IRAN TV1: AZERBAIJAN RAISES TERRITORIAL CLAIM AGAINST INDEPENDENT NKR
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 6 2006
Iran’s state-owned television Iran TV1 introduced Nagorno Garabagh
as an independent republic in its news programme.
The World Azerbaijanis Congress (WAC) press secretary Ali Nijat told
APA. He said the television in the news programme, reported about
the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, Ilham Aliyev and
Robert Kocharian in Bucharest at 2.00p.m on June 5.
“While reporting the announcer said, “The Independent Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh declared its independence 15 years ago. The Republic
of Azerbaijan raises a territorial claim against this independent
republic at present”. We accept this as Iran’s threat against
Azerbaijan. Thus, South Azerbaijan’s has information access to the
world through the Azerbaijan Republic only. Iran aims at closing this
access by making such threats,” the press secretary said.
Spokesman of the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan Majid Feizollahi told
APA that he was not informed about such report of the television. He
said Iran’s position regarding Garabagh is clear.
“This position remains unchanged. We do not care what says the
organizations like the WAC,” Feyzollahi said.

BLACK SEA COUNTRIES DISCUSS REGIONAL THREATS
The New Anatolian, Turkey
June 6 2006
Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay joined the leaders of Black Sea
countries on Monday for a summit at which they discussed ways to
combat the region’s drug- and people-smuggling networks, find ways
to tackle pollution and discuss alternative energy routes.
Delivering a speech at the Black Sea Dialogue and Partnership Forum
(BSFPD), Atalay expressed the hope that the forum would contribute
to efforts to make Black Sea a region of peace and stability.
“Turkey is for the improvement of stability, friendship and welfare
in the Black Sea,” said Atalay, noting the region’s strategic role,
particularly over the past 20 years.
Underlining the importance of regional cooperation for the development
of understanding among the area’s countries, Atalay said, “Turkish
policy is aimed at settling all disputes with its neighbors.
Turkey has settled most of its disputes with Greece and Syria and
hopes to normalize relations with Armenia.”
Atalay also stated that preparations are underway for the fourth round
of talks between Turkey and Armenia at the deputy undersecretary
level after the two sides failed to come to an agreement in their
latest round of secret talks, adding that he’s unable to give a date
for the next round.
Romanian President Traian Basescu, whose country is hosting the forum,
said that the region is facing new criminal and terrorist threats along
with uncertainty caused by insecure energy supplies. He added that the
region’s leaders have been called to manage and improve this situation.
“We know our problems … they’re problems inherited from a difficult
past, but there’s real potential for development,” Basescu said during
his opening speech.
“Putting the Black Sea on the map is a challenge in itself,” Romanian
Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu said in his opening speech
at the summit.
Among those present were President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine,
President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia, President Robert Kocharian of
Armenia, President Vladimir Voronin of Moldova and President Ilham
Aliyev of Azerbaijan as well as officials from Bulgaria, Greece
and Lithuania.
Other participants in the summit include top officials from NATO,
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),
the United Nations and the Council of Europe (CoE).
Russia declined to send any high-level officials to the summit but
requested observer status. In his speech, Basescu called for Russia
to take part in the future development of the region.
“Romania considers there can be no regional cooperation process without
Moscow,” he said, highlighting Russia’s rich social, political and
economic resources. Russia was represented at the summit by its
ambassador to Romania, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Corina Vintan.
Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia directly border
the Black Sea, which is one of the world’s most polluted seas.
Its only outlet is via Turkey’s Bosphorus Straits.

AZERI PARTY FAILED TO ADMIT OSCE OBSERVERS TO ITS FRONTLINE
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 6 2006
June 6, pursuant to an earlier agreement with the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic leadership, an OSCE mission conducted a planned monitoring
of the Nagorno Karabakh and Azeri Armed Forces’ contact line to the
east of the settlement of Seysulan, NKR Martakert region.
The OSCE Chair-in-Office’s Field Assistants Peter Key (the UK) and
Irzhi Aberle (the Czech Republic) conducted the monitoring from the
NKR Defense Army’s positions, NKR MFA reports.
The monitoring passed according to the schedule, no cease-fire
violation was fixed. However, the Azeri party again did not admit
the OSCE observers to its frontline.
>From the Karabakh party the mission was accompanied by the
representatives of the NKR MOD and MFA.
From: Baghdasarian

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT’S VISIT ENDS
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 6 2006
Press secretary of the Milli Majlis (parliament of Azerbaijan) Akif
Nasirov told AzerTAg correspondent that meeting with members of the
parliamentary friendship group in the Seym of Latvia was one of the
important events during the visit of the parliamentary delegation
of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Latvia. Chairman of the Friendship
Group from the Latvian side Oleg Denisov said that his country shows a
great interest in Azerbaijan. Reminding of Latvian President’s visit
to Azerbaijan Oleg Denisov noted that his visit opened new stage for
further development of bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Latvian deputies spoke of the need for further
development of bilateral relations. They expressed their attitude
towards Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Deputy Arvinds
Ulme described barbarism committed by Armenians in Azerbaijani
lands as aggression against the humanity and expressed regret that
international structures have not taken the right and fair position
on this matter yet.
Chairman of the Milli Majlis Ogtay Asadov thanked the Latvian
state and its parliament for supporting of Azerbaijan’s just cause
towards Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ogtay opined
on the need for more expansion of the Azerbaijan-Latvia ties and
interparliamentary relations both within groups of friendship as well
as relations between legislative bodies of both countries.
Head of the Milli Majlis Apparat Safa Mirzoyev highlighted the need to
establish cooperation between the administrations of both countries’
parliaments.
Milli Majlis deputy Gultekin Hajiyeva noted that the fact that
Azerbaijan first opened its embassy in Riga among Baltic States is the
testimony of the special interest both countries show to each other.
The meeting participants noted that there are potential possibilities
for developing economic, political, cultural, agrarian and tourism
ties and this visit will serve as impetus for bilateral relations.
Upon completion of the meetings, speaker of Azerbaijani parliament
Ogtay Asadov gave interview to the Central television of Latvia
LTV-1. He responded the journalists’ questions concerning
Latvia-Azerbaijan ties, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, bilateral
economic relations and others.
The parliamentary delegation headed by chairman of the Milli Majlis
Ogtay Asadov also participated in some events. Charity concert
co-organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Latvia and Latvian
Ministry of Culture was held for disabled children in Yurmala. The
joint concert program of the State Children’s Philarmonia of Azerbaijan
Republic and children’s musical schools of Latvia contribute to
development of cultural ties.
MM speaker Ogtay Asadov and members of the delegation visited
Azerbaijani embassy in Latvia and familiarized themselves with the
embassy staff’s work conditions.
Thus, the delegation wrapped up its working visits to Estonia
to participate in the Tallinn summit of chairpersons of European
parliaments, to Helsinki to participate in the event devoted to the
100th anniversary of the Finnish parliament and Latvia.
The delegation left Riga for Baku the same day in the evening.

MELKONIAN TO DISPLAY LATEST WORKS IN TEHRAN
Mehr News Agency, Tehran
June 6 2006
TEHRAN, June 6 (MNA) – An exhibition of paintings by Sirak Melkonian
is to open at the Mah Gallery in Tehran on June 9, the student news
agency ISNA reported here on Tuesday.
Melkonian is to display several paintings and drawings printed
on canvas.
His works reveal the painter’s perception of art over the past
30 years.
Melkonian is one of the main members of the group of painters and
sculptors, which was founded in the 1960s by Marco Grigorian and
Masud Arabshahi and came to life with Melkonian, Abdorreza Daryabeigi,
Morteza Momayyez, Faramarz Pilaram, and Gholamhossein Nami.
The group, the first center that introduced the conceptual art in Iran,
was dissolved in 1977, prompting Melkonian to leave the country and
live in Toronto, Canada.
Melkonian has participated in the biennials of Venice and Paris,
and other exhibitions in France, Armenia, Europe, the United States,
and Iran.
He is also scheduled to review the 1960s painters’ works at the
Iranian Artists Forum on June 12.

