Author: Kafian Jirair

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 25 2006

Azeri Justice Ministry intends to transfer Ramil Safarov to Aerbaijan

25.11.2006 13:04

The Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan has applied to the Ministry of
Justice of Hungary for allowing Ramil Safarov, the murderer of the
Armenian Officer Gurgen Margaryan, to carry the punishment in
motherland, APA agency reports. Let us remind that the Hungarian
Court sentenced Ramil Safarov to life imprisonment.
According to Zaver Gafarov, Chairman of the International Cooperation
Agency of the Ministry of Justice, in 1983 both countries joined the
European convention on `Handing over the prisoners for carrying
punishment.’
According to Gafarov, the court hearing in the Court of Cassation on
the appeal against the verdict on Ramil Safarov is scheduled in
April. He informed also that the negotiations will continue with the
Hungarian Ministry of Justice after the verdict legally comes into
force and measures will be undertaken for transferring Ramil Safarov
to Azerbaijan.

AZG Armenian Daily #226, 25/11/2006

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UPPER LARS PASS TO OPEN SOON AFTER REPAIR

The speakers of the Armenian and Russian Parliaments,
Tigran Torosian and Boris Gryzlov, gave positive
evaluation to the current level of bilateral
cooperation. In the course of the meeting of the two
states’ Parliament speakers, held in Moscow the day
before, Gryzlov emphasized that the progressive growth
of bilateral turnover of goods was fixed between our
countries. In particular, if the goods turnover
between Armenia and Russia during 2005 had grown by
60%, in the course of 8 months of 2006 this indicator
made 80%. Nevertheless, according to T. Torosian,
Russia takes only the fifth place by the Armenian
production export volumes, yielding to Belgium, the
Netherlands and other states. "Since our relations
with Russia are special, the trade relations must be
higher than with other states", Torossian said, having
expressed anxiety for the cases of extreme display of
extremism in Russia, which caused the recent murder
cases of Armenians. Gryzlov assured that this problem
arouses the concern of the Russian authorities as
well. He informed that a meeting of the leaders of
political parties with RF President, Vladimir Putin,
will be held on December 6, during which the issue of
counteraction to extremism and the extremist ideology
will be considered. The interlocutors also pointed out
high level of cooperation between the states in
international organizations, such as PACE, CIS IPA and
CSTO PA, in particular.

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 23 2006

CHOOSING BETWEEN GOOD AND WISH

The minister of transport of France does not know yet what a bugbear
his statement about the likelhood of France to tender for concession
management of the Armenian railroad is for the Armenian government.
Perhaps the French minister has not heard the desire of the Armenian
minister of transport and communication that the Russians take up the
management of the railroad. Perhaps during the visit of Jacques
Chirac to Armenia the French minister of transport Dimonique Perben
took the statements about spurring French-Armenian economic
cooperation and French investments in Armenia too close to his heart.
Of course, most of these statements were made by the president of
Armenia, and the French minister has no reason to doubt the words and
commitment of the president of Armenia. Perhaps, however, he had been
guided by the logic of the government subordination in France,
whereas the situation is different in Armenia, especially in the
pre-election period, and it is possible that the question of the
Armenian railroad will not be solved the way Robert Kocharyan would
like to, for instance, but the way Andranik Manukyan, minister of
transport would want. Of course, there is no guarantee that Robert
Kocharyan prefers the French management to the Russian management,
and the honor and touching phrases addressed to Chirac is not enough
to judge. Meanwhile, the French minister of transport seemed to have
been encouraged by these statements when he stated about the
likelihood to bid for the management of the railroad. The Russians
alone can make a fabulous tender because they are not going to
fulfill it anyway. On the other hand, in order to make the railroad
attractive it is necessary to open the Turkish-Armenian border, and
in this case the role and potential of France would be invaluable. In
this aspect, it would be certainly logical that a French or another
European company took up the management of the railroad. After taking
up the management of the Armenian railroad the European company would
launch active lobbing for opening the Turkish-Armenian border or at
least for the operation of the Kars-Gyumri railroad to make it
lucrative and attractive. Even if the border were not opened, and the
Turkish and Armenian relation remained the same, it would be possible
that at least Kars-Gyumri would be operated, at least for transit.
Armenia offered such a proposal to Turkey but Turkey rejected it.
Now, in fact, there is possibility to get the European capital
interested in this matter. The Armenian railroad cannot attract the
Russians for a simple reason – it cannot be used for shipment of
Russian goods. It cannot be a transit route either. The relation with
Georgia and the increasingly fast pace of Georgia towards NATO almost
exclude the operation of the Abkhazian railroad. Hence, for Russia
the Armenian railroad is just another company, the key of which is in
its pocket.

