Armenian Organization Call Armenia to Accept OSCE Minsk Group Proposal
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006
Frame document for settlement the Karabakh conflict published by the
OSCE Minsk Group’s cochairmen is the end of the mislead the Armenian
and Azerbaijani people by their presidents, reads the statement of
the Armenian Common National Movement (ACNM).
These principles once again prove that stage by stage settlement of
the conflict on which ACNM insisted does not have alternative.
Armenia’s uncertain position in the negotiation process testifies
Yerevan’s willingness to postpone settlement of conflict, what isolated
Armenia from participation in regional political and economic programs,
the statement reads.
Variants of the conflict’s settlement proposed today run counter
Armenia’s interest more than it was eight years ago, statement’s
authors consider. They are sure that documents, which will be
submitted later, will less and less meet Armenia’s interests. Taking
into account geopolitical and economic processes, and perspectives
of further development of situation, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
must accept the Minsk Group’s proposals, because fair resolution of
the conflict will provide security guarantees for Karabakh’s people,
and allow them to carry out state building at their discretion.

Mamedyarov on Nagorno Karabakh referendum: “We are rather speaking of a poll”
Regnum, Russia
July 27, 2006
Basic elements suggested by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs and
discussed during the last negotiations “are acceptable if the basics’
essence is preserved that the conflict should be resolved gradually,
based on the principles and norms of international law,” Day.Az quotes
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov to comment
on the Minsk group member countries’ positions.
According to Mamedyarov, the international community has a clear
understanding that “when we speak of international law, the factor
of territorial integrity is primary,” whereas “the self-determination
principle does not imply breaking territorial integrity.” He brought
in this regard a number of examples of state structures where
nations determine themselves in the framework of states’ territorial
integrity. “I have continually spoken out of the examples of Tatarstan,
Bashkiria; there is Trieste and other instances,” Mamedyarov said.
As regards the acceptability of the Trieste model in solving the
Nagorno Karabakh issue, Mamedyarov was told that the model presumes
the existence of many elements that had been at some points offered to
the official Baku and were rejected, particularly, the availability
of an autonomy’s own army, state symbols, passports, currency,
etc. Azerbaijani minister said that there is a huge difference between
the Trieste in 1950s and in the 21st century.
Mamedyarov said that “thanks to the economic development and
normalization of the everyday life, the Trieste society starts to
react differently to sensitive issues. In this context, the problem
of Nagorno Karabakh was perhaps a problem of the Soviet totalitarian
regime under which all the population of the Soviet Union was in a
grave state.”
Mamedyarov says that in this context, taking into account Azerbaijan’s
building a law-abiding society, democracy, and market economy, the
situation changes drastically, therefore, one should look at the
prospect. On the first stage, it is necessary, of course, to solve
the issue of displaced persons, for the problem is serious enough,
as well as issues of security, economy, and communications.
Azerbaijan, co-chair countries, and EU member countries “explain
to the Armenian side that prolonging the destructive policy in the
region will make it difficult for them to expect a lively development
in the future.” “If they in Armenia think that they will be able
to preserve control over the occupied territories, this, I suppose,
would be equal to a suicide,” Mamedyarov claimed.
“We will persist in continuing our policy of developing Azerbaijani
economic and political systems, all its institutions, including
military ones,” Mamedyarov says. “To move forward, one needs to
understand the situation in the region, which will come at some point.”
Speaking of the possibility of holding in Nagorno Karabakh referendum
on its status, the minister said: “We are rather speaking of
a poll.” He specified that “this will become possible after the
life of both Azerbaijani and Armenian communities is normalized –
in Nagorno Karabakh itself, after the Azerbaijani displaced persons
have returned.”
What questions are to be asked in the “poll,” is, in his words,
still a matter of negotiations, “for if a question posed disputes
territorial integrity, the question can only be solved based on the
Constitution of Azerbaijan.”
Touching upon the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry position on journalists’
visits to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the minister said; “Considering
that Nagorno Karabakh is an inseparable part of Azerbaijan, I do
not see a problem in the country’s representatives’ visiting the
region. But naturally, this depends on the level of cooperation. If
a need arises for citizens to visit – journalists, NGO workers,
even official representatives – we have no objection to it.”
“I think we have to overcome the barrier of hatred that exists between
Azerbaijan and Armenia on some issues. We are neighbors, and we will
have to deal with each other,” Elmar Mamedyarov concluded.

Turk court acquits author
Scotsman, United Kingdom
July 27, 2006
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – In a ruling sure to please the European Union
and human rights groups, a Turkish court on Thursday acquitted an
author and journalist of charges that she tried to deter people from
doing their military service.
Perihan Magden had irked conservatives in Turkey’s powerful armed
forces and judiciary by defending a conscientious objector who was
sentenced to four years in a military jail for refusing to wear
his uniform.
All Turkish men over the age of 20 are required to serve up to 15
months in the armed forces. The law does not recognise the right to
conscientious objection.
Magden had argued Turkey should establish a civilian service as an
alternative to military service, as many EU members have done. Turkey
is an EU candidate country, though it is not expected to join the
wealthy bloc for many years.
An Istanbul court ruled that Magden’s opinions fell within the scope
of freedom of expression and did not constitute a crime under Turkey’s
revised penal code, the state-run Anatolian news agency said.
State prosecutor Kadir Nazmi Yelkenci had himself called for the
acquittal of Magden, it said. Known in Turkey for her novels and
newspaper columns, Magden had faced up to three years in jail if
convicted.
Dozens more writers and journalists face prosecution in Turkey accused
of insulting the state and its institutions. The armed forces are
especially revered as the ultimate guardian of the mainly Muslim
country’s secular political system.
The EU has urged the government to modify articles in the penal code
which make it relatively easy for prosecutors to open cases against
those who question state policy or institutions.
The centre-right government of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has so
far resisted EU pressure to alter the articles, saying that freedom
of expression cases rarely result in a conviction.
Earlier this year, best-selling novelist Orhan Pamuk escaped
prosecution on a legal technicality after endorsing claims Ottoman
Turkey committed genocide against Armenians during World War One.
Turkey strongly denies the claims.
But Armenian-Turkish editor Hrant Dink fared less well. This month,
a higher court confirmed his six-month suspended jail sentence over
remarks he made about the genocide claims.
Security outside the courtroom on Thursday was tight.
Ultra-nationalists often hurl abuse and even try to attack defendants
in such human rights cases.
This article:

Fighting words: With two Lebanese-born members,
System of a Down is closely touched by the current conflict.
But war has always been a theme of the band’s unflinching lyrics
Montreal Gazette, Quebec
July 27, 2006
T’CHA DUNLEVY, The Gazette Published: Thursday, July 27, 2006
Article tools
Though widely referred to as an Armenian-American hard rock group,
System of a Down also has roots in another country, which has been
at the forefront of world news in recent weeks. Two of its members –
singer Serj Tankian and drummer John Dolmayan – were born in Lebanon.
Which made the current conflict in the Middle East an unavoidable
topic when I got Dolmayan on the phone yesterday.
“I think it’s great. I’m very happy about things,” he said,
without missing a beat, before getting serious. “Obviously it’s very
disturbing. But it’s nothing new. It’s the reason our families left
in the first place. What’s happening now is exactly what was happening
25 years ago. Unfortunately, in that region, it’s the same thing that
has been happening for the past 2,000 years. It’s very disturbing. We
still have family there. It’s very difficult to deal with.”
Dolmayan also has ties to Montreal. And that’s not just a reference to
the legions of loyal fans that have helped make the band’s appearances
here so memorable.
“We always have really good shows in Montreal,” he said. “Part of the
reason is that we haven’t been that many times. My sister was actually
born in Montreal. When my family left Lebanon, we came to Canada for
asylum. My sister was born two or three days after we got there.”
That was in 1976, “one of many times the shit hit the fan in Lebanon.
Lebanon never fights with anyone, but it’s used as a battleground for
whoever feels like fighting. Unfortunately, it’s right in the middle of
(everything).
“It’s far-fetched, but if Canada and Mexico went to war, they
would fight in the U.S. That’s kind of where Lebanon is, in the
middle between Syria and Israel. Before, there were Jews, Arabs and
Christians and everyone wanted to fight for Jerusalem, they were all
historically from the same tribes. They were practically related, if
you go back far enough. It probably started over a couple of sheep,
and they’ve been fighting ever since. It’s moronic.”
War is a recurring theme in System of a Down’s music.
The subject is broached from many angles on last year’s
Mesmerize/Hypnotize two-CD set (released separately): including money
(“Why do they always send the poor?”), machismo (My c–k is much
bigger than yours”) and the innocent victims of conflict (“Where do
you expect us to go when the bombs fall?”).
Though pointed and unflinching, the band’s stance rarely comes off as
heavy-handed. Topics are tackled with defiance, irony and wit. The
trivialization of life in North America also features prominently.
“Hey man, look at me rockin’ out/I’m on the radio,” Tankian sings.
But while humour plays a part in the music, the grim reality
of world events cannot be ignored. System of a Down’s website
() has a section devoted to global action,
providing links to an array of other sites. At the top of the list
is an entry about the Turkish genocide of Armenians in 1915-23;
an event still officially denied by Turkey.
“After almost 100 years … Turkey still refuses to accept its role in
this terrible tragedy,” Dolmayan said. “Imagine if Germany did that,
and raised its citizens to believe the Holocaust never happened. How
sad would that be to Jews, Gypsies, gays and others?”
When not expounding on weighty topics, Dolmayan is pounding out the
relentless beats that, along with the bass playing of Shavo Odadjian,
provide the bedrock of their band’s music.
“I’d say we’re one of the tightest rhythm sections out there right
now,” he said. “Rhythm is the concrete foundation of the music, so
if that is there, the painting and architecture that are the lyrics,
vocals and guitar melodies can interact the way they want. If you
don’t have a tight rhythm section, your band sucks.”
The band is rounded out by guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter
Daron Malakian. Asked what leads System of a Down to make such fervent,
ambitious music, Dolmayan doesn’t overthink things.
“This is the path chosen for us by destiny,” he said. “We all
gravitated to music for one reason or another … People call us
Armenian rap-metal, prog rock. In 10 years, they might call us classic
rock. We don’t care. We play music for one reason – to satisfy a need
within ourselves.
“Before I knew about war, money or women, I had a passion to play the
drums. It’s something that’s inherently within us. And that’s why I’m
fortunate enough to have you talking to me – because you care about
our band, because people in Montreal care enough to buy a ticket to
our show. We’re lucky to be in that position. But whether it was one
person or one million, that passion would be there.”
System of a Down performs Wednesday at Jean Drapeau Park, with
Avenged Sevenfold, Hatebreed and others. Tickets cost $54.50. Call
514-790-1245.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006
Harry Wyatt: United States supports Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity in the frames of the borders existed in former USSR
Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Safar Abiyev today received the
delegation led by the US Oklahoma National Guard Commander, Major
General Harry Wyatt. The Ministry told the APA Minister Abiyev said
Azerbaijan is having successful bilateral cooperation with the North
Atlantic Alliance.
“We highly appreciate the United States’ role in development of
Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation. Azerbaijani Armed Forces units are
actively participating in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo,
Afghanistan and Iraq,” the Minister said.
Mr.Abiyev said the situation is tense in the South Caucasus, “The
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has not been solved yet. The activity of
the OSCE Minsk Group, which is dealing with this problem, is not
satisfying. We want the conflict to be resolved in the frames of
international legal norms and Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and
demand Armenian occupying forces to withdraw from the occupied
territories. The Armenian side is taking a destructive position
regarding the resolution of the conflict. Taking this into account,
Azerbaijan has to take adequate measures.”
Mr.Wyatt thanked to the Azerbaijani people and government for active
participation in the fight against global terrorism.
“We highly appreciate Azerbaijani Armed Forces units serving together
with US Army in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, and we consider this as
a great success of the Azerbaijani people. You have got wonderful
Armed Forces and much disciplined soldiers,” Wyatt said.
Oklahoma National Guard commander said the United States supported
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the frames of the borders
existed in former USSR period and supports at present and wish the
conflict be resolved diplomatically.
“The United States highly appreciates Azerbaijan’s efforts in this
direction and we are ready to help you in this way. We believe
Azerbaijan will demonstrate its strong will around the negotiations
table,” he underlined./APA/

Russia, Azerbaijan: No Row Over the Pipe
Focus News, Bulgaria
July 27, 2006
By Vasily Zubkov
To the surprise of some experts who had been predicting a chill in
Russian-Azerbaijani relations because of the commissioning of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, the two presidents sat next to each
other at one of the events of the recent informal CIS summit.
Meanwhile, the first Azeri oil has already reached the Heidar Aliyev
terminal in the Turkish port of Ceyhan, but over a year later than
it was originally planned.
The BTC pipeline is the biggest non-Russian infrastructure project
in the entire post-Soviet space all along the line – in investment
(four billion dollars), the number of participants, and the
potential geopolitical consequences. Russia’s attitude to it is not
unequivocal. It is happy for its CIS neighbor, but weary about the
political anti-Russian fuss around its commissioning.
During the construction of the BTC, there was talk in the West about
the Kremlin’s destructive propaganda, and its continued attempts to
avert the implementation of this ‘project of the century’. But in
reality, it was back in the early 1990s, when the future project was
only discussed in broad outline, that Moscow refused to take part in
it for routine, non-political reasons.
In those remote times Baku profited much less from its oil exports
than from a million-odd Azeris who were selling vegetables and fruit
in Moscow. The Azeri oil industry was stagnating and investment in
it required much optimism. Besides, the BTC project was not likely
to recoup because of low world oil prices. All figures rested on the
dubious estimates of the Caspian deposits. The risks were too high
also because the pipe was to pass through Turkish areas inhabited by
Kurds and Georgian regions with a predominantly Armenian population.
To sum up, Russia’s reasons for refusing to join in the BTC building
were clear and logical. Even BP, the BTC operator, might have not
undertaken it if it had not been for the powerful pressure from
the U.S.
Many of these apprehensions have now become reality. There is
not yet enough oil for the pipe to reach its rated capacity. The
Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli deposits, which were supposed to be the BGC
main supplier, produce no more than 20 million tons of oil per year.
This compares with Azerbaijan’s total output of 22 million tons
in 2005.
Russian-Azerbaijani bilateral economic ties are making steady
headway. Under the intergovernmental bilateral agreements, more than
two million tons of Caspian oil are pumped into the Baku-Novorossiysk
pipeline every year.
Transneft Vice President Sergey Grigoryev said that he was surprised
to learn that the Azeri exports via Novorossiysk had even grown in
the last few months, after the BTC was put into operation, though
they are still considerably less than the 5 million tons annually
reserved by Transneft.
When asked what will happen if all Azeri oil goes into the new
pipeline, Grigoryev said that such a small loss would be negligible
for his company. Last year it processed almost 454 million tons of oil,
and the share of Azeri oil was no more than 0.55%.
Baku is seeking partners exactly because it does not have enough
oil for the full operation of the first BTC extension. Not long ago
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan invited Russia to take part
in the BTC, but this proposal did not evoke much interest. The BTC
rate of $21 for a ton of oil circulations cannot compete with $15.6
at Baku-Novorossiysk.
Eager to boost its oil exports, Kazakhstan has decided to go for
the BTC and signed the agreement, which provides for the annual
transportation of 7.5 million tons. In perspective, this figure
may grow to 20 million tons, but not necessarily – Kazakhstan cannot
provide any guarantees. It is also increasing its oil exports to China,
and has much interest in oil supplies to Lithuania and Latvia.
But cooperation with Kazakhstan is not problem-free. Kazakh oil is
more sulfurous as compared with Azeri Light, one of the best crudes
in the world, and hence the price for a barrel is different. Baku is
racking the brains over how to avoid a drop in price and not lose a
strategic partner. But will Astana agree to compensate for lowering
the quality of Azeri brand?
U.S. President George W. Bush, who did not take part in the BTC
inauguration, called it the gates to the world oil market, and
suggested their protection by the ‘Caspian Guards’, for which
Washington intends to pay $150 million.
Under this project, the U.S. will send a ground force to the BTC
countries, and will monitor them from the air and space. Needless to
say, the Kremlin cannot be happy about such close wardship, and the
military presence of third countries in the post-Soviet space.
This amounts to the formation of a new pro-Western bloc on Russia’s
borders. Maybe, this is another reason why Moscow is indifferent
to the BTC as a pipeline for liquid hydrocarbons, and is so worried
about everything around it. Russia is afraid that the BTC may turn
into the Trojan horse on its frontiers.
However, Moscow and Baku are linked by mutually beneficial long-term
economic contacts; there is a huge Azeri diaspora in Russia; and
the Aliyevs – father and son alike – have traditionally pursued
a multi-vector foreign policy. These factors taken together will
hopefully make bilateral relations stable and predictable, and serve as
‘an airbag’ in case of collision.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author,
and may not necessarily coincide with those of the editorial board.

United Nations World Food Program will continue cooperation with
Azerbaijan in future – Executive Director of WFP
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006
Author: S.Agayeva
The United Nations World Food Program highly assesses the efforts
of Azerbaijan to improve the condition of refugees and internally
displaced persons (IDPs) and will continue its cooperation with
Azerbaijan.
James Morris, the executive director of WFP, told at the meeting
with Azerbaijani prime minister Artur Rasizade, Trend reports with
reference to the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Touching on the poor condition of refugees, Morris noted that the
world public should continue all efforts to settle Armenian-Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and return the refugees and IDPs to their
native lands.
Rasizade highly assessed the visit of Morris to Azerbaijan and
refugee camps where he could get familiar with the hard situation
of refugees and IDPs suffered as a resuly of Armenian aggression
against Azerbaijan.
Speaking about non-settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Rasizade
mentioned non-constructive position of Armenia in this process.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude the head of WFP for
rendering assistance to Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs.

JUDICIAL REFORMS TO REPLENISH ARMENIA’S JUDICIAL MANPOWER
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 27, 2006
YEREVAN, July 27. /ARKA/. The first stage pf reforms in Armenia’s
judicial system will replenish Armenia’s judicial manpower with
20-25 judges, RA Minister of Justice David Harutyunyan told a press
conference.
He reported that the reason for the increase in Armenia’s judicial
manpower is the increase in the number of courts. Specifically, besides
common law courts Armenia will have courts of limited jurisdiction –
criminal courts, civil courts, courts for bankruptcy cases.
The Minister noted that similar reforms in other countries’ judicial
systems caused a 2.5-6-time increase in the number of judges.
Armenia’s judicial system currently has common law courts (minor
courts), the Criminal and Military Court of Appeal, Civil Court of
Appeal and Cassation Court of Armenia.
According to the Ministry of Justice, a total of 180 judges currently
work in Armenia. P.T. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijani President receives World Food Program executive director
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006
Azerbaijan~Rs President today received the delegation led by the
United Nations World Food Program executive director James Morris.
APA reports quoting the President~Rs press service the head of state
said Azerbaijan is speedily developing in political and economical
spheres. He stressed the main concern is Armenia~Rs aggression
against Azerbaijan, which led to at least 1 million of Azerbaijanis
becoming refugees and internally displaced persons. President Aliyev
said the government is implementing effective measures to improve
living conditions of these refugees and IDPs adding all of the
displaced-persons camps in Azerbaijan will be removed.
The President also thanked to the UN World Food Program for continuous
aid to Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs expressing confidence for further
cooperation with the WFP.
Mr.Morris expressed satisfaction with the high level cooperation
between the WFP and Azerbaijan. He said he met with refugees and IDPs
during his visit in Azerbaijan adding he was deeply impressed by the
measures implemented by the government, especially, President Ilham
Aliyev to improve the conditions of refugees and IDPs. The visitor
expressed confidence for further expansion of cooperation between
the World Food Program and Azerbaijan./APA/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GLO denounces Matthew Bryza’s intention to visit Khankendi from Yerevan
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 27, 2006
Azerbaijan’s Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) made a statement
regarding US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza’s upcoming
visit to the South Caucasus region. The GLO told the APA that it
denounces Bryza’s intention to visit Khankendi from Yerevan.
“Matthew Bryza’s intention to arrive in Khankendi, occupied Azerbaijani
lands from Armenia should be regarded as disrespect to Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity and support for Armenia’s aggressive actions. On
the other hand, this step by the US co-chair aims at propagation of
the alleged Nagorno Karabakh Republic established by Armenia in the
occupied Azerbaijani lands and artificially drawing the terrorist
group to the negotiating process. The GLO demands Matthew Bryza to
comment on this intention to visit Khankendi from Armenia and give
it up,” the statement concludes./APA/