Author: Madatian Greg

AZERI PRESID TO MOSCOW TO DISCUSS RELATIONS, REGIONAL ISSUES
by Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
November 8, 2006 Wednesday 12:18 AM EST

Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev will begin his three-day working
visit to Russia on Wednesday in order to discuss prospects for the
development of bilateral cooperation and regional problems. Aliyev
is expected to arrive in Moscow in the evening from Brussels where he
has held a series of talks with the European Union and NATO leadership.

Diplomatic sources in Baku believe that during the Azerbaijani head of
state’s meeting with the Russian leadership the sides will consider the
whole spectrum of bilateral relations. The talks’ participants are also
expected to discuss the situation in the Caucasus, ways of regional
conflict settlement, including the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Official
Baku pins great hopes on Russia’s mediator role as one of the three
chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in the Karabakh problem settlement. "We
see that the Russian government takes sincere efforts towards finding
a peaceful solution to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

It is not ruled out that in the context of regional security the sides
will also consider the situation around the Iranian nuclear programme.

One of the probable subject matters of the talks will be natural gas
supplies from Russia to Azerbaijan in 2007. The Azerbaijani side
has recently repeatedly stated that it does not intend to refuse
from importing Russian gas in the coming years. It is also hoped in
Azerbaijan that gas prices offered by the Russian side will remain
the same or rise not considerably. In 2006, Azerbaijan purchased gas
from Russia at 110 US dollars per 1,000 cubic metres.

Analysts in Azerbaijan has noted the intensification of the political
dialogue and economic relations between the two countries in recent
years. Official Baku has also expressed satisfaction with the state
of bilateral cooperation the level of which is characterised here as
strategic partnership.

Aliyev said in a recent interview to foreign media that Russia and
Azerbaijan have managed to remove all unsettled problems in bilateral
relations. "Not a single problem has remained at present that could
spoil our relations. On the contrary, we have rather good achievements
in the development of cooperation in the economic, political and
cultural spheres," the Azerbaijani head of state pointed out.

Last year, trade turnover between the two countries for the first time
reached the level of one billion dollars and it is expected to grow
to 1.5 billion dollars by the end of the current year. The Year of
Azerbaijan in Russia in 2005 and Year of Russia in Azerbaijan in 2006
have become major events in the life of both countries that made a
noticeable contribution to the two neighbouring states’ rapprochement.

AIR ARABIA TO FLY YEREVAN

Trade Arabia, Bahrain
Nov 8 2006

Air Arabia, the first low-fares airline in the Middle East and North
Africa, will fly direct from Sharjah to Yerevan-Armenia, which is
one of the latest additions to the Middle East carrier’s destinations
portfolio.

Yerevan is the fifth new destination announced by Air Arabia in the
last few weeks and promises to attract many travellers as it is only
three hours away from Sharjah airport and therefore a very convenient
attraction for nature inspired week-end breaks.

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia and counts 1.2 million inhabitants,
which is 40 per cent of Armenia’s total population. Travellers will
be enchanted to walk through one of the only cities in the world to
have its authentic birth certificate and thus, proving it is one of
the oldest on earth, said a spokesman.

As a tourist destination, Yerevan will provide UAE travellers the
possibility to walk in a green city, visit numerous monuments from
previous Soviet Union Republic, shop in traditional boutiques and
markets, attend performances at the Yerevan Opera-pride of the city
and discover the beauty of the Mount Ararat, capped with snow and
reflecting the beauty of a city that shines with pink because of its
tuf stone.

"Yerevan is a unique destination for us as it is still uncharted
territory for many residents and travellers. We are very proud to
bring our passengers the opportunity to discover historical cities
and learn more about destinations that are out of the ordinary." said
Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia.

Air Arabia flies to over 30 destinations across 20 countries,
including recent additions like Chennai and Thiruvanthapuram in India,
Latakia in Syria and Katmandu in Nepal carrying over two million
passengers.

DECISION TO MEET AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS NOT FINALISED – RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MG
Author: E.Huseynov

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2006

No decision has been made as yet for the next meeting of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, the Russian Co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov, stated at his interview with Trend,
commenting on the statement of a possible meeting of the presidents
within the November 28 Summit of Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS).

According to him, organizing the meeting of the President of
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan,
was discussed on 24 October in Paris during the consultations of
Minsk Group Co-chairs with the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign
Ministers. But as yet no decision has been made. On 14 November, the
next round of consolations between the mediators and ministers will
take place in Brussels and a decision may then be made, Merzlyakov
added. In addition, the date of the next visit of co-chairs to the
region will be agreed on 14 November.

Answering the question: "were the ways of regulating the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict discussed at the recent meeting of the
Armenian and Russian Presidents in Moscow and will this issue be
discussed during the expecting visit of the Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev to Moscow?", Merzlyakov replied that "The Karabakh topic
is one of the blocks of the negotiations and is always of interest".

Touching up on the upcoming talks between the Presidents of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev and Russia Vladimir Putin in Moscow, he stressed that is
a bilateral visit, but is not linked only with Nagorno-Karabakh talks.

YURI MERZLYAKOV: NO DECISION TAKEN ON THE MEETING OF PRESIDENTS

ArmRadio.am
02.11.2006 17:30

No decision has been taken on the meeting of the Presidents of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
Yuri Merzlyakov told " Trend" agency, commenting on the possibility
of the meeting of Presidents in the framework of the CIS summit on
November 28. He said that the question of organizing the meeting of
Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilham Aliev was raised during the
Paris consultations of the Co-Chairs with the Foreign Ministers on
24 October.

"But up to now no decision has been taken, and we should wait for
November 14, when the mediators will hold recurrent consultations
with the Foreign Ministers," Merzlyakov added.

In response to the question whether the Karabakh conflict settlement
was discussed during the recent meeting of the Presidents of Armenia
and Russia in Moscow, Yuri Merzlyakov said: "The Karabakh topic is
one of the components of talks and it always exists."

INFORMATION OFFICE OF CoE LAUNCHES FILM SHOWS

Panorama.am
16:18 02/11/06

Information Office of the Council of Europe has launched an advocacy
program with its three films: "Human being is not subject for sale,"
"Let’s build Europe with children and for children," and "Everybody
different, everybody equal." The program will kick of on November 4.

The office organizes film shows on trafficking, violence against
children and racial discrimination together with the Armenian National
Gallery film project.

GEORGIA STOLE GAS FROM ARMENIA

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 1 2006

For a long time there was difference between the gas meter on the
Georgian border and the gas meter on the Armenian border. Karen
Karapetyan, chief executive officer of ARG said October 31 that the gas
supply from Russia was halted for two days to eliminate this problem,
which overlapped with the Russian-Georgian tensions and was believed
to be a consequence of these tensions.

Karen Karapetyan says it was not related with the Russian-Georgian
relation, and the gas meter was the only problem. The gas meter in the
territory of Georgia showed that more gas is transported to Armenia
than the gas meter of Armenia shows. It means that the Georgians
stole gas. In addition, Karen Karapetyan says ARG paid for this gas
not to stop the supply of gas to Armenia because the supplier is not
interested where this gas went to. Karen Karapetyan says it was another
question if the supplier said that the Georgian side is responsible
for the difference. The chief executive officer of ARG says at present
the company is making efforts connected with compensation.

MAMMADYAROV: NO PROGRESS WAS OBSERVED IN MOSCOW AND PARIS MEETINGS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 31 2006

Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers will discuss new proposals
of the co-chairs in Brussels on November 14, Elmar Mammadyarov,
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister told journalist, APA reports.

He said that it is too early to make public the proposals. The
negotiations will be conducted on nine items.

The minister also said that no progress was observed in Paris and
Moscow meeting of the ministers.

"The co-chairs made proposals on these items in Moscow meeting. We
agreed to discuss them. I think it is possible to work on these
proposals. But the opinion of the opposite side is also necessary. We
should analyze their proposals, too," Mammadyarov said.

The minister also stated that the OSCE MG co-chairs will visit the
region if there is any progress in November 14 meeting. The meeting
of the presidents is possible after the meeting of the co-chairs with
both sides.

Touching upon the substitution of OSCE MG co-chairs the minister said
that Azerbaijan is satisfied with their activity.

"If we want to change the format of the negotiations we should discuss
it at the level of the organization. It will take much time.

The problem is not solved by the will of Azerbaijan or other state,"
he said.

RELEVANT BULGARIAN PHRASEOLOGY

Sofia Echo, Bulgaria
Oct 30 2006

"Go and complain to the Armenian priest" is a very popular idiom in
Bulgarian. Loosely it means that complaining is useless and you are
not going to find any help. The phrase mocks the person at whom it
is pointed because of his futile and irritating attempts to grasp
someone’s attention by whining.

Although nowadays Bulgarians use it in a negative, derisive way,
history scholars and many Armenians oppose this and call it a misuse.

They cite the memoirs of Bulgarian revolutionaries from the times
of the Ottoman domination who were exiled to the town of Diarbekir
(Turkish Armenia) suspected of plotting against the sultan and the
empire. Many of them managed to escape prison thanks to the local
Armenian priests – people with great influence on the Ottoman governors
– who fostered the Bulgarians both morally and financially.

Anyway, there are two views on that. Valya Pirova, assistant professor
at Sofia University, Bulgarian philology chair, says the expression
has always had a negative meaning. According to her, the Bulgarian
exiles had the right to post a complaint to the closest Christian
cleric (and that was the Armenian patriarch) once a year, but those
letters were never answered.

Brush up your joke repertoire

Every Balkan country tells jokes about its neighbours. Bulgaria makes
no difference but the anecdotes about Armenians aberrate slightly.

Actually, as the Armenian ethnic group is probably the best integrated
into the Bulgarian society, there are no "neighbourhood" jokes about
them. On the whole, Bulgarian humour contains no negative attitude
towards Armenians and although sometimes ridicules them, it is never
offensive.

Three types of anecdotes could be specified:

Where Armenians boast with their abilities, might, wealth. Very often
these jokes feature the characteristic desire of the Armenian to be
first in everything.

A Bulgarian, an American and an Armenian talk about their sports
facilities. The Bulgarian says: "We have a wonderful big stadium –
it holds 40 000 people". The American laughs and says: "Our biggest
one has a capacity of 120 000". Then comes the Armenian’s turn: "The
capacity of the biggest stadium in my country is 120 000 seats in
the first row". The other two ask amazed: "Why in the first row only?"

The answer comes with a grin: "Have you ever seen an Armenian sitting
in the second row?"

Where Bulgarians highlight Armenians’ affinity for plump women.

Radio Sofia: What shall one do if a woman is fat?

Radio Yerevan: Let her spin a hoop around her hips.

Radio Sofia: And if she can’t make it through the hoop?

Radio Yerevan: Then don’t spoil the fine lady!

Where Armenian people/institutions are used to discuss politics and
international affairs, to criticise over problematic issues. In such
cases, jokes usually have nothing to do with Armenians themselves.

Bulgarians simply use the frankness of Armenians to disguise biting
jokes, says Valya Pirova, assistant professor at Sofia University,
Bulgarian philology chair. The above-mentioned Radio Yerevan (Yerevan
is the capital of Armenia) and the Armenian guys Kirkor and Garabed
are most popular.

Radio Sofia: What would have happened had they shot Kruschchev during
his speech before the UN, instead of John Kennedy in Dallas?

Radio Yerevan is silent for a moment. Then says: It is difficult to
give an answer but one thing’s for sure – Aristotle Onassis would
have never married Nina Krushcheva.

Simply delicious

If you are fed up with ordinary restaurants, try one where they serve
Armenian cuisine. Almost all big towns with large groups of Armenian
residents offer that chance. One of the most popular places here is
Egur, Egur (literally Come, Come) in Sofia, owned by Hilda Kazasian,
a famous jazz singer.

Once having made up your mind that you want to try Armenian food,
you’d better be warned that it’s savoury but often either spicy or
quite sweet. If you’ve already eaten Bulgarian sarmi you’ll find
a similar thing on the Armenian menu, only the vine leave rolls
are stuffed not simply with rice but also with caramelised onions
and raisins. A lot of the dishes include eggplant – like Shtoratz,
where it is fried in thin slices and then rolled with milk filling,
or Carna salad, which includes also white cheese and tomatoes. If you
like meat, you might find Veal with sauce of green and black olives
a true delicacy. Although dessert comes last, in Armenian cuisine
sweeties are obviously held in honour. The must here is Anush abur.

It is translated as "sweet soup" and is a type of frumenty with boiled
wheat, dried fruit (figs, apricots, raisins) and various nuts.

In truth, cooking typical food is one of the traditions which the
Armenian families in Bulgaria keep longest. The recipes are passed on
to each new generation. Many Bulgarian girls, married to Armenians,
also get to know the secrets of their cuisine.

AZERBAIJANI DEFENSE MINISTER SAFAR ABIYEV CONSIDERS VIOLATION OF CEASEFIRE NORMAL

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 30 2006

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev discussed the violation of
ceasefire with his Armenian colleague Serge Sarkisian at the meeting
in Gazakh.

It was decided to ensure the maximum maintenance of ceasefire, Abiyev
told journalists, APA reports. He noted that the violation of ceasefire
is normal as there are thousands of servicemen in Azerbaijan-Armenia
contact line. Expressing his position on the Armenian military training
the minister said that Azerbaijan also holds military training in
the contact line and there is no need to worry.

AZG Armenian Daily #206, 28/10/2006

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SEVEN YEARS PASS AFTER TRAGEDY

RA National Assembly Commemorates 7th Anniversary of
October 27 Terrorist Act

Yesterday marked the 7th anniversary of the terrorist
act at RA National Assembly committed in 1999. The
press service of RA National Assembly informed that
this morning, the Armenian deputies laid flowers on
the monument to the victims of the tragedy in the yard
of the Parliament building. Tigran Torosian, Chairman
of RA National Assembly, stated that although 7 years
have already passed since the tragedy, the witnesses
and the relatives and friends of the victims will
never forget it and they demand justice. He added that
anyway they should not only mourn but also learn a
good lesson from this tragedy to avert any repetition
of such crimes in the future.

The terrorist group led by Nairi Hunanian killed the
Chairman of Ra National Assembly Karen Demirchian,
prime minister Vazgen Sargsian, vice speakers Yuri
Bakhshian and Ruben Miroyan, MPs Henrik Abrahamian,
Mikael Kotanian, Armenak Armenakian and minister
Leonard Petrosian on October 27, 1999. According to
the court decision, the terrorists had been sentenced
to life imprisonment.

By Marietta Khachatrian