Meanwhile, the Armenian government has to face up to a serious
choice: to act as always or to do what is good. It is not clear yet
which government of Armenia should make the decision. It is also
possible that the French minister took this fact into consideration
when he announced their likelihood to bid for management. Perhaps he
thought that not this government will accept the tender. Despite the
wish of Robert Kocharyan and Andranik Manukyan.

HAKOB BADALYAN

REPORT ON COMMONWEALTH REFORMATION SENT TO CIS LEADERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.11.2006 17:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The report on the Commonwealth reformation organized
by the High Level Group (HLG) was sent to the leaders of the CIS member
states, first deputy of the chairman of the CIS Executive Committee
Vladimir Garkun told a news conference November 22. In his words, the
HLG dedicated 6 meetings in Minsk and 1 in Moscow to the elaboration
of the document. The information is closed for journalists although
it’s not marked as secret. The report will be discussed during the
CIS summit in Minsk after a preliminary consideration by the Council
of Foreign Ministers. Garkun also informed that some 1000 officials
will arrive in Minsk November 24-28 and voiced assurance that the
CIS leaders are wise enough to maintain and develop the Commonwealth,
reported IA Regnum.

EX-TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER: "IT IS NECESSARY TO DEMAND RETURNING AZERBAIJANI TERRITORIES"

Regnum, Russia
Nov 23 2006

"Observers at a congress of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)
saw that mistakes made by us in past had been eliminated and the
Nationalist Movement will come to power," MHP Deputy Chairman,
ex-Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu is quoted by Azeri
Press Agency as stating in Ankara. According to him, after the
congress was over, even some newspapers and TV-channels admitted
that. Cakmakoglu stressed he believed that the mass media would
support the MHP because the Nationalist movement is movement of
the Turkish people and state. According to him, the movement became
stronger after the congress, and he was glad because of that. The
politicians expressed hope that his people would liberate themselves
from oppression and pressure at the next elections.

Cakmakoglu stated that ruling parties made serous mistakes in many
issues. According to him, governmental policy should be determined by
stable and right principles. Turkey should insist on returning Turkic
lands forcefully taken away from Azerbaijan because Azerbaijani lands
are Turkic ones. Speaking to the agency, Mr. Camakogly criticized
the EU policy directed, according to him, against Turkey.

Camakoglu stressed that Azerbaijan is the closets country to Turkey
among all Turkic states. He cited Turkish ancestors who allegedly
said about Turkey and Azerbaijan: "We are one nation in two states."

According to him, all Turkic states which gained independence in 1991
are states of the same nation. The Turkish politician is sure Turkey
and Azerbaijan should be together until Azerbaijani lands occupied
by Armenia are liberated.

ARMENIAN SIDE AGREES TO MEETING OF PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006

The Armenian side has agreed to a meeting between the presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is likely to take place in Minsk on
November 28.

This was announced by OSCE Minsk Group cochairman from Russia Yuri
Merzlyakov in a press briefing at Zvartnots airport on Wednesday,
shortly before the cochairmen’s departure.

Merzlyakov described as "rich in content and effective" the meetings
with Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian.

"We still need to get the Azerbaijani side’s consent regarding the
meeting, in Baku later today, although earlier Azerbaijan’s Foreign
Minister Mammadyarov made a corresponding statement in this regard,"
the Russian cochairman said.

Commenting on the fact that only two of the three cochairmen of the
Minsk Group arrived in Yerevan, Merzlyakov said that they had agreed
on the division of work and U.S. cochairman Matthew Bryza "one of
these days is due to meet Arkady Ghukasian, who is now on a visit to
the United States."

"On the whole, we think that the year is ending on a pretty optimistic
note," the Russian cochairman said, adding: "If we manage to keep
this mood of the sides, and we hope that we will manage to do that,
then we will enter 2007 with quite good prospects."

According to French cochairman Bernard Fassier, "settling such a
conflict is like building a wall of peace."

"Every time we try to help the sides to put one or two bricks into that
wall, and we keep adding bricks, it is good," the French cochairman
stated, emphasizing: "But the wall now is not strong enough yet to
make it possible to write an ultimate settlement agreement."

"As Armenian foreign minister said, from October we presented not new,
but additional elements, and we hope that those additional elements
will give an opportunity to implement that approach," Fassier said.

To the question about Azerbaijan’s war rhetoric, Merzlyakov expressed
an opinion that in the recent period fewer such statements have
been made.

"We always assume that similar "passionate" rhetoric impedes the
process, especially when those statements are made on the threshold
of some important meeting or at crucial moments," Merzlyakov said.

"Anyway, we didn’t feel that it would essentially obstruct the basic
task to complete 2006 with the third meeting of the presidents."

"In this sense in Washington, Paris and Moscow we have one position
that war cannot be a real possibility for settling this conflict,"
Fassier said. RFE/RL.

URL:

NEW TURKISH AMBASSADOR: QUICK SOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR ARMENIANS MORE THAN AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY

Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 21 2006

New Turkish Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassador to Azerbaijan
Hussein Avni Karsioglu’s exclusive interview to the APA.

How did you meet your appointment as ambassador to Azerbaijan?

I am very excited. We were brought up with Azeri verses, songs,
and tales. Later while working in Iran – Ardabil, Tabriz we enjoyed
Azerbaijani poets’ works. During the reign of Soviet Union watching
opposite side of Iranian borders we asked if we would be able to
visit Azerbaijan.

The beginning of the new stage of partnership among Turkish countries
is especially noted nowadays. As a diplomat closely acquainted with
the region what are your plans concerning realization of the new stage?

It is impossible for an ambassador to solve everything on his own. We
have to determine joint problems with Turkish and Azerbaijani leaders
and realize joint projects. I will do my best to raise the living
standards of our people. We have to cooperate with all organizations.

I can meet with anyone in order to help Turkish people.

You are closely acquainted with Nagorno Garabagh problem. How do you
estimate the present situation?

We wish the problem to be solved soon. Quick solution of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict will be beneficial for Armenians more than Azerbaijan
and Turkey. Armenians are not our enemies. We want them to gain
democracy and human rights, but not at the expense of occupying
others’ lands.

And not genocide claims against Turkey…

Of course. This is the other illogical side of the problem.

When are you leaving for Baku?

The date is not exact, very likely at the end of December. I am
looking forward to go to Azerbaijan.

Can we expect any new dimensions in the bilateral relations after
you take up your assignment?

I am very excited and will be more excited when I meet with
Azerbaijani poets and writers. I will be very happy to meet Bakhtiyar
Vahabzadeh. His poems guided us.

URL:

ARKADY GHUKASIAN TO MEET MATTHEW BRYZA IN U.S.

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.11.2006 18:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the framework of his U.S. visit Nagorno
Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasian will meet with OSCE Minsk Group
U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza, NKR parliament speaker Ashot Ghulian
told a news conference November 21 adding that meetings with OSCE MG
French and Russian Co-chairs, who are in Yerevan at the moment, are
not scheduled. When touching upon the current stage of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement Ghulian remarked that the elaborated
principles suppose universal settlement of the conflict. Since the
negotiation process is closed for the publics, NKR will be able to
say whether the conflict resolution variant is admissible or not only
after the final document is signed, he added.

Referring to the possible meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani
Presidents in the near future the NKR Speaker said that ‘statements
and forecasts on the matter should be restrained’, reported IA Regnum.

AZERI POLITICAL EXPERT: THE ACTIVITY OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS IS NOTHING BUT A SHOW

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 20 2006

"One should not expect new proposals from the visit of the Co-chairs,"
says Vafa Guluzade, political expert, ex-adviser of state of
Azerbaijan, Day.az reports.

He says all the proposals of OSCE MG Co-chairs and the positions
of the conflict parties are well-known to everyone. President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has recently stated in Turkey that he will
never approve the settlement scheme providing for existence of Nagorny
Karabakh outside Azerbaijan. The political expert believes that the
illusions of the public every time before visits of the Co-chairs have
been groundless from the very beginning. The mediators representing
Russia, USA and France bear no relations to the leadership of their
states. They are engaged in independent actions.

They are well-aware that the settlement in the current conditions
has no prospects. "That is why, I think the last rather optimistic
statements by the U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza just a speculation. The
activity of the Co-chairs is nothing but a show. It is impossible to
speak of any progress when the leadership of Armenia has occupied
the Azdrbaijani territories and states that Nagorny Karabakh has
never belonged and will never belong to Azerbaijan. While, Baku will
never agree with separation of these lands," V. Guluzade says. He
believes that the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in
Minsk during the upcoming CIS Summit is absolutely senseless. "In the
present conditions of contradictions, the presidents will probably
have a cup of tea and break up as before," V. Guluzade says.

TURKEY DOESN’T WISH TO BE PACKHORSE FOR WASHINGTON AND BRUSSELS ANY MORE

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.11.2006 12:45 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey doesn’t wish to serve as a packhorse for
Washington and Brussels any more, reports Frankfurter Allgemeine
newspaper. "Official Ankara is bound with Tehran and Baghdad by a
common interest – prevention of formation of an independent Kurdish
state. In long-range outlook Turkey will pay big interest to Middle
East while the Euro-Atlantic line will weaken," the article says,
reports Deutsche Welle.