Category: News

The Messenger, Georgia
Feb 25 2005
Russian paper: U.S. to increase pressure on Moscow
The Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta questions why the majority
of the Russian political elite still believes that the re-election of
George Bush is good for Russia.
It is true that, as Russian President Vladimer Putin has said,
American-Russian relations have visibly improved since Bush’s
election.
“But this does not really comply with reality,” the paper writes.
“Relations between both presidents are really very good, but from the
point of view of cooperation between America and Russia, especially
in the post-Soviet area, this is far from the reality.”
It also notes that during the last four years, Russia was ousted from
almost all post-Soviet states, and the Bush administration, which had
spoken of its wish to take Moscow’s interests in this zone into
account, did nothing to help it or at least to achieve a compromise.
It seemed that it was good for Russia, the paper states, that Bush’s
administration considered Russia a country that can be a reliable
ally in the fight against terrorism. The paper thinks that this view,
which the United States has toward other countries including Ukraine,
Caucasus and Central Asia , helped free the Kremlin’s domestic
activities.
“This is very good if you are an ally in the fight against terrorism
and bad if you are not,” Kommersant writes. “America will work with
all of you, by making every effort to transform you into allies. On
the one hand, it is convenient for Russia when it is considered an
ally in the fight against terrorism, when nobody goes deep into its
domestic problems.”
The paper states that in contrast, the Americans does not accept
Russia’s wish to have its own spheres of influence.
“Here Russia loses, because Washington continues to force it out from
the sphere of the post-Soviet area. This is not a conflict, but
rather a conceptual misunderstanding between Moscow and Washington,
which can become the reason for a serious conflict,” the paper notes,
adding that 13 years have already passed and while analyzing events,
its obvious the situation has only been aggravated.
America’s “primitive” view of the Caucasus
In the same article, the paper states that now the main task facing
America is to dare Russia and start to actively deal with the
Caucasus at the risk of Russian-American relations.
“It seems that Washington is far from the idea of reaching out to the
Caucasus and what is more important we should not forget that America
has a rather primitive idea about the Caucasus. The United States,
for example, thinks that Armenia is not the Caucasus and they think
that it needs a special approach,” the paper writes.
As the situation gets worse, Americans will increase their pressure
on Moscow with the aim to internationalize peacekeeping forces in the
region. First of all they intend to deploy peacekeepers from other
CIS countries and NATO in the conflict zones of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia.
“This will be inevitable,” the paper states, “if there is a large
scale military conflict in the Caucasus and Russia is not able to
settle it.” This will show the west that the region is becoming a
threat and they will have to intervene, the paper concludes.

Zaman, Turkey
Feb 25 2005
‘Turkey must Accept Sevres and Genocide’
By Cihan News Agency, Anadolu News Agency (aa)
French diplomat Jacques Toubon has told the Turkey-European Union
(EU) Joint Parliamentary Commission that Turkey should accept the
Armenian Genocide and the Treaty of Sevres.
Touban said that the European Parliament had made a decision on the
alleged Armenian genocide and that Turkey would have to accept
responsibility for the genocide in order to be accepted into the EU.
Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Sukru Elekdag reacted strongly
to Toubon saying that these claims do not reflect the realities,
which should be discussed by historians not by politicians. Turkey’s
Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Oguz Demiralp, also
opposed Toubons speech about the Treaty. Greek diplomat Marios
Matsakis increased the tension by claiming that Turkey had committed
genocide against Armenians, Greeks and Kurds.

