NO INCIDENT WAS NOTED DURING MONITORING ON FRONTLINE
Author: E.Javadova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 5 2006
On July 5, no incidents were noted during the monitoring held in
accordance with the mandate of the present OSCE chairman on the front
line controlled by Azerbaijani and Armenia forces, Ilgar Verdiyev,
employee of the press-service of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry,
told Trend.
In accordance with the mandate of the personal envoy of the present
OSCE chairman, the monitoring was held on the front line near the
highway of Kuropatkino and Ashagi Veysalli villages in Agdam district.
>From Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by Imre Platinus
and Jiri Abrel, the assistants of personal envoy of the present
OSCE chairman.
And from the other side of the territory which has been internationally
recognized as the territory of Azerbaijan, the monitoring was held
by the personal envoy of the present OSCE chairman, ambassador Anjey
Kaspishk and his assistants Gunter Folk and Peter Kee.

DM OF AZERBAIJAN AND KOREAN CHARGE D’AFFAIRES DISCUSS AZERBAIJAN-KOREA MILITARY COOPERATION
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 5 2006
Defense Minister of Azerbaijan Safar Abiyev met with Lew Kwang-chul,
charge d’affaires of Korea to Azerbaijan.
Minister updated diplomat on the reasons, results and ways of
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Lew Kwang-chul told of the current socio-political situation in the
Republic of Korea. Diplomat said Korea supports Azerbaijan’s fair
stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The meeting focused on the possibilities of beginning the military
cooperation between the two countries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZADLIQ BLOC ISSUES STATEMENT ON SETTLEMENT PROCESS OF NK CONFLICT
Today, Azerbaijan
July 5 2006
On Wednesday Azadliq Bloc has issued a statement on recent process
of settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
The statement given to APA by Azadliq bloc press service says that
the bloc concerns about confidentiality of talks between Azerbaijani
and Armenian officials.
Azadliq bloc states that manipulation attempts at territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan are unacceptable. The bloc also expressed concern over
western countries’ recent stance on settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
problem.
Saying West preferring their economic interests are obviously seen
in their stance, oppositionists state that Azerbaijani people have
more and more serious lack of confidence in these countries’ stance
concerning the conflict.
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CONFERENCE OF GENERAL PROSECUTORS OF EUROPE HELD IN MOSCOW
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 5 2006
Seventh conference of general public prosecutors of the European
countries has opened in Moscow, 5 July. General public prosecutors from
44 countries of the European community and representatives of many
international organizations participated in it. The general public
prosecutor of Azerbaijan Zakir Garalov represented the Azerbaijan
Republic at this forum.
At the Conference, presided by the general public prosecutor of
Russia Yury Chaika, also was taking part the President of the Russian
Federation Vladimir Putin. Participants of the 2-day conference
consider questions of coordination of efforts of the European states in
combat against the transnational criminality in the field of protection
of human rights, and also roles of bodies of the Office of Public
Prosecutor in protection of the person that is the basic direction of
activity of the Offices of Public Prosecutor of all European countries.
Participants of the event will set up Advisory Council of the
general prosecutors of the European countries, which will strengthen
interactions among the bodies of prosecutors of the European countries.
‘The Conference is a very significant event for all countries as
questions of the agenda have global character’, the Prosecutor General
of Azerbaijan Zakir Garalov said. As he stated, the basic purpose
of the Forum is maintenance of closer interaction of the Offices
of Public Prosecutor of the Council of Europe member countries and
activation of the role of the created Advisory Council.
Z. Garalov has informed, that now the legislation of Azerbaijan had
been brought in full conformity with standards of the Council of
Europe that gives ample opportunities for interaction with European
colleagues, and also enables much more integrate to the European
structures.
The general public prosecutor of Azerbaijan also has noted that
that during conference he would have bilateral consultations with
the general public prosecutor of Russia Y. Chaika, and also public
prosecutors of Hungary, Austria and other states.
Concerning mutual relations between the Offices of Public Prosecutor
of Azerbaijan and Russia, Z. Garalov has emphasized, that the links
actively and successfully develop not only with Russia, but also with
other countries of Europe.
Z. Garalov stated that the delegation of Azerbaijan has prepared
detailed information on reforms conducted in the country and has
distributed among the participants. At his words, the information also
includes details on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and its sequences, which will become property of general public
prosecutors of the European countries participating in this forum.
