Author: Basmajian Ani

AZERI LEADER PLEDGES TO TRANSFER AWARD MONEY TO ARMED FORCES

Xalq Qazeti, Azerbaijan
[translated from Azeri]
Feb 6 2008

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that he will transfer
the money (about 6,000 dollars) he received as Person of the Year
2007 to the fund to help the army.

At a ceremony on 5 February where he received the award established
by the independent broadcaster ANS and the National Hero Cingiz
Mustafayev Foundation, Aliyev spoke about various issues concerning
the country’s domestic and foreign policy.

He noted that Azerbaijan’s state budget in the past four years –
during his presidency – increased 10 fold, primarily owing to the
energy factor. During this period, poverty decreased by 16 per cent,
he said.

In the next 100 years Azerbaijan will be able to both provide
itself with gas and export it to other countries. Azerbaijan is now a
totally self-sufficient country and does not need anyone’s help, Aliyev
noted. Having said that three regional projects (an oil pipeline, a gas
pipeline and a railway line) have become reality, Aliyev stressed that
"without Azerbaijan’s participation, no project can now be implemented
not only in our region but in the larger region too".

Speaking about the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, Aliyev said that no cooperation is possible with Armenia
until lands held by Armenians are liberated. He confirmed that
Azerbaijan is conducting and will continue to conduct an armament
policy. Azerbaijan is for the time being holding peace talks with
Armenia because it still have hopes but the entire Azerbaijani people
know how difficult it is to put up with the situation, he said. We must
be strong. Strong economy, strong army and strong military potential
will resolve the issue in our favour and we can see the first signs
of this already, Aliyev noted.

Azerbaijan plays a very important role for the preservation of
stability in the region. Azerbaijan’s efforts are aimed at stepping
up further the cooperation in the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea
basin and the Black Sea basin – excluding Armenia, he said.

Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has business and friendly ties with
neighbouring countries – Russia, Georgia and Iran. He stressed that
work being done in Azerbaijan currently to develop democracy is at
the highest level possible and that there are all kinds of freedom
in Azerbaijan – freedom of speech, freedom of political activities,
and no restrictions.

The president said that Azerbaijan voluntarily made commitments to
international organizations but not to any other countries.

"Azerbaijan has not had and will never have any commitments to any
other country," he said.

He also denied media reports that Azerbaijan will face sanctions.

"These reports are not true. Sanctions cannot be imposed on Azerbaijan
and no pressure can be exerted [on it] either."

In conclusion, Aliyev praised the broadcaster ANS for its
professionalism.

PRESIDENT KNOWS SOCIETY IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE JUDICIARY

KarabakhOpen
07-02-2008 10:40:41

On February 5 President Bako Sahakyan held a consultation on issues
relating to the state of the judicial system and reforms in this
sphere.

The NKR president underlined that the society is dissatisfied with
the activities of the judiciary. He urged the participants of the
consultation to be responsible for their duties and eliminate all
the drawbacks typical of the system.

In addition, the president committed to improving conditions for
effective operation of the system. During the consultation proposals
on optimizing the activities of the courts of law, training of young
specialists and reforms were discussed, the General Information
Department of President Administration reports.

DIMITRIJ RUPEL: "EU CONSIDERS FORCED RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-GARABAGH CONFLICT TO BE INADMISSIBLE"

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 6 2008

"The European Union considers forced resolution of Nagorno-Garabagh
conflict to be inadmissible".

The due announcement was made by Dimitrij Rupel, EU chairman and
Slovenian Foreign Minister, during a press conference Wednesday.

"The European Union is against forced resolution of any conflict,
including Nagorno Garabagh. It attempts to apply principles of
democracy to the process of the resolution of Nagorno-Garabagh
conflict and establish mutual trust between the conflicting sides",
the EU chairman noted.

According to Rupel, the European Union hopes that diplomatic
efforts aiming at the resolution of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict will
be fruitful. At the same time, the EU chairman voiced hope that the
state powers, to be formed in the result of forthcoming presidential
elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan, will further promote the conflict
resolution.

"In particular, there are many politicians in Armenia, who are
advancing in the direction of the resolution of Nagorno Garabagh
conflict, including Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan",
Rupel said.

URL:

A CONFERENCE AT THE NKR PRESIDENT

Azat Artsakh Tert, Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Feb 6 2008

The conference, held on February 5th by NKR President Bako Sahakian,
was devoted to today’s problems in judicial legal system of the
republic, as well as necessity of carrying out reforms in that sphere.

In his speech the head of the country particularly noted, that active
works should be realized for working out the order of reforms of
judicial legal system and in the direction of preparing necessary
legislative package, on the purpose of which a working group had benn
created the other day..He noted also necessity of closer collaboration
between judicial bodies.

Bako Sahakian expressed readines to create necessary working conditions
for regular and productive activity of judicial bodies.

At the conference suggestions were sounded round preparation of young
cadres and realization of reforms.

Judges of NKR Supreme Court and Court of first instance, Minister if
Justice Narine Narimanian and Attorney General Arshavir Gharamian,
as well as head of the NKR President’s stuff Marat Moussaelian
participated in the conference.

THERE IS A SMELL OF REVOLUTION IN SPEECHES OF VAHAN HOVHANNISIAN ABOUT ‘DESTRUCTION OF CONCRETE WALLS’, RPA BOARD MEMBER THINKS

arminfo
2008-02-05 21:21:00

ArmInfo. There is a smell of revolution in the speeches of Vice-Speaker
of RA National Assembly, member of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party’s Bureau,
presidential candidate Vahan Hovhannisian about the necessity to
"destroy concrete walls", Board member of the Republican Party of
Armenia, RA National Assembly Deputy from RPA faction Rafik Petrosyan
said in his talk with ArmInfo correspondent, Tuesday.

He says that by saying that Hovhannisian is playing into the
hands of the opposition and, first of all, ANM. While in power ARFD
supported the opposition but the Dashnaks are part of the government
coalition. If ARFD refused to have a candidate, Serzh Sargsyan would
be sure to win in the first round. Now it seems that run-off election
is possible. But the opposition will hardly poll more than 40% of
the votes.

THEY WERE RELEASED

A1+
05 February, 2008

Gagik Hovhannisyan, deputy of head on security affairs of "Vardashen"
penitentiary and Arsen Grigoryan, head of the security service of
"Vardashen" penitentiary were released from their posts. The reason on
what basis Arsen Grigoryan was released from the post is not known,
but Gagik Hovhannisyan was released since his father participated
in Ter-Petrosyan’s gathering in Avalerdy. This is the second case
in "Vardashen" penitentiary. Earlier, Hrach Goginyan was released
since his father was the member of one of the parties supporting
Ter-Petrosyan.

The information is disseminated by the committee supporting Zhirayr
Sefilyan and Vardan Malkhasyan.

GAREGIN AZARYAN: ORGANIZATION OF ELECTIONS MEETS THE PRESET SCHEDULE

armradio.am
05.02.2008 17:17

Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia Garegin
Azaryan stated in Yerevan today that the whole work on organization
of the presidential elections of February 19 "proceeds in strict
accordance with the schedule."

Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan today, Garegin Azaryan
stated that the electoral rolls have already been hung out in all
1923 polling stations of the country and urged the citizens to check
the presence of their data.

CEC Chairman noted that in the process of the campaign, the
presidential candidates raise the question of securing secrecy of vote,
in connection with which CEC "with complete responsibility declares
that the all booths for voting in the polling stations correspond to
the international standards and ensure the secrecy of vote."

Garegin Azaryan stated that there were no serious violations of the
Electoral Code by the candidates were registered in the process of
the election campaign. The only violation is connected with the terms
for presenting the statements on the agitation expenditures to the
Central Electoral Commission.

According to Mr. Azaryan, the statements should have been presented
up till January 31 – the tenth day of the election campaign. However,
presidential candidates Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Arthur Baghdasaryan,
Tigran Karapetyan and Aram Harutiunyan violated the given term, and
Vazgen Manukyan and Arman Melikyan failed to present any information.

THE BIGGEST FUND IS SERGE SARGSYAN’S

Lragir
Feb 5 2008
Armenia

Among the presidential candidates the biggest fund is Serge Sargsyan’s,
stated the chair of the Central Election Commission Garegin Azaryan,
News Armenia reports.

"The biggest election fund is Serge Sargsyan’s – 69 million 550
thousand drams. The second is Vahan Hovanisyan’s 45 million 500
thousand drams. The next is Arthur Baghdasaryan’s (21 million 960
thousand drams), Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s (16 million 286 thousand 500
drams), Artashes Geghamyan’s (14.6 million drams), Vazgen Manukyan’s
(2.4 million drams), Tigran Karapetyan’s (600 thousand drams),
Aram Harutiunyan’s (190 thousand drams)," he said, adding that the
presidential candidate Arman Melikyan does not have a fund.

Azaryan says Vahan Hovanisyan has spent 44 million 144 thousand
drams, Serge Sargsyan has spent 26 million 284 thousand 780 drams,
Arthur Baghdasaryan has spent 21 million 941 thousand 800 drams,
Artashes Geghamyan has spent 14 million 364 thousand drams, Levon
Ter-Petrosyan has spent 14 million 5 thousand drams, Vazgen Manukyan
has spent 1 million 398 thousand drams, Tigran Karapetyan has spent 580
thousand drams. Aram Harutiunyan has spent his entire election fund.

The chair of the CEC informed that on the tenth day of the election
campaign the candidates must submit a statement on expenditure.

"Unfortunately, the picture is sad. Two candidates, Arthur Baghdasaryan
and Tigran Karapetyan submitted the statement two days earlier, on
January 30, Levon Ter-Petrosyan submitted a day late, Aram Harutiunyan
has submitted today. Vazgen Manukyan and Arman Melikyan have submitted
no reports," Garegin Azaryan said.

He said only Artashes Geghamyan, Vahan Hovanisyan and Serge Sargsyan
have submitted the statement to the CEC on time, on January 31.

YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY ENVISAGES TO BUILD UNDERGROUND CAR PARKING STATIONS IN CAPITAL IN 2008-2012

Noyan Tapan
Feb 5, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The municipality of Yerevan envisages
to build underground car parking stations in the capital in 2008-2011.

According to the information provided by Samvel Danielian, the Chief
Architect of Yerevan, at the press conference held on February 4,
the municipality has made such a decision taking into consideration
the overcharge of the streets of the capital, as well as the fact
that streets are used as car parking stations.

In the words of Samvel Danielian, it is envisaged to build car
parking stations in the underground sections of the Square of France,
in the neighborhood of the municipality, the Shahumian square, the
"Republican" sports ground, and the Ararat tennis club, which is
located in the vicinity of the Yerevan State University. According
to Samvel Danielian, it is not excluded that a car parking station
will also be built in the underground section of the Republican
square. In his words, in case of the implementation of this plan,
car parking stations for general use envisaged for 10000 cars will
be located in the center of the capital.

In addition to this, it is also envisaged to build car parking stations
in yards, after which the garages situated there will be pulled
down. Samvel Danielian made assertions that after the implementation
of the plan the green spaces of Yerevan will increase by 30%.

INTERNAL SITUATION IN AZERBAIJAN REQUIRES IMMEDIATE INTERFERENCE
Astsatur Antonyan

KarabakhOpen
04-02-2008 18:35:54

Recently a new surge of hatred for the Armenian people was witnessed
in Azerbaijan, combined with political and historical rhetoric in
a fascist spirit. In a long series of articles, pronouncements and
statements the articles by certain Nurani and Aliyev are despicable,
which state that cases of cannibalism were reported in Nagorno-Karabakh
in the 1930s during the plague in Hadrut.

No need to comment on those articles, we would only like to note that
the abovementioned authors who spread such information are actually
cannibals who destroy every humane thing in their people and lead
them back to the era of primitive perception of the world.

The germ they carry in them has paralyzed the central nervous system
of Azerbaijan – the political sphere. Recently President Aliyev has
voiced the idea that Yerevan is a native Azerbaijani land, and the
decision of the Azerbaijani government in 1918 on giving this city
to Armenia was a mistake.

Despite the absurdity of this idea, the tribesmen grasped the idea
of the supreme chieftain and priest with unseen inspiration and
enthusiasm, setting out with the best tradition of the chekist school
of Nakhidjevan of the 1930s to develop the directive in the sites.

The parliament of Azerbaijan has decided to set up a commission to
study the historical reason of giving Yerevan to Armenia. They say
during the survey they will take into consideration the experience of
the best investigators of the world Sherlock Holmes, Hercules Puarot,
Miss Marple, and Lieutenant Colombo.

The speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtai Asadov has already
given instructions, adding that most part of the territory of Armenia
used to be Azerbaijani territory but for whatever reason no research
is done and no facts are revealed to the world.

The observations of the director of the Institute of History of
the Azerbaijani academy, Member of Parliament Yaghub Mamedov who
described the government of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan
(1918-1920) which had given Yerevan to Armenians as betrayers. "There
was no quorum when the parliament of the DRA handed out Yerevan to
Armenia. This document has no legal validity," the scholar and the
member of parliament announced to the nation and the world civilization
proudly and aware of his contribution, without any idea of what a
difficult situation the international law and the UN found themselves
after this genial statement.

Then information came that the Armenian cannibals offer 500 thousand
drams for Ramil Safarov’s head, the Azerbaijani officer who had hacked
to death the sleeping Armenian officer. The president of the National
Forum NGO, Member of Parliament Azay Guliyev stated about this.

It is thought that the non-governmental sector should be more tolerant
to opponents, meanwhile it calls to be alert and protect the hero
from savage cannibals.

All this is annoying. The process underway in Azerbaijan is more
evidence that the Azerbaijani society is sick, and its immunity is
weak. It is clear that without external aid it is impossible to change
the situation. The same was with Nazi Germany, Kampuchea, elsewhere. It
is time for the international community to interfere immediately,
otherwise, it is impossible to prevent the backward movement of this
state toward a primitive perception of the world. It is thought that
nobody is interested in the existence of such a country in a region
of such strategic importance like in the South Caucasus.