Author: Kafian Jirair

AZERI AND LATVIAN PRESIDENTS SIGNED JOINT DECLARATION
Author: E.Huseynov

TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 4 2006

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev and the
President of the Republic of Latvia Ms. Vaira Vîíe-Freiberga signed
Joint Declaration on October 4 in Riga. Trend presents the text of
the Declaration:

The Parties noted their satisfaction with the fact that during the
official visits of the President of the Republic of Latvia Ms. Vaira
Vîíe-Freiberga to the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 2-4, 2005
and of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev
to the Republic of Latvia on October 4-5, 2006, created broad legal
basis for development of relations between two countries and would
give a special impetus to the development of relations between two
friendly states on a new level. During the visit of the President of
the Republic of Latvia, Ms. Vaira Vîíe-Freiberga to the Republic of
Azerbaijan in 2005, agreements in such important fields as economic
cooperation, taxation, investment promotion and protection, as
well as customs cooperation were signed. During the visit of the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Latvia,
agreements in fields as air services, communication, information and
communication technologies, education, finances, as well as health
and medical sciences were signed.

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and
the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Economic, Scientific,
Technical and Cultural Cooperation signed on October 3, 2005 provides
for establishing an Intergovernmental Commission. The Parties
emphasized the important task of the Intergovernmental Commission
in the mutual relations between the two countries, specifically in
promoting economic and trade cooperation, in enhancing cooperation
between the small and medium size enterprises.

The Parties stressed their determination to develop the relations
on the basis of the values such as the rule of law, democracy,
human rights, and market economy. In this regard, the Latvian
side welcomed the efforts of Azerbaijan aimed at strengthening the
ongoing democratisation, promoting the principles of civil society
and market economy.

The Parties emphasized the importance of development of political
dialogue at the high levels and expansion of cooperation between
bodies of legislative and executive power of the two states.

The Parties reaffirmed the importance of inter-parliamentary relations,
including the cooperation in the framework of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Parties underlined the importance to increase the level of trade,
economic, investment and technical cooperation.

The Parties stressed the importance of taking additional measures for
the expansion of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere-culture,
education, health, mass media and other fields. They welcomed
creation and expansion of relations among the tourism, youth and
student organizations as well as trade unions and nongovernmental
organizations.

The Parties, recognizing the historic similarity in process of
achieving independence by two nations, emphasized the importance of
developing relations in the field of joint scientific and archive
researches. In this regard, they underlined the importance of
conducting researches devoted to the history of proclamation of
independence of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan on May 28,
1918 and that of the Republic of Latvia on November 18, 1918.

The Parties confirmed that they would strengthen bilateral military and
military-technical cooperation, which meets ensuring security interests
and does not contradict international obligations of both countries.

The Parties, fully supporting and guided by the principles of the UN
Charter and the OSCE basic documents, emphasized the importance of a
peaceful solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
on the basis of the universally recognized principles and norms of
the international law, with particular regard to the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of the States, and the inviolability of
internationally recognized borders.

Referring to the continuing efforts within the OSCE towards peaceful
resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well
as the Minsk Group activity, the Parties reiterated the importance
of taking more substantial and decisive steps in this regard.

The Parties committed themselves to continue their efforts to
increase the effectiveness of mutual cooperation within the UN, OSCE
and others international organizations. Regarding the UN reform, the
Parties believe that attention should be focused on strengthening the
central role of the organisation in international matters, increasing
its effectiveness and use of potential in the face of new threats
and challenges to the existing order of the world. Reforms of the UN
administration must be based on the principle of unanimity and fully
reflect the common interests of the organisation’s member states.

Both Parties discussed the upcoming election of the UN
Secretary-General, and the Azerbaijani party welcomes and appreciates
the nomination of H.E. Vaira Vîíe-Freiberga, the President of the
Republic of Latvia, to the post of the Secretary General of the United
Nations, as the first ever woman candidate in the history of this
universal organization. The Azerbaijani party emphasized that the
personal commitment and the expertise of H.E. Vaira Vîíe-Freiberga
for UN reform process would contribute to the implementation of the
UN reforms.

The Parties expressed their support to close cooperation within the
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the NATO Partnership for Peace
Program and the presented by Azerbaijan Individual Partnership
Action Plan.

