ATTEMPT IS MADE IN ARMENIA TO USE METHODS OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN MEDICINE
YEREVAN, APRIL 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Phytotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture,
as well as use of bees and leeches in treatment of various diseases
are especially widespread in Armenia among methods of alternative and
traditional medicine. As Mkrtich Avagian, the Chief of the
Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department of the National Health
Care Institute mentioned in the interview to the Noyan Tapan
correspondent, traditional Indian medicine is insufficiently developed
in the republic. According to M.Avagian, at present the department is
doing work for developing this direction of the medicine in the
country.
Particularly, they are cooperating with the Embassy of India to the
RA, for organizing training of Armenian specialists in
India. According to M.Avagian, Armenia is among those countries where
traditional medicine is officially accepted and used along with modern
medicine. It was also mentioned that doctors’ interest in use of
alternative and traditional medicine is increasing each
year. According to M.Avagian, “a choice of combination of the best
methods of traditional and modern medicine” is made at the “AltMed”
alternative and traditional medical center founded on the basis of the
department in 2000. New developments in reflex therapy, manual
therapy, phytotherapy and homeopathy are used in the center.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006
AMERICAN POLITICAL ANALYSTS MARK THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IS TO
BE THE BASIC THEME OF DISCUSSIONS DURING VISIT OF PRESIDENT ILHAM
ALIYEV TO WASHINGTON
[April 14, 2006, 22:03:20]
Forthcoming visit of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the
invitation of the US President George Bush to Washington is in the
center of attention of the American political analysts. The meeting
of presidents will take place on April 28 in the White House. The
parties will discuss such questions, as development of democracy and
cooperation on the Caucasus, power diversity, and also the teamwork
directed on expansion of freedom and safety, as common obligation of
the USA and Azerbaijan.
Though the work above the program of official visit of President
Ilham Aliyev yet has not completed, it is already known, that on
April 27 the heads of state will take part in conference on the topic
`The American-Azerbaijan strategic relations: political and economic
priorities’, devoted to the 10th anniversary of the activity of the
American-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce.
A number of authoritative political analysts on the South Caucasus in
conversation with correspondent of AzerTAc have shared views on what
they expect from the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Washington.
The Editor-In-Chief of magazine `Central Asia-Caucasus’ S. Cornell
has told: `First of all, this visit will allow to lift the
American-Azerbaijan relations on the level reached at former
President Heydar Aliyev’s time. President Heydar Aliyev, making
frequent visits to the USA, has established very close ties with
American government. Ilham Aliyev’s visit will become a mean for
restoration of sense of trust and links of high level. As if to
concrete questions to be discussed, I consider, that the basic
question of the agenda will be Karabakh. Considering inefficiency of
the Minsk Group format, the USA now intends to show unilaterally
greater activity in settlement of the Karabakh conflict. This
tendency is completely clear.
As a whole, the USA understands strategic value of Azerbaijan, and
not only because of its geographical position, power resources of
your country but also because it is the secular Islamic state in
dangerous region of the world.
As if to the Iranian question, I should note, that the Azerbaijani
press strongly inflates this theme. Certainly, the neighborhood of
Azerbaijan with Iran is important for America. Nevertheless, I do not
think, that the Iranian theme will be in the center of attention on
discussions during visit’.
The general analyst of the Jamestown Fund Vladimir Sokor also has
shared his views: `I expect with optimism the visit of Mr. Aliyev.
This visit should take place earlier. America and Azerbaijan have
close strategic ties. Grandiose power projects of Azerbaijan would
hardly be carried out without political and economic support of the
USA. The United States are the unique force preventing hegemony of
Russia on Southern Caucasus.
I consider, that, despite of contradictions, last parliamentary
elections in Azerbaijan promoted strengthening of the
American-Azerbaijan relations. The analyses lead recently testifies
that these elections have been lead best of all the previous
elections in Azerbaijan. Washington admits this fact. Therefore,
President Ilham Aliyev has received the invitation to Washington. I
think, that present visit will make certain contribution to the
American-Azerbaijan friendly relations and will answer national
interests of Azerbaijan.
As to settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the United States clearly
wishes to take leadership in mediation. Steven Mann, working within
the Minsk Group, at the same time tries to make active intermediary
efforts of the USA with a view of achievement of direct settlement
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The efforts, undertaken by three
co-chairmen, appear ineffectual, as Russia is not interested in
settlement of the conflict. The USA has the basic economic and
political keys. I hope, that Armenia, having shown sufficient wisdom,
will accept the USA as leader in mediation at settlement of the
conflict. I know, that Azerbaijan will not object to this. In this
case, 2006 can become successful in settlement of the Karabakh
question’.
Chairman of Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) of the Johns
Hopkins University Frederick Starr University: `Arrival of President
Ilham Aliyev in Washington is a very much good news. It will be very
successful visit. Certainly, the said visit will allow speaking
openly about Karabakh. We, the analysts, call members of the
government of the USA to lift the Karabakh question at negotiations
with the Azerbaijan party, to be more active in this. It is high time
of settlement of the conflict. The Azerbaijan territories should be
returned, and there urgently should begin regenerative process. After
this, there can be found the way out acceptable at the international
level for settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Armenians should
understand the reality. Time has come to pay attention to this
question more resolutely’.

