Author: Emil Lazarian

AZERI OFFICIAL DENIES ANTI-IRAN COALITION EXISTS
Day.az, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
An exclusive interview of Day.az with the head of the press and
information policy department of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry,
Tahir Tagizada.
[Correspondent] Tahir muallim [mode of address], do you think it was
a surprise that senators known for their pro-Armenian position were
elected as leaders of the Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate?
Or was it the expected consequence of the coordinated and methodical
work of the Armenian lobby?
[Tagizada] It is a very hard and thankless thing to comment on the
policies of another state. It is especially so if at issue is the
world’s largest super power which is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan.
Therefore, I think it is incorrect to divide parties into a
ruling and opposition ones on the basis of their attitude to the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Karabakh conflict.
You actually know that the working group for developing Azerbaijani-US
relations comprises congressmen from both the Democratic and Republican
parties.
[Passage omitted: Tagizada says Azerbaijan should rely on the
Azerbaijani community in the USA in its relations with the USA; the
two countries have political and economic cooperation and are allies
in the fight against global terrorism]
[Correspondent] What do Azerbaijan’s national interests dictate in
the sphere of building relations with Iran?
[Tagizada] I have already said that Azerbaijan’s national interests
are invariable and do not depend on which country or international
organizations they are being built with.
But if you mean the talk about the existence of some “anti-Iran
coalition”, it simply does not exist. But even if it did, Azerbaijan
would not join it.
For Azerbaijan, the question here is very clear-cut and definite
– our region, which is strategically important both for building
international relations and for the international security system,
is already so full of conflict that the limit of durability of peace
in our region has already been reached.
Besides, Azerbaijan favours not a military but a diplomatic resolution
of problems, both in the Iranian and the Karabakh issues.
[Correspondent] In the meantime, last weekend [18-19 November]
the Iranian TV channel Sahar aired for an hour calls for a coup in
Azerbaijan. How would you comment on this?
[Tagizada] Unfortunately, I am not yet familiar with what exactly the
Iranian TV channel Sahar broadcast. Therefore, give me time to become
acquainted with this information. Then, I can give them [the calls]
a precise evaluation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HELPED TURKEY TO BECOME A STATE
PanARMENIAN.Net
22.11.2006 14:00 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey became a state after the Armenian Genocide
and that is why in case of its acknowledgement this state will stop
existing, ARF Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Office Director Kiro
Manoian said in Yerevan today. In his words, with ‘cleaning’ Anatolia
from Armenians Turks managed to form a state and now are trying to
gain a foothold.
“Over this very reason – but not out of fear of moral and material
compensations Armenia can claim – Turkey does not recognize the
Genocide,” he remarked.
Manoian also said that recent proposal of the Turkish MFA to appeal to
international court will yield no result. “Turkey is going to appeal
not to the International Tribunal but to the International Court of
Justice that gives a historical assessment of the events. Thus, the
Turkish Foreign Ministry wished to reduce the Armenian Genocide issue
to historical assessment,” he underscored. At that he remarked that not
all Turkish diplomats share the opinion of Abdullah Gul. “Ambassadors
in European states call to restraint while diplomats supporting
Gunduz Aktan urge to appeal not to the Court of Justice but to the
International Tribunal,” Manoian said.
As for the position of the Armenian side, Manoian considers that
Armenia should not appeal to international instances for confirmation
of the fact of Genocide of 1915. “Court in not needed for talking
about history. If Armenia turns to court it will mean that it agrees
with the Turkish viewpoint,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WE NEED TO APPROACH KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING WITH CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
By Marietta Khachatrian
AZG Armenian Daily
23/11/2006
Parliament Speaker of Nagorno Karabakh Thinks
On October 21, a sitting of Armenia-NKR interparliamentary commission
took place at the National Assembly, after which speakers Tigran
Torosian and Ashot Ghulian said that the discussions during the
sitting were useful and productive. The next sitting is due to
take place in Stepanakert in spring. The most urgent issue on the
agenda of the Yerevan sitting was regulation of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. Discussion of this issue was held behind the closed doors
thus exciting journalists’ curiosity.
