Author: Tavakalian Edgar

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
February 24, 2005 Thursday 11:29 AM Eastern Time

Armenia’s ties with NATO not to aggravate relations with Russia

By Tigran Liloyan

Robert Simons, the NATO Secretary-General’s special envoy on South
Caucasus and Central Asia, believes that Armenia’s relations with
NATO will not aggravate the country’s good relations with Russia.

Simons said that NATO was encouraging Armenia’s ties with Russia and
other countries, irrespective of their membership of whatever
international organizations, including the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO) or the CIS.

The special envoy noted that he had informed the Armenian leadership
during Thursday’s talks in Yerevan about the recent NATO summit in
Brussels and the reforms that were being pursued in the alliance.

Simons said that Armenia sought to support NATO’s international
efforts, especially in struggle against terrorism. He thanked the
Armenian side for backing America’s undertakings, especially in
Kosovo and Iraq.

STATE COMMISSION FOR ORGANIZING 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
HOLDS ITS REGULAR MEETING

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23. ARMINFO. The state commission for organizing the
90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held its regular meeting
today.

The commissioners considered the improved version of the anniversary
program. It starts in Apr by an international conference entitled “XXI
Without Genocides.” Attending the event will be representatives of the
Armenian communities of the countries recognizing the Armenian
Genocide.

The commissioners also considered the list of books on the Armenian
Genocide to be published by the IT Foundation under the program. A
special task force has been set up to carry out information work.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 23 2005

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES CREDENTIALS FROM NEWLY
APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF GERMANY
[February 22, 2005, 22:59:43]

On February 22, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
received credentials from newly appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary
and Extraordinary of the Federative Republic of Germany to Azerbaijan
Detlef Lingemann.

Noting he was pleased to start diplomatic activity in Azerbaijan,
Ambassador Lingemann said in particular that he considered this
appointment as a high award and a great responsibility.

He recalled the summer 2004 visit by President Ilham Aliyev to
Germany, which according to him has allowed to raise bilateral
relations between the two countries up to a new level.

During that visit, Your Excellency and Mr. Federal Chancellor
discussed concrete possibilities of economic cooperation, and in
order to intensify economic links, you agreed to hold a conference in
Berlin in spring this year with involvement of representatives of
Azerbaijan and Germany, and I think it is very important for the
conference to be successful, he said.

The diplomat also said that over the past year the Government of
Germany had provide considerable financial assistance for development
of Azerbaijan, and supporting democratic reforms in the country. I
will do my best for continuation of this cooperation, and this also
concerns the reforms you are implementing for Azerbaijan’s
integration into the Euroatlantic structures, he said.

Noting that unresolved conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
Nagorno-Karabakh impedes ensuring security and economic development
in the region, Mr. Detlef Lingemann said that Germany is absolutely
sure that the problem would be solved only peacefully, in the
framework of the principles of UN and OSCE. Germany welcomes
continuation of the Prague process, and is always ready to continue
its mediating efforts under the OSCE.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev congratulated Ambassador the
Federative Republic of Germany on the start up of his diplomatic
mission in Azerbaijan, and expressed satisfaction with successful
development of Azerbaijan-Germany cooperation in political, economic
humanitarian and other spheres.

He expressed confidence that his official visit to the Federative
Republic of Germany, and meetings and negotiations held there had
brought our countries closer, and given a powerful impetus to our
cooperation. Meetings with President, Federal Chancellor, Foreign
Minister and other German officials made me again confident that
future of our cooperation is as fine as its present, the President
said.

President of Azerbaijan also expressed satisfaction with Germany’s
support with respect to Azerbaijan’s integration into Euroatlantic
structures, and highly valued the country’s efforts to contribute to
peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. We see the resolution of this conflict only on the base of
the principles of international law, territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan must be restored, over million refugees and displaced
people who suffered from ethnic cleansing, must return to their
homelands, President Ilham Aliyev said.

***

Afterwards, Ambassador Detlef Lingemann presented his credentials to
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The ceremony was attended by Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov and Head of the International Relations Department of the
President’s Administration Novruz Mammadov.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
February 16, 2005, Wednesday

“NO TALKS FOR THE SAKE OF TALKS”

SOURCE: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 14, 2005, pp. 1, 3

by Viktoria Panfilova

ILHAM ALIYEV ON THE KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT: POTENTIAL OF THE
PEACEKEEPING PROCESS IS NOT EXHAUSTED YET BUT WE DO NOT WANT TALKS
FOR THE SAKE OF TALKS

Here is an interview with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the
eve of his departure for Moscow.

Question: How will you appraise the Azerbaijani-Russian relations at
this point?

Ilham Aliyev: We regard them as a strategic partnership.

Regional stability and security depend on interaction between our
countries. Russia is a chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group mandated to
settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

Question: It is common knowledge that Moscow will back any decision
the warring sides agree on. Is Russia’s role restricted to the OSCE
Minsk Group framework or does it wield any additional clout?

Ilham Aliyev: Russia is the only chairman that has a border with
Azerbaijan, it is a regional power. Needless to say, it ups its
responsibility in the matter of conflict settlement. We believe that
the OSCE Minsk Group should first and foremost promote the principles
of international law in accordance with which territorial integrity
of every country is inviolate.

This is how we perceive settlement: territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan restored, Armenian occupation troops withdrawn from
Azerbaijani territories, and refugees back in their homes. That is
when there is going to be peace. I hope that the international
community leans towards this solution too. I even believe that the
recent activation of the OSCE Minsk Group may not be entirely
fruitless.

Question: Experts say that the latest resolution of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe suits Azerbaijan much more than
Armenia. Will official Baku try to develop this diplomatic success
and undertake to withdraw the settlement from the framework of the
OSCE Minsk Group? Will it try to have the matter handled by the
Council of Europe and the UN?

Ilham Aliyev: We are convinced that the Minsk Group should go on
performing the functions specified by the UN and using the OSCE as a
mediator. We do not want any new mediators at this point. At the same
time, we admit that we are dissatisfied with the Minsk Group because
of the sad lack of results.

The Armenian side repeats every now and then that it is quite content
with the Minsk Group’s performance, probably because there is nothing
to show for all its efforts. Generally speaking, we do not want any
changes in the format of the settlement but we do believe that
involvement of international organizations will facilitate the peace
process. That is why we brought the matter to the attention of the UN
and Council of Europe despite Armenia’s protestations.

The European Union is more deeply involved in the problem of Karabakh
and we welcome it. It is involved through the prism of regional
economic co-operation. I would say that a broad discussion of the
matter in international structures will have its positive effect.

Question: Do you plan to discuss the matter with Putin in Moscow? He
will probably bring it up at the Russian-American summit in Slovakia
soon.

Ilham Aliyev: I would say yes. In any case, we always discuss the
matter when we meet, and the previous summit was not an exception.
Moreover, within the framework of the Armenian-Azerbaijani meeting
that took place during the CIS summit, was also attended by the
president of Russia. It shows Russia’s interest in settlement of the
conflict.

Question: Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov visited Baku not
long ago. Reorganization of the CIS and the Karabakh problem were
reported as central issues on the agenda. There are reports, however,
that Lavrov also tried to get Azerbaijan to join the Organization of
the CIS Collective Security Treaty. Is there a kernel of truth here?

Ilham Aliyev: No, we did not even discuss it. We do not contemplate
joining the Organization of the CIS Collective Security Treaty.

Question: You recent visited Tehran. Media outlets reported that in
return for Iranian promises of economic preferences Azerbaijan
offered guarantees of non-involvement in the operation against Iran
the Pentagon was preparing. What exactly were you promised in Tehran?

Ilham Aliyev: Nothing like that was brought up in Tehran. As for the
development of bilateral relations between our countries, the visit
was quite important indeed.

As for foreign military bases on the territory of Azerbaijan, our
position on the subject is quite clear: Azerbaijan does not consider
foreign military bases on its territory expedient.

If this foreign military presence is needed to facilitate a solution
to the problem of Karabakh, well, we may give it a thought…

Question: But Azerbaijan and Armenia alike spoke of the possibility
of using force to solve the problem. I am talking about Armenian
Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisjan and Azerbaijani ex-foreign minister
Vilajat Guliyev…

Ilham Aliyev: That Azerbaijan has been discussing the matter in the
talks for over a decade already (with nothing to show for it, but
that’s Armenia’s fault) indicates that we stand for a peaceful
solution to the problem. I do not think that the potential of the
peace process has been exhausted yet. We remain hopeful.

At the same time, we do not want talks for the sake of talks. We will
not be a party to an imitation. If we find the talks pointless and
some other situation develops, the dialogue will be suspended. We are
working on our armed forces. Arms spending grew by almost 40% in
2004. We spend on defense twice as much as Armenia does. We will up
this potential yet. Economic potentials of Azerbaijan and Armenia are
incomparable, and we have not yet implemented some major economic
projects. We plan a 15% growth of the GDP this year. From the point
of view of old terms, Armenia cannot hope to withstand an arms race.

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER WELL

A1+
17-02-2005

“Presently Russia is Armenia’s major trade-economic partner”, today
this statement was once again heard during the meeting of Russian FM
Sergey Lavrov and Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan.

Over 160 international and intergovernmental agreements have been
signed between the two countries.

During the meeting the interlocutors discussed Property for Debt
Program. Sergey Lavrov affirmed that Russian party does its best to
make essential investments in the Armenian enterprises including the
Mars plant and Science and Research Institutes and secure their normal
functioning. He also underscored the necessity of timely supplying
of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant with fuel in order to secure its
continuous work and highlighted the importance of modernization of
the NPP.

When touching upon the cooperation in the field of transport
communication the Armenian Prime Minister noted that our country pays
special attention to the opening of the Caucasus-Poti railway and
ferry routes what will allow to considerably contribute to the cargo
transportation between the two countries. Andranik Margaryan said
he is satisfied with Armenia’s joining North-South transport corridor.

In the course of the meeting the parties exchanged opinions on the
prospects of opening of the Abkhazian sector of the Georgian railway
and other issues of mutual interest.

RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEY LAVROV TO DISCUSS COOPERATION ISSUES WITH
RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16. ARMINFO. One of the points in the schedule
of meetings of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, arriving
in Yerevan on one-day visit, is consideration of the fulfillment of
Moscow Agreements (May 2004) at the highest level regarding the further
increase in the level of Russian-Armenian interaction, in particular,
solution to transport problems of Armenia, fuel and energy sphere,
enlargement of direct economic ties between the subjects of RF and
Armenia. Official Representative of Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander
Yakovenko makes this statement in connection with the visit of Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Yerevan starting Wednesday.

Yakovenko says that one of the priorities during the negotiations
will be the increasing trade-and-economic, cultural and humanitarian
cooperation. Issues of organization of national years of Russia
and Armenia in 2005 and 2006 will be discussed as well. A special
attention will be paid to coordination of efforts to increase the
political interaction against international terrorism. He says that
Moscow and Yerevan are disposed to deeper exchange of opinions on
the problem of bilateral interaction in the international area,
coordination of acts at international organizations, as well as on
regional problems. The sides will also discuss issues of interaction
within the framework of CIS, including CSTO. The sides will focus
on coordination of efforts of the two countries’ foreign political
departments on rehabilitation of the situation in the Caucasus,
settlement of the existing conflicts, creation of an atmosphere of
trust to launch an all Caucasian cooperation, Yakovenko says.

UPI Intelligence Watch
by JOHN C.K. DALY

United Press International
February 11, 2005 Friday 3:28 PM EST

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11

[parts omitted]

The United States might be trying to isolate Iran internationally,
but that hasn’t stopped Armenia from deepening its ties with its
neighbor to the south. During a visit to Armenia, President Mohammad
Khatami said that Tehran-Yerevan cooperation will promote mutual
interest, regional security and stability. Khatami met with the
secretary of the Armenian National Security Council, Serzh Sarkisian.
Khatami stressed that Iran supports Armenia, believing that mutual
cooperation can help development and security in the Caucasus.
Sarkisian voiced his hopes for further expansion of bilateral
relations, commenting that cooperation in the fields of culture,
education and economy is in the interest of regional security.
Linking the railways of the two neighboring countries would be
effective in establishing the north-south corridor, Sarkisian added.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 10 2005

OCCUPIED AZERBAIJAN TERRITORIES USED FOR NARCOTIC TRAFFICKING
[February 10, 2005, 10:51:27]

The delegation of International Assistance Department of the Ministry
of Customs and excises of the Great Britain has arrived with visit to
Azerbaijan with a view of studying opportunities of rendering of the
technical aid in the field of customs and excise of Azerbaijan.

At the meeting of delegation taken place on February 9 with the first
vice-president of the State Customs Committee, the general-lieutenant
of customs service Aydin Aliyev, was presented information on the way
of development passed by the Azerbaijan customs service. It has been
marked that among the western countries the Azerbaijan Customs
Committee has signed the first document with the Great Britain.

Having noted that the Regional Educational Center of the World
Customs Organization locating in Baku and the Center of Cynology
function today on the basis of the principles of work fully complying
the world standards, Aydyn Aliyev spoke of the effective work
directed on combat against illegal circulation of drugs. He has
declared, that through occupied by the armed forces of Armenia the
uncontrollable Azerbaijan territories, which have stayed now away
from the international monitoring, drugs are taken across to Europe,
that the said territories are used for drag trafficking.

Highly having estimated the done work, the visitors – Andrew Argil,
Nagara Harginder and Ms. Kelly Veryard have taken interest also in
what the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan requires in the field
of the technical aid.

Speaking about the technical assistance received within the framework
of cooperation with authoritative international structures, Aydyn
Aliyev has noted that the boats given to Azerbaijan are suitable for
coast guard, besides, there is necessity for special devices and
equipment for more exact and operative detection of drugs.

Then, the British customs officers have familiarized with the
Regional Educational Center of WTO in Baku and the Center of
Cynology.

Armenian paper accuses OSCE Karabakh mission of one-sidedness

Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
9 Feb 05

Excerpt from Vardan Grigoryan’s report by Armenian newspaper Ayots
Ashkar on 9 February headlined “We and the OSCE monitoring mission”

The results of the OSCE monitoring mission to the liberated territories
[Nagornyy Karabakh] will be made public only in spring. But today
problems have already emerged which the Armenian party has to
attend to.

Although the head of the mission, Emily Haber, and its members assured
us that they were implementing only technical work and were not going
to make any political statement, this kind of initiative itself gives
us certain grounds for political conclusions.

At issue is first of all the political context of the monitoring
mission. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s latest statement implies
that Azerbaijan is trying to put on the UN agenda one of the details
of the negotiations held in Astana and Prague: the problem of refugees
and territories seized as a result of the war. In fact, Azerbaijan
has made a manoeuvre that has distracted the world community. Since in
turn the Armenian party did not object to the OSCE sending a monitoring
mission to Karabakh, the mission was given a green light automatically.

Even the monitors hint at the one-sidedness of their own mandate,
i.e. the refusal to visit Shaumyan [Goranboy], Getashen [Caykand]
and other districts controlled by the Azerbaijani armed forces is
temporary. That is to say, if Armenia, for its part, applies to the
UN, a new mission may be organized by mutual agreement of the parties.

Naturally, this position of the OSCE Minsk Group and of the monitoring
mission members causes a number of questions connected with one
another.

First, what is the reason of this close attention of the world
community to the known manoeuvre of Azerbaijan? Second, may the results
of the monitoring of only the territories controlled by the Armenian
forces become a basis for all-embracing political conclusions for
the world community? Third, are the views sounding in Armenia that
the OSCE monitoring mission arrived in the region with two versions
of the report prepared in advance substantiated? For this reason,
everything will depend not on the results of the visit but on how
the Armenian party will behave in future.

There are several answers to these questions.

a) What happened is a result of agreement between Azerbaijan’s
“caprice” and the Armenian party’s kind will. Therefore, it is natural
that the monitors’ report, as well as further steps stemming from it,
should lead to the conclusions stemming from this logic. [Sentence
as received]

b) The OSCE monitoring mission’s one-sided mandate creates a basis for
biased conclusions, which will spur the transfer of the negotiations
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group onto quite a different
plain by means of more monitoring missions to Karabakh and the
liberated territories.

Obviously, in case of the first option, we may not pay attention to
what has happened. But if some international organizations continue
to support Azerbaijan’s current attempt to divert the course of the
negotiations, it is imperative that Armenia take steps in response.

[Passage omitted: minor details]

President receives Turkish parliament speaker

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 8 2005

Baku, February 7, AssA-Irada — President Ilham Aliyev, receiving a
delegation led by the Great National Assembly (parliament) ñhairman
Bulent Arinc on Monday, pointed out the developing friendly ties
between the two countries. Azerbaijan and Turkey are successfully
co-operating in the political, economic and humanitarian fields,
he said.

Arinc said the two countries are successfully collaborating within the
UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe. Touching upon the Upper Garabagh
conflict, he said that his country “stands beside Azerbaijan and
shares its challenges”.*

–Boundary_(ID_nmNS5B1XSsOBT4tQKIaorQ)–