Author: Chmshkian Vicken

PARTY “ORINATS YERKIR”: “AMIRYAN” PEDAGOGICAL ORGANIZATION BEARS NO
RELATION TO THE PARTY “ORINATS YERKIR”

Yerevan, May 13. ArmInfo. “Amiryan” pedagogical organization bears no
relation to the party “Orinats Yerkir,” says “OY” party statement
received by ArmInfo, Saturday.

The party informs that a press conference scheduled for May 13 at
Hotel Yerevan wherein “Amiryan” organization’s withdrawal from “OY”
will be announced is application of dirty technologies. Certain
impostors keep on announcing about their withdrawal from the
party. “Any similar attempts in future will be considered as
provocation,” the party says.

SERGO YERITSIAN TO RESIGN FROM POST OF RA MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

ATTENTION, CORRECTED VERSION! YEREVAN, MAY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. RA
Minister of Education and Science Sergo Yeritsian, member of the
Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) Party, will resign after May 22. Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed about it from the Ministry. Chairman
of the Orinats Yerkir Party and NA Speaker Artur Baghdasarian said in
the May 12 statement that after his official resignation all state
officials representing the party should resign from their posts during
the next NA 4-day session to start on May 22.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
May 12, 2006 Friday

THE OSCE WILL ORGANIZE A SCHEDULED MONITORING ON THE LINE OF
CONFRONTATION OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANIAN FORCES

A scheduled monitoring will be organized on the line of confrontation
between Armenian and Azerbaijanian forces near the village of Ashagy
Askiparra in the Gazakh district on May 11. Imre Palatinus and Peter
Key, field aides to the plenipotentiary of the OSCE chairman, will
participate in monitoring. Armenia’s part of the group will consist
of Andzhei Kasprshik, plenipotentiary of the OSCE chairman, and his
field aides Harry Eronen and Zhiri Abberle.

Source: Turan information agency (Baku), May 10, 2006

Opposition figure urges Armenian leader to dissolve parliament, sack
government

Mediamax news agency
12 May 06

Yerevan, 12 May: The secretary of the opposition Justice bloc, Viktor
Dallakyan, said today that “the Armenian president should speak on TV
today and say that the coalition does not exist any more”.

Commenting on Speaker Artur Bagdasaryan’s resignation and the
Law-Governed Country Party’s departure from the ruling coalition,
Dallakyan said that the Armenian president should dissolve the
parliament and dismiss the government and the prime minister.

Dallakyan believes that “the speaker resigned as a result of pressure
from the ruling circles”. He did not rule out that “Bagdasaryan
probably encountered the same kind of pressure as the former head of
the presidential administration, Artashes Tumanyan”.

The secretary of the Dashnaktsutyun faction, Grayr Karapetyan, said
today that the Law-Governed Country Party left the ruling coalition
“in the most civilized way”. He also said that each of the three
member parties of the coalition is an independent political force and
has the right to determine its political line independently.

The New Anatolian, Turkey
May 12 2006

Belgium follows in French footsteps

The New Anatolian / Brussels

Members of the Belgian Liberal Party (MR) are planning to bring a
bill stipulating prison terms for questioning the Armenian genocide
claims before the Belgian Parliament, a move similar to that of the
French socialists.

The bill, drawn up by MR Senators Francois Roelands du Vivier and
Christine Defraigne, aims to impose prison terms of up to a year and
up to 5,000 euros in fines to those questioning the events of 1915.

Belgian Parliament last June shelved a similar bill after heated
debate and criticism from Turks living in Belgium. The Parliament,
while not approving the Armenian bill last year, decided not to
abandon another decision on the controversial case, such as the
recognition of genocide claims.

The latest bill is the expanded version of a law enacted by Belgian
Parliament in March, 1995 which considers the Jewish Holocaust a
crime.

