AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN OSCE CO-CHAIRMEN TO HELD CONSULTATIONS IN MOSCOW
Author: E. Huseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 17 2006
Consultations with the American OSCE Minsk group co-chairman, Steven
Mann will be held in the Russian Foreign Ministry on April 19, OSCE
co-chairman from Russia, Yuri Merzlyakov told Trend.
Consultations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict regulation will take place
on the eve of Mann` s visit to the region, he said.
The similar consultations took place in Moscow on April 14 on the
results of the visit to the region of the French mediator, Bernard
Fasie
, Mrzlyakov said. The French diplomat has been accepted by the
Russian vice foreign minister, G. Karasin and both sides discussed
coordination of the OSCE Minsk group activities (Russia, USA, France)
and further steps in the conflict resolution.
Speaking about the inconsistency in the co-chairmen proposals,
Merzlyakov said all matters discussed in the course of separate
visits of mediators to the region “are coordinated and practically
the same thing.”
He added that the co-chairmen will pay a joint visit to the region at
the beginning of May. Before, they will hold a consultation in Moscow.

POPE’S EASTER MESSAGE CALLS FOR TALKS ON IRAN
Catholic World News
April 17 2006
Vatican, Apr. 17 (CWNews.com) – Pope Benedict XVI (bio – news)
called for “serious and honest” negotiations to defuse tension over
the development of nuclear power by Iran, in Urbi et Orbi message
delivered on Easter Sunday.
The Holy Father did not explicitly mention Iran as he addressed
the crowd in St. Peter’s Square at midday on Easter Sunday. But
his reference to “the international crises linked to nuclear power”
was unmistakable.
In other references to international affairs, the Pope called for peace
in several African regions– beginning with a mention of Darfur, and
including the Great Lakes region, Ivory Coast, Uganda, and Zimbabwe–
and in Latin America. In a balanced reference to the Middle East, he
said: “May the international community, which re-affirms Israel’s just
right to exist in peace, assist the Palestinian people to overcome
the precarious conditions in which they live and to build their
future.” And looking toward Iraq, the Pontiff prayed that “peace
finally prevail over the tragic violence that continues mercilessly
to claim victims.”
The Pope’s first Easter message, delivered from the loggia of
the Vatican basilica, was broadcast by 102 television stations to
audiences in 65 different countries. A large and enthusiastic crowd
welcomed the Pope’s solemn Easter blessing with loud cheering and a
persistent chant of “Benedetto!”
Pope Benedict began his Urbi et Orbi address with a reflection on the
meaning of Easter, encouraging believers to ” relive the the event
of the Resurrection, which changed the face of our life and changed
the history of humanity.” The risen Christ, he said offers hope to
“all those who are still oppressed by chains of suffering and death–
sometimes even without knowing it.”
Jesus rose, the Pope said, because “it was not possible for him to be
held prisoner by death, and the tomb could not hold ‘the living one’
who is the very source of life.” He added: “His resurrection becomes
our resurrection, through Baptism which incorporates us into Him.”
After delivering his message, the Pope offered his Easter greetings
to the world, using 62 different languages. (That number matched the
number of different languages used by Pope John Paul at his Easter
Sunday audience in 2004; at Christmas, Pope Benedict had used “only”
33 languages.) In addition to many European languages, he spoke in
Armenian, Hebrew, Turkish, Gaelic, Korean, and several African tongues.
After the Pope’s message, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos (bio – news),
the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, officially announced
the plenary indulgence that is granted (under the usual conditions)
to those who receive the Pope’s Easter blessing. Cardinal Castrillon
was at the Pope’s side along with Cardinal William Levada, the prefect
of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The papal blessing
was delivered, in Latin and to the sound of a fanfare, at 12:30.
After the midday audience Pope Benedict– who was celebrating his
79th birthday– left the Vatican by helicopter for a few days of rest
at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandalfo. He will return to
Rome for his regular weekly public audience on Wednesday, April 19–
which coincides with the 1st anniversary of his election.

DM MEETS US EX-AMBASSADOR
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 17 2006
Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev on April 17 met Reno
Harnish, the U.S. Ambassador who has finished his diplomatic mission
in Azerbaijan. He mentioned there was a substantial progress in
development of Azerbaijan-US bilateral cooperation, including the
military one, during the diplomat’s tenure.
Touching on the process of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev
pointed out that the United States increase its efforts towards its
resolution on the base of the international legal norms and principle
of territorial integrity. “I believe the visit to the region by US
co-Chair Steven Mann will have its positive impact on the issue,”
he said.
Mr. Harnish said, for his part, that the US-Azerbaijan cooperation is
on a level of strategic partnership, and the upcoming official visit
by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Washington will foster the
existing relationship between the two countries.
The Defense Minister and ex-Ambassador also exchanged views on a n
umber of other issues of mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRMAN ARRIVES TO BAKU THIS WEEK
Author: E. Huseynov
TREND Info, Azerbaijan
April 17 2006
The OSCE Minsk group co-chairman, Steven Mann is planning to visit
Baku by the end of this week, the head of foreign affairs department
at the US embassy, Jonathan Henik told Trend.
The exact agenda of the visit is not yet known, though it is expected
that Mann will visit Yerevan and probably Tbilisi before arriving to
Baku. In Baku he will discuss the current stage of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict peaceful resolution.
Mann has previously said that his visit to the region will start on
April 18.

RUSSIAN, ARMENIAN DETAINED IN UZBEKISTAN FOR ATTEMPT TO SELL $1M BILL
MosNews
April 17 2006
A Russian and an Armenian have been detained in the central Asian
republic of Uzbekistan, while trying to sell a $1 million banknote
at half price, Uzbek prosecutors said Friday.
“The counterfeit banknote was seized as it was being traded off to an
Uzbek national for $500,000,” said Zuraf Yuldashev, senior inspector
at the Prosecutor General’s Office.
The would-be buyer said the men had offered him the bill at a discount,
citing an urgent need for small change.
“An examination has shown that the $1mln banknote was a forgery,
though skillfully made,” Yuldashev said.
photo of bill: shtml

INJUSTICE VERDICT AGAINST RAMIL SAFAROV CAUSED STUDENTS’ MARCH-RALLY IN HUSEYN JAVID AVENUE
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 17 2006
Students have protested against injustice verdict of Budapest city
Court against Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov with march-rally in
Huseyn Javid Avenue. Baku (APA)
Students marching in the direction of Azizbayov monument were prevented
by Yasamal region Police office associates and led them to “Elmler
Academiyasi” metro station. Students sounded mottoes “Freedom to Ramil
Safarov”, “We should defend our officer”, “Losing Ramil Safarov we lose
Garabagh” and etc. This effort was silenced by the police. About 50
people were moved from the territory, some of them was taken to Yasamal
Region Police Office by bus. During the confrontation one person was
injured. Intending to the action holders Garabagh Liberty Organization
(GLO) chairman Akif Naghi was taken to Yasamal region police office
being detained. After that, about thousands of students made effort
to continue protest action in front of “Elmler Akademiyasi” station,
the action was prevented with interference of police. GLO members
and chairman of the organization Akif Naghi were set free after being
seriously warned. Though part of students detained by the police were
released, but some of them are detained in 26th police department.

TV BEST BETS: THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
NorthJersey, NJ
The Record, The Herald, NJ
April 17 2006
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE — During World War I, more than 1 million
Armenians were slain by the Ottoman Turks. This new special recalls
the Armenian slaughter with historical footage and interviews with
historians and ordinary citizens who recount the stories they were
told by their parents and grandparents. Julianna Margulies narrates.
(10 p.m., WNET/Channel 13)
jczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxNzYmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY5MTc zMDkmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3

‘KURDS ARE FALLING INTO THE SAME TRAP ARMENIANS FELL INTO’
By Osman Asilturk, Istanbul
Zaman, Turkey
April 17 2006
The Agos daily’s Editor in Chief, Hrant Dink, said some Kurds are now
being deceived by the same Western trick that Armenians fell into in
the past.
Armenians made the mistake in the past of believing the British,
German, French, and Russians, claimed Dink, who asked the Kurds not
to believe the promises made by the US to set up a Kurdish state in
Northern Iraq.
A conference on Malatya, an eastern Turkish province, was held with
the participation of famous people from the city as part of the Malatya
Businessmen Association’s (MIAD) 3rd Intellectual Platform meeting.
Dink, noting that he is from Malatya, maintained that the Armenians
fell into a trap when they tried to get rid of the Ottoman State in
the 1915s.
“The British, French, Russians and Germans are repeating the same
game they played on this territory in the past. The Armenian people
believed in them in the past. They thought they would be rescued
them from Ottoman persecution. However, they were deceived because
the superpowers made their own calculations, they encouraged brothers
to kill each other on this territory and then left,” Dink said.
The Editor in Chief claimed that Kurds are now being deceived using
the same trick, and defended that America uses Kurds on the pretext
of establishing a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq.
“The US came in order to set up a Kurdish state in Northern Iraq”
the Armenian origin journalist said, “and we are reminded of the
games of the past that are being played out again today”.
“Political calculations and party differences must be put aside. This
is the US. It will come, deal with its own initiatives and leave as
soon as its job is over. In the aftermath, those left behind will
fight against each other,” Dink said.

SETTLEMENT OF ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANIAN NK CONFLICT CONSULTED AT RUSSIAN MFA
Democratic Azerbaijan
April 17 2006
The settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijanian Nagorno-Garabagh conflict
was consulted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
MFA informed that 14 April G. Karasyn, Deputy Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Russia received B. Fasier, French Co-chair of the OSCE
Minsk Group for settlement of Nagorno-Garabagh conflict. At the
meeting was discussed the issues relating coordinating activities in
format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen (Russia, US and France)
and further steps for settlement advancement process.
It is appropriate mention that the Ambassador B. Fasier visited Moscow
at once by completion of his visit to Baku and Yerevan.

NGOS DISCUSSED RAMIL SAFAROV’S SENTENCE
Democratic Azerbaijan
April 17 2006
Recently ’round table’ hosted by a number of MPs together with NGO
chiefs devoted to sentence passed on Ramil Aliyev, senior lieutenant
of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan incriminated in murder of Armenian
officer Gurgen Margarian, was held.
13 April Budapest city court under the chairmanship of Judge Vasguti
Andrasha sentenced Azerbaijani lieutenant to life imprisonment. Azay
Guliyev, a MP, president of Forum of National NGOs, informed that
such court decision was unexpected for all. “If today in Europe the
defendant could be sentenced to the Capital Punishment, our lieutenant
would be sentenced to death penalty. Europe does not recognize the
right of State sacrificing of thousands victims. We are against this
decision and consider that not only Ramil Safarov but Azerbaijan
is sentenced to life imprisonment. This decision is the attitude of
Hungary and Europe toward Nagorno-Garabagh conflict”.
According to him, in order to appeal to the Court of Appeal should
be developed an Action Plan.
At the round table Tatiana Cheladze, the journalist underlined that
the problem would not get such scales, if in due time it was not
linked with politics: “That time I’ve already said that there was not
essential to link this incident with politics, it can damage Ramil
Safarov himself. Even lieutenant’s father requested about it mass
media. But despite the all requests, to the sitting of the court has
been brought posters with different slogans that led to involuntary
examination of this matter from the point of politics. You see its
result”.
Following T. Cheladze A. Guliyev noted that we should manage to
control our emotions: “This point requires cold-blooded attitude.
Since ever we have been told just without any deeds”.
Zahid Oruj, a MP informed that the Coordinating Board in due time
noted that this problem should promote to unification of society but
not its break. According to him, currently it’d be inexpedient to
prefer new charges, as it can damage Ramil Safarov: “Such conflicts
are underlying for Armenian-Azerbaijanian conflict. We always say
that the battle field is a place wherein the Armenian insults the
Azerbaijanian disrespecting for its national flag. Thus, this sentence
is passed not only to Ramil Safarov but to Nagorno-Garabagh for which
we are struggling”.
Z. Oruj told that holding pickets of protest at the streets and city
squares should be permitted. Sahib Mammadov, human rights defender
informed that throughout two years numerous mistakes were allowed, as
it is wrong to prefer the charges: “I think that this issue requires
more careful attitude. All we know that Hungarian trial acted not
impartial. But if we say directly about it, we’ll fail. Europe does
not allow to influence upon court. It’d be better, if we present
it as mistake of trial. Let’s say that it is a mistake that should
be withdrawn”.
Sahib Safarov, lieutenant’s father informed that the results of
activities done for two years make hope for the best. According to
him, it should be developed action plan to be done in future: “Ramil
called me and said that he expected such sentence. Now we have to
wait for the Court of Appeal to be held a year later. For this year
we have to do our best not to repeat mistakes which were used by
the Armenians”. S. Safarov preferred a charge against mass media:
“Recently Ramil was sentenced. As it known, there is a chance of
extradition. It has been repeatedly informed and printed, what is
the meaning to put the same questions in response to which to receive
the same answers? The Armenians demand more severe punishment based
on our informations”.
R.Safarov’s father touched upon the interview given to BBC by
editor-in-chief of “Daily Azerbaijan” (“Gundelik Azerbaycan”) Eynulla
Fatullayev who had repeatedly informed that the court passed a just
sentence: “They are words neither Armenian lawyers, nor judge, nor
Public Prosecutor. It was said by Eynulla Fatullayev. Ramil Safarov
suffered punishment but E. Fatullayev does not leave him alone. But
we should not forget that my son is Azerbaijanian, and any sentence
passed to him is equal to sentence to Azerbaijan. Now I want to address
E. Fatullayev and asked him: Ramil is sentenced to life imprisonment
and now you are satisfied, or don’t you agree with this sentence?”
Addressing once again to mass media S. Safarov requested them to act in
accordance with the circumstances and previously think over every word.
At the end of meeting the Coordinating Board for R. Safarov’s rights
adopted a statement. The document says that the Board will actively
operate for protection of our lieutenant’s rights as a sign of protest
against unjust decision of Budapest court. The statement is expected to
send to the highest legislative body of Hungary, and also international
human rights organizations.
/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0055&n=001420&g=