Author: Karapetian Hovik

TWO MORE ‘SWINE FLU’ CASES IN AZERBAIJAN

AZG DAILY
07-11-2009

Swine flu

According to Azerbaijani Health Ministry statement, two more ‘swine
flu’ (A/H1N1) cases have been confirmed in Azerbaijan.

One of the two ‘swine-flu’-infected individuals has arrived from
Ukraine’s Ivano-Frankovsk province and also is a relative of the woman
from Azerbaijan’s Kurdamir region who was previously tested positive.

She has also arrived from Ukraine by train on Oct. 26. She has been
hospitalized and currently is under doctor’s control. Her condition
is satisfactory.

The other individual tested positive is Azerbaijan national who
arrived from Ukraine in Nov. His condition is satisfactory.

So, according to Azerbaijani news agencies, Azerbaijan has three
‘swine-flu’ cases at present.

OSCE MG CO-CHAIRMEN TO ARRIVE IN YEREVAN TOMORROW

ArmInfo
2009-11-05 15:42:00

ArmInfo. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on Karabakh conflict settlement
Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France) and Robert Bradtke
(USA) as well as personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office
Andrzej Kasprzyk will arrive in Yerevan tomorrow to meet the leadership
of the country, a diplomatic source told ArmInfo.

At present the co-chairs are in Azerbaijan.

BAKU’S MILITARY RHETORIC DOES NOT EXACTLY MATCH US PLANS

PanARMENIAN.Net
05.11.2009 15:11 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The information on Washington’s possible
recognition of NKR independence should be viewed in the context of US
administration high-ranking representatives’ statements on NKR, Andrey
Areshev, strategic culture foundation deputy director general told
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "Traditionally, US administration speaks for
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity within ex-Azerbaijan SSR borders.

Statements for or against NKR independence recognition possibility
should be viewed in the terms of a certain tactics aimed to provide
USA’s maximal influence in South Caucasus," he noted.

According to Areshev, Azerbaijan is tightly integrated in USA and
NATO military and political orbit. With Armenia-Turkey negotiations
intensified, Baku’s military rhetoric does not exactly match US plans.

"Should a new war be unleashed, neighboring states: Iran and Russia
could interfere, taking over USA’s initiative in South Caucasus and
offering their own settlement terms. This might be the reason we
witness unexpected news leaks from Washington. Still, Washington’s
official recognition of Stepanakert shouldn’t be counted on," the
Russian expert emphasized.

2010 DRAFT STATE BUDGET ENVISAGES 9.4 BILLION DRAMS FOR AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Nov 5, 2009

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2010 draft state budget of the
Republic of Armenia envisages 9.4bn drams for the implementation of
agricultural projects in Armenia next year, Minister Gerasim Alaverdian
said during the November 5 meeting with reporters. Out of this amount,
1bn 124m drams has been allocated to 6 noncommercial organizations
functioning in the sector, and 730.7m drams will be spent on
maintenance of the minister’s staff and 379 employees of the ministry.

Allocations to the plant protection program amount to 150m drams. 1
billion drams will be provided for vaccination of farm animals.

Financing of 1bn 100m drams is envisaged for the program on state
assistance to agricultural land users. The minister attached special
importance to the project of wheat and barley seeds growing, on which
76.5m drams will be spent.

The draft budget envisages allocating 78.2m drams to the program
of education and scholarships, under which the ministry will open
colleges in Goris, Gavar, Masis, Stepanavan, Vanadzor, and Nor Geghi.

TURKISH PEOPLE WILL NOT ACCEPT PARLIAMENT’S DECISION TO RATIFY ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS

Today.Az
ics/57227.html
Azerbaijan
Nov 5 2009

Day.Az interview with head of Center for Culture and Solidarity of
Azerbaijan in Manisa, Turkey Seyfaddin Ayakai, who is of Azerbaijani
origin.

Day.Az: What do you think about the protocols that aim to normalize
diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia? What is your attitude
towards the protocols?

Seyfaddin Ayakai: We have extremely negative attitude towards them
and they are not acceptable for us. There are open doors for Armenians
neither in our heart nor in our land.

Q: Do all Azerbaijanis in Turkey unanimously share your views? What
is the attitude of Turkish people towards the protocols?

A: Stance of Azerbaijanis who live in Turkey does not differ from
the that of Azerbaijanis who live in Azerbaijan Republic. Opening of
Turkish-Armenian border and establishing diplomatic relations will be
considered a betrayal to homeland and its people till Azerbaijan’s
Armenia-occupied lands are freed and Armenians give up claims of
recognition of the so-called "genocide". No patriot in Turkey will
accept it.

Q: Have the organization you lead staged any protest action or public
event on this issue?

A: The most recent event, at which we expressed our attitude to ongoing
processes, was an event dedicated to the 90th anniversary of political
relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Q: Will the Turkish parliament ratify the protocols before the Armenia
liberates Azerbaijan’s occupied lands or not?

A: Turkish-Armenian border will not open until the Karabakh problem
is resolved. The Turkish president, prime minister and other senior
officials have reiterated this on numerous occasions. I believe that
these statements have become historical and it would be very wrong
to decide something against them. Moreover, such a solution would
be a black stain in Turkey’s history. Turkish people will not accept
parliament’s decision to ratify Armenia-Turkey protocols if it happens.

ARMENIA AND U.S. SIGN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Tert
Nov 5 2009
Armenia

The Armenia-U.S. Intergovernmental Commission held a regular meeting
at the U.S. State Department on November 3. Armenian Minister of
Economy Nerses Yeritsyan headed the Armenian delegation.

U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia Coordinator Daniel Rosenblum
co-chaired the meeting. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Tina
Kaidanow and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the U.S.

to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch made welcoming speeches.

Improving the business environment in Armenia, the fight against
corruption, and reforms in democracy and management systems were
discussed during the session. The Armenian delegation presented the
achievements made in the mentioned spheres and measures planned for
the future.

The Armenian delegation also had separate meetings at the State
Department, Department of Commerce, Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

During the intergovernmental commission’s meeting, an agreement
on cooperation in the areas of science and technology, which will
promote cooperation between the two countries in the sectors of
information technology, intellectual property, and fundamental
sciences, was signed.

LEBANESE ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN MET WITH PRESIDENT OF LEBANON MISHEL SULEYMAN

Noyan Tapan
02.11.2009

BEIRUT: On October 31 Deputy of the Lebanese parliament Hakob
Bagratuni visited the Baabda Chamber where he met with Lebanese
President Mishel Suleyman.

As reported by "Aztag", the sides discussed the general political
state in the country and issues related to the government within
this framework.

The representative of the Armenian parliamentary faction also
discussed a number of issues concerning the Armenian community,
including the appointment of Armenian officials and correspondents
in state institutions.

TURKISH OFFICIALS HAVE SHORT MEMORY FOR HISTORY

news.am
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Rize city (North Turkey) was a first stop in the regional tour of
Mr. Pinhas Avivi, Israeli Ambassador to Turkey. The meeting between
Israeli diplomat and Halil Bakirci, Mayor of Rize, was chilly, Iha
e-source informs. Bakirci said that the locals are worried about
Israeli tourists staying in the countryside, bypassing the city.

Avivi stated that Israeli-Turkish relations have stable basis,
although they presently go through hard times.

"Israel carries out expansionist policy and opinion of Turkish people
about it will remain unchanged. Due to this, as a governor I am
concerned over the matter, as Israeli tourists might face challenges
while visiting the country. Preventive measures are taken in this
regard," Bakirci stated.

Israeli Ambassador insisted that there is no alternative to his
country but to do so, adding that Turks would act likewise if find
themselves in a similar situation.

Bakirci maintained, "I do not speak on behalf of the country but on
my own. While at war, Israel will fail to achieve peace. For peace
establishment in the region Israel should end the war. Indeed, Rize
residents will defend themselves in case of threat, but in now way
killing children," emphasized Bakirci.

The dialogue broke off, as this sharp standpoint astonished Israeli
Ambassador and his entourage.

Accusing Israel of committing crimes in Palestine, Rize Mayor forgot
to mention Turks’ ability to perpetrate the massacre of a whole
nation while "defending themselves". In any case, raving about the
murdered Palestinian children, the Turkish official withheld how
Turks slaughtered Armenian children during the Genocide in 1915.

MINSK GROUP HAS BEEN FORMAL SINCE ITS INCEPTION: POLITICAL EXPERT

Today.Az
/57142.html
Nov 3 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Azerbaijani political expert Fikrat Sadigov.

Day.Az: Is intensification of the Armenian-Azerbaijani meetings on
resolution of the Karabakh conflict linked with intensified efforts
of the OSCE Minsk Group or there is a real document for discussions
on the table?

Fikrat Sadigov: The OSCE Minsk Group has become a group of observers
rather than mediators. They only arrange a meeting venue and agenda
is prepared by the Heads of State.

The MG activities have a certain formality. It seeks a legal balance
with two sides whose views on settlement of the Karabakh conflict are
not equal under international law. Baku’s position is much stronger
than that of Yerevan. If to take principles of international law
as basis, and it is high time to dot "i’s" and cross "t’s" and call
Armenia an aggressor.

The MG has been formal since its inception, so I think that it was
created in order to prevent Azerbaijan from recovering its lands by
military means. Meantime, Azerbaijan’s maximum compromise is that
it agrees on the initial return of the seven regions by Armenia,
and then to discuss the status of Karabakh.

In fact, at the very beginning the OSCE Minsk Group supported
Azerbaijan, and then began to overly balance the two conflicting
countries.

Q: May format of the OSCE MG be changed?

A: I think it is possible. It is high time to replace France with
England or Germany. Turkey also offers mediation services. I propose to
extend the OSCE Minsk by two or three countries. To do this Minsk Group
needs to convene a second conference of representatives of all OSCE
Minsk Group countries, where changes to the MG format can be proposed.

I think that Azerbaijan should initiate this conference and should
not be ashamed of anything in this respect.

Q: Is an agreement on return of Azerbaijan’s five or seven regions
likely to be signed soon?

A: I remember the statement by co-chairs Matthew Bryza and Yuri
Merzlyakov who stated that Azerbaijan’s five regions will be returned
in the first stage of the settlement of the Karabakh conflict by the
end of this year. Another two regions of Azerbaijan (Kalbajar and
Lachin) were to be demilitarized in the second stage and international
peacekeeping force was to be deployed there.

Q: To what extent Azerbaijan’s stance on Karabakh issue has changed
following signing of the Armenia-Turkey protocols in Zurich?

A: The signing of the protocols in Zurich distracted world attention
from the Karabakh conflict and liberation of the five occupied regions
by Armenia. This strengthened Armenia’s stance. Therefore negative
reaction of the Azerbaijani public and leadership on these protocols
is understandable.

ARMENIA’S REPRESENTATIVE IN UN ACCUSED AZERBAIJAN OF VIOLATING RIGHT OF NATIONS TO SELF-DETERMINATION

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2009 12:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ UN Third Committee’s debates in the right of nations
to self-determination turned out hot. Representatives of Russia,
Georgia, India, Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Syria had to
take the chair several times each to answer numerous questions.

The Azeri delegation again made an attempt to represent the principle
of territorial integrity as prevailing over the other principles.

Armenia’s representative, for his part, dwelled on the right of
nations to self-determination and Karabakh people’s choice, which
is in line with international norms. He emphasized that the current
situation in the South Caucasus is the result of ethnic cleansings
and mass killings in Karabakh perpetrated by Azerbaijani authorities,
RA MFA press office reported.