Category: News

Armenian MPs’ Planned Visit Fails
AssA-Irada 26/11/2004 16:06
Armenian parliament members did not arrive in Baku to attend the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly Rose Roth seminar which started on Thursday.
Chairman of the Armenian parliament commission on defense, security
and internal affairs Mger Shahgeldian stated that this is due to
Baku’s failure to provide safety guarantees for Armenian MPs.
Director of the Milli Majlis (parliament) international relations
department Namig Aliyev says that Azerbaijani authorities guaranteed
security for all participants, including Armenian MPs, and that
the latter decided not to travel to Baku at the last minute, while
in Moscow.
Aliyev continued that NATO representatives disapproved of this step by
Armenian parliament members. “Armenians want us to deny them entry
to the country and thus deal a blow on us. In reality, they are the
ones who were hurt by this.”
Shahgeldian and another Armenian MP, Karapetian, were initially
expected to attend the NATO seminar. Pan-Armenian news agency reported
that the reason for the Armenian MPs’ not attending the event was
Azerbaijan’s refusal to admit Armenian officers to a NATO seminar and
an ethnically Armenian Bulgarian journalist, who was denied entry at
the Baku airport, and killing of an Armenian serviceman by an Azeri
officer in Budapest, Hungary.

Central Asian, Armenian Leaders Congratulate Yanukovich on Victory
MosNews, Russia
Nov 26 2004
MosNews
The leaders of Kazakhstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have
congratulated Viktor Yanukovich on his victory in the Ukrainian
presidential elections. Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Belarus’
Alexander Lukashenko are the only other world leaders to congratulate
Yanukovich. All six states belong to the CIS, as does Ukraine itself.
However, the Supreme Court of Ukraine has forbidden the publication
of the official results of the Central Election Commission which
has hampered Yanukovich’s inauguration. At the same time, the court
agreed to consider the claim against the commission brought by the
opposition candidate for president, Viktor Yushchenko.
Kazakh leader Nursultan Nazarbayev said in his congratulation letter
that Yanukovich’s victory “is evidence of the Ukrainian people’s
choice in favor of national unity, a democratic way of development
and economic progress.”
Armenia’s Robert Kocharyan, quoted by the Ukrainian governmental press
service, expressed confidence that friendship and mutual understanding
between the two countries “will develop successfully and deepen the
welfare of our states and peoples”.

Equatorial Guinea court to rule in coup plot case
By Estelle Shirbon
Reuters, UK
Nov 26 2004
MALABO (Reuters) – An Equatorial Guinea court is due to give its
verdict on 14 suspected foreign mercenaries accused of plotting a coup
in the tiny country, sub-Saharan Africa’s third biggest oil producer.
Prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for Nick Du Toit, a
South African accused of leading an advance party of mercenaries
bent on ousting President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The verdict
was originally expected at 9 a.m. British time on Friday but court
officials said it would now be announced 1 p.m.
Obiang has ruled Equatorial Guinea, split between volcanic islands
and a mountainous jungle mainland in central Africa, since 1979 when
he seized power in a coup against his uncle.
Many foreign critics say Obiang and his allies have pocketed much of
the country’s recently acquired oil wealth, and human rights groups
say abuses are rife — charges Obiang dismisses.
Du Toit at first admitted he had taken part in a coup plot, but later
retracted his confession in court, saying it had been extracted by
torture. Several of the men on trial with him also said they were
tortured.
State prosecutor Jose Olo Obono denied their allegations, saying all
their rights had been respected.
Obono has named a group of foreigners as financial backers of the
planned putsch, including Mark Thatcher, son of former Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher.
Thatcher, who denies any involvement, was arrested in South Africa
on August 25 on charges related to the alleged plot. A court there
on Thursday delayed his trial until April.
Thatcher had also been due to answer questions about the case from
Equatorial Guinea in South Africa on Friday but a Cape Town magistrate
postponed that hearing until February 18.
The prosecutor says the plot aimed to replace Obiang with exiled
opposition politician Severo Moto, with backing from an international
web of financiers lured by Equatorial Guinea’s lucrative offshore
oil deposits.
PLOT ALLEGATIONS DENIED
Moto, who lives in Spain, denies all involvement in the plot. The
prosecutor has asked for him to be sentenced to death in absentia
and has called for 102-year jail terms for eight members of Moto’s
self-proclaimed government in exile.
Besides Thatcher, the prosecutor named several other British or
London-based people as alleged financiers of the coup plan.
Malabo last week said it wanted an explanation from London after
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the British government had first
heard about the plan in late January — more than a month before it
was foiled.
The Malabo trial has been under international scrutiny, with diplomats,
foreign journalists and observers from Amnesty International and the
International Bar Association following every court session.
Seven other South Africans and six Armenians, all arrested at the same
time as Du Toit, are on trial with him. The South Africans could face
86-year prison terms while the Armenians could be jailed for 26 years.
Five Equatorial Guineans are also defendants in the same trial. The
prosecutor has requested jail terms for two of them, and has dropped
charges against the other three.
All of the accused told the court they were innocent.

