EU Interest in Resolving Conflicts in South Caucasus Increased
Baku Today, Azerbaijan
March 18 2006
18/03/2006 19:56
The European Union (EU) appointed a new special representative for
the South Caucasus and made changes to the mandate for this position,
Peter Semnebi, the EU’s new special representative for South Caucasus
told journalists in Baku.
Changes in the mandate provide for more attention to be paid to the
settlement of the frozen conflicts. Regarding Karabakh, the EU is
going to support mechanisms of settlement if a political resolution is
obtained. According to Semnebi, the EU can send observers to conduct
peacekeeping operations, and provide assistance for the rehabilitation
of territories which suffered as a result of the war.
Semnebi said the EU could provide peacekeeping operations both
independently and in coalition with other international structures.
Contrary to the previous special representative Heyke Talvitiye,
whose office was in Finland, Semnebi is working in Brussels. This
will allow him to “more closely and better coordinate the activity
of European structures”.
Semnebi talked about the significant rise of EU’s interest in the
South Caucasus and said that this is connected with the “expansion of
Europe’s borders to the region”. According to him, after confirmation
of the plan of action for the European Neighborhood Project, relations
between the EU and South Caucasus will be strengthened.
Responding to the questions of journalists, Semnebi confirmed that
in Baku he discussed the re- run elections for parliament. The EU
will very attentively follow this process and give assessment on
the matter. Democracy and human rights are the EU’s main principles
of cooperation.”Europe’s experience shows that cooperation can be
successful if it is based on common values. For Europe, these common
values are democracy and human rights,” Semnebi said.
Responding the question about what the EU’s reaction would be in
the case of a threat to the countries of the region by southern or
northern neighbors, Semnebi said it is difficult to say beforehand.
This is Semnebi’s first visit to the region. In Baku he met with the
Azerbaijan’s leadership and opposition leaders, as well as with the
representatives of international organizations.

Zaman Online, Turkey
March 18 2006
Ankara Refuses US Call to Open Armenian Border
By Suleyman Kurt, Ankara
Published: Saturday, March 18, 2006
zaman.com
The Turkish government responded negatively once again to a demand
from the United States to open the Armenian border.
An envoy from the United States brought the Mountainous Karabag
(Karabagh) region to the agenda in search of a resolution as they asked
the Turkish government to reevaluate the Armenian border. On Thursday,
Turkish foreign ministry officials met with Assistant Secretary of
States Daniel Friend of the United States as well as with Ambassador
Steven Mann, a United States negotiator assigned to find a resolution
to the Mountainous Karabagh question.
Fried addressed the demand to open the Armenian border, according
to reporters. Ankara, however, acted unenthusiastically to the issue
at hand. Turkish officials classified the Armenian cessation of its
invasion of the Karabagh region as one of the three requirements for
the appeasement of relations between Turkey and Armenia. Turkey is
also pushing Armenia to disavow its allegations of genocide and to
remove from the Armenian constitution the anti-Turkish clauses.
Another topic at the meeting was the demand to ease the administration
in North Cyprus off economic isolation. The United States envoy
preferred to give priority to diplomacy in handling with Iran,
reporters said, although the US administration reserves the possibility
of a military operation as well.

Armenians instructed our prisoner to blow up President’s route and other strategic establishments in Azerbaijan
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 18 2006
As a result of counter-intelligence measures, it was proved that
junior sergeant of a military unit of Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry,
resident of Shamkir region Bakirov Ruslan Khagani (born on 1985),
who has been in Armenian captive from February 15 till May 7, 2005,
had a secret cooperation with Armenian intelligence services.
The Azerbaijan’s National Security Ministry informed APA that
Ruslan Bakirov, who was a team commander in the same military unit,
was deceived by Armenians and passed the enemy side together with
soldiers under his command -Abdullayev Khayal Idris (born in 1986)
and Taghiyev Hikmat Adem (born in 1983) while they were standing
guard on February 15, 2005. So, they deliberately deserted to the
enemy acting against Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity,
state security as well as defense ability.
Immediately after releasing from captive through mediation of the
International Committee of the Red Cross Bakirov acknowledges that
he acted in concert with Armenians. However, the investigation found
out that Bakirov’s initial testimony was the part of the action
preplanned by Armenia’s intelligence service officers. As a result
of additional counter-intelligence measures, Bakirov acknowledged
the truth. It turned out that, Armenian intelligence services bribed
the Azerbaijani prisoners Bakirov, Abdullayev and Taghiyev for secret
cooperation. The Armenian intelligence services met with Bakirov for
7 times during this period, and his involvement in secret cooperation
was confirmed by his own statement and video films. He was nicknamed
“Ramin” and was promised to be given US $3000-4000 for going on each
errand in future by the Armenians.
An officer of Armenian intelligence service, who introduced himself
as Rudik, gave special instructions to Bakirov to blow up Azerbaijani
President’s route, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Oil Pipeline,
gas pipelines, the Heydar Aliyev International Airport as well as
take photos of military-strategic establishments and send to Armenia
after returning to Azerbaijan.
Under October 7, 2005 decision of Azerbaijan’s Court Martial on Grave
Crimes, Bakirov and Abdullayev being accused under articles 274 (high
treason), 334.3 (deserting during war or in battle), 338.1(breaching
rules of standing guard in battle), 341.3 (abuse of powers during
war or in battle) of Criminal Code sentenced for 12 years in jail,
and Taghiyev being accused under articles 274, 334.3, 338.1 sentenced
for 11 years in jail./APA/

Protesters Against New Employment Law Clash with Turkish Demonstrators
Focus News, Bulgaria
March 18 2006
Lyons. People protesting against changes in French labor law
unexpectedly clashed with demonstration participants in Lyons
protesting against constructing a memorial of Armenian victims of
1915 genocide, Reuters informs.
The incident happened when the routes of the two demonstrations met.
About 2,500 ethnic Turks holding slogans “There was no genocide
against Armenians” and Turkish flags attacked the French protesters
who on their part shouted at them “Go home” and called them fascists.
According to the police there were Armenians among the protesters
against First Job Contract.

Zaman Online, Turkey
March 18 2006
Turkey-Armenia Border Lost on Google Map
By Celil Sagir, Istanbul
Published: Saturday, March 18, 2006
zaman.com
Google, one of the most popular Search Engines in the world, failed
to give a place to the Turkey-Armenia border on its map.
A part of the Turkey-Armenia border does not exist in the world map
of the popular Google Earth program.
Indicating the borders with a yellow line, the map shows no sign of a
border in the Arpacay region, which constitutes the Armenian border,
and that the unfinished border line continues into Turkey up to
Cildir Lake.
There is also a gap in the border near the Igdir region, which is
very close to Armenia’s capital Yerevan.
The map shows the borders and territorial waters of other countries
explicitly and carefully with the yellow line. This indicates that
the blank in the border does not stem from Arpacay, a local river. It
is known that Armenia still preserves some of its demands on Turkish
lands.
Google, in a statement clarifying the issue to Zaman, accepted that
some data in Google Earth is missing and/or incorrect.
The company maintains the visual data for the maps is provided by
third parties and Google does not make any change to them in efforts
not to express any particular political or religious view.
Google also noted they are working on the issue to rid the maps of
any faults and inadequate information.
Google Earth, a popular method of allowing people to see even minor
streets of big cities, can be downloaded with a program available
from MDA Earth Sat, the National Geographic
Society and Google own the copyrights for the maps.
See map at ;alt=&am p;hn=31041

Moscow Submits 2006 Schedule of Military Bases’ Withdrawal
Civil Georgia, Georgia
March 18 2006
Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Mamuka Kudava said at a press
conference on March 17 that the Russian side has submitted 2006
timetable and detail plan of withdrawal of military hardware and
equipment from its two military bases in Georgia.
He said that the process of pullout of Russian military bases from
Georgia is still in progress, although the relevant agreement on “Terms
of Temporary Functioning, Rules and Withdrawal of Russian Military
Bases and Other Military Facilities of the Group of Russian Forces in
Trans Caucasus (GRVZ) Stationed on the Territory of Georgia” has not
been signed by the sides yet. The withdrawal process is carried out
under the joint declaration of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
and Georgian ex-Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili signed last May.
A total of 358 items of armament and vehicles will be withdrawn,
including 113 tanks and armored vehicles starting from May 12, 2006.
369 items of armament and vehicles will be transported to the Russian
102nd military base located in Gyumri, Armenia, including 35 tanks
and armored vehicles.
According to the plan, by the end of 2006, all the heavy military
hardware assigned to the Akhalkalaki military base will be completely
withdrawn from Georgia.
The Georgian Defense Ministry the Georgian side is also undertaking
steps to facilitate the withdrawal process. In particular, the issue
of granting visas to the Russian military servicemen and their family
members has been already settled; at the request of the Russian side
cargo loading platform has been built in Tsalka that will facilitate
the withdrawal of military hardware through railway from Akhalkalaki
military base; the Georgian side expressed readiness to assign a
certain number of trucks to assist in withdrawal of heavy military
hardware, according to the Georgian Defense Ministry.
Russia has already pulled out part of its military equipment from
Georgia as envisaged by the May 30, 2005 joint declaration of Foreign
Ministers of the two countries. 40 items of military equipment
(including 20 tanks), dozens of trucks and other vehicles were
withdrawn from the territory of Georgia in August 2005. Military
facilities (including the military shooting range “Gonio”, guarded
command point “Zvezda”, communication network point number 66 located
in Kojiri) have been transferred to the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

Regnum, Russia
March 18 2006
Chances are high that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be settled
in 2006 (Semneby, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus)
Baku, 18 March 2006 (Regnum – website) – “To be sure in rightful
coordination of initiatives on settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
I will regularly keep in touch with co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk
Group,” EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby
has announced.
According to him, chances are high that the conflict will be settled
in 2006: “Taking into consideration that the latest meeting of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents failed to justify hopes, it is
difficult to say how strongly these hopes are bound to the reality.
For closer examination of the situation I should visit Azerbaijan and
Armenia, exchange opinions with the co-chairs. But if I had not been
so sure in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, I would not have
given my consent to the appointment,” Day.az quotes Semneby as saying.
From: Baghdasarian

369 kinds of ammunition to be moved from Akhalkalak to Armenia by this year’s end
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 18 2006
[ 18 Mar. 2006 13:26 ]
Russian military base #62 in Samtse-Javakhati region will be moved
from Georgia by this year’s end. Georgian defense minister, Mamuka
Kudava told journalists, APA bureau in Georgia reports.
Mr. Kudava stated that Russia has already submitted the withdrawal
schedule of the military bases to official Tbilisi. The schedule
intends to move 358 kinds of ammunitions and military equipment as
well as 113 tanks and other equipment from Georgia to Russia by sea.
369 kinds of heavy military equipment as well as 35 tanks and other
equipment will be taken to Russian base #102 in Gumru, Armenia. /APA/

Turkey: No opening border with Armenia before normalization of relations
New Anatolian, Turkey
March 18 2006
Turkish officials decisively informed U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried that Ankara would not
open a border gate with Yerevan unless there was a normalization of
ties between Turkey and Armenia.
Fried, who paid an official visit to Ankara, met with Turkish Foreign
Ministry Undersecretary Ali Tuygan and Deputy Undersecretary Ahmet
Uzumcu late Thursday. During the meeting, he urged Ankara to open its
border gate with Armenia in order to facilitate the peace process in
the divided-enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, still a point of contention
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
However, Ankara reiterated its previous position and made known that
the issue was part of the normalization process of relations between
Turkey and Armenia, sources said.
According to sources, Fried expressed Yerevan’s willingness to
normalize relations with Ankara. He also underlined both Armenia and
Azerbaijan’s decisiveness to find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute, making reference to his separate meetings with Armenian
President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
As a part of the U.S. efforts to contribute to a solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Fried visited Ankara following his round
of meetings in Caucuses.
Declining to predict a possible timetable regarding a solution on the
enclave, Fried told the Turkish officials of the U.S.’ readiness to
extend any kind of support for the solution.
Fried took up with his Turkish counterparts Iran’s nuclear program.
Ankara and Washington agreed to seek a diplomatic solution to the
crisis which emerged between the West and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear
ambitions, diplomatic sources told The New Anatolian. However,
according to the sources, Fried conveyed to Ankara that Washington
will not rule out military operations against Iran if the issue were
to be deadlocked.
The Cyprus problem also dominated the talks between Tuygan and Fried.
Tuygan stressed the necessity to end the isolation of Turkish
Cypriots. Although the Turkish side has always taken positive steps
towards a solution on the divided island, it has not got a positive
response from the international community, he said.
In criticism of the international community towards the Turkish
Cypriots, Tuygan told Fried that although the Greek Cypriots have
always been the uncompromising side, the international community has
always rewarded them, said the sources.
During a press conference on late Thursday following his talks Fried
also touched on the Armenian genocide claims, saying, “The attitude
of the U.S. on this issue is well known. U.S. President George W.
Bush is likely to make a statement on this issue in April, like
every year.”

Audio and video files of Armenian entry online
Belgovision.com, Belgium
March 18 2006
Armenian broadcaster ARMTV has published audio- and video files of the
Armenian entry for Athens on its website. With the song Without your
love Armenian singer Andre will be the first Armenian representative
at the Eurovision Song Contest, in the semifinal on Thursday 18th May.
Andre will take the stage in Athens with the love song Without
your love, a sensitive and fascinating mixture of modern and ethnic
elements. Without your love was composed by the Conductor of Jazz
Orchestra of Armenia, Mr. Armen Martirosyan. The arrangement
and instrumentation is done by a miracle man, one of the best
representatives of the music field in Armenia, Mr. Ara Torosyan.
Through this link the Armenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest
2006 can be heard. On the same website, the video clip of Without
your love is available.
lgovision.com/en/index_f.php?id=867