While the Parliament is expected to begin debates on the bill this
month, sources told The New Anatolian that they might be postponed so
as to avoid sparking criticism from Turks in the country ahead of
local elections set for Oct. 8.

Turkey pulls out military exercise in Canada

Turkey pulled out of a military exercise in Canada, a Foreign
Ministry official said Thursday, further expressing Turkey’s
displeasure with its NATO ally for saying Turks committed “genocide”
against Armenians during World War I.

The refusal to send Turkish F-16s and officers comes in a week of
tense diplomacy for Turkey.

The Foreign Ministry official spoke on condition of anonymity, in
keeping with government rules. He said the military exercise in
Canada isn’t a NATO exercise, but was open to other allied countries
and that Turkey had planned to send six or seven F-16s and pilots.

Turkish Press
May 11 2006

Press Review

TURKIYE

ARINC: `IN ADDITION TO HINDERING TURKEY’S EU BID, THE ARMENIAN BILL
IS ALSO MEANT FOR DOMESTIC POLITICAL CONSUMPTION’

Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said yesterday that France’s Armenian
bill wasn’t meant solely to hinder Turkey’s European Union membership
bid, but also was meant for domestic political consumption. Saying
that Turkish parliamentarians were lobbying in Paris against the
bill, he added that he thought the bill would be rejected by the
French Parliament next Thursday. This bill disappoints Ankara, he
stated, warning that this would be taken into consideration in
relations. In related news, opposition True Path Party (DYP) leader
Mehmet Agar said that he hoped the bill won’t pass. `Such initiatives
can hurt Turkish-French relations,’ added Agar. /Turkiye/

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/12/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM

1) Communities Unite in Support of ANCA Telethon
2) Orinats Yerkir Leader Confirms Resignation; Avoids Blaming Kocharian
3) Honorary Presidents of 31st Navasartian Games Donate $50,000 to Homenetmen
4) Armenian And Hellenic Caucus Leaders Join Together In Opposing Missile Sale
To Turkey

1) Communities Unite in Support of ANCA Telethon

(Washington, DC)–Armenian Communities and organizations across the United
States are uniting in overwhelming support of the May 21st Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) Telethon. In the last several weeks, individual
communities have mobilized to build support for the Telethon including early
community-level local fundraising initiatives. With less than a week before
the
Telethon air date, there is a groundswell of widespread interest across the
entire spectrum of community organizations coming together with a united
purpose of supporting the Armenian Cause, “Hai Tad.” With this in mind,
representatives of various communities and organizations are planning on
appearing live during the Telethon to show their moral and financial support.
The Telethon will be on May 21 from 3-9 PM Pacific Time (6 PM-Midnight Eastern
Time) and will be broadcast nationally on i Network (formerly known as the PAX
network which can be viewed on local cable systems); Horizon TV, which is
carried on cable and the DISH satellite network; and will be web cast on
<; Viewers can go to the Telethon page of
the
ANCA website (<;) where they will find a
station
locator by entering their zip code to obtain local channel details.
“Representatives from communities throughout the United States will be
traveling to Los Angeles to participate in the Telethon live,” said Raffi
Hamparian, member of the ANCA National Board and Telethon Organizing
Committee. “The Telethon has touched a common emotion and desire in people to
support the Armenian Cause in all the different parts of our communities,
regardless of organizational affiliations or politics. It is worthwhile to
note
this very positive development because ‘Hai Tad’ is a calling that should be
awakened in every Armenian. As the Telethon will demonstrate, we all have an
important and critical role to play.”
Representatives from ANCs, community organizations, churches and performing
artists from across the nation are scheduled to appear during the Telethon in
addition to an unprecedented number of public officials including mayors and
representatives from city and state governments; dozens of members of Congress
and the Congressional Armenian Caucus; and leaders from the Republic of
Armenia. Representatives of ANCA chapters around the nation will show the
tangible results of their grassroots advocacy and activism during the
broadcast
with in-depth documentaries about the many activities on Armenian issues in
every community.
“We are eager to share the progress we are making in Pennsylvania on key
issues of importance to the Armenian community and that’s why I’ll be making
the trip to Los Angeles for the Telethon,” said Dr. Ara Chalian, Co-Chair of
the ANC of Pennsylvania. “The surge in interest and activism demonstrates
we’re
on the right track and when we put the additional financial resources behind
our volunteer work of our grassroots network we will see even greater
results.
That’s what makes this Telethon so critical to our united future.”
To make a donation in advance of the May 21st ANCA Telethon or find out
channel information, call 1-866-402-2622 (ANCA) or go to
<; and click on the Telethon logo to make a
donation online.

2) Orinats Yerkir Leader Confirms Resignation; Avoids Blaming Kocharian

(Combined sources)–Armenians parliament speaker Artur Baghdasarian was
careful
to avoid any attacks on President Robert Kocharian on Friday as he officially
announced his Orinats Yerkir Party’s departure from the governing coalition
and
its transformation into an `opposition force.’
Baghdasarian dismissed reports that the dramatic collapse of his parliament
faction was engineered by Kocharian. He insisted that he decided to resign and
pull Orinats Yerkir out of the coalition because of major policy differences
with the country’s leadership.
`It is morally right for me to tender my resignation and for our political
team to leave the coalition,’ he told a news conference. `All Orinats Yerkir
members holding [government] posts must also resign. This is the decision
unanimously taken by our political council.’
The party’s exit was followed with defections of about a dozen Orinats Yerkir
lawmakers which caused the party’s faction, the second largest in the National
Assembly, to shrink by half. According to some senior members of the Armenian
coalition, their departure was initiated by Kocharian with the aim of forcing
Orinats Yerkir out of his government.
Presidential press secretary Victor Soghomonian denied this on Friday. `I
don’t want to comment on gossip,’ he said. `A change in the ruling
coalition is
an ordinary phenomenon for any civilized country. So in this case, nothing
very
extraordinary has happened, especially given the fact that there were some
disagreements within the coalition and they understandably deepened during the
pre-election period.’
Baghdasarian said that the defectors had come under unspecified `pressure’ to
leave Orinats Yerkir and caved in because of `an atmosphere of fear that
stifles dissent’ in Armenia. `Everything is clear to everyone. Was there
pressure? Yes, there was. From all sides,’ he said.
At the same time, Baghdasarian insisted that the Armenian leader played no
part in the process. `There was no such thing,’ he said. `We have for months
had disagreements on different issues, including with the president of the
republic.’
Baghdasarian added that those differences have centered on the Kocharian
administration’s socioeconomic and foreign policies as well as `democratic
reforms’ which he believes need to be carried out in Armenia. He refused to go
into details.
The speaker, who was at one point regarded as one of Kocharian’s potential
successors, and his party have repeatedly criticized the government and had an
uneasy relationship with its coalition partners ever since they signed a
power-sharing agreement three years ago. Orinats Yerkir’s exit from power
appears to have been precipitated by Baghdasarian’s recent interview with a
German newspaper in which he called for Armenia’s accession to NATO and
implied
that Kocharian’s reelection in 2003 was fraudulent.
`Of course we are becoming an opposition force. There is no question about
that,’ said Baghdasarian. But he would not specify whether he is ready to
align
himself with Armenia’s mainstream opposition groups that have long challenged
Kocharian.
Leaders of those groups seem to remain mistrustful of Orinats Yerkir. Stepan
Demirchian of the opposition Artarutyun alliance said the bloc will consider
cooperating with Baghdasarian’s party only if it becomes a `real opposition
force.’ Another Artarutyun figure, Vazgen Manukian, referred to Orinats Yerkir
as a `party artificially created and artificially broken up’ by the
authorities.
Another prominent oppositionist, Artashes Geghamian of the National Unity
Party, was even more dismissive of Orinats Yerkir, alleging that it had been
created by the influential Defense Minister Serge Sarkisian.
`We are confident that what happened will not lead to an internal political
crisis,’ said Soghomonian. `The so-called divorce took place in an open and
civilized atmosphere. Both the government and the National Assembly will
continue to work in a normal regime.’
`The resignation was tendered voluntarily,’ said Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) leader
Armen Rustamian. `It was not a punishment. It was a normal political event.’
Orinats Yerkir’s exit leaves the HHK and Dashnaktsutyun in direct control of
only 51 of the 131 parliament seats. But Rustamian was confident that the
restructured coalition will rely on other pro-Kocharian factions to push
government decisions through the National Assembly. He said none of them will
likely get ministerial posts in return for the backing.
Rustamian also did not rule out the possibility of Dashnaktsutyun taking over
some of the senior positions that have been held by Orinats Yerkir until now.
`We have not made such a clear-cut decision,’ he said. `But I don’t rule out
that the discussions will lead to such a reshuffle.’
The Armenian parliament is expected to accept its speaker’s resignation when
it resumes its sessions on May 22. Deputy speaker Tigran Torosian, who is a
leading member of the governing Republican Party, will perform Baghdasarian’s
duties in interim.

3) Honorary Presidents of 31st Navasartian Games Donate $50,000 to Homenetmen

Longtime Homenetemen members and supporters Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Elo
Boyadjian were appointed Wednesday Honorary Presidents of the 31st Navasartian
Games and donated, on this occasion, $50,000 to Homenetmen, said Regional
Executive Chairman Raffi Ispenjian.
During the ceremony at Note Luna restaurant in Glendale, the couple humbly
accepted their appointment as Honorary Presidents and reaffirmed their belief
in the role Homenetmen plays in our community and the mission of the
organization.
`Elo and I will try our best to help out in any way possible and make sure
that this year’s Homenetemen Navasartian Games are a success,’ said Joseph
Boyadjian.
Joseph Boyadjian has been a member of Homenetemen since his youth in Lebanon,
where he played soccer for the organization. He is currently a member of the
Pasadena `Azadamard’ chapter of Homenetemen. Both Joseph and Elo Boyadjian
have
consistently been active in the Armenian community and are highly respected
within the community for their many contributions.

4) Armenian And Hellenic Caucus Leaders Join Together In Opposing Missile Sale
To Turkey

–Reps. Bilirakis, Pallone, Radanovich, and Maloney Warn that SLAM-ER Missile
Transfer Will Undermine Cyprus Peace Process and Threaten Armenia

(WASHINGTON, DC)–The Co-Chairpersons of the Hellenic Caucus, Reps. Michael
Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), were joined Thursday by Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Armenian Genocide Resolution lead
sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA) in calling on Congressional leaders to
reexamine a controversial $162 million US missile sale to Turkey.
In letters addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed
Services and International Relations Committees, the four legislators voiced
their “deep concern and opposition to the application currently before your
Committee for the foreign military sale to Turkey of 50 AGM 84K Joint Standoff
Land Attack Missiles – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and associated equipment
and
services.”
Noting that Turkey has enforced an illegal blockade against Armenia for the
last twelve years, provides support to Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabagh,
and
refuses to normalize relations with Armenia, they stressed that, “there are no
safeguards in place to ensure that the transfer of these advanced new weapons
to Turkey will not be used to threaten Armenia.” Commenting on the
presence of
more than 40,000 Turkish military troops in the Turkish-occupied area of
Cyprus, the legislators argued that the sale would “exacerbate the already
existing military imbalance over Cyprus,” and “worsen the uneasy, insecure and
disadvantaged position of the Republic of Cyprus in terms of its defense and
weapons proliferation.” They closed the letter by requesting a “thorough
reexamination of all factors pertaining to the sale” of the missiles to
Turkey.
“We join with our friends at the American Hellenic Institute in thanking
Representatives Bilirakis, Pallone, Maloney, and Radanovich in calling for a
careful review of this ill-advised and destabilizing arms sale to an already
over-armed Turkish military,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the
ANCA. “Neither US interests nor American values are served by providing
advanced offensive weapons to a government that used US arms to invade Cyprus
in 1974, transferred weapons to Azerbaijan during the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict, regularly invades Greek airspace over the Aegean Sea, and has used
American military equipment in committing human rights abuses against its own
citizens.”

