World’s Elite High School Programmers To Compete In Live TopCoder Hi

WORLD’S ELITE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMMERS TO COMPETE IN LIVE TOPCODER HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT

Earthtimes
Feb 28 2008
UK

GLASTONBURY, Conn., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — TopCoder(R), Inc.,
the leader in online programming competition, skills assessment and
competitive software development, today announced the 49 finalists
from around the world who have earned a spot in the TopCoder High
School Tournament finals (finalist names and countries below). The
TopCoder High School Tournament is the premier computer programming
tournament for high school-aged math and science students, ages 13
to 18, enrolled in secondary schools or equivalent programs world-wide.

Competition began online in December 2007, challenging math and
computer science students to demonstrate their problem-solving skills
by unraveling complex word problems by writing computer programs that
solve the problems. TopCoder’s tournament finals will bring together
49 of the most talented high school programmers from 16 countries,
in quest of bragging rights, scholarships and cash prizes worth more
than $50,000.

"The competitive technical nature of today’s world makes it more
important than ever to encourage, reward and recognize those who
possess the skills to shape tomorrow’s software innovations," said
Rob Hughes, president and COO for TopCoder. "TopCoder’s High School
and College tournaments provide students from around the world with a
fun and competitive learning environment to build and showcase their
talent, and see how they rate compared to other top technical minds
of their generation."

TopCoder High School Tournament participants are provided problems
and challenges similar to those that are used in actual TopCoder
competitions to build real software for many of the world’s most
recognized brands, such as AOL, ESPN and VeriSign. This provides an
unprecedented real-world learning environment that introduces high
school students to algorithm, design and development practices. The
TopCoder competitions cultivate software design and development skills
that are in the highest demand, showcasing individuals for college
admissions and job recruitment by top employers like Eli Lilly,
Deutsche Bank and the U.S. National Security Agency.

The 2008 TopCoder High School Tournament, an annual competition, will
take place on March 15, 2008 at the Lawson Building on the campus
of Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, USA. More information,
including a tournament program, on-site schedule and profiles of this
year’s finalists, visit:

2008 TopCoder High School Tournament Finalists Maciej Andrejczuk
(Bialystok, Poland) Marcin Andrychowicz (Grojec, Poland) Filip
Barl (Zagreb, Croatia) Mikita Belahlazau (Minsk, Belarus) Anton
Bogatyy (Moscow, Russian Federation) Miroslav Bogdanovic (Beograd,
Serbia) Wenyu Cao (Belle Mead, NJ, United States) Alexey Cherepanov
(Stavropol, Russian Federation) Ziheng Deng (Zhongshan City, China)
Ivaylo Enchev (Shumen, Bulgaria) Valentin Fondaratov (St. Petersburg,
Russian Federation) Yan Gu (Zhongshan, Guangdong, China) Prashanth Guru
(Scarborogh, Canada) Sibo He (Zhongshan, China) Rumen Hristov (Shumen,
Bulgaria) Petar Ivanov (Shumen, Bulgaria) Igor Jerkovic (Zagreb,
Croatia) Adam Karczmarz (Stalowa Wola, Poland) Michal Karpinski
(Jaslo, Poland) Ivica Kicic (Zagreb, Croatia) Maciej Klimek (Gorzow
Wielkopolski, Poland) Pawel Klimek (Radom, Poland) Frane Kurtovic
(Zagreb, Croatia) Nikolay Kuznetsov (Saratov, Russian Federation)
Spencer Liang (Cupertino, CA, United States) Sergey Melnikov (Vologda,
Russian Federation) Miroslaw Michalski (Gdynia, Poland) Florian Moga
(Sacele, Romania) Leo Osvald (Zagreb, Croatia) Filip Pavetic (Kriz,
Croatia) Bruno Rahle (Zagreb, Croatia) Marek Rogala (Gdansk, Poland)
Vidya Sagar (Chennai, India) Hayk Saribekyan (Yerevan, Armenia)
Jonathan Schneider (Toronto, Canada) Sergey Serebryakov (Petrozavodsk,
Russian Federation) Marcel Stockli Contreras (Guanajuato, Mexico)
Szilveszter Szebeni (Budaors, Hungary) Momchil Tomov (Pleven,
Bulgaria) Timur Valiev (Kazan, Russian Federation) Levan Varamashvili
(Tbilisi, Georgia) Hanson Wang (Toronto, Canada) Ye Wang (Wuhu, China)
Nathan Watson (Lubbock, TX, United States) Neal Wu (Baton Rouge, LA,
United States) Yi Yang (Wuhu, China) Arman Yessenamanov (Ekibastuz,
Kazakhstan) Dong Zhou (Wuhu, China) Goran Zuzic (Zagreb, Croatia)
About TopCoder, Inc.

TopCoder is the world’s largest competitive software development
community with over 140,000 developers representing more than
200 countries. TopCoder hosts the largest and most comprehensive
developer ratings and performance metrics available. The TopCoder
community builds software for a wide-ranging client base through a
competitive, rigorous, standards based methodology. This methodology
results in a highly consistent set of software components allowing a
software-as-parts approach to application development. TopCoder makes
this large library of software components built through competition
available to all of our clients. Utilizing a world-wide member base and
this library, TopCoder seeks to lower the cost of software development
while increasing both the speed at which applications can be developed
and the quality of the ultimate application. For more information
about utilizing TopCoder’s software services or sponsoring TopCoder
events, visit

TopCoder is a registered trademark of TopCoder, Inc. in the United
States and other countries. All other product and company names herein
may be trademarks of their respective owners.

http://www.topcoder.com/tchs08.
http://www.topcoder.com/.

Abkhazia’s Recognition Of Kosovo Would Be Pointless – Bagapsh

ABKHAZIA’S RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO WOULD BE POINTLESS – BAGAPSH

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS
February 26, 2008
Russia

If Abkhazia recognizes Kosovo’s independence, this will not
significantly amend the current political situation in the world,
said Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh.

"Journalists have asked me frequently of late why Abkhazia was not
among the first countries to recognize Kosovo. If anything depended
on our recognition, we would have long ago recognized independence
of South Ossetia, Transdniestria, and Nagorno-Karabakh, and they
would have recognized us, but what’s the point? Everything should be
done correctly, and it is necessary to anticipate how this or that
step could work and how expedient this would be in political terms,"
Bagapsh said at a press conference in Sukhumi on Tuesday.

"We perfectly understand that Russia cannot immediately resolve the
problem of Abkhazia’s independence, and the way the situation is
developing these days confirms this," he said.

The State Duma will hold hearings on Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and
Transdniestria on March 13-14, Bagapsh said, adding that he plans
to visit Moscow at this time for meetings at the State Duma and the
Federation Council.

"As regards the international community, there are no reasons to
expect a prompt positive decision on our issue. Such addresses were
made earlier," Bagapsh said.

"Afghanistan rather than the U.S. and the United Kingdom was among
the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence. Abkhazia also
has its plan, and we are not going to miss the chance for having our
independence recognized," he said.

"There is every reason to recognize Abkhazia, first of all legal ones,"
he said.

BAKU: Public Figure Says Armenia To Set Up Kurdish Province In Occup

PUBLIC FIGURE SAYS ARMENIA TO SET UP KURDISH PROVINCE IN OCCUPIED AZERI DISTRICT

Azadliq
Feb 22 2008
Azerbaijan

Terrorists from the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] supported [Prime
Minister] Serzh Sargsyan in the Armenianpresidential election, Faiq
Ismayilov, the chairman of the public movement for the protection of
historical and culturalmonuments in Azerbaijani occupied territories,
has said.

The Armenian media have reported that over 60,000 PKK supporters have
moved to Armenia from Iraq and that theArmenian government plans to
settle all these Kurds in Azerbaijan’s occupied district of Lacin,
Ismayilov said.

Ismayilov said that a statement made on behalf of Kurds in December
2007 said that they support presidentialcandidate Serzh Sargsyan. The
statement says that it will be possible to form a Kurdish province
in Lacin only thanks toSargsyan. "If this plan is implemented, a new
nest of separatism will appear in the South Caucasus." Ismayilovsaid
that the Kurdish supporters of the PKK enjoy Sargsyan’s special
support. "Armenians admit that in theautumn 1992 PKK terrorists played
a special role in the occupation of Lacin that is situated between
Nagornyy Karabakhand Armenia. Major projects are being prepared for
creating and expanding ties in future between Iraqi Kurdistan and
theKurdish province being created in Lacin."

It is natural that the settlement of PKK Kurds in the occupied
districts of Azerbaijan should set alarm bells ringingfor us. Remarks
by Foreign Ministry official Araz Azimov a few days ago about the PKK
approaching the country’sborder suggests that the danger is serious.

Although the press has on many occasions reported on this problem
and itsseriousness, officials have never reacted to this. The fact
that now they are speaking about the existence of the dangercan be
regarded as a confirmation of serious problems in this sphere.

The head of the National Security Ministry press service, Arif Babayev,
has said that the ministry is thoroughlylooking into and analysing
all media reports on this subject. "If cases that run counter to the
national interests are observed, preventive measures will certainly
be taken," he said.

Silence: 20 Years Have Passed Since Sumgait

SILENCE: 20 YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE SUMGAIT
Haik Demoyan

KarabakhOpen
28-02-2008 17:48:28

The genocide in Sumgait has already been included in encyclopedias
and is defined as a massacre and mass displacement of the Armenian
population of Sumgait planned and perpetrated by the Azerbaijani
circles on February 27-29, 1988.

The purpose of the crime was to prevent the possibility of the
settlement of the Karabakh issue, intimidate the Armenians with the
prospect of new bloodshed and force Artsakh to give up the national
liberation struggle. On the eve of the pogroms the Azerbaijani party
functionary E. Asadov threatened to "punish" the Armenians by an
invasion at Nagorno-Karabakh. On February 26, the day before the
start of the pogroms, in a meeting with the Armenian intelligentsia,
Mikhail Gorbachov said "worried" about the security of the 200 thousand
Armenians living in Baku, relating the given factor to the claims
of the Armenians of Artsakh for unification of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region and Soviet Armenia.

In order to kindle passions, false rumors were circulated in Sumgait
that in Armenia allegedly pogroms of Azerbaijanis and looting is
underway. In particular, the TV address of the prosecutor general
of the USSR Katusev about the death of two Azerbaijanis during the
events in Askeran was a clear provocation.

The crime had been planned beforehand. Evidence to this is the list
of addresses of Armenians, the scenario written beforehand and the
division of roles (killers, looters, arson of property, elimination
of traces of crime), iron sticks and other equipment produced long
before, distribution of alcohol and narcotics. Besides, telephones
in the houses of Armenians were disconnected, the Police and the
Ambulance Station idled, a system of signs was used for marking the
places where Armenians lived, etc.

The Azerbaijanis behaved differently during the monstrous crime. Some
of them hid their Armenian neighbors, and saved a lot of people,
others pointed to the places where the Armenians were hiding.

The results of 3 days of pogroms were horrible, the perpetrators were
cruel: dozens were killed, most of them were tortured and burned to
death, many were raped, mostly adolescents, 18 thousand people became
refugees, 200 houses of Armenian were robbed and ruined, dozens of
kiosks, shops, production facilities were destroyed, dozens of cars
were burned and crashed.

On February 29 Soviet troops were deployed in Sumgait but violence
and murders continued all through that day. The troops did not have
an order to use weapon and could not help the Armenians. Only in the
evening did they crack down on the mob and stopped pogroms.

49 were tried and only one was sentenced to capital punishment. The
others were accused of murder, rape, pogrom, without ruling out the
motive "hooliganism". Instead of trying all the criminals together
they filed different suits and scattered them to different cities of
the country.

Trials breached the regulations and violated the rights of the
sufferers.

After the collapse of the USSR most cases of the perpetrators of
the genocide were dismissed, and they were acquitted. The crime was
not condemned officially, and no condolences were offered to the
sufferers. The absence of an adequate evaluation of the crime caused
a surge of pogroms in different cities of the USSR. The police and
law enforcers also avoided punishment. The exact number of victims
of the Genocide in Sumgait is not known.

The USSR office of prosecutor general stated relying on data provided
by the office of the Azerbaijani prosecutor that 27 citizens of
Armenian origin died in Sumgait.

Arakelyan Arshak Levon Arushanyan Razmela Atanes Arushanyan Vladimir
Avanes Avagyan Lola Pavel Avagyan Yuri Bagrat Avanesyan Albert Manvel
Avanesyan Valeri Manvel Aramyan Artur Armo Aramyan Armo Ashot Babayan
Arshak Aslan Babayan Elena Markos Grigoryan Emma Shirin Danielyan
Nikolay Artem Danielyan Seda Osip Tovmasyan Rafik Hambardzum Ghambaryan
Alexander Alexander Martirosov Garry Artem Melkumyan Edward Soghomon
Melkumyan Igor Soghomon Melkumyan Irina Soghomon Melkumyan Raisa
Arsen Melkumyan Soghomon Margar Melkumyan Piruza Arakelovna Movsesova
Hersilia Bkhshi Sargsyan Shahen Gerasim Trdatov Gabriel Aram

However, the facts are sufficient reason to doubt the official
information.