Prime News Agency, Georgia
April 14 2006
Chairmen Of Georgian And Armenian Courts Sign Memorandum
Tbilisi, April 14 (Prime-News) – Kote Kublashvili, Chairman of the
Supreme Court of Georgia and his Armenian counterpart signed a
memorandum on cooperation in legal issues in Yerevan on Friday.
Kote Kublashvili has been visiting Armenia for two days, Prime-News
was told by the representatives of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
According to them, the visit aims at discussion and share of
experience in the ongoing court reforms in Georgia and Armenia.
Ovanes Manukian, Chairman of the Court of Appeal, Gagik Artunian,
Chairman of the Constitutional Court and Davit Artunian, Minister of
Justice of Armenia are also taking part in the working meetings.
The visit by Kote Kublashvili to Yerevan lasts through Saturday.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 14 2006
FINAL CONFERENCE ON PLANNING MILITARY DRILLS `RESCUER 2006′ TO BE
HELD IN YEREVAN ON 19-21 APRIL: ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
YEREVAN, April 14. /ARKA/. The final conference on planning military
drills `Rescuer 2006′ will be held in Yerevan on 19-21 April 2006,
Press Secretary of the RA Minister of Defense, Colonel Seyran
Shakhsuvaryan reported.
He pointed out that the conference will be held under the aegis of
the European headquarters of the USA. The drills `Rescuer 2006′ under
the program `Partnership for Peace’ will be conducted in Armenia on
12-28 April. Participating in the drills will be 250 representatives
from 12 countries.
The drills are aimed at organizing and comparing performances of the
military and medical department of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense and
the country’s Rescue Service, and also at increasing possibilities to
interact with partner countries. R.O. –0–

Zaman, Turkey
April 14 2006
Genocide Monument’s Construction Resumes in Lyon
By Ali Ihsan Aydin, Paris
Published: Friday, April 14, 2006
zaman.com
Construction of the “Armenian Genocide Monument” resumed after a
month long suspension in the French city of Lyon.
A Lyon Municipality statement reads the construction resumed after a
few changes in the status of the Armenian Genocide Monument
Association of Lyon in accordance with the court’s ruling.
The assembly of the monument will be complete by April 24, the
anniversary of the so-called Armenian genocide.
The Lyon Administrative Court annulled the construction of the
monument upon a French association’s objection as the place where the
monument was going to be erected was a protected area declared by
UNESCO, UN’s science, education and culture institution.
The court justified its verdict through ambiguities related to the
monument’s future and maintenance when it was revealed that the
Armenian Association would dissolve itself upon the completion of the
construction.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006
Novruz Mammadov: OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ stances do not coincide
[ 14 Apr. 2006 20:18 ]
`It is early to express an opinion on the new proposals made by OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs regarding the settlement of the Nagorno
Garabagh conflict,’ said Novruz Mammadov, director of Presidential
Administration Department for International Relations.
`The proposals should be grouped and formed in order to air an
opinion on this. If a specific proposal is put forward, we’ll express
our opinion,’ Mr. Mammadov added.
The state official thinks that the stances of the conflicting sides
not just the stances of the Minsk Group are important.
`There should be some changes in the sides’ stances, they should take
a constructive position and take serious steps to solve the
conflict,’ he underlined.
Commenting on OSCE Minsk Group French co-chair Bernard Fassier’s
statement `The new proposals can satisfy both sides 80 percent’ and
Russian co-chairs Yri Merzlyakov’s statement `If both sides are
satisfied 50 percent, I would think the mediation had been
fulfilled’, Mammadov said that every co-chair make proposal basing on
their certain conclusions.
`The co-chairs’ stances do not coincide. The main thing for us is to
liberate our territories from occupation, make the internally
displaced persons return to their native lands, and ensure the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within the international
juridical norms,’ the Department director said.
Responding to the question whether Azerbaijan will agree to the
liberation of 50% or 80% of its occupied territories, Mammadov said
Azerbaijan can never consent to this.
Commenting on the stance of Azerbaijan to the co-chairs’ suggestion
of organizing a meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents,
Mammadov stressed that the co-chairs’ opinion do not coincide
regarding this issue either.
`There can be an opinion, if there is an opportunity for the meeting
of the Presidents,’ he added.
Mammadov also touched on the American co-chair Steven Mann’s visit to
Baku scheduled for 18 April, explaining it by the recent intensified
negotiating process.
`Therefore, the co-chairs often visit the region to express their
stances, exchange views and consult together on the issue,’ Mammadov
concluded./APA/

Electronic Newspaper, Singapore
April 15 2006
Miss Iraq goes into hiding
Fifth-placed winner takes crown but fears being targeted by religious
extremists
April 15, 2006

SHE took fifth place in Iraq’s national beauty contest last week, but
Ms Silva Shahakian is now wearing the Miss Iraq crown.
That’s because the original winner stepped down four days after the
contest after receiving death threats.
The first, second and third runners-up also bowed out for the same
reason.

Now, Ms Shahakian, who is an Iraqi Christian, has gone into hiding.
She fears she will be targeted by Islamic militants, said a source
familiar with the pageant.
The pageant was held in a Baghdad social club and the initial winner,
Ms Tamar Goregian, an Armenian Iraqi, returned the crown four days
later, said the source. The man spoke on condition of anonymity,
saying he too feared retribution from militants.
Ms Shahakian’s whereabouts are unknown, but she was quoted by ABC’s
Good Morning America as saying that she will keep her title.
TAKING THE CHANCE
‘This chance does not come to every girl. So I’m lucky to have that.
I’m not going to lose it,’ she said in the programme. ‘I’ll take
care. I will change my living place. I would like to take that
chance. I will do my best.’
ABC reported that Ms Goregian received threats from a group of
religious extremists who referred to her as ‘the queen of infidels’
for participating in the contest.
Her four-day reign is believed to be the shortest in the pageant’s
60-year history. The pageant director told ABC that he respected her
decision.
‘The country is undergoing rough times, and we understand her desire
to protect herself and her family,’ he said.
Pageant organisers were planning to hand the crown over to runner-up
Mona Hilmi, an Iraqi Sunni Muslim.
One of the organisers said she was ‘equally intelligent and
beautiful’.
Apparently, she declined, although news reports did not elaborate.
The second and third runners-up also turned down the title for
security concerns, although they had not received specific threats.
Beauty pageants in Iraq usually attract girls from wealthy, liberal
families who often have a Western education.
The contest was the first to be held in Iraq since the US-led
invasion in 2003, according to ABC.
The network said the pageant organisers are hoping to send the winner
to the Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles on 23 Jul. – AP.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006
Political parties and associations protest Ramil Safarov’s sentence

Source: Trend
Author: J. Shakhverdiyev

14.04.2006

Alongside the injustice shown at issuing the life sentence on Azeri
military officer Ramil Safarov charged with killing Armenian officer
in Hungary, the sentence itself is issued by the order of Armenian
lobby, Trend reports with reference to Mamed Alizadeh, chairman of
Deliberative Council and leader of Azerbaijan Democratic World Party.
He said that R. Safarov was issued such a sentence, as Azerbaijan’s
society was not eager to protect his rights. «Armenian lobby in
Hungary did much for issuing such a sentence on our compatriot. In
this regard we should do our best to have the Appeal Court of Hungary
change the penalty»,- he outlined.

On this matter Umud party has disseminated a statement saying
Hungarian court has shown its injustice on the case of Azeri officer.
«The last words said by R.Safarov show that he had killed Ramenian
officer not in revenge, he was provoked to commit the crime. This
fact should have promoted the penalty softening. However, 5eh court
didn’t mind his words».
Umud party officials also suggest the influence of Armenian lobby on
the judge.

Azerbaijan Way movement also regarded the verdict issued by Judge
Andrash Vashkuti as biased. The movement officials said fair judge
should have thoroughly analyzed the case, but the judge did not take
R.Safarov’s feelings into consideration.

Vurgun Eyyub, first deputy chairman, Mussavat, says it had been very
unfortunate to present him a national hero as such position had a bad
influence on the judge. Mr Eyyub opines that official Baku should
persuade Hungarian Appeal Court to change the penalty.
Vahdat, Islamic, Social-Democratic, Great Creation, Civil unity and
Ana Vatan parties also protested R.Safarov’s unfair sentence.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006
Union of liberation movements addresses local offices of
international organizations and Hungarian courts

Source: «Trend»
Author: S. Ilhamgyzy

14.04.2006

Union of liberation movements addressed local offices of UNO, OSCE,
EC, Hungarian government and legal instances, Trend reports with
reference to the Union officials.
The address states the negative reaction the sentence issued by
Budapest municipal court on Azeri military officer Ramil Safarov
received in our country; this sentence causes doubt in justice in
Hungary that is a member of European family. It also gives the notion
of R.Safarov’s psychological state in the moment of the crime, and
says Armenians had occupied his homeland and murdered all relatives.
It stresses that Hungarian court’s sentence issued on R.Safarov may
result in distrust between Azeri and Hungarian nations and calls to
fix this injustice.

Baku Today, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006
War Worst Option For All Parties Of Conflict, Says Bernard Fasye
The Co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group warned all parties of the
conflict that war is the worst option and war means new victims,
tragedies, orphans, destructions, refugees and meaningless expense.
Irregardless of the outcome of a war, the sides will find themselves
in the situation that existed before the war, said Bernard Fasye,
French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, at a press conference
yesterday in Yerevan.
He urged the parties to put off the dispute about who declared
started the war and who settled in Nagorno Karabakh first. It is
necessary to build a peaceful future as neighbors, he added.
Fasye said format of negotiations cannot be changed, it can be
“adapted,” but not replaced. It is impossible to fully resolve the
conflict, because of the absolutely opposite demands of the sides. He
added that the co-chairmen are seeking, for the basis of the future
settlement, to prepare the framework agreement.
The co-chairmen’s hopes for the talks in Rambouillet went unrealized,
but negotiations did not reach an impasse, they continue, he said. In
early May the co-chairmen intend to meet again in Moscow and then
together visit the region to prepare for another meeting between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents.
“Right now I cannot say the place or date of the meeting, because
they are yet to be determined. But the co-chairmen will use every
opportunity to organize the meeting in June or July,” he stressed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress