Category: News

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2005
MOSCOW READY WITHIN OSCE MINSK GROUP TO PROMOTE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNY
KARABAKH CONFLICT
[January 14, 2005, 21:15:51]
As correspondent of AzerTAj informs, on January 14, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Russia has disseminated the message on the next
round of consultations on the Nagorny Karabakh problem which have
taken place on January 10-11 this year in Prague between Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia Bardan Oskanian with participation of
co-chairmen of the Minsk Group of OSCE on behalf of Russia, the USA
and France.
In the message of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation it is noted that Moscow is satisfied with meetings of the
Armenian and Azerbaijan sides at various levels, including at the
level of presidents and in frameworks of the “Prague process’, have
got regular character. The Armenian and Azerbaijan representatives
during consultations under the international aegis consider
practically all aspects of the situation connected to the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict. Among them are such sharp ones as withdrawal of
armies, demilitarization of territory, the international guarantees,
status of Nagorny Karabakh, etc. In connection with discussed
questions, are marked certain motions in rapprochement of views of
Yerevan and Baku and their conceptual approaches. Both sides confirm
readiness to continue teamwork, being guided on necessity to achieve
reduction in intensity around of the Nagorny Karabakh problem and
accordingly improvements of position in the entire all region of the
South Caucasus.
It is noted that agreements of the sides are entered in the same
context to continue realization of the adopted earlier decision on
sending to the occupied territories around Nagorny Karabakh missions
of the OSCE Minsk Group for establishment of the facts, and also to
prepare a new meeting of presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the
summer of this year in Warsaw.
In Moscow, as before, it is expressed readiness together with other
participants of the OSCE Minsk Group to promote deepening of mutual
understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan with a view of
settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict by negotiations and peace
way.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS DELEGATION OF JAPAN
[January 14, 2005, 22:01:31]
Foreign minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov has met
on January 14 the delegation led by the senior vice-foreign minister
of Japan Ichiro Aisava.
Noting that the official visit of nationwide leader of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev to Japan in 1998 has given strong impulse to
development bilateral relations between two countries, the Minister
expressed pleasure with the existent high level of the friendly and
cooperation ties, and hoped for further development of them. Mr.
Mammadyarov thanked the government of Japan for the rendered
humanitarian assistance and grants for a number of economic projects
and underlined the necessity of investing in the non-oil sector in
Azerbaijan as well.
Touching the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, updated
the guests on the recently held Prague negotiations. The Minister
expressed necessity of execution of the resolutions adopted by the UN
Security Council and other international organizations on settlement
of the conflict by peace way and on the base of international legal
norms, in the frame of territorial integrity and inviolability of
borders.
Mr. Ichiro Aisava said that he attaches great importance to
development of the links with Azerbaijan noting that he supports
expansion of the bilateral cooperation.
Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Mr. I.
Aisava emphasized importance of continuation of talks and expressed
hope for quick solution of the problem with efforts of the
international community.
The sides also focused other questions of mutual interest.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS AMBASSADORS OF GREECE AND
UZBEKISTAN IN BAKU
[January 14, 2005, 23:17:44]
Foreign minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov on
January 14 has met ambassador of Greece to Azerbaijan Merkurios
Carafotias on completion of his diplomatic mission and the newly
appointed ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Ismatill Ergashev.
Expressing his gratitude for attention he was shown during his
activity in Azerbaijan, the Greek ambassador said he did his best for
development of relations between Greece and Azerbaijan. He stated his
confidence that his successor would also continue working in this
direction.
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov highly assessed the Ambassador’s activity
for development of bilateral relations, also noted that visit of the
Greek president to Azerbaijan had positive influence on the
cooperation of both countries, added that these relations would
further successfully develop.
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated the Uzbek diplomat Ismatill
Ergashev on his new appointment and expressed hope that the
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan would develop in the
years ahead.
Speaking of expansion of the relations between two countries,
increase of cooperation in all fields and existent opportunities, the
Ambassador said he would do his best for development of the
Azeri-Uzbek economic links.
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has informed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, on the ongoing negotiations and expressed
gratitude to the ambassadors for fair position of their countries
related to the problem.
Mr. Mammadyarov wished success to the Greek ambassador in his further
activity and received copy of the credential of the Uzbek ambassador.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 14 2005
MOSCOW HAILS PROGRESS TOWARD KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
MOSCOW, January 14 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian foreign ministry has
circulated a report noting certain positive shifts in Yerevan’s and
Baku’s conceptual approaches to Karabakh settlement.
