AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
PRINCE ANDREW VISITS MILITARY TRAINING CENTER OF AZERBAIJAN
[June 30, 2006, 17:14:17]
Duke of York, member of the British Royal Family, Prince Andrew, in
the frame of `Peacemaking English’ project of the British Council on
30 June has visited the military training center of Azerbaijan,
interested in training courses of servicemen.
In the Center, the Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, colonel-general
Safar Abiyev, chief of the international Euro-Atlantic integration
department, general-major Ramiz Najafov and other high rank officers
greeted the Prince.
In the Training Center, the officers were given certificates on
graduation of English courses.
Defense Minister Abiyev noted that hitherto over 40 Azeri officers
have been trained in different places of Great Britain in these
English courses. He expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and the Northern Ireland for support of peace
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
underlining that this visit will serve expansion of cooperation.
Prince Andrew expressed pleasure with his second visit to Baku, and
the development of links in defense field. He stressed necessity of
good knowledge on English for cooperation in this field.

Democratic Azerbaijan
Ïðàî ûáîðà, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
“Zerkalo”: Candidate for the Ambassador of the United States to
Armenia Denied to Use Word “Genocide”
30.06.2006

In spite of obstinate demands of pro-Armenian senators
The candidate for the post of new Ambassador of the U.S. to Armenia,
Richard Hoghland in his speech at the Committee for International
Relations of the U.S. Senate declined the demands of a number of
Senators and did not use the word “genocide”.
Reportedly Trend News-Agency referring to Turkish mass media, the
confirmation of R. Hoghland’s authorities needed Senate’s uphold. But
three pro-Armenian Senators – George Allen and Norm Coleman (Republic
Party), and Paul Sarbanes (Democratic Party) demanded from R.
Hoghland to recognize the fictitious genocide of Armenians in Ottoman
Empire. Regardless of urgent requests of three Senators, R. Hoghland
did not use this word. “I am not for game of words and call to see
future not past,” said American diplomat.
In case of confirmation of Richard Hoghland in the post of the
Ambassador to Armenia binds to uphold development of regional ties
with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Ex-Ambassador of the
U.S. to Armenia John Evans was recalled by the President George Bush
in 2005 in consequence of using of the word “genocide” to the 1915
events in Ottoman Empire.
To date R. Hoghland is acting Ambassador of the United States to
Tajikistan.

Today, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
PACE final plenary meeting accompanied by severe polemics between
Azerbaijani and Armenians MPs

30 June 2006 [16:38] – Today.Az

Today final plenary meeting of the Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly (PACE) highlighted on taking of complex prevention measures
against forest fires in Europe.

APA reports from Strasbourg Spanish parliamentarian Inaki Txeukas
reported on the issue. During the debate, Azerbaijani and Armenian
parliamentarians had severe dispute over the issue. The document on
Armenians torching the occupied Azerbaijani territories presented by
the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation on the first day of the PACE
summer plenary session irritated Armenians.
Head of the Armenian delegation Tigran Torosyan and parliamentarian
Hermini Nagdalyan addressing the meeting said Azerbaijan uses this
matter as a means of speculation. Both Armenian parliamentarians
claimed that Azerbaijanis caused fires in Nagorno Karabakh.
Azerbaijani parliamentarians Gultakin Hajiyeva and Ganira Pashayeva
addressing the meeting accused Armenians of concealing truths.
Pashayeva said Armenia is instigating the conflict and presented
facts exposing this country’s aggressive action.
She noted that Armenian President Robert Kocharian sends
congratulatory message to the authorities of the separatist regime in
Karabakh on the occasion of invasion of the Azerbaijani region of
Susha May 8 every year.
The parliamentarian also said Armenian Prime Minister Andranik
Margaryan and Defense Minister Serj Sarkisyan address to the
separatists in Shusha.

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Today, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Azerbaijan will liberate 7 regions in the first stage of the
regulation

30 June 2006 [16:30] – Today.Az

“Matthew Bryza as OSCE Minsk Group co-chair and representative of
America has a great wish to settle the conflict between the two
states. Co-chairs, as well as Matthew Bryza express their positions.
Existence of this agreement is not presented right.”

“Talks process is on, there are certain proposals, definite opinions,
exchange of views are conducted on them, there is agreement in some
issues but in some not. Negotiations on settlement of the conflict is
continued, Azerbaijani side supports solution of the conflict through
negotiations.”
President’s Office international relations department Chief Novruz
Mammadov stated while expressing attitude to OSCE Minsk Group
American co-chair Matthew Bryza’s opinion on existence of document on
solution of Nagorno Garabagh conflict, APA reports.
“Azerbaijan will liberate its territories in any way. Second keeping
the territories under occupation deepens the danger for Armenia more.
If Armenians want to live in peace and develop their states, then
Armenian Armed Forces should leave the occupied territories. The
status of Nagorno Garabagh might be related to these issues.” Novruz
Mammadov said that Azerbaijan will liberate 7 regions in the first
stage of the regulation.
Within the G-8 summit to be held in Sankt Petersburg July 15-17, no
proposal related to Azerbaijan and Armenia presidents’ meeting
entered, Official Baku stated that “We want to discuss the issue
related to settlement of Nagorno Karabakh problem in that meeting”.

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TREND, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Incident happened between Azeri and Armenian deputies in PACE

Source: Trend
Author: A.Mugabiloglu

30.06.2006

An incident happened between Azerbaijani and Armenian deputies during
the discussions of prevention of forest fires in Europe at the
session of PACE on June 30. The issue that during PACE summer session
the Azeri delegation raised the question of Armenian’s burning the
forests in occupied territories of Azerbaijan dissatisfied Armenian
delegation, the special correspondent of Trend in Strasburg reports.

Therefore, at the beginning of the discussions, Armenian
representatives Tigron Torosyan and Germini Nagdalyan declared that
Azeri delegation speculate with this question.
Then, the members of the Azeri delegation Gultakin Hajiyeva and
Ganira Pashayeva stated in their appearances that Armenians try to
hide the facts of vandalism.
Pashayeva stressed that Armenia is eager to intensify the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to Pashayeva, Armenian president
Robert Kocharyan on May 8 of each year sends a congratulation letter
to regime of separatists on the occasion of occupation day of Shusha.
`Besides, Armenian prime-minister Andanik Margaryan and defense
minister Serj Sarkisyan come and deliver a report before
separatists,’ Pashayeva added.
Then, the discussions continued with bilateral accusations.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
GREAT EIGHT UNDERSCORED KARABAKH CONFLICT PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT’S BASIC
PRINCIPLES SHOULD BE RAPIDLY COORDINATED
The great eight urged RA and AR to elaborate the Karabakh conflict
settlement’s principles to achieve it current year, the statement of
the great eight’s Chair circulated on the outcomes of the FMs’
meeting runs.
`We underscored the basic principles of the conflict’s peaceful
settlement should be rapidly coordinated to achieve it in 2006. We
urge Azerbaijan and Armenia to display political will and achieve
agreement on the issue current year, as well as to prepare their
nations for peace, not for a war’, the statement says, RIA Novosti reports.

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Majority of last loud statements on Nagorno-Karabakh do not reflect
reality – senior state officer

Source: Trend
Author: E.Huseynov

30.06.2006

The majority of last loud statements on Nagorno-Karabakh do not
reflect the reality, Novruz Mammadov, the head of the Foreign
Relationships Department of the President’s Apparat, told Trend in an
exclusive interview.
Speaking on the last statements by the US Ambassador Matthew Bryza,
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Mammadov said that he is the newly
appointed diplomat who held a very important in the parliament and
very closely familiar with the region. Appointing him as the co-chair
the United States wish to be more active and do much in the
negotiation process.
`At the same time Bryza wants to state that he is well familiar with
the negotiation process and wants its progress. Therefore, he
submitted different ideas for discussion, which do not reflect either
Azerbaijan, or Armenia. They might be Bryza’s private position and
even the stance by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. Therefore, there
is necessity to comment on them,’ Mammadov underscored. The
negotiations are held behind the closed doors, he reminded.
The senior ranking official assured that the President of Foreign
Minister of Armenia today are very much imposed to pressures by
public and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, as well as position and
rating of Azerbaijan worldwide. `Therefore, they are very upset today
and reached the deadlock,’ Mammadov emphasized. The conflict should
be resolved, the occupied lands must be liberated, territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan should be restored, as the United States and
all countries urge.
Now the key task of Baku is not to respond speculative statements by
the Armenian leadership, but continue peaceable negations this year.
`The Armenians fear that unless they come to an agreement with
Azerbaijan, the developments in other way will result their
catastrophe.

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Gazprom intending to buy Iran-Armenia pipeline

Source: Trend
Author: À.Mammadov

30.06.2006

(RIA Novosti) – Gazprom plans to buy an Iran-Armenia pipeline
currently under construction, a deputy chairman of the Russian energy
giant said Friday.

“Indeed, we intend to acquire this gas pipeline,” Alexander Ryazanov
told an annual shareholders’ meeting, reports Trend.

He said the pipeline, with a projected annual capacity of 1.2 billion
cubic meters, would be commissioned in 2007.

Ryazanov said putting the new facility on stream would help provide
more reliable supplies of natural gas to Armenia, which presently
receives its gas through Georgia.

“There are problems with the transit of gas to Armenia via Georgia,
as Georgia taps some of the gas,” he said.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 30 2006
NKR SPEAKER: NAGORNO KARABAKH EXPECTS U. S. TO APPRECIATE ITS
INTERESTS
The legal and historical foundations of Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s
formation correspond to the international standards and experience,
Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) National Assembly Chair Ashot Gulyan
stated in Washington, while addressing the audience June 28 at the U.
S. Institute of Peace on the subject `The Karabakh Conflict:
Prerequisites for Peace’.
According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR MFA Press
service, Ashot Gulyan had noted he appreciated the vital interests of
the U. S. and other countries in the South Caucasus, but at the same
time expected them to understand Karabakh’s interests.
In his turn the NKR FM Georgy Petrosyan underscored the present
format of the Karabakh talks did not reflect the conflict’s real
essence, as the Azeri party denied negotiations with Nagorno
Karabakh.
Diplomats, heads of the U. S. strategic centers and organizations and
Armenian community’s members were present at the measure.
In the U. S. Congress the NKR Speaker and FM met with the
Representative Nita Lowey.
In the course of the meeting the NKR delegation presented the
social-economic situation in the Republic, development of democracy
in Artsakh and latest developments in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement process.
June 28 in the Capitol a reception was organized in honor of the NKR
delegation with the participation of the members of the U. S.
Congress, RA Ambassador to the U. S. Tatul Margaryan, NKR Permanent
Representative in the U. S. Vardan Barseghyan, leadership of Armenian
Assembly of America and Armenian National Committee of America,
journalists, Armenian community’s members. Congressmen Frank Pallone,
Joe Knollenberg, Caroline Maloney, Adam Schiff and Bred Sherman
addressed the audience in the course of the reception. Having
condemned Azerbaijan’s aggressive anti Armenian policy the members of
the Congress expressed their readiness to promote NKR’s development.
While speaking, the Nagorno Karabakh’s officials expressed gratitude
to the U. S. Congress and American nation on behalf of the Artsakh
people for adherence to eternal values, such as freedom and
democracy, as well as for humanitarian assistance to Nagorno
Karabakh.
Upon the measure’s completion the NKR delegation also met with the U.
S. Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Congressmen Frank Pallone and Joe
Knollenberg.
The meeting’s participants touched upon the issues referring to the
present social-economic situation in the NKR, development of
democracy in Artsakh, the U. S. Assistance to NKR and Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement.
Nagorno Karabakh delegation’s working visit to the U. S. began June
23 and will last till June 30.

Regnum, Russia
June 30 2006
Vafa Guluzade: Moscow does not want peace between Azerbaijan and
Armenia
In an interview to Analitika.az former state advisor for
international relations, political scientist Vafa Guluzade says that
`Armenia has no personal opinion, it does everything as Russia says.’
`Even if Armenia is pressured by the US into concluding peace
agreement, the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians will reject this peace. The
objective of all these talks is to give the Azerbaijani lands to
Armenia. However, Russia does not want this. In fact, it does not
want peace, at all, as in such case Armenia may ask it to withdraw
its bases from its territory and then may join NATO. The resolution
of the conflict will also allow Armenia to join regional energy and
transport projects. Russia does not want this to happen. That’s why
it is trying to drag the peace process for as long as possible,’ says
Guluzade.
On the other hand, `the US wants the Nagorno Karabakh conflict to be
resolved as quickly as possible. The Americans want to give part of
the Azerbaijani territories to Armenia and hope that Russia may agree
to this. They do not realize that the Russians will not accept this
either. If you remember, once Azerbaijan has already agreed to
compromise peace but that was followed by a terrorist act in Armenia.
Russia is still a strong player and can resist any peace agreement.’
Guluzade suggests waiting for 10 years more – `in 10 years Russia
will get weaker, NATO will grow stronger in the whole Caucasus and
only then will Azerbaijan be able to attain relatively favorable
peace. The other scenario is that Russia may grow stronger and `get
back’ Azerbaijan and the other CIS countries. But I think that the
first scenario is more realistic,’ says Guluzade.
He notes that `it is impossible to conduct a referendum on Nagorno
Karabakh’s status.’ This will require the return of all refugees to
Nagorno Karabakh and refugees will agree to return only after the
conclusion of a peace agreement and given the protection of the
Azerbaijani army. In this situation to agree to the referendum means
to give Karabakh to the Armenians. If so, why to negotiate at all?
Let them sign a statement and say: `we are making a generous gift to
the Armenians.’