The Messenger, Georgia
Feb 25 2005
Armenian paper deplores “Orange babble”
Armenian newspaper Aravot (Morning) reports that the president of
Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has divided the mass media into two
categories: acceptable and propagandistic.
He thinks that six Belarus publications as well as the Russian
newspaper Izvestia, Voice of America, and Radio Liberty should be
included in a black list. However he recommends reading the newspaper
Soviet Belarus, one of the founders of which is the presidential
administration.
The Armenian paper writes that there is nothing surprising in this
because this is the disposition of the dictatorship of Lukashenko’s
government.
The paper compares this dictatorship to the new Ukrainian president
Victor Yushchenko, who prohibited high-ranking officials from
visiting bathhouses, to hunt and to have houses abroad. The new
president also ordered high-ranking officials who live outside the
capital to move to the center.
“The goal is to work more effectively and not to close the roads for
an hour while they are going to work from their country estates,” the
paper reports.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko also ordered that lights
be turned off at 10:00 pm in all state institutions. According to
her, officials should have some sleep and not work all night as this
reduces their effectiveness. Yushchenko also prohibited high-ranking
officials from dealing in business.
“What should the people do if they are prohibited to bathe in
bathhouses, to hunt or even live outside in the country, in the
suburbs?” the paper asks.
According to Aravot, Yushchenko has chosen the old Bolshevic method
to govern the country. “He does not distinguish himself from
Lukashenko at all, only by the fact that Lukashenko does not declare
himself a democrat. This is pure babble when they order people when
to sleep, where to live and when to go to the bath. Anyway, this has
nothing in common with democracy,” the paper states.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 25 2005
SITTING OF CIS COORDINATING COUNCIL ON HIV INFECTION PROBLEMS TAKES
PLACE IN BAKU
[February 25, 2005, 20:26:53]
A sitting of the CIS coordinating council on HIV infection problems
took place in Baku. The sitting was attended by national coordinators
of CIS countries (except Armenia and Turkmenistan), representatives
of CIS executive committee, World Health Organization, United Nations
program on HIV/AIDS. The discussions at the sitting revolved around
the issues of providing better access for AIDS carriers to the
antiretrovirus medicines. The participants are adopted a document of
joint prophylaxis and fight against this disease which to be later
considered by heads of CIS member-states.
Commonwealth states adopted the `Program of Urgent Actions to Prevent
Spreading of HIV in CIS member-states’, which expires in 2005,
representative of CIS executive council Sergey Barshevskiy said at
the press conference held in grand-hotel Europe, February 25. The HIV
growth rates in CIS states are making necessary to adopt this program
and a list of drugs to alleviate the life of AIDS infected peoples.
Head of Azerbaijani National Center to fight and prophylaxis of AIDS
Galib Aliyev reported that there are 740 people infected with AIDS in
Azerbaijan. 65 of them died while 63 are in the final stage of the
disease. According to him, this document will allow coordinating the
work of CIS health organizations towards fighting AIDS.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 25 2005
AZERBAIJAN-ITALY BUSINESS FORUM HELD
[February 25, 2005, 17:17:17]
The Azerbaijan-Italy business forum was held at the `Aldrovandi
Palace’ of Rome, February 25. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
attended the forum.
The Forum organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of
Azerbaijan and the Foreign Trade Institute of the Ministry of
Production Activity Affairs of Italy, was opened by rector of the
Institute Baniamino Quintieri. Then, speaking was the ambassador of
Italy in Baku Margarita Costa and minister of Economic Development of
Azerbaijan Farhad Aliyev, who dwelt on necessity of expansion of the
economic links between two countries, involvement if Italian
businessmen to invest in Azerbaijan’s economy.
As was stated, over 60 businessmen from 50 companies of Azerbaijan
were attending the Forum. They represented mainly the fields of light
industry, metallurgy, machine building, construction, furniture
production, and information technologies. Some 170 businessmen of
Italy took part at the action.
It was also stated that Azerbaijan’s Company `Gilan’ and the Italian
`Betvend TMCI Padovan’ Company has reached a 5-million Euro agreement
on construction of a tinned food factory. `Lotos’ of Azerbaijan and
`Aredo Luchia’ companies have sealed a deal on creation of joint
enterprise of production of chandeliers and other household devices.
The Italian businessmen have taken deep interest in many fields of
Azerbaijan economy, including agriculture.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a large speech at the
Forum. He spoke of his successful visit to Italy, noting it would
give good impulse to development of economic links between two
countries.
Speaking of the socio-political stability established in the country
under the leadership of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar
Aliyev, Head of the Azerbaijan State dwelt on economic reforms
conducted in the Republic, also emphasized that a good environment
has been created for the foreign investment in the country.
President Ilham Aliyev spoke of the works done in the country’s
oil-gas sector in the frame of the `Contract of the Century’ signed
on development of the hydrocarbon reserves on the Caspian in the
Azerbaijan sector, on billion dollars of investment made by foreign
companies, on successful realization of the one of the largest
projects in world – the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline.
Giving high value to the existent economic links between two
countries, head of the Azerbaijan State reminded the Italian `Eni’
Company cooperating with Azerbaijan oil projects since 1995, stressed
that increase of commodity turnover and mutual trade widening of
economic cooperation serves interests of two nations.
President Ilham Aliyev dwelt on integration of Azerbaijan to Europe,
saying the country successfully copes with its duties in the global
safety, in establishment of peace and tranquility in region.
Speaking of the reasons of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, its heavy sequences, Mr. Aliyev said delay of the problem
hampers economic progress and security. President of Azerbaijan
reminded the talk processes mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group in this
direction.
Head of the Azerbaijan State expressed confidence that bilateral
relations between two countries would further develop for the
national interests of two states.
Then, President Ilham Aliyev talks to the Italian businessmen.
***
Afterwards, President of Azerbaijan talked to member of the Italian
parliamentary delegation at the Council of Europe, Senator Fiorello
Provera. Cooperation of Azerbaijan with PACE and support of
Azerbaijan by Italy was in focus. Head of the Azerbaijan State
thanked Mr. Provera.
***
On February 25, President Ilham Aliyev met with John Powell, Regional
Director of World Food Program.

