AZERBAIJANI, ARMENIAN FORCES EXCHANGE MORE WEAPONS

Pravda, Russia
March 9 2006

Azerbaijani and Armenian forces exchanged more weapons fire along
the countries’ northern border, Azerbaijani military officials said
Thursday, in the latest rise in violence between the two Caucasus
nations.

A Defense Ministry statement said its forces in five locations were
fired on by Armenian forces with mortars and gunfire on Wednesday
and that the firing halted only after Azerbaijani troops returned fire.

The ministry reported no casualties.

Armenian defense officials could not be immediately reached for
comment.

Earlier this week, the two sides exchanged heavy gunfire and mortar
fire at several points along their border, killing at least one
Azerbaijani soldier and wounding several Azerbaijani and Armenian
soldiers.

The two countries remain at odds over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,
an ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan. A cease-fire agreement
was reached in 1994 after six years of fighting, and the enclave is now
under the control of ethnic Armenians, whose troops face Azerbaijani
forces across a half-mile-wide no man’s land.

Sporadic clashes, however, break out along the Nagorno-Karabakh border
and land mines continue to kill people every year, reports the AP.

US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EUROPEAN AND EURASIAN AFFAIRS TO VISIT ARMENIA

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Daniel Fried is to visit Azerbaijan and Armenia, State Department
Spokesman Sean McCormack said to journalists in Washington.

According to State Department Spokesman, Daniel Fried will visit the
region next week, RIA Novosti reports. One of the trip’s goals will
be discussion of the results of the Azeri and Armenian Presidents’
Rambouillet meeting.

MEETING AT THE INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on 8 March held a meeting at
the Institute of International Relations of Japan.

In the meeting, attending was the minister of education and science,
the country’s former prime minister, ex-foreign minister, renowned
men of science, authoritative diplomats, ambassadors, businessmen,
militaries, former ambassador of Japan to Azerbaijan, currently the
Executive Director of the Japan Foreign Relations Institute Toshiyuku
Fujiwara, public of Japan, media representatives.

President of the Institute Yukio Yato warmly greeted President Ilham
Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Khanum Aliyeva.

Mr. Yukio Yato informed on biography of the Azerbaijan President.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev gave a large speech for the participants.

Expressing pleasure with the visit to Japan and level of relations
between two countries, President Aliyev said Japan was one of the
first to cooperate with Azerbaijan after raining state independence.

Visit of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Japan
in 1998 played a special role in development of these ties.

President of Azerbaijan spoke of dynamic economic growth in the
Republic, commenting them as record figures in world.

Touching upon the political situation in region, the head of the
Azerbaijan State said there are conflicts on the Caucasus. Azerbaijan
can be considered a stable country in this region and it has good
relations with neighbors. Azerbaijan is an attractive country with
rich natural resources, and important geographical position. It draws
attention and interest. But Azerbaijan is not an arena of rivalry.

President of Azerbaijan informed on the opening of over 340 working
places in the last two and half years in the country, poverty reduction
measures taken, on the social programs being realized.

At the same time, he dwelt on the problems existing in social plight
of the internally displaced persons. Armenia holds 20 percent of
Azerbaijani lands under occupation, pursues ethnic cleanse. As a
result, over one million of people have become refugees and IDPs. The
reason of the conflict is separatism, the President emphasized,
expressing confidence for restoration of justice from the political,
legal and historical points of view. Nagorno Karabakh has never
been the land of the Armenians, he said. They have been removed to
these areas.

The world community and United Nations have recognized Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, which is not the subject to discussions,
President Ilham Aliyev said. Further, he gave detailed information
on the principles of settlement of this conflict, noting that the
conflict is a threat for entire region.

Speaking of the investment environment in Azerbaijan, President of
Azerbaijan said last times the European countries seek alternative
energy sources as they face gas crisis. In this sense, Azerbaijan
can be the very energy source.

President Ilham Aliyev informed on the religious tolerance historically
existing in Azerbaijan, noting “we can share our experience with the
world states”.

Then President Aliyev widely spoke of the relations with Japan, its
large-scale credits allotted to Azerbaijan, stressed the similarity
in character of two nations – respect for traditions, the adult and
other nations.

The, President of Azerbaijan answered questions on Azerbaijan-Japan
relations, the prospects of economic cooperation, the country’s
oil strategy, the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and
religious tolerance.