BLACK SEA STORIES – BUCHAREST STARTS THE DIALOGUE IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
de Ana Ilie
Translated by Sorin Balan
Jurnalul National, Romania
June 6 2006
The Black Sea Forum, initiated yesterday in Bucharest, which unites
representatives of all the riparian countries and of the international
organizations, was supposed to be the “beginning of a dialogue between
civilizations”, according to Traian Basescu.
Yesterday, Bucharest hosted the Summit for the initiation Black
Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership, an event that brought
together Presidents, External affairs Ministers, representatives of
international organizations and many journalists. Like everything that
is new, the Forum came with many hopes, but they can only become true
if the summit in Bucharest manages to start a real interest in it.
Despite a controversial beginning, mainly because of Russia (which
was quite skeptical about the summit and chose to be represented
only by its Ambassador in Bucharest), the summit should have produced
effervescent ideas and dialogues regarding certain issues that were
supposed to result in a better collaboration between the riparian
countries and in a long term security, stability and prosperity of
the region.
BIG WORDS
Actually, all the participants aware of the opportunities the Black
Sea is offering and of the Romanian initiative of building this Forum
have said big words like “prosperity”, “benefits”, “common history”.
“Today’s event is a step forward in the process of consolidation
of a prosper and developed Black Sea region”, the Romanian External
Affairs Minister, Razvan Ungureanu said. “The United States support the
efforts for the creation of a more prosper, more free and a safer Black
Sea region”, Jack D. Crouch, America’s representative to the Forum,
the former USA Ambassador in Romania, the current deputy adviser of
President George W. Bush, added.
EXPECTATIONS
One of the hopes regarding this Forum targets the appearance of
certain environments to help solving regional issues. According to
Traian Basescu, the controversial Nagorno-Karabah enclave was the
cause of the negotiations between Armenian President Robert Kocharian
and Azerbaijan President Iilham Aliyev for two days. There is another
issue with many hopes. It regards the Tansnistrian area and it will be
taken into consideration after the forum when President Traian Basescu
intends to show a 100% Romanian solution to Moscow and Chisinau.
All the participants seemed to agree upon one subject, the economical
collaboration, especially the alternative transportation routes for
energy, routes that should stop the appearance of a second European
“war of gas”. One of the few certain issues regarding yesterday’s
meeting was the announcement made by the US Marshall Fund, which
created the Black Sea Fund that should help financing the projects
for the consolidation of democracy, good governing and the ones for
the development of the regional cooperation and of the civil society
in the Black Sea region.
20M USD FOR THE FUND
During the Summit of the Forum for the Black Sea Dialogue and
Partnership, the United States Marshal Fund announced the initiation
of the Black Sea Fund (BSF) that should help financing the projects
for the consolidation of democracy, good governing and the ones for
the development of the regional cooperation and of the civil society
in the Black Sea region. The Marshall Fund allowed 20 million USD for
the initiation and started up negotiations with the USAID, with the
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, with the Romanian Government and with
other private and public donors in USA and Europe in order to support
this initiative. “The Black Sea region is vital in order to ensure long
term stability, security and peace in Europe, the United Stated and
in the Euro-Atlantic Alliance. The Black Sea Fund will help ensuring
progress in the region at local, national and international level”,
Craig Kennedy, the President of the Marshall Fund, stated according to
a public statement sent to Jurnalul National. A two million USD annual
fund will be available for grants between 1,000 and 75,000 USD. They
will be offered to NGOs, local and regional authorities, media and
education institutions in the countries that took part in the Summit
of the Forum for the Black Sea Dialogue and Partnership (Armenia,
Azerbaidjan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldavian Republic, Romania, Russia,
Turkey and Ukraine), according to the same public statement. The same
source says the BSF will become operational by the end of this year.

TO HELP THE PEOPLE FIND THEIR CLOSE RELATIVES
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 6 2006
On June 5, RA NA President Tigran Torosyan received Leo Platvoet,
Rapporteur of the PACE Committee for Migration, Refugees and Population
on the Missing Persons in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
During the meeting issues concerning the preparing report as a result
of Mr. Platvoet’s regional visit were discussed. Tigran Torosyan, RA NA
President highlighted the discussion of the issue on the humanitarian
plane and keeping free from political interests, having the task to
help the people as much as possible to find out the fate of the their
close relatives during the war and those missing later.
Expressing satisfaction that Mr. Platvoet have also met the
representatives of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Mr. Torosyan proposed
to visit Nagorno Karabakh and set up a working group with trilateral
format from the representatives of Armenia, Azaerbaijan and Karabakh,
who working closely together could help the searches of the missing.
Agreeing with this proposal Mr. Platvoet noted that he designs in his
report to propose the sides to begin cooperation at the level of the
organizations being involved with these problems.
During the meeting the sides also touched upon the inter-parliamentary
relations of Armenia and Azerbaijan: NA President Tigran Torosyan
noted that Armenia is ready for cooperation and with different
formats the meetings in the international structures, within the
framework of South Caucasus parliamentary initiative are already
being carried out, as the creation of the favourable atmosphere for
the solutions of big problems with little steps, little solutions
is highlighted. Mr. Torosyan drew the guest’s attention to the fact
that, unfortunately, in the Azeri press false information is often
disseminated about the severe treatment conducted by the Armenians
towards the missing persons, which deepens the hatred, whereas the
PACE 1416 resolution calls on being free of campaigning hatred.
During the meeting the sides discussed other issues of bilateral
interest.

FSS IMPRISONED ARMENIAN SENATOR OF KALMYKIA LEVON CHAKMAKYAN WHILE TAKING BRIBE 300.000 DOLLARS
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 6 2006
Federal Security Service imprisoned Armenian senator of Kalmykia
Levon Chakmakyan while taking bribe 300.000 dollars, as a result of
operation implemented in Transaero air company, General Prosecutor’s
Office of Russia informed.
During the operation Russia- Armenia Economic Cooperation Association
chief accountant Igor Arushanov and Account Chamber chairman assistant
Armen Ohanesyan have also been imprisoned. General Prosecutor’s Office
has stated that the three persons have detained for their being busy
with crme related to getting money from businessmen. Special operation
has been implemented in accordance with the information of Accountant
Chamber. Igor Arushanov and Armen Ohanesyan is convicted with the
article in taking money in the form of group and roguishness. Since
Levon Chakmakyan has deputy inviolability, official conviction has
not been initiated against him. Levon Chakmakyan has stated that
Transaero Company Board of Directors chairman Pleshakov asked him
support for being selected Russia-Armenia Economic Cooperation
Association vise-president.
“Pleshakov also asked for help in the organization of advertisement
of the company he runs, I promised him to familiarize him with a
person that I know.” The investigation defined the name of that
person to be chief accountant Igor Arushanov. Levon Chakmakyan said
that after they met in the office Pleshakov gave a briefcase to his
acquaintance. Kalmykia senator and chief accountant while leaving
the Transaero company office Federal Security Service associates have
detained them. Levon Chakmakyan was released after two hours.
Transaero company public affairs department chief Sergey Bikhal
said the information of Armenian senator to be false. “We leave
everything to his conscience.” Federation Council chairman Sergey
Mironov applying to Kalmykia parliament demanded to put an end to
authority of senator Chakmakyan. Today Kalmykia President Kirsan
Ilumjanov expressed his confidence for the parliament to put an end
to authority of Levon Chakmakyan. Accounting Chamber chairman Sergey
Stepashin identified the events happened. He stated that chairman
of Board of Directors of the organization, Pleshakov applied to him
related to examinations in Transaero Company. “Pleshakov stated his
dissatisfaction related to the issues in our report. The matter is
about paying 14 billion dollar compensation to customs office while
purchasing plane from foreign companies. Some mediators applying
to Pleshakov stated that they can change the opinion of audit of
Accounting Chamber for 3 mln dollars. During the talks this figure was
reduced to 1,5 mln. dollars. After Pleshakov has informed me about,
I informed Federal Security Service director Nikolay Patrushev.”
According to Sergey Stepashin, President Putin, Federation Council
chairman Mironov and state Duma speaker Boris Grizlov were informed
beforehand of the imprisonment. According to him, if Kalmykia
parliament does not deprive of him his authority, by the award of
Supreme Court, he will be imprisoned. In the investigation materials it
was identified that the names of those mediating to change Accounting
Chamber opinion for 1,5 mln dollars, is Armen Ohanesyan and Levon
Chakmakyan.

NKR IN FIGURES: REPUBLIC NATIONAL STATISTIC SERVICE REPORTS
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 6 2006
According to the information DE FACTO Information-Analytics Agency
correspondent got at the Nagorno Karabakh Republic /NKR/ National
Statistic Service, for January -May, 2006 793 children were born in
the Nagorno Karabakh, which is 4,5% less as compared with the same
period 2005. Death-rate was cut by 6, 7% for the same period.
The natural increment of population for January – May 2006 made 246
people – 0, 8 % higher than the level of the same period last year.
The mechanical increment of the population made 97 people for the
same period.
For January – April 2006 industrial production for 5 milliard 937
million drams was made in the Republic, which surpasses last year’s
level by 1, 1 %.
For the same period 695, 3 tons of meat of cattle and bird was realized
in the Republic, which is 25, 9% more as compared with the same period
of 2005, as well as 9542, 6 tons of milk /101,1%/ and 4 million 23,2
thousand eggs /72,7%/ .
In April – May 2006 capital construction for 3 milliard 84, 2 million
drams was implemented in the NKR, which is 36, 7% more as compared with
the same period 2005. 57, 8% of the capital construction’s amount was
ensured at the expense of the NKR state budget. In May 2006 consumer
price index made 106 % compared with last December.
In January – May 2006 consumer price index was 102, 7 % compared with
the same period last year.

NKR PRESIDENT CONGRATULATED RA CHESS PLAYERS ON VICTORY IN WORLD OLYMPIAD
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 6 2006
Nagorno Karabakh Republic /NKR/ President Arkady Ghoukasyan sent a
congratulation message to RA Chess Federation President, DM Serge
Sargsyan on the victory scored by the RA men’s team in the 37th World
Olympiad in Turin.
According to the information DE FACTO received at the Nagorno Karabakh
President’s Press Service, the message runs, in part, “the victory of
the men’s team on the Italian land showed the world the high level
of the national chess school, resuming the traditions of glorious
victories founded by unforgettable Tigran Petrosyan”.
“Besides, our chess players’ victory at the international level has
exhibited our nation’s unfailing mental capacity, staunchness and
belief in its strength. The victory in Turin will become a powerful
impetus for the chess’s development in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh,
as well as for the growth of new talented chess players”, the message
says. In conclusion, Arkady Ghoukasyan invited the chess players to
visit Artsakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress