ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS REMAIN UNDEVELOPED: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT
ARMINFO News Agency
September 30, 2006 Saturday
Armenian-Turkish relations remain undeveloped, Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan said during a joint press-conference with French
President Jacques Chirac.
He said that Armenia is interested in having a more predictable,
safe and democratic neighbor. In this light, we have no fears about
Turkey-EU membership talks, on the contrary, we would like to see
certain problems to be resolved in this process. Kocharyan hopes that
the system of values, respect for freedom of movement, open borders
and other values applied in Europe will cover Turkey too and not at
the end of the talks but from the very beginning.
In his turn, asked if Turkey will have to recognize the Armenian
Genocide to qualify for EU membership, Chirac said that each country
and nation can develop only if it realizes its past. By admitting its
acts against Jews Germany did not lose its grandeur and reliability,
on the country. A country seeking EU membership must respect human
rights as this is the top value in Europe. Turkey should think well
and recognize and condemn its past, Chirac said.

MOSCOW ITSELF PROVOKED IMPUDENT ACTIONS OF GEORGIAN AUTHORITIES
by Vladimir Mukhin
Translated by Pavel Pushkin
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, September 29, 2006, p. 3
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
October 2, 2006 Monday
Collapse Of The Ostrich Policy;
Seizing Of Russian Officers In Georgia As A Consequence Of
Contradictory Foreign Policy Of Russia In Transcaucasia; The insolent
seizing of Russian officers in Georgia is a quintessence of the
unclear, contradictory and ostrich foreign policy of Russia in
Transcaucasia.
The insolent seizing of Russian officers in Georgia is a quintessence
of the unclear, contradictory and ostrich foreign policy of Russia in
Transcaucasia. Without taking public opinion of Russians, secretly,
on March 31, Commander of Russian Ground Forces Colonel General
Alexei Maslov and Senior Deputy Defense Minister of Georgia Mamuka
Kudava signed an agreement on withdrawal of Russian military bases
and other military objects of the group of Russian forces in
Transcaucasia from Georgia. This document was not ratified by the
Duma yet and the government only considered it and submitted it to
the President for signing. Meanwhile, 25 trains with personnel and
armament of the Russian forces were already sent to Russia and
Armenia this summer. This was equivalent to more than a half of the
entire combat potential of the group of Russian forces in
Transcaucasia.
Back in May 2006, when illegitimate withdrawal of Russian forces from
Georgia was only starting, Lieutenant General Yury Netkachev, former
deputy commander of the group of Russian forces in Transcaucasia who
was in the Adzharian government of Aslan Abashidze in capacity of the
head of the security service between 2001 and 2003, already predicted
the situation regarding seizing and humiliation of Russian officers.
Then the general said, “Withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia is
the biggest geopolitical mistake of Russia. They will taunt us and
our officers.”
Many politicians in Russia agree with him now.
Meanwhile, general Netkachev believes that Moscow itself is to blame
for the illegitimate ascent of Saakashvili to power. It turned out
that when Saakashvili was only going to become the president and
Tbilisi was turbulent, Moscow was able to prevent his ascent to
power. Netkachev said, “I knew for sure that at the end of 2003,
Abashidze arrived in Moscow and addressed the Defense Ministry and
the government with a request to support him and to prevent coming of
Saakashvili to power. Just agree, all this so-called orange
revolution in Tbilisi and dismissal of Shevardnadze, all this was
illegitimate. Residents of Adzharia supported Shevardnadze. However,
Russian officials in the Presidential Administration decided not to
interfere because they believed that this was an internal affair of
Georgia. Abashidze left Russia without any results, although the
terms that he offered in case of Russia’s support for him were very
beneficial for Russia. He promised to leave our 12th military base in
Batumi indefinitely. If we recall the recent past we can say that he
has often helped our Adzharian garrison with food, has given fuel and
lubricants for exercises etc.”
Netkachev fully denies a possibility of espionage of Russian
servicemen against Georgia, “If we were doing this and organized
“intrigues, conspiracies” etc against Saakashvili, believe me, the
illegitimate regime of the young reformers would not exist even for a
few months. Unfortunately, we stay aside. Other countries support
Tbilisi. I will not say which because you will understand by
yourself. They act against Russia in a concerted way and are very
successfully ousting it from Transcaucasia and other regions of the
CIS.”

PRESIDENT SEZER: FUNDAMENTALIST THREAT AIMS AT CHANGING BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR STATE
Turkish Press
Oct 2 2006
ANKARA – “Fundamentalist threat aims at changing the basic
characteristics of our state,” said Turkish President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer on Sunday.
Addressing the parliamentary general assembly to mark the beginning of
the new legislative year, President Sezer noted, “the globalization
process deepens mutual dependence and shapes geo-political and
geo-strategic situation in the world. Global security and global
economy became the most important concepts in our century.”
“The new security atmosphere has changed traditional perceptions of
threat. As a result, dimension of security has changed from the concept
of national security into the regional and global security,” he said.
“Turkey has been face to face with gradually increasing internal
and external threats and risks targeting its territorial integrity,
national unity and political regime. Those risks and threats stem
from separatist and fundamentalist activities, international
terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and
regional problems. Turkey has succeeded in protecting its stability
and prosperity against these security issues thanks to its sound
democratic and secular structure, and our social attitude rejecting
all kinds of ethnic and religious discrimination,” he stressed.
“Success of the fight against terrorism requires a global
cooperation. And success of such a cooperation depends on definition
and evaluation of all terrorist organizations as a joint target.
Supporting terrorist organizations and remaining silent against acts
of terrorism targeting the other countries affect the global fight
against terrorism negatively. Any country cannot win this fight on
its own,” he said.
President Sezer noted, “as one of countries which suffered most from
terrorism, Turkey supports the global fight against terrorism with
great determination. Unfortunately, our friendly and neighboring
countries failed to support Turkey in its fight against the terrorist
organization. A common attitude and an active cooperation are the
only way of solution against the separatist terrorism stemming from
the northern part of Iraq. Turkey preserves its legitimate right to
defense itself against external terrorism.”
“Separatist terrorism is a universal crime against humanity. Turkey
is determined to maintain its fight against separatist terrorism
within the rules of the state of law till the terrorist organization
is totally eliminated. I want to highlight the importance of efforts
to resolve socio-economic problems of the eastern and southeastern
regions besides our armed fight against terrorism,” he said.
-“THREAT OF FUNDAMENTALISM”-
“Another threat targeting our security is fundamentalism.
Fundamentalist threat aims at changing the basic characteristics
of our state. The key point in our fight against fundamentalism is
secularism. The fight against fundamentalism entails us to protect
the secular structure of our Republic, to prevent use of religion and
religious values for political purposes and to inform our people,”
he said,
President Sezer emphasized that the Turkish Armed Forces is the
guarantee of existence and continuity of the Turkish state and
political regime.
-“DEVELOPMENTS IN FOREIGN POLICY”
“There are important developments in the foreign policy. In line with
our national interests, we have to provide a convenient atmosphere
around us with the aim of sustaining our development in security.
Turkey`s unique position between the west and the east entails us to
pursue a realistic, influential and multi-dimensional foreign policy,”
he said.
Referring to the EU membership process, President Sezer said,
“our target of EU full membership is one of the priorities of our
foreign policy. The EU has put forward a strategic point of view by
formally opening entry talks with Turkey. We believe that progress of
our accession process without interruption will also make valuable
contributions to global peace. However, some circles oppose to our
membership on the basis of cultural and religious differences, and
support Greek Cypriot efforts for opening of Turkish ports and airports
to the Greek Cypriot traffic. They encourage the uncompromising
attitude of the Greek Cypriot administration. The EU should direct
the Greek Cypriot administration to a comprehensive solution based on
political equality and bi-zonality in line with the United Nations`
parameters.”
“Our target of the EU full membership and the bilateral relations
with the United States are leading topics of our foreign policy. Our
relations with the EU and the United States complete each other and
form the European-Atlantic tie. Current conditions in the world has
increased importance of the Turkish-American relations. We attach
great importance to our cooperation with the United States in the
fight against the terrorist organization. Creation of a zone of
harmony and stability is one of our essential targets,” he said.
-RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES-
“I believe that development of Turkish-Greek relations on the basis
of mutual confidence and friendship will help efforts to resolve the
bilateral problems. Any progress to this end will also have a positive
impact on the Mediterranean region. We expect Greece to fulfil its
commitments stemming from the international agreements and to resolve
problems of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace,” he stressed.
Highlighting importance of stability in the Balkans, President Sezer
said, “Turkey attaches great importance to creation of a peaceful
atmosphere in the Balkans on the basis of mutual understanding and
cooperation, and will continue maintaining its contributions to
protection of regional stability.”
Referring to relations with Russia, President Sezer said, “Turkey
and Russia maintain their cooperation to reach their joint target
of a multi-dimensional partnership. Development of the cooperation
between Turkey and Russia, two important countries in Eurasia and the
Black Sea region, will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity
in the whole region.”
“One of the most important targets of our foreign policy is
to make Eurasia a region of stability and cooperation. The
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline became a meaningful symbol of the
regional cooperation. This cooperation will extend to the Central Asia
after participation of Kazakhstan in the project. We aim at creating
an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation in southern Caucasus,”
he said.
Expressing Turkey`s pleasure with steps taken by Azerbaijan to
consolidate its distinguished place in the international community,
President Sezer said, “the Upper Karabakh dispute should be resolved
and Azerbaijan should regain its territorial integrity.”
-IRAN-
Stating that they have been monitoring developments regarding Iran`s
nuclear program with a great concern, Sezer said, “Turkey respects
Iran`s right to develop nuclear technology with peaceful objectives.
However, Iran should have a transparent cooperation with international
community.”
-IRAQ-
“The situation in Iraq where several people die every day has turned
into a tragedy of humanity. Turkey will keep assisting Iraq and Iraqi
people during their difficult days. The main goal of our relations
with all sections in this country aim at maintenance of territorial
integrity and political unity of Iraq.”
-MIDDLE EAST-
Stating that problems in the Middle East prevented the region from
reaching a lasting stability in the region, he said, “Turkey hopes
that the Middle East will be a region of friendship and cooperation.”
“Turkey believes that if all countries in the Middle East adopt
universal democratic values, it will contribute to peace and
cooperation in the region,” he stressed.
Sezer noted that there was no need to redefine universal values like
democracy and modernism with additions like `moderate Islam`, stating
that secularism was the criterion of modernism which regulated the
relation between Islam and democracy.
Recalling that Turkey condemned terrorist attacks on the United States
on September 11th, 2001, Sezer indicated, “some circles` efforts
to make a parallelism between Islam and terror are meaningless. It
is clear that mentioning terrorist activities (in the Middle East)
together with Islam can cause dangerous results. Within this scope,
leaders of Christian world should refrain from statements and attitudes
which may cause the people who have different belief to offend.”
Sezer said, “the solution of Palestinian issue is the key factor for
settlement of peace and stability in the region.” He stated that the
solution frame that was put forward by the UN is that “Israel and
Palestine should live together peacefully within borders recognized
by international community.”
“Turkey believes in this solution frame. Turkey`s close relations with
Israel and Palestine will contribute to this objective. The country
will continue its initiatives on this direction,” he underlined.
Sezer indicated that the countries in the Middle East should fulfill
their duties and should be in favor of peace.
-CENTRAL ASIA-
Stating that Turkey aimed to boost its relations with countries
in Central Asia, Sezer said that Turkey would keep assisting these
countries in its efforts on development, democratization and the area
of human rights.
“Humanitarian aids that Turkey extended to several regions of the
world, our location and our sound attitudes made the country which
is wanted in solutions of global problems,” he stressed.
Sezer added that the motto of Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic
who said, “Peace at Home, Peace in World” caused Turkey to advance
in the course of history.

LEADERS OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES SHOULD CONTACT ON DIPLOMATIC LEVEL RATHER THAN THROUGH MASS MEDIA: KOCHARIAN
ARMINFO News Agency
September 30, 2006 Saturday
The leader of neighboring countries should contact on diplomatic
level rather than through mass media, Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan said during a joint press-conference with French President
Jacques Chirac.
Kocharyan regrets that there are no such contacts today. Commenting
on his correspondence with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Edrogan,
Kocharyan said that in response to Erdogan’s offer to set up a joint
commissin of historians for inquring into the events of 1915, Kocharyan
proposed forming an inter-governmental commission for considering
all Armenian-Turkish problems including the possibility of setting up
the historical commission. But Erdogan has not answered his proposal
to date.

VANDALISM GOING ON
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Oct 2 2006
According to the DE FACTO Information-Analytics Agency’s information,
St. Minas’s Church built in 1650 has been completely destroyed in the
village of Kushchi of the Dashkesan region controlled by Azerbaijan.
The process of the Armenian churches’ destruction in the regions
controlled by Azerbaijan is going on. DE FACTO Information-Analytics
Agency again applies to all humanitarian structures and clergymen of
all confessions to terminate the barbarian destruction of the Armenian
churches and cemeteries in Azerbaijan.

ARMENIA TO PRESENT ANTI-SMOKING REPORT TO WHO
Armenpress
Oct 02 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Next year Armenia will have to
present to the World Health Organization (WHO) its first report on
implementation of commitments it has assumed by joining the Framework
Convention on Anti-Tobacco Struggle. Armenia ratified the Framework
Convention in 2004.
According to Alexander Bazarchian, the coordinator of the national
anti-tobacco campaign, Armenia’s main commitments set by the Convention
are the passage of an anti-tobacco legislation, enforcement of a
full ban on tobacco advertisement before 2010 and the gradual rise
of tobacco products prices and besides 30 percent of cigarette packs
must have a notice about the smoking hazards.
So far Armenia has passed a law on restrictions to sale, consumption
and use of tobacco products. Local law on advertising bans street
advertisement of tobacco goods. According to Armenian doctors, the
number of smokers in Armenia is on the constant rise Some experts
estimate that more than half of all males are smokers. They say the
number of smoking women also increases, the bulk of them in Yerevan.
The World Health Organization estimates that 63.7 percent of Armenian
men are smokers – the highest rate in Europe. By comparison, an
estimated 60 percent of men in neighboring Georgia are smokers and
31.2 percent in Azerbaijan.
Armenia’s first ever restrictions on smoking in public places came
into force on March 2, 2005, prohibiting smoking in hospitals,
cultural and education institutions and public transportation.
There are no mechanisms in place for enforcing the measures, and to
date there is little evidence of compliance with the restrictions.

OPEN DOOR: THE READERS’ EDITOR ON … ATTEMPTS TO IMPROVE THE NEWS MEDIA IN ARMENIA
Ian Mayes
The Guardian, UK
Oct 2 2006
Some time in the next couple of months a book of these columns,
chosen from those dealing mainly with ethical issues arising from the
Guardian’s journalism, will be published in Armenian. They are being
translated by Marine Petrossian, a poet, in the Armenian capital,
Yerevan, as part of a project funded by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). The idea is to make
them available to journalism students at a time when the media in
Armenia, like the country itself, are going through a crucial stage
in their post-Soviet development.
As in Russia, where a book of Open Door columns was published last year
under the evocative title of Work on Mistakes (Rabota nad oshibkami),
there is no experience of the kind of mediated conversation between
journalists and readers that the columns represent. Something that
is now normal here still appears to be quite revolutionary where
impunity and the pretence of infallibility have been the norm. This
is more or less the case in Armenia.
Armenia is a small country (about the same size as Belgium) in the
southern Caucasus, landlocked between the Black and Caspian seas. It
has a population of about 3 million of whom about 1 million live in
Yerevan. There are many more Armenians in the diaspora and they make a
major contribution to the economy. Armenia was one of the southernmost
parts of the Soviet Union and it still has strong ties to Russia. It
is bounded by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.
History strongly intrudes on the present in these countries.
The border with Turkey is closed and an issue is Turkey’s failure
to acknowledge the genocide of Armenians in 1915 as the Ottoman
empire came to an end. Attempts within Turkey even to discuss the
genocide in which about one and a half million people are said to
have died, have resulted in several high-profile trials which have
attracted international condemnation. According to a Gallup poll, 57%
of Armenians within Armenia believe the government should not agree
to reopen the border until Turkey acknowledges the genocide.
I was there recently with Jeffrey Dvorkin, the former ombudsman of
National Public Radio in Washington and my predecessor as president
of the Organisation of News Ombudsmen, to take part in a conference
on self-regulation of the media. We went at the invitation of the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Yerevan
Press Club, whose president, Boris Navasardian, is a tireless promoter
of research and debate on media standards and accountability. It is
a slow business.
There is no press council in Armenia, and there is no universal code
for journalists, although individual organisations are in the process
of formulating their own. The institution of ombudsman does not exist
either for the industry or in any individual news organisation. A poll
of journalists conducted for the Yerevan Press Club and the OSCE in
2004 showed that while standards of professional ethics – on accuracy,
impartiality, plagiarism, the need to refuse bribes and to resist
extortion, etc – were widely valued, respondents thought that less
than a third of Armenian journalists observed them. However, the vast
majority believed that improvement was possible and 82.5% supported
the idea of self-regulation, with the most-favoured form being a press
council and the least favoured that of an industry-wide ombudsman.
It may be that Armenian public radio and television, whose main
channel can reach audiences of more than a million, is the first
to experiment with the appointment of an ombudsman, although I have
the impression that there is no more than a strong interest in the
idea at present. Television is the most popular source of news. The
largest daily newspaper in Armenia has a circulation of 6,000, and
the largest weekly, 8,000.
Changes are inevitable. One is likely to be in the male domination
of the media. Journalism students at the two universities I visited
in Yerevan are nearly all women. Jeffrey Dvorkin asked where they
got their news from. Hardly any read newspapers, few listened to
the radio, many watched television and the majority went online. Did
they have favourite sites, Dvorkin asked. Yes, they said in chorus,
the Guardian. If any of you are reading this on line: “Greetings and
good luck.”
[email protected]
www.newsombuds men.org
· See the analysis by the European Journalism Centre at Maastricht:
–B oundary_(ID_AFzYD11rj0YWixNwqSD+Mw)–

OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS INTEND TO ORGANIZE MEETINGS OF FMS AND PRESIDENTS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN NEAR FUTURE
Author: A.Ismaylova
TREND, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
The visit of the OSCE Minsk Group to the region of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict is to restore the direct contacts between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, the co-chairs of OSCE Minks Group told a Press-Conference
on October 2 in Baku,Trend reports.
American co-chair Mathew Mryza stressed that after the summer holiday,
the intensification is once again observed in the activities of
the co-chairs, and over the recent three weeks the co-chairs have
hold three meetings with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov. Touching on the status of the occupied Lachin and Kalbajar
districts of Azerbaijan, Bryza stressed that it is not as easy dilemma.
The Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov added that presently these
details are being discussed in the level of foreign ministers. But
the primary goal is to restore the direct contacts, and it has been
implemented in Azerbaijan. According to him, the co-chairs will depart
to Yerevan on October 3 and later Nagorno-Karabakh after which the
place and date of the next meeting of the foreign ministers will be
defined. In addition, the meeting of the presidents is planned.
The French co-chair Bernar Face the meeting with the Azerbaijani
President was open and irreproachable and such types of meetings
assist in the settlement of the problem. He stressed that after
meeting of the presidents in Rambue and Bucharest, the elements of key
principles of the regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue to
be agreed. Face underlined that there is such an opinion in Paris,
Moscow and Washington that the military way for the settlement of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is impossible.
Touching on the statements of the Armenian foreign minister Vardan
Oskanyan regarding the possibilities of changing the format of talks,
the co-chairs stressed that its is unacceptable. But expressing the
attitude towards the GUAM countries’ including the issue regarding
frozen conflicts in the agenda of the U.N. Assembly General, the
settlement of the conflict within OSCE may be the fairest.

TBILISI NEUTRALIZES ALLEGED RUSSIAN SPY RING, GAINS POLITICAL MILEAGE
By Zaal Anjaparidze
Eurasia Daily Monitor, DC
Oct 2 2006
Georgian President President Mikheil Saakashvili The arrest of four
Russian military intelligence officers and eleven alleged accomplices
in Georgia on September 27-28 is part of Tbilisi’s ongoing efforts
to neutralize a purported Russian spy network in Georgia. Two
weeks earlier, on September 6, Tbilisi claimed to have averted a
coup by arresting dozens of Russia-financed, pro-Moscow activists
who reportedly were plotting to remove the government of President
Mikheil Saakashvili by force (see EDM, September 14). In March, after
the arrest of the alleged Russian mole Simon Kiladze, an employee of
the presidential administration, Saakashvili publicly guaranteed the
safety of any Georgians collaborating with foreign intelligence who
would give themselves up before May 1 (see EDM, March 31).
The Russian officers and Georgian citizens are being held on charges
of espionage, while the Georgian citizens also stand accused of high
treason. Georgian law enforcement provided evidence in the form of
recorded telephone conversations between the detainees and video
footage made by a hidden camera showing one of the Russians handing
over money to an undercover Georgian agent ().
Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told a news conference
on September 27 that for “months and years” the arrested military
intelligence (GRU) operatives and their Georgian collaborators had
been gathering sensitive economic, political, and military information,
including developments in Georgia-NATO relations.
Merabishvili said the group was planning “serious provocations,” but
he did not provide details (TV-Rustavi-2, September 27). According
to him, GRU Colonel Anatoly Sinitsin directed the group from Yerevan,
the capital of Armenia. In fact, most of the Georgian citizens under
arrest are ethnic Armenians.
