Author: Tavakalian Edgar

Azerbaijan News Service
July 25 2005

EVERYBODY MUST KNOW WE ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO LEBERATE OUR LANDS
2005-07-25 15:43

Ilham Aliyev started his traditional trip to northern provinces.
First he participated in the ceremony of unveiling a monument to
former late President Heydar Aliyev in Guba city, north Azerbaijan,
on Monday, reports. In his address to public of Guba District the
head of state informed the local residents on the work done in the
sphere of socio-economic development of regions. The enemy should
know that Azerbaijan is powerful and in condition to liberate its
occupied territory in any way, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev
said during a tour of northern regions. Touching upon the resolution
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Daqliq Qarabaq the
President said that the OSCE Minsk Group improved its activities.
«Daqliq Qarabaq conflict is a key problem of Azerbaijan and definite
steps have been taken in this direction. The world community
acknowledged the necessity of by-stage resolution of the problem,»
the head of state underlined. Armenia should know that Azerbaijan has
a powerful army which is condition to liberate the occupied lands
every time, President Aliyev underlined. Noting Azerbaijan’s efforts
in economic and diplomatic spheres for the resolution of Daqliq
Qarabaq conflict, zerbaijani President said that the special
importance to issues of consolidation of the national army. «The
public budget assignments for army building were increased 70% with
regard to strengthen the military power of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
will liberate its territory through every method,» Aliyev
underlined.Touching upon the opening of new jobs Aliyev underlined
that 95% of them fell on regions. Speaking on public support to the
development of small and medium entrepreneurship, he said that this
year public budget assignments for crediting this sector comprised
200bn manats, while next year the figure will be doubled. According
to Aliyev, the socio-economic development of regions will promote an
increase of the 2006 public budget to $3bn. Regarding the resolution
of Daqliq Qarabaq conflict he reiterated Azerbaijan’s adherence to
the solution within the framework of the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. In the morning Aliyev attended the opening of a workshop
of carpet-weaving. He also participated in the regional department of
the Taxes Ministry, as well as met representatives of Jewish
community of Krasnaya Sloboda.

Turkish foreign minister faults Swiss for party leader’s detention

BBC Monitoring Service
Jul 24, 2005

Text of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul expressed on Sunday [24 July]
regret about detention of Labour Party (IP) leader Dogu Perincek in
Wintherthur city of Switzerland, and said this was “unacceptable”.

Foreign Ministry officials told AA [Anatolia] correspondent that Gul
said that the stance of Swiss authorities “was incompatible with the
principle of freedom of expression, which was one of the most
important values of the modern world”.

Gul said that they would decide on further steps to be taken according
to information they received from Switzerland and their assessments.

Perincek was detained last night for saying “Armenian genocide is an
international lie” in a press conference he held in Wintherthur the
previous day. He was released after being interrogated for more than
three hours.

REVISED DRAFT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ARE AN UNDENIABLE IMPROVEMENT,
VENICE COMMISSION ESTABLISHES

YEREVAN, JULY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. “The revised draft constitutional
amendments are an undeniable improvement over the previous drafts
commented by the Venice Commission,” the draft final conclusion of the
Venice Commission on the draft constitutional amendments in Armenia
reads. In the Commission’s opinion, “its passing in the second reading
and then holding a successful constitutional referendum based on this
text will provide a good basis for ensuring human rights respect,
compliance of the Armenian Comstitution with European standards in the
fields of democracy and rule of the law, and will pave the way for
further European integration.” Presenting the draft to reporters at
the July 22 press conference, the Head of the Armenian delegation in
the PACE, Chairman of the NA Ad Hoc Commission on European Integration
Issues, NA Vice Speaker Tigran Torosian noted that prior to becoming a
final document, the draft must be approved by the Commission at the
sitting to be held in October, however, as a rule, the drafts prepared
by experts are passed by the Commission without any amendments.

According to the draft, the Venice Commission, appreciating the
Armenian authorities’ “efforts and good will”, underlined the
necessity of holding open and broad discussions on the final version
and keeping the public informed with the aim of ensuring success at
the referendum to be held in November. In this connection the
Commission attached importance to extensive and fair coverage of the
reforms by the media. The draft conclusion contains 36 points and in
particular addresses the specific principal points of the revised
version of the draft constitutional amendments. The Commission
assessed positively the mechanism of electing the RA Ombudsman by
three fifths of the National Assembly members, and the revised
approach to the formation of government in the issue of the
authorities’ counterbalance and control. At the same time, in the
opinion of the Commission, the government structure must be defined by
law. The Commission also proposed to revise, in case of a successful
referendum, all the laws of the judicial system by bringing them in
line with European standards. The amendmends regarding the local
self-government system were also deemed to be positive, particularly
those establishing Yerevan as a community and making the post of
Yerevan Mayor elective. 5 points referred to the freedom, independence
and pluralism of the media. If by the previous version, the
candidatures of the National Television and Radio Commission members
were nominated by the RA President, by the current revised version,
half of the Commission shall be appointed by the RA President and
another half – by the National Assembly. The appointed persons must be
nonpartisan – welcoming this amendment, the Venice Commission reminded
that appointment must be professional merit-based. At the same time,
the order of appointing all the members of the Public Television and
Radio Company by the RA President was considered as a problem causing
one. In the Commission’s opinion, in case of keeping this order,
transparent mechanisms of appointment must be ensured in order to
avoid possible political speculations.

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN LEAVES FOR JAVAKHK

Azg/arm
23 July 05

RA Prime Minister will pay a working visit to Samtskhe-Javakhk region
of Georgia. Zurab Noghayidze, Georgian Prime Minister, will receive
him in Ninotsminda, on the Armenian-Georgian border. Andranik
Margarian will visitregional centers Ninotsminda and Akhalqalaki, the
monastery complex of Vardzia, Gandza, as well as the Armenian village
of Samsar. It’s worth mentioning that recently, a clash between the
Samsar residents and Georgian clergymen and students took place. RA PM
will leave for Tbilisi on July 25, where he is going to meet with
Mikheil Saakashvili.

USAID REFUSES TO COMMENT ON SITUATION OVER ARMENIAN ELECTRIC NETWORKS

YEREVAN, JULY 21. ARMINFO. USAID Country Director for Armenia Robin
Phillips refuses to comment on the recent situation over the Armenian
Electric NEtworks company.

He says that journalists keep asking him one an the same question
each time formulating it differently. Phillips also refuses to say if
USAID’s recent statement means that it is going to stop its programs
in Armenia’s energy sector. He says that USAID has already be expressed
its opinion in its statement.

To remind the statement says that unless the situation clears up
USAID will ave to reconsider its package of assistance to Armenia to
see how successful some current or planned programs will be if the
contract on AEN ownership is changed. This is also necessary if the
change in ownership is drafted inappropriately.

Wednesday Head of WB Armenia Office Roger Robinson also refused of
comment on the response of the Midland Resources holding on providing
additional information about its deal on AEN. In his turn President of
Midland Resources Alex Schneider said that his holding has committed
100% of AEN to the trust of Interenergo B.V, daughter company of RAO
EES (United Energy Systems of Russia) company.

Iran, Armenia discuss boost in ties

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
July 20 2005

Moscow, July 20, IRNA — Iran and Armenia Tuesday in Yerevan explored
possible avenues for bolstering bilateral cooperation in various
political and economic fields.

In a meeting held between visiting Iran’s Special Representative
for the Caspian Sea Affairs and Director General of the Commonwealth
Independent States (CIS), Mehdi Safari, and Armenian President Robert
Kocharian, the two officials also discussed the latest regional
developments.

During the meeting, Safari handed over a written message of Iran’s
president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Kocharian, appreciating his
congratulatory message on his landslide victory in the 9th presidential
election.

Meanwhile, in a meeting between Safari and Head of the Armenian
presidential administration, Artashes Tumanian, in Yerevan on Tuesday,
the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern.

The two officials discussed bilateral relations and projects currently
underway in the fields of gas, electricity and construction of
power plants.

Safari and Tumanian hoped the sixth session of joint Iran-Armenia
economic commission would be held in Tehran after inauguration of
the new government.

In a related development, Safari met with Armenian Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian in Yerevan on Tuesday during which the two sides
stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation within the framework
of North-South corridor.

Oskanian stressed his country’s determination to further boost
cooperation with Tehran.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed regional developments and
issues of mutual interest and called for consultation between Tehran
and Yerevan on international developments.

ALL-ARMENIAN YOUTH FESTIVAL STARTED IN VAYOTS DZOR

YEREVAN, JULY 18. ARMINFO. The process of choice of participants of
“Baze” (falcon) All-Armenian Youth Festival started in Vayots Dzor
on July 17.

Head of sports part Aghasi Hovhannissyan noted that number of
participants totaled 110 parted to 10 groups (10 participants in each
group). In his words, the best ten participants is to be elected to
compete in Yerevan.

