AZERI IMPROMPTU DEMO PROTESTS AT HUNGARIAN COURT RULING AGAINST OFFICER
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
13 Apr 06
Reaction to the court ruling against Ramil Safarov [Azerbaijani officer
charged with killing Armenian officer in Budapest and sentenced to
life in prison] did not keep people in Baku waiting. A protest has
been held in Narimanov Avenue against the ruling by the Hungarian
court. Representatives of the Karabakh Liberation Organization and
other NGOs, as well as students, took part in the protest. They chanted
the following slogans – “The Court Ruling Against Ramil Safarov Is
Unjust” and “Freedom To Ramil Safarov”.
Protesters then marched towards the Martyrs’ Alley. We should note
that police did not thwart the protest.
The protesters said that a greater number of people will participate
in demonstrations from tomorrow and the demonstrations will cover
the whole country.
[Video showed protesters marching with flags and slogans, chanting
“Freedom” ]

IT IS EASIER TO SPEAK IN THE CORRIDOR
A1+
[05:58 pm] 13 April, 2006
The club of young political figures is going to organize a protest
in front of the RF Embassy against the Russian policy towards the
RA. But so far they won’t do it as according to the Club Chairman
Arman Vardanyan “we don’t want to play into the hands of people who
arouse false hysteria against Russia.”
“Just imagine whenever the RA speaks of its interests they qualify it
as anti – Russian hysteria,” mentioned the NA Deputy Arshak Sadoyan
in his speech. The latter was also astonished why we shouldn’t arouse
hysteria if “as a result of Russian position Nakhidjevan and Kharabakh
were given to Azerbaijan, and Ghars and Ardahan – to Turkey.” “You
get off the point,” the organizers reminded Arshak Sadoyan who didn’t
agree with them. Today the young political figures gathered a number of
elderly and sophisticated political figures to comment on the details
of the Hrazdan 5th energy block and Iran – Armenia gas main sales.
Nothing new was said at the meeting; the participants merely repeated
the ideas of April 6 said after the treaty between “GasProm” and the
RA Government.
“This deal has no economic grounds, it was aimed at making Armenia
dependent of its elder brother from the point of view of energy,”
said the economist Edward Aghadjanov. He thinks that Armenia had
an alternative in case “the elder brother didn’t give gas” but we
didn’t use it. The alternative was to remain the owner of the Iran –
Armenia gas main, as a result of which Armenia would also become a
transit country for exporting Persian gas to Europe. According to him
Armenia lost most of its shares of the company “ArmRusGasArd” and the
right on veto and thus can do nothing in case the company activities
contradict our interests. “The Persian gas will not penetrate to
Europe if Russia doesn’t want it,” said the member of the Republican
Party Armen Ashotyan and added, “How can Armenia take Persian gas to
Europe if the Ukraine gas main belongs to “GasProm?”
He thinks that energy dependence does not mean a full dependence
from Russia, as Germany, Austria and Finland also get their gas from
Russia. A serious dispute began between Ashotyan and Aghadjanov when
Ashotyan informed that “he is aware of Aghadjanov’s dream land” and
ended his speech with the following words, “The sun is not guilty
when its light is neglected.” By the way, the dispute took place in
the corridor where the 2 continued their “discussion.”

