Author: Nahapetian Zhanna

NATIONAL MINORITIES ENJOYING FULL RIGHTS IN ARMENIA
Azg/am
5 Oct 04
Representatives of Jewish, Assyrian, Georgian, Byelorussian and German
communities of Armenia gathered yesterday at the Yerevan State
Pedagogical University after Abovian. They presented their national
songs and dances.
“This is a very important undertaking. It teaches our youth to be
tolerant and respectful to those of other cultures and religions
around them”, Rima Varzhapetian, co-chairman of the Nations’ Council
of Armenia and head of the Jewish community said.
Varzhapetian stated that the conditions of the national minorities,
2.8 per cent of Armenia’s overall population, are well and that there
is noviolation of their rights in the country. “Our relations with the
government are very warm. They are actively supporting us”, she
said. Rima Varzhapetian added that being citizens of the Republic of
Armenia they and their children have to study Armenian history and
language though trying to preserve their national culture by means of
such gatherings.
By Tamar Minasian

PACE session to center on terrorism and developments in Chechnya
TASS
October 3, 2004 Sunday
By Yuri Ulyanovsky
STRASBOURG
Struggle against terrorism is put into the section “urgent debate” of
the agenda of the PACE autumn session.
The discussion of the political and humanitarian situation as well as
the state of human rights in the Chechen Republic figure as the second
item on the agenda of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, which will be held on October 4-8 in Strasbourg.
The key reporter on this issue will be human right commissioner of the
Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles who made a trip to Chechnya in
September where he participated in a scientific conference on human
rights in the republic.
The session will also examine problems of the changing climate in the
world within the Kyoto Protocol and the development of the world
economy. Speakers on this topic will include executive director of the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Klaus Toepfer, director-general of the
World Trade Organisation Supachai Panitchpak and deputy
secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development Berglind Asgeirsdottir.
The session will also discuss operation of democratic institutions in
Serbia and Montenegro as well as in Azerbaijan, observance by Armenia
of taken obligations and participation of women in elections.
Invited speakers to the session include Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan, president of the Pan-African parliament Gertrude
Mongella and Monaco Crown Prince Albert whose speech will be a
preliminary to the ceremony of admitting the principality to the
Council of Europe.

BRITISH COURT FOLLOWS AZERBAIJANI LAWS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
28 Sept 04
The numerous cases of imposing control by Azerbaijan on the foreign
guests visiting Karabakh recently has underwent a slight change in
nature. It turns out that official Azerbaijan is now attempting to
control also the Armenians who want to receive citizenship in foreign
countries. Thus, it became known that two Armenians Artur Barseghian
and Arsen Avanessian who hardly saved from repression in Baku and
sailed to Great Britain through Turkey now face deportation. By the
results of the trial these people, as well as many other refugees in
the same situation must be returned to Azerbaijan as former citizens
of that republic. Meanwhile no British judge is interested in the
political developments around Nagorni Karabakh and does not even
imagine what the return to Baku means for those Armenians against
the background of the Karabakh conflict, the murder of the Armenian
officer in Budapest and the failure of the NATO training in Baku
for the reason that the Armenian officers were not allowed to enter
the territory of Azerbaijan. The leader of the “Organization for
Liberation of Karabakh” Akif Naghi stated, “Their return will turn into
a bloody tragedy for them.” If in Baku the security of the Armenians
is not guaranteed even within the framework of NATO then what about
the ordinary Armenians whom the British court decided to deport to
Azerbaijan. While the Armenian refugees try to prove to the foreign
judges that the way to Baku is closed for them, the anti-Armenian
moods in the capital of Azerbaijan are extremely tense. Even the Mili
Mejlis of Azerbaijan addressed to NATO protesting against the visits
of Armenians to Baku. The anti-Armenian propaganda in Azerbaijan
reaches an extremely high level, and this fact is already admitted
by not only the defenders of human rights but also journalists.
AA. 28-09-2004

Kazakhstan: Experts discuss ways of preventing bioterrorism
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
22 Sep 04 p 6
A Kazakh seminar on biological security has spoken about the need to
step up security at laboratories in Central Asia and the Caucasus
where strains of dangerous diseases are kept. Raymond Zilinskas from
the US Centre of Nonproliferation Studies said there was a threat of
anthrax spreading on the Kazakh side of the Island of Vozrozhdeniye in
the Aral Sea where there was a biological weapons test facility in
Soviet times. The following is the text of Olga Malakhova’s report
entitled “Down with bioterrorism” and published in the Kazakh
newspaper Kazakhstanskaya Pravda on 22 September; subheadings inserted
editorially:
The recent return of SARS may be connected with the fact that during a
study its virus was taken out of a laboratory, where poor specialists
were working. Insecure laboratories is one of three reasons for the
spreading of very dangerous infection. Natural breeding grounds are
still the main cause of disease spreading. However, specialists say
that bioterrorism is the most dangerous way because it is much more
difficult to fight this type of WMD.
Not myth but real danger
This is not a myth but quite a real danger, said the participants in a
seminar on biological security in Central Asia and the Caucasus, which
ended in Almaty yesterday [21 September]. The protection of many
institutions that have collections of dangerous bacteria, to put it
mildly leaves much to be desired. Specialists from medical services
and scientific institutes from Central Asia and the Caucasus complain
that the level of security at laboratories and museums where strains
are kept, and the training of specialists and the material bases are
far from international standards. The financing of many remains at
1960s levels, guards are not armed and there is a lack of
transport. The plague-proof clothing that is often shown on TV seems
an anachronism, but even this clothing has not been provided to
everyone, a representative from Armenia said.
Against this background, our institutions with their equipment and
security are in a better situation. True, a strange man recently tried
to enter the laboratory of the Kazakh Scientific Centre of Quarantine
and Zoonosis Infections. However, his attempt was thwarted thanks to
good security. Modern equipment, security and a secure fence have
appeared thanks to aid from the USA. The USA can also support various
projects connected with the study and rehabilitation of the territory
on the Island of Vozrozhdeniye in the Aral Sea, where there was a
biological weapons test facility in Soviet times.
Former biological facility poses threat
“The island needs to be studied by scientists and rehabilitated,”
Raymond Zilinskas, director of the chemical and biological weapons
nonproliferation programme at the US Centre of Nonproliferation
Studies [the Monterey Institute of International Studies], told a
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper correspondent. “There is no threat
of anthrax spreading from the Uzbek part of the island. American and
Uzbek specialists took care of this: they have reburied and
disinfected the area where biological weapons used to be kept.
However, there is still a threat, the representative of the Monterey
Institute of International Studies believes, and he expresses concern
that the Russian side has not provided information on what pathogens
were used in experiments. This information would help Kazakh
scientists determine the level of danger and measures for
rehabilitation. The difficulty is that it is unknown which pathogens
are natural and which are artificial man-made ones.
Strains of anthrax may remain on the island for a long time and infect
any living creature. Oil exploration and extraction work that is
planned to be carried out on the island pose a special
threat. Pollutants containing deadly strains may emerge during
geological exploration works, explosions and other activities.
Raymond Zilinskas hopes that the problem of clearing the territory of
the former biological weapons test facility will be resolved in two or
three years with the help of the American side.
Kazakhstan can train specialists
The seminar, which was organized by the Monterey Institute [of
International Studies] and the M. Aykimbayev Kazakh Scientific Centre
of Quarantine and Zoonosis Infections, discussed ways of making
specialists’ work safe for themselves and preventing very dangerous
diseases from being stolen and spread. It is necessary to create a
joint model for controlling biological materials and bring closer
legislation on export control.
Kazakhstan has created a network of sanitary and quarantine stations,
and a programme to improve them is being implemented. There is a plan
to set up a regional centre at the Kazakh scientific centre to train
specialists from Central Asia and the Caucasus. Many scientists from
these regions studied here. The centre has trained over 30,000
specialists for various republics [of the former Soviet Union] and
countries since 1948. A World Health Organization [WHO]
representative, May Chu, believes that the Kazakh Centre of Quarantine
and Zoonosis Infections has a modern scientific basis and intellectual
potential. Its six specialists underwent training on international
standards on biosecurity. The WHO will further continue supporting
the programme to train specialists.

Azeri court sets free jailed anti-Armenian protesters
MPA news agency
22 Sep 04
BAKU
Judge Sahin Yusifov today presided over the trial of members of the
Karabakh Liberation Organization [KLO] in the Court of Appeal of the
Republic of Azerbaijan. They were given long prison sentences by the
Nasimi district court for taking part in the 22 June protest against
the participation of Armenian officers in NATO exercises in Baku.
Judge Yusifov commuted the verdict of the Nasimi district court to
suspended sentences and released the KLO members right in the
courtroom. The five-year imprisonment of Akif Nagi, chairman of the
KLO, was commuted to two years[‘ suspended sentence], the three-year
imprisonment of his first deputy Firudin Mammadov was commuted to one
year[‘s suspended sentence], and four members of the KLO were given
one and a half years’ suspended sentences instead of the previous
four-year imprisonment.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SENATE RESTORES MILITARY AID BALANCE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
PanArmenian News
Sept 17 2004
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The full Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday
voted to reinstate military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan
in the Fiscal Year 2005 Foreign Operations bill. As reported by the
Armenian Assembly of America, the legislation, which allocates about
$9 million in military financing to both countries, not only foils the
Administration’s attempt to favor Azerbaijan but also exceeds the House
request of almost $6 million for each country. Having emphasized that
support for Armenia remains strong in the Congress upper chamber,
Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who is Chairman of
the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, noted that humanitarian and
relief assistance will keep flowing to Nagorno Karabakh. Thus, by the
decision of the Senate Appropriations Committee, both Baku and Yerevan
are slated to receive $8 million for Foreign Military Financing and
$750,000 for International Military Education and Training. It should
be noted that the next step in the legislative process is a vote on
the Foreign Operations bill by the full Senate.

CIS: Intensify fight against terrorism
xinhuanet.com
Photo
The presidents of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev (L), Armenia Robert
Kocharyan (2nd L), Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (3d L), Georgia
Mikhail Saakashvili (4th L), Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev (5th
L), Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev (6th L), Russia Vladimir Putin (4th R),
Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov (3d R), Ukraine Leonid Kuchma (2nd R),
Uzbekistan Islam Karimov (R), Russian Secretary of Security Council
Vladimir Rushailo (C) and Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev (5th R)
pose for a picture during the summit at the presidential residence
in Astana, Sept. 16, 2004. Top leaders from member states of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) met Thursday in Kazakh capital
Astana to discuss ways to fight against terrorism. (Xinhua Photo)
MOSCOW, Sept. 16 (Xinhuanet) — The summit of the Commonwealth
of Independent States (CIS) decided to boost the role of the
Anti-Terrorist Center and draft a concept of cooperation in the fight
against international terrorism and extremism, Ukrainian President
Leonid Kuchma said on Tuesday.
Leaders of the CIS member states had adopted a statement to condemn
terrorist acts, Kuchma, an outgoing head of the CIS, told a press
conference following the CIS summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana.
They expressed their full solidarity with Russia in its struggle
against terrorism and believed the spread of international terrorism
can be prevented only by consolidating efforts of the whole civilized
world, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.
The CIS, set up in 1991, is made up of 12 former Soviet republics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was elected new chairman of the
council of the heads of state of the CIS at the summit.
Speaking at the CIS forum, Putin lashed out at double standards in
the struggle against world terrorism.
“The atrocities we saw in Beslan gave grounds to say that the bandits
are part of world terrorist forces,” Putin said.
“The struggle against terrorism envisages only one opinion — law,
concerted efforts and firmness,” he stressed.
The CIS leaders also discussed cooperation in the fight against
organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration, the report
said.
Meanwhile, the presidents signed several documents, including a
concept of cooperation in the containment of illegal migration,
an interstate anti-crime program for 2005-2007, and a program of
cooperation against drug-trafficking until 2007. Enditem

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 15, 2004, Wednesday
AZERBAIJAN REFUSED TO ISSUE VISAS TO ARMENIAN OFFICERS, WHO INTENDED
TO PARTICIPATE IN COOPERATIVE BEST EFFORT-2004
Colonel Seiran Shahsuvaryan, press secretary of the Armenian Defense
Ministry, stated that the embassy of Azerbaijan refused to issue
visas to five Armenian officers who intended to participate in the
Cooperative Best Effort-2004 exercise. He noted that the embassy did
not announce the cause of the refusal. He said: “Armenia cannot
comment on this incident – it must be evaluated by NATO’s
leadership.” He noted that some officers faced problems with entering
Baku to attend a conference aimed at organizing this exercise. This
is why Armenian officers have attended only one out of two
conferences in Baku.
Source: KOmmersant, September 13, 2004, p. 10