The Parties will conduct consultations and continue joint efforts
for extension of relationship of Azerbaijan with the European Union
and NATO. To this end, Latvia expressed its readiness to share with
Azerbaijan the experience gained by its state institutions in the
process of its integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Both Parties underlined with satisfaction the positive influence
of the European Neighborhood Policy for Azerbaijan’s approximation
to the European Union and emphasized that the European Neighborhood
Policy would contribute to the restoration of stability and security
in the Southern Caucasus. In this context, the Latvian part supported
the Action Plan for the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Latvian part stressed the significance of economic reforms in the
Republic of Azerbaijan and expressed its support for the accession
process of Azerbaijan to the World Trade Organization.

The Parties underlined the increasing importance of the European
energy security and emphasized, in this regard, the growing role of
the Caspian Sea region energy resources in securing European energy
demands. It is necessary to strengthen the ties between the European
Union and the Caspian Sea region in terms of energy cooperation. In
this context, both Parties stressed the international importance
of opening and start-up of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil
pipeline as well as the implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
gas pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway projects. The
Parties expressed interest in a closer co-operation in the development
of transport corridors using the transit potential of both countries.

The Parties noted the increasing influence of the Baltic Sea region
on the European and global levels. In this context, the Azerbaijani
part stated the importance of mutual cooperation in implementation of
various projects in the Baltic Sea region on the basis of reciprocal
benefit.

The Parties agreed on the importance of the dialogue between religions
and civilizations and expressed the need for the expansion of relations
and understanding between Christianity, Islam and other cultures and
civilizations in order to create good conditions for harmony of peace,
freedom, rights and justice.

This Joint Declaration has been signed in Riga, on October 4, 2006
in two original copies, each of them in Latvian, Azerbaijani and
English languages.

–Boundary_(ID_GkeCy8USU1pibK2p1dH15A) —

JACQUES CHIRAC: I THINK TURKEY HAS TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Petros Keshishian

AZG Armenian Daily
04/10/2006

The 3-day visit of French president Jacques Chirac to Armenia was the
first visit of a leader of a Western super power to our country. Le
Figaro writes that the word "Remember" that Mr. Chirac wrote in the
guest-book of the Genocide Museum is very symbolic.

Jacques Chirac is considered friend of Armenia that got its
independence in 1991. After having planted a tree of memory at
Tsitsernakabrd, Mr. Chirac together with Bernadette put carnations
at the fire. Mr. Chirac was accompanied by Armenian famous footballer
Youri Djorkaeff and journalist Daniel Bilalian.

Le Figaro cites the words of Jacques Chirac uttered after a joint
press conference with president Kocharian: "France recognizes the
Armenian Genocide."

Though Mr. Chirac’s circle does not react on president’s words, the
French-Armenians dubbed his statement a "progressive step". Yet,
many Diaspora Armenians are displeased that Mr. Chirac previously
condemned draft law discussions of October 12 that French socialists
put forward. Once approved, those denying the Armenian Genocide will
face a fine of 45.000 euro and up to 5 years in prison.

In Mr. Chirac’s words, "the draft has to do with dispute than a legal
reality." He believes that the current legislative arsenal allows
punishing denialism.

FRANCE WAS TO BE ONE OF FIRST COUNTRIES TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BY LAW, JACQUES CHIRAC SAID

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 2 2006

ETCHMIADZIN, OCTOBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. France tries to provide support
to the Nagorno Karabakh settlement within the framework of the Minsk
Group. French President Jacques Chirac declared this at the October
1 meeting with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin. "One should wish peace and believe in it,"
he mentioned.

Attaching importance to role of France and its President in the process
of peaceful settlement, his Holiness the Patriarch, in his turn,
said that he will continue to make efforts for all such problems and,
in particular, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, to be led to peaceful
settlement with the support and mercy of God.

Greeting the French President in the spiritual center Holy Etchmiadzin,
His Holiness expressed happiness that the 15th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence was marked by the visit of the friendly
country’s President, as well as events of Year of Armenia in France.

"This is a nice evidence of age-old friendship between our peoples.

