VIEWPOINT: US-IRAN CRISIS FALLOUT
Alexei Makarkin
UPI Senior News Analyst
Middle East Times, Egypt
May 1 2006
MOSCOW — Escalation of the US conflict with Iran directly affects
the interests of its neighbors.
A military solution may generate serious problems for Iraq, where it
took the political forces several months to agree on the distribution
of government positions. Moreover, a Shia has again become prime
minister, and the Iraqi Shias have historical ties with their brethren
in Iran. Understandably, political risks in Afghanistan and Pakistan
will markedly grow. The states of the South Caucasus, also Iran’s
neighbors, will face problems, too.
The media report that the United States is hoping for Azeri cooperation
– its territory could be used as a potential bridgehead for military
action against Iran. This may or may not happen, but nevertheless is
on the agenda. The agenda may include the use of Azeri airspace and
airfields, and the deployment of US troops on Azeri territory.
Obviously, Baku is not very enthusiastic about this prospect. To begin
with, Azerbaijan maintains close relations with Iran. They signed a
non-aggression and cooperation treaty in 2002. Last December their
representatives attended the inauguration of the gas pipeline –
under a 25-year-long bilateral agreement, Iran will supply 80.5
million cubic meters of natural gas a year.
During his recent trip to Baku, Iranian defense minister Mostafa
Mohammad-Najjar said: “The security of Azerbaijan is the security of
Iran. Our defense capability is your defense capability.” He seemed
keen to find out the Azeri position on the eve of Aliyev’s visit to
the US. It is clear, however, that if Azerbaijan becomes an American
ally in the war against Iran, it will itself become a target for
Iranian missiles.”
Moreover, Iran is the home for at least 35 million Azeris – their
number being bigger than the population of Azerbaijan itself – many of
them with relatives in Azerbaijan. It is rumored that the Americans
may try and use the ethnic factor – contradictions between the Azeri
Diaspora and the Tehran regime (as Stalin tried to do in 1946). If so,
the United States will find it hard to do without Baku.
But let’s not forget that Stalin did not succeed, although the Iranian
central government was much weaker than it is now. In addition, if
hostilities break out, refugees may flood Azeri territory and create
serious problems for the Baku authorities.
Finally, the Islamic fundamentalists in Azerbaijan may use military
action to enhance their positions by espousing anti-American rhetoric.
While Baku is thinking about its position in the Iranian crisis,
Armenia is worried that it may have a negative effect on the Karabakh
problem, in which the United States is increasingly trying to act as
a go-between. So far, the point at issue is whether Baku will grant
Karabakh the right to self-determination, and sanction a referendum,
the results of which are already clear. Only in this case will Armenia
agree to concessions, and return to Baku control over the areas of
the country, outside Karabakh, which are now occupied by its armed
formations.
For the time being, Aliyev rejects the idea of a referendum as a matter
of principle – if he agrees to it, he will weaken his position inside
the country and give the opposition an excuse to lash out at him.
Today, the Americans are emphasizing their role of an “honest broker”
at the Karabakh negotiations, and are trying to exert equal influence
on either side. But the question is if they are so interested in Azeri
territory as a bridgehead for military action against Iran, how can
they “compensate” Baku for the tremendous political risks involved?
At the very least, the United States could support the Azeri option
of the Karabakh settlement, which Armenia finds unacceptable. At most,
Washington may look the other way if Baku possibly attempts to resolve
the issue with military force. The leader of the Armenian opposition
Stepan Demirchyan said with good reason: “The consequences of a war
in Iran will be destructive for the whole region.” He added that a
war in Iran would spell disaster both for Nagorny Karabakh and Armenia.
Although unlikely, even the possibility of such a war causes concern
in Armenia and other Commonwealth of Independent States nations,
which have a vested interest in peaceful settlement of conflicts
on their territory. Thus potential US military intervention in Iran
may not only result in huge casualties, part of which will be caused
by Tehran’s retaliation, but also exacerbate old seats of tension,
which have been almost extinguished. In short, it could trigger a
chain reaction with unpredictable consequences.
Alexei Makarkin is deputy general director of the Center for Political
Technologies in Moscow and wrote this commentary for the RIA Novosti
news agency. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES VIOLATED THE CEASEFIRE IN AGHDAM AND GAZAKH
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 1 2006
Armenian forces have fired from the occupied region of Aghdam’s
village Garavelli the opposite Azerbaijani position in the afternoon
of April 30.
According to the APA bureau there was no loss from Azerbaijani side.
The Armenians also fired the resident of the village Jafarov who was
grazing the sheep. Although Javarov didn’t harm some of the sheep
were killed.
Armenians also has violated ceasefire in Gazakh region. According
to the press department of the Ministry of Defense Armenian Armed
Forces in occupied region of Hacili village of Gazakh has fired the
Azerbaijani forces in Mazam village at 3.45 on 1 of May. The enemy
has been resisted, there was no loss.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI AND ARMENIAN SPEAKERS MIGHT MEET – AZERI SPEAKER
Author: J.Shahverdiyev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 1 2006
Azeri and Armenian speakers might meet at the initiative of the French
Senate chairman, MP, Oktay Asadov told Trend.
He met with his Armenian counterpart in Saint-Peterborough, he said,
adding that the meeting was un-official.
Asadov informed about his meeting with the PACE chairman, Rene Van
der Linden, an observatory delegation made up of 20 PACE MPs will
arrive for scheduled on May 14 rerun parliamentary elections.
Afterwards, Rene is planning to pay official visit to Baku, Asadov
stated.
Speaking about possibility of initiating a meeting of MPs from South
Caucasus, he said that the given question is under discussion and it
is hard to surmise anything before the final decision will be made.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES VIOLATED CEASEFIRE 65 TIMES WITHIN APRIL MONTH, AZERBAIJANI ARMED FORCES’ ONE SOLDIER KILLED, 2 WOUNDED
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 1 2006
Within April month, Armenian Armed Forces have violated ceasefire in
several directions 65 times. According to the monitoring conducted
by APA, Azerbaijani Armed Forces’ one soldier killed, 2 wounded.
The ceasefire violation in intensive form was observed in the last
10 days pf April, and this was linked with marking “alleged Armenian
genocide”. Ceasefire has been violated more in Aghdam front line
within April month (29). Ceasefire has been violated 26 times in
Gazakh, in Terter 3, in Gadabey 2, in Tovuz and in Fuzuli 2 times.
Azerbaijan Armed Forces one military was killed by enemy (in Fuzuli),
4 persons died because of careless conduct with the weapon. Death
cases have been registered– one in Fuzuli, 2 in Aghdam, one in
Mingechevir, one in military unit in Lenkeran. Last month OSCE has
conducted monitoring in the frontline. Though incident happened
during monitoring in Mazam village direction of Gazakh region, no
violation has been registered in monitoring conducted in Gulustan
village of Geranboy.
It should be noted that, 140 facts have been registered since the
beginning of the year with regard to ceasefire violation. According to
the monitoring results, thee most ceasefire was observed in April month
but less in January month. Azerbaijani Army positions and residential
areas were subjected to Armenian Armed Forces ceasefire violation by
10, in February 14 and in March month 50 times.
The “hot lines” of the front was the following areas: Ýn Azerbaijani
state frontier- on Gazakh region – Mazamli, Gizilhajili, Balajafarli
and Baganis Ayrim villages; On Terter region: Hasangaya, Chayli;
Jerabert; Gapanli villages; On Aghdam region: Bash Garvand, Orta
Gishlag, Gulchuluk state farm villages; On Fizuli region: Ashagi
Seyidahmadli and Ashagi Abdurrahmanli villages.
It should be noted that Azerbaijani Armed Forecs have lost 23
militaries by May 1 of the current year. 4 of them were killed in
fire, 4 in careless conduct with the weapon, 5 in traffic accident,
1 suicide, 2 snow slide, 7 were kiled by Armenians.
In general, Azerbaijan Armed Forces have lost 11 militaries in January,
2 in February, 5 in March, 5 in April. All of the died are militaries
serving in armed forces units at Ministry of Defense.
–Boundary_(ID_xjjQS7bJ3qPHuzF2Wkvg0A)–

CE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER QUESTION ON INADMISSIBILITY OF BELLIGERENT ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP AT PACE
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
May 1 2006
A meeting of the Council of Europe Ministerial Committee will consider
a written question ‘Inadmissibility of PACE membership of belligerent
Armenia, with activities contradicting the fundamental principles
and major principles of the CE, prepared by MP Rafael Huseynov, an
Azerbaijani parliamentary representative to the PACE Azerbaijan. The
issue was included in the draft agenda of the 963rd meeting of the
CE Ministerial Committee due in Strasbourg on 3 May 2006.
Talking to Trend MP Huseynov said that the development of such
documents assumes special importance, as they are a constituent part
of international documents, which underline the occupation of the
Azerbaijani territory by Armenia.
“In future Armenia will be made answerable for policy of terror and
ethnic cleansing in respect to Azerbaijan, the International Court
will use the document as irrefutable evidences,” MP underscored.
Written Question No. 489 by Huseynov: “New plans of occupation by
belligerent Armenia posing serious threats to stability and development
in the South Caucasus”, dated 11 April 2006, particularly noted the
plans by Armenian aggressors future plans include the occupation of
Terter, Khanlar, Goranboy districts, other regions attached to the
Karabakh regions. The Armenian media already reports on the occupation
of Gazakh district – Kamarli, Dash Salahli and other villages. Armenia
carries out large-scale work to realize its aggressive plans and
far-sighted ambitions.
Considering these disturbing attempts by the Republic of Armenia
targeted at undermining stability in the South Caucasus Huseynov
asks the Committee of Ministers that in the present situation when
Armenia, officially considered to be an occupier by the Assembly,
putting forward manifestly its new occupying intentions and with
this purpose in mind undertaking concrete steps, what discussions
can the Committee of Ministers conduct within its competences and
what effective measures can it take in order to stop the aggressor.

U.S. ARMENIANS RAMP UP CALLS FOR TURKEY TO MAKE REPARATIONS
By Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer
Los Angeles Daily News, CA
May 1 2006
Demanding justice for a 1915 genocide in the Ottoman Empire,
Armenian-Americans in April protested and held vigils to call for an
end to mass murder.
Tied to those actions was the demand for an apology from the Turkish
government, which denies a genocide occurred. Protesters renewed those
calls throughout the month, but a simple apology for the deaths of
an estimated 1.5 million people wouldn’t be enough for many in the
Armenian community.
They want land and reparations, demands Turkey has ignored.
“Just admitting to the crime would only be half the equation,” said
Zanku Armenian, spokesman for the Armenian National Committee of
America’s western region. “When there’s a crime, there has to be a
consequence to it in order to deter future such crimes.”
Armenians lived in what is now eastern Turkey for centuries before
being driven out in 1915, so they expect Turkey to transfer some of
that land to neighboring Armenia.
Taking a cue from Germany’s payment of more than $60 billion to Jewish
Holocaust survivors, Armenians say Turkey should pay reparations, too.
Turkish officials show no signs of bowing to the demands.
“Did the American government officially pay billions of dollars as
reparations to the Indians?” said Engin Ansay, Turkey’s consul general
to Los Angeles.
Armenia and Turkey should be trading goods, not barbs, Ansay said.
“If we have a dialogue with the Armenians and we normalize the
relations, the borders are open and the Armenians have access to
the Turkish ports, they will make at least $2 billion a year,” Ansay
said. “So in 10 years they make $20 billion out of it. … That is
so much more than any reparation amount.”
At an annual protest last Monday in front of the Turkish consulate
in Los Angeles, the crowd of about 3,000 demonstrators didn’t support
more trade with Turkey.
In fact, they carried signs calling for a boycott of Turkish goods.
One protester carried a sign that read “Ararat Belongs to Armenia,”
referring to a mountain with religious and national significance to
Armenians that is visible from Armenia’s capital city but sits just
beyond the border – in Turkey.
Glendale school board member Greg Krikorian, who is of Armenian
descent and stood with the protesters, echoed the demand.
“We’ve been walking (in demonstrations) for years, from Los Angeles
to New York to Detroit to Boston to Washington, D.C.,” he said. “We
not only want recognition of the genocide, we demand Mount Ararat
back and our homeland back.”
For Jews, accepting reparations from Germany proved controversial
for years, said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon
Wiesenthal Center. Some Holocaust survivors considered the payments
“blood money” and refused to take them, but payments were a help to
others, he said.
“There’s no question that part of the price tag of, if you will,
the re-emergence of Germany into the family of nations is they had
to find a way for reparations and restitutions to the survivors.”
Many Armenian-Americans expect the same from Turkey.
“The loss is irreparable. It’s a destruction of an entire nation and
all its cultural and material possessions on the land on which it had
lived for 3,000 years, and I don’t think you can put a price on that,”
said Richard Hovannisian, a professor at University of California, Los
Angeles, and chairman of modern Armenian history at the school. “What
I do believe is that there have to be certain acts of contrition and
restitution on the Turkish side.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WB: SELLING OF HRAZDAN TPS 5TH ENERGY UNIT TO GAZPROM IS PROFITABLE FOR ARMENIA
Regnum, Russia
May 1 2006
It is a profitable deal for Armenia to sell Hrazdan TPS 5th energy
unit to Russian Gazprom Company, Director of World Bank Yerevan office
Roger Robinson is quoted by a REGNUM correspondent as saying it at
April 28 news conference.
According to him, the Armenian government is going to hold public
hearings on the question and to clarify all details of the deal.
“Holding of public hearings and clarifying details are governmental
duty,” he stressed, adding, that all questions on the deal will
be exhausted after discussions. Mentioning anxiety about the fact
that the Russian side becomes monopolist in Armenian power supply
system, Roger Robinson explained that foreign countries provide
public services in many countries of the world. In particular,
several foreign firms guarantees water supply in Great Britain, and
“there are no bad things in it.” “Strong structure is necessary for
regulation of public services,” the WB representative stressed.
According to him, mainly Russia supplies fuel for electrical energy
production, in particular, nuclear fuel for Armenian NPP, as well
as gas. “It is necessary to take into consideration current reality,
speaking about Armenian power supply system; and it may not be changed
within several minutes,” Roger Robinson concluded.
It should be stressed, production infrastructure of Hrazdan TPS, except
for its 5th unit, was handed over to Russia several years ago in the
framework of Property in Exchange for Debt Program, which envisages
clearing off of Armenian state debt in the rate of $100 millions
through assignation of stocks of five enterprises to the Russian
side. Gazprom Holding and the Armenian government achieved agreement
on sale of legally independent production infrastructure of Hrazdan
TPS 5th unit in April 2006. According to the agreement, the unit
will be sold to ArmRosgazprom for $248.8 millions. Part of the sum –
$188.8 – will be used to compensate gas tariff difference, because
the Russian side raised price for the fuel from $56 up to $110 per
1,000 cubic meters. As it is expected, in future Hrazdan TPS 5th unit
will become element of Gas in Exchange for Electrical Power scheme,
to which Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will belong too. According to an
Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental agreement, Armenia will export 3
kWt/h of electrical power for every cubic meter of Iranian gas. Iranian
gas will begin to get into Armenia already in the end of 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

U.S. NEWS: “A BIG ALLY IN A TINY COUNTRY”
By Bay Fang
Today, Azerbaijan
May 1 2006
President’s Aliyev interview to U.S. News & World Report edition.
The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, had a lot to discuss with
President Bush last week. Not only does the small Muslim nation occupy
a strategic location between Russia and Iran at a time when tension
between the United States and Iran is high, but it is also on the verge
of a huge oil boom. This summer, a 1,000-mile pipeline originating in
Azerbaijan will begin pumping oil across three countries to a Turkish
port on the Mediterranean Sea. Aliyev spoke to U.S. News about these
developments and about how he hopes Washington will help resolve the
country’s decade-long conflict with Armenia.
How will the completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline affect
world oil and gas markets?
This pipeline means we will be able to produce more oil and deliver
it to world markets. When we started building it five or six years
ago, oil prices were not as high as they are today. Now, it becomes
more and more important for the world’s energy security. It is a new
route that will deliver oil from the Caspian to the Mediterranean,
which has never existed before.
Is it possible to quantify the effect on the markets?
The pipeline will transport at least 1 million barrels of oil a day
in 2008. In the future, the pipeline’s capacity can be expanded;
it will depend on the level of production. It has huge potential.
How do you avoid what some people call the “oil curse”?
We are very determined to use oil wealth to develop a strong economy,
and not to depend on oil and oil prices in the future. To achieve that,
we need to have a high degree of transparency in accumulating and
spending oil wealth. Azerbaijan is a leading country in the Extractive
Industries Transparency Initiative, which has a main goal of having
transparent accounting.
How does Azerbaijan see itself developing as a secular democracy? As
a secular state with a predominantly Shiite population, can it be a
model for Iran?
What we do and what we plan is not aimed at being used as an example.
It is just for the sake of the people of Azerbaijan, for the
development of our country. We are secular not only by constitution
but by our lifestyle. It is a very good example of how representatives
of various nations and allegiances can live together in peace and
autonomy. We have a predominantly Muslim population, but at the same
time we have substantial Christian and Jewish communities.
What other democratic reforms are coming up?
Azerbaijan over the last five years has adjusted most of its
legislation to the standards of European countries. All of the
basic political freedoms are available; political institutions are
becoming stronger. At the same time, they should be accompanied by
strong economic reform. When people are poor, they think not about
democratic development but about day-to-day needs. Last year we had
a GDP growth of 26 percent, the highest in the world.
Was the GDP growth mostly in the oil sector?
It was 12 percent in the non-oil sector, 14 percent in the oil
sector. We are trying now to diversify the economy. Oil will come to
an end sooner or later, so the country’s long-term development should
not depend on oil.
You have said that the United States’ standoff with Iran should be
resolved diplomatically. But if the United States decides to react
militarily to Iran, what will Azerbaijan’s reaction be?
We still hope that it will be resolved in a diplomatic way. The other
option may lead to catastrophe in the region and may damage all the
positive trends and prospects for cooperation and development.
Azerbaijan, for more than a decade, has had part of its territory under
Armenian occupation. And all of the advice in the West is to resolve
it peacefully, despite the fact that 10 years of negotiations led
to no results. Therefore, we also think that in this case a peaceful
solution, patience, diplomatic efforts should be tried until the very
possible end.
Do you have high hopes for the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict?
On the one hand, we’ve been in a cease-fire regime for 12 years.
Despite various periods of negotiation, no result. That does not add
optimism. But on the other hand, the latest activity of mediators,
including the U.S. and Russia, creates hopes. But to resolve it,
both sides need to stick to international law and principles:
Occupied territories of Azerbaijan should be returned without any
preconditions. And the millions of Azerbaijanis who suffered from
the policy of ethnic cleansing by the Armenian government have the
right to return to their homeland.
How will Azerbaijan’s role in the war on terrorism change because of
the U.S. loss of the K2 air base in Uzbekistan last year?
We joined the antiterror operation as soon as the United States
invited allies to join. We are still committed to the partnership. We
have our soldiers serving alongside U.S. soldiers in Kosovo, Iraq,
and Afghanistan. This policy has not changed at all. The role of
Azerbaijan as the United States’ ally in the region is significant,
and the significance of this role may change due to circumstances
that develop, but our policy is not changed based on it.
URL:

BUSH, AZERI PRESIDENT DISCUSS IRAN, DEMOCRACY, ENERGY
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
Source: U.S. Department of State
May 1 2006
President Bush said Azerbaijan has “a very important role to play”
in energy security, and told visiting President Ilham Aliyev that it
is important for the world to see a modern Muslim country embracing
democracy for its future.
Speaking at the White House April 28, Bush said he and Aliyev held a
“candid discussion,” which included topics such as concerns over Iran,
the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and energy.
“I appreciate the vision of the government and the vision of the
president in helping this world achieve what we all want, which is
energy security. Azerbaijan has got a very important role to play,”
he said.
Bush described Azerbaijan as an ally of the United States in the war
on terrorism.
“I appreciate so very much the government’s contribution of support
in troops to the new democracy in Iraq,” he said, and welcomed the
opportunity to “bring our ally up to date on the progress that’s
being made on the ground there.”
He also said they talked about “the need … for the world to see
a modern Muslim country that is able to provide for its citizens,
that understands that democracy is the wave of the future.”
Aliyev said his discussions with Bush “covered all the aspects of
our bilateral relations,” and said he considers his visit as being
“instrumental in the future development of Azerbaijan as a modern,
secular, democratic country.”
He thanked the United States for its leadership in promoting energy
security issues in the Caspian region, and in “assisting us to create
a solid transportation infrastructure which will allow us to develop
full-scale Caspian oil and gas reserves and to deliver them to the
international markets.”
The Azeri leader also talked about the conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan, including Nagorno-Karabakh and told Bush about the latest
negotiations, as well as his hope for a “peaceful settlement of the
conflict.” (See related article.)
He also expressed his gratitude for U.S. assistance in promoting
Azerbaijan’s political process, including the “democratization of our
society,” adding that his government is “very committed to continue
this cooperation in the future.”
WHITE HOUSE SAYS AZERI DEMOCRACY WAS A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Prior to the meeting, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said
Bush would use the occasion to discuss the U.S. desire for Azerbaijan
to “take needed steps to ensure greater democratic freedoms for the
people of Azerbaijan,” and to see how the United States can assist
in making “needed democratic reforms.”
McClellan said international observers, such as the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), had determined that
Azerbaijan’s 2005 parliamentary elections “did not meet international
standards in a number of areas,” citing “interference from local
authorities and serious violations during the vote count.” (See
related article.)
However, the press secretary said there had been improvements over
previous elections, such as instituting the inking of voters’ fingers
and allowing a more inclusive candidate registration process.
“We would note that the government took some steps shortly after the
elections to correct some of the shortcomings including dismissing
governors, reversing election results in three constituencies and
calling for 10 elections to be re-run which will take place on May 13,”
McClellan added.
Describing Azerbaijan as “a key ally in a region of great importance”
that is making contributions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo,
McClellan said the meeting between the two presidents could “help
encourage President Aliyev along the road to democracy.”
ALIYEV SAYS BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP STRATEGIC TO CASPIAN REGION
Following his meeting with Bush, Aliyev said the relations between
the United States and Azerbaijan “are relations of friends [and]
partners,” and that he was “very satisfied” with bilateral cooperation
in his country’s political and economic reforms, energy security and
transportation, and cooperation against terrorism.
U.S.-Azeri relations “have a strategic importance for us and for
general regional development,” he said.
“I consider my visit to the United States as very important and
instrumental in future development of bilateral ties between us,
and in the future regional development in the place we all live,”
Aliyev told reporters.
Although he said the discussions mostly were concerned with bilateral
issues, they also discussed “issues of regional security,” including
the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program.
“[W]e are all living in the region and the situation in countries
which Azerbaijan is neighboring for us is important, and of course
the Iranian issue was also discussed and we are satisfied with the
discussion,” he said.
He also said the United States “definitely” supports Azerbaijan’s
energy plans, and that the U.S. “leading role” in the region’s energy
development programs is “very clear” and “decisive.” U.S. support
and assistance for Azerbaijan’s transportation infrastructure “was
and is very important,” he added.

ALLEGED WRITINGS ON MONUMENT OF SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN LYONS
Published: 30.04.2006
Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 1 2006
PARIS – Representatives from Armenian associations in France have
claimed that unidentified person or persons inscribed “there was no
genocide” on a monument that Armenians will erect in French city of
Lyons and the construction of which is actually underway.
Representatives alleged that some wrote “there was no genocide” and
“I’m Turkish and proud of it” (a motto by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk,
the Founder of the Republic of Turkey) on the monument and accused
Turks living in France of inscribing the motto.
On the other hand, Turkish citizens living in Lyons told A.A
correspondent that Armenian people in France might have written
these words on the monument to affect the court that will render its
verdict these days regarding a lawsuit filed to stop the construction
of the monument.
“There are tight security measures in the area where construction
efforts are under-way,” Turkish citizens said, noting that the area
was monitored by cameras for 24 hours a day.
Lyons court will render its verdict in the coming days on the fourth
suit filed by nongovernmental organizations in the city to stop the
erection of the monument.