The full text of the Congressional letter is provided below.

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We are writing to express our deep concern and opposition to the application
currently before your Committee for the foreign military sale to Turkey of 50
AGM 84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and
associated equipment and services.
Considering the presence of more than 40,000 Turkish military troops in the
Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus, this particular sale – if materialized – will
exacerbate the already existing military imbalance over Cyprus. It will worsen
the uneasy, insecure and disadvantaged position of the Republic of Cyprus in
terms of its defense and weapons proliferation.
We also believe that US approval of this sale will negatively influence the
ongoing efforts of the Administration to encourage a negotiated settlement of
the Cyprus question. Support for the sale could be perceived as adversely
affecting our third-party role in helping to bring the interested parties
together.
Turkey has also has enforced an illegal blockade against Armenia for the last
twelve years, continues to provide support to Azerbaijan against Nagorno
Karabagh, and refuses to normalize relations with Armenia. There are no
safeguards in place to ensure that the transfer of these advanced new weapons
to Turkey will not be used to threaten Armenia.
This potential sale sends the wrong political message at the wrong time to
Turkey and the neighboring countries. In a time of delicate diplomatic balance
by the United States in that region of the world, the sale of this particular
weapon to Turkey runs the real danger of being seen by the other countries of
concern as a politically insensitive move.
We therefore request a thorough reexamination of all factors pertaining to
the
sale of the cruise missiles to Turkey.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Michael Bilirakis
Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus

Frank Pallone
Co-Chair, Armenian Caucus

Carolyn Maloney
Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus

George Radanovich
Member, Armenian Caucus

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GREEK AMERICANS AND THE 2006 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
By Gene Rossides

Hellenic News of America
May 10 2006

The 2006 congressional elections in the House of Representatives
and the U.S. Senate are well under way. They offer Greek Americans
an excellent opportunity: (1) to voice their views on foreign policy
issues of concern to them and (2) to seek to influence the views of
those running for elective office.

Because of President George W. Bush’s low ratings in the opinion polls
on job performance, the Democratic Party believes it has a chance to
capture either the House or Senate or both. As a result there will
be a much greater interest in these elections than would normally be
the case.

Most observers believe that the Democrats are likely to gain seats
both in the House and in the Senate for the first time since 2000.

The question is whether the Democrats can gain sufficient seats to
achieve a majority in either chamber.

The Republicans hold 231 House seats out of 435 seats and the Democrats
201 seats with one Democrat- leaning independent and 2 vacancies which
are split between the parties. The Democrats need to have a net gain
of 15 seats to become the majority party in the House.

In the Senate the Republicans hold a majority of 55 seats to the
Democrats 44 plus one Democrat- leaning independent. The Democrats
need to gain six seats to achieve a majority in the Senate.

The news for the next six months to election day on November 7, 2006
will feature politics 24/7. This applies also in the overwhelming
majority of safe seats in the House and Senate because of President
Bush?s low- poll ratings- in the 30?s. Republicans and Democrats well
remember the anti-incumbent mood in 1994 which led to an unforeseen
Republican landslide and a majority in the House and Senate and Newt
Gingrich becoming Speaker of the House. The Republicans picked up
54 House seats and 10 Senate seats. The Democrats had controlled the
House for 40 years.

Following the 2000 census, redistricting increased the number of
“safe” districts in the House which means “safely” in the hands of
one party or the other. Only 32 congressional districts were close
in 2004. By close I mean the winner won with less than 55% of the vote.