Baku Today
Feb 25 2005
President meets Italian counterpart
President Ilham Aliyev started his two-day official visit to Italy on
Thursday.
The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was in focus at the President’s meeting
with his Italian counterpart Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Aliyev told a
joint news conference afterwards.
Aliyev expressed his dissatisfaction with the activity of the OSCE
Minsk Group, reiterating that he supports a conflict settlement
within international legal norms. He said that the four resolutions
on the Karabakh conflict passed by the UN Security Council simply
remain on paper because of Armenia. From this standpoint, the two
presidents emphasized the importance of conducting reforms in the
United Nations and creating relevant mechanisms that would allow
increasing its influence.
The President also said that Italy-Azerbaijan relations are
developing successfully. He noted that Azerbaijan is rapidly
integrating into Euro-Atlantic organizations and has been the
initiator of numerous economic projects, implemented in the South
Caucasus region.
Italian President Ciampi, in turn, said that favorable conditions
have been created to expand the current ties between the two
countries. He highly appreciated Azerbaijan’s activity in the Council
of Europe and the successful fulfillment of its commitments to the
organization.
Touching upon the Karabakh conflict, Ciampi said that his country is
ready to assist Azerbaijan in its resolution.
`Italy faced a similar problem before and is ready to assist
Azerbaijan using this experience’, he said.
President Aliyev also met with Italian Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi and Chairman of Italian ENI oil company Roberto Poli.
ENI is involved in the development of hydrocarbon reserves in
Azerbaijan and holds a share in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
pipeline project.
On Friday, Aliyev will attend a forum to be participated in by
Italian businessmen. Documents on cooperation in economics, customs,
culture and mass media, as well as on fraternization of Baku and
Rome, will be signed.
Azerbaijani and Italian presidents are expected to sign a joint
declaration.*

Zaman, Turkey
Feb 25 2005
Turkish-American Partnership for Eurasia
By Foreign News Services
Turkey and the US have made an agreement to form a permanent
“consulting forum” on Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia in the frame
of dual “strategic partnership”.
The Turkish ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy General Director for
Russia, Central Asian and Caucasian countries Halil Akinci met with
Ambassador Laura E. Kennedy, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs. The situation of Georgia, the
developments in Russia and Caucasian countries, Upper Karabagh and
the relations with Armenia and energy issues were discussed in the
meeting. Akinci’s meetings were announced as “US-Turkey Strategic
Dialogue” by the US State Department and it is noted that Akinci and
Kennedy talked about Eurasian issues. The statement reads that to
establish a forum for more cooperation on common interests, solutions
to disagreements, energy, and reforms has been agreed on. Their next
meeting will be held in Turkey.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Feb 25 2005
TRADITIONAL FRIENDLY AND COOPERATION RELATIONS BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND
ITALY SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOPS IN ALL FIELDS
OFFICIAL VISIT OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV TO THE REPUBLIC
OF ITALY AND THE STATE OF VATICAN
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV MEETS WITH ITALIAN PRIME
MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI
[February 25, 2005, 17:18:12]
As was earlier informed, on February 24, President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met at the Council of Ministers of the
Republic of Italy with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
In honor of the Azerbaijan President a guard of honor was lined up
before the building of the Council of Ministers.
Premier of the Council of Ministers of Italy Silvio Berlusconi
welcomed President of Azerbaijan.
Then, head of the Azerbaijan State and Premier of Italian Government
had a one-on-one meeting. The Italian Premier said that he was well
aware of dynamic development of Azerbaijan, which promotes
strengthening and expanding of mutually beneficial relations between
the two countries.
President Ilham Aliyev thanked for hospitality he and the Azerbaijan
delegation was shown in Italy, spoke of the path Azerbaijan has
passed in the independence years, the problems the country faced, and
the works done for integration to Europe. Noting that the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the major obstacle
for regional development, president Ilham Aliyev underlined necessity
of making by the European community of more efforts to eliminate this
problem.
Expressing his consent with President Aliyev’s views, Mr. Berlusconi
said Azerbaijan’s integration goes head very successfully and Italy
would do utmost that the European Union played more active role in
settlement of the conflict.
President of Azerbaijan spoke of the negotiation process of
settlement of the conflict, the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group in
this direction, disclosed the standpoint of Azerbaijan for peace way
resolution to the problem.
During the talk, the existent level of bilateral relations were
highly assessed, and also was noted increase of commodity turnover in
the last three years, and was made accent that this dynamic would
further be continued by mutual efforts. The sides also exchanged
views related to prospects of economic co-op, participation of the
Italian businessmen in development of medium entrepreneurship.
The sides also focused place of Azerbaijan in the current world, its
contribution to the safety in region and Europe, economic progress,
and a number of regional and global questions of mutual interest.
After the meeting, on behalf of the Italian Prime Minister, an
official reception was given in honor of the Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev.

Today, Azerbaijan
Feb 25 2005
USA State Department declared its support to territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan again

25 February 2005 [16:57] – Today.Az

Bureau of USA State Department on Europe and Asia Affairs spread a
document on President George Bush’s visit to Europe.

Positions of the USA and European Union concerning the reforming in
Asia are reflected in the document.
“The general aim of the USA and European Union is to ensure
successful passage to democracy and market economy in Eurasia. We
intend to struggle against dangers to passage and regional stability,
as well as against criminality and corruption, illegal turn-over of
the narcotic drug, weapon of mass destruction, human trafficking
together.”
State Department also cleared up the policy of the USA on South
Caucasus.” We keep on supporting integration efforts of Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia to Euro Atlantic arena.
Programs of “Neighbors of Europe policy” of European Union and
“Partnership for the sake of peace” of NATO confirm that we have the
same value with Europe, lead to deepen the relations with South
Caucasus.
USA and EU worry about the problems might appear on stability and
security in Black Sea region, and South Caucasus, because of the
unresolved conflicts.
We support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Moldova and cooperate in the sphere of uniting international efforts
for regulation of Dnestr, South Osetia, Abkhazia, and Upper Garabagh
conflicts by political way.” /APA/

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Feb 25 2005
Government Launches Program to Overcome Energy Crisis
President Saakashvili convened late on February 25 an emergency
meeting of the government to discuss, as he put it, the energy crisis
which persists in the country. Currently, only the capital Tbilisi
enjoys with round-the-clock electricity supply, while in other
regions and cities of Georgia electricity supply is limited.
`We [the current government] have not launched this [energy] crisis,
but this should be us who must put an end to this crisis,’ President
Saakashvili said while addressing the government’s meeting, which was
broadcasted live.
`I consider overcoming energy crisis as the government’s top
priority,’ he added.
Energy Minister Nika Gilauri, who has become in the focus of public
attention in recent days, because of speculations regarding his
possible dismissal, presented a two-year program outlining those
activities, which should be carried out in order to overcome current
crisis.
He said that two priorities are outlined in the program, which should
be achieved in the next two years: security of energy supplies and
profitability of the energy sector.
`Security of energy supplies envisages diversification of sources of
electricity supplies. We should not be depended only on one power
transmission line, on one power plant etc.’ he said.
`The second priority is the energy sector’s profitability. The energy
sector should not be depended on donor organizations and donor
countries’ assistance; it should not be depended on the state
budgetary resources,’ the Energy Minister said.
Gilauri said that Georgia’s current deficit in electricity totals to
200-300 megawatts.
`Construction of the gas turbine electricity generator with total
capacity of 200-300 megawatts is planned to be launched soon. We
expect constructions to be over in maximum two years,’ he said.
`But even after this gas turbine electricity generator is put into
operation we will still need to import electricity,’ Gilauri added.
He said that currently Georgia imports 350-400 megawatts from Russia
and approximately 200 megawatts from Armenia
When President Saakashvili asked the Energy Minister what should be
done to increase import of electricity from Armenia and Azerbaijan,
Gilauri responded, that `increase of import from Armenia will be very
difficult because of the limited capacity of the transmission lines.’
`From Azerbaijan we can increase import by additional 80 megawatt,’
he added.
President Saakashvili instructed Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli to
personally oversee implementation of this two-year program.
`If we fail to implement this, we should stand responsible for this
failure,’ Mikheil Saakashvili added.
`With the capacities currently available in Georgia it is impossible
to provide round-the-clock electricity to entire Georgia,’ the
President stated.
He said funds received from privatization process will be used for
construction of the new energy facilities. `We will need to invest in
energy sector approximately USD 150 million,’ Saakashvili added.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress