Regnum, Russia
March 10 2006

Armenian ex-Speaker: time works for Azerbaijan

Meeting with journalists at the National Press Club, ex-Speaker of
the Armenian parliament, Director of Armat Democracy and Civil
Society Development Center Babken Ararktsyan stated that process of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement reached a new stage, fraught
with irreversible consequences. Now, time works for Azerbaijan – this
country purposefully acts in different international structures,
introduces new terminology, which little by little goes into
vocabulary of the international community.

He is quoted by a REGNUM correspondent as saying, that last statement
of Armenian side means, that process of conflict settlement reached a
deadlock. `The winning party does not have a right to do such
statements, to use military rhetoric. What does Armenia need war for?
If we want to conquer Baku – it is another matter,’ stressed
Ararktsyan. `We had superiority, achieved by military efforts, it
should have been transformed into political formulations, and
however, it has not been done.’

Mentioning optimistic mood of co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group on
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Babken Ararktsyan stated:” What
have they to do – to say, that the process reached a deadlock and go
home? They travel around the world, live in good hotels. But the main
matter is here not negotiating format, but willingness of conflicting
parties itself to come to agreement.” At the same time, the
ex-Speaker mentioned, that status quo is favorable for Armenian
authorities – `corrupted country never can demonstrate political will
to solve conflict.’ Additionally, he pointed out necessity for
Nagorno Karabakh to participate in negotiating process – `Nagorno
Karabakh authorities are now more legitimate, then Armenian leaders.
Even Georgia negotiates with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.’

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 10 2006

OSCE monitors ceasefire in Nagorny Karabakh
14:42 | 10/ 03/ 2006

YEREVAN, March 10 (RIA Novosti, Gamlet Matevosyan) – Officials from
Europe’s largest security organization Friday conducted scheduled
ceasefire monitoring on a stretch of the border between the breakaway
region of Nagorny Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) registered no violations of the ceasefire regime.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have been exchanging allegations of numerous
ceasefire violations on the border near the Nagorny-Karabakh conflict
zone for the past two weeks.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, a
region in Azerbaijan with a largely ethnic 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.

RIA Novosti, Russia
March 10 2006

UN sanctions against Iran could affect S. Caucasus
14:23 | 10/ 03/ 2006

YEREVAN, March 10 (RIA Novosti) – International sanctions that could
be imposed against Iran over its controversial nuclear research
program would increase tensions in the neighboring South Caucasus
region, an Armenian expert said Friday.

“Possible sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against Iran
will further aggravate tension in the South Caucasus region … which
is involved in ambitious economic projects with Iran,” said Stepan
Grigoryan, head of an Armenian think-tank on globalization and
regional cooperation.

The South Caucasus region includes the former Soviet republics of
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which border on Iran, and Georgia. As UN
member states, the three republics will be obliged to follow the
decisions of the UN Security Council, Grigoryan said.

If the UN Security Council does opt for sanctions, they will most
likely be economic and diplomatic, which will entail a ban on visas
for senior officials of the Islamic Republic and a resolution to
freeze their bank accounts, he said.

Iran risks coming under international sanctions after it resumed
uranium enrichment – a process that can be used to generate energy
and create weapons-grade material – after a two-year hiatus, arousing
particular concerns in the West and in neighboring Israel.

However, Grigoryan said, the worst possible scenario would be if the
United States and its supporters in the UN decide to form an
anti-Iranian coalition, similar to the one against Iraq, and start a
unilateral campaign, including a military operation.

“This will require political decisions from the leaderships of
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia on whether they will join the
U.S.-led coalition, and provide air space or their territories” for
the operation, Grigoryan said.

He said the leaders of the three republics would inevitably have
different answers to these questions, which “is highly likely to
result in harsher confrontation between the countries of the region.”

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 10 2006

OSCE monitoring held without causalities

Source: Trend
Author: E.Javadova

10.03.2006

No breach has been fixed in the OSCE monitoring held in the contact
lime of the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces in Borsunlu village
of Terter district on Friday in accordance with a mandate of the OSCE
chairman-in-office, the Defense Ministry announced.

Harry Eronen and Peter Key, field assistants to the special envoy of
the OSCE chairman-in-office, will hold monitoring in the Azerbaijani
side of the frontline.

Yuri Aberle and Imre Palatinus, special envoy’s field assistants, are
in charge of monitoring in the Armenian side of the contact line.

Orange County Register, CA
March 10 2006

Eateries slathering on the style

Zov’s Bistro in Tustin caps a $2 million makeover this Sunday, and
other established restaurants are also responding to trendy new
competitors.

By NANCY LUNA
The Orange County Register

As one of Orange County’s beloved chefs, Zov Karamardian has shared
saucepans with Emeril Lagasse and Julia Child. Her decadent pastries
are considered among the best in the nation.

And she’s currently penning a second book on breakfast and brunch
recipes.

Yet, despite her longtime success, the chef-proprietor of Zov’s
Bistro in Tustin continues to reinvent her brand as she and other
long-standing eateries face more swanky restaurants planting roots in
the county. Her latest counterattack involves a $2 million remodel of
her 19-year-old bistro, which is celebrating a grand reopening
Sunday.

Karamardian will also open a second Zov’s Bistro next year to
introduce her famous Middle Eastern- and European-influenced dishes
to a new batch of foodies.

“It’s very competitive now. And you have to be on top of your game,”
Karamardian said of the bistro’s expansion and makeover. “You have to
keep the buzz going.”

Other prominent eateries are feeling the pressure to spruce up as
well. Antonello Ristorante in Santa Ana and the White House in
Anaheim are adding wine lockers, private dining and banquet rooms,
sound systems and ornate furnishings to keep diners from straying.

“People like to have a place where the experience won’t disappoint.
The food is no longer enough,” said Karamardian, 61.

The bistro’s overhaul includes adding a “Z” (for Zov’s) cocktail bar,
a private banquet room wired for corporate presentations and a stone
outdoor fireplace.

A $400,000 patio improvement features a perma-nent, classier-looking
enclosure to replace the white party tent the bistro used for years.

The final touches: Sliding glass doors and windows were installed
last week in the patio, the bistro’s main seating area. Three months
ago, Karamardian started serving dinner on Monday nights, normally
her only night of rest.

“You can’t give guests an opportunity to find a new favorite,” she
said.

And, in a nod to newer establishments that offer nightly
entertainment such as piano bars, Karamardian also hired a guitarist
to serenade diners on Monday nights.

Rich Hollander, a restaurant consultant at Texas-based Buxton, said
mainstay establishments need to invest more money in makeovers
because trendier eateries are raising the stakes – from elegant local
steakhouses such as Mastro’s and Fleming’s to David Wilhelm’s flashy
French-inspired bistros.

“If I’m a high-end customer, I’m going to the new guy to impress
someone,” said Hollander. “But, then, I’m going to go back to my
local place, and if it is improved, I’ll continue to go back.”

But if older establishments fall behind the eight ball, proprietors
may face empty tables, he said.

At Zov’s, for example, diners began asking for cocktails, but the
bistro served only wine and beer.

“A lot of people weren’t coming here because we didn’t have hard
liquor,” Karamardian said.

She quickly took care of that by building a granite-topped bar last
year. With lunch martinis being some of the most popular orders, the
bar addition has already paid for itself and spawned other upgrades:
replacing wrought-iron chairs with European woven chairs at $200
apiece and adding ceiling fans with stylish blades that resemble palm
leaves.

Sunday’s party, which benefits two local charities, caps the bistro’s
makeover.

It’s all triggered Karamardian to set her sights on opening a second
restaurant in Orange County to introduce her signature dishes: lentil
soup, Moroccan salmon and fruit tarts made with Tahitian vanilla
cream.

The added exposure should sustain long-term growth for Zov’s, where
sales increase about 8 percent a year, said her son, Armen, the
bistro’s general manager.

“We don’t rest on our laurels,” Armen said. “There’s so many
restaurants in Orange County. We feel the time has come where you
can’t expect the guest to find you. We have to find them.”

Last year about 37 percent of fine-dining establishments were
expected to spend a larger proportion of their budgets on remodeling,
according the National Restaurant Association.

On average, table-service restaurants spend about $2.9million on
remodels, association spokeswoman Annika Stensson said.

In addition, fine-dining establishments often spend more money on
“atmospheric details” such as original art, unusual light fixtures,
and solid wood tables and chairs to get the right ambiance, the trade
group said.

That would be true for Antonello Ristorante and the White House.

A fixture at South Coast Plaza Village since it opened in 1979,
Antonello recently converted an upstairs storage room into a
European-themed private room called the Levendi Room.

The room, sponsored by a Napa Valley winery by the same name, seats
up to 14 and is flanked by climate-controlled mahogany wine lockers,
hardwood furnishings, antique light fixtures, Italian art and stone
walls.

Wine lockers, a luxurious “at home” touch where frequent diners stash
their personal wine collections, cost up to $1,500 to $6,000 to rent.
The fee is based on the minimum requirement to buy two cases from the
restaurant’s wine list, said general manager Thad Foret.

In the restaurant’s main dining room, antique-replica chandeliers,
costing $500 each, were recently installed. Foret is also having gray
walls painted over with a cozier, buttery yellow. New chairs are also
on the way.

The centerpiece of a $200,000 remodel at the White House in Anaheim
is the Caterina Ballroom, an enclosed outdoor gazebo that can support
private parties of up to 150 people.

Owner Bruno Serrato said the private ballroom, which opened in
November, has already boosted sales by 30 percent. The restaurant
also primped inside by replacing aging chairs and tables and
installing crystal chandeliers.

While eateries need to redecorate often, Foret said changes must be
subtle. He said he has no intention of turning his traditional
Italian bistro into a haven of marble and granite furnishings –
common decorative details found at newer competitors.

“They are real glitzy and beautiful, and I don’t want to knock that,”
he said. “What we try to have is old-world charm. We’re not straying
from what’s made us successful.”

Zov’s Bistro

Executive chef: Zov Karamardian

History: Karamardian emigrated to the U.S. at age 15 after living
with her Armenian family in various regions of the Middle East.

Karamardian started the bistro in 1987 as an outlet for her catering
business, which she ran out of her Irvine home. Without a “dime to
her name,” Karamardian gleaned $200,000 in seed money from relatives
to start Zov’s Bistro. Later she opened a bakery and cafe behind the
bistro as demand peaked for takeout of her tarts and pastries.

Now: Karamardian is considered one of the county’s top chefs, having
earned many culinary awards over the years. She plans to open a
second bistro next year in the county. On Sunday, Zov’s will
celebrate a $2 million makeover with a fundraiser benefiting the
Joyful Child Foundation and Hoag Women’s Health Services.

Event: The gala is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $100. For more
information, call (714) 838-8855 or (562) 491-1000.

Location: 17440 E. 17 St., Tustin.

Web site:

Regnum, Russia
March 10 2006

Will Russian investors replace Turks and Dutchmen in Azerbaijan?
Azeri press digest

Politics. Government

Armenia’s non-constructive position in the Karabakh peace process is
pushing Azerbaijan into policy revision, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev
says Mar 1, while opening a village of refugees and displaced people
in Agdam region. He regrets that the long-term peace talks with
Armenia have given no fruits, to date. There are certain hopes but
they all are blasted by Armenia’s non-constructive position. Aliyev
notes that he has always been and will be an advocate of cease-fire.
Azerbaijan’s position is that the Karabakh conflict must be resolved
by peace, and there is a special format for that: the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs are now consulting, and there are certain
opportunities for finalizing the key principles. But Armenia is again
non-constructive and disinterested in having the principles
finalized. `And so, Azerbaijan should think over what to do,’ says
Aliyev. (AzerTag)

Speaking of the possibility of new war between Azerbaijan and
Armenia, well-known Azeri political expert Zardusht Alizade says to
Echo daily that `the talks have been in stalemate for 14 years
already.’ `I am sure that the Azeri army is absolutely unprepared for
war. We can’t start a war given the present corrupt defeatist
generals. The potential of the peace process is absolutely intact,
and there is a vast reserve of unused peace opportunities. The
parties’ inaction means their reluctance to solve the problem and to
get worthy peace for both Armenians and Azeris. In fact, both Aliyev
and Kocharyan believe that the conflict must be dragged on and the
people regularly scared. Ilham Aliyev’s statement that Azerbaijan’s
12-year Karabakh talks are already a concession and that the country
must review its position does not mean that Azerbaijan will shortly
resume war,’ Azeri political expert Rasim Musabekov says to Echo.
`But this means that Azerbaijan will not talk in the format, tone and
framework insisted on by Armenia – which, in fact, means ceding not
only Karabakh but also Kalbajar and Lachin. Aliyev makes it clear
that one should not expect such a capitulation from Azerbaijan. But
this also means that Azerbaijan will not bear unlimited occupation of
its territories. To me, this means an unfolding arms race and
toughening propaganda. As regards the meeting of the co-chairs, they
will hardly find a way to thrust an unfavorable solution on
Azerbaijan – they better use the capacities they have. And the US,
Russia and Europe do have the capacities to bring Kocharyan round and
to force him to renounce his exorbitant demands. If they actually
want to use the levers, they will find a way out of the present
diplomatic deadlock, if not – they will face the prospect of a real
arms race. And if Azerbaijan will spend its own money, Armenia will
have to use the money it gets from the Americans, Russians and
Europeans.’

Political expert Eldar Ismaylov is sure that there will be no
military conflict. `The peace process must actually be in a stalemate
– for the sides appear to have no single ground in common and, I am
afraid, can no longer continue the talks. Today, they are showing the
same approaches they showed 10-15 years ago. I don’t like the way the
talks are going. This all is very much like a continued drag on.’
(Echo)

Mar 4 the Puls-R sociological service presented the results of its
monitoring `Azerbaijan in 2005.’ It is the third consecutive
monitoring by the service. The director of the project, political
expert Rasim Muzabekov says that despite prevailing optimism, Azeris
are getting increasingly critical of the present situation in their
country. Their key concerns are the Karabakh conflict, unemployment
and poverty. Most people don’t share the optimism of foreign
diplomats that there may be a breakthrough in the Karabakh peace
process in 2006. Despite improved assessment of unemployment and
poverty, they show growing discontent with corruption, tyranny, poor
education and health care. The president and the army are the only
authorities people have steadily trusted in the last three years.
They also trust media and, partly, religious institutions. More
people are beginning to advocate drastic government reforms. Many
(27.7%) are still for integrating with the EU, while NATO
sympathizers have grown scarce – from 12.4% in 2004 to 7% in 2005.
The biggest friend is Turkey, and also Russia and Iran, instead of
the US in 2004. But the selfsame Iran and Russia are also the 2nd and
the 3rd biggest enemies. The top enemy is steadily Armenia. It is
noteworthy that the number of those advocating Islamic values has
over redoubled – from 6.2% to 14.5%. (Echo)

Head of OSCE Office in Baku Maurizio Pavesi states the necessity of
electoral reforms in Azerbaijan. In a Mar 1 seminar `Towards
Transparency in Politics: a Review of Electoral System and Funding of
Political Parties in Azerbaijan’ Pavesi says: `The OSCE/ODIHR final
report on the November 2005 parliamentary elections showed that the
electoral system in Azerbaijan needs some changes in order to match
European standards.’ Pavesi says that his office has got nothing from
its post-electoral meetings with the Azeri government and opposition
and will not continue them. He says that from now on his office will
help the local authorities in technical problems only, but the
initiative should come from political parties themselves. (Zerkalo)

The US gives high attention to the protection of Azerbaijan’s sea
borders and systematically aids the country’s navy, US Ambassador to
Azerbaijan Reno Harnish says Mar 1. He says that the bigger part of
the aid is given to sea border guards, with the navy getting mostly
technical assistance: `we are presently helping them to repair
several worn-out ships.’ Harnish notes that the US will further
continue to help Azerbaijan to protect its sea borders. (Azeri Press)

Opposition

The Azeri opposition continues disintegrating as its key forces are
brawling harder – Musavat party, who has decided to work in the
parliament, and Democratic Party, whose leader is Rasul Guliyev, ex
parliamentary speaker and US resident since 1996.

In an interview to Azeri-Press Guliyev says that after the
parliamentary elections, he no longer regards Musavat as an
opposition party. Asked what he thinks about Musavat’s decision to
work in the parliament, Guliev says: `This is a painful stab in the
back for democracy hopes in Azerbaijan. I regret that the party whose
70%-80% are true democrats and intellectuals has failed to prevent an
incompetent decision by 2-3 ambitious and adventurous leaders. How
then can it fight the regime?’ They let people down during the
presidential race 2003 – they crushed their hopes and have not even
begged their pardon for being unable to protect their votes for Isa
Gambar (Musavat party leader – REGNUM). Now too, like in Apr 1920,
they prefer defeat. Then too Musavat sought cooperation with the
Bolsheviks, but the Bolsheviks refused. The same is now: Musavat
wants to cooperate with the authorities, but the authorities will
also refuse… Musavat is not longer an opposition to me. They are just
4-5 MPs that think they are a party. Once again I express my regret
that the party’s worthy members have allowed such a situation.”

Azerbaijan-Armenia. Karabakh problem

In a talk with Azeri journalists US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno
Harnish says that the resolution of the Karabakh conflict is not far
off. He hopes that the US will help the conflicting parties to solve
the problem. He quotes OSCE MG US co-chair Steven Mann as calling
2006 the year of the conflict’s resolution. Neither Armenia nor
Azerbaijan have elections this year, and their politicians will have
enough time to solve complex problems. Harnish notes that if the
conflict is not resolved in 2006, there are other scenarios – one of
them being war. But war will be a real tragedy for the Caucasus. And
so, Harnish urges all politicians, foreign ministers and presidents
to use the chance to find a way out. (Azeri Press)

The statement that Nagorno Karabakh may join Armenia is only adding
to the tensions in the region and is giving it nothing good, US
Ambassador to Azerbaijan Reno Harnish says Mar 3 in comment on the
last statement by Armenian President Robert Kocharyan. He says that
the US wants the negotiating process to continue and encourages the
presidents and the FMs to continue their peace dialogue. (Echo)

`Lately, a number of European countries have shown unawareness and,
sometimes, even bias concerning some issues,’ says the head of the
department of foreign relations of the Azeri president’s executive
staff Novruz Mamedov, commenting on the European Parliament’s
decision to acknowledge the fact of destruction of Armenian
cemeteries in Julfa region of Nakhchivan AR. He says that the
European MPs should have studied the region better. He notes that
almost totally destroyed are over 1,000 Azeri historical and cultural
monuments registered by UNESCO and located in the territories
`occupied’ by Armenians. Mamedov is displeased with Europe’s
partiality on some issues – from the Mohammed cartoons to the Julfa
cemeteries. He notes that the West’s wrong position in the world
processes may lead it to a tragedy. One should show one’s position
through fair decisions only. (New Time)

Iran

Aljazeera.Net gives an article by former UN inspector in Iraq Scott
Ritter. Ritter urges the world not to believe the Bush administration
when it speaks of `diplomacy’ and a desire for a `peaceful’
resolution to the Iranian question.

In his article `The US War with Iran has Already Begun’ Ritter says
that there are several actions ongoing against Iran.

To the north, in neighboring Azerbaijan, the US military is preparing
a base of operations for a massive military presence that will
foretell a major land-based campaign designed to capture Tehran.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s interest in Azerbaijan may
have escaped the blinkered Western media, but Russia and the Caucasus
nations understand only too well that the die has been cast regarding
Azerbaijan’s role in the upcoming war with Iran.

The ethnic links between the Azeri of northern Iran and Azerbaijan
were long exploited by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and this
vehicle for internal manipulation has been seized upon by CIA
paramilitary operatives and US Special Operations units who are
training with Azerbaijan forces to form special units capable of
operating inside Iran for the purpose of intelligence gathering,
direct action, and mobilizing indigenous opposition to the Mullahs in
Tehran.

But this is only one use the US has planned for Azerbaijan. American
military aircraft, operating from forward bases in Azerbaijan, will
have a much shorter distance to fly when striking targets in and
around Tehran.

A much shorter route to Tehran now exists – the coastal highway
running along the Caspian Sea from Azerbaijan to Tehran.

US military planners have already begun war games calling for the
deployment of multi-divisional forces into Azerbaijan.

Logistical planning is well advanced concerning the basing of US air
and ground power in Azerbaijan.

Commenting on the article to Echo, well-known Azeri political expert
Zardusht Alizade says: `I think that however bad at rule, the Azeri
leaders are still quite good at self-preservation. Those people will
never allow to use themselves in a game against Iran, because this
bodes big and simply unpredictable consequences.’

Business-scandal

The Azeri authorities have given start to expelling Turkish Barmek,
an LTD enjoying monopoly in electricity supply in Baku and some
regions. `If Barmek fails to clear its faults by our deadline, we may
stop our contract with them,’ Azeri Economic Development Minister
Haydar Babayev says Mar 2. He says that Barmek is defaulting on its
investment commitments: `Any foreign company operating in Azerbaijan
should respect the law and the contract.’ Azeri President Ilham
Aliyev has also criticized Barmek in a recent conference. (525th
Daily)

Mar 2 Barmek President Huseyn Arabul gave a press-conference to
express his attitude towards Aliyev’s criticism. In a conference
chaired by Aliyev President of AzerEnergy Etibar Pirverdiyev said
that Barmek was defaulting on its contractual commitments, was
under-investing in its network and so on. Aliyev instructed relevant
bodies to inquire into Barmek’s activities. Arabul says that he has
received many presidential instructions and has no objections. Arabul
says that the conference misinformed Aliyev of the Barmek’s
activities. Arabul is ready to regularly report to Aliyev on his
company’s activities. He has tried to meet with Aliyev, but failed as
he was very busy. At the same time, Arabul notes that, if need be, he
will leave Azerbaijan.

Mar 3 the Azeri Public Prosecutor’s Office brought a criminal action
against Barmek President Huseyn Arabul. The action followed an
inspection of the company’s activities by the anti-corruption
department, experts from the ministries of finances, taxes, economic
development, industry and energy and the audit chamber. Oct 13 2001
the Azeri Economic Development Ministry agreed with Turkish Barmek
Holding A.S. to give it the right to manage Bakuelectricshebeke for
25 years. The ministry undertook the obligations of the Azeri side.
Barmek pledged to invest a total of $51 mln in 5 years, but has spent
almost nothing, so far.

The company is also accused of non-compliance with several points of
its 25-year contract. It has under-invested, embezzled state
property, got involved in financial machinations. The Public
Prosecutor’s Office reports complicity by the former economic
development minister, now political detainee Farhad Aliyev and Barmek
Azerbaijan President Huseyn Arabul. Particularly, Aliyev is reported
to pay big ministerial money to some British company for something it
did not do. (AzerTag)

Meanwhile, Echo reports that the contract with Barmek will shortly be
annulled, and one of the most probable substitutes is RAO UES Russia.
Some sources say that this was discussed during recent visits by
Russians to Baku. One source is Arabul himself, who says that RAO UES
is showing interest in the Baku electric networks – something RAO
does not even try to hide in its interview to Echo.

Quite recently AzerEnergy President Etibar Pirverdiyev said that
Barmek was failing to meet its contractual obligations and President
Aliyev ordered an inspection in the company. As a result, the
contract may be annulled and the Azeri side will have to pay off all
Barmek’s investments in the country. Barmek may stop its activities
in Azerbaijan and leave vacant the grids in Baku, Sumqayit and some
other northern regions. The general rumor is that Barmek will be
replaced by a big energy company by some top official, while experts
say that coming instead will be some foreign – probably Russian –
company.

Echo reports President of the Association of Engineers and Energy
Experts of Azerbaijan Rasul Suleymanov to say that, in fact, it was
German Siemens who first won the right to manage the electric
networks in Baku, Sumqayit and other northern regions. `But for some
objective reasons, that company refused and gave its rights to the
second company in the tender – Barmek. But neither Bayva nor Barmek
have managed to ensure normal payment collection rate.’

It should be noted that almost all Farhad Aliyev-time contracts are
being criticized and annulled. Curtailing activities is Dutch Fondel
Metal, who has a 25-year contract to manage Azerbaijan’s aluminum
complex. The Dutch may be replaced by Russians – RUSAL – even though
the new economic development minister Haydar Babayev is sure that the
situation with Fondel has nothing to do with RUSAL’s wish to start up
in Azerbaijan, says Echo.

New Anatolian, Turkey
March 10 2006

Questions come to me on Akdamar Island

Nursun Erel

[email protected]

After the bombing, after being witness to all that tragedy, I decided
to go to Akdamar Island because for years I’ve been dreaming of
seeing the Armenian church built on its shores. I know what that
small island means to Armenians, I still have the cognac bottle
(Ahdamar cognac) which was given to me as a present in Yerevan by an
Armenian family.

Even though it was raining heavily, Ceren Bayar and I didn’t change
our plans to take the boat from Gevas Harbor and go to the island.
Lake Van was calm yesterday so it took us only 20 minutes to get to
there. When we got closer we had a better view of the church; it was
really breathtaking to see the ancient building that’s survived
almost 10 centuries.

The first thing I noticed in front of the magnificent church,
undergoing renovations, was a sign saying, “Between A.D. 915 and 921
this church was built by architect Kesis Manauel.”

Then I asked myself, after all these centuries, after dozens of
civilizations, why can we still not share the soil of Anatolia?

What are all these deaths for?

What’s the reason for the endless agony?

What’s the basis for such hatred?

I couldn’t answer these questions, and instead added another: After
the release of the prosecutor’s indictment, what do we have in our
hands now?

Everyone knows that Gen. Buyukanit is far from all these allegations.
But isn’t it stupid to add this kind of statement to the indictment:
“He [Buyukanit] threw an incredibly expensive wedding for his
daughter and invited a host of businessmen to the ceremony. We all
attended and brought her gold bracelets as presents” (testimony of
businessman Mehmet Ali Altindag, also the owner of daily Soz in
Diyarbakir).

In what way does this paragraph contribute to resolving the issue?

But what can we say about the General Staff’s approach, then? They
tried to curb the debates saying that the civil judiciary has nothing
to do with Buyukanit’s case. But I’m sure Buyukanit would rather be
acquitted than protected.

What are we supposed to think about Justice Minister Cemil Cicek’s
response? First he said he didn’t have jurisdiction over the legal
proceedings and then, the next day, he sent two inspectors to
investigate Van Chief Public Prosecutor Ferhat Sarikaya. After this,
can we ever believe that the Turkish judiciary is really independent?

And remember all the other shallow arguments too. Some say that the
parliamentary commission on the Semdinli case doesn’t have the right
to send any of its reports to the prosecutor in the Semdinli case
(Sarikaya). But I’d like to ask them why such commissions are
necessary if they keep their reports confidential.

I can’t answer these questions, but I’m still searching for a serious
government to deal with such issues.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
March 10 2006

We attach great importance to Turkish-Azerbaijani relationships –
Minister Abdullah Gul

Source: Trend
Author: R.Abdullayev

10.03.2006

Exclusive interview of Trend with the Turkish Foreign Minister,
Abdulla Gul

Question: How could you characterize the major principles of Ankara’s
foreign policy in respect to the South Caucasus countries? What are
your visions on the nearest perspectives of development of
cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan?

Answer: Provision of security and stability in the South Caucasus has
always been a priority direction of our foreign policy. Our
relationships with the countries of the region are based on deep
historic and culture roots. In this context we attach special
importance to see in the South Caucasus independent, peacefully
co-existing and cooperating countries with firm political and
economic stability, as well as economic assistance to these
countries.
The strategic cooperation and friendly relationships of Turkey with
Azerbaijan and Georgia get more and more intensified. Turkey with
satisfaction observes and simultaneously supports the aspiration of
both countries to acquiring a deserved place in the world community.
We put successive efforts for consolidation of independence and
sovereignty, as well as maintenance of territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan and Georgia.
We pay special attention to the relationships between Turkey and
Azerbaijan, which were very good characterized by former late
Azerbaijani Heydar Aliyev as `one nation, two countries’. The
development of bilateral relationships in all spheres excites
satisfaction. With respect to enable Azerbaijan to overcome the
difficulties that evolved after independence Turkey has rendered a
comprehensive support to Baku in the military, financial, technical,
human and education spheres. Such support and assistance will
continue in future.
Democratization of the South Caucasus is one of the major goals of
Turkey’s foreign policy. We consider democracy as a warranty of a
long-term stability. It is important to provide an opportunity for
statement of position through democratic channels in the context of
development of pluralist democracy of oppositional establishments
functioning within the constitutional frames. Despite some shortages
the 6 November parliamentary elections in 2005 were a stage in the
development of democracy in Azerbaijan. Uninterrupted continuation of
the process of democratization and implementation of reforms in this
respect are very important.
We share with fraternal Azerbaijan the common human notions like
democracy, the superiority of the law, and respect to human rights
and freedom. We will continue supporting the efforts of the
Azerbaijani authorities in the establishment of democratic
institutions in the country, as well as the upgrade of the market
economy.
Our common will is further development of economic and trade
relationships, which have great potential. Certainly, utilization of
the economic potential based on rich natural resources of the Caspian
Sea will benefit not only Azerbaijan and Turkey, but also the entire
region.
Along with the bilateral relationships with the South Caucasus
countries Turkey gives priority to the development of regional
cooperation. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia jointly carry out several
projects and each of them can be characterized as a `formula of
success’. The commencement of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) export
oil pipeline in 2006, the scheduled completion of the construction of
the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, as well as continuation of
engineering work under the construction of
Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku (KATB) railway route, that we wish to
put into exploitation in the nearest future, are only few of these
important projects.

Question: What is Turkey’s position in the issue of resolution of
conflict situations in the South Caucasus region? Is it possible to
expect from Ankara any official initiative on the settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

Answer: Since the completion of the cold war [and even now] the South
Caucasus has become as arena of dramatic events. The collisions on
interethnic basis and territorial issues resulted in death of
thousands of people, while ten thousands of people became homeless.
The unsettlement of `suspended conflicts’ is great hindrance in the
way of establishment of durable stability and prosperity of the
region.
Today the South Caucasus region with its rich natural wealth and
special geographic location has become one of the centers of
attention of the world community. It is necessary to benefit the
attention of the international community in the process of settlement
of regional conflicts.
Manifestation of any instability in the region is actually a
potential which negatively impacts on Turkey’s interests. Therefore,
it is very important to intensify the efforts for peaceable
resolution of conflicts, which will be recognized by all sides and be
based on major principles of the international law.
Major principles that our positions are based in the
Nagorno-Karabakh problem are well known. The conflict provoked by
Armenia through the violation of the principles of the international
law, including the inviolability of the state borders by force and
respect to the territorial integrity, concerns not only the countries
of the region, but also all sides interested in peace, stability and
tranquility in the south Caucasus.
Turkey, being a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, attentively
observes a process of the conflict resolution. We hope that under the
Paris format it will be possible to promote the peaceable resolution
of the conflict. It is important to continue the dialogue between
Azerbaijan and Armenia on the level of Presidents and Foreign
Ministers.
Undoubtedly, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will
greatly contribute the development of regional cooperation and
normalization of the relationships between Armenia and Turkey. As a
member of the OSCE Minsk Group we still believe in the necessity of
active contribution in the search of ways of resolution.
We still see a platform enabling for the resolution of the conflict
at the OSCE Minsk Group. At the same time we are sure that
far-sighted and more multifaceted approach, as well as creative
innovations will be profitable to remove the exiting disagreements.
Absence of any progress in the resolution of the conflict in the
course of the meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents held
in Paris on 10-11 February 2006 actually disappointed the world
community. It would be profitable for all to continue in 2006 the
efforts for the solution of the conflict.

Question: What steps does Turkey plan to take to ensure the security
of huge regional energy projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline?

Answer: Over the past 28 years Turkey has used the Kerkek-Yumurtalik
pipeline, while starting from 2002 – the Iranian gas pipeline. So
far, no negative moment linked with the security problems has been
observed in the Turkish sections of the pipelines. I mean, we can say
that Turkey has sufficient experience in the energy security of
pipelines. Even Turkey can be regarded as one of the more experienced
countries throughout the world.
In the context of Article 7 of the Protocol on security of the
East-West energy corridor, which covers the said projects, Turkey,
Azerbaijan and Georgia established a joint Commission on the security
of pipelines. The first meeting of the commission was held on 14
October 2004 in Ankara with participation of representatives from the
three countries.
The gathering focused on the opportunities for development of
cooperation with respect to ensure the security of the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
Turkey accepts the security of the pipelines running via its
territory as an inseparable part of its energy security and
approaches the issue with more responsibility.

Question: What work does Turkey intend to do under the implementation
of the Baku-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway project?

Answer: The KATB railway project envisages the construction of a
regional railway route between Turkey and Georgia with further
connection to it of a railway network existing in Azerbaijan, which
is sure to lead to the establishment of up-to-date railway road
system connecting three countries.
The KATB project opens new opportunities for cargo deliveries
between Asia and Europe. In case of Marmara project (the construction
of a railway section under Bosporus – Trend) is connected to the east
with the expected railway-sea route between Baku and Kazakhstan
(Aktau) and onwards to China, the KATB will become a part of the
shorter railway route between Asia and Europe as compared to those
existing.
On 28 December 2004 Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a
protocol on the KATB project. In compliance with the document,
technical work under the project is carried out by a joint working
group.
On 25 May 2005 the heads of three countries, who participated in a
ceremony of linefill of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan with the first oil,
signed a statement in support to the KATB project.
The Transport Ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia held
talks in Istanbul on 19 September 2005 to discuss the processes
concerning the KATB project, as well as definition of future concrete
steps in this respect. In the end of the meeting they took a
resolution on signing of an intergovernmental agreement, as well as
commencement of the work on financial provision of the project
shortly.
The feasibility work within the framework of the project, which is
being carried out by one of the Turkish companies and financed by
Turkey, is scheduled to complete in 2006.
The international tender under the KATB will be announced after the
completion of the project work.

Question: How do you estimate the development of the
Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation under the international
organizations, in particular the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC), UN, and the Council of Europe?

Answer: Cooperation of Turkey with the friendly and fraternal
Azerbaijan under the OIC, like in all other spheres, is distinguished
for proximity in the positions and constructive character. Turkey
heads the list of states with more active support to Azerbaijan at
the OIC. During the chairmanship at the 31st session of the
Ministerial Board of the OIC Turkey rendered a comprehensive
assistance to Azerbaijan.
As one knows, on 19-21 June 2006 Baku will host the 33rd meeting of
the OIC ministers and Azerbaijan will undertake the
chairmanship-in-office at the organization from Yemen. Azerbaijan
will become the OIC chairman-in-office in the period of changes in
the global policy when a regional apprehensibility and expectations
of all member-countries increase. Indeed, we will boost the support
to Baku in these conditions.
We note with satisfaction the cooperation with friendly and
fraternal Azerbaijan at the UN. Turkey is a candidate to temporary
membership at the UN Security Council for 2009-2010 and the elections
will be held at the 63rd UN Assembly due in 2008. A statement on
support by friendly and fraternal Azerbaijan to the candidacy of
Turkey was welcomed by Ankara. Turkey also backed the candidacy of
Azerbaijan at the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2006-2008.
Besides, Turkey will back the candidacy of Azerbaijan to temporary
membership at the UN Security Council in 2012-2013.
The level of the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation within the
framework of the CE is also worth approval. As one of founders of the
CE, Turkey shares its 50-year experience with Azerbaijan, which
entered the CE in 2001. The cooperation under the CE actively
continues at the Ministerial Committee, Parliamentary Assembly, as
well as the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Such
cooperation provides for more efficient resistance to problems which
both countries face at the CE, as well as more successful support to
positive milestones. The PACE winter session held from 23 to 27
January 2006 hosted discussions on the mandate of Azerbaijani
parliamentary delegation can be the best model of successful
interaction.
Obviously, the cooperation benefits both countries and we wish to
enhance it.

eastsideboxing.com
March 10 2006

Vic Darchinyan wants Jorge Arce

(Sydney, Australia : 10th March 2006) Reigning IBF/IBO flyweight
world boxing champion Vic `Raging Bull’ Darchinyan has his knockout
targets set on WBC Interim flyweight champion Jorge Arce.

26 year-old Arce defends his title against Rosendo Alvarez on the
Floyd Mayweather-Zab Judah card on April 8 in Las Vegas. Should he be
successful, Darchinyan wants Arce in the ring next.

`This would be the biggest fight in the flyweight division,’ said
Darchinyan. `Arce is very popular in Mexico and the USA. He has a big
name, but when I beat him, people will see that I am the best
flyweight in the world. I met him face to face this year and told him
I wanted the fight. If he beats Alvarez, lets give the fans an
explosive battle and face each other in the ring!’

30 year-old Darchinyan, the Armenia born Australian citizen southpaw,
has an undefeated record of 25 wins, 0 losses and 20 knockouts. In
his last fight on March 3 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez,
California in the USA, Darchinyan knocked out IBF mandatory
challenger Diosdado Gabi from the Philippines in round 8.

`Gabi was very tough and very strong,’ said Darchinyan. `I think he
would give Arce a very tough fight.’

The impressive knockout win over Gabi was televised by American
network SHOWTIME across the USA as the main event of their `SHOBOX:
The New Generation’ series to an audience in the multi-millions.

Darchinyan first won the IBF flyweight world title in December 2004
against long reigning world champion Irene Pacheco.

`Pacheco was a very good puncher, more experienced,’ recalled
Darchinyan. `But I can rate Diosdado Gabi very close to him. I think
Gabi is one of the top five flyweights in the world. I think he would
definitely be better than the WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. I
have never fought him, but I have watched him at ringside in Bangkok.
I would knock out Wonjongkam, no problem at all. I hope Gabi gets a
chance to fight for the WBA or WBO titles. He will do very well.’

Calcutta Telegraph, India
March 10 2006

Revival recipe for landmark Revival on the menu

– Restoration will triple table count at continental cuisine stop
SUBHRO SAHA

The downed shutters of Sky Room, on Park Street, may reopen by next
Poila Baisakh. Picture by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya
Sky Room is planning to serve it up again – prawn cocktail,
minestrone soup and all.

What used to be the city’s most-loved continental cuisine stop is set
to reopen its doors in a year, around Poila Baisakh time. The Park
Street landmark has remained shut for over a decade, following labour
trouble.

Part of the restoration and adaptive-reuse initiative undertaken on
the 95-year-old Park Mansions by the Apeejay Surrendra Group, the
eatery could return with its table count tripled.

`Yes, we will surely revive Sky Room, since it has such a strong
brand recall even now,’ Jit Paul, adviser to the group, told Metro.

`However, to be commercially viable in today’s high-cost scenario,
the eatery has to be much bigger than it used to be. We are looking
at 150 covers and the place will most likely be managed by The Park
Hotels,’ he added.

With large sections of the old structure having been freed by paying
off tenants, there are plans to expand either horizontally or `go up’
to accommodate the extra covers being planned for the new-look Sky
Room.

The reopened restaurant will also have its dedicated parking space at
the sunken parking lot in the revamped Park Mansions, plus valet
service linked to the Rawdon Street Parkomat.

`We want to create a destination that will give Park Street another
landmark,’ stressed Paul.

Paul is the brain behind the revival scheme for Park Mansions, being
anchored by architect Dulal Mukherjee.

Constructed by Armenian jute merchant Thaddeus Mesrope Thaddeus in
1910, Park Mansions was acquired by Paul from estate managers Talbot
and Company.

Besides Sky Room, it housed the French cultural centre premises
Alliance Francaise, Bombay Photo and Rajniklal. While Alliance was
ravaged by a fire, Sky Room, which had its interiors done by German
expert Messerschmidt and borrowed the food format from Mocambo across
the road `lock, stock and barrel’, downed shutters in the early
1990s.

Architect Mukherjee plans to use deconstruction architecture to
`create a feel of unlimited space with a strong pedestrian axis’
through a blend of hard and soft landscaping at Park Mansions.

`The second and third floors of the restored building will house a
heritage hotel or service apartments, and we plan to do boutique
retail on the first floor,’ said Paul.

The group, which also runs T3 – The Tea Table at Park Mansions, plans
to retain the quaint, old Flury’s-style place and add to its munch
menu as well. `We are looking at the possibility of pushing back
closing time till 10 pm to begin with, to give people the option of a
late-evening sip and bite,’ smiled Paul.

a/story_5948265.asp