On January 10-11, Prague was the venue of a routine meeting between
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and his Azeri counterpart
Elmar Mamedyarov with the participation of the co-chairmen of the
Minsk OSCE group on Karabakh settlement (Russia, the USA and France).
“Moscow is delighted to note that meetings between the Armenian and
Azeri sides on various levels, including summits and Prague dialogue,
have assumed a regular nature,” says the report.
Azeri-Armenian consultations under the international aegis have
proved to consider virtually all aspects of the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict.
“These include such disputes as the withdrawal of the Armenian
troops, demilitarization of this territory, international guarantees
and the future status of Nagorny Karabakh [Armenian enclave on
Azerbaijan territory, a self-proclaimed republic],” says the report.
“Both sides confirm their readiness to continue joint work with a
view to abating tensions around the Karabakh problem and consequently
improving the situation in all the South Caucasian region.”
“The sides can be only praised for their agreement on advancing in
the implementation of the earlier-made decision to send a
fact-finding Minsk OSCE Group mission to occupied territories in the
Karabakh zone as well as on seeking to stage an Azeri-Armenian summit
in Warsaw this summer.”
“As before, Moscow is ready to assist together with other
participants in the Minsk OSCE Group in an ever deeper mutual
understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan so as to attain Karabakh
settlement through peaceful talks,” concludes the Russian foreign
ministry’s report.

ArmenPress, Armenia
Jan 13 2005
NEW POLICE DIVISIONS TO FIGHT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIMES
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Police press office
denied today some press reports that new divisions in the police set
up to fight against crimes committed in the area of intellectual
property would replicate notorious Soviet-time departments, which
were fighting against embezzlement of public funds.
A press release, distributed by the press office, said such
divisions exist in all developed countries. It said Armenia as a
member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has assumed obligations
to fight intellectual property violation crimes.
The police said fighting against copy rights crimes is important
in terms of ensuring economic development, adding also that such
crimes are punishable under Armenia’s new Criminal Code.

ArmenPress, Armenia
Jan 13 2005
UNEMPLOYED IN ARAGATSOTN RELUCTANT TO TAKE VACANCIES
ASHTARAK, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS: The official unemployment level
in the province of Aragatsotn is 1.7 percent, but experts of the
local employment center put the figure far higher, citing the
reluctance of the unemployed to apply to the center in search of
jobs.
According to the latest population census, the province is home to
126,000 people, of which 1,392 have the status of unemployed. Unlike
in the capital of the province, the town of Ashtarak and rural
settlements located on foothills, where there is very difficult to
find a job, there are vacancies for teachers, doctors, drivers and
firemen in mountainous villages.
The local employment center is trying to offer these jobs to the
unemployed, but low wages and lack of other tolerable conditions make
these vacancies unattractive. In an effort to improve this situation
the government plans to provide some privileges to people who would
wish to take up these vacancies.

ArmenPress, Armenia
Jan 13 2005
NATURAL GAS OPERATOR SUSPENDS SUPPLIES TO 3,000 APARTMENTS
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS: Hayrusgazard specialists together
with representatives of local authorities across Armenia have
revealed 6,065 instances of violation of natural gas use safety rules
after examining around 22,000 homes between December 23 and January
10.
he extensive campaign was prompted by an unprecedented wave of
carbon monoxide poisoning cases resulting from gas leaks by home made
heaters. The authorities ordered to suspend gas supplies to more than
3,000 apartments and mansions.
The majority of violation cases were revealed in Shirak
province-1,380 instances. Inspection of 260 apartments in a newly
built quarter, Ani, revealed that virtually all residents there
ignored safety rules.
Hayrusgazard, the sole natural gas operator, said it will continue
inspections until the end of winter heating season.

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Occupied Northern Cyprus
Jan 14 2005
Sources on what Erdogan asked from Putin on Cyprus and more on Cyprus
from Erdogan’s visit to Moscow
Ankara Anatolia (11/01/05) reported from Moscow that the Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his expectation during
his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would
support the end of the so-called isolation of the occupied by Turkish
troops territory of Cyprus, sources said on Tuesday.
Noting that Erdogan asked Putin to contribute to the solution of the
Cyprus problem during their meeting, the same sources said that
Erdogan also asked Putin to be beside Turkey during talks regarding
Cyprus in the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
The same sources quoted Erdogan as saying in the meeting: ”We expect
Russia to support end of isolations of North Cyprus. The Cyprus
problem can be solved with the good offices of the UN. Guarantor
state Turkey supports this mission. And, the European Union (EU) will
naturally make a positive contribution to the solution of the Cyprus
problem.”
