IKRAM SHIRINOV AND ELMAR KERIMOV TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF SAFAROV’S FAMILY
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
Lawyers Ikram Shirinov and Elmar Kerimov will defend Azerbaijan Army
officer Ramil Safarov’s family and the rights of the Defense Ministry
of Azerbaijan, the Bar told the APA.
Safarov was sentenced to life-term in prison for murdering Armenian
lieutenant Gurgen Markaryan in Hungary. The lawyers have signed a
contract with Safarov’s family and Defense Ministry. Shirinov told
the APA that they had learned Hungary criminal law and prepared the
necessary documents for defense and sent them to the Budapest Court.
He also said he will visit Budapest soon and will meet with Safarov’s
Hungarian lawyer. The presidium of the Bar will cooperate with
Hungarian lawyers for defending Safarov effectively. By the decision,
additional lawyer can be involved in the defense process.
Lawyer Adil Ismayilov defended Safarov’s rights before.

NO ARMENIAN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE INVITED TO FESTIVAL IN TURKISH REGION OF KARS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
No official representative from Armenia has been invited to the
festival in Kars, Turkey, on 13-15 September after the dissatisfaction
of Azerbaijani media and public.
Only folklore groups from Armenia will attend the festival,”
Azerbaijani consul to Kars Hasan Zeynalov told the APA exclusively.
The consul said the consulate met with the Kars local authority
regarding this matter.
“They promised there will be no discussions on opening Armenia-Turkey
border in the festival. I made remarks to Kars local authority that
Armenia has territorial claims against Turkey and aggressive policy
against Azerbaijan. In this case, opening of the border is out of
question,” Mr.Zeynalov said.
The consul also said the issue regarding opening of Armenia-Turkey
border was discussed in the previous two festivals in Kars.
Azerbaijani participants left the event earlier protesting to this
discussion.
Kars local authority had stated that it will make efforts for the
opening of Turkey-Armenia border.

CHAIR OF COUNCIL OF RUSSIAN MUFTIS FOR LIBERATION OF OCCUPIED TERRITORY
Author: R.Agayev
TREND, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
The chairman of Board of Muftis of Russia, Ravil Gaynutdin stated
in Moscow that he has always come out for liberation of the occupied
territory and full sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
According to Gaynutdin, Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, the chairman of
the Caucasus Muslims Board, is not only an outstanding theologian,
but also a diplomat. “Working in his post he establishes diplomatic
relationships and head of the Armenian Church – Catholicos of
Armenians. He voiced his assurance that the CMB headed by Mr.
Pashazade will further go on the way which will at last resolve
the conflict.
Speaking about the relationship with the CMB, Gaynutdin noted his
respect to Sheik-ul-Islam of Caucasus who is a true religious leader
of Muslims and takes every effort for religious survival and spread
of moral values of the Islam throughout the territory of Caucasus.
“Muslims of Russia consider him a true supporter of a dialogue
between the religions as a co-chairman of the CIS Inter-religious
Council. As a member of the CIS Inter-religious Council I witness the
such an attitude shown him by representatives of different religions,
as they know him as a true peacemakers, advocate of good-will ideas
and guard of necessity of maintenance of peace among the religions
and nations and true patriot,” he underscored.

FIRST TIME HEADSCARF BAN IN EU REPORT
By Selcuk Gultasli, Brussels
Zaman Online, Turkey
Sept 10 2006
The European Parliament (EP), which is the target of harsh criticisms
both in Turkey and in Europe, has for the first time included the
headscarf issue in its annual report.
Cem Ozdemir, a Turkish origin deputy, and Dutch-born Joost Lagendijk
from the Greens Party, brought the issue of the headscarf ban, which
is implemented in Turkish universities, to the parliament’s agenda.
Ozdemir and Lagendijk believe it is the E.U. Commission’s turn to
take action. Both EP members acknowledged that the E.U. Commission,
which prepares a detailed report on Turkey each year, cannot remain
indifferent to such a problem, and added the progress report should
cover the headscarf issue as well.
The deputies managed to include the revision proposal suggesting
Ottoman tolerance as a model for Turkey in the draft report. The
draft report, which recommends Turkey should acknowledge the so-called
Armenian “genocide” in order to gain E.U. entry, now refers to Ottoman
tolerance as well.
Commission sources report that they will not make any comment until
the end of September when the EP report will be officially approved.
The commission has not covered the headscarf issue in the progress
reports until now claiming there has been no consensus over the issue
in the E.U. and in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Rapporteur Eurlings, who allocates extensive coverage to the religious
liberties of minorities in his reports, had initially objected to the
proposal of including the headscarf issue in the report. However, when
Ozdemir and Lagendijk suggested that this attitude could be perceived
as “hypocrisy” and would weaken the E.U.’s hand in demanding rights
for minorities, Eurlings gave the green light to the proposal.
Turkey-E.U. Joint Parliament Committee Co-Chairman Joost Lagendijk
believes Turkey should at least allow the headscarf to be worn at the
country’s universities. Speaking to Zaman, Lagendijk indicated that
Turkey needs to reach an agreement about the headscarf and stressed
the E.U. is expected to acknowledge the problem exists and that heated
debate over the issue continues in Turkey in the report that it will
prepare on November 24.
The E.U. Commission termed the reaction of secularist circles disturbed
by the EP’s decision to cover the issue as “exaggerated.”
Lagendik stressed that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) should
clarify its attitude about the headscarf issue and the secularist
circles should be open the issue to discussion.
“At least France should be taken as a model”
The other architect of the change, Ozdemir, said the proposals
did not foresee any models, adding that Turkey could at least take
France as an example; implementing the strictest form of secularism
in Europe. “As you know, there is no headscarf ban at universities
in France,” he said.
Ozdemir believes a taboo has been broken with the inclusion of the
headscarf issue in the EP report and is optimistic that the problem
will be eliminated in the upcoming EP reports.
“The E.U. should no longer remain indifferent to the problem. Turkey
has taken France as an example in many issues. Why doesn’t it take
it as an example again on this issue? We did not ask them to take the
UK as an example, which is the most liberal model in Europe,” Ozdemir
said, adding that the French model could be a ground for consensus.
The proposal put forth by Ozdemir and Lagendijk, which has been
adopted in the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs
(AFET), will expectedly be approved in the final voting at the end
of the month and included in the report, if no surprises occur.
“There is an ongoing discussion about the headscarf issue in Turkish
society. There is no European rule about the issue, hopefully a
consensus will be reached allowing university students to wear
headscarves in Turkey,” the proposal read.

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER TO MEET OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov is flying to London for
negotiations with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs tomorrow, Tahir Tagizadeh,
FM Press and Information Policy Office chief told the APA.
The minister will consult with OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Yuri
Merzlyakov, Bernard Fasie and Matthew Bryza, in London on September
13. Mammadyarov will meet with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan in Paris on September 12. Tagizadeh said the meeting is of
consulting character. They will discuss situation of conflict and
the main principles of the settlement.

CE ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN – SR OF CE SEC-GEN
Author: A.Ismayilova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
Trend’s exclusive interview with special representative of the Council
of Europe Secretary General to Azerbaijan, Mr Denis Bribosia.
Question: Will the Council of Europe openly observe the municipal
elections to be held in Azerbaijan on 6 October 2006?
Answer: The Council of Europe attaches great importance to these
elections with the hope that the municipal elections will run smoothly
and in line with the necessary standards. The CE will be in observance
during the polls. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will
dispatch a monitoring delegation which will stay in Azerbaijan from
3 – 8 October.
As a rule, such processes require considerable funds and therefore,
the composition of the delegation will not be large. Nevertheless,
work carried out during the elections will be of a high standard. The
monitoring will be held in the capital and regions of Azerbaijan.
Question: How do you estimate the resolution of part of the opposition
on boycotting the elections?
Answer: When the opposition boycotts the elections, the democracy
system fails. I’m not in a position to blame either side. Perhaps, the
opposition has reason to boycott the elections. I cannot condemn it.
As to demand from the opposition to make changes to the Elections Code,
this is a requirement that the CE would like to witness. The CE has
been informed that the changes will definitely occur and we hope this
to be the case. In this respect the CE and the Venice Commission have
agreed to work towards this goal.
Question: How do you estimate the fulfillment of the CE obligations
by Azerbaijan?
Answer: This is a large-scale issue. Several bodies of the CE are
observing the issue. Their reports are periodically submitted to the
public for consideration. Summing up the reports, I can say that there
are serious wishes by the parliamentarians as well as the Committee
of Ministers for changes to be carried out. They want to be confident
that this is not just a short burst of democracy, but a serious and
stable progression.
Question: What are your opinions on the state of media in Azerbaijan
Answer: We believe that freedom of expression is one of the major
attributes of democracy. Of course, we would not like to hear of
reports of journalists being persecuted. The journalists should fulfill
their duties and avoid becoming involved with the authorities. I call
on all to realize that the European Court also encourages freedom of
expression. People should express their opinions and be able to ask
questions. At the same time they should always take into consideration
that the there are boundaries which should not be overstepped. The
European Court on Human Rights has outlined these boundaries.
Undoubtedly, the journalists should not damage the honor and dignity
of people in the press. Journalists are not allowed to act in this
manner. Here I’d like to add that the use of criminal policy in these
issues is not allowed. The possibility of persecution and arrest
of journalists makes them extremely careful which in turn affects
their activities.
Question: Do the senior ranking officials of the CE plan to visit
Azerbaijan?
Answer: The Chairman of the PACE Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh,
Lord Rassel Johnston will visit Azerbaijan, exactly when has not been
confirmed. The Parliamentary Assembly assures us that the Committee
led by Johnson is capable of influencing the process of talks on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and therefore, the visit is imminent.
Next year PACE plans to conduct a conference with the participation
of parliamentary delegates from Azerbaijan and Armenia to discuss the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. At present we are unable to advise you on
the venue of the conference, which is to be organized by the Ad Hoc
Committee. Rassel will visit Azerbaijan prior to this forum.
Question: Does the CE plan to participate in the processes linked
with the fire in the occupied territory of Azerbaijan?
Answer: It would be more expedient to simplify many issues
father complicate. At present there is no necessity to include
all organizations in the issue. It might be received with some
resistance. Therefore, the OSCE is responsible for processing the
issue. There is no reason for the CE to interfere with the process.
However, the Ad Hoc Committee on Nagorno-Karabakh will hold a meeting
during the PACE session in October, but as far as I know, some MPs
are going to put forward the issue.
Question: What big events does the CE plan to conduct in the near
future?
Answer: A number of events are on schedule. School of political
sciences will be set up soon. Its opening is scheduled for 6 November
2006. It is an important tool which will help to teach young and
promising leaders in Azerbaijan about democracy and politics. Similar
schools function this way in many countries. Now we are working on the
establishment of the Association of Municipal Bodies in Azerbaijan. By
the end of the year crucial meetings are planned in connection with
the education of judges in the penitentiary system.

IRANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER TO LEAVE FOR ARMENIA
Author: À.Mammadov
TREND, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
(Fars News Agency) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Gholam Ali Haddad Adel,
heading a delegation, is due to leave Tehran for Armenia on Monday,
reports Trend.
During his three-day visit which takes place at the invitation of
the Armenian Parliament Speaker, Haddad Adel is scheduled to hold
meetings with different high-ranking officials, including his Armenian
counterpart, President and Prime Minister.
The top legislative official is also due to pay a visit to the
Iranology department of Yerevan University, where he is also to make
a speech.
–Boundary_(ID_nyW3gpo11jfuUcKpXLq34g)–

IMPORT OF LITERATURE DISTORTING AZERBAIJAN’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY PREVENTED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 10 2006
Azerbaijan’s State Border Service officers prevented 15
border-violation cases in August. At the result of this 14 Georgians,
10 Azerbaijanis, three Iranians, two Afghanis, two Britons and a
Russian were detained.
The SBS press service told the APA that eight Azerbaijanis were
arrested for border violation. Only once a criminal gang shot at
border guard. 51 wanted criminals were detained and handed over to law
enforcement bodies. “Magnum” gas pistol and 18 nine-caliber cartridges
were confiscated. 115 books, four maps and eight booklets violating
Azerbaijan territorial integrity and five photo-illustrations on so
called “Armenian genocide” were also confiscated in the reporting
period. 2 200 kg of hemps were annihilated.
Several Azerbaijani, Russian, Iranian, Turkish, Uzbek, Georgian and
Kazakhstani were detained for forged documents. Turkish, Iranian,
US, Philippines, Turkmen, Italian, French, Malaysian, South Korean,
Jordanian, Syrian, Russian, German, Norwegian, Singapore, Finnish,
Iraqi, Afghan, Chinese, Canadian, Moroccan, Israeli, Palestinian,
Indian, Lebanese, Saudi Arabian, Kyrgyz, Danish and Nigerian citizens
were detained for not having visa. The smuggling of US $23 467, AZN
86, 1 22 000 cigarette boxes, 500 alcohol drinks and other industrial
products were prevented in August.

UK’S MOST ‘ENGLISH’ TOWN NAMED IN IMMIGRATION STUDY BACK TO COMMUNITIES
24dash.com, UK
Sept 10 2006
Ripley in Derbyshire – named most ‘English’ town The most “English”
town in the UK has been named in a study of the spread of immigration.
Ripley in Derbyshire has the highest proportion of people of English
origin, based on an analysis of first names and surnames.
The findings showed Heanor in Derbyshire was in second place, followed
by Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, Boston in Lincolnshire,
Leek in Staffordshire, Leiston in Suffolk, March in Cambridgeshire,
Wisbech in Cambs and Beccles and Halesworth in Suffolk.
Southall, west London, had the lowest proportion of people with
English names, and South Tottenham in north London emerged as the
most diverse area of London.
The findings were revealed in a report for OriginsInfo, an organisation
providing analysis of the origins of names.
The research placed the 42.2 million adults registered to vote in
mainland Britain into 200 ethnic groups on the basis of a person’s
surname and first name.
The study into the most “English” towns excluded Scottish, Welsh and
Irish names as well as other “foreign names” – but Huguenot surnames
and Norman names counted as English.
The report also found that Armenian immigrants and their descendants
were the most successful ethnic group in the country.
They were followed by the Japanese, Dutch and Greek Cypriots among
the groups who are economically and socially most successful.
Bangladeshi Muslims and migrants from Sierra Leone and Syria have
fared worst.

‘GALOPER’: RUSSIAN MACHINES COMPETITIVE IN ARMENIAN MARKET
Financial Information Service, Russia
Sept 10 2006
MOSCOW, September 11. /FIS/. Russian machines are quite competitive
in the Armenian market because it is easy to repair and find spare
parts for them. More importantly, repairs of Russian machines are
much cheaper compared with foreign machines. This was noted by Deputy
Director General of ‘Galoper’ Vladimir Akopov.
‘Galoper’ is an official representative of about 20 Russian and
Byelorussian machine building companies, including ‘Kurganmash’,
‘Rosselmash’, ‘Agromashholding’, Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant and Minsk
Automotive Plant. Akopov believes the Armenian market has a potential
of further development as regards agricultural and freight carrying
machines since the republic’s agriculture and industry continue
to grow.