Month: August 2008

SAMAD SEYIDOV: "APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON POLITICAL PRISONERS FOR AZERBAIJAN IS NOT ON THE AGENDA"

Azeri Press Agency
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova – APA. "The issue on appointing special
rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan is not on the agenda",
head of Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) Samad Seyidov said, APA reports.

He said that a number of problems related to Human Rights in Azerbaijan
had been solved due to the joint activity of Azerbaijani parliament,
executive power and nongovernmental organizations.

"I am sure that this process will continue," he said.

PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig said during his visit to Azerbaijan
that the appointment of special rapporteur can be considered, if
there is no change concerning this issue by September.

–Boundary_(ID_254CQ7dvpuxySoAfVaJw7A) —

RUSSIA TAKES ONE STEP CLOSER TO A NEW COLD WAR
by Taras Kuzio

Kyiv Post
Aug 26 2008
Ukraine

The Russian parliament’s unanimous endorsement of the independence of
South Ossetia and Abkhazia is a dangerous step towards conflict in
the former Soviet Union and another step towards a new Cold War. In
both instances Russia loses.

Western and Ukrainian apologists of Russia’s new imperialism can no
longer say, as they did until recently, that the Russian parliament
undertook policies that were not always endorsed by the president.

This was the argument that was used under President Boris
Yeltsin. Under President or Prime minister Vladimir Putin this
argument is bogus. The Russian parliament is no longer an independent
institution and, since Russia’s last two elections, both houses of
parliament are controlled by the executive as part of Russia’s managed
democracy and militocracy.

After recovering from its nationalistic hangover Russia, in promoting
territorial expansionism towards Georgia, will lose the new Cold War.

Russia’s de facto annexation opens up a pandora’s box among former
Soviet republics and within the Russian Federation itself. If South
Ossetia and Abkhazia can be independent, then why not Transdniestr,
Nagorno-Karabakh or Chechnya?

Russia’s relations with its Commonwealth of Independent States
neighbors will deteriorate, leading to a negative impact on Russia’s
hopes for CIS integration. The loss of South Ossetia and Abkhazia
will make it easier for Georgia to enter NATO, just like the loss of
Kosovo has made it easier for Serbia to join the European Union.

Russia’s imperialism in Georgia will also return support levels in
Ukraine for NATO membership to their pre-Iraqi invasion levels when a
third of Ukraine’s population backed membership. Obtaining 51 percent
in a referendum is easier to accomplish when your starting base is 33
percent, rather than 20 percent. Any attempt at repeating the Putin
Doctrine in the Crimea would increase support in Ukraine for NATO
membership to over a third.

Russia will lose out in any Cold War confrontation with the West,
as the USSR lost in the 1990s when it competed with Ronald Reagan’s
USA. Russia’s highly corrupt autocratic regime has neither the
resources, ideology nor allies that the USSR possessed, factors which
still did not prevent the Soviet Union from losing the Cold War and
disintegrating. Perhaps Russia’s new rulers should be advised to
watch the recent U.S. film "Charlie’s War" on U.S. support to the
Afghan freedom fighters in the 1980s.

Russia’s new imperialism will increase the chances that U.S. Sen. John
McCain will win this year’s U.S. elections, the candidate least liked
by Moscow.

The near unanimous Western criticism of Russian imperialism in Georgia
(even the passive EU has called an extraordinary meeting on Sept. 1)
has pushed many non-committal NATO members towards support for
Ukrainian and Georgian inclusion into NATO Membership Action Plans
at the December review meeting.

Russia’s new imperialism is the last stage of the disintegration
of the Soviet empire that was delayed during the Yeltsin era by
many years of alcoholism, mass corruption and a brutal invasion of
Chechnya. As in the 1980s, Russia will ultimately lose again and face
its own disintegration.

MONITORING TO BE HELD ON AZERBAIJANI-ARMENIAN BORDER REGIONS

Trend News Agency
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 26 August / Trend News corr. K.Zarbaliyeva
/ A monitoring will be held by the personal representative of
Chairman-in-office of OSCE in the border regions located near the
Barda-Agdam region on 27 August.

A source from Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that from the
Azerbaijani side the monitoring would be held by Pieter Ki and Antal
Herdich, Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

>From the Armenian side the monitoring would be held by Irji Aberli
and Vladimir Chountulov.

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. In
1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
time the active hostilities ended.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US)
are currently holding peaceful negotiations to regulate the conflict.