Armenian president to hold “major” presser on Karabakh soon – agency
Mediamax news agency
26 Nov 04
Yerevan, 26 November: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in
Yerevan today that “the positions of Armenia’s first and second
presidents on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict have not changed over
the past seven years and each of them sticks to his own opinion”.
Robert Kocharyan said this while commenting on former Armenian
President Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s statements for journalists. As far as
the former president’s communication with the press is concerned,
Kocharyan said he considers it “natural after so many years of
silence”.
The Armenian president also promised journalists that he would hold a
“major news conference” on the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict before the
end of this year.
[Passage omitted: reported details of Ter-Petrosyan’s interview]

Armenian leader recalls envoy to India
Mediamax news agency
26 Nov 04
Yerevan, 26 November: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has signed
a decree dismissing Armen Bayburdyan from the post of Armenia’s
ambassador to India, the press service of the Armenian president has
told Mediamax.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATO seminar in Azeri capital debates Karabakh, Caucasus security
ANS TV, Baku
25 Nov 04
Azerbaijan is a target of terror plotted by the Armenian special
services, Azerbaijani Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said at the 58th
Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Baku on 25
November. The minister said that 32 terror attacks had been carried out
against Azerbaijan and that the authorities had exposed six branches
of charity organizations suspected of financing terrorists. Also
speaking at the seminar, US political expert Brenda Shaffer said
that Washington should play an active role in the settlement of
the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and be more
helpful. Asked about NATO’s plans to expand towards the South Caucasus
and Central Asia, NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary-General
Simon Lunn said that the aim was to hold peacekeeping operations. The
following is the text of the report by Azerbaijani TV station ANS on
25 November:
[Presenter Natavan Babayeva] Except for Armenian MPs, parliamentarians
of NATO member countries are in Baku today. The 58th Rose-Roth seminar
has been kicked off in Baku. Despite the Armenians’ absence from the
seminar, the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was in focus.
NATO’s eastward expansion questioned
[Correspondent over the seminar participants] Security issues in
the South Caucasus were the topic of the 58th Rose-Roth seminar of
NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly. Representatives of several states
highlighted the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by the Armenian
army. The Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, including open debates with
the participation of the NATO member countries on the security of
the Euro-Atlantic space, were of special significance, Speaker of
the Milli Maclis Murtuz Alasgarov said, adding that the discussions
in the seminar would contribute to the resolution of the conflict in
conformity with respect for international legal norms, territorial
integrity, and inviolability of borders.
In turn, NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary-General Simon Lunn
stressed that NATO is not just a military alliance, but also a
democratic organization. The secretary-general said that as a
democratic body, NATO is concerned about the conflict, like many
other international bodies. Today, 26 countries are members of NATO,
Simon Lunn said, adding that it is a priority issue to expand its
boundaries towards the Balkans, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus
and Central Asia in the near future.
After his speech, MPs put questions to the secretary-general.
[MP Rauf Qurbanov from the Communist Party of Azerbaijan] What concrete
aims does NATO pursue in eastward expansion and involvement of the
ex-Soviet republics in this military bloc?
[MP Siyavus Novruzov] My question is about combating terrorism,
extremism, drug trafficking and ethnic cleansing. What could be NATO’s
role in dealing with these issues in uncontrolled territories in the
South Caucasus?
[Correspondent] These are Simon Lunn’s answers to the questions:
First, the aim of expanding the military bloc is to hold peacekeeping
operations. As for the other question, NATO can only have an exchange
of opinions based on consultations.
USA’s role in Karabakh settlement
The head of the Caspian Research Center, Dr Brenda Shaffer, did not
agree with the term of frozen conflicts in the region. She believes
that people in the region are not yet ready for the resolution of
the conflict. A special mechanism should be worked out to resolve the
conflict. We are building a bridge between the sides to the conflict,
however, a tornado sweeps it aside. Now we should do our best, build
a bridge and protect it from the tornado, she said.
A Turkish MP made a remark about Shaffer’s opinion. He said that the
talk is not about the conflict, but the occupation. Armenia is not a
party to the conflict, but the occupier. Regrettably, the USA is not
neutral in this issue and is more pro-Armenian. Shaffer consented to
this opinion partly.
[Shaffer in English with Azeri voice-over] As for America as the
super state, I deem this criticism natural. The USA should play an
active role in the resolution of the Nagornyy Karabakh problem and
be more helpful.
[Correspondent] MP Aleksey Volkov from Russia wanted to know when
NATO will deal with the Nagornyy Karabakh problem in earnest. MP
Rizvan Cabiyev from Azerbaijan commented on the OSCE Minsk Group’s
US co-chairman, Steven Mann’s, statement that it will take decades
to resolve the Nagornyy Karabakh problem.
[MP Rizvan Cabiyev] The use of such terms could lay the foundation
of a dangerous tendency which, in turn, may provoke a more perilous
war. In this context, do you, Mrs Shaffer, not think that double
standards exist in dealing with the South Caucasus, in particular,
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem?
[Correspondent] Mrs Shaffer’s answer to the question was that the
Karabakh problem should be resolved between the two sides on the
basis of dialogue.
Azerbaijan target of terror
Speaking about potential factors that could undermine domestic
stability, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said that Azerbaijan was a
target of terror plotted by the Armenian special services. Thirty-two
acts of terror have been committed against Azerbaijan.
The minister also said that branches of six aid organizations
suspected of transferring money to terrorists were unveiled and 43
people cooperating with those organizations were arrested.
However, Armenian MPs did not hear these accusations. They made up
their opinions at the last minute and refused to arrive in Baku
trying to put the blame on Baku for their refusal to attend the
Baku-hosted seminar.
Let us recall that Armenian MP Mger Shakhgeldyan, who was due in Baku
today, explained the reason for the refusal to visit Baku with the
failure of the Azerbaijani parliament to guarantee their security.
Actually, when our crew members went to Heydar Aliyev airport to film
the Armenian MPs, they saw officers of the presidential security
guard. The 58th Rose-Roth seminar of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly
will complete its work on 27 November.
Afat Telmanqizi, Azar Qarayev for ANS.

