KLO ACCUSES BUDAPEST COURT OF UNKINDLY POSITION
Author: S.Ilhamgizi
TREND, Azerbaijan
April 5 2006
The Budapest court took unfair position anew in relation to the case of
Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov. Prosecutors and lawyers defending
Armenian side gave unkindly estimation, Trend reports referring to
the statement adopted by the Karabakh Liberation Organization on the
last hearing of Safarov’s case.
According to KLO, the Budapest court, Andrash Vashkuti presiding at
the legal procedure evidently prepares to punish Safarov strictly at
the order of the Armenian side. It arises serious doubts on bribing
of the Budapest court by the Armenian authorities. “Vashkuti must
change his position and make a fair sentence,” the statement says.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AT RECEPTION IN HONOR OF PRESIDENT OF TURKEY AHMET NECDET SEZER
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 5 2006
President of the Turkish Republic, my dear brother Ahmet Necdet Sezer!
Dear Semra khanum!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Dear guests!
Let me cordially greet you once again, and say “Welcome”. We attach a
great importance to this visit, because this visit will give a powerful
impetus to our bilateral relationship. The ties between Turkey and
Azerbaijan are based on friendship and fraternity. Our nations have
always been bound by very close ties. However, our interstate relations
were established after Azerbaijan became independent, and they have
been very rapidly developing ever since.
Turkey was the first country to recognize Azerbaijan’s independence,
and we have always felt Turkey’s help and support. We are very grateful
to you for the help and support.
There are fundamental principles our relationship is based on. The
great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s “Sorrow of Azerbaijan is sorrow
of ours, its joy is joy of ours”, and the national leader of the
Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev’s “Turkey and Azerbaijan are one
nation, two states” are the principles, which our today’s relationship
is based on, and I am confident it will be even strengthened in
the future.
The relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey are of
great significance for not only our two nations, but also the entire
region; in particular, nowadays, when Turkey and Azerbaijan have
consolidated their positions in both the region and the world: the
joint large-scale energy projects are of great importance not only for
development, strengthening peace and security in the region but also
for the whole world. This year, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
is to start operating; at the same time, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas
pipeline is to be commissioned. Those are global-scale projects, and
they, first of all, will make our states stronger, and simultaneously,
will increase our significance.
Azerbaijan and Turkey are being transformed to very important
countries to deliver the Caspian natural resources to the European
and world markets.
In addition, connection of railways is also a very important issue,
and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project is already in the agenda.
Today, we have talked and exchanged views about it. I am sure, this
project will also be realized, and thereby, the railway connecting
Central Asia and Azerbaijan to Turkey, will be put into operation.
Some people once regarded the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project
as a legend. However, our joint efforts, successful activities and
regional cooperation have turned the legend into reality. I do not
doubt that the outstanding projects will also be successful.
Today, the ways of solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh have also been discussed. As you are aware, Turkey
has always been side by side with Azerbaijan in this problem. We have
always felt this support, and it is a very important factor to us,
the one, which makes Azerbaijan’s positions stronger. Azerbaijan is
seeking solution to the conflict only on the base of the international
legal norms. The international legal norms must work everywhere. The
international norms must be observed, and equal treatment rules must
be provided to all. We live in this world, are part of the world,
and the norms accepted in international organizations must be a basis
for each country. Azerbaijan’s position is exactly that territorial
integrity of our country recognized by the United Nations must be
restored. Sovereignty of Azerbaijan must be restored, the occupied
lands must be cleared from the occupation forces, and Armenia must
eliminate the consequences of its policy of ethnic cleansing against
Azerbaijanis. This position of ours is unchangeable, and solution
to the conflict can be found only if based on those principles. The
Turkey’s support to Azerbaijan, its related statements and proposals
are of great importance for us, and play a great role in the settlement
of conflict.
Our economic cooperation is rapidly developing. Trade turnover
has grown very rapidly over the last years. It indicates that our
economic relations have also reached a new phase. It makes us very
happy because solid economic relations will have an adequate impact
on other fields. Economic progress in Turkey and Azerbaijan is now
obvious. Turkey’s economy is growing and developing rapidly. Last
year, economic growth rate in Azerbaijan made up 26.4 percent. This
year, this figure will be higher. There will be new opportunities,
new projects to realize. We invite Turkish businessmen operating in
Azerbaijan to cooperation. There are already thousands of business
people who are living and working in Azerbaijan. For our part, we
will always try to take care of and provide assistance to them.
Necessary measures to improve investment environment are also
underway. The stronger economic relations will promote strengthening
those in all other fields.
I would like to reiterate that what unites us are our historic roots,
joint history, traditions, religion, language and culture. Those
are great basis, on which the two brotherly countries – Turkey and
Azerbaijan – are strengthening their relations and working on new
projects. It is reality that the issues of great importance to our
countries, the region, and the world, are solved in Ankara and Baku.
I do not doubt that our positions will become even stronger in the
future. The Turkey-Azerbaijan cooperation is the basic condition for
our successful development.
My dear brother, esteemed head of state, I welcome you again here
in Baku.
Thank you.