On September 29, a Tbilisi court sentenced the four Russian officers
— Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Savva, Lt. Col. Dimitry Kazantsev,
Lt. Col. Alexei Zavgorodny, and Major Alexander Baranov — to two
months in pre-trial detention. Ten of the Georgian citizens were also
remanded to custody. On September 29, videotaped confessions surfaced
showing five of the arrested Georgian citizens admitting to cooperating
with Russian intelligence. The court session was closed to the media
until the sentencing phase, because the Russian officers reportedly
had planned to make a statement for the press. None of the Russians
pleaded guilty, and they dismissed their arrests as “provocations.”
The incident has escalated the already tense relations between the two
countries. Russia recalled its ambassador from Tbilisi and evacuated
most of its embassy staff and their families. Givi Targamadze,
chair of Georgian parliament’s committee on defense and security,
assumed that several key intelligence officers slipped out with the
evacuees (Resonansi, September 29). Russian officials have responded
with bellicose statements and hold a number of retaliatory options,
including reprisals against the sizeable Georgian diaspora and labor
migrants in Russia, financial sanctions, energy cuts, and ties with
the secessionist factions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Ekho Moskvy,
September 29). On September 30, Russia halted the scheduled withdrawal
of its troops from Georgia.
Yesterday, October 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Tbilisi
of provoking Russia. He said that even with support from foreign
sponsors, Saakashvili’s government cannot feel “comfortable and
secured.” Nevertheless, Putin instructed the military to resume the
scheduled Russian troop drawdown. Putin suggested that Saakashvili’s
policies might lead to troublesome results in the long-run (Strana.ru,
Vesti, October 1-2).
Most Georgian pundits brushed away dire predictions about Moscow’s
response, arguing that increased international support for Georgia will
discourage tough Russian measures. Some pundits, however, warned that
Russian dominance in the Georgian energy sector might create problems
(TV-Imedi, September 28-29; Resonansi, September 29; Prime News,
September 30).
Saakashvili’s government has given the spy row wide publicity,
which has been picked up by the international media. On September
29, Saakashvili stated that Georgia’s actions deserved “overwhelming
approval” and “understanding” from the international community.
“Georgia has never been as protected as it is nowadays,” Merabishvili
added, alluding to the international support (TV-Rustavi-2, September
29). Some Georgian media even speculated that the United States was
behind the arrests of the Russian officers, and suggested they might be
exchanged for U.S. or British intelligence officers arrested in Moscow
(Alia, September 28). Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili
and other officials hinted that, as a gesture of goodwill, Tbilisi
might repatriate the GRU officers to Russia after a guilty verdict
(TV-Imedi, September 29).
Indeed, Georgian sources report, with reference to AP and Reuters,
that Georgia might hand over the Russian officers to the OSCE
Chairman-in-office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht who
is arriving in Tbilisi today and is expected to have a joint news
conference with Saakashvili.
The spy row has left Saakashvili’s opposition no other choice to
demonstrate, although cautiously, solidarity to the authorities. The
New Rights and Georgia’s Way parties stated that government must think
about the fate of Georgians living in Russia and cautioned against
excessively provoking Moscow (TV-Imedi, Civil Georgia, September
29). On October 1, the opposition Republican and Conservative parties
called on all political groups to rally outside the Russian Embassy
on Wednesday, October 4, to demonstrate a united front against the
Russian threat (TV-Rustavi-2, October 1).
Once portrayed as feeble and corrupt, the Georgian special services
now appear to have transformed thanks to increased cooperation
with Western colleagues. Okruashvili and Merabishvili said that
several other Russia-guided spy groups are operating in Georgia and
that domestic traitors pose even higher threat than foreign spies
(TV-Imedi, TV-Rustavi-2, September 29). Merabishvili also noted that
there are still many people in Georgia who have been “accustomed to
openly collaborating with foreign special services for many years.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SPEECH OF ILHAM ALIYEV AT MILLI MAJLIS
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006
Esteemed members of the Milli Majlis!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Esteemed guests!
Today is very wonderful and remarkable day; not only because the
Milli Majlis is beginning its work but also because the building of
the parliament has fully changed its appearance. Its both outward
appearance and interior design are meeting highest standards. Very
good conditions have been created here for parliamentarians. Major
repair work has been done for the short period of time. Today, it
is, of course, very comfortable to work in this beautiful hall, and
I am sure it will be very successful for our parliamentarians. The
improvement and construction works that are now underway in Azerbaijan
cover all areas: buildings are being reconstructed, and repaired, new
alleys are laid. We all want all the buildings repaired to meet high
standards. I am sure the activity of the Milli Majlis will contribute
to overall development of Azerbaijan, and improvement of the working
conditions, providing of the Milli Majlis’ building with up-to-day
equipment, will indeed increase the effectiveness of the work.
It has been already one year since the parliamentary elections,
and one can say, the new Milli Majlis is playing an important role
in development of Azerbaijan. New laws are passed, international
activities of the Milli Majlis are being improved, and meetings of the
parliament members with their voters are held in a regular manner. It
is very important because problems of voters are what must be solved
first and foremost. Much in this cause depends on the activities of
the Milli Majlis members. All that is being done serves one thing:
overall development of Azerbaijan, its conversion into a rich and
powerful state, modernization of the country and fully ensuring of
the principle of social justice.
You visit provinces very often, and meet voters and are familiar
with their concerns. We must work together to eliminate existing
shortcomings so not a single problem remains in Azerbaijan. It
is possible to do so. The existing socio-political situation in
Azerbaijan, confidence between power and people, successful activity of
the Milli Majlis are what defines our short- and long-term development
strategy.
The role of the parliament in the Azerbaijani society is growing,
it should be growing, and it is natural. It pleases me, as the
President, very much, because if the tasks set to the parliament
are solved, it will ensure overall development of our society. In
Azerbaijan, we are building a legal state. The rule of law must be
established. Azerbaijan should more rapidly integrate into the global
community, and serious reforms should be continued in all areas of
life. It is very gratifying that economic and political reforms in our
country are being implemented in parallel, and there are good results
of these reforms. There are tasks to be solved by the Milli Majlis,
and I am sure that your fruitful activities will play a significant
role in the all-round development and strengthening of our country.
I want to repeat that is has been a year since the parliamentary
elections. Over this year, Azerbaijan has managed to strengthen
its positions. Over the year, all the processes taking place in
our country have been positive be it foreign and domestic policy or
economic development.
Successful conduct of the parliamentary elections, the triumph of the
Azerbaijani people’s will, of course, opens new opportunities, new
horizons for our country. Parliamentary elections mark the beginning
of a new era. There were a few such periods in Azerbaijan’s history.
We remember well the years 1991-1993. That period remained in memory as
that of defeat. That period brought great difficulties to Azerbaijan,
our country faced great problems, and unfortunately, part of those
problems has remained topical until now.
Between 1993 and 2003, Azerbaijan experienced the period of stability
and development. Under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev,
Azerbaijan managed to get out of the crisis with success, and occupy
a worthy place in the international community. Good conditions were
created to conduct reforms within the country. The overall situation
stabilized. If to take into account that our independence was
questioned in 1993, it has been considerably strengthened ever since.
Now, a new period begins. This period will define future development
prospects of Azerbaijan, and our long-term development depends
on how successful this period will be. Successful conduct of the
parliamentary elections and post-election strengthening of our country,
of creates new opportunities for our country. We try to build our
activities relating both foreign and domestic policy in the form of a
program. All the issues of concern are in the focus of attentions. The
program of regional development is being realized successfully. You
often visit regions, and probably can see our provinces changing
for the better. New houses, schools, hospitals, sport complexes,
are being constructed, and businesses are being developed. Migration
from provinces to the city is reducing, and I believe the time will
come when it will stop, and maybe migration from urban to rural area
will begin.
Our economic potential is growing. Both macroeconomic indicators
and daily life of our people prove it. For ordinary people, the
macroeconomic indicators are, maybe, not so important.
However, unless our economy grow 30%, it, of course, will be very
difficult to solve all the existing problems. Our budget is growing.
The Azerbaijan’s state budget has grown for the short period of time.
Some say it has happened due to oil. But you, members of the Milli
Majlis are well aware of this.
Of course, oil factor is very important for the economy of
Azerbaijan. However, non-oil sector also develops rapidly in
Azerbaijan. Now, we should focus our attention on this sector. We
must direct oil revenues to the non-oil sector, convert them into
human capital assets, spend them to settle the humanitarian issues
in order to ensure overall development of Azerbaijan, eliminate or
reduce oil dependency in the future. Budget increase allows settling
all the problems including economic ones facing the country. The 2007
draft budget is likely to be sent very soon the Milli Majlis. After
the budget is approved, it will be possible to do great work in 2007.
The major infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan are to be completed
in 2007-2008. Construction of electric stations, roads, gas and water
pipelines, schools, and hospitals must be completed in 2007-2008.
Thus, all the existing problems should be solved between 2003 and
2008. Our policy in this sphere is very open and clear. I am eager as
the President to achieve all these goals shortly. There are all the
possibilities to do it. I say once again that our economic potential
allows us to do it, of course, the positive socio-political environment
allows to do it as well. Strengthening of Azerbaijan’s international
positions results in cutting existing risks inside and outside the
country. It is one of the major directions of our policy.
We must protect our country, reduce risks and create the “space”
for cooperation in and around Azerbaijan. Only in this case, our
country can develop rapidly, and we can achieve what we want.
Legal state building should be continued in Azerbaijan now and
in the future. The process of democratization should be realized
more intensively. A wonderful future awaits us. Being successfully
implemented, oil strategy of Azerbaijan initiated by great leader
Heydar Aliyev brings fruits. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline is the historic achievement. The construction of this
pipeline will define a long-term economic strategy of Azerbaijan. In
this case, implementation of political reforms must be highlighted as
quite powerful economic potential, influx of money into our country
will, of course, strengthen it economically.
On the other hand, the influx of foreign currency needs to be
seriously controlled by the state, government, Milli Majlis and the
public. Realization of the scheduled programs can face disadvantages
without a serious public control.
Therefore, creation and strengthening of the civil society,
strengthening of democratization process, building of legal state is
not just a slogan or intention, it is the main condition for all-round
development of Azerbaijan. Our experience shows that the way that
Azerbaijan has chosen is the right way. Parallel implementation
of economic, political and social reforms develops Azerbaijan
comprehensively, strengthens the stability, which is so necessary
for our country, and has a positive impact on the socio-political
situation as well. Therefore, continuation of political and economic
reforms is the imperatives of our era. If we really want to create
modern and strong state, we should do this.
Great challenges face our state in this cause and, at the same time,
great responsibility lies with Milli Majlis as well. We must achieve
it together.
I think, major political, economic and social problems facing
Azerbaijan will be solved until 2008, since I want to say once more
that we do our job on the basis of concrete programs. I already
said that the program of socio-economic development of regions would
be instrumental in increasing the living standards in the regions,
creating new enterprises, opening new jobs. As you know, about 450
thousand jobs have been created to date.
