Author: Chalian Meline

ANTI-TERRORISM DRILLS AT ARMENIA NPP SET FOR ACTIVE PHASE
Author: À.Mammadov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 25 2006

(RIA Novosti) – A joint command and staff anti-terrorism exercise at
nuclear power facilities in southwest Armenia will enter its active
phase September 26, military officials said Monday, reports Trend.

The Russian-Armenian exercise, Anti-Terror-2006, which started at a
nuclear plant in the city of Metsamor September 15 and will last until
September 29, aims to practice coordination of law enforcement agencies
in the event of a terrorist attack on vital infrastructure facilities.

"In the second stage of the exercise, the anti-terrorism task groups of
the Armenian and Russian security services will set up a headquarters
to organize and conduct a joint operation to release hostages and
eliminate terrorists at the Metsamor NPP," said Colonel General Boris
Mylnikov, head of the Anti-Terrorist Center of the Commonwealth of
Independent States, a loose union of 11 former Soviet republics.

He said representatives of the CIS, the United States, France, Germany,
the United Kingdom, Greece, and anti-terrorist committees of the UN
Security Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization had been invited to
the exercise as observers.

–Boundary_(ID_ArfnSBXef9RehN0EXYlWTg) —

KOCHARYAN: ARMENIA’S ARMED FORCES POWERFUL DEFENDER OF ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 21 2006

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. The armed forces of the Republic of
Armenia are a powerful defender of the Motherland of all Armenians.

The Republic of Armenia is the greatest achievement of determined
hard work of many generations, RA President Robert Kocharyan stated
at a military parade in Republic Square in Yerevan.

He congratulated the parade participants, servicemen, Armenian citizens
and guests on the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. However,
it took in a war, energy crisis, blockade, and all the hurdles of
the transitional period.

Kocharyan stated that for the people with millennia long history the
last fifteen years of statehood is just a blink. However, it took in a
war, energy crisis, blockade, and all the hurdles of the transitional
period. The starting point for establishing Armenian statehood was
extremely difficult.

"The starting point for establishing Armenian statehood was extremely
difficult. But the spirit of our people was high and great was the
desire to overcome all the difficulties in the name of freedom and
dignity. In the flames of war that spirit gave birth to heroes and
formed the army, which we are proud of," Kocharyan said.

He stressed that today Armenia is a steadily developing country.

Successful reforms are underway in all areas of life. The high tempo
of economic growth makes Armenia a new, more promising country. It
is of vital importance, since competitive and effective economy is
the main guarantee for the building of a truly democratic state.

A number of strategic programs, which are being implemented in our
country, are aimed at the general development and advancement of our
people and our country, and particularly, at the resolution of social
problems. Among priorities the state has identified poverty reduction,
improvement of life quality, and equal development of the country as
a whole.

"In the establishment of the Armenian state the input of Diaspora is
hardly to be overestimate," Kocharyan said.

Symbolically, the third Armenia-Diaspora conference is also being held
during these jubilee celebrations. It is also important that through
the years of independence the factor of Diaspora has been revaluated,
and our relations have become reciprocal and complementary, he said.

"In foreign relations Armenia has proved to be a stable, reliable and
predictable partner. We continue to successfully deepen the engagement
of our country in international affairs, preserving and strengthening
at the same time traditional ties," Kocharyan said.

The Armenian President added that a just resolution of the NK
conflict remains the highest priority. And it can only be based
on the respect and recognition of the Artsakhi people’s right to
self-determination. He stressed that nothing should threaten security
and development of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic.

Documents of three historical churches sent to UNESCO

IRNA
Kashan, Sept 21, IRNA

Iran-Cultural Heritage-UNESCO

Deputy Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism
Organization (CHTO) Taha Hashemi said that documents of three
historical churches in Iran have been sent to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be
registered in the world historical monuments.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of the organization in Niasar,
Kashan, on Wednesday afternoon, Hashemi named the three churches as;
Tataous known as " Qara Kelisa"( The Black Church), Stepanous and
Zorzor churches.

He added according to the Armenians the Tataous church is the first
church built in the world.

It is located in the West Azerbaijan province.

Hashemi said that Tataous was one of the evangelists close to the
prophet Jesus (PBUH), who came to the northwestern part of Iran,
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

King of Armenia ordered Tataous and his 3,500 followers, including
the king’s daughter (Seendokht) to be killed.

Tataous was buried in the venue of Qara Kelisa area.

300 years later, people built a church on the grave of Tataous and
since then Armenians have held ceremonies there annually.

Stepanous church is located in the East Azerbaijan and it is one of
the oldest churches in the world, too.

Zorzor church is located in the East Azerbaijan province, and is 700
years old.

This church was relocated in 1997 because of building a big dam in
the area and was rebuilt on the top of a hill.

The Iranian official said all documents and maps have been sent to
the UNESCO and its experts are to visit the venues soon, and then
the churches will be in the world heritage list in 2008.

So far, 44 churches from 500 existing churches in Iran have been
registered in the national heritage list.

SIX ARMENIAN STUDENTS WALKING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GENOCIDE
by Kristin Zagurski, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Omaha World – Herald (Nebraska)
September 16, 2006 Saturday

Sep. 16–Six Armenian college students passed through Omaha Friday
on their walk across America to raise awareness of genocide.

The students — Ed S. Majian, 22; Albrik Zohrabyan, 23; Hasmig
Tatiossian, 23; Vahe Abovian, 30; Sarkis Nazaryan, 28; and Levon
Sayadyan, 24 — began their walk June 27 in Los Angeles.

They walk 30 miles a day, followed by a recreational vehicle in which
they sleep. They plan to end their journey Oct. 30 in Washington,
D.C., where a rally will be held.

The group — walking under the name Journey for Humanity — is
holding rallies in other major cities along its way, including one
at 4 p.m. Sunday in Des Moines at the Iowa State Capitol. That rally
is being held in conjunction with the local chapter of Save Darfur.

In the Omaha area, the students met with staff members of U.S. Reps.

Jeff Fortenberry and Tom Osborne and Sen. Chuck Hagel. They also talk
to citizens along their way, telling them about the ongoing genocide
in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The group’s main goals are bringing change to help Darfur and
encouraging people to recognize past genocide — specifically the
Armenian genocide of 1915, Majian said. Amid the chaos of World War I,
Turkey killed an estimated 1.4 million Armenians.

ILHAM ALIYEV: "WE’LL NEVER ALLOW ARMENIAN STATE IN AZERBAIJANI LANDS"

Today.Az
18 September 2006 [16:09] – Today.Az

"There exist great political, economic and cultural potential in
Turkish-speaking countries. We become more powerful when all these
potentials are united," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at
the 10th Congress of Friendship, Brotherhood, Cooperation Congress
of Turkish-speaking Countries and Communities in Antalya, Turkey.

As APA reports, the head of state stressed that Armenia makes claims
against Turkey instead of withdrawing from the Azerbaijani territories
it have occupied.

"We should unite our forces against this to destroy this propaganda
completely. It is high time for us to attack. Turkish-speaking
countries should unite their efforts to attack this ugly
propaganda. We’ll never allow any second, Armenian state in Azerbaijani
territory. We’ll prevent this by mobilizing our political, diplomatic,
legal and military efforts," Azerbaijani President underlined.

Mr.Aliyev stressed the occupied Azerbaijani lands are certain to
be liberated, "Turkey and Azerbaijan should co-operate in Diaspora
activity for this purpose. We should unite dour powers against
Armenian activity not only in Turkey and Azerbaijan but also in the
entire world."

The head of state offered Baku hosting forum of integration of Turkish
and Azerbaijani Diasporas early in 2007.

TREND
17.09.2006

Dynamic development of Azerbaijan and political
stability promote increase of country’s rating – chair
of parliamentary commission on economy

Source: Trend
Author: A.Ismayilova

16.09.2006

`Azerbaijan participates in global projects and
interests towards the county increases constantly. The
Country improves its legislative basis, political
stability and different factors promote increase of
rating,’ Ziyad Samedzade, the head of the permanent
preliminary commission on economic policy, told
Trend.

Sovereign rating issued by Moody’s Investor Services
on 14 September is higher by one level the rating by
Fitch Ratings and lower by one level than the
investment level. Moody’s issued Azerbaijan Ba1
rating.

However, there are some organizations that demonstrate
tendentious views.

For instance, the United States has an organization
that puts Azerbaijan below Armenia for the level of
economic freedom. It is not real. All are well known
about the investments, budget and living conditions in
Armenia. We don’t deny that Azerbaijan has problems,
while comparison is biased,’ he stressed.

"ARMENIAN ISSUES SHOULD NOT HARM TURKISH-FRENCH RELATIONS"
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
15/09/2006

On September 13, Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul met Turkish
journalists in Paris within the framework of "Dialogue of Peoples and
Cultures" conference organized by the Foreign Ministry of France. As
his visit coincided with a series of arrangements under the slogan
"Armenia – My Friend", journalists asked the FM’s opinion.

"Turkey has no problem of conditioning its relations with France by a
third state. Yet, the Armenian issues should not harm Turkish-French
relations," Abdullah Gul said. According to Zaman daily, the Turkish FM
reminded about 400.000 Turks living in France and said: "Discords can
be discussed. Opinions also can be voiced. But they never should be a
cause for trouble or argument. We would not want it happen. Therefore,
the Turks, the Armenians and the French should be careful."

Mesrop II Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, was also
invited to take part in the conference, Lraber newspaper of the
Patriarchy reports.

On his way to Paris at Ataturk Airport, His Holiness met consul general
of France in Istanbul, Jean- Christoph Posel, and US ambassador
to Turkey, Ross Wilson. Lraber reports that Patriarch Mutafian is
scheduled to meet FM Gul in Paris.

AZERBAIJAN ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE FOCUS TO U.N.

Panorama.am
16:19 14/09/06

Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan told reporters today he is
ready to meet Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamediarov at any time
"only if the atmosphere is right and favorable for the meeting to
yield results." In his words, Azerbaijan’s attempt to shift the
Karabakh conflict settlement to other institutions do not help to
such favorable atmosphere.

The minister did not rule out that he may meet with Azeri foreign
minister by the end of this year. "It is possible to meet even this
month," he said adding that OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are seriously
considering such meeting. The meeting should not be an end in itself
especially that "Azerbaijan is constantly trying to shift the attention
from Minsk process. It is a fact.’

Oskanyan said that Azerbaijan had consented to most part of the peace
deal up to the referendum and self-determination but now it is trying
to move the attention to the United Nations.

CHAIR OF COUNCIL OF RUSSIAN MUFTIS FOR LIBERATION OF OCCUPIED TERRITORY
Author: R.Agayev

TREND, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006

The chairman of Board of Muftis of Russia, Ravil Gaynutdin stated
in Moscow that he has always come out for liberation of the occupied
territory and full sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

According to Gaynutdin, Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, the chairman of
the Caucasus Muslims Board, is not only an outstanding theologian,
but also a diplomat. "Working in his post he establishes diplomatic
relationships and head of the Armenian Church – Catholicos of
Armenians. He voiced his assurance that the CMB headed by Mr.
Pashazade will further go on the way which will at last resolve
the conflict.

Speaking about the relationship with the CMB, Gaynutdin noted his
respect to Sheik-ul-Islam of Caucasus who is a true religious leader
of Muslims and takes every effort for religious survival and spread
of moral values of the Islam throughout the territory of Caucasus.

"Muslims of Russia consider him a true supporter of a dialogue
between the religions as a co-chairman of the CIS Inter-religious
Council. As a member of the CIS Inter-religious Council I witness the
such an attitude shown him by representatives of different religions,
as they know him as a true peacemakers, advocate of good-will ideas
and guard of necessity of maintenance of peace among the religions
and nations and true patriot," he underscored.

THREE YEKATERINBURG RESIDENTS FOUND GUILTY OF BEATING ARMENIANS

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General Newswire
September 11, 2006 Monday 2:23 PM MSK

Yekaterinburg’s Kirov District Court has found two teenagers aged
16 and 17 and Sergei Tkachuk, 19, guilty of fomenting ethnic hatred,
the press service of the Sverdlovsk region prosecutor’s office said
on Monday.

The court found them guilty of "fomenting hatred or enmity, as well
as humiliating human dignity," a statement by the press service reads.

The youngest participant, a youth aged 16, was sentenced to 100 hours
of community service, his friend, 17, was fined 20,000 rubles, while
Tkachuk was sentenced to 18 months of corrective labor, the press
service said.

These young people humiliated the dignity of two Armenians in public
by using violence against them on March 28, 2006, the statement reads.

"Young nationalists shouting out slogans like "For a happy Russia,"
and "Glory to Russia" as they attacked the plaintiffs, the press
service said.