PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN VISITS VILLAGES OF TOVUZ BORDERING ON ARMENIA
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
Pakistan’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Azerbaijan
Mohammad Hafiz is visiting Tovuz region at the initiative of
parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva.
APA’s western bureau reports that the ambassador first visited the
Martyr’s Alley in the center of the region. Tovuz governor Hamid
Baghirov received the Pakistani ambassador and parliamentarian Ganira
Pashayeva. Baghirov and Ms. Pashayeva informed the ambassador about the
strategic location of Tovuz and the problems of the region bordering
on Armenia. The region’s governor said though Tovuz is not in Nagorno
Garabagh which is subject to Armenians’ territorial claim, Armenians
often fire on peaceful residents and their houses in the villages of
the region bordering on Armenia.
Expressing his gratitude for detailed information on the problems that
the region is facing, Mr.Hafiz presented governor Hamid Baghirov with
a silver sword. Baghirov thanked to the ambassador for accepting the
invitation to visit Tovuz and presented him with Azerbaijani folk
musical instrument saz.
Following this, Mr. Hafiz accompanied by Ganira Pashayeva visited
Alibayli village of Tovuz bordering on Armenia.
600 of 800 houses in Alibayli village have been destroyed by Armenians
during the war and the cease-fire. 200 houses and 30%-40% of the
destroyed houses in the village are populated at present.
Meeting the villagers, the Pakistani ambassador was interested in
their conditions. The residents said Armenians often fire on the
houses but they go on living there.
Mohammed Hafiz and Pashayeva met with soldiers of Azerbaijani Army
after that. The visitors arrived at the secondary school named after
National Hero Gasim Rzayev in Hajiili village. This village often
becomes subject to Armenian bullets. There are bullet holes on the
door and walls of the school.
Speaking to APA’s western bureau, Ms.Pashayeva appreciated the
Pakistani ambassador’s visit to the border zone.
“Mr. Mohammad Hafiz demonstrated his support for us by visiting
the zone. He accepted my invitation on visiting the region with
great pleasure. Such visits are very important for us. Pakistan
has its special weight among Muslim countries. As a member of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, Pakistan plays one of the
key roles there. Mr.Hafiz is sure to share his opinions on the visit
with other ambassadors, especially those from Muslims states,” the
parliamentarian said.
Pashayeva also noted that Mr.Hafiz wants the relations between
different parts of our country and Pakistan to strengthen, “Pakistan
gives great support for Azerbaijan regarding the Garabagh conflict.
Mr. Ambassador promised to often visit our regions.”
Pashayeva also said the initiative of organizing visits of western
ambassadors to our country is also being considered.
“Most of the western ambassadors have promised to visit our regions.
British ambassador Laurie Bristow has agreed to visit this region in
July or August this year,” she said.
The Pakistani ambassador is still visiting villages of Tovuz
bordering on Armenia now. Mohammad Hafiz and Ganira Pashayeva will
leave for Aghdam region today to familiarize with conditions of
local residents. The Pakistani ambassador is due to visit Ganja
tomorrow.

US BELIEVES 2006 TO REPRESENT A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR RESOLUTION OF NK CONFLICT – US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE
Author: E.Huseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
The United States remains committed to helping secure a peaceful
resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Matthew Bryza, the US
Assistant Secretary of State, told Trend in exclusive interview.
The Presidents met in Bucharest last weekend for intensive, detailed
negotiations. “Obviously, no breakthrough was reached, but we
continue to believe that 2006 represents a window of opportunity
if the Presidents can make difficult, courageous decisions to move
forward with a settlement,” he underlined.
Bryza also underlined that the United States is interested in
broadening our cooperation with Azerbaijan in all spheres. We already
enjoy excellent cooperation on military and security matters, energy
issues, and democratic and economic reform. President Aliyev’s visit
to Washington was very successful in advancing this cooperation and we
hope to deepen our cooperation still further in the weeks and months
to come, he stressed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESIDENTS COULDN’T MAKE AGREEMENT ON ANY COMPLEX QUESTION IN BUCHAREST
Author: A.Mammadov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
The Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan doesn’t exclude that
Azerbaijan and Armenia will reach an agreement on the principles of
solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2006.
Answering the question of MediMax news agency, Oskanyan noted that
“it is impossible to exclude anything”. “The hope dies at the end,”
told Oskanyan.
Oskanyan stressed that as a result of the talks between Aliyev and
Kocharyan held in Bucharest on 4-5 June, no new meeting of the state
heads was fixed.
“The sides agreed that if after the new consultations of co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group, it is considered necessary to hold the meeting
of Azerbaijan and Armenian foreign ministers, then such meeting will
be held,” told Oskanyan. Besides, he noted that there wasn’t any
defined date for his meeting with his Azerbaijani colleague.
“Everything depends on the decision of mediators,” said Oskanyan.
“In Bucharest, the presidents, as being in Rambue, couldn’t make an
agreement on any complex question,” stressed Oskanyan.

IRAN, BULGARIA RATIFY AGREEMENT FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION
Asia Pulse
Jun 08, 2006
TEHRAN, June 8 Asia Pulse – The Guardian Council ratified here
Wednesday an agreement for avoidance of double taxation between Iran
and Bulgaria to make it possible to became a law, the economic and
finance minister’s public relations department reported.
The agreement was previously approved in the Majlis. The law covers
avoidance of taxes on income acquired in housing, agriculture sectors
as well as various private sectors professions and extraordinary
incomes, the ministry reported.
Iran has signed agreements with 48 nations encouraging joint trade
and investments.
The agreements stipulate that the governments of the countries involved
finance private companies doing business in their territories thereby
making them partners in economic development.
Iran has inked accords with 34 countries for removal of double taxation
on trade and investments which can increase the flow of capital into
the national economy.
In addition to double taxation agreements Iran has also signed
agreements to boost its trade exchange.
The number of customs agreements signed with foreign countries now
stands at 31.
The report added, “Out of the signed documents, 19 have been ratified
by Iranian Majlis and the rest are being assessed by various Majlis
commissions.
“The ratified customs agreements have been signed with Italy,
Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba,
Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, India, Sudan, Pakistan,
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon and Tunisia.” Talks are currently underway between
Iran’s Customs Administration and Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Hungary,
Morocco, China, Iraq and Nigeria. Once the negotiations are finalized,
customs cooperation agreements will be signed with those countries.

AZERI-ARMENIAN TALKS FRUITLESS
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert
Kocharian met in Bucharest for another round of talks on resolving
the long-standing Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict on Sunday. The
meeting, held at the Polish embassy in the Romanian capital, produced
no results.
The first part of the four-hour meeting was attended by the OSCE
chairman-in-office and Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht,
co-chairmen of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann, Yuri
Merzlyakov and Bernard Fassier, as well as the OSCE chairman’s special
envoy, Andrjei Casprzyk. The talks continued with a private meeting
between the two leaders.
Although the decision was made to continue the presidential talks on
the following day, something observers said gave hopes for a positive
outcome, the discussions turned out fruitless again. The presidents
did not sign a joint statement, as was previously planned. Armenian
President Kocharian left the conference hall first, followed by
Presidents Aliyev.
No information was provided to the press after the negotiations.
Kocharian explained this by what he described as “nothing to disclose”
about the meeting results.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the co-chairs said they
“regretted” the failure of the sides to reach an agreement on solution
principles.
The US Minsk Group co-chair Steven Mann told Radio Liberty that the
heads of state conducted a very intense discussion.
“The co-chairs will discuss the outcome of the talks in the coming
days on their own, plan further steps and inform the OSCE Permanent
Council of this at the upcoming meeting.”
Mann declined to disclose the gist of the presidential talks but said
they centered on “multi-faceted issues”.
Asked whether the talks marked any differences to the previous round
of discussions between the two leaders, he said: “I can only say
that we had very comprehensive talks. We are currently at the stage
of detailed and comprehensive discussions.”
The sides failed to agree on issues of principle during the talks
in the French town of Rambouillet in February, which was followed by
Azerbaijan’s threats to resort to military action.
Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said the key differences
between the conflicting sides concerned general principles.
“Azerbaijan’s stance remains unchanged,” he said.
Mammadyarov noted that he could meet with his Armenian counterpart
again if the need be. As for another meeting of the presidents,
he said this would depend on the prospects for further negotiations.
The head of the President’s Office international relations department,
Novruz Mammadov, said the two leaders had decided not to disclose
information to the media. He indicated, however, that the meeting
could be seen as a step forward and marked some rapprochement in the
positions of the parties.
The US Department of State Assistant Secretary for European and
Eurasian Affairs, Daniel Fried, stressed the importance of resolving
the Azeri-Armenian dispute and said there are opportunities for
achieving the goal. Reaching a possible accord depends on the Azeri
and Armenian presidents, the Russian media quoted him as saying.
Fried emphasized that the OSCE mediators had put forth a number of
proposals that could create a platform for solution. These ideas are
neutral and do not favor either of the sides, he said.
“As a representative of the United States, I would like to say that we
want as much territory as possible to be returned to Azerbaijan in a
short period of time. We also want refugees to return to their homes,”
the diplomat said. He added that each of the conflicting sides has its
own interests involved and various options for the conflict settlement.
Upper Garabagh, which is internationally recognized as being part of
Azerbaijan, has both Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian population. It
was occupied by Armenia in the early 1990s, along with seven other
Azerbaijani districts, after large-scale hostilities which claimed the
lives of up 30,000 people and forced over a million Azerbaijanis out
of their homes. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but peace
talks have been fruitless so far and refugees remain stranded.

TURKISH DEPUTY PREMIER SIGNS BSEC PROTOCOL IN RUSSIA
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
7 Jun 06
Sochi, 7 June: Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Mehmet Ali Sahin signed the additional protocol to the international
cooperation agreement of BSEC – Black Sea Economic Cooperation –
member states in Russia on Wednesday [7 June].
Sahin told reporters that the agreement envisages assistance and
solidarity between BSEC member states in case of natural disasters,
as well as disasters caused by human beings.
Within the scope of the agreement, liaison offices (in all BSEC
member countries) will be established for exchange of information
in emergency.
On 25 June 1992, the heads of state and government of eleven countries
(Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova,
Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine) signed (in Istanbul) the summit
declaration and the Bosphorus statement giving birth to the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC). It is a model of multilateral political
and economic initiative aimed at fostering interaction and harmony
among member states, as well as to ensure peace, stability and
prosperity encouraging friendly and good-neighbourly relations in
the Black Sea region.

REGIONAL GROUP PLANNING PEACEKEEPING FORCES
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
GUAM, an alliance of CIS states Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and
Moldova, is considering the establishment of its own peacekeeping
forces, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev has said.
“The issue has long been discussed on the level of GUAM experts,”
he told the press last week. He said that in case such a unit is
established, peacekeepers may be stationed in the Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict zone. Abiyev said preparation of relevant documents
is underway and they will be further submitted to the presidents of
the group’s member states for signing.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Andrey Lisenko, said
deputy chiefs-of-staff of GUAM member states are due to meet in Kiev
in mid-July to outline the structure and tasks of the peacekeeping
contingent.

GOV’T TO SUE FOREIGN COMPANIES
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006
The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is preparing to take
legal action against the sale of Istisu mineral waters in Azerbaijan’s
Armenian-occupied Kalbajar District under the name of Jermuk, Minister
Huseyn Bagirov said Friday.
Bagirov said work involving experts has been carried out. The
ministry’s legal department has outlined a series of activities. The
minister declined to reveal the essence of the measures to be taken
to prevent the counter party from retaliating.
He only noted that third-country companies working in the occupied
territories, including those from the US, the UK, etc., would be
taken to court.

June 8, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: <; CHAMLIAN SCHOOL SCIENCE FAIR FINALISTS VISIT THE PRELATE On Wednesday, June 7, five finalists from Chamlian School visited His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied by representatives of the school staff and parents. The students, Talar Alexanian, Claire Arakelian, Shaunt Kouyoumdjian, Koko Bornazyan, and Collette Hamamah, were joined by Assistant to the Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, Science teacher Mrs. Lida Kevorkian, parents Mrs. Linda Alexanian, and Mr. and Mrs. Vatche and Taline Kouyoumdjian. Mrs. Kevorkian spoke of the accomplishments of the five above-mentioned students, as well as of students Garen Arabian, John Azizian, and Dveen Babaian. All had in recent months participated in the Armenian Science Olympiad, the Los Angeles County Fair, and the California State Science Fair, securing awards at all three competitions. Mrs. Kevorkian also gave details about each student's field of interest. The students themselves also had an opportunity to convey further details to the Prelate, who commended them for their achievements. The Prelate also commended the school staff and parents for their support and involvement and wished the students success as they continue to bring pride to their parents, school, and community. Prior to their departure, the Prelate presented the guests with mementos.

June 8, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: <; DURING A VISIT TO THE COLORADO PARISH COMMUNITY `WITH THIS HOLY MASS, LET US BE FILLED WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE FEAST, AND ENLIGHTENED BY THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST' Declared the Prelate From June 2-4, 2006, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, joined by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Chair of the Prelacy Religious Council, visited the parish of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Colorado and Rocky Mountain Region, to meet with the newly elected parish council and the parish community. On the afternoon of Sunday, June 4, the Prelate, assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Muron, conducted Holy Mass and delivered his sermon on the occasion of the Feast of Pentecost, highlighting three main points. He spoke of the appearances of Christ to the disciples in the forty days after His Glorious Resurrection and His ascension to Heaven. The Prelate also spoke of how ten days after the Ascension, the disciples were gathered at the Upper Room waiting for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which descended and rested on each one of them. That day became the birthday of the Christian Church, noted the Prelate, and added that it should also be the spiritual anniversary of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Colorado and the Armenian community. He continued, just as the disciples of our Lord spread the Gospel to the four corners of the world, especially Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew who spread the Gospel to the Armenian people, you too must follow their example and establish a church in the near future to bind the community to the Armenian Apostolic faith, and offer spiritual nourishment to the faithful. Archbishop Mardirossian requested from those present that to the best of their abilities, each and every one of them must assist in the church by donating their time, or by offering moral or financial support. Subsequently, hymns for Pentecost were sung and the Prelate offered a special prayer for the youth, who are the future of the church. Following Mass a reception was held at the church hall, where the Prelate presented Mrs. Anna Kavafian with a letter of blessing and commendation for her longtime service to the Armenian Church as an organist. On this occasion, the Prelate also presented those in attendance with mementos.