Macroeconomic stability and this direction of our economic policy
will foster prevention of negative factors in our country. You
know that very good economic opportunities suddenly emerge in one
or another country, therefore, increasing the risks, including the
risk of inflation. Therefore, we should build our macroeconomic
policy in such a way as to have all the tasks facing the country be
solved without undermining macroeconomic stability. It is extremely
serious issue. Perhaps, we face this kind of problems for the first
time in the modern history of Azerbaijan, as we had to search for new
financial sources in previous years, strengthen financial discipline,
find extra source of revenue. But today, due to implementation of
our oil strategy, Azerbaijan will face the influx of a great amount
of foreign currency resources, which could have a negative impact on
the macroeconomic stability. It is vitally important question.
Implementation of the infrastructure projects became systematic. We
need to wrap up all the infrastructure projects until 2008, and
therefore, we have a great work to do. During many years, financial
squeezes did not allow us to earmark sufficient amount of funds
to this sphere. In these and subsequent years, much money should
be directed here. As to construction of schools, 600 schools have
been built for the past two years, very modern ones. Construction of
hospitals and social infrastructure objects. Ecological program has
been adopted; we will become the richest country. If the ecological
situation will not meet the standards, our citizens will face great
difficulties, and their health can be damaged badly. In other words,
major problems in all these spheres must be solved until 2008 with
Azerbaijan strengthening its positions even more.
Our policy on the international arena is successful. This shows that
our activity on the international organizations, at the same time, our
bilateral ties with numerous countries correspond to the interests of
Azerbaijani people. It is, first, the interests of Azerbaijani people
and state. We fully protect these interests. Our bilateral relations
strengthen our country. Azerbaijan’s role rises on the international
and regional organizations. Azerbaijan has the leading position in the
ongoing regional processes, and in many cases, we are the initiator
and participant of the important projects in region. None of regional
project is possible without consent and participation of Azerbaijan.
Of course, international positions of our country strengthen. We have
very efficient cooperation with the international organizations.
Azerbaijan has hosted several authoritative actions. We take active
part in the international organizations the member of which Azerbaijan
is. Simultaneously, Azerbaijan contributes to those organizations. And
gradually turns to important country, and this is a reality. The
present Azerbaijan differs from that of decade earlier. Representatives
of the world organizations also confirm it.
We have to use these opportunities to provide extremely the interests
of Azerbaijani people. We are open to all countries for cooperation,
and our foreign policy is sincere, accurate. All the statements we make
are realized. We have not made a single step for current situation,
or for short-term achievement. We behave ourselves deservedly.
At the same time, we are open for cooperation as well, and this
is reality. Azerbaijan is a respected and esteemed country on the
international arena and in the whole among the political community.
Importance of Azerbaijan rises. The reason is not only the oil-gas
projects, and even not the geographical position. Azerbaijan had
always oil and gas. Encountered with many obstacles, it required
great courage and great wisdom to develop these deposits, involve
the foreign investors, and transport it to world markets. I reiterate
all these were initiated by President Heydar Aliyev.
Azerbaijan’s geographic position is not merely of great significance,
if there was not the thought-over policy, the efforts to make
Azerbaijan a regional center. There are many countries in world with
better geographic position.
Regretfully, Azerbaijan has no direct way out to the world markets.
All our transport and energy projects are realized through pipelines
and transit. Despite of this, creation of strong transport
infrastructure in Azerbaijan raises our importance. We are the
initiator of several international projects. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars
railway construction of which is to be launched soon will create a
new situation in the country. Azerbaijan becomes an only country to
connect Europe and Asia via the railway. This, of course raises our
importance in regional affairs.
We establish business links with the European Union. Our positions
are strengthening in the Islamic world, too. This cooperation is very
important for us. Azerbaijan has an undeniable role in regional and
other organizations. That is, one of this does not exclude the other.
They complete each other. Such policy of Azerbaijan is significant for
region. None is interested in tension in region. Nobody is interested
the existence problems in region led to any bitter conclusion. We
pursue our policy reservedly. We have a goal, are going towards this
goal and we shall do everything to reach it.
In a word, if to view at the prospects, Azerbaijan has no such a
serious problem. Personally, I do not see such one. It is because
we shall achieve the accomplishments in several years. In any case,
we have reason to state this for we have programs for each direction.
The only problem of Azerbaijan is the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, settlement of which does not depend only on us.
This is an only question that does not depend only on us. Moreover,
we do our best and Azerbaijan’s diplomatic efforts are made to resolve
this problem. Our position remains unchanged. I have also stated that
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should be restored.
This is the major condition. Beyond of this, there cannot be any
agreement, any contract. The aggressive forces should withdraw form
the occupied lands. The UN’s four Resolutions be executed and put
an end to aggression. The citizens of Azerbaijan, who suffered form
ethnic cleanse should return to their homelands. Strengthening of
safety measures in region is possible, and we support this and the
Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh should be given high status. This is
our position. This position bases on history – we know well that
we received the Armenians in our lands as guest. This position also
rests on political situation – the political situation is in our favor
and gradually Azerbaijan’s importance rises. If to weigh up Armenia
and Azerbaijan, we shall see which one is of greater importance,
what is their potential and what these countries will face in coming
years. That is, from the point of view of development of political
processes, our position is favorable.
There is no need to stress legal point of the problem. We all know
well that from the legal standpoint, the question should be resolved
on base of our position.