And in this sacred place we want, for the sake of our people and
church, to express gratitude to you and in your person to the French
humane people for its assistance and support shown towards our
nation and homeland. We remember with special gratitude that France
received representatives of our people after the terrible tragedy of
the Genocide and today thanks to the considerate and kind attitude of
the French authorities they have organized their spiritual-national
life," the Catholicos of All Armenians said. He expressed gratitude
to the French authorities for recognition and condemnation of the
Armenian Genocide, which, according to the Patriarch, was restoration
of justice not only towards the Armenian people, but also towards
the whole mankind.

In his turn, speaking about the Genocide, J.Chirac said: "It was
natural that France was to be one of the first countries to recognize
the Armenian Genocide by law. …I hope that if condemned, such crimes
will not recur in the future."

The French President spoke with satisfaction about economic and
political partnership and relations between the two states mentioning
that he is glad for Armenia’s economic and social development.

J.Chirac expressed confidence that France should have participation
in this issue.

According to the report submitted to Noyan Tapan from the Information
Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, at the end of the
meeting the French President made notes in the Patriarchate memory
book, then they visited the Cathedral’s museum.

EU-ARMENIA ACTION PLAN TO MAKE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM OF RA CLOSER TO EUROPE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.10.2006 17:30 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Once the EU-Armenia Action Plan within the ENP
is signed, we’ll be able to publicly present the entire document,
Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated after the singing of a joint
statement with the EU Troika on completion of consultations for
working out the Action Plan. "Let me just tell you that it says
clearly, at the outset, that through this Action Plan, Armenia is
invited to enter into intensified political, security, economic and
cultural relations with the EU, enhanced regional and cross border
co-operation and shared responsibility in conflict prevention and
conflict resolution," he said.

In Oskanian’s words, the document, goes on to detail each of these
categories, and sets a 5-year time period during which each of these
actions will take place.

"The distinction of this document, as the joint statement clearly says,
is that it involves significant measures of economic integration
and political cooperation. It’s called an Action Plan and rightly
so. It is not just a document of intentions, but of concrete actions
to bring Armenia’s social, political, economic systems more in line
with Europe’s since the premise is that we do in fact live in the
same neighborhood and interact together. It opens new partnership
perspectives in very basic fields such as science, education, culture,
and of course in economic development," Oskanian remarked. In his
words, these reforms are extremely important for Armenia. "We are
where we are today, exactly because we made the courageous economic
reforms on Day 1 of our independence. We knew then and we know even
better today that reforms are our only resource, they are what will
strengthen and empower our society. This document provides the
opportunity to move forward with reforms in a focused, strategic
way. It gives us a way and a means to do what we know we must do –
revamp our institutions, retool our society, rethink our methods and
assumptions. We are signing this on the 15th year of our independence,
it will be concluded on the 20th year of our independence, and we
will be able to mark a new turning point in Armenia’s future as a
more democratic, open and prosperous society," the Minister noted.

RECENTLY FORMED ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TO MEET TODAY

KRTBN Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News – The Idaho Statesman
September 30, 2006 Saturday

Organizers of the recently formed Armenian Community in Boise are
meeting from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today at the Greek Church, Bannock
and 27th streets in Boise.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, from the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of North America, in Burbank, Calif., will be at the event.

Father Isayan, of the Armenian Church of Seattle also will be
available. For more information, call Mark Abajian at 724-8713.

CHIRAC CALLS ON TURKEY TO ACKNOWLEDGE ITS PAST
By Cihan News Agency

Zaman, Turkey
Oct 1 2006

French President Jacques Chirac has called on Turkey to "recognize
its past" in connection with so-called Armenian genocide, which Turkey
was claimed to have committed during World War I.

Chirac and his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian held a joint press
conference on Saturday in the Armenian capital of Yerevan following
their meeting. The two leaders accused Turkey of not recognizing the
so-called Armenian genocide.

When asked if Turkey had to recognize the ‘genocide’ to join the
European Union, Chirac stated "Honestly, I believe it does. Each
country grows by acknowledging its dramas and mistakes of the past".

Chirac contradicted previous statements he made that writing history
was the job of historians, not of the laws, when arguing against the
claims that France killed hundreds of thousands of Algerians between
1954 and 1962.

Hosting president Kocharian answered more softly and said that a
neighbor that had open borders and allowed free movement would be to
the interests of his country.

This recent move of Chirac is likely to strain relations between
Turkey and France, which passed a bill in 2001 recognizing the mass
killing of Armenians in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire as "genocide".

A drafted bill, which, if passed, would a maximum punishment of a
year’s imprisonment and a fine of ~@45,000 for those who deny the
existence of the "Armenian genocide", will be discussed and voted on
in the French parliament on Oct. 12.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted a report critical on
Turkey’s accession to the European Union, dropping a clause that
would have made recognition of the mass killing of Armenians in the
Ottoman Turkey as genocide a pre-condition for Turkey’s membership.

However, the parliament called on Turkey to "acknowledge the Armenian
genocide."

For further information please visit

IRANIAN ENERGY MINISTER EXPECTED IN ARMENIA

Persian Journal, Iran
Sept 30 2006

Energy Minister Parviz Fattah is to begin a visit to Armenia today to
participate in the Iran-Armenia-Georgia trilateral meeting as well as
follow up joint border projects and a bilateral agreement for supply
of electricity to Armenia.

On the two countries’ energy cooperation, he said a third 230-kilovolt
transmission line being set up by the Iranian Sanir company in
Armenia is one of their ongoing projects and is to become operational
by year-end.

Electricity networks of Iran, Armenia and Georgia will be linked in
the near future so that Iran can have greater access to international
networks through Geogria, the minister told.

Construction of a dam on their joint Aras river is another Iran-Armenia
ongoing joint project, he said, adding that talks are underway for
construction of another dam in Armenia.

The 235-km Aras river forms an international border between Iran,
Azerbaijan Republic and Armenia.

FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC HEADS TO ARMENIA FOR FIRST TIME

Hurriyet, Turkey
Sept 29 2006

French President Jacques Chirac is on his way to Armenia today for
an official state visit. According to his aides, Chirac, who is the
first French President to visit Armania, will include a stop to lay
a wreath at a memorial to the so-called Armenian genocide, and will
then take a tour of the genocide museum there.

Chirac, who is being accompanied by a large delegation, will also
attend the opening of Yerevan’s new French Square, as well as make
an appearance at a Charles Aznavour concert.

ARAM KHACHATRYAN’S MONUMENT TO BE OPENED IN MOSCOW

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 27 2006

In October acknowledged Armenian composer Aram Khachatryan’s monument
will be opened in the area next to the Moscow Conservatory. Head of
the Department on Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports of Yerevan City
Hall Kamo Movsisyan told "Armenpress" that it was envisaged to open
the monument in early September in the framework of the Days of Yerevan
held in Moscow. However, it was postponed due to objective reasons.

The opening of the monument has been initiated by Yerevan and Moscow
municipalities.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER DEFENDS LAW CRIMINALIZING INSULTS AGAINST TURKEY

Associated Press Worldstream
September 26, 2006 Tuesday

Turkey’s prime minister defended a law that makes it a crime to
insult "Turkishness" or Turkish officials on Tuesday, saying European
countries had similar laws and politicians did not have to stand for
being targets of abuse.

"Yes to criticism, no to insult," Erdogan told parliament on Tuesday
while talking about article 301 of the penal code, which the European
Union insists must be changed or abolished because it limits free
expression in this EU candidate country.

Despite a rash of prominent court cases using article 301 against
authors, academics and journalists, however, Turkish politicians have
been reluctant to amend the law, saying it needs more time to be tested
and that the problems are in implementation, not with the law itself.

Erdogan makes a distinction between criticism, which he says is
democratic and acceptable, and insult, which he says is not. His
lawyers regularly open court cases against journalists who allegedly
insult him.

"Is a politician this country’s whipping child?" he asked rhetorically
on Tuesday. "There are those circles who mix up criticism and insult."

The prime minister added, however, that his government would consider
changing the law as long as the changes ensured it still protected
against insults.

"Just like in European countries, this law stems from need. If in
the end it emerges that there is a problem in implementation which,
while stopping the crime (insults), also limits legitimate rights
and freedoms, then we will amend the law in the necessary way. We
are open to concrete suggestions on this subject."

Most of the charges brought using article 301, including those against
leading Turkish novelists Orhan Pamuk and Elif Shafak, have not led
to convictions, but European Union officials argue even the threat
of legal action limits free expression.

The law is frequently invoked by nationalist lawyers against those
who suggest that Turks were guilty of genocide against Armenians.

On Monday, Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink was charged with
"insulting Turkishness" for saying bluntly that Armenians were victims
of genocide. Dink faces up to three years in prison if convicted.