AZERI PAPER SAYS IRAN TO “HIT” AZERBAIJAN IF USA STARTS WAR
Azadliq, Baku
9 Apr 06
The Azerbaijani opposition newspaper Azadliq has detailed “three
issues” on which the Azerbaijani and US governments are to cooperate
in the possible US war against Iran. The paper looked into “principles
and interests” that the alliance between the two countries is based
upon. It added that if the USA starts war with Iran, the latter will
organize acts of sabotage in Azerbaijan. The following is text of
Qanimat Zahid’s report in Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq on 9 April
headlined “Will Iran hit Azerbaijan” and subheaded “What is the USA
demanding from Azerbaijan?”; subheadings as published:
Azerbaijan is to cooperate with Americans on three issues in the
expected US-Iranian war, according to reports we have received from
diplomatic sources.
First, Azerbaijan is to open its air space for US warplanes.
Second, US warplanes are to use Azerbaijani military aerodromes and
be provided with fuel there.
Third, Azerbaijan is to agree to the deployment on its territory of
a limited contingent of US troops in order to serve the US air force.
As we see, the conditions are not that big. In fact, it seems necessary
to regard as somewhat ordinary the conditions put forward in exchange
for statements constantly made that “the USA and Azerbaijan are
strategic allies”. That is to say, the USA may start war with Iran
under the pretext of eliminating a danger capable of threatening its
strategic interests. In such a case, it may demand that its strategic
allies remain loyal to principles of alliance.
USA’s strategy of alliance with us
On the basis of what principles and interests is the USA’s strategy
of alliance with Azerbaijan built? It is important to clarify these
interests to see to which extent the USA’s and Azerbaijan’s strategic
goals match.
First, Azerbaijan needs to extract its strategic wealth – oil – in
maximum security and benefit from it. The USA has been guaranteeing
such security so far. It is another issue that the oil that is being
extracted in safe conditions has nothing to do with the Azerbaijani
people. It is also another issue how the Azerbaijani oil, which is
being extracted in completely safe conditions, and Azerbaijan itself
are divided between other parties guaranteeing security. Is it done
fairly or unfairly?
Second, Azerbaijan is to prevent Russia from completely taking
over the regional energy corridor and to protect US interests in
the corridor. This condition for strategic alliance has also been
observed by means of the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline. Hydrocarbons from Central Asia and the South Caucasus are
being exported via the “energy road” passing through Azerbaijan to
Europe – market of hydrocarbons which the USA manages to control.
Third, Azerbaijan’s existence on the basis of secular values and on
the condition of integration into Europe is to restrict Russia’s and
Iran’s influence on the South Caucasus.
USA’s behaviour within the framework of alliance strategy
We can see clearly that the USA needs the conditions and demands of
strategic alliance between the world’s superpower and Azerbaijan more
than Azerbaijan does. It is true that the USA has also taken specific
steps to reinforce these conditions. However, the positive impact of
these steps on Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people still cannot be
seen. What are these reinforcing steps?
US companies have invested billions [of dollars] in Azerbaijan. Even
though the bulk of the investments fall to the oil sector, these
investments could have played an exceptional role for a clever
government in order to strengthen the state.
US public institutions have also spent large amounts of money towards
formation of democratic traditions in Azerbaijan. A clever government
could have been interested in the entrance to the country of these
“investments” which could be considered irreplaceable for the
strengthening of public mechanisms. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani
government is not clever. What is more, the Azerbaijani government is
not working on political strategies ensuring the state’s interests. The
entire action strategy of this government is based on search for
ways of benefiting further and for longer from sources belonging to
the state.
The USA is also taking steps within the framework of its strategic
interests so as to ensure that totalitarianism in Azerbaijan does
not rise to a level that could disgrace the USA itself. Strategic
alliance with Azerbaijan’s current half-totalitarian society and
half-authoritarian government is for the time being continuing as it
has not disgraced the USA as much as it was thought.
Karabakh is not part of the Azerbaijani government’s strategic
interests
One of the important results of the US-Azerbaijani strategic alliance
for Azerbaijan could be success in making world’s powers accept
its fair position in the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict resolution. The
US government should have taken specific steps in exchange for its
strategic ally’s strategic demands. However, we are all observing
the fact that our strategic ally is not giving serious international
support to the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement. What is more, it is
not doing so for a very simple reason. The Azerbaijani government
does not seem to have informed its strategic ally of its vitally
important conditions at all. Azerbaijan has shaped its oil strategy
in such a way as to preserve the topicality of Heydarism with support
from US lobby organizations and potential lobbyists and also to have
Washington turn a blind eye to an even greater embezzlement of US
investments in and aid provided to Azerbaijan. The result is that
the Azerbaijani government does not expect of its strategic ally to
take steps for the sake of the Azerbaijani state, but to protect a
Mafiosi clan. Administrations that change one by one in the USA,
which is our strategic ally, are also involved in this work and
protect USA’s strategic interests.
On what “conditions” may Iran hit Azerbaijan?
The USA is now demanding that its strategic ally Azerbaijan honour, in
a standoff with Iran, commitments proceeding from alliance. Naturally,
the US government will succeed in this when necessary. These conditions
were mentioned at the beginning of this article. What steps may Iran
take against the USA’s strategic ally Azerbaijan if those conditions
are fulfilled? It would be interesting to recall these.
It is clear that Iran, which has rich experience in carrying out
terrorist attacks, will plan to carry out possible acts of sabotage
on Azerbaijani territory. Moreover, Iran will maximally mobilize its
network of agents in Azerbaijan and put it into operation. However,
putting all this aside, we can also list ways in which Iran could
hit conditions of alliance with our strategic ally USA.
Under the first condition: Iran may take measures to undermine security
in Azerbaijan’s air space. Iranian warplanes have invaded Azerbaijan’s
air space even in peace time.
Under the second condition: Iran’s state-of-the-art defence
missiles can operate within a range of 3,500 km. It would not be
particularly difficult for the Iranian armed forces to test these
arms in Azerbaijani aerodromes which are a few hundreds of kilometres
away. If we take into account the condition that US warplanes are
to be provided with fuel in Azerbaijan, we should expect that Iran
might hit our fuel sources as well. Therefore, security of onshore
and offshore oil fields may be undermined first.
Under the third condition, it is difficult to imagine military action
being carried out. The US limited military contingent might be hit
by the [Iranian] local network of agents.
Why care about the motherland? What matters is their own protection
If war does start, the Azerbaijani government should demand insurance
against these dangers from the USA, its strategic ally. Perhaps,
not for the sake of national and state interests but at least their
own interests. After all, oil and all other resources belong to these
authorities. They do not have to put forward conditions related to
Nagornyy Karabakh to the strategic ally because it is primarily the
multi-million population of Azerbaijan who needs this. But oil and
power! [as given].
We wonder if they will be able to demand security guarantees at least
on the basis of these factors.

ARMENIA’S SUBSIDIZING A RUSSIAN COMPANY
Lragir.am
13 april 06
Member of Parliament Manuk Gasparyan stated April 13 at the Pastark
Club that the words of the minister of defense do not correspond to
the reality. Serge Sargsyan had announced that the fifth generating
unit of the Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan, sold to Russia, is like
a three-storey building, only the basement of which had been built.
Manuk Gasparyan announces that Armenia has already spent 217 million
dollars on the generating unit. “RAO EES is now using the cooling
system of the fifth generating unit for the other 4 generating units
that belong to RAO EES. Or the defense minister does not know, but
he must know because as he said nothing good happens without him,
in brackets, of course,” says the member of parliament.
He draws attention to another problem, again related to the Thermal
Power Plant of Hrazdan. Manuk Gasparyan says 20 per cent of the
demand of gas is consumed by the population, the other 80 per cent
is consumed by industry.
“The Thermal Power Plant of Hrazdan, which is owned by Russia,
consumes 50 per cent out of this 80 per cent. What do we have now? By
subsidizing the industry Armenia, in fact, subsidizes the Russian
company,” says Manuk Gasparyan. In other words, Russia increases the
price of gas, says the member of parliament, and the government of
Armenia has to subsidize a Russian company.

ARTASHES TUMANYAN VICTIM OF RUSSIAN INTERESTS
Lragir.am
13 april 06
Member of Parliament Arshak Sadoyan made a sensational statement
April 13. He said the reason of dismissal of Artashes Tumanyan was
his recent visit to Iran.
“Artashes Tumanyan left for Iran where he reached a quite favorable
arrangement on an Iranian loan for the construction of the fifth
generating unit of Hrazdan. But since there was a problem with Russia,
Artashes Tumanyan was dismissed,” says Arshak Sadoyan. He thinks that
the reason of Artashes Tumanyan’s dismissal was not connected with
the political party he was going to set up.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CALL AGAINST SALE OF IRAN-ARMENIA PIPELINE
Lragir.am
13 april 06
During a debate at the Pastark Club on April 13 the political forces
condemned the sale of the fifth generating unit of Hrazdan. The
Democratic Way Party, the Alliance of National Democrats and the
Liberal Progressive Party, as well as the Club of Young Politicians,
which had initiated the debate, condemned the sale of the fifth
generating unit, assessing it as an encroachment on the energy security
of Armenia. Manuk Gasparyan, the leader of the Democratic Way Party,
announced that if it is somehow possible to accept the sale of the
generating unit, the sale of the Iran-Armenia pipeline to Russia is
absolutely unacceptable at any rate.
The member of parliament urged the society not to tolerate the sale
of the gas pipeline.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN MARTAKERT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHEN WORK STARTS
Lragir.am
13 april 06
The money raised during the telethon in November 2005 was to be spent
on the reconstruction of the region of Martakert, NKR. Moreover,
the administration of the region does not know yet which part of the
17 million dollar program will be implemented. During the telethon
pledges of 7.7 million dollars were made, but only 3.5 million dollars
was raised. According to Jirayr Gabrielyan, the deputy head of the
administration of Martakert, the priorities are now being outlined.
Water is the major problem of Martakert. Several years ago
65-70 million drams was allocated to build a water pipeline in
Martakert. They built the pipeline then found out that it was not
built correctly, and the water did not get to the region. Another
130 million dollars was allocated for the same purpose. Now they are
building again. Recently a block of 24 apartments was built for army
officers. Presently 19 thousand people live in the region. The problem
of housing is another major problem.
The deputy head of the administration of the region said natives of
Martakert living in different countries will be invited to Karabakh
in June. The administration of the region will use the occasion of
the anniversary of liberation of Martakert to attract the attention
of the natives of Martakert. Many people who could not get adjusted
to life in other countries return already.

