Author: Antonian Lara

FM CONFIDENT OF FAIR ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 17 2005
Foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov visiting the United States has
expressed confidence that the parliamentary elections due in Azerbaijan
this November will be free.
Mammadyarov said remarkable work has been done to conduct free
elections in the country, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The minister ruled out the repetition of national movements that
swept Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan in Azerbaijan, saying that the
government and President are interested in holding a fair poll.
Mammadyarov said that the parliament vote will be much more free than
the previous elections, as considerable work has been carried out to
ensure it meets international standards.
With regard to unrest during the election process, the minister said
both the demonstrators and law enforcement should refrain from violent
actions. “Protesters and police should not beat each other” he said.
Touching upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper Garabagh,
Mammadyarov said it is unlikely to be settled in the near future. “I
wish I could say that we are close to resolving the conflict. But
there are many problems,” he added.

Azeri ministry regrets British baroness’s visit to breakaway Karabakh
ANS Radio, Baku
16 Sep 05
A visit by a 20-member delegation to Nagornyy Karabakh as part of a
pilgrimage to Artsakh [Nagornyy Karabakh] and the fact that the
delegation is led by Deputy Speaker of the British House of Lords
Baroness Caroline Cox have caused mixed reactions in society. The
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry regrets that despite the British
leadership’s definite position [on the Karabakh conflict], the member
of the House of Lords makes this move.
British ambassador to Azerbaijan Lawrence Bristow has said that
Baroness Cox [visit] does not represent the British government’s
position.

When to talk Turkey
Sep 15th 2005
The Economist print edition
Wrangling over Turkey’s entry talks reflects broader doubts about the
European Union’s direction
ENLARGEMENT has been one of the European Union’s great successes,
bringing stability and democracy to parts of the continent which have
had too little of either. But the policy is about to be put to its
biggest test. On October 3rd, the EU is due to open negotiations with
the biggest and most important country to have asked for membership so
far. That country is Turkey.
Turkey first applied to join what was then the EEC in 1959. The two
sides signed an association agreement in 1963 (implicitly accepting that
Turkey could be a candidate); a customs union in 1995; and the EU
officially accepted Turkey as a candidate for entry in 1999. Turkey has,
in short, been asking to join Europe for so long that its application is
starting to look old and moth-eaten-so much so that some diplomats and
politicians seem to have forgotten the strategic reasons for
entertaining it.
The long period of fobbing off Turkey is now over. Last December, EU
heads of government promised to start negotiations on October 3rd if
Turkey met just two more conditions (which it has done). To get this
far, Turkey has taken such dramatic steps as abolishing the death
penalty, accepting Kurdish as a language in schools, scrapping state
security courts, revising the penal code and tightening civilian control
over the army.
This is a last chance, for both sides. Turkish patience with EU
obstructiveness is running out, as is European willingness to accept new
members. Last December, the French, German and Dutch leaders, among
others, agreed to start talks. They might not do so now-France and the
Netherlands after their lost referendums on the EU constitution, Germany
because of its impending election. Angela Merkel, the most likely
winner, has said she will respect European processes that are under way
when she takes office, which would include the Turkish talks if they
start on October 3rd. But if the date slips, Ms Merkel might want to
reconsider: she is strongly against Turkey’s membership.
All this makes it worrying that, as curtain-up nears, the EU is
suffering from a bad case of stage fright. Two issues threaten to abort
the talks: Turkey’s refusal to recognise Cyprus, and the desire of some
countries to offer Turkey something less than full membership. It is
obvious to all (including the Turks) that Turkey must recognise Cyprus
eventually; indeed, that is one reason why the Cypriots and Greeks have
supported the entry talks. The question is whether it must do so before
they even start. This week, the French government accepted a diplomatic
declaration that would let the talks begin without recognition. Cyprus
still objects, but nobody pays much heed to its views.
Yet even if this first problem responds to treatment, it is not certain
the second will. This is the threat that some members might insist on
putting a “privileged partnership” into the framework document for
negotiations, as a back-up in case membership talks fail. The Turks see
this as an insult. Wrangling is likely to continue until the last
minute. The best that can be said is that the chances of the talks
starting on time are greater than they were two weeks ago and probably
better than 50:50.
Answering the eastern question
All of these last-minute wobbles reflect an underlying ambiguity about
Turkey. Clearly, it is a special case. By 2015 it will be larger than
any other EU state by population, which has unsettling implications for
its voting weight and representation in the European Parliament. The EU
spends most of its money on farming and aid to poor regions-and Turkey
is amply provided with both. In every previous enlargement, there were
doubts about the readiness of the applicants to assume the obligations
of membership. This time the biggest doubts may be about the ability of
the club to absorb the would-be member.
Yet rejecting Turkey’s bid for membership would do little to solve the
difficulties its application raises. The budget needs to be reformed
whether Turkey is in or out. Europe’s economies must create more jobs
whether or not Turkish workers get free movement of labour (which they
probably won’t). Popular dissatisfaction with the EU exists regardless
of Turkish membership. A majority of Europeans say they are undecided
about Turkey, rather than actively hostile.
Were Turkish membership to be rejected, the EU’s existential problems
would not disappear. Indeed, they might get worse. For a start,
rejection would cause a crisis in Turkey. The government is an uneasy
coalition of religious nationalists and westernising moderates. It is
under strain from a renewed upsurge of Kurdish terrorist violence. A
simultaneous failure of the government’s EU policy might break apart the
coalition, and even lead some Turks to look for an alternative such as a
link with Russia or other countries to Turkey’s east.
The problems for Europe would be less dramatic but no less profound.
After September 11th, taking Turkey into the club is no longer just a
question of helping a big and strategically important country to
modernise. It is a test of whether the EU, and the West as a whole, has
any role in encouraging moderate and democratic Islam. To precipitate a
crisis in the nearest big Muslim country, and one that is both
democratic and secular, would be a colossal blunder. Turkey may not be a
model for democracy throughout the Middle East: Arabs certainly do not
see it as such. But rejecting Turkey would still be taken by many Arab
countries as rank hypocrisy or even racism by the West.
A few Europeans might justify the wreckage as a necessary cost of
defending EU integration. But since the problems of popular support, the
budget and so on exist regardless of Turkey, its rejection is unlikely
to produce the “deeper” Europe they crave. The French and Dutch
referendums have kyboshed further integration for quite a while, and
perhaps for ever. Rejecting Turkish membership would probably halt other
enlargements too. Europe would end up neither wider nor deeper; merely
static, and with its south-eastern border in turmoil.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER MET NEWLY APPOINTED IRANIAN ATTACHE IN ARMENIA
Pan Armenian News
13.09.2005 08:59
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Secretary of the National Security Council
at the RA President, Defense Minster Serge Sargsyan received Iranian
Ambassador to RA Alireza Haqiqyan and newly appointed military attache,
Colonel Bijan Hamzeil Hashame. At the beginning of the meeting the
Ambassador conveyed to Serge Sargsyan the greetings of the Iranian
Security Council Secretary and Defense Minister and expressed hope
that the Armenian-Iranian joint programs will be successfully launched.

NKR PRESIDENT NOT TO TAKE PART IN UNRECOGNIZED STATES CONFERENCE
Pan Armenian News
13.09.2005 06:40
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 14 Simultaneous to the CIS: Abkhazia,
Transdniestria, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh as post-soviet reality
scientific conference will open in Moscow. The event is organized by
state universities of the unrecognized republics and the Institute
for CIS Issues, headed by head of Russian State Duma CIS Commission
Constantine Zatulin.
Leaders of Abkhazia, Transdniestria, South Ossetia, as well as scholars
and politicians or Russia will take part in the conference, which
is to discuss to conflict settlement opportunities. A NK delegation
is expected to participate in the conference. The composition of the
delegation is being specified at present, however, it is already known
that Nagorno Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan will not go to Moscow.

AZERBAIJAN’S DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION
By Hafiz Pashayev, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The Washington Times
September 11, 2005 Sunday
In a recent visit to Azerbaijan as National Democratic Institute
chairman, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said, “Election
day is important, but the months leading up to the elections are
also crucial.”
She referred to the parliamentary elections to be held Nov. 6, when the
citizens of Azerbaijan go to the polls to elect their representatives
to Parliament, or Milli Mejlis.
The Bush administration views these elections as a litmus test of the
Azerbaijan government’s commitment to democracy. The U.S. Congress
has weighed in by passing a resolution calling on Azerbaijan “to hold
orderly, peaceful, and free and fair elections in November 2005 in
order to ensure the long-term growth and stability of the country.”
We are the first to recognize that independence, stability and
prosperity depend on successful democratic reform. President
Ilham Aliyev wants an orderly transition, as our last few years
of unprecedented economic growth would be jeopardized by political
instability. Toward this end and to conduct elections according to
international standards, the president issued an Executive Order
outlining steps to be taken:
(1) Allowing all political parties to organize rallies free from
violence and intimidation.
(2) Welcoming domestic and international election observers. (3)
Providing access to media, thus ensuring fair coverage.
(4) And ensuring central and regional authorities create the necessary
conditions for exit polls.
Among many provisions of the Order already carried out are those that
concern participation in the political arena by opposition parties.
There has been dialogue between ruling and opposition parties, all
opposition parties may freely conduct rallies and demonstrations and,
thus far, all opposition activists – including those who called for
overthrow of the government in October 2003 – have been allowed to
become candidates if they wish. During his visit to Azerbaijan at
the end of August, Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana Republican, said:
“The opposition leaders underlined that the registration process of
the MP candidates went well, which is a step forward compared to
the previous elections.” President Aliyev went further by warning
all regional election officials not to interfere in the old Soviet
fashion, when ballot-stuffing was common.
President Aliyev’s insistence on free and fair elections in November
is based on the idea Azerbaijan’s secular government can co-exist
with its Muslim traditions.
Our vision is premised on the belief democratic pluralism will ensure
a peaceful outlet for dissent, eliminating the need for violent
alternatives. Citizens of all ethnicities and political persuasions
are free to advocate their positions peacefully.
Today, Azerbaijan is a vibrant, independent state. We have faced many
challenges in our young country’s life: preserving our independence
in a tough neighborhood; making the transition from a shattered to a
market economy; building government institutions and an independent
judiciary; finding a peaceful solution to our conflict with Armenia;
and developing and delivering our natural resources to world markets.
Throughout these difficult years, the United States has been a friend
and ally of Azerbaijan. Our strategic partnership has blossomed since
the attacks on America on September 11, 2001. Immediately after,
the late President Heydar Aliyev visited the U.S. Embassy in Baku not
only to express his condolences but to offer his full support. Today,
we stand side-by-side in the global war on terrorism. Our troops
proudly serve in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Azerbaijan’s location between Russia, Iran and Turkey, coupled with
our desire to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community, requires
that we conduct a balanced foreign policy fostering development of
democratic institutions and a strong economy. Azerbaijan has come this
far without tangible foreign aid and expects to continue democratic
and economic development, primarily through its own resources.
According to a recent survey by the International Republican Institute
sponsored by USAID, an overwhelming majority of Azerbaijanis want
economic and social development to be their government’s priority
concerns.
This November, the people of Azerbaijan will elect a Parliament I
believe will accelerate our transition toward democratic pluralism to
match the country’s unprecedented economic growth. Mr. Lugar told the
press in Baku: “I sense in Azerbaijan a yearning for building strong
democratic institutions.”
Hafiz Pashayev is Azerbaijan’s ambassador to the United States.

CSTO CHIEF TO WATCH JOINT RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN DRILL
ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
September 12, 2005 Monday 5:23 AM Eastern Time
Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization
(CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha flew to Armenia on Monday to watch a joint
Russian-Armenian drill, the CSTO’s secretariat told Itar-Tass.
The exercise practices protection and defense of CSTO member-states
by Russian-Armenia units,” Bordyuzha told reporters before flying
to Yerevan.
“Taking part in the military exercise are two motorized rifle
regiments, representing each of the party, as well as support units.
This drill is important for us as an element of combat training,”
he underlined.
Bordyuzha praised Armenia’s contribution to collective security
efforts.
The exercise will take place in Armenia from September 10 throughout
September 13, in line with bilateral accords. It involves Armenian land
troops and Air Force units and units from Russia’s 102nd military base,
the CSTO secretariat said.

ARINC CONFIDENT ABOUT THE START OF EU TALKS ON OCT 3
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 12 2005
Turkish Parliament Speaker expressed yesterday his confidence about
the start of negotiations between Turkey and the European Union on
Oct 3, as scheduled.
Arinc made the remarks at a press conference at the conclusion of
the Second World Parliament Speakers’ Conference in New York .
“There are some circles in the EU who don’t wish to see Turkey in
the Union ,” said Arinc. “We are bothered by the acts and statements
of some European politicians who have made the issue of Turkey into
fodder for domestic political debates.”
Arinc also touched on the recent street demonstrations in various
Turkish cities, saying, “These will not deter Turkey from its path of
democracy and freedom. The Turkish government is taking the necessary
steps so that such demonstrations will not hurt democracy or innocent
citizens.”
Arinc: Instead of being rewarded, Turkish Cypriots were punished
Arinc also held a press conference in New York on Saturday where he
said the Turkish Cypriots who voted in favor of a solution in Cyprus
last year were punished instead of getting a reward.
He also touched on the controversial Armenian genocide issue,
condemning the one-sided recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide
claims by some parliaments.

MPAA: Kids Can’t Handle “Truth”
by Josh Grossberg
Sep 9, 2005, 10:30 AM PT
Two’s company but three’s definitely a crowd.
That’s the verdict of the Motion Picture Association of America, whose
Ratings and Classifications Board has upheld the dreaded _NC-17
rating_ (,1,17213,00.html) it
slapped on Canadian filmmaker _Atom Egoyan_
( es/0,127,31877,00.html) ‘s
new art-house drama, Where the Truth Lies, because it featured a
ménage à trois.
The movie, which stars _Kevin Bacon_
(,128,102,00.html) , _Colin
Firth_ (,128,537 0,00.html) ,
_Rachel Blanchard_
( o/0,128,38399,00.html) and
_Alison Lohman_
( ,128,71269,00.html) , makes
its North American debut next week at the _Toronto Film Festival_
(,1,16931,00.html) .
It follows a popular 1950s-era comedy duo (Bacon and Firth) whose
career is derailed after they engage in a night of debauchery,
including a threesome with a beautiful woman who turns up dead the
next day in their hotel suite.
After reviewing Truth last month, the MPAA’s Ratings and
Classifications Board gave the picture an NC-17, which means no one
under the age of 17 is allowed admission, citing “some explicit
sexuality” involving Bacon, Firthand Blanchard.
The decision prompted protests from independent distributor ThinkFilm,
which claimed the three-way was artfully choreographed by Egoyan and
is central to the movie’s mystery. The company also noted that the
rating severely hampered the flick’s commercial prospects, since many
exhibitors refuse to book NC-17-rated fare.
ThinkFilm appealed and on Wednesday the filmmaker and Blanchard went
beforea 10-member panel in Los Angeles to make their case. Egoyan
argued that he filmed the ménage in a sustained master shot and that
trimming it would be nearly impossible without losing the scene’s
intent, which anchors the storyline.
An NC-17 is an “unwarranted response given the story it’s telling and
the way it needed to be told,” Egoyan told the Associated Press. “We
couldn’t trim any more without destroying the heart of the movie.”
Blanchard added that she had no problem shedding her inhibitions,
since the scene was vital to the integrity of the drama being played
out.
“The film is basically about the power of celebrity and the abuse of
that power,” she told the wire service. “It sort of expands on how
abusing that power sexually has consequences. It’s a redeeming film
and it has a positive message.”
Unfortunately their arguments failed to make the cut. The appeals
board voted 6-4 to overturn the NC-17 rating and give it an R,
falling one vote short of the required two-thirds majority.
Despite the setback, Where the Truth Lies will still be released
uncut. Because ThinkFilm is not an MPAA signatory like the major
studios, it has the option of issuing the movie unrated, and,
according to chairman Robert Santos, that’s exactly what the company
intends to do.
That’s the same strategy the distributor recently employed with its
potty-mouthed documentary The Aristocrats, in which a who’s-who of
comedians riff on the same dirty joke. Nonetheless, ThinkFilm faces an
uphill battle at the box office, since many exhibitors outside major
cities typically shy away from screening unrated films, and media
outlets don’t like to advertise such fare.
Another problem possibly hindering profitability: ThinkFilms is
contractually required to deliver an R-rated version to Columbia
TriStar Home Video. No word yet whether the film will need to be
chopped for its DVD release.
Where The Truth Lies is set to open in New York and Los Angeles on
Oct. 14 before expanding one week later to whatever U.S. theaters
agree to book it. E! Entertainment Television, Inc.

Armenian leader welcomes sports complex deal with Russian company
Arminfo
9 Sep 05
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received the president of
the Russian construction holding BAMO, Murad Muradyan, who has bought
the Karen Demirchyan sports and concert complex. A relevant agreement
was signed today between the management of the holding and the state
property department of the Armenian government.
During the meeting, Kocharyan expressed his satisfaction with the
deal, the presidential press service told Arminfo news agency. In
turn, the new owner of the sports and concert complex assured the head
of state that he will rigorously keep his commitments stipulated by
the deal.
The two parties noted the importance of the fact that the
implementation of the investment programme of the sports and concert
complex will open new opportunities for the development of Armenia’s
cultural and sports life.
It must be remembered that BAMO has bought the sports and concert
complex for 5.7m dollars. The government decided to sell the complex
on 25 August this year.
[Passage omitted: Details of BAMO’s obligations]