AZERBAIJAN JOINS ONE MORE UN PROTOCOL
[September 10, 2004, 14:06:05]
Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 10 2004
On September 9, Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic held a sitting on
the issues of security and defense. Deputies discussed the draft Law
“On Joining the UN Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and
Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition,
supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational
Organized Crime”.
Deputy Speaker, Chairman of the Commission Ziyafat Asgarov noted that
Azerbaijan joins the Protocol with a special statement and reservation.
The statement says that Azerbaijan Republic does not guarantee
the fulfillment of the Protocol’s requirements in the territories
occupied by Armenia until they are released /the schematic maps of
the territories are enclosed in the document/.
The reservation is that Azerbaijan Republic does not join the item 2
of article 16 of the Protocol saying disputes and conflicts between
the States Parties are resolved through the international court.
Finally, the deputies decided to submit the document to the Milli
Majlis for discussion.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV
Azertag
September 11, 2004
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
Thank you for greeting me so warmly.
We met here before the elections. It was the eve of the presidential
elections. I gave my word to you, to the whole Azerbaijani people
that I would follow the Heydar Aliyevâ^À^Ùs path, continue his
policy if given vote of confidence. I can say Azerbaijan has been
successfully developing in all spheres since the elections. Our
foreign policy is also successful. Azerbaijan has strengthened its
relations with international organizations, and taken firmer positions
in the international arena. We maintain effective relations with large
states in bilateral format. This allows us to express our stance more
resolutely in international community.
Processes taking place inland are also quite positive. As you can see,
the adoption of the Program of socio-economic development has given a
new impetus to economic growth in Azerbaijan. The number of new jobs
is rapidly increasing, I can say about 70 thousand jobs have been
opened lately, 50 thousand of which are permanent. Our achievements
in all other spheres are obvious, as well.
Socio-political stability are ensured in the country, everybody
shows unity, all of us have been trying and will continue to try to
do our best for resolution of the Azerbaijanâ^À^Ùs hardest problem,
the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
When staying here last year I promised that improvement of refugees and
IDPs living conditions would be a priority direction of my activity. We
must improve that before the day our lands are liberated. Corresponding
decrees and orders have been issued to this end; as you know, new
modern houses, settlements will be built. I gave the word that no
encampment will remain in Azerbaijan, new modern buildings, settlement,
schools, hospitals will be built instead.
Last year I attended the opening of a large settlement in Bilasuval
province. The refugees, IDPs, our brothers and sisters placed there
are now provided with new conditions, new infrastructure. Our goal is
that every citizen of Azerbaijan to live better every year. Of course,
these conditions should be first of all provided to those living in
hardest conditions.
The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan set aside funds to erect new
settlements. It is of course a temporary measures. We are sure that
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan will be restored and the land
of Karabakh will be liberated of the occupants. A great job is being
done in this direction, as well.
As you know, we want to resolve this issue peacefully. But they
donâ^À^Ùt want to do so. War is a great evil; the war is a humanitarian
disaster. Thatâ^À^Ùs why we are striving for peaceful resolution of
the conflict. Until there is belief in it, we will continue the peace
talks. If we make sure the peace talks are senseless, then, the people
of Azerbaijan will unite to release their lands by other means.
It needs a number of factors, and all of them are present in
Azerbaijan. The patriotic spirit is very high. I want our young
generation to be grown up and educated exactly in the spirit of
patriotism. Everybody is united with authorities; everybody supports
our politics. This also is one of the remarkable factors.
Economy is growing in Azerbaijan. Our economic potential increases
every year. This, fir its part, will permit to achieve more in all
spheres, in particular Army building. Recently, certain supplements
have been introduced to the State Budget promoting allocating
considerably more funds to meet the needs of the Army and defense. It
will allow us to reinforce and modernize our army to even more extent.
I face the future very optimistically. I want to see Azerbaijan as
a wealthy, well-developed and powerful state in several years, and
will do my best for that. Today, Azerbaijan holds extremely important
position in the region, it has converted to a leading state here,
and we are considered. I make no doubt that we will manage to resolve
our hardest problem putting an end to the Armenian occupation. You
will be back home, and I will do arrive and be with you.
Dear friends, want once again to express my respect to you. Many
years have passed since the refugees and internally displaced people
have been living under hard conditions. We want to do all possible
to improve it. We will continue our efforts in this direction. I am
sure we will meet more frequently.
I wish you good health, happiness and peace.
Thank you.