President of the Institute Yukio Yato thanked to the Azerbaijan
President for interesting and substantial lecture, on behalf of the
Institute made him a gift.

** The same day, at the “Imperial” hotel, the Azerbaijan-Japan
Intergovernmental Commission arranged a banquet in honor of the
President of Azerbaijan.

DANIEL FRIED: “AZERBAIJANI AND ARMENIAN LEADERS SHOULD NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO SETTLE CONFLICT”

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

“Washington urges Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders not to miss the
chance for settlement of the conflict,” Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried said in the House of
Representatives (APA).

“We hope that we will achieve the settlement of the dangerous conflicts
such as Southern Osetia, Transdnestr, Abkhazia and Nagorno Garabagh
together with Russia and other states. We are confident that Russia
will accept the proposal of Georgia on peaceful resolution of the
conflict and will show respect for Georgia’s territorial integrity
and interests of Southern Osetia residents in the settlement of the
conflict.

GLO: “BUDAPEST COURT INTENDS TO PUNISH RAMIL SAFAROV AT BEHEST OF ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT”

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Today Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) issued a statement
concerning about Azerbaijani Army officer Ramil Safarov’s trial in
Budapest. GLO told APA that the court has a biased stance and didn’t
take the motives of the murder into account.

The statement reads that acceptance of the 4th forensic medical
examination, which was far from objectivity, and ignorance of the two
examinations is illegality but nothing. All of these have been done
at the behest of Armenian government to give the worst punishment to
Ramil Safarov.

GLO also blamed the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living
Abroad for the plight.

“The government didn’t take the required measures promptly; potential
of Diasporas was not used efficiently. On the contrary, irresponsible
statement s of the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living
Abroad prevented our Diasporas for any action. Despite the actions of
Armenian organizations, our Diaspora remained apart from the actions”.

In the statement GLO demanded Hungarian government to refrain from
the position formed under Armenian pressure.

“GLO will not forgive the injustice against Azerbaijani citizens
and will demand suspension of any relations between Azerbaijan and
Hungary”.

US DEPARTMENT STATE ANNOUNCES ITS 2005 REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES IN AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

The US Department of State today made public its 2005 report on human
rights practices in Azerbaijan (APA).

The following human rights problems were reported in Azerbaijan:
restricted right of citizens to peacefully change their government,
torture and beating of persons in custody; arbitrary arrest
and detention; particularly of political opponents; harsh and
life-threatening prison conditions; police impunity; lengthy pre-trial
detention; pervasive corruption in the judiciary; some restrictions of
privacy rights; periodic interference with media freedom;excessive use
of force to disperse demonstrations; limited instances of violence
and societal discrimination against women;trafficking in persons;
limited workers rights.

The report says that Armenian forces continued to occupy some of the
countrys territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh. The government did
not exercise any control over developments in territories occupied
by Armenian forces. The report also touched on the arrest of Haji
Mammadov, former official of the Interior Ministry and the murder of
the journalist Elmar Huseynov.

It is also stated in the report that during the year the government
did not punish MIA officials for the beating, torture, and verbal abuse
of persons detained in the aftermath of the 2003 presidential election.

The report also touched on arrest of Yeni Fikir opposition youth
activists Ruslan Bashirli, Said Nuriyev, Ramin Tagiyev as well
as former state officials Akif Muradverdiyev, Ali Insanov, Farhad
Aliyev, Fikrat Yusifov, Fikrat Sadigov, Rafig Aliyev and academic
Eldar Salayev.

According to the report, although the law provides for an independent
judiciary, in practice judges did not function independently of the
executive branch. The judiciary was corrupt and inefficient. The
executive branch exerts a strong influence over the judiciary.

The report also says that a large number of opposition and independent
media outlets operated during the year. The print media enjoyed more
freedom than the broadcast media and expressed a wide variety of
views on government policies. However, most broadcast media adhered
to a pro-government line in their news coverage. There were over 40
active independent newspapers and magazines and 23 television and 12
radio stations. There also were 10 national state newspapers and 80
newspapers funded by city or district level officials. In contrast
to pro-government newspapers, the distribution of many opposition
newspapers was limited to the capital, and their circulation was low.

Harassment and violence against individual journalists continued. The
Media Council, an independent NGO, reported that 40 journalists faced
physical attack or harassment during the 6-month period preceding
the November parliamentary election.

During the year the government expelled four students from Baku
State University, the State Economic University, and the Pedagogical
University due to their political activities in support of opposition
parties.

The report said that the 6 November parliamentary elections did not
meet a number of the countrys OSCE commitments and COE standards for
democratic elections. Local executive authorities frequently misused
administrative resources to the benefit of pro-government candidates.

Local authorities also restricted freedom of assembly for opposition
candidates. Police used disproportionate force to disrupt rallies.

State and private television news coverage of the campaign period
disproportionately favored pro-government candidates, according to
the report.

The report also touched on President Ilham Aliyevs decrees on
improvement of election practices and use of finger inking procedure in
voting. It was stated that the government complied with the Electoral
Code.

SECOND AZERI WORLD CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS CONCEPT OF AZERI DIASPORA ACTIVITIES – NAZIM IBRAHIMOV
Author: S.Agayeva

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Foreign guests invited for the participation in the second conference
on “Azeris from around the world due on 16 March have started arriving
to Baku, Trend reports citing the chairman of State committee working
with Azerbaijanis living abroad, Nazim Ibrahimov, as stating on
Thursday.

He stated, that up to 600 foreign guests and 650 delegates from
Azerbaijan will take part in the conference. Former ambassadors of
foreign countries to Azerbaijan, Nobel family members, delegations
from foreign parliaments, officials, leaders of Azeri, Turkish and
Jewish Diasporas will be among the guests.

Ibrahimov stated, that the conference that will take place on March
16 from 11.00 till 19.00 would host 170 media representatives. The
State Committee will later suggest holding the conferences

on ‘Azeris from around the world’ every five years. Conference will
review the statement on Nagorno-Karabakh, addressing statement to the
international community regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, statement to the
Azeri living abroad and to Turkish-Azeri Diaspora aimed to strengthen
the unity.

Conference will discuss establishment of a Special Work Group aimed
at preparing the concept of Azeri Diaspora activity and working out
common strategy for Azeri-Turkish Diaspora. Ibrahimov also noted
that all expenditures concerning the conference will be covered at
the expense of the public budget.

TRAFFIC ON MILITARY-GEORGIAN ROAD RESTRICTED

Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 9 2006

Tbilisi, March 09 (Prime-News) – Traffic of any transport on
Gudauri-Kobi of Military-Georgian road is restricted due to threat
of avalanches.

The Prime-News was told at the Roads Department that traffic of
trailers, semitrailers and transport with more than 30 passengers
is restricted on Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda section of the road near
Georgian-Armenian state border.

According to forecasts situation will last at least for two days.

YEREVAN, BAKU EXCHANGE ACCUSATIONS OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATION

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN/BAKU, March 9 (RIA Novosti) – Azerbaijan and Armenia Thursday
continued to fling allegations at each other of numerous ceasefire
violations on the border near the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict zone.

Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Seiran Shakhsuvaryan said
Azerbaijani troops continued shooting at Armenian positions in the
Indevan, Baik and Noyemberyan regions through March 7-8.

Azerbaijan Defense Ministry spokesman Ilgar Verdiyev said Armenian
troops were shooting at Azerbaijani positions 500 kilometers from the
capital, Baku, and 250 kilometers from the zone of the Nagorny-Karabakh
conflict.

The conflict between the two former Soviet republics over Nagorny
Karabakh, an Azerbaijani region with a largely Armenian population,
first erupted in 1988, when the region claimed independence from
Azerbaijan to join Armenia.

Over 30,000 people were reported dead on both sides between 1988
and 1994, and over 100 others died after a ceasefire was concluded
in 1994, leaving Nagorny Karabakh in Armenian hands, but tensions
between Azerbaijan and Armenia have persisted.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
announced that its officials would monitor ceasefire observance on
the stretch of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border near the village of
Borsunlu in western Azerbaijan March 10.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Soldier of the Azerbaijani Army Alakbarov struck a mine and was
seriously wounded in Yusifjanli village of Aghdam region at 9.20a.m
yesterday.

The Garabagh bureau of APA reports that the solider (born in 1987)
was hospitalized. The Defense Ministry’s press service confirmed
the information. The official of the Ministry, major Ilgar Verdiyev
said that the wounded soldier underwent an operation and his leg was
amputated. The soldier is in better condition now.

Alakbarov was drafted by the military registration and enlistment
office of Geranboy region in April, 2005.