Author: Basmajian Ani

IRAN REFUTES RECENT ALLEGATIONS MADE BY AZERBAIJAN

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
Dec 17 2007

Iran’s embassy to Baku issued a statement on Monday to strongly refute
recent allegations made by the Republic of Azerbaijan against Iran
and described it as a futile orchestrated scenario which aims to
shatter existing ties between the two countries.

The statement refuted unfounded allegations on the arrest of some
Azeri nationals for cooperating with intelligence services in Iran as
well as the recent communique issued by the Azeri National Intelligent
Ministry to this end.

"We are confident to acknowledge that such a scenario has not been
conducted by the Azeri high ranking officials," underlined the
statement.

It is not also acceptable that the scenario had been merely
masterminded by the US or Zionist regime without some help from
certain Azeri low ranking officials, said the statement.

It seems they try to confront Azeri officials with a pre- masterminded
plot, the statement said.

"We doubt whether the Azeri high ranking officials know about the
scenario because it seeks to create obstruction in current ties
between the two countries," said the statement.

Wide coverage of a special film by various Azeri TV channels at one
night and at this very sensitive juncture indicates that the issue
is not irrelevant to political developments, said the statement.

Simultaneous with initiation of talks on Karabakh and developing ties
with Armenia, the masterminders of the scenario try to deviate public
opinions of pressure exerted by US government on Azeri government to
this end, it said.

The scenario also seeks to push Azeri government to follow US policies
in dealing with the Islamic Republic of Iran, it pointed out.

The scenario tries to imply that the visit of Azeri nationals to
Iran mainly to religious cities could create problems for them and
shatter religious and cultural commonalities between the two countries,
said the statement.

It is incumbent to Azeri officials not to let aliens interfere in
the country’s internal affairs and damage the country’s ties with
the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The statement urged all ranks of Azeri officials to exercise vigilance
and not to pursue policies of the ill-wishers.

CHANGED STAFF OF AZERI DELEGATION DECLINES ALREADY COORDINATED AGREEMENT

Noyan Tapan
Dec 14, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. At the Dartmouth conference held
on December 6-9 in Snegiri, a town in the Moscow region, the Azeri
delegation turned down the adoption of an agreement on Nagorno Karabakh
problem coordinated beforehand.

The members of the Armenian delegation, Aram Sargsian, the Chairman
of the Democratic Party of Armenia, Armen Ashotian, a Board member
of the Republican Party of Armenia, and Hayk Babukhanian, the former
Vice-Chairman of the Constitutional Law Union, said this at the
December 14 press conference. According to A. Sargsian, the staff
of the Azeri delegation, as compared with the previous conference,
had been changed by nearly 90%. Its reason, in his words, was the
striving to involve more competent people in the delegation, for them
not to yield to Armenians during the discussions.

A. Sargsian said that the reason of Azeris’ declining the agreement
under the title Frame Agreement on the Peaceful Process was their
enthusiasm connected with the Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers’
meeting in Madrid held lately. The Azeris, according to A. Sargsian,
expected an agreement on ceding six liberated territories from that
meeting.

H. Babukhanian stated that the Azeri team is inspired by the
petrodollars received by their country, by strengthening of their
geopolitical position, as well as the progress of the negotiations
carried on within the framework of the Minsk Group.

ARA GEVORGIAN’S SONG "LOVE EACH OTHER" TO BE PRESENTED TO GRAMMY
AWARDS IN 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Composer and instrumentalist Ara
Gevorgian is going to present his song "Love Each Other" to the Grammy
Awards in 2008. As the musician said at the December 14 press
conference, the lyrics of the song, the author of which is a Finn, in
the future will be translated into nearly 20 languages and the song
will be performed by singers of different nationalities.

Ara Gevorgian mentioned that this year he has also finished the
intrumental work "Love Each Other", on which he worked more than 7
years. The work, which lasts 8 minutes and 40 seconds, and in the
recording of which world-famous musicians took part and national
musical instruments of different peoples were used, is a call to the
whole world humanity to be tolerant and to live in peace.

Touching upon the charges of Polad Bulbuloglu, the Ambassador of
Azerbaijan, according to which the work "Artsakh" is an Azeri one, A.
Gevorgian said that he proved with documents that it is his authored
song. His copyright of that work was stipulated in the Copyright
Library of U.S. Congress in 1998.

"If the Azeris were right, they would apply to the court," A. Gevorgian
said. He himself has much grounds to apply to the court as in the World
Championship of Figure-skating held in Minsk the representative of
Azerbaijan performed to the accompaniment of a distorted performance of
"Artsakh".

Russia & CIS Military Newswire
December 14, 2007 Friday 9:31 AM MSK

Kosovo not a precedent for conflicts in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova
– GUAM

BAKU Dec 14

The GUAM Organization expects United Nations member states to confirm
that Kosovo cannot be a precedent for resolving conflicts in
Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria, Azerbaijan’s
Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said.

"We have thoroughly discussed this issue at a meeting of GUAM foreign
ministers in Madrid. A draft resolution was already submitted in
early December in New York [the United Nations], and now
consultations are being held with other countries," he told
journalists.

The draft resolution suggests that UN countries confirm "the position
formed by the global community that conflicts in the GUAM countries
should be resolved within the territorial integrity of these
countries," the minister said.

"In our resolution we suggest that, since Kosovo cannot be regarded
as a precedent for other conflicts, all countries should confirm that
conflicts in Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan can only be resolved
within the territorial integrity of these countries," the Azeri
minister said.

GUAM members are Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

Hayots Ashkharh Daily, Armenia
Dec 15 2007

FEAR OF WAR LEADS TO THREAT OF WAR

The OSCE Minsk Group has recently livened up its efforts as a
`mediator’, hurrying to coordinate the package on the fundamental
principles of conflict settlement. The Co-Chairs submitted the
package to the parties in the form of a written document at the
second round of the talks. Demonstrating undue assiduity on the eve
of the elections, the international community makes no attempt to
intervene in the internal political processes of Armenia. Political
scientist LEVON MELIK-SHAHNAZARYAN gives answers to our questions.

`Any state, especially a large empire, is always interested that
the government in this or that country be `fit’ for it. In this
respect, I consider it normal that the international community is
trying to produce some impact on our elections. It would be better if
we also had that opportunity and intervened, for instance, in the
presidential elections of the United States. It is natural that the
external powers are trying to somehow `participate’ in the upcoming
electoral process, and it is being done by all of them, including
Russia, the United States and separate European countries which
pursue certain interests in this region.
On the other hand, I believe in the sensibility of our people, and
I am sure that the liberal, anti-national and `cosmopolitan’ forces,
which unfortunately exist among the political circles supporting the
candidates, do not have any chances to obtain a serious percentage of
votes and earn our society’s vote of confidence. It would mean to cut
the branch we are sitting on and choose the path of
self-destruction.’
`Don’t you think that a country like Armenia requires no
large-scale `investments’ for creating a climate and changing the
ratio of forces?’
`Of course, the foreign `investments’ may impact the election
results to a certain extent, but I don’t think that such impact may
be decisive. Life shows that they do not usually meet their purpose
in our reality, i.e. these are wasted resources.
However, I am sure that the main factor is the people’s instinct
for self-preservation. Therefore, I don’t think that in some remote
village there will be some uncle Saghatel who will be ready to
endanger his grandchildren’s future in return for some 5000 Drams or
5 kilograms of rice.’
`How do you estimate the blackmail tactics of the International
Crisis Group? The ICG experts threaten that the war will be
inevitable in case the conflict is not settled in the near future.
Isn’t this a latent propaganda in favor of the candidate who
literally says the same things?’
`As a beginning, let’s note that the International Crisis Group
was set up in 1995 by the initiative of Assistant Secretary of State
Norton Abramovich. George Siros, an outstanding billionaire who is
from head to foot politicized, was the first person to provide
funding to the organization; and up to date, he has been its chief
fund-provider. These two names are enough for stating definitely that
this is an extremely politicized structure whose goal is not to
prevent conflicts or settle the existing ones. It has a goal to make
these conflicts serve the interests of the United States.
The ICG’s regular statement that the war will resume in case of
not settling the conflict in a speedy manner is already an obvious
bluff that concerns 2012. As to why 2012, it is because this year is
considered to be a `peak’ for Azerbaijan’s oil export. Thereafter,
the volumes of oil will start to decrease gradually.
The ICG does not consider or pretends to be unaware of the fact
that Azerbaijan controls only 13 per cent of the `Baku-Jeyhan’ oil
pipeline and oil income. The remaining 87 per cent belong to the
large international companies which present not only their but also
their own countries’ interests. There is even a well-known proverb
saying, `What is advantageous to `British Petroleum’ is also
advantageous to England’. It is obvious that any state which has
economic interests in Azerbaijan is not interested in resuming the
military operations and will do its best to prevent it from happening
at least till 2025.
This doesn’t mean that we should twiddle our thumbs. We must use
the years of peace to the maximum, to prevent Azerbaijan from making
any encroachment upon Karabakh or Armenia, and explain to the
international community that any encroachment may lead to a situation
when the Azerbaijani oil-wells will change into `funeral flames’.
There is one thing our people must know perfectly well: all the
eloquent speeches on `dignified peace’, the Pharisaic statements on
developing the human rights and civil institutions in the region with
the purpose of settling the conflict are paths leading to retreat.
We are perfect soldiers, but for some reason, we are afraid of
war. We have an efficient, strong army, but we all the time inspire
ourselves that we must avoid war at all costs. How many times can one
face genocide and not learn lessons. No, we must hold victory in the
war before it begins. The people who fear war are sure to come face
to face with the threat of war.

LILIT POGHOSYAN

ARAZ AZIMOV: AZERBAIJAN IS SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO RESTORE ITS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

armradio.am
14.12.2007 17:11

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has declared that
"Azerbaijan is not seeking war with Armenia, but is searching for
ways to restore its territorial integrity."

"We do not seek war, as Armenia asserts. We are lokking for ways to
restore our trerritorial integrity and we can take any measure to
this end," Azimov told journalists.

"Territorial integrity has always been and will remain the principled
position of Azerbaijan, and any other stance is impossible,"
he underlined.

"Even the realization of the principle of self-determination of
peoples should not lead to separation and it must be always fulfilled
within the framework of territorial integrity," the Deputy Foreign
Minister added.

ARMENIAN MILITARY DOCTRINE

AZG Armenian Daily #232
15/12/2007

Governmental

Draft Discussed on National Assembly Yesterday Session

Azerbaijan, when elaborating its military doctrine, insisted that in
case of failing the peace process and Karabakh, the process must be
settled by armed forces.

Certain officials even insisted on listing Armenia among the enemies
of Azerbaijan. This idea was not supported by any of the friendly
states and was criticized by NATO.

Armenia, unlike Azerbaijan, which is at present elaborating its
military doctrine, does not mention any enemy, says Defense Minister
Michael Haroutiunian.

"We have controversies with Azerbaijan about the Karabakh issue,
which are to be solved be the means of peace negotiations. The war
cannot solve the problem.

Although the Azerbaijani authorities insist that there is 100%
possibility of war, in any case the conflict must be settled at the
negotiation table," states the Minister.

The project of the national military doctrine is an open document,
and does not have the status of a law.

It is to be endorsed by the President of the Republic of Armenia, and
the President, as the head commander of the armed forces of Armenia,
is to entrust the military command to update and improve the document
in accordance to new circumstances and challenges.

The military doctrine of Armenia is elaborated in the frameworks of
the NATO-Armenia partnership, according top the IPAP principles

TURKISH JOURNALIST POSTHUMOUSLY HONORED AS WORLD PRESS FREEDOM HERO

International Journalist’s Network
Dec 13 2007

The International Press Institute (IPI) has posthumously named
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink a World Press Freedom Hero.

Dink was murdered January 19, 2007 in Istanbul outside the office of
Agos, the Turkish-Armenian newspaper he edited.

Dink faced criticism in Turkey from nationalists who accused him of
insulting "Turkishness," a violation of Turkish law. More than 100,000
people marched in protest of his assassination following his death.

The award was presented to Dink’s widow, Rakel Dink, on December 10
in Vienna.

99 HEAD OF CATTLE AND 33 COWS

KarabakhOpen
12-12-2007 11:10:19

In 2008 the government will finance purchase of 99 head of cattle
from abroad, said the minister of agriculture Armo Tsatryan during
the discussion of the budget bill at the National Assembly yesterday.

According to Armo Tsatryan, 180 million drams will be allocated for
buying cows. Nearly as much will be spent to set up two farms and
buy equipment and cars.

The farm which will be owned by the state will sell calves of those
99 cows to other farms. Armo Tsatryan says a program of importing
cows to change the breed of the livestock is worked out.

As to why the government is likely to buy 99 and not 100 cows, it
turned out that each van can carry 33 cows.

RA PRESIDENT MET AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA TO ARMENIA

2007-12-11 12:19:00

ArmInfo. Today, RA President Robert Kocharyan met Ambassador
of Bulgaria Stephan Dimitrov who is completing his diplomatic
mission. As the Armenian presidential press-service told ArmInfo,
during the meeting, R. Kocharyan noted the ambassador’s contribution
in development of the Armenian- Bulgarian relations. He also said
that the economic and cultural relations sufficiently extended in a
period of S. Dimitrov’s activity.

For his part, the ambassador said that it would be impossible
to achieve such results without assistance of the Armenian
party. The parties also discussed the opportunity of extending the
Armenian-Bulgarian cooperation within the frames of the New European
Neighbourhood Policy.