Fight against terrorism
Baku Sun, Azerbaijan
Nov 26 2004
BAKU (AP) – Azerbaijan is stepping up the fight against terrorism
by tracking down terrorist organizations and their sponsors, the
country’s defense minister said Thursday. During the past six years,
authorities have exposed six branches of charity foundations believed
to be financing terrorists, Defense Minister Ramil Usubov said at a
NATO Parliamentary Assembly seminar.
The organizations have been shut and 43 people associated with them
have been expelled from the country, Usubov added.
Meanwhile, in the last five years, authorities have detained 30 people
connected with the Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Army of the Caucasus
terrorist organizations, he said. Twenty members of rebel groups have
been tried in courts.Usubov also said that Azerbaijan has detained
and extradited to Russia 14 rebels believed to have organized various
terrorist attacks.
He stressed that one of Azerbaijan’s main problems was illegal
migration, which fuels drugs and weapons trafficking, as well as
human trafficking and the smuggling of goods across borders.
The three-day seminar was supposed to have been attended by two
Armenian lawmakers, but they failed to show up at the last minute.
The Armenian deputies decided not to attend because their letter
to the heads of the Azerbaijani parliament and NATO Parliamentary
Assembly with a request to guarantee security of the Armenian
deputies had been left unanswered, said Mher Shakhgeldian, head of
the Armenian parliament’s commission for defense matters.Previous
visits to Baku by Armenian officials resulted in protests staged by
activists of Nagorno-Karabakh – an ethnic Armenian enclave disputed
by both countries.
Neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan is a NATO member, but both former
Soviet republics participate in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.

ARF DASHNAKTSUTIUN ATTENDANT UNIONS PRESENT THEIR ACTIVITIES AND OBSTACLES
BEIRUT, November 25 (Noyan Tapan). The Unprecedented Congress Of The
Attendant Organizations And Unions Of The ARF Dashnaktsutiun Party
(Hamazgayin, The Armenian General Physical Training Society, The
Union Of Armenian Relief), Which Was Opened In Beirut On November 18,
Officially Started Their Working Sittings At The “Aghbalian” Sport
and Cultural Complex.
According to the report of the Union of Armenian Relief, the
successfull implementation of such programs as, for example, the
provision of social services for the Armenians of Javakhk, support
to the Armenians of Iraq, the publication of the book dedicated to
the 100th anniversary of the Union of Armenian Relief, as well as
fundraising are of great importance.
The report of the Central Board of Hamazgayin, was on the three-year
activities of the current central board of Hamazgayin, i. e. the funds,
the “Vahe Setian” printing-house, the “Bagin” monthly newspaper, the
“Arevik” festival.
Levon Mkrtchian touched upon the issue of the coordination of
Armenia-Diaspora relations, stressing that the assessment of
the possibilities of Armenia and the Diaspora is necessary for
the effectiveness of the process. He presented the spheres of the
activities and the ways of the establishment of relations with the
national structures of the Diaspora.

ARF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES OPPRESSED
A1 Plus | 14:24:48 | 26-11-2004 | Social |
Today’s press conference of ARF “Nikol Aghbalyan” Student Union has
been over the seminar on “Corruption in State Colleges of Armenia”
they held on November 16, 2004.
Let’s remind that during September-October, 2004, they conducted
experimental surveys among 1100 students of state colleges in Armenia
to find the ideas of students on corruption in institutes of higher
education. The survey results were published on November 16, which
caused discontent of chairmen of student boards for some IHE.
Ishkhan Saghatelyan, Head of ARF “Nikol Aghbalyan” Student Union
considered as baseless the statement made by representatives of
S-boards who said that no polls had been held and even if they were,
in a non-professional way only.
Members of ARF “Nikol Aghbalyan” Student Union stated that after
their statement some heads of IHE exert pressure on some students,
especially in Physical Training Institute. Representatives of “Nikol
Aghbalyan” SU didn’t indicate in which faculties exactly.
Despite the pressure, ARF “Nikol Aghbalyan” Student Union announces
that it will be more resolute and will keep unveiling corruption
in IHE.

POLICY OF HINDERING TALKS
Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
26 Nov 04
“And if Azerbaijan, nevertheless, does not give up its undertaking in
the UN, it will have to continue negotiations with Karabakh,” said the
foreign minister of Armenia during the joint press conference with
the Italian vice foreign minister Margaret Boniver in Yerevan. On
November 24 the undertaking of Azerbaijan on the situation in
the so-called “occupied territories” was to be discussed by the UN
General Assembly. Making the territories adjacent to Artsakh a topic
of discussion at the UN Azerbaijan practically created a foreign
political crisis for itself. Just remember that the OSCE, EU, United
States have criticized the non-constructive position of Azerbaijan. The
foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian touched upon the official
position of Armenia at the press conference. “Our position in the UN
is clear. We find that Azerbaijan commits a mistake by taking such
a step, and if the resolution is passed, some time later they will
recognize that they were mistaken,” said Vardan Oskanian. The vice
foreign minister of Italy, touching upon the same question, said that
hopefully the delegation of her country will abstain, and will vote
in accordance with the common standpoint of the EU. Nevertheless,
if the resolution set forth by Azerbaijan is passed, it is not known
who will profit and how. Nevertheless, Mr. Oskanian asked not to
worry regarding it as a mere political process. According to him,
there would be reason for anxiety if the document tried to determine
the fate of Karabakh. Moreover, the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO
assumed that there are three conflict sides – Azerbaijan which tries
to maintain its territorial integrity, Karabakh which tries to maintain
its right for self-determination, and Armenia which backs Karabakh. The
minister of foreign affairs of Armenia assured that if, nevertheless,
the resolution is passed, “we will continue to take part in the talks
but the main talks will be with NK.” Thus Azerbaijan will have to
recognize Nagorni Karabakh as a conflict side. According to the article
7 of the resolution the UN will suggest the OSCE Minsk Group sending a
multinational mission to the “occupied territories” of Azerbaijan. In
this reference Mr. Oskanian mentioned, “We have always appealed to
international organizations to visit and give their evaluation to
those territories. The Minsk Group has this mandate but the UN does
not have such an experience to come and fulfil a mission.” Touching
upon the settlement of people in those territories, Oskanian said,
“There are people who went to live there as they anticipate the
liberation of their homes in Shahumian and Getashen.” In answer to
the question whether it is possible that the UN or NATO documents on
NK are later used against Armenia, Vardan Oskanian said, “If decisions
are made on the future status of NK, it will be dangerous, of course,
but there is no report or resolution containing decisions. There are
evaluations of the present situation. There is a point in the NATO
resolution, which is favourable for us – the conflict has three sides,
NK, RA and Azerbaijan.” Nevertheless, if suddenly Azerbaijan gives up
the undertaking of discussion the problem of Nagorni Karabakh at the
UN, the foreign minister of Armenia assured that Armenia will be ready
to resume the process of Prague during which the foreign minister of
Azerbaijan Eldar Mamediarov and he achieved certain arrangements.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
26-11-2004