That is, if to take all the factors, and, at the same time, the
growing economic potential of Azerbaijan, we shall see there are
nice opportunities to resolve the question. We, simply, adhering
the negotiations, have to continue our policy and actions. And
this comprises strengthening of Azerbaijan. Our country, using all
economic, diplomatic and political opportunities, should strengthen
its positions and be further active against Armenia. We are attacking
in information field. We have to attack in economic aspect and this
has to be on agenda on all international organizations, in all forums,
and bilateral format. We should expose aggressive policy of Armenia
and we have enough proofs to do this.
We have to strengthen our military potential and you know that since
I have been elected as President I keep in focus this question. I
have said then that Azerbaijan’s military budget should equal to
overall budget of Armenia, and we, probably, shall, achieve this
next year. We have to continue these pressures. If the Armenian
side should not see these attacks and afraid of them, worry from
the growing opportunities of Azerbaijan, they hardly liberate the
occupied lands. Armenia ignoring international principles, to our
great regret, is not blamed by the international organizations. It
has numerous reasons. You know them well. But this is reality. We
have to know this reality and withstand our reality, the reality of
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a country not to tolerate with occupation
of its lands. It is a country, using its economic, political and
military potential, will achieve what it wants.
I have told this once, and I reiterate that sometimes Azerbaijan’s
army building process causes concern in somebody. It should not cause
concern. It is our sovereign right. We have been tolerating this
aggression for many years. Our biggest compromise is our adherence
to peace negotiations. But using all these opportunities, we have to
create new situation. I would note once again that the strengthening of
military potential does not lead automatically to war. This is the last
version. We have to be ready for this. Very country should be ready,
including the country the territory of which was occupied and lives
in conditions of war. But, simultaneously, I am convinced that using
our political, economic, diplomatic and regional factors, we shall
be able to exert pressure on Armenia. These are already evident…
We have to be on the offensive constantly. We must be active in
all spheres, all organizations to achieve what we want. We must use
economic factors, and these opportunities will increase gradually.
The government received instructions to the effect. After Azerbaijan
gets 100 times richer than Armenia, perhaps, there will be no need in
the option of war. Therefore, we have to seize all the opportunities
to restore our rights. It is our privilege. Nagorno-Karabakh is the
historic land of Azerbaijan. We will never allow the second Armenian
state to be created in the Azerbaijani lands. The whole society should
be consolidated. This unity exists today. I am very glad that there
is no discrepancy in the Azerbaijani society on this matter. In some
cases, our opponents want to criticize us saying why Karabakh problem
has not been solved. It is not settled because Azerbaijan will never
agree with what dissatisfies us. It is not settled because despite the
pressure, as a President, I will never agree with any agreement, which
is disadvantageous for the Azerbaijan State and people of Azerbaijan.
I already said that this issue depends not only on our desire.
Therefore, we have to work and be active. I repeat that we have to
mobilize our efforts. There are no other serious problems for us except
this one. This problem is number one, and we, of course, must and will
focus our potential on its settlement; everyone should know it. We
exert every effort to find a fair solution to this issue; territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan will be restored. I have no doubt about it.
Along with this, we are going to continue cooperation with
international organizations for the settlement of the problem. Today,
Minsk Group co-chairs have arrived again in Baku. We do not intend
to give up Minsk Group format. At the same time, we believe that,
involvement of other organizations can also assist to solve the
problem. Indeed, the Armenian side tries to undermine talks under the
pretext of the fact that the matter has been referred to the UN. It
is their business, they can cancel the negotiations. If they need a
pretext, they can easily find it. Azerbaijan behaves constructively,
participates in the negotiations and hopes that they will result in
the resolution of problem.
Dear friends, I want to say once more that further development of
our country seems very clear and bright to me. What kind of country
will Azerbaijan be? Which positions will Azerbaijan have in five,
ten years? What economic potential will it have? Which level will the
lives of people reach? – These are the questions we are thinking of
as we work for the future of our country, for the overall development
of Azerbaijan.
We want our country became a modern, rich and powerful state. And the
people lived here well, were rich, and that its economy, political
image was strong, and that grew our opportunities of influence on
the processes in region. We want this. Each country, probably, has
similar wish. But to want and to do this are different things. We
have all opportunities to realize our wish.
I can tell that today we have opened unique opportunities. How
will be Azerbaijan tomorrow, in the years coming – it depends on
us. We have to make every effort to create powerful state, much more
strengthen our independence. We have to fully direct the potential
of Azerbaijan to improve the life of people, and thus, create in
the country a civic society. Free society, legal state, supremacy
of law, strong economy, powerful army, flexible foreign policy,
reliable defense and strengthening of the interests of Azerbaijan –
these are the major directions we are going. We have programs on
all directions. We have our views at them, we know what we want,
where we go, we know what results expect us. And finally, we shall
have powerful country, strong Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijani people
will live much better. We have to fruitfully work to achieve all these.
In the re-constructed building of Milli Majlis, there are nice
opportunities for this. On the way to Milli Majlis in the morning,
I remembered the earlier situation, and, of course, you see the vast
difference. I even said: “I wish I had worked in such reconstructed
building, but, never mind, hitherto, we, probably, will meet
frequently. I wish you success. I want to reiterate that I am very
pleased that the members of Milli Majlis regard their duty with great
responsibility, permanently are in touch with their electors, actively
take part in adoption of progressive laws, in the socio-political
life of country. The role of Milli Majlis, thus, increases. Public
sees and acknowledges it. I also see it. I am also pleased and from
this platform, I wish you success in further activity. I would like
to express confidence that we shall and henceforth work together,
all-round develop out country. Thank you.