Asked whether the principles on the table of negotiations are
acceptable and what’s Mr. Ghulian’s attitude to statements that the
Armenian side is ready to hand over 6 liberated territories and keep
negotiating over Lachin. In Ashot Ghulian’s words, there was no such
statement; the principals include all issues that suggest an all-round
solution but it’s hard to say more about the any of the principles
as the process is under the wraps.
Speaking about expectations from the upcoming Kocharian-Aliyev meeting,
Mr. Ghulian said that every meeting of the presidents was preceded by
both optimistic and pessimistic forecasts. In this sense there is hope
in the upcoming meeting, too, but in view of the recent developments
one needs to approach Kocharian-Aliyev meeting with cautious optimism.
Tigran Torosian, on his part, does not have great expectations
as many factors display Azerbaijan’s real stance in conflict
regulation. “If a country keeps on preaching hatred and does not give
up military rhetoric, I don’t think that it is ready for conflict
regulation. Besides, we have witnessed that behind the closed doors
the Azeris give their consent to different approaches but as soon as
the process gradually becomes public they reject these approaches.
Given this situation, even a tiny progress can be considered a
success. But I am sure there will be no final clarification.”
Asked by daily Azg when the time will ripe for Nagorno Karabakh to
join the talks process, Ashot Ghulian said: “When Azerbaijan really
becomes mature enough for settlement not only in terms of political
will and not mere desire, will Nagorno Karabakh join the talks.
Karabakh’s participation cannot be an end in itself.
That is we should not simply take part in the talks to say that
Karabakh is also a side in the negotiations…
Today’s situation stems from Azerbaijan’s pretensions.
Karabakh will surely become a side in the talks at some point in time,
and that will show that the talks process have entered a practical
stage of regulation.”

AZERI LEADER AGREES TO MEET ARMENIAN COUNTERPART IN BELARUS
Turan News Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
Baku, 22 November: At today’s meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev consented to a meeting
with Armenian President Robert Kocharyan on the fringes of a CIS summit
[in Minsk], an informed diplomatic source has told Turan. The meeting
will take place on 28 November.
The Armenian president has also agreed to meet Aliyev, Armenian
sources said today.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

DISABILITY WAS A “SHAME” IN THE REGIONS
A1+
[05:57 pm] 22 November, 2006
According to statistics, Tavoush region has the highest number of
disabled people in Armenia.
Nevertheless, the results were concluded in 2002; and there have been
no investigations since.
The reasons of disability are health problems, especially those caused
during birth. “The girls of this generation were born during the war
years which has had its influence. There are many cases of Cesarean
section. The residents of Ijevan have the problem of malnutrition of
future mothers too.
Besides, there are few qualified doctors”, says Marine Khakhanyan,
psychologist-pedagogue of the Ijevan special school.
There are special schools in four centers of the region – Berd,
Noyemberyan, Dilijan and Ijevan. More than 300 children with special
needs attend those schools. The centers were founded by NGO “Bridge
of Hope”.
First the centers had difficulty in finding disabled children, as
many parents were ashamed even to walk in the yard with their disables
children. “Often the neighbors did not know that there is a disabled
child living next door. It was difficult to persuade the parents
to bring their children to the school. Today we have many pupils
who become more unrestrained and reveal their talents. During the
past three years about 150 pupils started to attend common schools”,
says Artashes Amiryan, manager of the Ijevan regional department of
“Bridge of Hope”.
The Ijevan special school is located in a kindergarten building. The
municipality has given the building to the NGO free of charge for 99
years. 3-25-year-old about 85 children with special needs come to
the center five days a week. They play, draw, sing and participate
in the meetings of the debate club. They also participate in courses
of rhetoric. Alongside with the conditions created for the disabled
children, the center has one problem – that of heating. The center
is heated with gas stoves which are not enough for the building,
not to mention the dangers they cause.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN CYPRUS
Armenpress
Nov 22 2006
NICOSIA, NOVEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: The President of Armenia Robert
Kocharian arrived late Wednesday for a three-day state visit to Cyprus,
the first visit of Armenian leader since it gained independence 15
years ago.
The Armenian President, accompanied by Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and a 30-member delegation, was welcomed at Larnaca airport by Acting
Foreign Minister, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the
Environment Photis Photiou.
Kocharian will begin his official program on Thursday, with a meeting
with President Tassos Papadopoulos at the Presidential Palace. The
official talks will include an agreement on co-operation in combating
organized and other forms of crime that will be signed by Cyprus
Minister of Justice and Public Order Sophocles Sophocleous and the
Minister of Justice of Armenia Davit Harutunian.
Kocharian will later meet House President Demetris Christofias, while
Foreign Minister George Lillikas will host a lunch in honor of the
President of Armenia. After that Kocharian will meet with Archbishop
Chrysostomos II and the day will end with a state banquet to be hosted
by President Papadopoulos.
Armenian Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisian is also expected to
have meeting with officials at the Central Bank of Cyprus, while
Deputy Culture Minister Gagik Gyurjian will sign a memorandum of
cooperation that renews a bilateral education and culture program
for the years 2006-2008.
On Friday, Kocharian will visit Nicosia Town Hall where he will meet
with the Mayor of Nicosia Michalakis Zampelas who will present the
Armenian president with the golden key to the city and will accompany
him to a visit to the old part of town and the cease-fire line.
Later on, Kocharian and his delegation will visit the Nareg Armenian
elementary school in Nicosia and meet with the Armenian Archbishop. In
the afternoon he will lay the foundation stone of the monument to
commemorate the survivors of the Armenian genocide at the Larnaca
Promenade. Kocharian will fly back home on Saturday morning
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MG CO-CHAIR ADOPT JOINT STATEMENT ON OUTCOMES OF VISITS TO ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
Regnum, Russia
Nov 23 2006
Minsk Group OSCE co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Bernard Fassier
(France) have adopted a joint statement on outcomes of their visits
to Armenia and Azerbaijan held on November 21-23. As Day.az reports
citing the French embassy in Baku, the statement stresses that an
agreement was reached to hold a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani
presidents and foreign ministers during the CIS summit in Minsk.
According to the source, the statement also says: “The co-chairs had
meetings with presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharyan and the
foreign ministers as well. As a result of the meetings held in an
open and effective manner, the two presidents accepted co-chairs’
offer to hold the meeting at the forthcoming CIS summit in Minsk.
Participants of both meetings (the presidents – REGNUM) said that
discussions held by foreign ministers in Moscow, Paris and Brussels
in October-November were resulting in terms of achieving progress in
the negotiation process.”
At the same time, the statement says “the co-chairs hope that at the
meeting of the presidents and the foreign ministers in Minsk a step
forward will be taken grounding on principles approved by G8 at the
meeting in Saint Petersburg in July.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BILL PENALIZING DENIAL OF SO-CALLED “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE” WILL NOT BE DISCUSSED IN FRENCH SENATE – FRENCH SENATOR
Author: A.Ismaylova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2006
“Personally I do not support the termination of the co-operation
between France and Turkey. There are historical relations between
these countries and the French side respects the history and culture
of Turkey”, the Senator of the French Parliament, Bernard Fournier,
briefed the Azerbaijani media on 23 November, commenting on the
decision of the Turkish Parliament to terminate the military
co-operation with France, Trend reports.
He voiced his confidence that the century-old ties between Turkey and
France will continue in the future. “There were several differences,
and they are mainly linked with Turkey’s entrance to the European
Union. But I consider that it will not affect our relations with
Turkey,” the Senator said.
Touching upon the Bill penalizing the denial of so-called “Armenian
genocide” which was adopted by the French National Assembly, Fournier
stressed that this Bill has not been submitted to the Senate yet and
during their leadership, the Bill will not be discussed in the French
Parliament. He underlined that France has good relations with Turkey.
According to the Senator, this Bill may adversely affect relations with
Turkey. “If we pay attention, we can see that over centuries, genocides
have taken place in South and North America, Asia and other countries
of the world. If we recognize one genocide, then we should recognize
other genocides. I oppose against adopting this Bill,” he concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN POSSESSES AMPLE FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND MILITARY POTENTIAL TO SETTLE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT – MARMARA FUND HEAD
Author: A.Ismaylova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2006
“Azerbaijan possesses enough financial opportunities, forces and
military potential to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. However, despite this, Azerbaijan has decided to resolve the
situation through negotiations, and we consider that it is a promising
situation,” the Director General of the Turkish Marmara Fund, Akan
Suver, stated on 23 November at a briefing in the General Assembly
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation
(BSEC PA) whilst acting as an observer, Trend reports.
According to him, Azerbaijan has proved to the world that the
Nagorno-Karabakh is not a territory of Armenia, but is Azerbaijani
territory. At present, the international organizations and the world
have publicly acknowledged this fact, he said.
In addition, Suver noted that the NGOs, especially the Marmara Fund,
have participated for the first time at the meeting of the BSEC PA as
observers. As a result of the observation, he appropriately mentioned
the speeches of the Israeli and Georgian delegates who attracted the
participants’ attention to their own problems. Such events should be
an opportunity for Azerbaijan and Turkey to raise issues linked with
Nagorno-Karabakh and other problems, Suver emphasized.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMBASSADOR OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Nov 23 2006
On November 21 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia Mr. Tigran Torosyan received the newly appointed Ambassador
of the Republic of France to Armenia Mr. Serge Smessow.
The President of the National Assembly wished the Ambassador success
in his ambassadorial mission noting, that his officiating both in
Armenia, France and Europe coincides with a period full of interesting
events. Mr. Serge Smessow qualified his appointment as a difficult
and honorable one considering the high level of French-Armenian
relations in all spheres, the maintenance and development of which
the Ambassador considers his main purpose. He noted that the Action
Plan of the European Neighbourhood policy opens new perspectives for
South Caucasian countries. This is an important political and economic
step. The Ambassador highly appreciated the successes of Armenia in
European integration processes noting, that this assessment is shared
also in the European Union. Mr. Smessow assured, that from now on
too France is ready to support Armenia. He especially stressed the
importance of perspectives of regional cooperation, creation of free
trade zone and settlement of conflicts included in the Action Plan
considering those real opportunities of development.
The President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosyan touched upon
the European integration processes and noted, that the signed document
eventually has to prepare the country for joining the European Union,
but a long and serious work is needed for that. Mr. Torosyan mentioned
the economic successes of Armenia, but noted that political and
social reforms yield to the economic reforms. Meanwhile in order to
reach success in harmonic development these two processes have to go
in parallel. For the regional cooperation the NA President stressed
the importance of a clear position of the international community,
without which the settlement of conflicts is impossible.
For example, Azerbaijan finds, that first we have to solve the Nagorno
Karabakh issue, then discuss the perspectives of cooperation, while
Armenia prefers the creation of an atmosphere of mutual confidence and
cooperation, which in its turn, will facilitate the settlement of the
conflict. The NA President noted, that the European Union also has been
established in this way. Upon the Ambassador’s request, Mr. Torosyan
also touched upon the constitutional reforms and the Electoral Code. It
was noted, that the reform of the Constitution is an important step on
the way of democracy development, and that these reforms have already
started producing positive results in the social-political life in the
sense of deepening democracy. However, they will start to fully act
after the parliamentary and presidential elections. The NA President
said, that the Electoral Code with amendments to over 100 articles in
conformity with the recommendations of CE and OSCE experts would be
adopted through second reading after the made amendments about five
months before the elections. In order to hold elections in compliance
with the European standards, the NA President stressed the importance
of not only the Electoral Code and the existence of legislation,
but also the political will and the aspirations of political forces.
During the meeting the parties also touched upon the regulations of
the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Mr. Smessow, noting that the Co-chairmen
of OSCE Minsk Group are in Yerevan, expressed hope that it will mark
a new positive stage. However, the Ambassador noted that in Armenia
they refer to the perspectives of the settlement of the issue with
pessimism. The NA President Mr. Tigran Torosyan qualified the position
of the Armenian party not pessimistic, but realistic. He evaluated
the work of Co-chairmen positively, especially in the latest period,
when the principles of self-determination of nations and territorial
integrity are not opposed, but compared. However, the NA President
expressed doubt that Azerbaijan really wants to see the conflict
settled, as the policy of deepening hatred towards Armenia and
Armenians, the warlike declarations and the astronomical increase
of military expenses continue there. According to the President of
the National Assembly, the international community has to be more
demanding towards fulfillment of undertaken obligations.
During the meeting issues of inter-parliamentary relations were
also discussed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress