US ENVOY OPTIMISTIC OVER GARABAGH MEDIATORS’ MEETING

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Baku, March 7, AssA-Irada
The US ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish has said he is optimistic
over the meeting of the OSCE mediators brokering settlement to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh held in
Washington Monday and Tuesday.

The talks attended by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri
Merzlyakov of Russia, Bernard Fassier of France and Steven Mann of the
United States as well as the OSCE chairman’s special envoy Andzhei
Kaspshik come after the fruitless discussions between Presidents
Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian in the French town of Rambouillet
in February.

“I would like to reiterate that the co-chair representing the United
States, as well as the other two mediators are confident that these
talks will yield more positive results, as extensive work has been
under way for the last two years to ensure this. 2006 is a crucial
year that should see a decision made,” the ambassador said, adding
that future elections in both countries necessitate this as well.

Harnish also said that the American co-chair Steven Mann is due to
arrive in Azerbaijan on Sunday.

GARABAGH MEDIATORS MEET AFTER FRUITLESS TALKS

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Baku, March 7, AssA-Irada
The OSCE mediators brokering settlement to the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh on Tuesday continued talks in
Washington started a day earlier.

The meetings of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov
of Russia, Bernard Fassier of France and Steven Mann of the United
States as well as the OSCE chairman’s special envoy Andzhei Kaspshik
come after the fruitless discussions between Presidents Ilham Aliyev
and Robert Kocharian in the French town of Rambouillet in February.

The intermediaries, speaking after a closed-door meeting held on
Monday, said the “Prague process” of peace talks, which envisions a
stage-by-stage conflict resolution, has not been completed yet and
that chances remain for settling the long-standing dispute.

The American co-chair Steven Mann commenting on the results of the
Rambouillet negotiations, said both sides have achieved progress but
a number of serious issues remain to be resolved. He also said it
was important for the parties to accept compromises.

Although no details of the co-chairs’ discussions have been disclosed,
Mann said in an interview with Voice of America prior to the meeting
that the outcomes of the presidential talks held in France would
be discussed. “It is essential that a way to solve the problem is
found. Otherwise, the region may be faced with a humanitarian crisis,”
Mann said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HUNGARIAN COURT TO ISSUE AZERI OFFICER’S VERDICT MID-APRIL

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Baku, March 7, AssA-Irada
The Azeri officer charged with killing an Armenian colleague at a
NATO course in Budapest in 2004 stood trial on Tuesday.

The proceedings started with the presentation of the last forensic
expertise that examined the officer’s psychological condition during
the crime. Its results overlapped with those of the first expertise,
which does not favor the defendant, the Azeri embassy in Hungary said.

Armenia insists on the accuracy of the first examination indicating
that Safarov’s actions were premeditated, while the defense says he
was in emotional distress when reacting to the Armenian officer’s
insults of the Azerbaijani state and people, which is confirmed by
the second and third one. Under Hungarian laws, the defendant may
face from 15 years to life in prison for his actions.

Defense lawyer Adil Ismayilov said that the judge referred to the
first expertise, which was drawn up prior to the trial, i.e. during
the investigation, but did not approve the last two examinations
which are likely to mitigate the sentence.

Ismayilov said that in conclusion, the court scheduled two final
sessions of the trial. The closing statements will be heard on April 4,
to be followed by the issuance of a verdict on April 13.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MP SAYS PUTIN “BROKE THE PROMISE”

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 9 2006

Baku, March 7, AssA-Irada
An Azeri parliament member has said that Russian President Vladimir
Putin failed to “keep his word” stated to his Azerbaijani counterpart
Ilham Aliyev during his recent visit to Azerbaijan.

“During the visit, Putin promised to hold serious talks [on the Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict] with the Armenian president Robert
Kocharian. But he failed to do so. On the contrary, after a phone
conversation with the Russian leader, Kocharian made his stance even
more acute,” the chairman of the opposition-leaning Whole Azerbaijan
Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev said in parliament Tuesday.

He stated that if the peace talks stall after this, Armenia is likely
to recognize “the independence of Upper Garabagh”.

Armenian top officials earlier warned that the country may recognize
the self-proclaimed republic, following Azerbaijan’s warning on the
use of military action to solve the long-standing dispute.

Hasanguliyev further suggested tabling the issue in the Milli Majlis
and subsequently granting President Ilham Aliyev the right to launch
war without prior authorization from the parliament, if Armenia takes
the step.

PARLIAMENTARY HEARING ON ENERGY SECURITY OF ARMENIA TO BE HELD ON MARCH 25

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. On March 15 2006, the RA Parliament is to
hold a hearing on energy security of Armenia. The hearing has been
organized by the Standing Commission for Defense, National Security
and Internal Affairs.

Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Artur Baghdasaryan earlier reported
that during the hearing the RA Parliament will discuss the prospects
for Armenia’s energy development.

Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs stated on March 7 that energy diversification is a
solution to the problem of Armenia’s energy security.

NATO PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER TO TRAVEL TO ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. NATO Public Information Officer Despina
Afentouli to travel to Armenia to attend a seminar to be held by
Armenia’s Atlantic Association and Netherlands Security Institute on
March 9 to 12.

Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press service told ARKA News Agency that
Afentouli is set to meet Armenian media outlets representatives in
the ministry on March 10.

Armenia-NATO relations are to be discussed at the meeting.

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ALLOCATE $73THND TO $90THND TO ARMENIAN NGOS IN GRANTS

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. Japanese Government intends to allocate
$73thnd to $90thnd to Armenian NGOs in grants. Armenian Foreign
Ministry’s press service told ARKA News Agency small-scale grants
Grass-Roots Projects will be given to People Health, Goris Youth
Organization NGOs and New Armenia center as part of Japan’s official
assistance aimed at promoting development.

Grants will target schools for children having eyesight and ear
problems in Yerevan and Armenia’s provinces as well as secondary
schools in rural areas. The press release says appropriate agreement
is to be signed on Friday in Yerevan.

DANIEL FRID TO VISIT YEREVAN AND BAKU

Prime News Agency, Georgia
March 9 2006

Tbilisi. March 09 (Prime-News) – Daniel Frid, Deputy Secretary of
State on Europe and Eurasia, will visit Yerevan and Baku.

Sean McCormack, official representative of the US Department of State,
stated about that to journalists.

According to him, Daniel Frid will visit the region the next week.

Aim of the visit will be to discuss results of the recent meeting
between Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents in France.

CONGRESSMAN URGING U.S. PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATION TO BALANCE MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. Congressman Frank Pallone is urging U.S.
President Administration to balance military assistance to Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Armenian National Committee of America told ARKA News
Agency that the Congressman made this statement speaking Wednesday
in the U.S. House of Representatives. He intends to file motion to
the U.S. Senate’s appropriate committee asking to restore balance of
military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan and proposing greater
economic assistance for Armenia and humanitarian aid for Nagorno
Karabakh.

Pallone thinks it is very important to state to Azerbaijan and Turkey
that ethnic genocide, illegal blockade of sovereign state and constant
aggression against Armenian people are unacceptable.

The U.S. President Administration intends to give $3.5mln to Armenia
and $4.5mln to Azerbaijan in 2006 fiscal year as military assistance.

Under this program $790 thousand and $885 thousand will be allotted
to Armenia and Azerbaijan for military trainings and exercises.

Turkey started transport and economic blockade of Armenia in 1992.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE TO TOUR ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN SOON

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 9 2006

YEREVAN, March 9. /ARKA/. Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried to tour Armenia and Azerbaijan
newt week, Sean McCormack, Spokesman of the US State Department,
told journalist in Washington, as RIA Novosti news agency reports.

McCormack said one of the aims of the Fried’s trip is to discuss
results of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents’ recent meeting in
Rambouillet.

The presidents met on February 10, 11 in Rambouillet, France, for
talks on Karabakh conflict settlement.

Armenian side estimated positively the meeting despite no agreement
has been signed there. The sides decided to continue negotiating in
March in Washington.