This means that incumbents have a strong hold on retaining power.

Michael Barone, a leading political analyst and nationally syndicated
columnist, writes that the Democrats? chances of capturing a net gain
of 15 seats “are not very good,” although they do “have a chance to
win the House, but it?s far from a sure thing.” (Washington Times,
3-14-06, A19, col.3).

In the Senate there are 33 races this year (one-third of the Senate
is up for election every two years). The Democrats are defending 18
seats while the Republicans are defending 15 seats. The Democrats,
who need a net gain of 6 seats to control the Senate, will concentrate
on Rhode Island and Pennsylvania in the East, on Ohio and Missouri
in the Midwest and on Montana and Arizona.

To counter the Democrats possibilities of picking up Republican seats,
the Republicans are targeting two of the Democrats three open seats,
one in Maryland where Senator Paul Sarbanes is retiring and the other
in Minnesota. Republicans also are saying they have chances against
three Democratic incumbents, namely Senators Robert C. Byrd (W.Va.),
Robert Menendez (N.J.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.).

This year’s key Senate race is in Pennsylvania, where Republican
Senator Rick Santorum in a bid for third term is running behind the
state Treasurer Bob Case Jr. (D).

In Rhode Island, a Democratic-leaning state, Republican Senator
Lincoln D. Chafee is in trouble and also faces a primary opponent
in the September 12 GOP primary. If successful, he will face either
former state attorney general Sheldon Whitehouse or Secretary of State
Matt Brown. Whitehouse is currently out-in-front for the Democratic
nomination.

In Ohio, Senator Mike DeWine (R) is in trouble in his race for
re-election, in substantial part because of GOP scandals in Ohio,
of which he is not a part. His Democratic opponent will be decided
in a primary this month.

In Montana, Senator Conrad Burns (R) is in trouble because of media
reports which detailed his financial ties to indicted lobbyist Jack
Abramoff. The two Democrats who are trying to unseat him are state
Auditor John Morrison and state Senator Jon Testor.

The Democrats need to win all 4 of these races and 2 more, one in
Arizona and one in Missouri. The incumbent Republican Senators in
Arizona, Jon Kyl, and in Missouri, James M. Talent, are less vulnerable
than the 4 discussed above.

I will discuss the relevant House races in a future article.

Because of the intense interest in the 2006 House and Senate races,
Greek Americans have a much better opportunity to be heard to advance
their views on foreign policy issues than previously. Incumbents and
challengers will listen more closely to their constituent?s views.

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) once again is making a special
effort this year to solicit the foreign policy views of both incumbents
and challengers and will publish the results in October prior to the
November 7 election date. AHI is a non-political and is not authorized
to endorse candidates. It is authorized to inform the public as to
the positions and voting records of candidates.

AHI?s aim is to have both incumbents and challengers support our
positions in the best interest of the U.S.

It is of great importance for Greek Americans to get involved in the
political process. I urge each reader to get active. You can make a
difference. Contact the candidates and tell them your views on our
issues-Cyprus, the Aegean, FYROM, religious freedom and protection
in Turkey for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the reopening of Halki
Patriarchal School of Theology, compensation for victims of Turkish
genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, the need for
a critical review of U.S. policy towards Turkey, human rights for
the Greek minority in Albania, recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by Turkey and support for AHI?s legislative initiatives.

If you want to be part of AHI?s Congressional Contact Leadership Team
in your state and in your congressional district please contact AHI-
telephone: (202) 785-8430, e-mail: [email protected].

To reach your Representative and your two Senators call and write
as follows:

U.S. House of Representatives:

The Honorable____________ U.S. House of Representatives Washington,
D.C. 20515

Phone: 202-224-3121 (general number)

U.S. Senate The Honorable___________ U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-3121 (general number)

Get active. You can make a difference.

Gene Rossides is President of the American Hellenic Institute and
former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury

Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union, DC
May 5 2006

State Duma Deputies Make Antisemitic Speeches, Come Close to Calling
for Overthrow of Government

(May 5, 2006)
Two members of the Russian national parliament have again made
antisemitic speeches, according to a May 3, 2006 report by the Sova
Information Analytical Center. Former Defense Minister Igor Rodionov
and Oleg Mashchenko-both members of the extremist nationalist
Motherland Party-reportedly spoke at an April 29, 2006 gathering in
St. Petersburg organized by the Union of Russian People. This
organization is named for a pre-Revolutionary group which
participated in mass killings (pogroms) of Jews with the
semi-official approval of Tsarist officials.

Speaking to this group, Mr. Rodionov reportedly stated that, “today
our country is ruled by a Jewish mafia” and called for a struggle
“against this diabolical plot to destroy our country and people.” Mr.
Mashchenko took it a step further, coming close to calling for an
armed uprising against the “anti-Russian government.” “We can’t be
victorious through elections,” Mr. Mashchenko stated. “All the
legislative activity of the Duma serves the interests of a small clan
of rich people, the majority of whom are aliens who are hostile to
the Russian people. At the same time, the kike media deliberately
misinforms and fools tens of millions of people.” Mr. Mashchenko also
reportedly complained about Armenians having too much power in
Russia, a possible reference to vocal protests by the Armenian
community in Moscow following the murder of a young Armenian on the
Moscow metro that many attribute to Russian neo-Nazis.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
May 6 2006

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV, CHAIRMAN OF THE 9TH ECO SUMMIT
[May 05, 2006, 22:00:59]

Dear friends, I express my deep gratitude for electing me as chairman
of the 9th Economic Cooperation Organization summit.

Dear presidents, dear heads of delegations, dear prime ministers.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

First of all, I avail myself of the opportunity to greet all of you
in Azerbaijan Republic and wish success and achieving concrete
results at today’s summit. I am grateful to President of the
Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmonov who presided at the 8th
Economic Cooperation Organization Summit. Moreover, I thank Mr.
Askhat Orazbay, who is completing his mission as ECO secretary
general, for his efforts towards development of the organization. I
offer my hearty congratulations to its new Secretary General Khurshid
Anwar on his election to the high office and best wishes for success
in his future activity.

At today’s summit, the work of the organization will be analyzed
and we shall share our views on the accomplishments achieved. I am
sure that at the same time there will be an effective dialogue on the
further prospects of the organization.

After Azerbaijan regained its independence we joined various
international organizations and initiatives. We became a member of
the Economic Cooperation Organization as well and attribute a great
importance to our activity in this organization. The member states of
the organization are bound together by historic and cultural ties.
Our shared history, customs and traditions make us even closer and
provide a good basis for successful activities. The role of the
Economic Cooperation Organization, at the same time, is also
increasing In terms of regional cooperation. As you know, economic
potential of the member countries is increasing and as a whole, it
comes as our region has possibly achieved the highest economic growth
rate. Economic capabilities of the member countries are widening and,
of course, open up new opportunities for both bilateral and
multilateral successful cooperation.

Azerbaijan attaches an extremely great importance to the issues of
regional cooperation. We are a participant as well as an organizer of
some international regional projects and would like to have more
concrete projects within the Economic Cooperation Organization too.
We have to discuss specific issues and take all necessary practical
steps.

The economic development of Azerbaijan is going on rapidly. Last
year, Azerbaijan posted economic growth of 26 percent. It is our
history’s highest figures, which, first of all, allows us to
realize all our plans associated with socio-economic issues. GDP
growth in Azerbaijan increased up to 40 percent in the fist quarter
of this year and in general, it is likely to remain around the same
level until the end of the year. On the one hand, opening of 380
thousand new jobs over the past two years and a half helps to
eradicate unemployment, on the other hand, it drastically reduces the
number of people living in poverty.

The increase in economic indices naturally boosts the country’s
capabilities. Favorable conditions are being created to strengthen
bilateral and multilateral relations. I am confident economic
projects connecting us will bring fruits in the future. Azerbaijan
and neighboring countries are doing much work to deliver Caspian oil
and gas resources to the world markets. After commissioning of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline linking the Caspian and
Mediterranean Seas, economic situation in the region as well as
security measures should be strengthened more. We consider regional
cooperation projects should serve all the objectives. They will have
a positive impact on strengthening economic ties, increasing economic
potential as well as on establishing peace and tranquility in the
region.

Besides, construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline to deliver
Azeri gas from to Turkey and then to European countries, which is of
great importance for both Azerbaijan and neighboring nations, is to
finish in a few of months.

Oil and gas pipelines connecting Azerbaijan with Turkey as well as
our successful cooperation with neighboring Islamic Republic of Iran
in the energy sector, implementation of gas and electricity projects
through exchange are of vital importance for ensuring the
cooperation. I can say that we maintain very good bilateral relations
with all the member states and highly appreciate this.

Strengthening transport infrastructure is extremely important for our
region and all our states. Azerbaijan plays and will continue playing
its role in opening transport corridors East-West and North-South.
These projects will make us closer as existence of the transport
infrastructure heightens our economic capabilities and provide new
wonderful conditions for economic cooperation. As all you know,
Azerbaijan is keen on the operation of the Europe-Caucasus-Asia
transport corridor and is a participant of the TRACECA program.
Besides, the railway linking Europe and Asia arouse a great interest
as well. Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is important not only for our
countries but also for the whole region. Should we manage to realize
this – I don’t doubt we will – there will be the shortest route to
connecting Europe and Asia. Undoubtedly, as a transit country
Azerbaijan should settle the issues of providing transport
infrastructure for friendly countries.

In short, there are all conditions for overall economic cooperation.
No doubt, peace and security in the region should be strengthened for
its further deepening. In its turn, Azerbaijan is actively involved
in such matters and will continue its activity in the future too. At
the same time, there are many issues that arouse concerns. First of
all, all the countries should take common approach to the issues of
fighting terrorism. The world should combine its efforts, as it will
be extremely difficult to achieve serious success on one’s own. We
should look at all terrorist organizations from the same viewpoint,
without any discrimination because we will be able to combat against
this evil only through combining our efforts.

Azerbaijan is the country, which also suffered from terrorism.
Armenian terrorist organizations committed over 30 acts of terrorism
against Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis killing over 2000 innocent
people. Today, the continuing Armenia’s aggression against
Azerbaijan, policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis resulted
in displacing over a million of Azerbaijanis from their native lands
are the biggest drawback, and huge obstacle on the way of regional
cooperation development. We are striving for the peaceful resolution
of the matter, considering that the possibilities for this still
exist. Therefore, we need to realize all possibilities. At the same
time, patience of the people of Azerbaijan is not unlimited. We
believe that this issue – Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, can be settled
only in line with international law principles. Armenian occupation
forces should leave Azerbaijani lands, Azerbaijanis should return to
their lands. Justice must be restored this way. Territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan is recognized by all but Armenia. It is recognized by
the United Nations and of course, cannot be the subject of
negotiations. I want to avail myself of the opportunity to express my
deep gratitude to all the member countries for supporting
Azerbaijani’s stance.

Reduction of risks, successful economic cooperation, energy security
are the issues that will ensure the development of peace. We are
located in the extremely important but very sensitive region. There
are conflicts, menace and risks in it. I do not doubt that the
Economic Cooperation Organization will honorably fulfill the goal
facing it and our cooperation will be strengthened, our successful
interaction both in bilateral and multilateral format will have a
very positive impact on the whole region.

Dear friends and guests, I once more greet all of you here in
Azerbaijan and wish every success in the your work. Thank you.