ARMENIAN MOD HEAD APPRECIATES OSCE MG EFFORTS
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.04.2006 00:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Secretary of the National Security Service at the
Armenian President, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan met with OSCE
Minsk Group French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier, Armenian MOD Head’s
Spokesperson, colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. During
the meeting the interlocutors discussed the current state and
prospects of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Serge
Sargsyan appreciated OSCE MG efforts, hoping these will finally have
the desired outcomes.

PERSONNEL REARRANGEMENTS MADE IN ‘KILIKIA” FOOTBALL CLUB
Yerevan, April 13. ArmInfo. After “Kilikia” had drawn twice with
“Banants-2” in the 1/4 of Armenia’s cup-final, the management of the
capital club dismissed the whole training staff and voided contracts
with several football players. Such radical measures were taken despite
the fact “Kilikia” reached the tournament semi-final, having won the
competitor in a number of post-match 11-meters.
One of the most experienced Armenian trainers Samvel Darbinyan was
training “Kilikia” since the end 2004. under his leadership, the
“Kilikia” reached the final national cup last season, where lost to
“Mika” with a score 0:2. However, the next draw of the tournament
did not give Darbinyan causes for joy. The management considered that
“Kilikia” is not ready for the season as the preparatory process was
insufficiently performed. As a result, the training staff headed by
Darbinyan, remained jobless.
Now “Kilikia” will be trained by Sergey Aghababyan who is also the
Club president. Besides, four football-players – brothers Souren
Atoyan and Mamikon Atoyan, Artak Oganessyan and Ararat Harutiunyan
have to search for new workplaces for them.

60-YEAR-OLD OBSERVATORY “BYURAKAN” REGAINS ONCE LOST GLORY
Yerevan, April 13. ArmInfo. “Byurakan” astrophysical observatory of
the RA National Academy of Science will celebrate its 60th jubilee by
organizing an International Conference with participation of scientists
from 7 countries. Observatory Director Hayk Haroutunyan told ArmInfo.
He said that on August 25 the International School of Astrophysics
in Byurakan will start operating. Scientists from the USA, France,
Italy, Greece, Germany and Russia will deliver lectures on the modern
achievements of world astrophysics for young specialists from abroad.
A solemn sitting is fixed for September 1. The International Scientific
Conference on Astrophysics will take place on September 2-3.
Besides, in the summer of 2007, a Congress of European Astrophysics
will convene in Armenia. Scientists from Europe, USA and a number of
Asian states will participate in it. Hayk Haroutunyan said Congress
might be held in the Ukraine, but the International Astronomic Union
(IAU) preferred Armenia. Under the Congress, 6 scientific symposiums
will be held.
“Byurakan” Astrophysical Observatory was founded in 1946 on the
highest peak of today’s Armenia, Aragats. The Armenian astrophysics
reached its fullest flower due to the leading scientist Victor
Hambartsoumyan. The results of the scientific research at “Byurakan”
Observatory got world acknowledgement and became a basis for new
directions in astrophysics, H. Haroutunyan said. However, during the
last 15 years the number of the employees at the observatory was cut 4
times. At present negotiations are underway with France for restoration
of the agreement on joint scientific research broken for some reasons
3 years ago. Similar talks are in process with Italy and Germany. An
agreement with Italy has already been signed, and implementation
of joint projects to start in 2007. The ties with Russian have been
activated as well. Thus, the famous Schmidt Telescope is currently
restored in cooperation with Russian specialists. Other telescopes
of the observatory are also being restored, H. Haroutunyan said.