FOOTBALL MATCHES BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA PROBABLE NOT TO BE HELD
Author: Z.Safarov
TREND, Azerbaijan
April 5 2006
The selection matches of the European championship-2008 between
Azerbaijan and Armenia is probable not to be held.
Lars-Christer Olsson, the Managing Director of UEFA, noted if the
countries did not manage to come to agreement on the place of the
matches, the matches would take place in neutral stadium or would not
be held at all, Trend reports. “If the country states that it isn’t
ready to ensure safety, UEFA is powerless,” Olsson said during his
official visit to Yerevan.
The same time UEFA offered to help in the determination of the place
for organization of the matches to be held in September 2007. “We
understand there is a problem with safety of holding the matches in
Yerevan and Baku,” he stressed.

RADZIKHOVSKI: “RUSSIA HAS TO PLAY PEACEFUL ROLE, NOT JUST TO BE CATALYST REGARDING NK CONFLICT”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 5 2006
“Azerbaijan is one the former Soviet countries having real political
interests not just a psychopathic one,” Russian prominent political
scientist Leonid Radzikhovski told. He stressed that the oil-rich
Azerbaijan is having serious talks with Russia regarding the settlement
of legal status of the Caspian Sea.
“If Turkmenistan, main rival to Russia in gas sector, tries to
construct a new gas pipeline by breaking relations with Kremlin,
Azerbaijan will turn out to play a key role in the sale of Turkmen
gas,” the political scientist said. “Only Armenia in the South
Caucasus unconditionally supports Russia. All are aware of the
relations between Yerevan and Baku. Bearing in mind that Russia has
regularly supplied Armenia with guns due to some reasons, this fact
always instigated the conflict between the two countries. In practice,
those reconciling two parties benefit form it,” he emphasized.
Radzikhovski also said that the official Kremlin has recently had
tendencies towards Azerbaijan.
“This tendency is based on Russia becoming gas and oil empire, and
this factor is more obvious than other ones. Russian authorities try
to expand relations with Azerbaijan which caused dissatisfaction of
Armenian side several times. However, the Kremlin does not intend to
argue with Armenia as this country is historical strategic ally of
Russia. Nowadays, Russia takes interest in instigating the conflicts in
Trans-Dnestrovia, Abkhazia, South Osetia. However, Russia has not such
an interest regarding the Nagorno Garabagh conflict. Because, tense
situation in Garabagh and outbreak of active military operations can
lead Russia to foolish situation. If the war breaks out, Russia will
defend Armenia which will lead to worsened relations with influential
and very important Azerbaijan. Let’s consider the opposite variant:
to ruin the relations with Armenia and dissatisfy Armenian lobby which
as enough influence in Moscow. So, this variant is not advisable
either. Therefore, Russia has to play a peaceful role, not just to
be a catalyst with regard to the Nagorno Garabagh conflict,” the
political scientist concluded.

CELEBRATIONS ON OCCASION OF 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF NKR’S DECLARATION TO START IN NK LATE JUNE
DeFacto, Armenia
April 5 2006
The program of the celebrations dedicated to the 15th Anniversary of
declaration of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) has been discussed
today at the first sitting of the governmental commission.
According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR government’s
press service, the commission Chair, the NKR Vice Premier Ararat
Danielyan mentioned an important role of the government’s members
and the departments’ representatives in proper organization of the
jubilee. Ararat Danielyan noted various cultural and sport activities
had been scheduled in the capital and the Republic administrative
regions. In particular, a scientific conference devoted to the
Artsakh movement and concerts are to be held, a jubilee medal is to
be issued. Artsakh’s historic map in Armenian, Russian and English,
a post stamp and a book album is to be published as well.
The celebrations are to start late June. Traditionally, September
1 first classes in the Republic educational institutions are to be
devoted to the Artsakh movement’s chronicle. A meeting and a concert
are to be held the same day in the Officer House in Stepanakert.
September 2 the NKR and RA governmental delegations are to visit the
capital memorial complex. The anniversary celebrations are to end
September 2.

IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES
By Eleni Kostopoulos, Copy Editor
SUNY The New Paltz Oracle, USA
April 6 2006
We are the generation of MySpace, iPods and camera phones. We don’t
write letters-we e-mail. We don’t call-we text message. Why walk into
a crowded mall when you can just buy it on eBay? In an effort to beat
its international competitors, it’s evident that our nation is driven
by technological advancement, and at this rate, our offspring will
be probably be taking online physical education classes.
In retrospect, it’s slightly unfortunate that we love to distract
ourselves from reality by means of electronic devices, using the
excuse of convenience or mere entertainment. But, while we take two
steps forward in such advancement, we seem to be regressing in many
other areas of society, and distractions are more convenient than ever.
South Dakota recently passed a constricting anti-abortion act,
an event that shattered the battles that so many women in our
history have fought and suffered for. Our current national debt
is $8,380,174,381,070.26 and will have risen by millions more in a
matter of 24 hours (if you live in this country, then that’s YOUR
money). There is a brutal genocide in Darfur, comparable to Armenia,
the Holocaust and Rwanda, and our intervention has been minimal.
The list of the problems our nation is facing is evidently endless.
Why are we letting history repeat itself? Why aren’t we learning
from our mistakes? Why are we spending more and more time browsing
the Web than caring about what is going on in the world?
Truth be told, I would much rather check that pending friend request
than spend a minute worrying about the horrid state this country is
in and how much of an ass President Bush is. But once in a while,
reality hits you. It’s not only about the country’s future-it’s about
your future and your children’s future. Sometimes, all it takes is
paying attention to what’s going on to at least build a foundation
toward making a change. So hit pause on the iPod, and pick up a
newspaper (unless you like to read and listen to music at the same
time, like myself). If you’re going to be online, forward an e-mail
to your friends about something going on that they would never make
an effort to read about. Overall, take a little time out to simply
pay attention–and then you can finish temporarily escaping it all
with your favorite guilty pleasure.
id=2387

OSCE TO MONITOR ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN FRONTLINE
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 6 2006
Baku, April 5, AssA-Irada
The OSCE will hold monitoring on the Armenia-Azerbaijan frontline near
the Mazam village of the northwestern Gazakh District on Thursday. The
procedure will be overseen by the OSCE chairman’s special envoy
Andzhei Kaspshik and his field assistants.
Mazam has come under Armenian fire on many occasions in the past.
A frontline monitoring held in the western Terter District last
Wednesday failed after Armenia breached ceasefire, according to the
Azeri Defense Ministry.

ARMENIAN MINISTER RULES OUT MILITARY CONFLICT SETTLEMENT
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 6 2006
Baku, April 5, AssA-Irada
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian has ruled out the use
of military action to solve over a decade-long dispute over Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh.
“There is no military settlement to the conflict. Azerbaijan had
started the war and lost. If hostilities are resumed, the same thing
will happen,” Oskanian alleged.
As for the continuation of the peace process, he said it will be
known after the Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov’s upcoming
visit to the United States whether the talks will be continued.
“The date of our next meeting will be known after his meetings at
the US State Department.”
Oskanian added that it is premature to speak of another meeting
between the two countries’ presidents.
The parties failed to agree upon the issues of principle during the
talks held by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in France
in February, which was followed by mutual threats.

EU ENVOY WARNS OF CONSEQUENCES OVER NEW WAR FOR GARABAGH
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 6 2006
Baku, April 5, AssA-Irada
The European Union envoy on the South Caucasus has warned that
a possible resumption of hostilities to resolve the long-standing
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh could have
bitter ramifications, a statement that follows Azerbaijan’s threats
to resort to the use of force.
“By stating its intent to settle the conflict through military action,
Azerbaijan has chosen a dangerous path,” Peter Semneby told a news
conference during his visit to Yerevan.
Semneby said that with the stalling conflict settlement, Armenia
will be completely isolated and its economy will not develop. “Any
attempts to use force would bring about negative consequences for
the conflicting sides and the region as a whole.”
The EU representative said the Garabagh dispute should be settled only
in peace. “The parties to the conflict are at the end of negotiations
and I believe a relevant decision will be passed,” he added.
Semneby ruled out the use of the Kosovo option for the Garabagh
settlement that was proposed earlier. “Every conflict has its own
specifics and this model could not be applied to all frozen conflicts,”
he said. Semneby said that any given model that has been tested could
not be taken advantage of to resolve all disputes.
The EU envoy also said there are currently no plans to change the
format of the OSCE-mediated talks.
“The OSCE Minsk Group is working very well and the fact France is
involved in it as a co-chair means the EU’s interests are being
protected as well.”

ARMENIANS’ ATTENDING HAGUE BAKU EVENT NOT CONFIRMED
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 6 2006
Baku, April 5, AssA-Irada
A former Abkhaz official has dismissed reports saying Armenian
representatives are attending the two-day international conference
of the International Tribunal of The Hague, which started in Baku
on Wednesday.
“The reports are false. Armenia is not interested in attending such
events due to its being an aggressor country,” said former justice
minister of the Georgian breakaway republic of Abkhazia, Paata
Davitaya, who currently leads We Ourselves, movement. He said this
is a sensitive issue, as Georgia is affected by Armenian separatism,
just like Azerbaijan.
“Armenians relinquished their intent to come to Azerbaijan due to their
experience of facing serious problems in this respect in the past.”