“Baze” will take place in Yerevan from Jul 18 to Aug 5. About 2.000
young men will participate there. Armenia will be divided into three
colors: Tavush, Lori and Shirak will be at red front, Gegharkunik,
Kotayk, Aragatsotn and Armavir at blue, and Syunik, Vayots Dzor and
Ararat at orange. About 60 groups from Armenia, NKR, Iran, Georgia
and Russia will participate at the festival. Sports, cultural and
intellectual competitions will be organized within the festival
framework. 75 mln AMD have been allotted from the state budget for its
organization. The festival has been conducted in Armenia since 2002.

Los Angeles Times
July 15 2005

L.A. City College Names President After 2 Years
>>From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Steve Maradian, a longtime higher education administrator currently
serving as vice president for government relations at the American
University of Armenia, has been named president of Los Angeles City
College.

Maradian, 54, will be the first permanent president of the two-year
campus in East Hollywood since 2003.

Interim President Doris Givens, who served two years, will be the
interim president at West Los Angeles College.

Erdogan Moralizes Armenian Diaspora
By Can Karpat, AIA Turkish section

Axis Information and Analysis (AIA)
08.07.2005

Recep Tayip Erdogan, who witnessed protests of an Armenian group in
front of the hotel where the meeting was scheduled, uttered his wish
to see Armenian people living in the United States of America display
a more positive and constructive attitude, Turkish Dunya Gazetesi
newspaper reports.

The Turkish Prime Minister put emphasise on the fact that Turkey
is trying to improve its relations with its neighbours in order to
contribute to peace and stability in the region, and pursued: “Our
aim is not to gain enemies, but friends”. Erdogan stated: “I am
sorry to say that the sole country, which does not dare to take a
profit from that fact is Armenia. I believe that the dynamics, which
prevent Armenia from adopting a more far-sighted line and having a
better common sense, are just wasting the time of Armenian people. We
hope that Armenian people, who live in the United States of America,
will be more constructive. And we also want to have a positive reaction
to our efforts to make the Armenian claims clearer”. The Turkish
Prime Minister, who demanded the United States of America not to
take in esteem propagandas bereft of any foundation, and followed:
“The United States of America should make positive contributions
to Turkish-Armenian relations”. Erdogan, who stated that political
decisions, which had been taken in some countries, which are not
involved in the issue at all, would not contribute to the resolution of
the conflict: “May this or that parliament take whatsoever decision,
we do not care where all these decisions come from anyway”.

Furthermore, the Turkish Prime Minister condemned once again the terror
events happened in London yesterday morning. Erdogan confirmed that
Turkey is doing everything in its power to fight against terrorism, and
that it is also ready to continue to do so. He stressed the necessity
of establishing a common platform to fight against terrorism, and
he stated that terrorism cannot be beaten by one country alone. To
a question about Iraq, Erdogan replied that the Iraqi Constitution
should have to be prepared in order that it will not leave Kerkuk to
administration of an ethnic group. He declared that Kerkuk belongs to
all of Iraqi people, and stated that mistakes, which had been made
in Saddam Hussein period, should not be repeated. As to a question
about the existence of the PKK terror organisation in Northern Iraq,
Erdogan replied that on that matter they have regular intelligence
contact with the United States of America, though that none of the
PKK militants has been delivered to Turkey yet. As to the European
Union membership issue, the Turkish Prime Minister stated that Turkey
will keep doing its best. Nevertheless, Erdogan also declared that
if after ten years any injustice is done to Turkey, they will inform
the whole world of this injustice done against Turkey. Erdogan,
who said that he could not know who will be in power in Turkey in
ten years, stated: “But one thing I can say is that if after ten
years the European Union membership does not come, Turkey will turn
the Copenhagen criteria into the Ankara criteria and follow its own
way”. Moreover, Erdogan stated that the Armenia issue cannot be a
condition for the European Union membership, and declared: “If they
impose such a condition on us, well the deal is over then”.

Border issue may hurt Iran-Armenia ties, says political scholar

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 15 2005

Baku, July 14, AssA-Irada

The main problem for the Iran-Armenia relations is the unresolved
border issue, the Iranian ambassador to Yerevan Alirza Hagigian
has said.

Commenting on the statement, political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoghlu
said the relations between the two countries have intensified and
problems emerged over the past month, he said.

Ahmadoghlu said that considering the two countries had no border
dispute in the Soviet Union times, the numerous reports about
this spreading of late may pose an obstacle for the Armenia-Iran
ties. He also cited the recent social problems and those relating to
the approval of diplomas faced by Iranian students in Armenia. The
analyst also advised Iranian families not to send their children to
this country to receive higher education.*