IRAN EXPANDING TIES WITH CENTRAL ASIAN STATES TO COUNTERBALANCE US GEOPOLITICAL PRESSURE
Joshua Kucera
EurasiaNet, NY
April 13 2006
In an effort to counter US attempts to geopolitically isolate Iran,
officials in Tehran are trying to implement an ambitious program
centering on trade and infrastructure investment in Central Asia and
the Caucasus, two Iranian experts say.
Tehran is focusing most of its attention on areas with which Iran has
strong cultural and historical ties, such as Tajikistan and western
Afghanistan. But the strategy also involves other countries in the
former Soviet Union, including Uzbekistan and Armenia. Tehran’s aim is
to create a diffuse patchwork of regional ties and institutions that
can serve as a counterweight to US geopolitical pressure, according
to two Iranian academics, Mohsen Milani of the University of South
Florida, and Abbas Maleki of the International Institute for Caspian
Studies in Tehran. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
The two outlined the Iranian countermoves at an April 5 talk in
Washington, sponsored by the Central Asia Caucasus Institute at Johns
Hopkins University.
Iran’s preferred mode of investment is via massive infrastructure
projects. For instance, Iran is building the Anzab tunnel that will
connect the northern and southern parts of Tajikistan, and will
eventually provide a road corridor from China through Central Asia
to the Persian Gulf. It is also constructing the Sangtudinskaya-II
hydroelectric plant in Tajikistan as part of a total $700 million
investment in electricity in that country. [For background see the
Eurasia Insight archive].
Iran is also among the leading donors to the reconstruction of
Afghanistan. It pledged $560 million at the Tokyo donors’ conference in
2002 – all of which is expected to be disbursed by the end of 2006 –
and promised another $100 million at the London conference held last
January. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
In 2005, Iran completed the $43 million, 125-km road from the
Dougharoun region of Iran to Herat, and has announced that it will
build a 176-km railroad from Iran to Herat. It is also improving its
own railroad infrastructure with the aim of attracting cargo from
Russia, China and Central Asia via Iran to ports in the Persian Gulf.
In 2004, Iran completed the 1000-km Bafq-Mashhad railroad, which cut
two days off the rail journey from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf.
Tehran has steadily increased trade in recent years with its regional
neighbors, in particular Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. In addition,
Iran is working with Armenia to build a natural gas pipeline. [For
background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Speaking at length about the Iranian-Afghan relationship, Milani
noted that the growing volume of Iranian-Afghan trade – rising from
$120 million in 2002 to $250 million last year – is enabling Tehran
and Kabul to sweep political differences under the rug. Milani is
publishing a paper in the upcoming issue of the Middle East Journal
on Iran-Afghanistan relations.
Iran still hosts more than a million Afghan refugees and is the
destination of a significant amount of Afghanistan’s opium output.
Tehran also is concerned about the Disarmament, Demobilization and
Reintegration program in Afghanistan, believing that it is sapping
the power of Iran-friendly Dari-speaking militias. [For background
see the Eurasia Insight archive]. In addition, Afghan President Hamid
Karzai has engaged in what Milani characterized a “Pashtunization”
of the Afghan government, marginalizing Dari speakers, as well as
representatives of other ethnic groups in Afghanistan. [For background
see related Eurasia Insight article].
Iran is now a major source of consumer goods in Afghanistan, and
Iran-friendly power centers in Kabul are emerging, in particular the
parliament, which is led by Speaker Yunus Qanooni, an ethnic Tajik.
Maleki pointed out that Tehran also is keeping quiet about many
sources of controversy in Central Asia, in particular the 2005 Andijan
massacre in Uzbekistan, and the continuing US military presence in
Kyrgyzstan. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. At the
same time, Iran is active in the Economic Cooperation Organization,
a trade and investment group that includes all the Central Asian
countries plus Iran, Turkey and Pakistan.
Tehran is also an observer to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
a regional security group that aims to provide a counterweight to
US power in Central Asia. [For background see the Eurasia Insight
archive].
Editor’s Note: Joshua Kucera is a Washington, DC,-based freelance
writer who specializes in security issues in Central Asia, the Caucasus
and the Middle East.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TERRY DAVIS: “ABSENCE OF PEACE AGREEMENT DAMAGES BOTH SIDES”
Today, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006
Absence of a peace agreement on Nagorno Karabakh conflict damages
both Armenian and Azerbaijani sides.
“Unless the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia come to a definite
agreement, it will damage both nations, including people residing in
Nagorno Karabakh,” Terry Davis, the Secretary General of the Council
of Europe, said in an interview with a correspondent of Trend in
Strasbourg.
Thought the OSCE is authorized in mediation mission in the peace
talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it does not mean the CE has no
intention to back the peace dialogue.
Touching the peaceable resolution of the conflict, the CE Secretary
General said that while entering the CE both Azerbaijan and Armenia
undertook a responsibility on the resolution of Karabakh conflict,
which envisages peaceable resolution of the conflict. “The armed
resolution of the conflict is the worst scenario of all,” he stressed.
URL:
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONGRESSMAN KOLBE: “REPEAL OF SECTION 907 MIGHT BE DISCUSSED DURING AZERI PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO WASHINGTON”
Today, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006
The repeal of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act can be discussed
in the course of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit
to the United States, Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AR), the chairman of
the sub-committee on foreign assignments, stated to a news conference
in Baku on 13 April.
During the visit the Azerbaijani President will have an opportunity
for meetings the Congressmen, while final resolution on the repeal
of the section will depend on the Committee on foreign assignments.
Section 907 can also be fully repealed until the resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Moreover, the key point is not repeal of
Section 907, but is that it has been waived for 5 years in succession.
Concerning the reasons for non-inclusion of Azerbaijan in the
program “Millennium Challenges” Mr Kolbe said that while selecting
the claimants the key attention was paid to “quality of government
in the country” and level of corruption (on the base of data by
international organizations).
According to Trend, Congressman noted the steps taken in Azerbaijan
in this direction and his impatience for the time when Azerbaijan
will meet the necessary requirements. Until it occurs, the United
States intends to assist Azerbaijan in the military sector, in the
development of democracy and health.
Mr Kolbe said that during short stay in Baku he held meetings at the
Foreign Ministry, parliament, non-governmental organizations, and
representatives of the Armed Forces and peacekeeping contingent in
Iraq. He expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for an important role
in fighting with the international terror and peacemaking operations
in Iraq and Afghanistan.
URL:

PACE REPORTER: “INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO REFUGES AND DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS SHOULD CONTINUE”
Today, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are CE members and their rights have
to be considered, the Latvian reporter, Boris Chilevia told during
his speech at the PACE spring session.
According to Trend, presenting his report on refuges and displaced
persons in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia (# 10 835), Chilevia said,
“I have decided to present some data gathered by the international
organizations, including UN commissariat on refuges.” Adding that
“the problem of refuges and displaced persons is not problem of these
persons but of all the 3 states.”
He said that some success has been observed in the living conditions of
refuges. “We often saying that the international donors are growing
weary, but continuation of humanitarian aid is very important,”
he said.
Despite there are such structures as State Oil Foundation supporting
the refuges, the international aid should not be suspended.
He stressed the necessity to prepare the medium and long term programs
for integration of refuges and displaced persons.
Governments should apply the maximum effort to return the refuges
back home, “however, the return should be voluntary,” he said.
Eventually, the reporter mentioned the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
saying that the talks are in impasse now. “Nobody can solve the
conflict except the opposing sides. Thus, I urge the 2 governments
to continue the dialog with the CE support,” he concluded.
URL:

AZERBAIJAN PEOPLE CAN UNITE IN NEED – RAMIL SAFAROV
Author: V. Sharifov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006
Two Armenian officers who were participating at the courses with me
have offended me and the national flag, Ramil Safarov said at his
court hearing in Budapest in his interview to ANS.
“They have offended me several times, when they were drunk, but I
did tolerate that, what I could not tolerate is when they offended
the national flag, even despite I was in abroad and was representing
my country here, ” he said.
He said that this was not intended murder. ” I want to notice that
even 12 Hungarian experts couldn’t come to the single decision on
the issue,” he added.
He said that this case again showed that Azerbaijan people can unite
when in need.
“From the first moments of my incarceration all embassy staff
including the ambassador cared about me and were asking to improve
my conditions and satisfy my moral needs. This how the state cares
about its citizens. I am also grateful to my lawyer, Adil Ismayilov
who was supporting me actively, despite he couldn’t participate in
the process as my advocate, still his precious advices helped a lot
to my Hungarian defenders,” he concluded.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EXCHANGE OF FIRE IN GAZAKH REGION
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006
Turan
Yesterday there was exchange of gunfire between Armenian and
Azerbaijani military units on the western border.
The Defense Ministry’s press office reported that at 8:26 p.m.
Armenian troops from Voskevan village in Noemberian region opened
fire at Azerbaijani army positions in Gushchu Ayrym village of the
Gazakh region.
At 11:35 p.m. Armenian troops fired on Azerbaijani positions in the
Gedabek region from the Armenian Krasnoselsk region.
At midnight Armenian troops fired at Azerbaijani positions in Mazamli
and Gyzyl Hajily villages of the Gazakh region. An hour later the
Mazamli region was again fired on. The Azerbaijani side returned fire,
casualties are not reported.

RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA, HUNGARY DEVELOP ON NEW LEVEL: LEADER OF ARMENIAN CHURCH GAREGIN II
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 13 2006
YEREVAN, April 13. /ARKA/. The relations between Armenia and Hungary
develop on a new level in compliance with historically formed links
between the two people. Leader of the Armenian Church, Catholicos
Garegin II stated in Echmiadzin during the meeting with Hungarian
Ambassador to Armenia (Residency in Moscow) Arpad Sekey.
The Press Service of the Center of the Armenian Church in Echmiadzin
reported that the Catholicos congratulated the Ambassador on his new
post and gave him his patriarchal blessing. He also pointed out with
satisfaction the fact of careful and benevolent attitude of Hungarian
authorities toward Hungary’s Armenian community.
In his turn, the Ambassador expressed gratitude for the reception by
the Leader of the Armenian Church. Sekey also presented the political
and religious situation in Hungary to the Catholicos. They also
emphasized the importance of the role and mission of the Armenian
Apostolic Church in the life of the Armenian people, and touched upon
the church’s activities and interchurch relations.

APPEAL WILL BE ISSUED ON RAMIL SAFAROV SENTENCE – ADIL ISMAYILOV
Author: P. Kesamanski
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 13 2006
Ramil Safarov` s sentence is not fair, his attorney, Adil Safarov
told ANS.
Ramil Safarov has been sentenced by Judge, Andras Vaskuty for life
with possibility to appeal only after 30 years.
Ramil Safarov, has been sent to NATO Partnership for peace courses
of English to Hungary. Several days before the end of course, he
has murdered Armenian officer- Gurgen Markaryan. He justified the
murder claiming that the victim has offended the Azerbaijani flag
and Azerbaijan people.
Both Safarov and his lawyer decided to appeal the court` s decision.

DISGRUNTLED FARMERS CYNICAL ABOUT PROMISED U.S. AID
By Ruzanna Stepanian
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
April 13 2006
By all accounts, Hrant Sargsian is one of hundreds of thousands
of people who are supposed to be the main beneficiaries of $235.65
million in additional economic assistance to Armenia approved by the
United States. He is poor, lives in a rural area, and has trouble
irrigating crops grown on his modest plot of land.
But just like many other residents of Marmarashen, a village in the
southern Ararat region, the 68-year-old subsistence farmer does not
think that his plight will improve as a result of rural infrastructure
projects to be implemented under the U.S. Millennium Challenge Account
(MCA) program. “Charles Aznavour,” explains Sargsian, “too raised
money for Armenia but we didn’t get a single penny.”
“Now they say they want to sort out our drinking water and irrigation,”
he says. “But they won’t. The sum may reach Armenia, but we won’t see
[any benefit of] it.”
The cynicism is echoed by farmers throughout the fruit-growing Ararat
Valley, Armenia’s most developed agricultural region stretching along
its border with Turkey. Long neglected by the regional and central
governments, they have been left alone in coping with enormous problems
that plagued Armenian agriculture following the Soviet collapse.
There is a widely held belief among local residents that much of
external aid to Armenia has been embezzled by corrupt government
officials and that the U.S. aid will not be an exception. The popular
mood in other regions of the country, where farming conditions are
more difficult, is hardly more positive.
“If the entire sum reaches its destination that will be good, but
I am skeptical,” said a farmer in Mkhchian, another Ararat Valley
village. “Only 10 percent of the aid will serve its purpose.”
“How many ministers do we have? They will distribute that money among
themselves,” claimed another local resident.
Armenian and U.S. officials insist that as much as 75 percent of
approximately one million Armenians dependent on farming will directly
benefit from the five-year program. They say Armenia’s widespread
rural poverty will fall by 6 percent as a result. In addition,
the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, which runs the scheme,
has pledged to closely oversee the use of the MCA funds to rule out
their possible misappropriation and other corrupt practices.
Most of the sum, $146 million, will be spent on refurbishing Armenia’s
Soviet-era irrigation networks. Another $67 million would go to
pay for capital repairs of about 1,000 kilometers of rural roads
that have fallen into disrepair over the past decade. A Millennium
Challenge Corporation statement last said that these two projects will
“significantly increase the annual incomes of rural poor.”
But local farmers say better roads and irrigation alone are not a
fundamental solution to their woes. They say they will still lack
access to cheap credit and fertilizers and struggle to pay for
water and the basic utilities. Nor will be they be compensated by
the state anytime soon for hail or cold snaps that regularly destroy
their crops. Agriculture insurance remains practically non-existent
in Armenia.
“As soon as farmers are able to get long-term loans from banks
without any bureaucratic hurdles, they will get on their feet,”
said a Mkhchian farmer. “That would be real poverty reduction.”
For farmers in the village of Masis, a key problem is not so much a
lack of irrigation water as its prohibitive cost. “Water is available
here,” said one of them, Ashot Ghazarian. “But it is so expensive that
villagers can not afford it with proceeds from sales of their produce.”
Ghazarian says this is what prompted him and many other locals to
sell their land and become agricultural laborers. Its main buyer,
commercial farmer Zhora Galstian, already owns more than 100 hectares
(250 acres) of the Masis land, a very big plot by Ararat Valley
standards. But even he is unhappy.
“More villagers come and ask me to buy their land but I don’t want
to,” explains Galstian. “What would I do with it? I already earn few
revenues despite working much harder than any city businessman.”

HUNGARY JAILS AZERBAIJANI KILLER
BBC News, UK
April 13 2006
Safarov was also convicted of trying to kill a second Armenian An
Azerbaijani army officer has been jailed for life for murdering an
Armenian while the two were taking a Nato course in English in Hungary.
Lt Ramil Safarov confessed to hacking Lt Gurgen Markarian to death
with an axe in February 2004 in a dormitory used by Partnership for
Peace trainees.
The Budapest court sentenced Safarov to life in prison, with a 30-year
minimum term before any parole hearings.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been bitter rivals since a war in the
1980s-90s.
Verdict welcomed
Safarov, 29, showed little emotion as Judge Andras Vaskuti read out
the sentence.
He had claimed that he had been driven to his act by the plight
of fellow Azerbaijanis, including close family relatives, in the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
He also said he had been provoked by what he called the insulting
behaviour of Lt Markarian towards the Azerbaijani flag.
But the judge ruled that the murder was pre-meditated and had been
carried out with extreme cruelty.
Had his fellow officers not restrained him, the judge added, Safarov
would have killed a second Armenian officer as well.
A lawyer representing the victim’s family welcomed the sentence as a
“good decision for the Hungarian court and for [Armenian] society”.
Safarov’s lawyer said he planned to appeal against the verdict.
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