TREND, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Majority of last loud statements on Nagorno-Karabakh do not reflect
reality – senior state officer

Source: Trend
Author: E.Huseynov

30.06.2006

The majority of last loud statements on Nagorno-Karabakh do not
reflect the reality, Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign
Relationships Department of the President’s Apparat, told Trend in an
exclusive interview.
Speaking on the last statements by the US Ambassador Matthew Bryza,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Mammadov said that he is the newly
appointed diplomat who held a very important in the parliament and
very closely familiar with the region. Appointing him as the co-chair
the United States wish to be more active and do much in the
negotiation process.
`At the same time Bryza wants to state that he is well familiar with
the negotiation process and wants its progress. Therefore, he
submitted different ideas for discussion, which do not reflect either
Azerbaijan, or Armenia. They might be Bryza’s private position and
even the stance by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. Therefore, there
is necessity to comment on them,’ Mammadov underscored. The
negotiations are held behind the closed doors, he reminded.
The senior ranking official assured that the President of Foreign
Minister of Armenia today are very much imposed to pressures by
public and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, as well as position and
rating of Azerbaijan worldwide. `Therefore, they are very upset today
and reached the deadlock,’ Mammadov emphasized. The conflict should
be resolved, the occupied lands must be liberated, territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored, as the United States and
all countries urge.
Now the key task of Baku is not to respond speculative statements by
the Armenian leadership, but continue peaceable negations this year.
`The Armenians fear that unless they come to an agreement with
Azerbaijan, the developments in other way will result their
catastrophe.

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Gazprom intending to buy Iran-Armenia pipeline

Source: Trend
Author: À.Mammadov

30.06.2006

(RIA Novosti) – Gazprom plans to buy an Iran-Armenia pipeline
currently under construction, a deputy chairman of the Russian energy
giant said Friday.

“Indeed, we intend to acquire this gas pipeline,” Alexander Ryazanov
told an annual shareholders’ meeting, reports Trend.

He said the pipeline, with a projected annual capacity of 1.2 billion
cubic meters, would be commissioned in 2007.

Ryazanov said putting the new facility on stream would help provide
more reliable supplies of natural gas to Armenia, which presently
receives its gas through Georgia.

“There are problems with the transit of gas to Armenia via Georgia,
as Georgia taps some of the gas,” he said.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
NKR SPEAKER: NAGORNO KARABAKH EXPECTS U. S. TO APPRECIATE ITS
INTERESTS
The legal and historical foundations of Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s
formation correspond to the international standards and experience,
Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) National Assembly Chair Ashot Gulyan
stated in Washington, while addressing the audience June 28 at the U.
S. Institute of Peace on the subject `The Karabakh Conflict:
Prerequisites for Peace’.
According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR MFA Press
service, Ashot Gulyan had noted he appreciated the vital interests of
the U. S. and other countries in the South Caucasus, but at the same
time expected them to understand Karabakh’s interests.
In his turn the NKR FM Georgy Petrosyan underscored the present
format of the Karabakh talks did not reflect the conflict’s real
essence, as the Azeri party denied negotiations with Nagorno
Karabakh.
Diplomats, heads of the U. S. strategic centers and organizations and
Armenian community’s members were present at the measure.
In the U. S. Congress the NKR Speaker and FM met with the
Representative Nita Lowey.
In the course of the meeting the NKR delegation presented the
social-economic situation in the Republic, development of democracy
in Artsakh and latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement process.
June 28 in the Capitol a reception was organized in honor of the NKR
delegation with the participation of the members of the U. S.
Congress, RA Ambassador to the U. S. Tatul Margaryan, NKR Permanent
Representative in the U. S. Vardan Barseghyan, leadership of Armenian
Assembly of America and Armenian National Committee of America,
journalists, Armenian community’s members. Congressmen Frank Pallone,
Joe Knollenberg, Caroline Maloney, Adam Schiff and Bred Sherman
addressed the audience in the course of the reception. Having
condemned Azerbaijan’s aggressive anti Armenian policy the members of
the Congress expressed their readiness to promote NKR’s development.
While speaking, the Nagorno Karabakh’s officials expressed gratitude
to the U. S. Congress and American nation on behalf of the Artsakh
people for adherence to eternal values, such as freedom and
democracy, as well as for humanitarian assistance to Nagorno
Karabakh.
Upon the measure’s completion the NKR delegation also met with the U.
S. Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Congressmen Frank Pallone and Joe
Knollenberg.
The meeting’s participants touched upon the issues referring to the
present social-economic situation in the NKR, development of
democracy in Artsakh, the U. S. Assistance to NKR and Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement.
Nagorno Karabakh delegation’s working visit to the U. S. began June
23 and will last till June 30.

Regnum, Russia
June 30 2006
Vafa Guluzade: Moscow does not want peace between Azerbaijan and
Armenia
In an interview to Analitika.az former state advisor for
international relations, political scientist Vafa Guluzade says that
`Armenia has no personal opinion, it does everything as Russia says.’
`Even if Armenia is pressured by the US into concluding peace
agreement, the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians will reject this peace. The
objective of all these talks is to give the Azerbaijani lands to
Armenia. However, Russia does not want this. In fact, it does not
want peace, at all, as in such case Armenia may ask it to withdraw
its bases from its territory and then may join NATO. The resolution
of the conflict will also allow Armenia to join regional energy and
transport projects. Russia does not want this to happen. That’s why
it is trying to drag the peace process for as long as possible,’ says
Guluzade.
On the other hand, `the US wants the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to be
resolved as quickly as possible. The Americans want to give part of
the Azerbaijani territories to Armenia and hope that Russia may agree
to this. They do not realize that the Russians will not accept this
either. If you remember, once Azerbaijan has already agreed to
compromise peace but that was followed by a terrorist act in Armenia.
Russia is still a strong player and can resist any peace agreement.’
Guluzade suggests waiting for 10 years more – `in 10 years Russia
will get weaker, NATO will grow stronger in the whole Caucasus and
only then will Azerbaijan be able to attain relatively favorable
peace. The other scenario is that Russia may grow stronger and `get
back’ Azerbaijan and the other CIS countries. But I think that the
first scenario is more realistic,’ says Guluzade.
He notes that `it is impossible to conduct a referendum on Nagorno
Karabakh’s status.’ This will require the return of all refugees to
Nagorno Karabakh and refugees will agree to return only after the
conclusion of a peace agreement and given the protection of the
Azerbaijani army. In this situation to agree to the referendum means
to give Karabakh to the Armenians. If so, why to negotiate at all?
Let them sign a statement and say: `we are making a generous gift to
the Armenians.’

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
“ARMENIAN ECONOMY” NATIONAL EXHIBITION TO BE OPEN IN MOSCOW ON JULY 7
IN FRAMEWORK OF EVENTS DEDICATED TO YEAR OF ARMENIA IN RUSSIA
YEREVAN, June 30. /ARKA/. “Armenian Economy” national exhibition will
be opened in Moscow on July 7 in the framework of events dedicated to
the Year of Armenia in Russia.
LOGOS EXPO Center Armenian exhibition-organizing company told ARKA
News Agency that the exposition will be held in “Armenia” pavilion of
the All-Russian Exposition Center and will last till December 31.
During the opening ceremony Armenian side will be presented by the
Assistant to the RA President Vigen Sargsyan, Minister of Trade and
Economic Development Karen Chshmarityan and other officials. The
exhibition is expected to be visited by delegations of various
countries, and the total number of visitors of the All-Russian
Exhibition Centre during the event is forecasted to be about 50-100
thsd people every day.
This long-lasting exhibition will enable to widely present common
tendencies of Armenia’s economic development, as well as products and
services produced and rendered in the country. At the exhibition
scientific and technological achievements and results of innovative
activities will be assigned special place as well.
Among participants of the exhibition are: “Grand Tobacco”, “Grand
Candy”, “Dilijan-Frolova”, “Vedi Alko”, “Bio-Chim”, “Royal-Armenia”,
“Nairit” factory, Union of Armenian Handicrafts, Yerevan Factory of
Champaign Wins, Proshyan Brandy Factory, Yerevan State Medical
University, Yerevan State University, Armenian State Economics
University.
“Armenian Economy” national exhibition is organized by the RA
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and LOGOS EXPO Center
company and is held under auspices of the RA President Robert
Kocharyan.
LOGOS EXPO Center company running since 1999, is the first private
exhibition company in Armenia and the absolute leader in organizing
many-sphere, specialized industrial, national and international
exhibitions both in the republic and beyond its borders. S.P. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
FAMILIES OF AIR CRASH VICTIMS FROM ARMENIAN A-320 AIRBUS TO RECEIVE
AMD 1MLN SUPPORT
YEREVAN, June 29. /ARKA/. Every family of the 85 Armenian citizens
killed in the air crash of the Armenian A-320 will be given AMD 1mln
(about $2,400). The press service and public relations department of
the Armenian government made such a decision during yesterday’s
sitting of the government.
The financial support will be provided from the AMD 88.472mln
accumulated on the special account of the treasury of the Armenian
ministry of finance and economy. More AMD 2mln will be given to the
families of two Georgian citizens killed in the air crash.
Besides this, AMD 1.472mln will be earmarked for designing of a
monument for the air crash victims.
The families will receive the financial support in cash.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy was assigned to stop receiving
funds on the temporary and off-budget account of the treasury and
close it after all payments are done. R.O. -0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
CONDOLENCE BOOK TO OPEN IN RUSSIAN EMBASSY IN ARMENIA IN CONNECTION
WITH DEATH OF RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS IN IRAQ
YEREVAN, June 30. /ARKA/. In connection with tragic murder of
collaborators of the Russian Embassy by terrorists in Baghdad, on
June 3 from 11.00 to 17.00 o’clock, the Russian Embassy in Armenia
has opened a condolence book, Press Service of the embassy reports.
The day before the RF State Duma demanded detailed investigation of
murder of collaborators of Russian Embassy in Baghdad and take all
the necessary measures for catching and punishing the criminals.
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expects from Iraqi
authorities and Headquarters of multi-national forces to spare no
efforts in order those involved in the crime against Russian citizens
could not avoid punishment.
Collaborators of the Russian Embassy in Iraq died as a result of
terrorist attack in Baghdad on June 3. S.P.-0–

