Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

UEFA EURO 2008: BAKU OFFERS YEREVAN TO MEET IN AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND OR UKRAINE

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.02.2007 14:29 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Azerbaijani Ministry of Youth and Sports
offered to hold UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying games between Armenia and
Azerbaijan in Austria, Switzerland or Ukraine, said Ragif Abbasov,
a Spokesman for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Youth and Sports. He said
the proposals have been already sent to the UEFA. "Azerbaijan doesn’t
agree on holding matches in Baku and Yerevan," he said adding that
if the organization suggests other variants Azerbaijan will consider
them, reports APA-Sports.

OUTSANDING KURDISH POLITICIAN BEARING WITNESS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By H. Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
27/02/2007

Head of the Kurdish autonomy of Northern Iraq, leader of the
"Democratic Party of Kurdistan" Masoud Barzani recently published
a work dedicated to the life and activity of his father, Mustafa
Barzani. Mustafa Barzani’s memoirs about the Armenian Genocide and
mass deportation of Armenians are also included in the work. It is
also noteworthy, that the author’s grand-grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad
Barzani was the religious leader of the Barzani tribe. Sheikh
Mohammad’s son Abdulsalam later obtained both the political and
religious leadership of the tribe. In 1914 Sheikh Abdulsalam was
executed by the Ottoman authorities. After those events his sons
divided the political and religious authority of the tribe.

At this very moment were started the mass repressions of Western
Armenians. Abdulsalam’s son Sheikh Ahmad answered the summons of
Armenian warlord Andranik, who was engaged in the organization of
self-defense of Armenians. Molla Mustafa Barzani tells that he was
among those 200 men sent by Sheikh Ahmad to aid Andranik’s forces. It
should be noted that so as to avoid impact with governmental forces
the brigade was to declare openly that their aim was to take part in
the massacre of Armenians. Unfortunately, the Ottoman government had
convinced the population of the empire that the 1915 events were a
war of Muslims against the Christians, so that necessary lie was not
hard to believe. "We aided the Armenians and accompanied the to the
border of Syria", continues Molla Mustafa. "We were engaged by the
Turkish forces and suffered casualties of 14 men".

On our part we should add that Molla Mustafa Barzani lived a long life
and passed away in 1979, in the Souleymanie town of Northern Iraq. He
was succeeded by his son Masud Barzani, who after his father’s example
became had got involved in the Kurd national movement at the early
age of 16.

All the information was taken from the Turkish
website.

PanARMENIAN.Net

French Minister: I have special attitude towards Armenia and Armenians
24.02.2007 16:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia and France have much in common, and first of
all our cultures are very much alike. The best evidence of it is the
Year of Armenia in France, French Minister-Delegate for Regional
Development Christian Estrosi told reporters in Yerevan. He said, the
Armenian Diaspora of France is well-organized and plays a great role
in social-political life of the country. `They all are descendant of
those who survived the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and found their
second motherland in France. Armenians of France are our citizens who
work for the welfare and prosperity of the French Republic,’ Estrosi
underlined. He also noted that despite all difficulties of past few
years, Armenia managed to keep her political culture and
originality. `I have special attitude towards Armenia and Armenians,’
he said.

BUDAPEST COURT GRANTS LIFE SENTENCE TO RAMIL SAFAROV

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 22 2007

Budapest Court granted the life sentence to Azerbaijani Armed Forces
officer Ramil Safarov, the representative of the Safarov’s and
Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, lawyer Ikram Shirinov told the APA.

The court did not allow Safarov’s appeal. The lawyer said they did
not expect the court to pass this decision.

He noted the arguments gave ground to change court’s decision.

Shirinov said they will appeal to Supreme Court.

The chief of Azerbaijan’s Bar Association Azer Tagiyev, Safarov’s
Azerbaijani lawyer Ikram Shirinov, the representatives of Azerbaijani
Embassy and Diaspora attended court hearing.

Safarov’s Hungarian lawyers presented the court new facts on case.

Besides, Ramil Safarov, his lawyers and opposite side made statements
in the court.

Hungarian lawyers George Majar and Clara Fisher defended Ramil
Safarov’s rights in the court.

Budapest Court sentenced Ramil Safarov accused of assassinating
Armenian officer Gurgen Margarian to life imprisonment on April 13,
2006.

PETER SEMNEBY: EU TRIES TO CREATE TRUST BETWEEN KARABAKH AND AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.02.2007 13:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s time to normalize ties between Azerbaijan and
Nagorno Karabakh. Presently the European Union is trying to create
trust between the sides, EU Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby
said in Baku. In his words, the issue was discussed with the Azeri
government. When touching on the statements by the OSCE MG Co-chairs
that initiatives within other international organizations hamper the
negotiation process Mr Semneby said the EU activities are not targeted
against the OSCE Minsk Group.

He also remarked that some aspects of the last stage of negotiations
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement were promising but
unfortunately proved fruitless. These include the latest meeting of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Minsk and the ministerial
meeting in Moscow. "These talks did not initiate any progress but
I hope that time for solution will come and the European Union will
make its contribution," said he.

Mr Semneby voiced opinion on Russia’s position on the conflict
settlement. "Russia plays a substantial role in the South Caucasus. I
am hopeful that its action will coincide with its statements and
goals," said he, report Azeri media.

AK PARTY’S FLAG POSTERS ATTRACT VOTES, SURVEY SHOWS
Erdal Þen

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 20 2007

The Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) poster plastered on
billboards during the Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayram) holiday
increased their votes by 5.3 percent.

Across the controversial poster of Prime Minister Erdoðan and
the Turkish flag was written "Kurban olam," ("I sacrifice myself"
[for your star and crescent]). The poster was regarded as a bid for
nationalist votes and was debated for some time. Professor Orhan
Gokce of Selcuk University, chairman of the public administration
department, along with his working group surveyed 7,325 people to
determine the effect of the poster on the AK Party’s percentage of
the vote. According to the survery, potential votes for the the AK
Party have increased from 26 to 31.3 percent.

Recent events have prompted reactionary opinions among the Turkish
public, Professor Gokce said, noting that the poster was a response
to the impressions the public held of the the AK Party. "Despite
wide-ranging support for Erdoðan, some people fear that the AK
Party cannot adequately represent the interests of the public,"
Gokce said, adding: "It looked like the the AK Party government
couldn’t shake off these impressions. I am speaking about the image
that had been formed. The flag campaign was perceived by the public
as a representation of the state response of Erdoðan. Posters and
photos can support or refute struggles and efforts. That’s why this
poster was seen as Erdoðan’s effort to claim this government and as
act of state response. In response to criticism it seems like Erdoðan
was trying to say, ‘ I stand by this government. We are part of this
government. Like every other citizen, I am trying to protect my people
and government. I swear I will protect it.’ Since this was how most
people perceived the campaign, the AK Party votes increased from 26
to31 percent."

However, Gokce believes the percentage of votes could change again.

Unlike before, voters are polarizing. "We believe that polarization
will be an important factor in the 2007 elections. We are seeing this
in the increase and decrease of party votes. Although the political
parties have not yet begun their campaigns, we see some parties’
with increasing vote rates and others with decreasing vote rates,"
Gokce said in response to the ambiguity over ideologies.

Referring to the different understandings of nationalism, Gokce said
that in many parts of Turkey there are moderate conservatives as well
as nationalists. Over the course of four-and-a-half years Turkey has
experienced many events, especially the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the
US and the Armenian allegations of genocide. These issues have made
the Turkish public nervous and more sensitive to issues of the nation
and state.

According to Gokce, there has also been an increase in the number of
people who say they are attached to national and spiritual values.

"People used to say ‘I am leftist or Islamic or nationalist’ in the
past. There are some who still use these expressions, but much less
today. The percentage of people who say they are both nationalist
and religious has increased from 25 to 50 percent," Gokce stated.

–Boundary_(ID_WWfk8HMLYm2Kzn6WdEm4NQ)–

DUAL CITIZEN MUST NOT TAKE PART IN ELECTIONS HELD ACCORDING TO MAJORITARIAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM, RPA FACTION INSISTS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 19 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The RPA faction of the National
Assembly presented its principal proposals concerning the RA draft
law "On Dual Citizenship." As faction head Galust Sahakian informed
journalists on February 19, according to it, a person having dual
citizenship must not take part in elections held according to
the majoritarian electoral system. Besides, dual citizens must
be tax-payers and live at least 6 months a year in Armenia. But,
G.Sahakian was not able to mention if the law on dual citizenship
will be adopted during this session.

KAZAKHS CLASH ARMENIANS AND GEORGIANS IN STAVROPOL

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Feb 19 2007

Clashes have emerged between Kazakhs and Armenians and Georgians in
Stavropol, APA’s bureau reports.

The security bodies, beware of repeat of Kondopoqa scenario, are
hindering to cover events. Beginning on February 13, local Russians
and Kazakhs in Novoaleksandrovsk city attacked Armenians and Georgians
several days, after the Caucasians had shot Kazakh ataman Andrey
Khanin who later was hospitalized in a bad condition.

According to the statements of witnesses in internet, a great number
of injured immigrants have been placed in Stavropol hospital and
the police have surrounded the building. Kazakhs from all over the
province, as well as Rostov and Krasnodar are directing to the city.

Local people in Novoaleksandrovsk held a rally. Markets and trade
facilities of immigrants burnt. Slavic origin residents demand
the resignation of region leadership, removal of immigrants
and law-enforcement bodies to fight mercilessly against ethnic
criminality. Interior troops have been placed in the territory from
neighborhood provinces. Local Georgian community leader named Timur
and his family was kidnapped by the masked persons. Leader of Illegal
Immigration Fighting Movement Aleksandr Belov confirmed the reports
concerning Stavropol.

"The city is blocked. Russians tried to hold a meeting and declare
Novoaleksandrovsk a territory exempt from Caucasians. But the meeting
was postponed after the discussions with initiators", he said.

Russian Noviy region agency states that Stavropol and Vladigafgaz
episcope Feofan called on the people to stop mass unrest with the
request of government.

"Despite the ethnic and political origin of the murderer, only they
are responsible for this horrible crime. It is inadmissible for all
people to answer for crimes committed by individuals", he said.

Azeri hacker intends to attack Armenian websites

ArmRadio.am
17.02.2007 13:55

A hacker with the nikname `Bajioghlu’ is going to attack Armenian
websites. A cooresponding caution was disseminated by the Azerbaijani
`Zerkalo’ newspaper.
In a statement published in the paper Bajioghlu promises to attack
several Armenian websites on the eve of the anniversary of Khojalu
events. `I think that by attacking Armenian websites I will make my
contribution to the common struggle of the Azerbaijani people against
invaders, ` the Azeri hooligan declares.

Let us remind that azeri hackers have already undertaken attempts to
attack Armenian websites. They really managed to penetrate into
several chats, only one of which was on the `am’ domain.

Syrian Charge d’Affaires visits the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

armradio.am
16.02.2007 16:55

February 16 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin the Catholicos of All
Armenians Garegin II received the newly appointed Charge d’Affaires of
the Arab Republic of Syria Mr. Mamun Hariri.
His Holiness passed his congratulations to Mr. Hariri, whishing him a
kind and productive mission in Armenia. The Catholicos expressed
appreciation for the fact that the centuries old friendship between the
two peoples is continuing and the cooperation between the two states is
strengthening year by year.
The Catholicos of All Armenians thanked for the kind attitude the
Syrian authorities are demonstrating towards the Armenian people.
During the meeting His Holiness Garegin II recalled also the visit to
Aleppo and Der Zor in 2001, as well as the visit of the delegation
headed by Syrian Chief Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Badr Al-Din Hassun to the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2006.