Witnesses say there were over 70 unidentified bodies at the morgue. The
chair of the USSR Council of Ministers N. Rizhkov voiced doubt
about the real number of victims. Some of the victims were buried
in Baku, there were cases when the cause of death was concealed or
falsified. The Armenians of Sumgait who escaped the pogroms went to
Russia and other countries of the CIS.

Although the international community has not defined the massacres in
Sumgait as a genocide yet, it was condemned by the European parliament
(resolution 1988), the U.S. Senate (1989) and the parliament of
Argentina.

On March 8, 1988 a memorial to the victims of Sumgait was put up
at the Memorial of Stepanakert, and a khachkar was erected near
the Memorial to the victims of the Genocide of Armenians in 1915
(Tsitsernakaberd, Yerevan).

National Security Service Acts In Favor Of People, NSS Press Center

NATIONAL SECURITY SERVICE ACTS IN FAVOR OF PEOPLE, NSS PRESS CENTER ASSURES

Noyan Tapan
Feb 28, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The participants of the termless
action being held in Liberty Square the day before revealed two
employees of the National Security Service, whom they presented as
"instigators" and set them free later.

In connection with the incident the Press Center of the RA National
Security Service on February 28 made a statement, which, in particular,
read:

"It is thanks to the efforts of the representatives of the National
Security Service that a great number of arms and ammunitions, toxic and
explosive substances were confiscated from the participants of illegal
rallies disposed extremistically in the recent days, in connection with
which the Investigative Department of the National Security Service
has instituted a criminal case on the signs of Article 300, RA Criminal
Code. It is evidence that the RA National Security Service acts only in
favor of the people, with providing security of rally participants. We
once more assure that the National Security Service together with the
Police will continue performing their duties laid on them by the law
and warns some "hot heads" that any attempt of hindering service will
lead to the strictest responsibility envisaged by the law."

Levon Ter-Petrosian Told The EU Special Representative About His Det

LEVON TER-PETROSIAN TOLD THE EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT HIS DETERMINATION "TO FIGHT THE KLEPTOCRATIC SYSTEM TILL THE END"

Mediamax
February 28, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Ex-President of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrosian stated
during his meeting with the EU Special Representative Peter Semneby his
determination "to fight the existing kleptocratic system till the end".

As Mediamax was told in the press service of Levon Ter-Petrosian,
his meeting with Peter Semneby took place on February 27 in Yerevan.

The Ex-President also stated during the meeting that "the movement
headed by him will continue acting within the framework of the
Constitution and the laws".

The Truth About Khojalu Events

THE TRUTH ABOUT KHOJALU EVENTS

KarabakhOpen
27-02-2008 14:45:31

An anti-Armenian campaign has been hysterically raging in Azerbaijan
throughout the years following the Khojalu events. The purpose of
the campaign is to falsify the facts and bring discredit on Armenia
in the eyes of the international community. The Khojalu events when
peaceful people died were only the result of the political intrigues
and struggle for power in Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani propaganda trumpeted about the barbarities of Armenians
to the whole world spreading terrifying shots by TV channels a field
covered by defiled corpses. It was said that Khojalu is the revenge
of Armenians for Sumgait .

The real reasons lying behind these events are more convincingly
reflected in the testimonies of the Azeris themselves, both the
participants, eyewitnesses of the events and those who knew the ins
and outs in Baku.

Khojalu was the second after Shushi in its Azeri population in
Artsakh-Nagorno Karabagh Republic (NKR). The settlement is found in the
strategically vital place and divides the territory of Artsakh-Karabakh
into two. It was the military strategic importance of Khojalu that
since the very beginning of the National-liberation movement of the
Armenian population in Artsakh the Azerbaijani authorities began
intensive construction works and settling the Azeris from remote
regions in Khojalu as well as Meskhetian Turks since 1989. Because
of this single-minded policy of changing the demographic situation
in Artsakh and dissection of the Armenians of the region held by
the Azerbaijani authorities the population of the settlement tripled
from 2135 in 1988 to 6300 in 1991. Owing to this kind of artificial
increase Khojalu was granted status of town. (Report of Memorial,
Nezavisimaya gazeta, 18.06.1992). No doubt people were moving into a
militarily and politically unstable region not on their own free will.

According to M. Safaroghli, an Azerbaijani journalist, "Khojalu was
located in an important strategic position. Losing control over Khojalu
would mean a political fiasco for Moutalibov". (Newspaper "Nezavisimaya
Gazeta" -"Independent Newspaper"- February, 1993). With Shushi and
Aghdam, Khojalu was one of the key bases from where Stepanakert,
the capital of NKR, was continuously bombed during three winter
months shelled steadily and mercilessly, with the use of artillery,
antihail rocket systems and war missile emplacements.

The population of NKR which was in the danger of the total physical
extinction by Azerbaijan could survive only by neutralizing the
weapon emplacements of Khojalu and deblocking the airport. Hundreds of
peaceful people were killed in Stepanakert as the result of the daily
bombing from the close Khojalu. The military operation of the armed
forced of NKR to neutralize the weapon emplacements of Khojalu was
not a surprise for Azerbaijan. For the first time the Azeri side was
notified about the forthcoming attack by TV nearly two months before
the operation. Arif Yunusov, a well-known champion of human rights
in Azerbiajan, wrote about that in "Izvestia". The officials in Baku
did not try to hide their awareness, including Ayaz Moutalibov, the
president of Azerbaijan. He stressed that " the offense on Khojalu
was not a surprise" ("Ogoniok (Fire) Magazine, N 14-15, 1992). In
the interview to the Nezavisimaya gazeta newspaper he stated that
the corridor by which people could leave was reserved by Armenians
( Nezavisimaya gazeta newspaper, April 2, 1992). In his interview to
the Novoe Vremya journal Moutalibov confirmed his statement: It was
obvious shooting the Khojalu people was organized by somebody for
removing the power in Azerbaijan ( Novoe Vremya journal, March 6,
2001). As the result of these warnings most of the peaceful people
of Khojalu moved to safe zones.

The following fact is another proof the Azerbaijani authorities
were told on the forthcoming anticipatory assault of Armenians on
Khojalu. By midFebruary 1992 before leaving for Minsk to the summit
of the CIS, President A. Mutalibov ordered to throw all the collected
reserves of the military equipment in the Aghdam region. 11 tanks and
12 infantry fighting machines BMP-2 were quickly delivered there,
which with the available in Aghdam 44 caterpillar armored machines
of BRDM type, equipped with 12 millimeters calibers machine-guns
presented an inspiring force, which could help the Khojalu settlers
in case of an attack in any moment, but was also threaten Stepanakert
itself. (Kiril Stolyarov, op. cit. p. 251).

Besides, the Azerbaijani forces in Khojalu and Aghdam region were
equipped with over 35. 000 units of machine-guns and submachine guns
with enough number of cartridges ( Kiril Stolyarov, op. cit. p. 268).

By the beginning of the assault part of the civilian population
of Khojalu left the settlement, and by the end of February 1992,
according to various sources, some 1000 to 2500 people still remained
there, mostly peaceful civilians and soldiers of Azerbaijani armed
formations. On February 15 the Armenian side made an ultimatum:
the civilian population of Khojalu was offered to leave with a white
flag. (Helsinki Watch, op. cit., 1994, p. 20).

The detachments of NKR did everything possible to exclude the death of
the peaceful population of the settlement and left a corridor for the
safe evacuation of the peaceful population from the zone of military
actions. The Azeri side was timely informed about the opened corridor
which allowed to evacuate the people of Khojalu. Elman Mamedov,
the mayor of Khojalu: "We knew the corridor was left for the exit
of the peaceful people" ("Russkaya Misl" 03.03.1992, citation from
"Bakinskie Rabochiy" newspaper).

In the beginning of the attack, started on February 25, at 23:00 p.m.,
the Armenian forces of NKR self-defense opened an aimed artillery fire
against military objects and positions of the Azerbaijani forces,
dislocated in the central part of the settlement. The successful
shots spread havoc among the Azerbaijanis, which did not show serious
resistance. Neither there was a more or less stubborn street fight
in Khojalu; by 4 o clock in the morning of February 26 the last
centers of resistance were suppressed. Observers of the Memorial
right protection organization inspecting the destructions in Khojalu
confirmed the fact of artillery and not street fighting, which could
result in many casualties. (Ibid.)

It is worth mentioning the order number 1, regulating the conduct
of the members of the Armenian armed forces of NKR self-defense,
strictly forbid any violence against the civilians of the adversary.

After the operation was over 11 bodies of Azeris were found by the
rescue group "Artsakh" in the village and its neighboring areas,
naturally, counting out the bodies of the members of the armed
formations dressed in uniforms (their number was also small). The
insignificant number of the peaceful victims of Khojalu in the
view of the intense military actions undertaken to hold control
over the settlement evidenced the Armenian side had taken all
measures on ensuring the maximal possible security of the people
of the village. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that a significant
number of the peaceful population of Khojalu became victims of the
operation. How many of the people of Khojalu were killed and where?

The Azeri side is categorically silent about the place of the death
of hundreds of residents of the village. The truth is that all of
them were coolly murdered at the distance of 11 km from Khojalu,
about 2-3 km far from Aghdam which then used to be the regional
military base of the Azeri armed forces. This mere fact is enough
for casting light on the intricate story about the massive extinction
of the residents of Khojalu. It is hard to understand why should the
Armenians let the population of Khojalu flee from the besieged village
to kill them on the approaches of Aghdam putting their lives at risk
(then Aghdam was under the control of the Azeris).

In his interview to "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" Moutalibov stated that
"however, the Armenians had left a corridor for the escape of the
people. Why a fire should have opened then? ("Nezavisimaya Gazeta",
April 2, 1992). He linked the fact of the criminal fusillade of
the peaceful people with the attempts of the opposition to remove
him from power, laying the responsibility for the tragedy entirely
on him. In his interview to "Novoye Vremia" ("New Time") Magazine
Moutalibov confirmed his statement which was made nine days before:
"It was obvious the some people had organized the shooting for shifting
the power in Azerbaijan" ("Novoye Vremia", March 6, 2001). Similar
statements and assessments of the Khojalu events were made by several
other Azerbaijani top officials and journalists.

R. Hajiyev, member of the Operating Committee of Aghdam Branch of
NFA (National Front of Azerbaijan): We could have helped the people
of Khojalu because we had the resources and means. However, the
authorities of the republic wanted to show to the people of Azerbaijan
that they are not able to do so and ask for assisting the CIS Army and
with the help of the latter also neutralize the opposition" (Moscow,
"Izvestia", April, 1992).

Tamerlan Karayev, the former Chairman of the Supreme Council
of Azerbaijan testifies: "The tragedy was perpetrated by the
Azeri authorities", in particular, "some of the top officials"
("Moukhtalifat" Newspaper, April 28, 1992). Yana Mazalova, a
Czech journalist, who, because of the oversight of the Azeris, was
included in both of the groups of journalists who visited the place
of the events on the first day and several days later, noticed the
stunning difference how the bodies looked at the first and second site
visits. When Mazalova visited the site immediately after the events
she saw the bodies did not bear any traces of brutality whereas a
couple of days later the bodies "adulterated" by the Armenians and
"ready" for the cameras were demonstrated to the journalists.

Who killed the peaceful people of Khojalu and later defiled their
bodies, if the tragedy took place not in the village liberated by the
Armenians, and not along the direction of the humanitarian corridor,
but on the close approaches of Aghdam town, a territory which was
entirely under the control of the National Front of Azerbaijan? Chingiz
Moustafayev (Fuat-oghli), an independent Azeri TV journalist and
cameraman who filmed the aftereffect on February 28 and March 2,
1992, doubted the official version of Azerbaijan and began his own
investigation. His life was the price for his very first report to
the Moscow News Agency "DR-Press" about the possible involvement
of the Azeri side in the crime: he was killed not far from Aghdam,
and the details of the murder still remain not revealed.

Moustafayev reported about the flight to Khojalu. He noted
that he could not film the dead bodies there, because "there
was not a single killed person there ". In the course of the
first flight the journalists shot only a couple of dozens of
bodies of the Azeri soldiers which were found not far from the
village of Nakhichevanik. However, most of the bodies were near
Aghdam where they were video-filmed on February 29 and later March
2. These tapes were displayed at the session of Milli Medjlis and,
later, many TV channels of the world as an evidence of the massive
manslaughter of the Azeri population of Khojalu. The first flight
of the helicopter with the Azeri journalists on board took place on
February 29, 1992. It is noteworthy the journalists who were told
about the massive offense of the Azeris in Khojalu flew directly to
the place of the events. However, they did not find any evidence of
the happenings and flew back. During the second flight to the region
of the massive slaughter, on March 2, 1992, the journalists noticed
the positions of the dead bodies lying on the ground and the level
of the injuries and physical impairment was astonishingly different
compared to the first inspection. Chingiz Moustafayev (Fuat-oghli)
told the Azeri president A. Moutalibov about the changed positions of
the bodies and their physical impairment. Undoubtedly, by that time
the Azeri president understood the reasons which caused falsifying the
tragedy. Moutalibov gave a really prophetic answer to the journalist,
"Chingiz, don’t tell anyone that you think something is wrong because
they’ll kill you". Chingiz Moutafayev was killed in the same field
where he had shot the main Azeri "argument".

The former president of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev personally admitted
the "former leadership of Azerbaijan was also at fault of the Khojalu
events".

As early as in April of 1992 the following was articulated by him,
"The bloodshed will do good to us. We shouldn’t interfere in the
course of events" (Bilik-Duniasi News Agency). It is out of question
who gained from the "bloodshed". Megapolis-Express wrote: "It is
impossible not to admit that if the National Front of Azerbaijan
in fact had defined far-reaching goals, it succeeded in addressing
them. Moutalibov is compromised and forced out of his post, the
international community is in shock, the Azeris and their brotherly
Turks believed in the so-called "genocide of the Azerbaijani people
in Khojalu"("Megapolis-Express", N17, 1992).

The Azeri mass media was silent in its comments on the Khojalu events
about another tragic detail which was revealed later: 47 Armenians
were held hostage in the "peaceful" Khojalu since February 26. After
the liberation of Khojalu only 13 of these hostages were found in the
settlement (including 6 women and 1 child), the remaining 34 were taken
away by the Azeris in the unknown direction. All that is known about
these hostages is that at the night of the operation they were driven
away from the place of imprisonment, but not from the settlement. There
is no information about their further status as hostages. It is obvious
the bodies of the Armenian hostages were tormented beyond the degree
when they could be identified. This was done to create the illusion
the bodies of the victims "had been defiled" by the Armenians. This
is the reason why the bodies of the wretched victims were outraged
to the extent that it was impossible to identify the victims.

It follows from the above-described facts the blame for the death
of the peaceful people of Khojalu and those Armenians who had been
taken hostage in the village lies on the Azeris. The Azerbaijani side
committed a crime against its own people, and the motivation lies in
the political intrigues and lust for power.

Other Testimonies

It is obvious that those who wanted to make an appearance of
disfiguring of corpses by Armenians, disfigured first the bodies of
the Armenian hostages, in order they are never identified. Clothes
were taken off the corpses, the bodies of unlucky victims were treated
outrageously, being changed beyond recognition.

Rahim Ghaziev, one of the former Azeri defense ministers who was jailed
for 10 years on charge of state treason (He was accused of leaving
Shushi to Armenians), said in the interview to that
a trap was prepared for Mutalibov in Khojalu to remove him.

Ghaziev said that he received information about the attack of the
Armenian forces against Khojalu on February 16, 1992. "On February 25,
I again received information about the preparations of the attack,"
Ghaziev said. He added the Azeri Armed Forces had enough arms to
help the Khojalu people and stop the Armenians. Those days, the Azeri
defense minister said that it was possible to avert the disaster and
keep their positions.

Tamerlan Karaev, former Chairman of the Supreme Council of the
Azerbaijani Republic, testifies: The tragedy was realized by the
authorities of Azerbaijan , and concretely somebody of those high
standing ( Moukhalifat newspaper, April 28, 1992).

The Armenian forces did their best to escape unnecessary deaths on
the side of the civilian population of Khojalu. The mayor of Khojalu
Elman Mamedov also knew about the corridor: We knew the corridor
was left for the civilian population to leave… (Russkaya misl ,
03.03.1992. Nezavisimaya gazeta, 18.06.1992, Nezavisimaya gazeta,
02.04.1992)

According to the report made by Memorial , nearly 200-300 people
remained in Khojalu, hiding in the basements of the houses. After
the assault they were moved to Stepanakert and were provided with
food and medicines. The Armenian side stated it would agree to let
them in exchange for its hostages.

(Nezavisimaya gazeta, 18.06.1992, Nezavisimaya gazeta, 02.04.1992).

The Armenians told Azerbaijanis about the existence of the
humanitarian corridor also by loudspeakers, although it is possible
the greater part of the Khojalu inhabitants could had not heard the
messages. (Nezavisimaya gazeta, 18.06.1992). Indeed, it is likely,
that not all the inhabitants of Khojalu had heard the warning, but
the masses of people moving in safe directions could have led the
rest as well.

It is worth mentioning, that few days before the start of the
assault the representatives of the Armenian side had repeatedly
told the authorities of Khojalu on the coming offensive using radio
communication, calling them to take out the civilian population from
the settlement immediately. The fact that this information was received
by the Azerbaijani side and sent to Baku is confirmed also by some
publications in Azerbaijani newspapers (Bakinskaya gazeta). (Ibid.)

Internet as a field of information war against Armenia The Azerbaijani
party makes an active use of internet in an information war against
Armenia and NKR. In connection with the fact that internet-mass media
influence becomes more and more dominant in the world, significance of
information net on Artsakh-Karabakh conflict also increases. Besides,
various internet-communities become more and more influential on
public opinion shaping.

The number of anti-Armenian sites on Artsakh-Karabakh issue,
which are mainly created in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani communities
settled in other countries, are increasing year by year. The sites of
anti-Armenian character are focused on denying the Armenian Genocide,
falsifying the Armenian history, the activity of ASALA organization
are also being created by the initiative of Turkey, however, today
Baku is more active than its elder brother.

In particular, to make sure of the big number of Azerbaijani-Turkish
sites, one should only type the words Karabagh or Garabagh in the
internet searching systems (, etc.) and
the system will show up more Azerbaijani and Turkish than Armenian
information on Artsakh-Karabakh. At the same time, if we make a
search by the word Artsakh, the number of Armenian sites found will
prevail, however, one should consider the international community is
almost unfamiliar with the other name of Karabagh-Artsakh, and to get
acquainted with this subject in the internet sites the foreigners
will look for the names Karabakh and Nagorno-Karabakh. In this way
Azerbaijan and Turkey have carried out much more propagandist work to
succeed, which, to some extent has changed the state of affairs in the
information war, and, is not always counteracted by the Armenian party.

The Azerbaijani party has well-developed means for spreading
disinformation.

For the last few years information-analytical portal Day.az has been
dynamically developing under the private support of the state. The
materials have been published in Russian and English by the resources
of the member of Permanent Commission on International Relations
Milli Mejilis and inter-Parliamentary ties of Anar Mamedkhanov.

According to information of different ratings, Day.az is visited by
more than 10 thousand a day. Reference index of edition in internet
is equal to 2200, which, according to Yandex system data, is the 38th
showing among all the Russian-language editions in internet. Thus,
while giving a search in Yandex search system by key words Armenia
news , Day.az takes the second place (the first place is not taken by a
merely Armenian resource either – the project of RIA News News-Armenia
takes that place). Considering that according to statistics most of the
users make use mainly of the first ten showings of searching machine,
Day.az takes the position of one of the main sources of information
on Armenia.

Day.az periodically spreads disinformation in internet. At the same
time they don t use their own information, but make reference to
Azerbaijani information agency APA, which is a permanent provider
of false information on Armenia and Artsakh-Karabakh. Considering
popularity and high rating of Day.az s searching machines, such
materials spread in global net very quickly.

This is an Azerbaijani site in Armenian, where
Baku places agitation materials, news and disinformation, analogical
articles, historical features, audio recordings, photos and even
caricatures on the subject. In the site there are sections about the
Artsakh-Karabakh war, Khojalu events, photoarchives. The site also
contains photos of Artsakh safe haven, today s Aghdam, devastated
settlements of Ghubatli. It is not quite clear how the Azerbaijani
party managed to get new photos of Artsakh s safety haven, that
is the photos of districts which are contiguous to the militarized
and frontlines?

It should also be mentioned the materials of the above mentioned
site are not stated in a literate Armenian. However, these mistakes
are not that much, especially if we consider the Armenian sites
themselves are not that ideal. One should suppose the site is made
by some Azerbaijanis who occurred to live in Armenia in the past and
know the language. A more pessimistic version of recruiting Armenian
specialist is less possible but theoretically is not excluded. However,
the site is made by the Azerbaijani state order.

The Armenian party hasn t got any propagandistic site in Azerbaijani
language. As it is known, there are a few Turkish versions the
Turkish section of the Azg newspaper and the Turkish language site

One should mention the Armenian site may pursuit no serious
propagandistic objectives, as Baku has minimum chances to influence
on the Armenian reader to reconsider his position. Here it is more
important the fact the Azerbaijanis embrace such a broad front creating
sites not only in Russian, English and French languages but also in
Armenian. Such a site has not only propagandistic effect, but also the
effect of physiological attack. The enemy has been obviously carrying
out active work. The Russian version of the site was later created.

The site represents data the territory of the present
Armenia is historically Azerbaijani. Here are separately cited all
the Armenian toponyms which have Azerbaijani-Turkish origin and have
been made Armenian: Amamlu (Spitak), Chomburuk (Chambarak), Aghbulagh
(Lusaghbyur), Nor Bayazet (Gavar), Jalaloghli (Stepanavan), etc. Here
are also brought encyclopedic data about settling these towns and
localities, rise in the number of population, dates the toponyms
changed. In the site is placed the picture of Ararat Mountain as the
symbol of nostalgia of Azerbaijanis for Eastern Armenia.

is concentrated on the subjects genocides of
Azerbaijanis in Khojalu, Armenian terrorism and the Karabakh war. In
his large publication inserted in the site professor Ismail Veliev
condemns the activity and political line of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Party.

Adil Badirov mentions the information on the strength of army in
Karabakh is false and that it is being spread by journalists bribed
by Armenians and at the same time remembers about the film on the
Russian HTB channel about the NKR defense army. With other falsified
information, the site contains false information about destruction
of Azerbaijani monuments in Armenia and especially in Zangezur and
in the safe haven.

The site has been made by the Azerbaijani community
in London, in particular, by the members of this structure – Tale
and Nijad Heydarovs. This site as well has sections of historical
feature, photos, audio records, integrity of information and
disinformation. Here are mentioned the names of the well-known
Azerbaijani military and cultural men.

The list of Azerbaijani military men of Karabakhi origin is limited
by 5 names, 3 of which lived in the Middle Age, and the other two
were known in the period of Soviet rule Colonel Aslan Vezirov and
General Khalil Mamedov.

In this regard the list of only Armenian marshals surpasses the one
of all the Azerbaijani high-ranking military men taken together.

The site has been made by the state commission engaged
in the issues of the missing prisoners of war. From the technical
standpoint the site has quite a high-level: besides the information
section, it has a section of video spots in multimedia format, music
and clips. From the standpoint of contents, it reflects all the sites
mentioned above. There is a section on Armenian terrorism, it also
presents the UN decisions on Artsakh-Karabakh issue, the decree of
H. Aliyev to celebrate the 31st of March as the day of Azerbaijani
genocide, etc.

Besides the sections mentioned above the site
turns to the personality of Ramil Safarov, presenting him in a
positive light. Here are separately presented prewar photos of
territories controlled by NKR at present, history of Azerbaijani
genocide perpetrated by Armenians in 1918-20. 20% of the Azerbaijani
Republic is still occupied by Armenians.

Nothing and no one is forgotten. This land is calling for its only
patriotic generation us, is mentioned in the site.

The subject of Khojalu genocide is also being touched in the site
Here are inserted photos, documents and data. The site
again touches on the subject of genocide in
Khojalu and other perpetrations of genocide against the Azerbaijani
nation.

The site is an online library, where one
can find information about the activity of H. Aliyev, his speeches
and announcements.

The site was created on May10, 2004 and has sections in 26 languages
(!). In the electronic kitabkhana are presented the speeches of
H. Aliyeb on Karabakh issue in chronological order from 1993 to 2002.

On the site are inserted two video spots on NK subject,
in one of which one can hear Azerbaijani music and in the second one
are presented allegedly Russian hirelings fighting in the NKR on the
side of Armenians.

The list of Azerbaijani sites of anti-Armenian character
is not limited by the ones mentioned above. The sites
, ,
lture.az, ,
http://www.azerbaijanfo undation.org, ,
, , ,
are not all the ones engaged in Azerbaijani
propagandistic attacks. It seems to be expedient to make the strategy
of the RA information security more clear and work out mechanisms of
corresponding counterattacks.

Recognized the genocide

Azerbaijani Mili mejlis (in 2007) has unanimously qualified the tragic
events during fights that took place in Khojalu as genocide against
Azerbaijani nation and called on other countries to name the events
as genocide .

The announcement made by the Azerbaijani Parliament runs, that on
February 26, 1992 Russian military unit 366, headed by Armenian and
Russian commanders have attacked and massacred Khojalu.

"Armenia fails to adeduately answer Azeri propaganda , political
scientist believes Levon Melik Shahnazaryan, a political scientist,
told a press conference the Armenian side does not properly react
to Azeri propaganda. He says no films are shown on Kojalu whereas he
claims that Azeries have shot several films on Khojalu events.

As a participant of freedom fight, Shahnazaryan reminds that Khojalu
residents were killed in Aghdam and not Khojalu. Referring to an
Azeri program, he said an Azeri reporter made a tour in the area and
shot dead bodies. Two days later they showed the dead bodies were
tortured. If Aghdam was under the control of Azerbaijanis and the
reporters could freely make pictures there, it means the Armenian
forces had nothing to do with the crime, the speaker said. Many
things are just made up, which causes harm to the image of our nation,
the political scientist says.

Khojalu victims memorial in Hague

The "Eni Safak" Turkish newspaper on February 4 (2008) announced that
a memorial dedicated to the "Khojalu Massacre" is to be erected in
Hague. The monument is being new designed and it is to be placed in
the Muslim part of the Hague military cemetery.

According to the newspaper, the initiative of erecting the monument
belongs to the Azeri community of the Netherlands, which had been
struggling for the approval of the municipality for almost a year. As
the head of the Azeri community of the Netherlands Ilhan Askin said,
the monument is to commemorate the "Massacre of Khojalu". It is
remarkable that Askin stressed that he is Azeri, not Turk, in despite
of his Turkish second name.

It would be better pleasing the Azeris to erect the statue Ramil
Safarov instead of the memorial of the "victims" of the so-called
"Khojalu massacre". Safarov, murdering an Armenian serviceman, once
again proved the bloodthirsty essence of the Azeri barbarians. The
statue of Safarov would signify the entire horde of Azeris, and not
only the "Khojalu victims"!

With best regards, Ara S. Ashjian An Iraqi Armenian settled in
Yerevan, Armenia

http://www.khocaly.s5.com
http://azerigenocide.org
http://aliyevheritage.org
http://karabakh-doc.azerall.info
http://www.tallarmeniantale.com
http://www.war-cu
http://conflict.aznet.org
http://www.human.gov.az
http://www.azeri.ws
http://www.axtar.az
http://www.azeribook.com
http://shusha.aznet.org
www.realazer.com
www.google.com
www.yahoo.com
www.irevan-az.com
www.ermeni.org.
www.iravan.com
www.karabakh.gen.az
www.karabakh.co.uk
www.human.az
www.khojaly.net.
www.youtube.com

Forward! To The Armenia Of New Victories

FORWARD! TO THE ARMENIA OF NEW VICTORIES
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar
Wednesday 27 February 2008

The Republic Square was simply crammed yesterday. Thousands of people
gathered here, from the different regions of the country, to back up
their vote of confidence, given to Serge Sargsyan and to say "no"
to those who divide people into relatives and strangers, who sow
enmity in the society with all the possible and impossible means,
who want to impose the choice of the minority on the majority.

People came to reconfirm that they want to link the future of the
country, their children’s future with the persistence of the reforms
performed in the country, that they refuse adventurous political
manifestations and they don’t want to live in a country where the
leaders are professional demagogues, revolutionaries who appeared in
the political domain with the slogan "dismantle -dissolve".

Armenia’s newly elected President Serge Sargsyan welcomed those who
have gathered in the heart of the city to stand for the previous
and future victories of our country, for the continuation of stable
developments, and promised: " I will do my best to justify your
confidence and to be open-faced in front of you. Believe me, you will
never regret that you voted for Serge Sargsyan."

"At this moment our soldiers are protecting our borders, our teachers
are educating the coming generation, our doctors are healing the
wounds of our brothers and sisters. And we have gathered here to heal
other wounds that appeared in our society after these elections. We
must overcome this ordeal. We must try to heal the wounds as soon
as possible.

I feel very sorry about all this. I feel sorry because I’m tired of
seeing wounds on our people’s body. It is high time to go forward. And
I also feel sorry because our people can’t comprehend the value of
our achievements, the formation of power through elections and the
value of the majority’s opinion." RPA Leader said recording that
unlike the sectarians gathered in the Theatrical Square he respects
variety of opinions.

"We never divide society between "ours and theirs", or, as some so
called "democrats" say between "ours and the scum of nation". Fascism
and revenge is strange for us. Believe me, we will analyze the
pre-election criticism heard in our address and we will consider the
healthy ones.

I strongly believe the recent election process will only make
us stronger and will contribute to the development of democracy
in the country. From this high tribune I appeal to all the ex-
presidential candidates and the political powers endorsing them, let’s
cooperate. Right up to the formation of coalition government. My goal
is to use all the constructive powers in favor of the development of
Armenia," he announced.

Despite the post-election poison, hatred and enmity sowed by the
followers of Levon, Serge Sargsyan hopes time will settle everything.

"Every victory is the end of a certain refuge. But for me this
victory is the beginning of all the coming victories of our nation
and the state.

It is due to our united efforts that the history of Armenian people,
turned to a history of victories. Our coming generations will be
proud of these victories. I have promised victories and we have
already won. And at the moment I promise new victories and we will
again win. We will win over the poverty, evil, indifference. Humanism
and optimism will prevail in our country."

"Unfortunately today we eyewitness other phenomena: split of the
society, aggression, by which some people expect to attain their
end, we eyewitness unprecedented, dangerous processes. There
are no strangers and friends for me, or government in power and
opposition. Today we all face the issue of Armenia, the continuation
of our statehood, the protection of our values for which we have
gathered today.

That is why I appeal to all of you; regardless of your political views
and approaches you must be able to overcome this artificial split. We
will overcome this separation as well. Each citizen of Armenia will
win, for the sake of all-Armenians."

The newly elected President asked: "Not to feel enmity towards those
gathered in the other square. Because these people are our brothers
and sisters. I strongly believe the reason they came to the square is
their expectation to have a better Armenia. But unfortunately they
don’t notice that they have become tools for some people to gain
power and to take revenge. I know that you feel irritated when you
see all this. I know lots of people are ready to take to the streets
and protect their votes.

But please try to control yourselves. If you want to initiate something
it should be directed to tolerance and kindheartedness. Always
remember, those who have gathered in the other square are our brothers
and sisters.

Serge Sargsyan said there is no doubt these elections were more
progressive than the previous one. But still we have lots of work
to do. The first issue is to lift public confidence towards the
election processes, to be able to win "honorable victory" and suffer
"honorable defeat", which we unfortunately lack in our reality. But
it is a matter of the future. The most important thing at the moment
is to put into practice the slogan "Forward Armenia!"

The Kosova Conundrum For Turkey And Georgia

THE KOSOVA CONUNDRUM FOR TURKEY AND EURASIA
By John C. K. Daly

Eurasia Daily Monitor
Feb 27 2008
DC

Since Kosova unilaterally declared independence on February 17, its
action has caused a fissure in international reactions. Thirty states
have now recognized Kosova’s independence, including the United States,
Great Britain, France, and Germany. However, Russia, China, Spain,
Georgia, and Greece, among others, oppose the move.

Turkey supported the declaration on the basis that it could help bring
peace to the Balkans. Following a reception for Albanian Foreign
Minister Lulzim Basha, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said,
"Prosperity of the regional people must be enhanced to ensure a
lasting peace in the Balkans… The Balkans had to suffer for many
years. Turkey respects the will of the people of Kosova. Turkey also
expends full support to the NATO membership of Albania, Macedonia,
and Croatia" (New Anatolian, February 26).

To show its support for Belgrade – and opposition to Kosovar
independence, Russia has decided to play the energy card. On February
25 Serbian President Boris Tadic received Russian First Deputy Prime
Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Belgrade and signed an agreement allowing
Russia’s South Stream pipeline to transit Serbia, a distinct blow to
EU alternative pipeline routes (RBC, February 26).

For Turkey, the implications of having South Stream transit Serbia
are enormous, as the pipeline’s route directly undercuts the Nabucco
pipeline favored by Turkey, the United States, and the EU, which
would deliver Central Asian gas to Europe via Turkey – and bypass
Russia. Whether Moscow will play further pipeline politics with Ankara
to indicate its displeasure over Turkey’s position is unclear, but the
South Stream decision will definitely hit Ankara in the pocketbook,
costing it hundreds of millions of dollars annually in natural gas
transit fees. Adding to Russia’s distrust is Turkey’s support of
Albania, Macedonia, and Croatia entering NATO, a process that the
Kremlin feels has already gone too far.

Interestingly, the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has
also recognized Kosova, while Cyprus has not.

Among the fifteen former Soviet republics, Latvia and Estonia
have already recognized Kosova, while Lithuania’s parliament is
considering a similar action. At the other end of the spectrum,
Belarus and Moldova have lined up behind the Kremlin’s position. The
Belarusian Parliamentary Commission on International Affairs reported,
"Events in Kosova not only destabilize the situation in the Balkans,
but also directly affect international stability. Kosova necessarily
sets a precedent of similar crises in other countries" (Telegraf,
February 21).

On February 18 the Moldovan government issued an official statement
noting, "With all the uniqueness of the Kosova problem, this form of
‘decision’ is not only an arbitrary violation of the integrity of the
Republic of Serbia, but also a major factor in the destabilization
of Europe, a dangerous incentive for the revitalization of separatist
sentiment in all conflict zones" (Nezavisimaya Moldova, February 19).

In Transnistria Moldova has a restive Russian minority toying with
the idea of separatism. Ukraine supports the idea of further talks.

The governments in the Caucasus have taken attitudes sharply divergent
from the Baltics. Both Georgia and Armenia have explicitly declared
that they will not recognize Serbia’s breakaway province Georgia is
worried that similar sentiments might prevail in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, while two days before the declaration Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian complained of an international double
standard, saying, "Granting independence to Kosova, the international
community violated the legal norms but forgot Karabakh" (PanARMENIAN
Network, February 16).

Ankara’s close ally, Turkic-speaking Azerbaijan, no doubt fearing
that Karabakh might follow Kosova’s precedent, has labeled Pristina’s
declaration of sovereignty and independence "illegal" and, according
to Aydin Mirzazade, a member of the Standing Parliamentary Commission
for Security and Defense, is considering withdrawing its 34-man
peacekeeping contingent from the newly independent state (Trend,
February 26).

In Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have all
stated that they are against the declaration of independence, while
Uzbekistan is reserving judgment.

Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Erzhan Ashikbaev commented
during a weekly news briefing, "The position of Kazakhstan on the
Kosova situation is based on the fundamental principles of the
United Nations about the retention of sovereignty and territorial
integrity of states within their internationally acknowledged
boundaries, the search for peaceful means to debate questions on
the basis of fulfilling of the positions, which are contained in the
documents on regulating the crisis, first of all the resolution of
the UN Security Council No. 1244 about a peaceful plan for Kosova"
( 08/02/57).

It seems ironic that Turkey, successor to an Ottoman Empire that ruled
the Balkans for centuries, should support Kosova’s independence in the
name of stability. Meanwhile, the states that emerged from the wreckage
of the USSR largely either oppose independence or support further
talks, concerned that Kosova’s action at the very least violates
the spirit of the UN mandate assumed in 1999. It seems unlikely that
opposition to the move, centered around Moscow, is unlikely to abate
any time soon, but what is obvious is that, of the former republics
of the USSR, which stretched from the Polish border to the Pacific,
two-thirds of its successor states are opposed to the move, based on
international law and the UN overstepping its mandate.

Whether Kosova’s action will lead to greater stability in the Balkans
or set off a flurry of micro-nationalist declarations around the
world remains to be seen. Equally unclear is the eventual response
of Russia, Eurasia’s dominant energy producer, and whether it will
choose to exercise that power to indicate its profound displeasure.

For Turkey, which earlier this year suffered from shortages of Russian
natural gas, it is a question well worth pondering.

http://ru.government.kz/site/news/20

Rally in support of Ter-Petrosian underway in Yerevan

Interfax, Russia
Russia & CIS General Newswire
February 24, 2008 Sunday 6:06 PM MSK

Rally in support of Ter-Petrosian underway in Yerevan

YEREVAN Feb 24

Supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosian, the former candidate for the
Armenian presidency, have continued to rally on Liberty square in
Yerevan.

The rally brings together from 20,000 to 25,000 people, according to
various estimates.

Editor-in-chief of the Aikakan Zhamanak (Armenian Time) Nikol
Pashinian called on Ter-Petrosian supporters not to leave the square
and to install more tents on the square. Currently, there are over 30
tents on the square.

Pashinian also condemned the detention of former Armenian Prosecutor
General Gagik Dzhangirian during which his brother Vardan was
wounded. The journalist thinks that Dzhangirian is dangerous for the
authorities because he knows a lot about the October 27, 1999
terrorist act at the Armenian parliament.

Now the whole world knows that "serious processes have been underway
in Armenia," he said.

Member of the Republican Party Agnessa Vapurdzhian announced she
withdraws from the party at the rally.

Meanwhile, Six Ter-Petrosian supporters announced their going on a
hunger strike.

Police do not hinder the protest action; however, a lot of police
officers have remained on streets adjacent to Liberty square.

It was reported earlier that Ter-Petrosian supporters started a
protest action on February 20 demanding to invalidate results of the
February 19 presidential election.

Nine candidates ran for the Armenian presidency. Serzh Sargsyan came
the first with 52.82% of votes. Ter-Petrosian was the second with
21.5%.

ar