It has to be noted that the Conference passes on the threshold of the
Summit of leaders of G8 to start 15 July in St. Petersburg. This is
also notable that since May until June 2006, the Russian Federation
presides at the Ministerial Committee of the Council of Europe.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN AND IRANIAN PRESIDENTS MEET TETE-A-TETE IN TEHRAN
Regnum, Russia
July 5 2006
Armenian and Iranian Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad have had a tete-a-tete meeting in Tehran.
Kocharyan’s spokesman has told REGNUM that the presidential rendezvous
was followed by full delegation meeting.
To remind, Kocharyan and a delegation comprising the foreign and
energy ministers, the head of the presidential staff, the ambassador
of Armenia to Iran and a number of officials went to Iran on a working
visit July 5.
During the visit the sides are to sign bilateral agreements. In
Tehran Kocharyan is to visit the tomb of the founder of the Islamic
Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini. He is also to meet with Iranian
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, to visit the Embassy of Armenia
in Tehran and to meet with Tehran Armenians.
July 4 Armenian Energy Minister, Co-Chair of the Armenian-Iranian
Inter-Governmental Commission Armen Movsissyan and Iranian Oil
Minister Vazir Hamaneh and Energy Minister Parviz Fattah discussed
the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline project, as well as the project to lay
the third high-voltage power transmission line between the countries.
They also discussed a number of energy cooperation programs.

DEPUTY: “SPEAKING ON THE ARSONS, AZERBAIJANI MEDIA REFLECT EVERYTHING IN DISTORTING MIRROR”
Regnum, Russia
July 5 2006
“Speaking on arsons in territories occupied by Nagorno Karabakh,
Azerbaijani media reflect everything in distorting mirror,” Chairman
of Nagorno Karabakh Republic National Assembly Permanent Commission
on Defense, Security, Law, and Order Rudolf Martirosyan stated to
republican Azat Artsakh newspaper; REGNUM correspondent in Stepanakert
reports.
Republican fire-prevention service is permanently on duty to ensure
that the population could harvest without losses. Republican government
granted additional funds to fire-prevention service to make its more
effective. “We handle the situation; we are aware of all the cases
of local fires an do the utmost to prevent them,” Martirosyan stressed.
In his turn, NKR Minister of Territorial Governing and Development of
Industrial Infrastructures Armo Tsaturyan informed that there were
really many fires. However, usually they moved to Nagorno Karabakh
territory from Azerbaijan. “The border zone has been sown with wheat
from the Armenian side. The wildfires have caused damage to owners
of the sown areas. More than 165 hectares of wheat have been consumed
by the wildfire. It is, at least, unserious to say that somebody from
our side intentionally sets ripe wheat on fire,” the minister said.

PMS OF AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA MEET IN BAKU
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 5 2006
Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Artur Rasizade on 5 July
met the delegation led by the Premier of Georgia Zurab Nogaideli.
Prior to the meeting, the heads of governments had a private talk.
Then, the meeting took place in the expanded structure. The Prime
Minister of Azerbaijan has noted, that visit of delegation of the
friendly and brotherly country to Azerbaijan would serve expansion and
development of the bilateral ties, which are at a level of strategic
partnership. Successes of Georgia in economic and political spheres
always cause feeling of pleasure in Azerbaijan, has emphasized the
head of Azerbaijan government.
He updated the visitors on the parameters of the Azerbaijan economy
testifying to high dynamics of development, on created new workplaces,
the social programs, the global energy projects being implemented in
region. Artur Rasizade has expressed gratitude to the leadership of
Georgia for support of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the
question of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. He assured his Georgian colleague, that Azerbaijan has
always recognized territorial integrity of Georgia that also suffered
form separatism.
Speaking about the prospects of joint projects, Artur Rasizade
has noted, that Azerbaijan would use every efforts for timely
realization of the regional project on construction of the
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway. The sides have reached
agreement on conducting the next session of the Azerbaijani-Georgian
intergovernmental economic commission in Tbilisi.
Premier Zurab Nogaideli, marking high potential of the
Georgian-Azerbaijani relations, has stated, that soon the two countries
would make mutual investments in economy of each other.