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO WITHDRAW CENTRAL DEPARTMENT FOR
FRONTIER DEFENSE FROM FRONTIER TROOPS
YEREVAN, June 30. /ARKA/. The Armenian Government proposes to
withdraw the Central Department for Frontier Defense from the
frontier troops. The press service and public relations department of
the Armenian government reported that the government approved during
yesterday’s sitting the relevant draft amendments to the law “On
Frontier Troops” providing for the abovementioned withdrawal.
The government explains that the current frontier troop’s
headquarters effectively performs the functions of the abovementioned
department.
The amendments also specify the authority of the Commander-in-Chief
of the frontier troops, related particularly to allocation and
demobilization of servicemen.
Besides this, the approved amendments to the law “On Frontier” are
supposed to apply these changes only along the frontier line, not in
the entire frontier zone. The need in these amendments is accounted
for by the territorial peculiarities of Armenia, particularly the
location towns and settlements in the frontier zone.
Both of the draft laws will be submitted to the parliament for
consideration. R.O. -0–

Cyprus Observer, Cyprus
June 30 2006
Enlargement fatigue but only for Turkey
30.06.2006
Showing off to their public, the French government seeks to impose
EU’s `absorption capacity’ as a new condition for further EU
enlargements.
By Umut Uras
It is a regular method for EU member state governments to blame their
own failures on the European Union (EU). Actually it has become a
regular tool for governments to use the EU as a scapegoat.
For example, a government could secretly lobby for a positive
decision in the Council of Ministers through alternative methods,
whereas it could vote against it just to satisfy public opinion. Or
similarly, when a decision is certain according to qualified majority
voting, again it can vote against it only to satisfy public opinion
and increase its reputation. France’s stance towards Turkey’s
membership is a good example.
Absorption capacity
The ‘absorption capacity’ of the EU is regularly quoted by EU leaders
these days, but only for Turkey. In the last gigantic enlargement the
public did not hear much about this additional Maastricht criterion,
because the EU was willing to absorb these countries, including
Poland with a population of 40 million and 20% unemployment. In the
conclusions of the 1993 Copenhagen Summit, it was not defined
properly, an issue the EU leaders are working on after enlarging from
12 to 25 since 1993.
However, after the 2004 Central and Eastern European enlargement the
term has become very popular. The Commission quoted the ‘absorption
capacity’ in the new enlargement strategy publicized in December
2005. And in March 2006, the European Parliament requested a clear
definition of this criterion in its report on the Commission’s
enlargement strategy.
French example of playing to public
France’s stance towards Turkey on the issue of absorption capacity is
a good example how the EU governments are using the EU as a tool to
increase political reputations. It is a known fact that in some EU
countries, most significantly France, Turkey’s membership is not
welcomed. However, it is also obvious that Turkey’s membership of the
EU is in the interest of French businesses. Before the Foreign Direct
Investment boom in Turkey that came after the EU bid finally got
serious, for a few years French firms did the highest investment in
Turkey. Today, the trade level between the two countries is more than
10 billion euros per year. Turkey is also among the target countries
for investment according to statements made by the French Foreign
Trade Minister, Christine Lagarde. France made a huge Airbus deal
with Turkey in the past and is regularly interested in military
weapons bids.
We all saw what happened with the Armenian genocide bill that
awakened a huge reaction in Turkey. The French National Assembly
postponed debate and a controversial bill sponsored by the opposition
Socialist Party until at least October after being threatened with
trade sanctions by Turkey.
At the European Council that took place on 15-16 June, the French
suggested bringing a thorough definition to the absorption capacity
of the EU. It was only fully supported by South Cyprus for obvious
reasons. Even euro-sceptic Denmark rejected bringing an extra
condition for enlargements. As a result, France’s view that the
definition of the EU’s absorption capacity should cover the
democratic, institutional, political and financial ability of the EU
to absorb new members was not shared by the rest of the EU. French
President Jacques Chirac went even further and said that the
political ability of the EU is concerned with the views of the
populations, which should “be able to say if they accept or not.”
This approach provides a new criterion to be a member of the EU, as
there was no public voting for Poland, Hungary, Slovenia and the
other new EU member states, as there will be for Turkey. Southeastern
Balkan states will probably also be included in the deal because of
Turkey, if and when this additional criterion is realized.
Olli Rehn’s statement
Just after the enlargement discussions during the Summit in Brussels,
Olli Rehn, the EU Commissioner responsible for Enlargement, made a
call on Monday to European leaders to promote enlargement to their
public and not to make the enlargement of the EU a scapegoat for
their own policy failures like in the issues of unemployment and
globalisation. He also argued that Europeans are often “more
rational” than their governments, adding that the absorption of the
new member states has been a success story, uniting a Continent
previously divided by the Cold War.

