Azerbaijan will never agree up on isolation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan – Azeri President
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 31, 2006
Azerbaijan will never agree on the isolation of Nagorno-Karabakh from
Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan, told at the
session dedicated to the results of work of government within the
first half year, Trend reports quoting AzTV.
The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan may not be the topic of
negotiations, the president said.
“Azerbaijan will not agree with the conditions which may cause
isolation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan,” Aliyev stressed.
The president considers the Paris format of negotiations a positive
approach and success of Azerbaijan diplomacy.

ALL PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH YEREVAN SHOULD BE SOLVED
WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF LAW, SAYS YERVAND ZAKHARIAN
YEREVAN, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. All the problems connected with Yerevan
should be solved within the framework of law. Yervand Zakharian,
mayor of Yerevan, expressed such an opinion at the July 31 press
conference. In his words, two draft laws “On Yerevan” have been put
into circulation, one of which suggests making the present outskirts
of the capital separate small cities.
Formerly, the extension of the borders of Yerevan, in Y.Zakharian’s
words, was justified with the increase of number of the
population. However, as the mayor said, the “junction” of some
territories to the city was not right. He also mentioned that at
present the necessity of changing the governing system of the city
exists, and today the possibility of selecting that system is given.
It should be mentioned that the corresponding commission formed
under the guidance of Hovik Abrahamian, RA minister of territorial
government, will clarify its approaches around this issue until
October.

OKLAHOMA GUARDSMEN RECOGNIZED AZERBAIJAN
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
July 31, 2006
A few days ago a delegation of the U. S. servicemen headed by the
Head of Okhlom-, sorry, Oklahoma National Guard Major General Harry
Wyatt visited Azerbaijan. According to the Azeri tradition, any
guest from the U. S. is received by the most high-ranked persons of
the identical profession. Naturally, the Major General was received
by the Azeri DM Safar Abiyev. The guest was shown the most important
sight of Baku: a monument to the Azeri nation’s outstanding chieftain
Heydar Aliyev situated on the square bearing his name. Having put
flowers to the legs of the bronze chieftain, the American General
with those accompanying him drove along the avenue named after the
father of the current President of Azerbaijan to the Republic MOD,
where he participated in a splendid banquet with black caviar and
Armenian cognac with the label “Khazar”.
According to the tradition, a guest of any rank in the course of a
banquet in his honor must say a phrase, the point of which is that
he inveighs (recognizes, protects, respects – the options depend on
the guest’s professional activity and the degree of his modesty and
breeding) Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. The guest with shoulder
straps and stripes did not surprise anyone with his modesty.
In the course of the banquet the Oklahoma General, being deeply touched
by the caviar with cognac and unusual total attention managed to utter
what he has learnt: “the U. S. recognized and recognize Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity”. However, it was not enough for the brave
General, so he went on swaggering. As if getting ready for the
assault of the Afghan fortress of Tora Bora, behind the strong walls
of which Usama Ben Laden’s phantom is hiding, he resolutely exhaled:
“within the frames of the USSR’s era”.
Oh, General, oh, maladroit person, who remembers about the USSR’s
existence and has forgotten (or did not know) the map of the U. S.
President Wilson. And yet it is said there are no former presidents
in the U. S. Though Wilson – it was so long ago, in the first years
of Azerbaijan’s Sovietization, so the present generals could forget
about it.
The Azeri generals, by the way, turned to be more diplomatic than
their colleague from abroad, who can feel comfortable everywhere.
Having pretended that they know nothing about the Azeri Republic’s
refusal from the Azeri SSR’s succession, they amicably applauded
following their Minister.
The Azeri MOD Press Service informed with unconcealed pride that the
MOD Chief delivered an address, having noted the successful development
of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO. “We highly appreciate
the role the U. S. has played in the development of cooperation
between Azerbaijan and NATO. The Subdivisions of Azerbaijan’s Armed
Forces actively participated in the peacemaking operations in Kosovo,
Afghanistan and Iraq”.
Having paid tribute to decency and reminding the Oklahoma inhabitant
of Azerbaijan’s great contribution to the NATO peacemaking activity,
Abiyev came to the point: “the Armenian – Azeri conflict has not been
resolved yet, the activity of the OSCE Minsk group dealing with the
conflict settlement cannot be considered satisfactory. We speak up for
the conflict’s settlement within the frames of the standards of the
international right and on the basis of observance of the principle
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. We also request that the
Armenian troops should be immediately withdrawn from the occupied
territories. The Armenian party adopts a destructive stand in the
conflict’s settlement and does not wish to take into consideration
the current situation. Taking the above-mentioned into account,
Azerbaijan has to undertake adequate measures”.
Abiyev did not verify who they “request” and who they have to
“undertake adequate measures” against. However, his expansive speech
made necessary impression: according to those present, without habitual
encirclement of the brave corporals the Oklahoma General worried,
not to say was afraid. What if the Minister has taken him as someone
else? Though he is a Minister, he tried cognac as well.
Worried Wyatt began to carefully remonstrate to his too zealous
interlocutor, stating that all the conflicts must be settled by
diplomatic way. “We are ready to help you in the issue”, he said,
“the U. S. highly estimate the Azerbaijan’s efforts in the direction
and we are ready to help you. We believe Azerbaijan will demonstrate
its strong stand and will in the issue and at the negotiating table”.
Abiyev, who a bit cooled off the words and affirmations, also started
affirming that personally he, Safar, was against any hostilities. In
general, Azerbaijan, which denied Soviet heritage, is still devoted
to the slogan “Peace to the world”.
I do not know what about the American uncle, but I believe in his
words’ sincerity. Safar Abiyev really speaks up for peace and arms
race. First, arms race is the Azeri Minister’s favorite and quite
profitable business; second, it is easier, than to run around the
world searching for his own deserters and others’ disposable pilots.
Finally, being a son of a benefactor father, I. Aliyev every year
increases the Republic’s military budget twice. It should be noted
that Abiyev himself manages the state budget. According to the Azeri
proverb, a dog will not run away from meat, while Abiyev has been
brought up on the traditions of deep respect to the national wisdom of
his tribe. Why should one wage war, if it’s possible to buy armament
in Ukraine, on the points of collection of black and colored metal, and
then register it at the astronomic prices and put the difference in his
own pocket? And yet, a war is a war. What if after a current failure
one will have to lose his profitable post? For instance, the Karabakh
war made a lot of Ministers tender their resignation. Some were even
sent to jails. It should be noted that Abiyev is not Don Quixote.
Levon MELIK-SHAHNAZARYAN

ORRAN TO ORGANIZE MONTHLY CHARITABLE EVENT
YEREVAN, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. On August 1, “Month of Orran” monthly
event will start on the initiative of the Orran non-governmental
charitable organization and Armenia Marriott hotel. As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed from Susanna Manukian, Spokeswoman of Orran,
the goal of the monthly event held for the second time is to raise
funds in favour of the Orran beneficiaries. S.Manukian mentioned that
every Wednesday at 5pm, the alumni of Orran will perform Armenian
national songs and dances at the entrance of the hotel, and in the
hall of the hotel the visitors will be able to see and appreciate the
handworks made by those children. On August 18, a charitable dinner
will be held.
Orran, which was founded by Raffi and Armine Hovanissians in 2000,
with its charitable and philanthropical missions has helped more
than 1500 families and children by providing them with food, clothes,
psychological aid, education during its activity. 150 old people are
also included in the programs of Orran.

FIFTH INTERNATIONAL BIENALE OF MODERN ART TO BE ORGANIZED ON AUGUST 2-16 IN GYUMRI
YEREVAN, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The Center of Modern Art of Gyumri
will organize the Fifth International Bienale of Modern Art titled
“Sea, Dreams and Illusions” on August 2-16 in Gyumri. Azat Sargsian,
one of the organizers of the exhibition, informed journalists about
this at the July 31 press conference held in Yerevan.
This year more than 80 artists from nearly 20 countries will take
part in this event organized once every two years. Static displays,
as well as art creating actions, events, video-art and installation
are envisaged.
Azat Sargsian mentioned that the program is the only one in the region
and its goal is the cultural cooperation with different countries. He
attached importance especially to cooperation with the neighbor
countries, in particular, with Turkey. This year two Turk artists,
who will present a project titled “Storehouse of Dreams” prepared
with the joint efforts of 14 Turk artists, will take part in the event.
In bienale’s coordinator Arpi Tokmajian’s words, the main exhibitions
of the event will take place in Gyumri, in the Style exhibition hall,
Ethnographical Theater, Museum of Aslamazian Sisters, Zigzag shop,
as well as just in the street. Creative working days are envisaged
on the lakeside of Sevan so as the artists will be able to express
the idea of the bienale’s title in their own way.
The participants of the press conference also touched upon many
problems of the Modern Arts Center of Gyumri. In particular, as Arpi
Tokmajian mentioned, today the center hasn’t its own office and staff:
all the works are organized with the support of a group of artists.

ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN AND SHAVARSH KOCHARIAN DISCUSS
PROSPECTS OF NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
STEPANAKERT, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN- ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 31, NKR
President Arkady Ghoukassian received RA MP, Chairman of the National
Democratic Party Shavarsh Kocharian.
As NT was informed by the Acting Spokesperson for NKR President,
the meeting participants exchanged thoughts about a number of issues
relating to Nagorno Karabakh settlement, NKR socio-economic development
and extension of Armenia-Artsakh interparliamentary contacts.

PAROUYR HAYRIKIAN EXPECTS TO GET 15-30% OF VOTES IN CASE NEXT ELECTIONS ARE FAIR
AZG Armenian Daily #143, 01/08/2006
Home Politics
“If a miracle happens and Moscow reveals the secret
network of its agents in Armenia, and we have the
opportunity to hold fair elections in Armenia, our
party will get 15-30% of the votes,” Parouyr
Hayrikian, Chairman of “National Self-Determination
Union” party, said at the recent press conference at
“Pakagits” club.
But, in fact, he doesn’t believe fair elections may be
held and counts on the unification of his allies. He
said this union would help hold election that will get
rid of the criminal elements that exist in our state
system. Hayrikian also pointed out the prosecution
cases carried out against his party members,
particularly, when some forces tried to deprive his
party of his party office in Ghapan.
Besides, Hayrikian stated that the state structures do
not pay proper attention to the arrangements dedicated
to the celebration of 15th anniversary of the
Independence. As for the necessity to compose a new
hymn of Armenia, he said that he has submitted three
versions of the hymn that he composed himself.
When commenting on the Nagorno Karabakh issue,
Hayrikian stated that only powerful Armenia can assist
Artsakh and none should sell the self-determination of
NKR.
Hayrikian also touched upon an article issued in
“Zhamanak” newspaper, according to which Hayrkian
managed to construct luxury buildings in Davitashen
thanks to $4 billion robbed in the course of the
Karabakh war. He cited the letter the sent to the
newspaper in response to the article and demanded that
the newspaper should openly apologize to him. “We can
meet scoundrels everywhere, but one should be a
scoundrel himself to let them work in a newspaper,”
Hayrikian said.
By Gohar Gevorgian

ISSUE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH’S PARTICIPATION IN NEGOTIATIONS ONE OF MAIN
COMPONENTS OF ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN’S AND MATTHEW BRYZA’S CONVERSATION
STEPANAKERT, JULY 31, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Arkady
Ghoukassian characterized the atmosphere of the July 29 meeting with
OSCE MG American Co-chair Matthew Bryza as “very constructive and
creative”. “We exchanged opinions and looked for joint approaches
to promote the progress”, – Matthew Bryza told the journalists after
the meeting.
As NT was informed from NKR Foreign Ministry Press Service, The
Co-Chair noted that his first visit to Nagorno Karabakh was purely
acquainting. “One should not expect any new elements yet – I have
just arrived to listen to your opinion”, – Matthew Bryza said.
Commenting upon the meeting with the U.S. Co-Chair NKR President Arkady
Ghoukassian said: “Undoubtedly, one of the principal issues of our talk
was participation of Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiations, and I think
that Mr. Bryza understands that without Nagorno Karabakh the conflict
cannot be settled. Not only he but all the mediators realize it”.
The President noted that without visiting the NKR and getting
acquainted with the situation on the spot the newly-appointed Co-Chair
would not be able to form full notion about what was going on in
the region.
“I have not had big expectations from Mr. Bryza’s visit as I knew that
he was not arriving with new formulas but to listen to us. In this
respect my expectations have been justified because we could entirely
present our positions. As regards the fact that the mediators had not
arrived in Nagorno Karabakh for a long time it was to a greater extent
connected with technical issues. I have been constantly receiving
invitation to meet with them in Yerevan but I think that it would be
right to hold such meetings in Stepanakert”, – Arkady Ghoukassian said.
“In the course of the meeting a creative approach both by the President
and the American Co-Chair was displayed. The ideas, which were to
be specified, coordinated and discussed for a long time, have been
expressed”, – in his turn NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrossian,
who participated in the meeting of the Republic’s President with the
OSCE MG U.S. Co-Chair, told the journalists.
“I am glad that the American Co-Chair has arrived as promised. We
agreed upon that in the USA. Mr.Bryza is energetic enough and makes
up his mind constructively”, – NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

NEW REASON FOR TENSION. DOES GEORGIA MAKE A PROVOCATION?
AZG Armenian Daily #143, 01/08/2006
Regional
Last week, Mikheil Saaakashvili, President of Georgia, stated that
he is going to replace “the Abkhazian authorities that function since
1993” from Tbilisi to the upper part of the Kordor gorge, adding that
this will help restore the constitutional law in Georgia.
Evaluating this statement as an attempt to make a provocation and
unfold military conflict, the Abkhazian side stopped the four-later
negotiations with Georgia, UN and the peace-keepers. HTB informed
last week that the Georgian side continues accumulating armed forces
near the border with Abkhazia. The official Tbilisi believes that
the second stage of the operations that envisage the arrest of the
current Abkhazian authorities will be a success.
By Nana Petrosian

Suleyman Demirel: “Gars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway project will
be realized no matter in what way”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 31, 2006
“Gars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi- is an economic project. An economic project
within the time gets over the political obstacles.”
The ninth president of Turkey, Suleiman Demirel in his exclusive
interview to Turkey bureau of APA while answering to the question
“Is Armenian’s not participation in Gars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku
railway project related to its occupation of Azerbaijani territories
and groundless claims against Turkey.” Demirel stated that
Gars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku railway project will be realized no
matter in what way. Dealing with Baku-Tbilisi- Arzurum gas pipeline,
Suleiman Demirel said: “Gas pipeline will serve welfare of Azerbaijani
people. Turkey becomes energy terminal. Part of natural gas to be
transported will satisfy demands of Turkey. After that energy sources
of Caspian region will be put into use of Europe. So, Silk Road –
means the region we live in and Europe’s economic integration will
be realized.”/APA/