RUSSIA’S WITHDRAWAL: WILL IT GARNER FAVOR WITH THE WESTERN ALLIANCE?
by Tulin Daloglu

Washington Times
Aug 26 2008
DC

Georgia’s aspirations to NATO membership could affect the
sustainability and success of the alliance in Afghanistan. During
April’s NATO summit in Bucharest, Russia committed to support NATO’s
supply lines to Afghanistan across Russian Federation territory. While
American troops’ supply lines run mainly through Pakistan, Russian
cooperation is no little thing. After the NATO foreign ministers
held an emergency meeting last week in Brussels amidst the fighting
between Georgia and Russia, they issued a strongly worded statement
saying that there will be no "business as usual" until all Russian
troops withdraw from all parts of Georgia. Then Moscow announced its
suspension of all military cooperation with NATO.

The debate over who to blame for this war in Central Asia becomes
less important if Russia has leverage over the NATO operation in
Afghanistan. Russia is waiting to see how the Western alliance reacts
to its withdrawal from Georgia before deciding what to do next. "It
would depend on whether the Russians simply stop being positive,
which probably wouldn’t have much of an effect," James Dobbins,
the former special envoy for Afghanistan, said last week at a New
America Foundation event. "[If] they start being negative… [if]
they start using their influence on Central Asian governments to get
them to stop [cooperating with NATO and stop supporting supply lines
to Afghanistan across their territory], then it could be a more serious
problem." In fact, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said clearly
last Thursday that Russia does not need the cooperation as much as
NATO does. "Russia’s support [in Afghanistan] is crucial for NATO,"
he said. Pakistan is the most serious obstacle to NATO’s success in
Afghanistan, but Russia has certainly made its point to all Central
Asian countries that crossing its lines will cost them dearly.

According to European Union experts, [Georgia] suffered some $1
billion in direct infrastructural loses, and will lose a projected $1
billion more in direct foreign investment over the next year or so,"
wrote Thomas Goltz, author of "Georgia Diary," from Tblisi. "Get
ready for a long, cold winter in Georgia, with social chaos around
the corner." The Western alliance’s military strength in the Middle
East and the Caucasus looks to be waning. Longtime U.S. allies have
begun to flirt with alternative future alliances.

Last week, Jordan’s King Abdullah flew to Moscow for the third time
in six months. Syrian President Assad visited Moscow to seek defense
cooperation. Even more interestingly, Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan visited Russia to launch a "Caucasus Stability and
Co-operation Platform," aiming to bring Turkey, Russia, Georgia,
Azerbaijan and Armenia to the table. Although the initiative is
unlikely to go any further, Washington was caught totally off guard. A
U.S. official told me that the strategic vision document between the
United States and Turkey that was agreed upon about two years ago
included a commitment by Ankara to inform and consult Washington
on these matters. The ruling party also needed U.S. support, and
that document was presented as evidence of success in its foreign
policy. Now it’s been forgotten. Yet Turkey allowed three U.S. military
ships to pass through Turkish straights to deliver humanitarian aid
to Georgia.

All of this is happening as France, which brokered the deal between
Russia and Georgia, lost 10 soldiers in an ambush in Afghanistan –
the country’s worst military loss in nearly three decades. It also
coincides with the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharaf,
raising concerns about that country’s stability. But Pakistan’s
ambassador to Washington, Hussain Haqqani, celebrates Mr. Musharaf’s
resignation as a sign of democracy in Pakistan. "[E]verybody who
disliked him disliked the United States. I think that has changed (with
his resignation)," Mr. Haqqani said. But Mr. Musharraf’s resignation
will not boost America’s image in Pakistan, nor will it make fighting
al Qaeda and the radical Islamist ideology any easier. In fact, until
true rule of law is established in Pakistan, and until a forceful
crackdown on radical Islamist ideology takes place, talk of democracy
in Pakistan will only serve to make people feel a little better.

But if Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, is seen as
a possible successor to Mr. Musharraf, the rule of law will not be
well represented. Mr. Zardari’s name has been linked persistently to
corruption allegations inside and outside his country – and as such,
would cast suspicion on any discussion of democracy. The U.S. is
also limited in the kind of pressure it can apply to Pakistan, which
can say, "*top using us (Pakistan) as a transit line to Afghanistan,
and then we’re sort of stuck," Mr. Dobbins said. And that makes the
Russian role, "[n]ot an insignificant point of leverage." Realistically
speaking, that could end Georgia’s ambitions to become a NATO member
any time soon.

SHORTAGES OF FUEL AND WHEAT IN ARMENIA
By M. Alkhazashvili

The Messenger
Aug 26 2008
Georgia

Russia’s intervention in Georgia and its deliberate damaging of
Georgia’s transport infrastructure have caused serious problems to
Russia’s strategic partner Armenia. That country receives many of its
essential goods by cargo through Georgia. The suspension of transit
caused by damage to Georgia’s transport infrastructure has created
a shortage of certain products in Armenia, most importantly fuel
and wheat.

To try and alleviate the fuel shortage the Armenian Energy Minister
has traveled to Iran, although agreeing to obtain fuel from there
would be a difficult step to take as it would be more expensive than
getting it through Georgia.

There are currently 37 petrol tankers in Batumi which could be used to
transport fuel to Armenia. The Batumi terminal however is storing 1,800
tonnes of petrol which is due for delivery to that country. Armenia
is therefore sending 40 extra petrol tankers to Batumi. One of six
carriages of wheat intended for Armenia is also stranded in Georgia
due to Russia’s damage of the railways.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are vitally interested in the prompt
restoration of the Georgian railway system. Specialists from both
countries are assisting Georgia to reconstruct it.

ORGANIZATION FOR KARABAKH LIBERATION: "IF ARMENIA TRIES TO RECOGNIZE "INDEPENDENCE" OF NAGORNO KARABAKH, AZERBAIJAN WILL HAVE TO INITIATE MILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST ARMENIANS"

Today.Az
/politics/47204.html
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan

The Organization for Karabakh Liberation condemns the continued
pressure on Georgia by Russia and Russia’s attempt to recognize
"independence" of the formations on its territory, says a statement,
released by the Organization for Karabakh Liberation.

The statement notes that these actions aim at execution of empire
ambitions in the region.

"Russia openly opposes the western countries. A new military and
political situation is forming in the region. Azerbaijan should
correctly assess the established situation, take a determined and firm
position and be ready to a complicated situation. Azerbaijan should
take determined steps against Russia’s occupational intentions",
says the statement.

The organization says that the first step, which Azerbaijan should
take, is to reject the Russian co-chairmanship in the OSCE Minsk Group.

"If Armenia, prompted by Russia, tries to recognize the so-called
"independence" of the regime in Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan should
immediately start military actions against Armenia occupants.

For this purpose our country should inform international organizations
and carry out serious preliminary work both inside the country and
out of its bounds", says the statement.

The organization states that the repeated occupation of the region
by Russia by Armenia’s help should not be admitted, it is necessary
to take purposeful steps for liberation of the occupied lands of
Azerbaijan.

"For this purpose, it is necessary to join efforts, will of people
and the state and demonstrate single position", says the statement.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

USA SUPPORTS TURKEY’S INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH CAUCASUS UNION

Trend News Agency
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 26 August /corr. Т R.Novruzov / The USA supports
Turkey’s initiative to establish Caucasus Union.

"We support Turkey’s initiative and find it interesting," the
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ann Derse briefed the media on 26 August.

She did not comment on the essence of the alliance, saying that yet
the USA has not received an official text of platform of the Union.

The Prime Minister of Turkey, Rajab Tayyib Erdogan, made an initiative
to establish a Peace and Stability Platform in Caucasus, which will
unite five countries, and held initial talks with Georgia, Russia
and Azerbaijan.

The recent events in South Ossetia make it important to establish a
platform of peace and co-operation in Caucasus, Erdogan said.

"In format of "Five", discussions will be held with Armenia
as well. This week a meeting will take place between the Foreign
Ministers of Turkey and Russia, after which the form of discussions
with Armenia will be determined," Erdogan said.

–Boundary_(ID_EX7I9VIEeF73yXzbgMpEcQ)–

IQBAL AGHAZADE: "SERIOUS STRUGGLE WILL BE INITIATED BETWEEN ME AND ILHAM ALIYEV IN 2008"

Today.Az
tics/47200.html
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan

The Umid party has already collected 44,000 signatures, which it
presented to the Central Election Commission, said party chairman
Iqbal Aghazade, who nominated his candidacy for presidential elections.

He said the collection was mainly conducted by the party activists,
therefore, no special funds were allocated for the purpose.

According to him, they faced different obstacles in collecting
signatures.

"In particular, our signature lists were taken away by the order
of the executive powers and torn to pieces before the eyes of our
activists in Geranboy, Zaqatala, Lerik, Qazakh, Samukh regions. Some
of the signature lists were spoiled. But we managed to get the needed
number of signatures. We are now working at creating advertising and
placards to demonstrate during presidential elections.

As to the worthy rival for him, he said he regards Ilham Aliyev as the
only rival. "Serious struggle will be initiated between me and Ilham
Aliyev in 2008. I will represent opposition and he will represent
the powers. Unlike other candidates, I am sure that I will be able
to gather the protest electorate.

Speaking about the idea of creating a single coalition, he said
it can only be executed following the elections. According to him,
there is no need for creating any association, as it will not be able
to influence the process of presidential elections.

Aghazade said if he is elected a president he will pay due attention
to all problems.

"For example, it is impossible to pay attention only to the
socioeconomic development of the country, without paying attention
to the resolution of the Karabakh problem. It requires complex
solution. For this purpose I have my own programs and strategies.

Asked whether his team would include powers or opposition
representatives, he said there is a law "On state service", which
defines rules of admission of citizens for state service.

"There should not be any differences between people for their party
belonging, the most important is that they should worthily fulfill
their duties, while the rest is not decisive".

RUSSIA RECOGNIZES INDEPENDENCE OF GEORGIA’S REBEL REGIONS

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Aug 26 2008
Germany

Sochi, Russia – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev formally recognized
Georgia’s rebel regions as independent on Tuesday, defying Western
criticism as its troops remained in the former Soviet state.

‘In the current crisis it became necessary to make a decision. … I
have signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of
the independence of South Ossetia and of Abkhazia,’ Medvedev said in
a nationally televised statement Tuesday.

The United States slammed the resolution while the European Union
reaffirmed support for Georgia’s territorial integrity just minutes
before Medvedev’s announcement.

‘It is not an easy choice, but it is the only way to protect the
lives of civilians,’ the president said after meeting with Russia’s
security chiefs.

The Kremlin convened the security council at the president’s Black Sea
residence in Sochi on Tuesday to review a plea by Russia’s parliament
for recognition of the two Georgian breakaway regions.

Vladimir Putin – Russia’s powerful premier and Medvedev’s predecessor
as president – was also in attendance.

Medvedev stressed that Russia has long held back from recognizing
Abkhazia and South Ossetia’s pleas for independence, but that Georgia’s
attack on the latter had forced its hand.

‘On the night of August 8, Tbilisi had a choice: (Georgian President
Mikheil) Saakashvili opted for genocide. … With this choice
Saakashvili wiped out all hope of a peaceful coexistence of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia under one government,’ Medvedev said in the
statement.

Russia and Georgia fought a brief but bloody war over South Ossetia
with Russia’s army moving deep into Georgia last week after repelling
an offensive by Georgian troops to re-take its separatist region.

Few other governments are likely to recognize the two regions, that
have held de facto independence since winning a war of succession
from Tbilisi in the early 1990s.

With Russian troops still deep in Georgia, Russia’s move to recognize
the republics is sure to deepen a rift in ties with the West already
at their worst since the Cold War.

The United States rebuked Russia’s parliament over the resolution on
Monday, saying it was ‘deeply concerned.’

US President George W Bush warned that Moscow’s recognition of
the provinces would violate its commitments and the United Nations
resolutions governing the diplomatic effort to resolve the frozen
conflicts.

Russian lawmakers Monday cited Kosovo’s recent break from Serbia as a
legal precedent for South Ossetia’s moral right to self- determination.

Ahead of the announcement, Medvedev sought to reassure the Molodovan
and Azeri presidents – who have similar secession worries to Georgia
– over the respective breakaway regions of Nagorno Karabakh and
Transnistria.

DECISION ON SOUTH OSSETIA AND ABKHAZIA OPENS WAY TO CONFRONTATION: AZERBAIJANI OPPOSITION PARTY

Trend News Agency
Aug 26 2008
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, 26 August / Trend News corr. E.Babayev /The
opposition Democratic Party of Azerbaijan (DPA) made a statement
which condemns the decision by the Russian Federation Council which
recognizes the independence in Abkhazia and Ossetia. "Such a decision
is interference into the internal affairs in Georgia, as well as is
a step which contradicts to international law norms and opens way to
confrontation in the world," is stated in the statement by DPA.

On 25 August, the Russian Federation Council unanimously voted to
make an appeal to President to recognize the independence of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia. Later, the State Duma has unanimously supported
the appeal regarding recognition of the independence of South Ossetia
and Abkhazia.

The step taken by Moscow has demonstrated that it caused the recent
discord and hostility amongst nations, who live in the post Soviet
area, is stated in the statement.

DPA call on the world community and international organizations to take
into consideration Russia’s actions, which contradict international
law norms, as well as to take more rational measures to keep security
of new independent states. DPA considers necessity to exclude Russia
from the OSCE Minsk Group, taking into consideration the fact that
Moscow stands behind the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and is interested
side in the conflict.

DPA calls on the CIS member-countries to take into consideration
Russia’s recent actions, which violated the requirements of the CIS
Regulation. DPA calls on Azerbaijanis and political forces to take
measures to keep independence and territorial integrity.

DPA was founded by Jalaloglu in 1991. The party took a radical
position against the Government until 2007. In January 2007, the
party took a new political course and improved relations with the
authorities. Protesting against such an action Rasul Guliyev, the
ex-chairman, and his supporters left the party and founded the Open
Society party