MP ASSEF HAJJIYEV: NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT DISCUSSED IN MOSCOW
Author: A. Ismayilova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The Congress of Local and Regional Powers of the Congress of Europe has
discussed the Karabakh Conflict issue and considered it as a threat
to the whole the Black Sea region, Assef Hajjiyev, a Member of the
Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Majlis), who gave a speech during the
above-mentioned event, told Trend.
Mr. Hajjiyev said that in his speech, he touched upon cooperation
both in the Black Sea region and existing problems, including the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue. “I pointed out that this conflict had its
influence on many factors, on the development of the region, in
particular. He also touched upon project Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC)
and pointed out that the conflict is a real threat to this project as
well”, the Azerbaijani MP stated. He stressed that the international
community ought to express its opinion on this issue. “This terrorism,
this separatism is a threat not only to Azerbaijan but also to all
the countries of the Balck Sea region”, said Mr. Hajjiyev.
In his speech, Mr. Hajjiyev also touched upon the municipal elections
held in Azerbaijan on October 6, 2006, and informed participants of
the meeting about the official returns of the elections.

DIVISIONS OF THE ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES ONCE AGAIN BROKE CEASEFIRE REGIME
Author: Sh.Jaliloglu
TREND, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
On 13 November, the divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces once
again broke the ceasefire regime on the front line, Trend Regional
Correspondent reports.
Yesterday, on November 13, the divisions of the Armenian Armed Forces
located in the occupied Bash Gervend village of Agdam district shot
at the opposite positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from 08:35.
In addition, on 14 November, the divisions of the Armenian Armed
Forces located in the occupied Mehtili and Laltepe villages of
Jabrail district shot at the opposite positions of the Azerbaijani
Armed Forces. The enemy was made silent with response fire.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE AGAIN
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
Today beginning from 08.25 the divisions of Armenian Armed Forces from
their positions in the occupied village of Aghdam Bash Gervend fired
at the opposite positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces for 15 minutes,
APA Garabagh bureau reports.
Yesterday beginning from 12.00 Armenian Armed Forces from their
positions in the occupied village of Jabrail Mehtili and Leletepe
fired at the opposite positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces with
large-caliber machineguns for half an hour. Yesterday Armenian Armed
Forces fired at the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the same direction.
The enemy was silenced by response fire. There are no losses. Fizuli
residents told the APA that the enemy tried to commit arsons in their
haystacks and pastures this month. Azerbaijan Defense Ministry told
the APA they have no information about the violation of ceasefire.

VISE-SPEAKER OF GREEK PARLIAMENT: I HAVE NEVER MET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OF UNRECOGNIZED NAGORNO GARABAGH REPUBLIC
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The vise-speaker of Greek Parliament Georgi Surlas made statement on
his meeting with Georgi Petrosyan, the Foreign Minister of unrecognized
Nagorno Garabagh Republic, Greek Embassy told the APA.
“I surprised with the articles published in Azerbaijan about my
meeting with the foreign minister of Nagorno Garabagh republic. I
declare that I had no meeting with him. I have met with Ovannisian,
vise-speaker of Armenian parliament and the ambassador of the Armenia
in the frame of friendship relations on November 7. Ovannisian had
an unofficial visit to Athens,” he said.
It should be mentioned that, Armenian mass media spread information
that Georgi Petrosyan, the foreign minister of so-called Nagorno
Garabagh Republic had official meeting with Georgi Surlas.

ACTION PLAN BETWEEN EU AND AZERBAIJAN SIGNED TODAY
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The meeting of EU-Azerbaijan Partnership Council in Brussels is over,
APA reports.
At the end of the meeting a five-year Action Plan within European
Neighborhood Policy between Azerbaijan and EU was signed. Analogous
document was signed between EU and Armenia and Georgia before. The
document envisages improving the economic integration and political
partnership. It is noted that 25 members of the EU and Azerbaijan
are for the preservation of common values, should respect sovereignty
and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders and obey
the international norms and principles. Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Policy Department chief Tahir Tagizadeh told the APA that
the Action Plan envisages cooperation in 10 spheres. The official
said that the document will help Azerbaijan to integrate to European
structures.

DID WE WIN OR LOSE THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS?
Ali H. Aslan
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 14 2006
With the Democrats taking control of Congress by overpowering the
incumbent Republicans last Tuesday in the mid-term elections, the
political landscape in Washington has changed. A new era is beginning
in America. The reason for President Bush’s defeat is another analysis
entirely. So how will the current picture affect Turkey?
Ankara has been trying to repair the relations with the Republican
Bush administration that were seriously strained during the Iraq war.
However, giving precedence to strengthening relations with the party in
power didn’t allow for the establishment of necessary communications
with the Democratic opposition. Until now, a big part of the work
was handled with the help of the lobbying firm of former Republican
leader Bob Livingston. But now the Congress is in the hands of the
Democrats…
Should Turkey take on an air of “the old king is dead; long live
the new king”? I think not, because although the Republicans have
lost the majority, close to half the Congress and the White House
are still in their hands. Consequently, even if they are weakened,
they still have power that shouldn’t be underestimated. On the other
hand, there is no reason why Ankara shouldn’t show the Democrats
flexibility in advancing relations. Even if we’re a little late,
we haven’t missed the train completely…
Most of the Democratic leaders who will hold key positions in
Congress’ foreign policy have problems with Ankara for different
reasons. Future Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Leader
Harry Reid, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Joe Biden,
and House International Relations Committee Chairman Tom Lantos can
all be included in this category. It is important to dissipate the
chilliness with key Democratic leaders. If Prime Minister Erdogan
had been able to realize his Washington visit after January 2007,
and had been able to meet with Democrats instead of coming during the
election campaign period when Congress was on vacation, it would have
been much more productive…
The Democrats’ general viewpoint on the issues of Iraq and the
alleged Armenian genocide, which carry near-future crisis potential
in Turkish-American relations, is rather far from Turkey’s. They may
not be able to decisively implement everything they said before the
elections. However, many influential Democrats have become dangerously
engaged with the Armenian lobby regarding their genocide claims. When
it comes down to the bottom line, President Bush will interfere again,
but it’s questionable as to how effective the Republican White House’s
request to the Democratic leaders in Congress will be. An important
factor of most Democratic campaigns was Turkey’s not looking favorably
on an immediate pull-out of troops from Iraq because of its anxiety
about its leading to increased chaos. It is known that some like
Senator Biden support possibilities that even include Iraq’s being
divided into three different states.
If the Armenian resolution passes Congress in April, if steps are
taken in Iraq to deepen Turkey’s concerns, and if concrete measures
are not taken against the presence of the PKK, we might very well
find ourselves in a new Turkish-American crisis in the spring. Just
the Armenian genocide issue alone is enough to poison Turkish-American
relations. Imagine how the already Washington-sensitive Turkish public
opinion and ruling establishment would respond. Fears of the eastern
part of the country being divided between the Armenians and Kurds would
hit the roof. The perception that the U.S. is not Turkey’s friend would
be strengthened. With Ankara entering an election atmosphere, it would
not be easy to find a brave knight to stand up for Turkish-American
relations. And the common strategic vision between the two countries
could be seriously damaged.
Let’s look at the bright side. The tracks Democratic President
Bill Clinton left behind in Turkish-American relations are an
important legacy. The Democrats’ adopting a more internationalist
and world-harmonious image than the Republicans is an advantage for
Turkey. It is expected that the Baker-Hamilton Commission, which has
turned into a vehicle for salvaging the situation for both parties,
will recommend mechanisms that make Iraq’s neighbors a part of the
solution. Consequently, our quotient of being listened to in Washington
can increase. The Democrats will try and draw a more realistic and
pragmatic foreign policy line than the idealistic, surrealistic
and maximalist line represented by the neocons. They might want to
put the breaks on democratization in the Middle East and partially
return to former pro-stability policy and spread reforms out over a
longer period of time. Most Democrats see diplomatic engagement with
Syria and Iran as more suitable to American interests. They want to
rejuvenate the peace process in the Middle East. All of these are
compatible with Ankara’s line.
The change in the political picture in America can lead to tactical
variation in its foreign policy, but its general strategic stance
won’t change much. It is a strategic necessity that the United States
not offend an important regional power like Turkey. Turkey can not
be taken for granted as before. If Turkey becomes offended, it can
not make a sufficient contribution to straightening out the grave
position of the U.S. and Israel in the Middle East, and the hands of
the radicals would be strengthened in the war against terror.
Turkish-American strategic relations should not be sacrificed to
internal political concerns in both countries. Train-wrecks could be
avoided by intense dialogue.

THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA DID NOT OK HOAGLAND’S APPOINTMENT US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
Zaman, Turkey
Nov 14 2006
According to Armenian Aravot newspaper referring to its own sources,
the Armenian Assembly of America has agreed with Richard Hoagland’s
appointment US ambassador to Armenia. According to the periodical,
US senators have recently received some phone calls from the AAA
informing that the latter did not have any more questions connected
with Hoagland’s appointment US ambassador to Armenia. At the same
time, the source claimed that the AAA sources allegedly stated to the
senators that they had also received official Yerevan’s approval of
Hoagland’s appointment.
Meanwhile, speaking to REGNUM correspondent, head of the AAA office
in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Arpi Vardanyan stated that there was
no phone call to the senators. “We could not agree with Hoagland’s
appointment US ambassador to Armenia. Moreover, we oppose the current
policy of the US administration that does not recognize the fact of
Armenians’ Genocide. We believe that truth should be said about the
Armenians’ Genocide in Ottoman Empire,” she stated. “We have principal
disagreements with US government concerning recognition of Armenian
Genocide, and we are sure that truth should not be denied.
The recall of the ex-US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans continues to
raise questions, and we continue to insist upon complete and final
recognition of Armenian Genocide by the USA. We are also informed
that the Armenian government has approved Hoagland’s candidacy, and
we are sure that presence of an ambassador will be more favorable
for the Armenian-US relations than its absence,” Arpi Vardanyan stated.
To remind, Armenian public was quite repelled by the Richard
Hoagland’s candidacy after the diplomat’s indulging in statements
denying Armenians’ Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. The Aryan Order
published an unequivocal commentary about it. Despite protests of the
Armenian public opinion, including several Armenian NGOs, Richard
Hoagland’s candidacy nominated by the US president George Bush was
considered and approved. Speaking on the occasion, US Senator from New
Jersey Robert Menendez stated that many politicians including the US
President avoid qualifying the crime committed in early 20th century
in Turkey as Genocide, and Hoagland’s appointment may become a step
backwards that will benefit neither Armenian nor Diapora’s interests.
On November 8, US Charge d’Affairs to Armenia, Vice-Ambassador Anthony
Godfrey stated at press conference: “Despite the negative Armenian
public opinion of the candidacy of Richard Hoagland who has been
approved US Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Armenia,
the US government does not consider any other candidacy for the post.”

EU TO SIGN ‘NEIGHBORHOOD’ ACCORDS WITH 3 SOUTH CAUCASUS NATIONS
Kyiv Post, Ukraine
Nov 14 2006
BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union will sign accords with Georgia,
Azerbaijan and Armenia Tuesday offering the three nations extensive
economic help and easy access to EU markets in return for a pledge
to commit to across-the-board reforms in the years ahead.
“These agreements will boost our relationship,” said EU External
Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner after she had dinner
with the foreign ministers of the three south Caucasus nations Monday.
The ‘European Neighborhood’ accords offer broad EU economic help
and cooperation in justice affairs, transport, energy, environment,
research, education, health and other sectors.
They aim to craft a “ring of friends” – eventually embracing Israel,
Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinians, Tunisia
and Ukraine – and offer them easy access to the EU’s vast internal
market if they stay the course on reforms.
Crucially, EU membership is not on offer. This has riled some
countries, notably Ukraine.
The EU sees the neighborhood accords as an opportunity to help settle
frozen conflicts in the south Caucasus and help nations there to
normalize frayed ties with Russia.
The EU is concerned about poor relations between Russia and Georgia
and the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
On Tuesday, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will have
another round of talks about the disputed territory in Azerbaijan that
has been under the control of Armenian and ethnic Armenian Karabakh
forces since a 1994 cease-fire ended a six-year separatist war that
killed about 30,000 people and drove about 1 million from their homes.
“This is a big problem hampering the development of the (south
Caucasus) region,” said Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
He and Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian met last Oct. 24
in Paris.
The final status of Nagorno-Karabakh has not been worked out. Years
of talks under the auspices of international mediators have brought
few visible results.
On Monday, the EU foreign ministers said they will not recognize a
weekend referendum vote result backing independence for Georgia’s
breakaway province of South Ossetia.
The ministers said in a statement the vote “did not contribute to
efforts for peaceful conflict resolution (and) contradicts Georgia’s
sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Earlier, Georgia’s Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli told reporters
his government “remains faithful to a peaceful resolution of the
conflict.” He added that “all sides must refrain from provocations”
like the independence vote.
Election officials in South Ossetia said voters in the disputed region
had approved independence for the tiny Caucasus Mountains province
on Russia’s border, which split off from Georgian central government
control in a bloody 1990s war.
The EU sees the vote as a Russia ploy to destabilize Georgia.
Georgian-Russian relations hit a new low in September after Georgia
briefly detained four Russian officers it accused of spying. Russia
responded with economic sanctions and a crackdown on Georgians living
in Russia. Earlier this month Russian state-controlled natural gas
monopoly OAO Gazprom said it would more than double the price it
charges for gas supplies to Georgia.

MEETING OF AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO TAKE PLACE IN THE 2ND HALF OF THE DAY
Author: A.Ismaylova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 14 2006
The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov
and Armenia Vardan Oskanyan will take place on November 14 at 17:00,
Baku time, the Chief of the Press and Information Policy Department
of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Tahir Tagizade informed Trend.
He stressed that the meeting will also be attended by the co-chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group. In the evening, the sides are expected to
participate in the supper on behalf of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Karel De Gucht.

RA AND AR FMS MET IN BRUSSELS
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Nov 14 2006
November 14 a recurrent meeting of RA and AR FMs Vardan Oskanian and
Elmar Mammadyarov was held in Brussels.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Press Service,
the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs had also been present at the meeting.
To remind, the Karabakh conflict settlement’s basic principles
suggested by the OSCE Minsk group are being discussed at the talks’
present phase.