Mr. Nogaideli also has emphasized, that Georgia always supported and
would support territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AHMADINEJAD STRESSES BOOSTING OF ALL-OUT TIES WITH YEREVAN
Fars News Agency, Iran
July 5 2006
TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
said Tehran welcomes development of all-out ties with Armenia, in
the spheres of transportation, culture, sports, tourism and energy
in particular.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with his Armenian counterpart
Robert Kocharian here on Wednesday, a statement released by the
Presidential Press Office said.
During the meeting, Ahmadinejad noted 6 rounds of successful joint
cooperation commission meetings and said that the two countries also
enjoy desirable and expandable cooperation in dealing with regional
and international issues, expressing the hope that the visit to Tehran
by the Armenian President would be a significant step ahead in further
progress and reinvigoration of the two states’ mutual relations.
For his part, Armenian President Robert Kocharian expressed pleasure in
visiting Tehran and said that it reminds him of beautiful reminiscences
of the past, adding that his country and the Islamic Republic of Iran,
fortunately, enjoy extensive relations.
Reminding that the two states have so far endorsed 90 agreements
on joint cooperation, he called for taking the steps required for
gaining practical results from the previously held agreements.
Kocharian also voiced Armenia’s enthusiasm for developing cooperation
with the Islamic Republic of Iran in various grounds, including energy,
transportation, linking the two countries’ railroads and increasing
the two states’ capacity of power exchange.
He also extended an invitation to President Ahmadinejad to pay a visit
to Armenia and attend the inaugural ceremony of some joint projects.
The two sides are due to sign several cooperation agreements this
afternoon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ERDOGAN: WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY STEP UNLESS ISOLATION OF N CYPRUS IS LIFTED
Anatolian Times, Turkey
July 5 2006
PARIS – “Turkey will not take any step about opening of its ports and
airports to Greek Cypriot traffic unless isolation of the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is lifted,” said Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.
In an interview with the French La Tribune daily, Erdogan said, “no
one can request us to take steps continuously while the other parties
do nothing. Although Turkish Cypriots supported the United Nations`
peace plan, they were punished. On the other hand, Greek Cypriots
who rejected the plan were awarded with EU membership. It is not fair.”
“The only address of a likely solution on the island is the United
Nations. Also, embargoes imposed on the TRNC in the areas of economy,
trade, transportation, tourism and even in sports should be lifted
as soon as possible,” he emphasized.
Upon a question about comments that Turkey`s reform process had slowed
down in the last 2-3 years, Erdogan told the La Tribune, “I do not
agree with such comments. We have been trying to do everything in
our power to fulfil our commitments.”
When asked whether enactment of the proposal which envisages to
punish individuals who deny the so-called Armenian genocide would
prevent the French nuclear energy group Areva from participating in
tenders in Turkey, Erdogan said, “Turkey negotiates this issue with
everyone. France is not the only one in the competition for nuclear
energy tenders.”

ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTER REAFFIRMS ‘POLITICAL PLANS’
By Karine Kalantarian
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 5 2006
Justice Minister David Harutiunian reaffirmed on Wednesday his plans
to become more actively involved in political processes in Armenia,
which may well take the form of his participation in next year’s
parliamentary elections.
“Do I aim to engage in politics? Yes, I do,” he said. “Do I have
[political] plans? Yes, I do.”
Speaking to RFE/RL in March, Harutiunian admitted that he is
considering “returning to parliament.” But he would not be drawn,
both then and now, on details of his possible comeback which looks
even more likely after the resignation on Tuesday of Ara Saghatelian,
his press secretary and confidante. “I have some plans relating to
the field of mass media and am confident that they will prove useful
for the development of the entire field,” Saghatelian told RFE/RL
without elaborating.
The move sparked speculation that Saghatelian quit the Ministry of
Justice to organize and manage Harutiunian’s pre-election activities.
Harutiunian appeared to implicitly confirm this. “I can’t refute any
comments,” he said.
“To be an independent political force one needs to have a team,”
added Harutiunian. “That I do have a team is out of question. I think
the society or any political force does not doubt that.”
Despite his relatively young age, the 43-year-old minister is one the
longest serving members of President Robert Kocharian’s cabinet. He
is believed to have had considerable influence on Armenia’s courts,
notorious for their lack of independence, throughout his eight-year
tenure.
Harutiunian’s increased political clout have led some observers to
consider him a potential candidate to succeed the Armenian president
after his anticipated resignation in 2008. It remains to be seen
whether he will dare to challenge Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian
if the country’s second most powerful man officially confirms his
widely anticipated participation in the 2008 presidential ballot.