are looking for energetic
and committed volunteers from all parts of the Arlington community. To
learn more and to get involved please contact Cindy Friedman at
[email protected]. Any amount of time you are willing to give
is appreciated!

We would like to thank the Board of Selectmen and the police department
for their active encouragement of this committee. While we are no
longer affiliated with the No Place for Hate program, we are as
eager as ever to continue our work. Please join us as our community
works together to ensure a high level of respect for diversity and
anti-bias efforts, as well as maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for
hate crimes and incidents. With your help we know we can be successful.

Cindy Friedman Chairman of the Arlington Common Threads Annie
LaCourt Selectman Clarissa Rowe Selectman Lt Kenneth Hughes Arlington
Police Department Brian Sullivan Town Manager Pearl Morrison African
American Society of Arlington Patricia O’Donoghue Affirmative Action
Advisory Committee Theresa Aceto-Black Community at large Maria Hood
Community at large Caroline Osterman Community at large Bettie Connors
Disabilities Commission Miriam Stein Diversity Task Force Vita Cohen
Human Rights Commission Marlene Schultz Human Rights Commission Janice
Bakey Martin Luther King Committee Joe Curro School Committee Sharon
Grossman SPOT Mary Megson SPOT Jane Howard Vision 2020

CAUCASUS MUSLIMS CLERICAL BOARD CALLS ON ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH TO REFRAIN FROM GIVING RELIGIOUS IMPLICATION TO ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 1 2008

Azerbaijan, Baku, 1 May / corr. TrendNews S. Agayeva/ The Caucasus
Muslims Clerical Board has condemned the all-Armenian pilgrimage
to Nagorno-Karabakh.

On 1May, the Echmiadzin Cathedral of Armenia organized all-Armenian
pilgrimage to Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied land of Azerbaijan, under
the motto of ‘Let Armenia to Move Forward and Towards to God’. Some
500 pilgrims from Armenia were expected to visit Shusha on 1 May.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began
in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since
1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts.

The Caucasus Muslims Clerical Board assesses the organization of such
campaign as a violation of the agreement by the Armenian church to
assist in the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and not to
incite religious confrontation among the nations. It is also reflected
in the final document adopted by the World Summit of the Religious
Leader held in Moscow in 2006 where Garegina II, head of the Armenian
Apostolic Church, took part.

The Caucasus Muslims Clerical Board assesses the campaign as an
illegal intervention to Azerbaijani territory and announces that it
violates international law. The Board demands Armenia to think about
the consequences that the giving religious implication to the campaign
may cause, statement of the Board said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN: "APPLICATION OF DOUBLE STANDARDS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN SUCH ISSUES AS DEMOCRATIC AND HUMAN RIGHTS OBSERVANCE"

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
.html
May 1 2008

"Application of double standards is unacceptable in such issues as
democracy and human rights observance. The only standard, set by
different human rights conventions, can be applied in such cases".

The due announcement was made by US ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne
Derse, commenting on the recent announcement of US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice regarding democratic development of our country.

"The US Department of State and US Embassy to Azerbaijan had voiced
their position and anxiety over the events in Armenia and Georgia:
anti-democratic processes, disorder and called on restoration of
democratic vales", said Derse.

KHAZAR IBRAHIM: "I HOPE MR.NALBADYAN’S NEXT ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MORE PREPARED, SUBSTANTIATED AND BASED ON REALITY NOT ON FANTASIES"

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
May 1 2008

"The announcement of newly appointed foreign Minister of Armenia
Edward Nalbandyan evidences that he has not yet studied carefully
the details of the negotiation process on the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

The due announcement was made by spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Khazar Ibrahim commenting on the announcement of Foreign
Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan that the document on the
resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict envisions a plebiscite on
the definition of the status of Nagorno Karabakh.

"In particulat, he uses the phrase "Karabakh people". But there is
no such people. There are citizens of Azerbaijan of Armenian origin,
who live in the occupied lands of our country.

The unawareness of the Armenian Foreign Minister about the details of
the negotiation process on the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict over Nagorno Karabakh is also proven by his erroneous
discourse about a certain document on the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

I would like to inform Nalbandyan that there is a difference between
the document and proposals. The negotiation table currently contains
proposals, but documents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, which
are discussed by the leaderships of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The document is, for example, the recent resolution of the UN General
Assembly, which recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
and demands the immediate withdrawal of Armenian armed troops from
the Azerbaijani lands, occupied by Armenia", the spokesman for the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

"As for the plebiscite on the definition of the status of Nagorno
Karabakh, which is, supposedly, a basis for the negotiation process,
this is just an attempt to set the desired for reality, which disloses
the unawareness of the Armenian Foreign Minister on this issue

The basis for negotiation process on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict is a withdrawal of all Armenian armed troops from all the
Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia and return of Azerbaijani IDPs
to their homes.

The next stage of the negotiation process is definition of the status
of Nagorno Karabakh within Azerbaijan. This is the reality and I do
hope that Mr.Nalbandyan’s next announcements will be more prepared,
substantiated and based on reality not on fantasies", said Ibrahim.

ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER OUTLINES COUNTRY’S FOREIGN POLITICAL

Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 30 2008

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian briefed the heads of the
diplomatic missions accredited in Yerevan about Armenia’s foreign
political priorities on Wednesday.

"Armenia will continue to the strengthen strategic partnership with
Russia and will take steps to expand cooperation and friendly relations
with the United States," Nalbandian said.

"The European direction has become among the priorities for Armenia’s
foreign policy," he said.

As regards international organizations, Nalbandian said Armenia
would develop cooperation with the UN, the OSCE (Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe), the Council of Europe and other
international institutions.

Armenia is also willing to normalize relations with Turkey without
any preconditions, he said.

"Armenia attaches significance to ties with its close neighbors,
with which its enjoys friendly cooperation, and is also prepared to
make every possible effort to normalize relations with the neighbors
in relations with which it still has some problems," he said.

MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT, OPPOSITION LEADER MAY EASE PUBLIC

Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 30 2008

The leader of the Heritage opposition party, Armenian ex-foreign
minister Raffi Ovannisian sad he is not giving up in trying to arrange
a meeting between the country’s president, Serzh Sargsian, and the
opposition leader, former Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrosian.

"Talks between Armenian President Serzh Sargsian and ex-president
Levon Ter-Petrosian will become one of the ways of resolving the
crisis in Armenia," Ovannisian told a press conference on Wednesday.

"I am ready to continue efforts to organize such a meeting, however
it remains up to them, and they themselves must want to hold such a
meeting," he said.

Earlier Ovannisian tried to organize the meeting between Sargsian and
Ter-Petrosian by sending them letters. The response came only from
the ex-president who said he was ready for a meeting. No answer was
received from Sargsian.

The Armenian opposition rejects the results of the presidential
election held on February 19. Ter-Petrosian’s supporters are going to
bring the case before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

JAIL TERM OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS SUPPORTING OPPOSITION EXTENDED

Interfax News Agency, Russia
April 30 2008

The prison term of Armenian parliamentarian Myasnik Malkhasian, who has
been charged with participation in mass unrest in Yerevan on March 1
and an attempt to seize power, has been extended for two more months,
lawyer Melanya Arustamian said.

The Armenian prosecutor general requested on March that the parliament
4 sanction the arrest of parliamentarians Akop Akopian, Myasnik
Malkhasian, Sasun Mikaelian, and Khachatur Sukiasian. The four had
been indicted for the organization of mass unrest and an attempt
to usurp power. Sukiasian’s whereabouts is unknown, and he has been
declared wanted.

The prison term of Akopian was also extended for two months on Tuesday.

In addition, former Armenian Prosecutor General Gagik Jangirian’s
sentence has also been extended for two months.

All these people openly supported the opposition by siding with
presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrosian, whose supporters refused
to recognize the official results of the February 19 presidential
elections and organized protests, which resulted in clashes with
police on March 1 and 2, The Armenian prosecutor general said.

Ten people were killed and more than 250 injured in the clashes.