Today, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
ATAA President: “Azerbaijani friendship society in America has
brought together only 17 Congressmen”

30 June 2006 [15:25] – Today.Az

“It is significant for Azerbaijan to strengthen in America and there
is a need for a serious support from inside of Azerbaijan. We are now
trying to establish relations with the Congress, America’s important
decision-making body.”

“Frankly speaking, Turkey is in better condition than you in terms of
relationships with Congressmen. Turkey’s Friendship Society has
involved 70 congressmen while that of Azerbaijan has involved only 17
congressmen. It is significant to increase this number. Besides, we
intend to work on Turkish-Azeri joint cultural projects. We have had
talks with your Minister for Culture and Tourism. We are going to
organize joint festivals.
As APA reports, Boston Azeri-Turkish Festival will be held after that
instead of Boston Turkish Festival. And the last but the most
important issue is making money…,” Vural Cengiz, president of the
Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) stated.
Mr.Jengiz said through the friendship society of Turkey and
Azerbaijan has brought together 87 Congressmen, the reason for not
annulling the Section 907 of Freedom Support Act against Azerbaijan
is related to the fact that in America only a powerful can achieve
his aim not a rightful.
“Injustice decisions are often made against Azerbaijan in most issues
and this process is on. We have launched talks with congressmen
regarding the Section 907 and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Before
arriving in Baku, I presented a congressman from Miami with a number
of materials on Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Garabagh and other issues. Our
talks were fruitful. He is now one of the members of the Turkish
friendship group,” the ATAA president said.
Jengiz also said that they need to regularly work with the
congressmen but they cannot do it with 2/3 of the body. According to
the ATAA president the reason for Armenians being powerful in America
is their having a lot of money.
Stressing the importance of promoting to Turkish and Azerbaijani
businessman in America, Jengiz said they intend to organize Turkish
businessmen’s visit to Azerbaijan, “We would do more if we had the
Azerbaijan’s Diaspora policy. Turkey does not take this matter more
serious. Azerbaijan has achieved much in this field. The main thing
is that this is the state’s policy.”
Jengiz said they also intend to organize Jewish Diaspora delegates
visit to Azerbaijan and have much closer relations with them. He
noted that the Assembly is implementing some joint projects with the
Turkish government to get financial allocation adding the Diaspora
work is funded by individuals. The Assembly president said he gets
salary in the cost of US$100.000 per month in the company he owns and
spends 50% of this sum to the Diaspora work.
The Assembly has collected $500 thousand now. In addition, the
donated money is spent on the Diaspora. Jengiz said this sum is many
times less than the money an Armenian businessman spends on lobbying.
He said they study the experience of Jewish and Armenian Diaspora
adding that Azerbaijan and Turkey is on the last stage of achieving
success in Diaspora work.

URL: