Category: News

Azeri NGOs call for release of would-be Karabakh guerrillas
Assa-Irada, Baku
9 Nov 04
8 November: Non-governmental organizations continue supporting 21
young men who are facing trial on charges of attempting to form an
illegal armed group. The national NGO forum today appealed to the
Grave Crimes Court in connection with this issue.
It is understandable that the defendants have chosen arms and a
guerilla war as the only way to liberate their homes and the graves
of their ancestors from the Armenian occupation, the appeal reads. It
will be impossible to prevent any attempts to liberate the occupied
territories militarily, unless Armenia ends its aggression and the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem is resolved fairly, the appeal reads. This
should be of a serious concern for the OSCE Minsk Group and its
co-chairs who have pledged to help eliminate the ramifications of
the occupation and who have achieved no result in this so far, the
appeal reads.
The national NGO forum said the above mentioned reasons had urged the
young people to violate Azerbaijan’s laws. It asked the Grave Crimes
Court to take these reasons into consideration.

NATO leader visits South Caucasus
ISN, Switzerland
Oct 9 2004
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited the three South
Caucasus countries in early November to signal the alliance’s
commitment to the region and to encourage leaders to take advantage
of Individual Partnership Plans (IPAPs).
By Vladimir Socor for The Jamestown Foundation (09/11/04)
On 3-5 November, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
visited, for the first time in this capacity, the three South
Caucasus countries. He conferred with the head of state, the defense
minister, the military leadership, and other top officials in each of
the three capitals. The visit’s goal was twofold: to signal that
NATO’s Partnership program is rapidly moving its focus towards this
region, as decided at the alliance’s summit in Istanbul in June; and
to encourage the three countries to take advantage of Individual
Partnership Plans (IPAPs). Ambassador Robert Simmons, newly appointed
as the NATO Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the South
Caucasus and Central Asia, accompanied de Hoop Scheffer on the visit.
NATO views IPAPs as the instrument that allows willing partners to
develop individualized relationships with NATO, focusing on military
reform, establishment of effective state institutions, and certain
basic democratization goals. IPAPs are two-year programs, with their
implementation assessed at periodic review conferences. IPAP can
potentially serve as an avenue towards membership for countries that
aspire to that status; the alliance’s motto in this regard being that
it would go as far as the country chooses to go, subject to IPAP
performance.
Georgia’s NATO hopes
Georgia became the first South Caucasus country to have its IPAP
approved by NATO. Originally submitted ahead of the Istanbul summit
for promulgation there, the document was ultimately accepted by the
North Atlantic Council in Brussels on 29 October. In the joint news
conference with de Hoop Scheffer in Tbilisi, President Mikhail
Saakashvili reaffirmed Georgia’s goal to join NATO as a full member
before the end of Saakashvili’s second and final presidential term –
a goal he had first announced during his recent visit to the Baltic
states. Without dampening Saakashvili’s optimism, de Hoop Scheffer
tempered it with realism by remarking that a long winding road leads
towards full membership. He stated openly for the first time that
Georgian membership was possible, and noted “an enormous drive on the
part of the Georgian government and people to fulfill that ambition”.
Remarks by both sides during the visit indicated that NATO’s liaison
officer for the South Caucasus would be stationed at the Defense
Ministry in Tbilisi. The NATO leader chose a cautious, non-specific
wording to remind Russia of its obligations to fulfill the 1999
Istanbul Commitments regarding Georgia. He expressed his “hope” in a
bilateral Russian-Georgian “solution” to the problem of Russian
troops and bases, rather than calling for an internationally assisted
withdrawal of those forces from Georgia. Georgia is already behaving
as a de facto ally, with platoon-size units serving under NATO
command in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and company-size units with the
US-led coalition in Iraq, where Georgia is now augmenting its
contingent to 300 troops and has offered to increase it further to
850. Georgia is balancing its security consumer’s role with that of a
security provider in both the NATO and the ad hoc coalition context.
In Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, final preparations for NATO approval of that country’s
IPAP topped the agenda of de Hoop Scheffer’s visit. Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov, who handles Azerbaijan-NATO relations, noted
that procedural issues had held up IPAP’s promulgation since the
Istanbul summit. The document also includes a concept for developing
Azerbaijani rapid-deployment units for service with NATO’s Response
Force. As could be expected, de Hoop Scheffer faced persistent public
questioning in Baku about NATO’s position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict and a possible NATO role in conflict-settlement. His answers
indirectly confirmed NATO’s reluctance to take a position or play a
role. He advised Azerbaijan that it was perhaps time to “turn a page”
in its approach to Karabakh conflict-settlement. For his part, Azimov
held out the possibility of NATO contributing peacekeeping troops to
an international contingent, if one were deployed in the conflict
zone under an international organization’s mandate. The familiar
small group of Karabakh Liberation Organization militants staged a
vociferous picket during de Hoop Scheffer’s visit, protesting
preventively against Armenian participation in an upcoming NATO
Parliamentary Assembly seminar in Baku. The police rounded up a few
of the protestors only after they had finished their demonstration.
Milli Majlis Chairman Murtuz Aleskerov declared that Armenians could
be allowed to participate in this seminar because they are civilian,
rather than military. In September, Azerbaijan’s leaders, including
Aleskerov, had ruled out the participation of a few Armenian military
officers in NATO’s Cooperative Best Effort 2004 large-scale staff
exercise in Baku, thereby leaving NATO no choice but to cancel this
annual event. Azerbaijan’s NATO aspirations suffered an unnecessary
setback as a result of political advisers overruling the foreign
policy professionals on this matter and giving in to a handful of
militants. Inclusiveness is a bedrock principle of NATO’s Partnership
programs. Further setbacks may ensue if political advisers insist
that Azerbaijan, rather than NATO, should determine what kind of
personnel may or may not participate in NATO exercises in Azerbaijan.
In Armenia
In Armenia, de Hoop Scheffer underscored the significance of that
country’s recent decision to draft an IPAP with NATO and to appoint
an envoy to the alliance. Implicitly acknowledging the national
tradition of close links with Russia, he noted in an address to
Yerevan University faculty and students that Armenia may develop its
NATO partnership without damaging its relations with Russia, and that
any residual mistrust towards NATO was a Soviet propaganda legacy.
Armenia could prove that a country can maintain close relations with
Russia while becoming an active NATO Partner, he concluded. One
pro-NATO politician, Hovhanes Hovhanissian of the Liberal Progressive
Party, commented that good relations with Russia need not mean being
“Russia’s vassal”, local media reported. At every stop during the
visit, de Hoop Scheffer made the point that NATO does not compete
with any country or organization (that is, Russia and the CIS
Collective Security Treaty Organization, of which Armenia is a
member) in the region. He underscored that NATO has no intentions,
plans, or interest in establishing military bases in the South
Caucasus, nor would this meet the interests of the region’s
countries.
–Boundary_(ID_g+hc6ziAuWMrT89+dHrn2g)–

Azeri officer dies after Armenia breaches ceasefire
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 9 2004
Lieutenant Bahaddin Abdiyev, an officer in the Azerbaijan Army,
died after the units of the Armenian Armed Forces breached ceasefire
close to Aghdam District (Central Garabagh) on Sunday. Abdiyev, 24,
was drafted from Tovuz District.
The Defense Ministry has confirmed the fact.*

Armenia Fund USA
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, New York 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Armenia Fund USA Hosts President of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Goukassian
and Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenia Fund Naira Melkoumian
for a Lecture at ALMA in the Greater Boston Community
Moving rapidly toward completion of the North-South Highway, Armenia
Fund is halfway home. Its goal of building the 105 miles of highway
interconnecting 150 towns and villages in mountainous Karabakh has to
date raised $12 million towards the $25 million project. With ongoing
vital support from Armenians in the Diaspora and past proven success
from having built 49 miles so far, Armenia Fund continues to forge
ahead. The Fund is gearing up for the final leg, generating support and
overseeing construction of the remaining 56 miles with the much
anticipated Thanksgiving Day Telethon.
To raise awareness and inspire community involvement in the Armenia Fund
Telethon, the President of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkady Goukassian,
accompanied in part by Naira Melkoumian, Executive Director of Hayastan
All-Armenia Fund, will be in the United States and are scheduled for
several pre-telethon events. Their initial destination is to the
greater Boston area – a special engagement will be held at the Armenian
Library Museum of America on November 13-th at 4:30 pm. The program
will include an entertaining video presentation by Armenia Fund USA and
guest speaker, President Goukassian will lecture on Geopolitical
Challenges and the Need for an Improved Infrastructure in Armenia and
Karabakh. All are welcome to be involved in this noteworthy event.
Armenia Fund’s annual Telethon for 2004 is stepping up its ambitions in
a grand way to raise the final $12.5 million needed for the completion
of the highway, deemed as the backbone of Karabakh. The 12-hour, live
broadcast airing throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, South
America, the CIS, and Middle East will feature live entertainment by
various Armenian performers, interviews with numerous celebrities and
political leaders, development and construction footage from Armenia and
Karabakh, and stories of individuals impacted by Armenia Fund projects.
A phone bank with 50 operators and volunteers will be helping to handle
the generous outpouring from Armenians world-wide. Broadcast schedules
and information for your area is available by calling our office. Or,
you can log onto our website – <; for a real time web-cast of the telethon on Thanksgiving Day and for more information. Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia Fund USA is a unique organization dedicated to supporting large-scale initiatives in both Armenia and Karabakh, helping the developing nations sustain themselves for the future. Armenia Fund is non-partisan and works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh not only building roads, but also schools, medical facilities, utilities and humanitarian programs, all along upholding stringent project oversight measures with bidding, management and quality control processes. Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) representing the support of Armenian diasporans in the Eastern United States and was the first of Hayastan All Armenia Fund's 18 international hubs to aid the homeland. As the largest contributor toward strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, Armenia Fund has helped build 138 miles of roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 14 healthcare institutions. After completing the Goris-Stepanakert Highway, linking Armenia to Karabakh, Armenia Fund set its sights on developing the North-South Highway. In the process of all its projects, Armenia Fund has ensured sustainability by investing beyond construction, sponsoring the necessary equipment and training, as well. This not only eases the hardships for the people of Armenia and Karabakh for the current time, but more importantly ensures stability for the long term. Armenia Fund USA's mission of accountability goes beyond Armenia and is built upon a pledge of responsibility to benefactors and recipients alike. All contributions are 100% tax deductible. To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, go to <; , or write/call for a free marketing packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212) 689-5307.

PRESS RELEASE
Analysis Research & Planning for Armenia (ARPA)
18106 Miranda Street, Tarzana, CA 91356
& Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
417 W. Arden Ave., Suite 112C, Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: Hagop Panossian
Tel: (818) 586-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
ARPA Institute and Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
present the Lecture/Seminar “The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of Armenia”
on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 7:30 PM in the Merdinian School
Auditorium. The presenter is Ms. Anahid Yeremian.
The address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
Directios: On the 101 FY Exit on Woodman, Go North and Turn Right on
Riverside Dr.
Abstract: The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Alikhanian Physics
Institute in Armenia is one of the world’s premier centers, conducting
research in high energy astrophysics and space weather forecasting. At
research stations high on Mt. Aragats and in Yerevan, a staff of 100
scientists, technicians, support personnel and students conduct leading
research on forecasting energetic events on the sun which can damage
manmade satellites in space, disrupt communications and power stations
on earth, and endanger space and air crews at high altitudes. The CRD
and its scientists have earned enormous respect among their colleagues
in the international scientific community, putting Armenia among the top
5 countries of the world in cosmic ray research. Recent additions to
the list of their scientific collaborators include the U.S. National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, the European Space Agency, and the
international Committee on Space Research. CRD has a long standing
partnership with Stanford University of California and with Nagoya
University in Japan. Recently the Space Weather division of UCLA has
shown interest in collaborating with the CRD. A year ago CRD won the
prestigious UN World Summit Award in the e-science category. The CRD
has been featured in the international magazine Science, because of its
excellence. An illustrated presentation, with beautiful pictures on the
space weather effects, will be made and research at CRD will be
explained in simple terms. Pictures of the stations, the scientists,
and the World Summit Award ceremony in Geneva are part of this
presentation.
Presenter: Ms. Anahid Yeremian has a B.S. degree in Physics from Drexel
University. She is a particle Accelerator Physicists at the Stanford
Linear Accelerator Center since 1990. She designs the injector section
of very large particle accelerators (the one at Stanford is 2 miles
long) in the U.S., Japan and Europe. She leads a group of scientists,
engineers, and technicians to construct and assemble the accelerators
she designs and finally to commission them to perform to her
specifications. Prior to coming to Stanford, she designed the electron
accelerator at the Boeing Aerospace Company for the Free Electron Laser
project as part of a star wars program. Anahid’s hobbies include
mountain climbing. She became acquainted with the Cosmic Ray stations
and physicists on Mt. Aragats when she climbed to the peak of Mt.
Aragats in 1999. Since then she actively pursues opportunities and
improvement of science in Armenia by working with the scientists and
governments of Armenia and the United States. This summer Anahid spent
7 days backpacking in the Geghama mountains and staying with the Nomads
in the mountains of Armenia. Her presentation will include some
spectacular pictures of the peaks in the Geghama mountain range and its
beautiful people.
For Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660 or Mr.
Vazgen Ghoogassian

Pressure group objects to parliament speaker’s statements
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 9 2004
The Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) has issued a statement
denouncing the Milli Majlis (parliament) speaker Murtuz Alasgarov’s
recent statements concerning the Armenian parliament members’
intended visit to Baku scheduled for this month. They said that by
allowing Armenian MPs to visit Azerbaijan the speaker is betraying
the country’s national interests.
“Armenia, as one of the main facets in its foreign policy course,
is trying to disregard its aggressor actions and therefore, to
collaborate with Azerbaijan in all fields, and the speaker’s actions
serve this policy.”
The statement reads in conclusion that GLO decisively condemns the
attempts by the Milli Majlis chairman to cooperate with the aggressor
and invite Armenian Parliament members to Baku.*
–Boundary_(ID_ADvlK1f7wx5LCN+SsAYZVA)–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
11/09/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) No Shift in Armenia's Genocide Recognition Policy 2) Caucus Co-Chairs Oppose Azeri Effort to Disrupt Karabagh Peace Process 3) Aliyev Boast of Settlement Alternative, Major Military Spending Boost 4) Ball in Baku's Court Says Armenian Foreign Minister 5) Slovak Parliament to Discuss a Genocide Resolution 6) Zhvania, Kokoity Meeting in Sochi 1) No Shift in Armenia's Genocide Recognition Policy YEREVAN (Armenpress/Noyan Tapan)Armenia's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamlet Gasparian said Armenia's policy for international recognition of the 1915 genocide has not changed, and remains a foreign policy priority. His comment came in response to Azeri and Turkish media reports that Yerevan may be considering a shift in its policy to help normalization of ties with Turkey. The reports claimed the shift may be indicated by the lack of regular reference to the genocide in next year's draft budget sent to parliament for approval. Gasparian said the draft budget has no relation to Armenia's consistency and decisiveness to continue the campaign for international recognition of the genocide, adding that no previous budget has ever had a special clause earmarking such expenditures. "The international recognition of the Armenian genocide does not refer to Armenia or Armenians alone; it refers to humanity and cannot be placed within a budget or other financial calculations," Gasparian said. The lack of reference to the genocide in the budget appears to have aroused enthusiasm in Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Azeri press reported that a historical coup is taking place in Armenia. "Yeni Musavat" states that the government of Armenia is making a historical decision while trying to improve its relations with Turkey. The "Aina" newspaper writes that the Armenian authorities are taking a wiser stance on the issue of the genocide. Turkish mass media does not reveal, however, if the genocide issue has ever been included in Armenia's budget. According to the Istanbul-based Marmara Armenian newspaper, political observers stress that the absence of the indicated point in the budget does not indicate a change of Armenia's policies. 2) Caucus Co-Chairs Oppose Azeri Effort to Disrupt Karabagh Peace Process --Urge Secretary Powell to "renounce" and "secure retraction" of proposed UN initiative WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)--Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) have urged Secretary of State Colin Powell to take decisive action against a UN resolution, introduced by Azerbaijan, which could seriously undermine the Karabagh peace process. In a November 7 letter to the Secretary of State, the Caucus Co-Chairs expressed concern about the "ill-advised" resolution on the "situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan," stating, "This intentionally disruptive resolution threatens the principles and procedures of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the Minsk group mediation effort, co-chaired by the United States, France, and Russia to resolve the Karabagh conflict." The letter from the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs continues, "Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the best interests of the US and the South Caucasus region. To this end, we urge that the United States forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction, and impress upon the Azeri government that it should drop such counter-productive tactics in favor of a serious and lasting commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group process." "We want to thank the Co-Chairmen of the Armenian Issues Caucus--Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg--from drawing Secretary Powell's urgent attention to the threat that Azerbaijan's efforts at the United Nations to manipulate the Karabagh issue pose to US interests in the stability of the Caucasus region," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We share the concerns they raised in their letter and are also urging the State Department to take decisive action against destructive measures, such as this, that only foster greater divisiveness and set back the cause of peace in this important part of the world." On October 14, the Azeri Ambassador to the UN Yashar Aliyev, submitted a letter requesting that a resolution, which would restrict the repatriation of Armenians to their homes in Karabagh, be included on the UN General Assembly agenda. Prior to its consideration by the international panel, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) urged US Ambassador to the UN, John Danforth, to oppose the measure, citing the negative ramifications on the Karabagh peace process. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs issued a statement on October 27, noting that "introducing this issue to the United Nations General Assembly may have two negative consequences. In light of the situation we have outlined, this will be detrimental to the efforts to find a just and lasting settlement of the issue, particularly at this time. Secondly, it will fail to achieve consensus, a situation that will not be helpful. We advise avoiding this situation." Despite these efforts, on October 29, the UN General Assembly voted in support of the request during their regular session. The complete text of the Knollenberg/Pallone letter to Secretary Powell is provided below: Dear Mr. Secretary: We are writing to share with you our alarm over the prospect that Azerbaijan's continued efforts at the United Nations to manipulate the Nagorno Karabagh conflict will, if unchecked, undermine our clearly articulated national interest in the stability of the Caucasus. We refer, of course, to Azerbaijan's recent introduction of an ill-advised resolution on the "situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This intentionally disruptive resolution threatens the principles and procedures of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the Minsk group mediation effort, co-chaired by the United States, France and Russia, to resolve the Karabagh conflict. Azerbaijan's proposal represents a hostile declaration against the entire peace process, aimed only at fostering increased divisiveness. Its consideration can only set back the cause of peace. We are deeply concerned that the OSCE Minsk process cannot survive Azerbaijan's destabilizing tactics. Continued tampering with this process will inevitably produce a chain reaction resulting in its demise. We cannot afford to allow Azerbaijan to continue to disrupt the work of the OSCE, which, as you know, has been recognized by the UN itself as the lead arbiter in this conflict. We value the vital role the United States plays as an honest broker in the Nagorno Karabagh peace process. In this capacity, given our commitment to keep the parties talking and moving forward, it is necessary for the United States to act forcefully against destabilizing steps that will unravel the peace process. Our interests are best served by the continuation of dialogue on the outstanding issues related to Nagorno Karabagh within the OSCE framework, not by the fragmentation of this orderly process. Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the best interests of the US and the South Caucasus region. To this end, we urge that the United States forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction, and impress upon the Azerbaijani government that it should drop such counter-productive tactics in favor of a serious and lasting commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group process. Thank you for your consideration of our views. We stand ready, of course, to assist you in addressing this matter in the interest of the American people. Sincerely, Joe Knollenberg Frank Pallone, Jr. Member of Congress 3) Aliyev Boast of Settlement Alternative, Major Military Spending Boost ASTARA, Azerbaijan (AFP/Armepress)--Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said Tuesday that a peace agreement on regulating the Mountainous Karabagh conflict could not be signed unless Azeri territories are first liberated. "The conflict cannot be resolved unless Azerbaijan's territorial integrity is restored in full," he said. He also announced defense spending in Azerbaijan would grow by nearly one third in 2005, after Armenia unveiled plans to significantly boost its own military budget. Aliyev was visiting the southern regions of Azerbaijan. "Our parliament is discussing next year's budget, where spending will grow by 25 to 30 percent, and this includes military spending," Aliyev told reporters in Astara. Aliyev's comments followed a proposal made Monday by Armenia's parliament to raise defense spending by 20 percent to 99 million dollars in 2005. During his visit to the small seaside city Lenkoran located near the Southern border with Iran, Aliyev boasted, "If we see that that negotiations and international efforts are unproductive, then we can resort to ways to resolve the conflict." According to a finance ministry source, Azerbaijan's military spending in 2004 amounted to just under 150 million dollars. 4) Ball in Baku's Court Says Armenian Foreign Minister YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Talking about the prospects for resolving the Mountainous Karabagh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said that "serious progress" was achieved during his four meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Prague and Strasbourg over the past six months. "We can now enter the second stage of the Prague meetings and deepen the achievements of the first stage," Oskanian said. "Azerbaijan has announced that it would wait for Armenia's response to begin the second stage of the negotiations. I can announce through your Radio that Armenia has already given its positive answer and is ready to resume the negotiations as early as tomorrow." The Armenian Foreign Minister characterized as "a diplomatic mistake" Azerbaijan's initiative to include in the agenda of UN General Assembly the issue of the resettlement of Armenian families on Armenian-controlled Azerbaijani territories around Mountainous Karabagh. "Azerbaijan should not hope to continue the negotiations within OSCE Minsk Group and at the same time expect other solutions for separate issues picked from the whole package in other instances. It never happens," Oskanian said. "Either we continue the negotiations within the Minsk Group, trying to reach a solution of the whole problem, or Azerbaijan can take the issue to other instances, seeking separate solutions; in that case, Baku will have to deal with the authorities of Karabagh. The ball today is in their court." 5) Slovak Parliament to Discuss a Genocide Resolution YEREVAN (Armenpress)--During its November session, the Slovak parliament will discuss a resolution condemning the 1915 Armenian genocide. The resolution is supported by five factions of the Slovak legislature making up the absolute majority. The lawmakers will also be watching a documentary on the genocide, to be aired later on Slovak TV. The Armenian community of Slovakia and the political and diplomatic forces of Armenia are in full support of the resolution. 6) Zhvania, Kokoity Meeting in Sochi MOSCOW (Interfax)--Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and the leader of the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, are currently meeting in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. According to a source with the South Ossetian Information and Press Department, the meeting is also being attended by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin and co-chairman of the Joint Control Commission representing North Ossetia, Taimuraz Kusov. Kusov told journalists that, even though they may hold differing opinions concerning the circumstances of the settlement, those responsible for driving forth the negotiations have completely ruled out the use of force as a viable solution. According to Kusov, they also agreed to contribute to an atmosphere of trust that will help the parties reach a comprehensive settlement. "The sides agreed to open transportation routes and are willing to do this," Kusov said. "Everything is going fine--the conversations concern joint cooperation, and I am very glad about the dialog that has been created," Loshchinin told journalists. One agreement signed during the meeting called for the withdrawal of all illegal armed units from the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone by November 20. "Serious work and constructive positions of the participants in the meeting have resulted in the signing an important document. It imposes a cease-fire in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone and bans any military actions. This is backed by the parties' demilitarization obligations. Only peacekeepers will stay there. All illegal armed units have to be withdrawn. The deadline is November 20," read a Russian Foreign Ministry statement drafted after the agreement was signed on Friday. "All essential conditions for resuming negotiations on a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict have been set up," it said. "The document also stipulates the need to carry out joint economic projects. Fundamentally important is also the fact that the statement has been signed by the Georgian prime minister and the president of South Ossetia, which means the top level. The leaders of the two sides, displaying wisdom and great responsibility, have undertaken practical commitments to reach a settlement only by peaceful means. Russia is confident that these commitments will be honored," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. South Ossetia is legally a province of Georgia, but an armed conflict following a USSR collapse in the early 1990s led to its de facto independence. Tensions between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali have escalated in recent months, involving skirmishes, as Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has stepped up efforts to restore control over the breakaway republic. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

Marten Yorgants Gives Concert In His Native City Of Istanbul
ISTANBUL, November 8 (Noyan Tapan). A concert of singer Marten Yorgants
was organized in Gyunay park of Shishli upon the initiative of the
“Shishli” sport and cultural club on November 6 evening.
M. Yorgants, being originally an Armenian from Constantinople, hadn’t
an opportunity to give concerts in Istanbul for over 37 years. This
time he came to his native city at the invitation of dwellers of
Shishli.
According to the “Marmara” daily newspaper of Istanbul, Marten Yorgants
thanked the organizers of the concert, he invited participants to dance
during his songs. Marten Yorgats preferred to song more in Italian,
French and English songs regardless of the fact that participants would
more prefer to listen to his Armenian songs. But M. Yorgants created
fine atmosphere, and the invited people enjoyed the concert a lot.

114TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN LIBERATION MOVEMENT MARKED IN ZEITUN DISTRICT OF TEHRAN
TEHRAN, November 8 (Noyan Tapan). An arrangement dedicated to the
114th anniversary of the Armenian liberation movement was held at the
“Sukerian” hall of the Zeitun district of Tehran.
According to the “Alik” daily newspaper of Tehran, Ara Shahnazarian
was the key noter of the celebration organized on this occasion for
the second time in succession (after the arrangement organized at the
“Komitas” and “Nairi” halls). He mentioned that this movement was
the protector of the rights of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
Cause from the very beginning up to now, and the ideological youth
was always in the first ranks of this movement.
Then Levon Shant’s “Yesin Mard” play was staged and national songs
were performed.

Azerbaijan denies holding Armenian POWs
Ayna, Baku
9 Nov 04
Text of Turan’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ayna on 9 November
headlined “There are no ‘Armenian slaves’ in Azerbaijan”
Commenting on an appeal to the OSCE Minsk Group by the Karabakh
Armenians, the Azerbaijani state commission for prisoners of war,
hostages and missing persons has told Turan news agency that Armenia’s
statements that there are Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan, that they
are being used as slaves and concealed from international organizations
under false names are wide of the mark.
The source said that representatives of an international working
group for POWs, hostages and missing persons checked in 1996
whether Armenians were present in quarries and other places
[in Azerbaijan]. Members of the group from Yerevan and Xankandi
[Stepanakert] were also among them. They visited the aforementioned
places and saw no Armenian hostages being used as slaves. Azerbaijan
is ready even now to enable them to search for POWs.
“There is not a single Armenian hostage in Azerbaijan now. All of
them have been handed over to Armenia,” the state commission said.