Author: Antonian Lara

ACTION PLAN BETWEEN EU AND AZERBAIJAN SIGNED TODAY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006

The meeting of EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Council in Brussels is over,
APA reports.

At the end of the meeting a five-year Action Plan within European
Neighborhood Policy between Azerbaijan and EU was signed. Analogous
document was signed between EU and Armenia and Georgia before. The
document envisages improving the economic integration and political
partnership. It is noted that 25 members of the EU and Azerbaijan
are for the preservation of common values, should respect sovereignty
and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders and obey
the international norms and principles. Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Policy Department chief Tahir Tagizadeh told the APA that
the Action Plan envisages cooperation in 10 spheres. The official
said that the document will help Azerbaijan to integrate to European
structures.

REFERENDUM ON DECEMBER 10

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 9 2006

On November 3 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian signed the decree
on appointing the day of the referendum on the Constitution of
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The press secretary of the NKR president
reports that in accordance with the decree the referendum will be
held on December 10, 2006.

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV ATTENDS CONFERENCE AT BELGIAN ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2006

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the Conference
"Azerbaijan-EU: partnership reaching beyond energy" which took place at
the Belgian Royal Institute for International Relations on November 7.

Ambassadors plenipotentiary and extraordinary and permanent
representatives to international organizations of several countries,
renowned Belgian politicians and political scientists, as well as
representatives of various international organizations including
the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament were
present at the Conference.

Director General of the Institute Claude MISSON thanked the Azerbaijani
leader for coming and introduced him to the audience.

President Ilham Aliyev spoke to the conference.

He thanked for the invitation and informed the audience on the
meetings he had in Brussels. The President said integration into
Europe is Azerbaijan’s priority, and this visit has created a good
basis for further enhancement of Azerbaijan-EU cooperation.

He said that despite the bitter consequences of the Armenian military
aggression and the deep crisis Azerbaijan was facing in the first
years of independence, it has managed to safeguard its statehood and
realize political and economic reforms. The President mentioned the
EU’s support to the country to achieve that.

The Head of State said cooperation with the European Union is very
important to Azerbaijan noting the EU will also benefit from that.

The President described Azerbaijan as a country carrying out an
open-door policy, and having very favorable investment opportunities.

He said the country has achieved world’s highest economic growth rate,
and turned into a leading state in the region.

Dwelling on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
President Ilham Aliyev once again expressed his country’s positions
towards the problem. Armenia’s acting in defiance of international
legal norms and pursuing the policy supporting separatist is he said
the main reason for why the conflict has not yet been resolved.

The President answered questions from the audience.

BAKU DOES NOT LIKE SETTING OF MONUMENT TO ARMENIAN GENERAL IN GEORGIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.11.2006 15:59 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In establishing a monument to an Armenian general
in Georgian region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, official Tbilisi will
take all measures for it not to impact relations with Azerbaijan,
Georgian Minister of Culture Georgy Gabashvili said. Armenians live in
Samtskhe-Javakheti Georgian region and it was proposed establishment of
a monument to Gurgen Dalibaltayan Armenian general, who participated in
the Karabakh war. According to Georgian laws, and the Georgian Minister
of Culture confirmed it, local authorities decide matters of opening a
monument. However, Georgian Minister of Culture Georgy Gabashvili said,
"When such matters have political shade, we should take into account
the interests of our neighbor Azerbaijan," Trend reports.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER ACCUSES THE EU OF CREATING ADDITIONAL OBSTACLES

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 6 2006

Turkish Prime Minister Rejeb Tayyib Erdogan ha accused the European
Union of "creating additional obstacles on the way of Turkey’s
accession into the united Europe." This was the reaction of the Prime
Minister to the draft report of the European Commission to be issued
next week, "Trend" agency reports.

The document questions Ankara’s accession to the EU. According to the
document, the pace of reforms in the country has considerably slowed
down. Besides, it is noted that Turkey’s has registered no progress
in normalization of relations with Cyprus, the Southern part of which
is already in the EU, while the Northern one is still under Turkish
blockade. Turkey has not opened its ports and air space for Cyprus.

Finland, which is currently presiding over the European Union,
continues searching for ways out of the "Cyprus deadlock," which is
one of the main obstacles on Turkey’s way to the European Union.

POLAND ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2006 17:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today RA parliament speaker Tigran Torosian
met with Polish Senate Marshal Bogdan Borusewicz, reported the
RA NA press office. The Armenian Ambassador to Poland and Polish
Ambassador to Armenia were also present at the meeting. Pointing out
to the dynamic development of the Armenian-Polish relations Tigran
Torosian said that the current visit will convey a new impulse to
cooperation. He also stressed the importance of the visit within
the context of European integration, since Poland being an EU member
state has gained experience that can be interesting and useful for
Armenia. In his words, after the signing of the Armenia-EU Action
Plan the Armenian-Polish relations will acquire new possibilities
for development. When touching upon relations with the NATO the RA
NA chairman said there are opportunities to cooperate with Poland in
this context as well. "A deputy friendship group was formed in the RA
parliament, there is rich experience of contacts within international
structures. This is a good foundation for the development of the
Armenian-Polish relations," Torosian said.

For his part Bogdan Borusewicz said that his delegation includes
members of the Seym, Senate and government. This fact proves the
importance Poland attaches to relations with Armenia. "As compared
to 1990-ies Armenia has made a big move," he remarked.

Pointing out to the policy of deepening relations with the EU and NATO
the Polish Senate Marshal said Poland is ready to assist in these
processes. He also stressed the importance of holding the upcoming
parliamentary election in accordance with European standards and
peaceful settlement of the existing conflicts.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION PROCESS GAINING STRENGTH IN EUROPE AND U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2006 13:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Diaspora of the U.S. anchors big
hopes with the off-year election, the ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter in Washington. "The number
of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues can reach 196. Turkey
has reason for worrying, since the Armenian Genocide recognition
process is gaining force not only in Europe but also in the United
States. In case the democrats take majority of seats in the House of
Representatives and in the Senate the situation may turn favorable
for Armenians. The ANCA does not oppose democrats to republicans. The
Genocide issue should be on the agenda after the re-election as well.

Congressman Adam Schiff will submit the issue to the Committee on
Foreign Relations," the ANCA Executive Director said.

RAJAB TAYYIP ERDOGAN: I OPENLY SEND A CHALLENGE TO KOCHARYAN; IF HE IS COURAGEOUS ENOUGH LET HIM MAKE ARCHIVES AVAILABLE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 4 2006

"If Kocharyan is courageous enough let him make Armenian archives
available. Let the specialists analyze them and find out truth.

Turkey makes available his archives to anyone, but Armenia refuses
to do it," Rajab Tayyip Erdogan answered the question of Armenian
journalist Greghan Manukyan in the News Xchange-2006 conference, APA
Turkey bureau reports. 155 media groups and over 500 journalists from
55 countries took part in the conference. Armenian journalist said that
Armenian s played a great role in the formation of Istanbul culture,
but thousands of our compatriots were killed there in 1914.

His statement made the minister angry.

"I openly send a challenge to Kocharyan. If he is self-confident, let
him open Armenian archives to anyone. I have copies of Ottoman pashas’
aids to Armenian hospitals in my office. Armenians living in Turkey
have no problem; the only problem is Armenian Diaspora," he said.

The minister also answered the questions about the meeting with Pope
Benedict XVI Erdogan said that he will be in the meeting of NATO
member states’ ministers in Poland at that time.

"Our President and Re3ligious Affairs Minister will meet the Pope,"
the minister said.

US EMBASSY : TRAFFICKING PROBLEM IN ARMENIA REQUIRES RESOLVING

TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 4 2006

(ARKA) -The problem of trafficking in Armenia requires resolving,
Anthony Godfry, Deputy Head of Mission, US Embassy in Armenia,
stated at his meeting with Chairperson of the Standing Parliamentary
Commission for Science, Education, Culture and Youth Affairs Hranush
Hakobyan. He pointed out that struggle against trafficking has become
one of the most important tasks of various countries and international
organizations, reports Trend.

Although the RA Government is ready to elaborate a new national
program of trafficking control, but no decisive steps have yet been
made because necessary funds have not been allocated form the state
budget. Godfry stated that the USA is concerned with the problem being
resolved, and if funds are allocated from Armenia’s state budget,
the USA and the UNDP are ready to render active financial assistance.

In her turn, Granush Hakobyan pointed out the necessity of eradicating
trafficking as a vicious phenomenon. "The national program of
trafficking control must be consistently implemented.

Armenia should accede to relevant international agreements,
harmonize its legislation and establish close ties with international
organizations," she said.

Hakobyan expressed her readiness to contribute to the resolution of
financial problems by applying to the RA Government.

The sides reached an arrangement about long-lasting cooperation
and activities for implementation of Armenia’s national program of
trafficking control.

ANC PAC
104 N. Belmont St.
Suite 200B
Glendale, CA 91206

PRESS RELEASE

ANC-PAC Endorses
Congressman Brad Sherman

November 3, 2006

LOS ANGELES, CA – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) has been endorsed
by the Armenian National Committee – Political Action Committee
(ANC-PAC), the nation’s largest grassroots Armenian American political
organization. The endorsement announcement was made this week by the
ANC-PAC’s Chairman Leonard Manoukian

Sherman, a Democrat, has been a staunch advocate for his Armenian
American constituents in California’s 27th Congressional District.

His district includes a large portion of the San Fernando Valley,
which is home to over 100,000 Armenian Americans. The Congressman
was elected in 1996 and presently serves on the House International
Relations Committee and is the Ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee
on International Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Human Rights.

"Brad Sherman has earned the respect and vote of his Armenian American
constituents," commented ANC-PAC s spokesperson Nishan Bostanian. "We
welcome the leadership and energy the Congressman has consistently
brought to creating a stronger U.S. foreign policy with respect
to Armenia. We also applaud his determination to provide excellent
constituent services to members of our community throughout the year,"
Bostanian added.

As a member of the House International Relations Committee, Sherman has
been a staunch supporter of efforts to honestly address the Armenian
Genocide through legislative efforts. He has also consistently fought
to provide U.S. assistance for Armenia and most recently worked to
deliver $5 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Artsakh. On
September 29, 2006 the Congressman co-authored a letter to President
Bush urging him to respect the freedoms of the people of Artsakh.

Earlier this year members of the San Fernando Valley ANC
met with Congressman Sherman to thank him for co-sponsoring
the Crowley-Sherman-Royce Amendment to the Export-Import Bank
Reauthorization Act of 2006. That amendment prohibits the Export-Import
Bank from providing any assistance "to develop or promote any rail
connections or railway-related connections that traverse or connect
Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey, and that
specifically exclude cities in Armenia."

The ANC-PAC is a non-partisan federally registered political action
committee established to support campaign committees for Members of
Congress who share the values of the Armenian American community.

The ANC-PAC is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the voice
of the Armenian American community is clearly heard in our nation’s
capital. The ANC-PAC continues a century old tradition of Armenian
Americans engagement on the public policy issues facing national
political leaders, both in the U.S. Congress and the White House.