Ankara Anatolia (11/01/05) further reported from Moscow that the
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that the
Cyprus issue should be resolved within the United Nations and not the
European Union. After a meeting with the Russian President Vladimir
Putin and Turkish businessmen, Erdogan replied to questions from
journalists. In reference to a question on solution of the Cyprus
issue and lifting the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots,
Erdogan remarked that there is no change in the Annan Plan. ”The
process related to Cyprus is going on. Turkey’s position is firm and
unchanged. Cyprus is an issue that should be resolved within the
framework of the United Nations and not the EU,” said Erdogan.
Furthermore, Istanbul NTV television (11/01/05) broadcast that
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he supports the efforts of
the UN Secretary-General and the Annan Plan in connection with the
solution of the Cyprus problem.
On the second day of his Moscow visit, together with Putin, Prime
Minister Erdogan called on businessmen. Pointing out that bilateral
relations have reached the level of multilateral partnership, Erdogan
expressed support for Russia’s membership in the World Trade
Organization. Putin, in turn, said that the volume of bilateral trade
can be increased to $15 billion, adding that political dialogue lies
at the bottom of commercial and economic partnership.
The Cyprus problem was also on Putin’s agenda. Noting that the
developments pertaining to Cyprus were discussed, Putin expressed
support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and the Annan
Plan. The isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots is not fair, the
Russian president stressed, adding that the matter is sensitive and
one must act delicately. Putin also remarked that Russia’s stand with
regard to the report to be submitted to the UN Security Council will
depend on the document to be submitted to the council.
In reply to a question, Putin also commented on the Armenian issue.
Pointing out that Russia could act as a mediator or a guarantor with
regard to Armenia’s problems with Azerbaijan and Turkey, Putin said:
“We are ready to do our utmost”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 14, 2005, Friday
KARABAKH TALKS
SOURCE: Gudok, January 12, 2005, EV
by Sergei Merkulov
FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN MET IN PRAGUE TO DISCUSS
KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan Vardan Oskanjan and Elmar
Mamedjarov met in Prague this Tuesday to discuss Karabakh.
The 6th meeting of the ministers was attended by Russian, French, and
American chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.
No “breakthrough” in the 16-year old conflict is to be applauded.
Yerevan and Baku stick to their positions. The basis of the talks
themselves, however, indicates eagerness of the presidents, Robert
Kocharjan and Ilham Aliyev – to intensify the process of settlement.
President of Azerbaijan Aliyev said in his New Year address to the
nation, “2004, became a breakthrough year in the Karabakh
settlement.” He said, “Progress has been made in the negotiations,
the international community is paying closer attention, and the OSCE
Minsk Group as the intermediary is more active.” According to Aliyev,
“if the negotiations (in Prague) are constructive and Yerevan does
not deviate from the positions we agreed on, we will reach a
solution.”
On the other hand, Aliyev emphasized once again, “Where territorial
integrity is concerned, Azerbaijan will never make any concessions.
It will not even discuss the matter.”
Armenia insists on the so-called package accord (all together) while
Azerbaijan wants a systematic solution (it demands the return of the
territories occupied by Karabakh and the return of refugees). Baku is
prepared to discuss Karabakh status only after that.
So, where is the way out? A chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia
thinks that a complex solution is the only way out. Revival of
economy in the conflict zone (including the Caucasus railroad) is one
of the surest ways to accomplish it. It alone will get Karabakh and
Armenia out of the transport blockade. Transport is politics too.
Translated by A. Ignatkin

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 14, 2005, Friday
ARMENIA CHUMS UP WITH NATO
SOURCE: Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kurier, No 1, January 12 – 18, 2005, p.
3
by Samvel Martirosjan
Meeting of the working team of the NATO Military Committee took place
in Yerevan in December 2004. Representatives of 34 states, (23 NATO
members and 11 partners) attended it. Ukraine and Georgia represented
the Commonwealth.
The meeting reiterates the assumption that the Alliance is keeping
Armenia in the focus of its close attention. Co-operation between
Brussels and Yerevan was on purely familiarization terms for years,
until last year in fact when the former Soviet republic began an
active drift towards integration into structures of what once had
been the enemy of the Soviet Union. NATO ran its Co-operative Best
Effort exercise in Armenia in summer 2003. In 2004, it cancelled a
similar exercise in Azerbaijan because the local authorities refused
to permit Armenian servicemen to participate.
By the way, activities of the working team of the NATO Military
Committee in Yerevan may be viewed as another meaningful gesture. At
first, meetings were planned in all capitals of the southern part of
the Caucasus. Azerbaijan however, refused to deal with the Armenian
delegation and Brussels decided that official Baku had to be
punished.
In the meantime, co-operation between Yerevan and the Alliance is
broadening. In 2004, representatives of the Armenian Defense Ministry
participated in approximately 40 functions (including five exercises)
within the framework of the NATO’s Partnership for Peace Program. In
2005, Russia’s ally in the Caucasus intends to participate in 50
functions (including eight exercises).
The same rapprochement can be seen on the political plane as well.
The Armenian National Assembly ratified a number of documents that
provide a legal basis for broader co-operation with NATO. Another
document is being worked on because Yerevan volunteered to join the
Individual Partnership Action Plan in 2004. Twenty-three objectives
of this partnership were discussed and adopted within the framework
of PARP consultations in Brussels (19 1 i.e. NATO plus Armenia).
Armenia began participating in NATO peacekeeping operations in 2004.
A platoon of Armenian servicemen (subunit of the Greek contingent)
set out for Kosovo on February 13. Scheduled rotation of the unit
took place on September 8.
Yerevan wants more than that. Addressing the NATO Military Committee,
Deputy Defense Minister Lieutenant General Arthur Agabekjan announced
that his country intends to form a peacekeeping contingent in line
with NATO standards for fully-fledged participation in exercises and
peacekeeping operations within the framework of the NATO’s
Partnership for Peace Program. “It will enable us to form units
compatible with NATO troops,’ Agabekjan said, “They will be able to
perform all sorts of missions and participate in peacekeeping
operations.”
“Armenian-NATO relations moved to a wholly new plane. We are
advancing them in accordance with the policy of European integration
and on the basis of mutual trust and mutual welfare,” Agabekjan
continued. The officer proceeded to air the official opinion that
Yerevan’s interest in co-operation with Brussels was a corollary of
its long-term plans to build statehood and security. Armenia proceeds
towards integration with the European security framework but the lack
of stability in the southern part of the Caucasus interferes with the
process, Agabekjan said. “Our suggestions on co-operation in the
sphere of defense are negated by Azerbaijan that always comes up with
conditions and sometimes even ultimatums,” Agabekjan said. This
tactic preferred by official Baku collides with the spirit of
European security and does not align with NATO’s position.
Serzh Sarkisjan, Defense Minister and Secretary of the Security
Council, brought up the same subject several days later. Sarkisjan
emphasized in his program statement that membership in NATO was not
on the Armenian foreign political agenda. “At the same time, our
country takes a pragmatic look on the situation in the region.
Instead of coming up with untimely statements, we develop relations
with the Alliance systematically. From this point of view, it will
not be wrong to say that the Armenian-NATO relations play their own
important role in the system of national security, “Sarkisjan said.
According to the minister, Armenia follows the road of European
development and NATO is the central institution of European security.
As far as Euro integration is concerned, the minister’s opinion does
not differ from the major social tendencies in Armenia. Results of
the opinion poll conducted by the Center of National and Strategic
Studies indicate that 64% of the population and 92% of experts would
like to see Armenia a member of the European Union.
Back to Sarkisjan. The minister outlined the frontiers of
co-operation with the Alliance. “… It should be noted that
relations with NATO will develop unless some serious discord between
our international obligations crops up,” he said. “I’d like to point
out therefore that the Charter of the Organization of the CIS
Collective Security Treaty does not restrict its member’s freedom of
co-operation with foreign countries and international organizations.
At the same time, undeniable rapprochement of the positions of the
Organization and the Alliance on a number of issues and presence of
common threats and problems permits me to say that the potential of
development of our relations with NATO is quite considerable. It will
not be a mistake to say that co-operation within the framework of the
Organization of the CIS Collective Security Treaty and co-operation
with NATO are mutually complementary since they create additional
guarantees of security for Armenia and the region as such.”
Sarkisjan emphasized it is the Armenian-Russian relations that
maintain military security and regional parity. The minister referred
to the CIS United Antiaircraft Defense System to illustrate. “Along
with that, strategic relations between Armenia and Russia cannot
serve as an obstacle to the process of Armenian Euro integration.
Moreover, the Russia-EU rapprochement enables Armenia to combine
these two priorities, perfecting our national security and the
regional security framework as such,” Sarkisjan said.
Translated by A. Ignatkin