Author: Maghakian Mike

AZERBAIJANI NEWSPAPER: FREQUENT CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH CRITICISM ADDRESSED TO AZERBAIJANI DM S. ABIYEV
Yerevan, April 17. ArmInfo. The frequent cease-fire violations
on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces are
directly connected with the criticism addressed to Defense Minister
of Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev, writes military correspondent of the
newspaper “Realniy Azerbaijan” Jan-Mirza Mirzoyev in his article
“President is no authority for Abiyev.”
“In one of my previous articles I mentioned that the cease-fire and
the situation of undeclared war helped S. Abiyev keep his post for
some fatal fortunity (regularity?). Every time when his person was
subjected to harsh criticism and the wave of indignation reached
Mass Media, exchange of fire was starting on the front line and the
cease-fire was being violated,> J. Mirzoyev writes. “One can speak
of a fatal regularity of cease-fire violations now. The wave of
accusatory articles about the activity of the defense minister was
arousing a splash of activity on the delimitation line. At first it
was by chance, for the second time it was just a coincidence, and for
the third time it became a system,> Mirzoyev says. He adds that such
connections must be revealed by relevant bodies and any reference to
external forces is inappropriate “as everything is much more prosaic.>
Mirzoyev believes that hot news on cease-fire violations and the
military valor of “the hungry, barefoot and untrained Azerbaijani
soldiers” creates patriotic sentiments in public. Simultaneously,
subconsciously the citizens think that in the period of a new
Armenian attack, S. Abiyev should be protected against criticism and
suspensions, the correspondent writes.
“False impression! The soldiers, officers on the front line guard
us and die for us and never the rat-generals in the rear who take
to soldier’s ration,> Mirzoyev writes. The Defense Ministry data
say that the cease-fire violations for the last three months killed
18 servicemen and wounded 12. “What losses did the Armenian party
suffer? Armenian Defense Ministry sources and Mass Media report
that the Azerbaijani party “repeatedly violates the cease-fire;
return fire neutralizes the enemy weapon emplacements,” but nothing
about killed or wounded. No victims! What is it? Misinformation? So,
who the fire was exchanged with?> Miszoyev asks.

PanARMENIAN.Net
PACE Calls to Settle Conflicts in South Caucasus

15.04.2006 21:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During its spring session on April 13 the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) urged
Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia to continue their activities to work
out a peaceful and lasting solution to disputes in various conflict
zones of the region, which creates conditions for a voluntary return
of refugees and displaced persons.
The MPs hailed efforts of Azerbaijan, Armenia and, to a less degree,
Georgia, who set about implementation of programs on refugee
integration in local communities. At that PACE members emphasized that
urgent humanitarian needs still remain and international assistance is
necessary to meet these, reports the PACE communication department.

WHO LEGALIZES CORRUPTION

Lragir.am
14 April 06

During the past four-day meeting the parliament finally killed the
struggle against corruption, for the strategy of which the World Bank
allocated 300 thousand dollars to Armenia five years ago. How could
the World Bank know that in five years the National Assembly would
adopt a report on a program of privatization, confirming the donation
of state property that the government made to separate sons of the
nation. However, it is possible to understand the political forces,
which voted for the program of privatization. After all, the problem
was the struggle of two ideas: save the struggle against corruption
from formalities or save the national tradition of offering presents
from the wind of time. And it is difficult to accuse, for instance,
the Republican Party, which chose preservation of `national
traditions’ and proved by vote that the prospect of existence of the
Armenian people is preservation of national traditions, sometimes
shutting eyes to corruption.
The case of Dashnaktsutiun (the Armenian Revolutionary Federation) is
different, since one of its leaders Vahan Harutiunyan, on the day of
the massacres in Sumgait, announced in front of the house of
government that our foe is not Turks or Azerbaijanis but corruption. I
believe that who did not see the outcome of vote of Dashnaktsutiun to
the report on privatization is still excited about the bravery of
Vahan Hovanisyan when he revealed the new foe of the nation. Vahan
Hovanisyan and his fellow party members vote for a report on a program
of privatization, including companies which were sold several times
cheaper than these had been assessed. They should have phoned the
house of the president and consulted Bagrat Yesayan, the adviser to
president on anti-corruption affairs. He would honestly explain what
corruption is to his fellow party members.
HAKOB BADALYAN

LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR ‘NATIONAL HERO’
By Ruzan Poghosian
AZG Armenian Daily
14/04/2006
Yesterday, the Budapest Municipal Court convicted Ramil Safarov to
life imprisonment with no right to amnesty for 30 years. Charged
with axing to death Armenian serviceman Gurgen Margarian in his
sleep on February 19 2004, Safarov received the ultimate punishment
under Hungarian law. All efforts of the Azerbaijani side to portrait
Safarov as not guilty proved futile as the evidence of premeditated
murder triumphed over Azeris fake proofs.
“That was the ultimate verdict for the Hungarian court,” Nazeli
Vardanian, attorney of Gurgen Margarian, told daily Azg over the phone.
Prior to bringing in the verdict the court listened to Safarov’s final
words. The embarrassed “national hero” of Azerbaijan said at first
that he has a poor command of Russian and the court should review
his initial evidence, then he went on the last try to persuade the
court that he has mental disorder and murdered Margarian while having
an attack. He said he remembers nothing, even why he had bought the
axe. He had no intention to murder the Margarian and did not attempt
the life of Hayk Makuchian, the other Armenian serviceman.
“He said no words of regret; never felt sorry for taking the young
Armenian’s life,” Nazeli Vardanian added.
Upon hearing the verdict, Safarov’s defense said they will file an
appeal, though the judge’s words clear up any doubt of the defendant’s
guilt.
The Azerbaijani “national hero” and “man of the year” will stand the
next trial on the second charge on May 3.

OFFICIAL STEPANAKERT SUGGESTS SENDING A GROUP OF EXPERTS TO NAGORNO-KARABAKH
ArmRadio.am
14.04.2006 14:25
NKR Foreign Minister Georgi Petrosyan and Head of Police Armen
Isagulov sent a letter to US Assistant Secretary of State, Head of
the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of
the US Department of State Anne Patterson, in which they stated that
” Nagorno-Karabakh is not a transit country for drug trafficking.”
The letter particularly says, “Appreciating and welcoming the
contribution of the United Stated in establishment of genuine
democratic principles in the international relations, as well as
consistent efforts of US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, aimed at
resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, we want to call your
attention to an issue of high importance to the NKR authorities.
Different from previous years, in 2006 the State Department’s
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report mentions
Nagorno-Karabakh as a transit territory for drugs. We do not have
doubts that the information is provided by Azerbaijan, which has
made the adulteration and discredit of the Armenian party its state
policy. We express categorical disagreement over such a respected
Report utilizing unconfirmed data.
Thereupon we assure you with all responsibility that Nagorno Karabakh
is not a transit way for drugs not only due to absence of a developed
transport and communication system owing to continued blockade by
Azerbaijan, but also as a result of efficient preventive work of NKR
law-enforcement bodies.”
The letter further cites facts, evidencing the aforementioned
arguments. Specifically, the authors of the letter write, “The Office
of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, which
regularly monitors the cease-fire regime, can confirm absence of any
criminal facts and actions here.” They also draw attention that the
OSCE fact-finding mission, composed of over 30 diplomats and experts,
accompanied by the OSCE MG co-chairs, visited Nagorno-Karabakh in
January-February 2005. “The detailed monitoring contains no mentioning
of such negative facts.
On behalf of NKR authorities again expressing readiness to receive
a special monitoring group, composed of experts, who can provide
an independent conclusion, the letter authors frankly believe that
“the US State Department will have an opportunity to make sure at
the scene that the above-stated is true and stop alarm over issues
that can more complicate the peace process and postpone prospects of
peace and stability.”
Copies of the letter are sent to US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice,
US co-chair of the OSCE MG Steven Mann, National Drug Control Policy
Director John Walters.

THE SIDES CAN BE PLEASED BY 80%
A1+
[11:54 am] 12 April, 2006
The OSCE Minsk group French co-chair Bernard Fassier will arrive in
Armenia from Baku today. During the concluding press conference in
Baku he said, “We cannot take decisions instead of the two states. The
decision taken by us can cause serious problems as no way of peaceful
settlement can fully justify the expectations of both sides. But I
can say that there is a way out which can justify the expectations of
the sides by 80%. But the final decision is to be made by the heads
of the countries.”
The regional visit of Bernard Fassier is to be discussed during the
Moscow meeting of the co-chairs, agency “Trend” reports. After the
meeting the Minsk group US co-chair Steven Mann will arrive in the
region. Till the end of April the Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov
will come to the region too.
At the beginning of May the co-chairs will meet in Moscow and discussed
the April meetings. Later on they will visit the region together. The
aim of the visit is to prepare the new meeting of the Armenian and
Azeri Presidents the date of which is not yet known.
After that the co-chairs will represent new approaches towards the
peaceful settlement of the conflict to the Presidents.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
04/11/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) ARF Is for Territorial Integrity of Georgia 2) Armenia Must Always Be Ready for War 3) Azeri Leader to Meet George W. Bush 4) Case against Four Turkish Journalists Dropped 5) Armenian Writers' Conference Ends with Special Ceremony 6) Armenian Military Says Hundreds Still Kept in Azeri Captivity 1) ARF Is for Territorial Integrity of Georgia YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Vahan Hovhannisian, Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau member, said that the ARF is not at all against the territorial integrity of Georgia. Responding to a question of the "Golos Armenii" (Voice of Armenia) newspaper, he also said the ARF is not responsible for the strained situation in Javakhk. According to Hovhannisian, if the Georgian state is willing to give wide autonomous rights to its national minorities (Abkhazians, Ossetians), the law-abiding Armenian citizens in Javakhk deserve the same rights. "I think that Georgia, entering different European structures, must show a European approach to the issue of national minorities," Hovhannisian stated. 2) Armenia Must Always Be Ready for War YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsian said Tuesday that Armenia, like any other country, must always be prepared for war. "The Defense Minister of any country, the Armenian Defense Minister in particular, must realize that military operations may start at any moment," said Sargsian in response to a question about whether or he foresees a chance of war. Regarding the increased ceasefire violations along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone, the Defense Minister said that today's situation is no different from the previous situation. "There have always been shots fired, and even if there is a difference, the situation has become milder," he added. 3) Azeri Leader to Meet George W. Bush WASHINGTON (Armenpress)--Azeri President Ilham Aliyev will meet with US President George W. Bush later this month to discuss energy and the promotion of democracy in Asia, the White House said Monday. Bush and Aliyev will also discuss Azerbaijan's role in helping stabilize Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo during the April 28 meeting. Aliyev will also discuss Karabagh conflict regulation issue and US-Azerbaijan bilateral relations, Trend news agency cited the head of the social-political department of the Azeri president's executive staff Ali Hasanov as saying. 4) Case against Four Turkish Journalists Dropped ISTANBUL (AP)--A court on Tuesday dropped charges against four Turkish journalists accused of insulting the country's courts, but decided to press ahead with the trial of a fifth journalist. All five journalists were on trial for criticizing in print a court's decision last year to shut down a conference in Istanbul about the genocide of Armenians by Turks during the Ottoman Empire. Prosecutors said their writings were illegal attempts to influence the outcome of a trial and insulted the court system. On Tuesday, the court dropped charges against journalists Hasan Cemal, Ismet Berkan, Haluk Sahin, and Erol Katircioglu, on grounds that prosecutors had not filed charges within the required two-month period following the publication of the articles, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported. The court, however, decided to proceeded with the trial of Murat Belge, a columnist for the liberal Radikal newspaper, the agency said. The trial is seen as a test of Turkey's readiness for membership in the European Union. Turkey, which embarked on membership talks in October, is under heavy pressure from the EU and human rights organizations to address its infringements on freedom of expression. The five had faced between six months to 10 years in prison. Charges on the grounds of insulting the republic, state institutions or "Turkishness" are frequently leveled against journalists, scholars, and dissidents. Discussion of the Armenian genocide is still extremely sensitive in Turkey, which vehemently denies that the Genocide took place. The conference in September went on despite the court order to close it down after organizers changed the venue at the last minute. It was the first time the issue was publicly discussed in Turkey. A case against Orhan Pamuk, the country's best-known novelist, for "insulting Turkishness," was dropped earlier this year after Turkey came under harsh criticism from the EU. 5) Armenian Writers' Conference Ends with Special Ceremony The Third Pan-Armenian Writers' Conference officially ended with a special ceremony held on the evening of April 9 in the Antelias headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, under the patronage of His Holiness Aram I. The president of the Writers' Union of Armenia, Levon Ananian thanked His Holiness Aram I on behalf of the participants in the conference and Armenian writers who were unable to make the conference. Ananian expressed his gratitude not only for the organization of the conference, but for the love, support, care, and commitment that the Armenian Pontiff shows towards Armenian writers and culture. Following the heart-felt words of the oldest participant in the conference, poet Jack Hagopian, a similar opportunity to speak was given to the youngest participant, poet Nanor Indjedjigian. IN her speech during the closing ceremony, the young poet said she considered Armenian literature to be a source of youth. His Holiness Aram I then delivered the concluding remarks, expressing his impressions of the conference. The Catholicos made use of his experience as a participant in numerous national and international conferences to make several constructive suggestions for the next conference. The Pontiff proposed that in the future more time be reserved for discussion sessions, which should include more questions than statements. He suggested penetrating into the heart of the presented topics and bringing problems clearly under the spotlight. His Holiness stressed the importance of participation by the youth, considering it the source of persistence of Armenian institutions, culture, and literature. His Holiness Aram I particularly emphasized the importance of looking for new paths to cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora and pointed out that Armenian literature can help contribute to this. In this context, he focused on mutual recognition and acquaintance, stressing that Armenian language textbooks should include the works of both Armenia-based and diaspora-based Armenian writers. His Holiness called on bravely facing difficult and sensitive issues rather than escaping from them. Mentioning the issue of dictation as an example, he said that as one of the strong factors of the Armenian nation's unity, the matter needs to be discussed in a periodical manner. His Holiness Aram I then identified the deterioration of quality in all the fields of Armenian literature as a major problem and called for establishing a new level of quality with collective efforts and commitment. At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness Aram I decorated the president of the Writers' Union of Armenia with the "St. Mesrob Mashdots" insignia. The Seminary choir then performed a series of national and patriotic songs to mark the end of the conference. 6) Armenian Military Says Hundreds Still Kept in Azeri Captivity YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Hundreds of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians remain in Azeri captivity nearly twelve years after the end of large-scale fighting in Karabagh, a senior Armenian Defense Ministry official said on Tuesday. "We have information that they are used as slave labor in Azerbaijan," said Colonel Ashot Balian, a member of a ministry commission dealing missing Armenian soldiers and civilian hostages. "The Azerbaijani authorities keep moving them around and leaving no traces of them." "I therefore can't name any specific locations, but we are convinced that they are in Azerbaijan. Some are even said to have been relocated to Turkey," he said. "We still hope that our missing sons will return to their families one day." The Azeri authorities have denied holding any Armenian prisoners in the past. The Red Cross, which has offices in both Baku and Yerevan, is the main international institution that arranges Armenian-Azeri prisoner exchanges and repatriations. Both conflicting armies continue to turn to it for assistance after reporting soldier disappearances. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

GARABAGH TO TOP AZERI-EUROPEAN TALKS
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
posted on April 10 2006
Baku, April 7, AssA-Irada
The Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe (PACE) intends to discuss the Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict at a meeting with the chairman of the organization’s
subcommittee for the conflict, Lord Russell Johnston, the head of
the Azerbaijani delegation Samad Seyidov said Friday.
The sides are expected to explore ways of applying the PACE resolution
pertaining to the recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
to the process of negotiations.
With regard to the session proper, Seyidov said issues concerning
Azerbaijan would not be discussed during the spring session of PACE.
However, human rights, the situation in the army and the plight
of Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs would remain in the focus of the
discussions. The repeat parliamentary elections in ten constituencies
due in May will be tabled at the session of the organization’s
monitoring committee on May 19.

ARMENIAN-IRANIAN UNIVERSITY “ARIA” TO OPEN IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Apr 10 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. “The two-year efforts of Armenian and
Iranian scientists aimed at founding an Armenian-Iranian University
in Yerevan were crowned with success: a new University “Aria” will
open in September this year in Yerevan”. Noyan Tapan correspondent
was informed about it by professor Garnik Asatrian, Head of the
Iranian Studies Chair of Yerevan State University (YSU). He also
heads the group of Armenian scientists working at the foundation of
the University “Aria”. According to him, the agreement about founding
“Aria” was reached between YSU and “Bayamenur”, the largest Iranian
University in the region, having 27 branches in Iran, as well as
in Afghanistan and in countries of Central Asia. Professor Asatrian
said that the Armenian-Iranian University will be in the system of
the private higher education institutions. It is supposed that four
faculties will work at the University at the level of magistrasy:
oriental studies, international relations and political sciences,
energy of biomass and ecology, as well as a faculty of radiophysics.
“The opening of the University is a very pleasing event that
demonstrates the high level of interrelations between Armenia
and Iran. This is the first joint scientific-educational and
cultural center,” G.Asatrian declared. According to him, as it is
planned, Armenian and Iranian specialists, as well as scientists
from Georgia, Russia and countries of West Europe will work at the
University. “I think that the University will become not only a center
for concentration of the scientific thought of the region but will
also create an opportunity to involve and concentrate the scientific
cadres who have had no demand by now and academic scientists who are
literally in a disastrous condition,” professor Asatrian declared.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
April 9, 2006
Armenian Church Blesses Children
Palm Sunday has been declared to be the `Day for Blessing Children’ in the
Armenian Church by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians.  On this occasion His Holiness extends his message of love
to all children everywhere.
Message of Blessing of His Holiness Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians
To All Young Children
On the occasion of the wonderful feast of Palm Sunday, we send to you, our
dearest children, our fatherly love and blessings from the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin.
Today we commemorate the glorious entrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ into Jerusalem, when along with the adults, young children went out
to greet Christ with palm branches and songs of praise.  Jesus would always
receive boys and girls with open arms and bless them, citing their innocent
souls and honest emotions as examples to men of a path to God filled with
faith.
And today in our holy churches, the daily blessings of our Lord are granted
to our beloved children, so that they may grow full of faith, grace and
wisdom; and through their life and works, become the worthy sons and
daughters of our Holy Church and people.
>From deep in our heart, we pray to our All-Merciful God that He keep and
protect all children of the world under His Holy Right Hand in peace.  May
He bless the course of their lives with happiness, goodness and benevolence.
With Blessings and Love,
KAREKIN II
CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS