Today, Azerbaijan
April 29 2006
Samed Seyidov: “Lord Russell-Johnston to visit South Caucasus”

29 April 2006 [20:56] – Today.Az

Position of the Council of Europe on Nagorno Karabakh conflict is
evident – full recognition of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity as
it was mentioned in resolution 1416, adopted during the January 2005
session, said the head of the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation in
CE, MP Samed Seyidov.

“The resolution clearly states that Nagorno Karabakh is an
inseparable part of Azerbaijan. PACE position towards the problem is
clear and distinct,” he told Trend.
Speaking about PACE summer session, Seyidov told that special
attention will be paid to the Azerbaijani delegation mandate in that
organization.
“Results of May 13 2006 rerun parliamentary elections and November
2005 elections will be discussed i.e. results of both elections will
be discussed separately,” he said.
Another important moment of the PACE future session in Strasbourg
will be the next meeting of the PACE ad-hoc committee on Nagorno
Karabakh. “British diplomat, Lord Russell-Johnston is conducting a
serious work in that direction and he will soon visit the region,”
Seyidov assured, adding that Russell will visit Azerbaijan, Armenia
and occupied Azerbaijani lands.
Seyidov did not exclude possibility of meeting between Azerbaijani
and Armenian MPs in Strasbourg as it might be possible within the
frames of the PACE ad-hoc committee work.
“It is very important for us. We have to redefine our positions on
Nagorno Karabakh. Putting the special emphasis on the fact that
international organizations are supporting Baku in that matter,”
Seyidov concluded.

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AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 29 2006
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
[April 29, 2006, 15:45:14]
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on 28 April met with Secretary
of Defense of the United States of America Donald Rumsfeld in
Washington.
The Secretary of Defense highly estimated visit of the Azerbaijani
President to USA, stressing its importance for development of
bilateral relations. Reminding his visits to Azerbaijan in different
times, Mr. Rumsfeld said he is pleased with cooperation in the
military sphere, and appreciated Azerbaijan’s participation in
anti-terror coalition.
The cooperation between two countries in numerous fields, including
in the field of energy, develops and enhances, President of
Azerbaijan said.
Donald Rumsfeld highly valued participation of Azerbaijan in ensuring
safety in different world countries, emphasizing its active
cooperation in the frame of NATO Individual Activity Program.
In the meeting, also focused were issues of current status of
negotiations on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
regional cooperation and other questions of mutual interest.

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
April 29 2006
Knowledge of European Legislation and Exchange of Experience To Speed
Up the Process of Euro Integration

On April 28 Hranush Hakobyan, Chairwoman of the NA Standing Committee
on Science, Education, Culture and Youth received Jûrgen Binder,
TACIS programme councilor, lawyer. The latter informed that the
TACIS has started to fulfill a new programme from March, the goal of
which is to familiarize the citizens of Armenia, especially the youth
with the European legislation, which will more promote Armenia’s Euro
integration. Mr. Binder expressed a hope that the Armenian Parliament
as a legislative body, will politically assist to their initiative
for ensuring the continuity of the programme.
Mrs. Hakobyan, Committee Chairwoman expressed readiness to assist
that important programme, proposing Mr. Binder to discuss the issue
in the committee, organize roundtables, lectures and after informing
about it, having young specialists and active students, prepare
specialists for European legislation. As Mrs. Hakobyan assessed, the
propaganda of European political culture and introduction to its
legislation will further specify our future steps towards Euro
integration.
Both sides decided to present concrete proposals in connection with
the ways of the parliament’s assistance at the next meeting.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 29 2006
Samad Seyidov: `Information on existence of secret prisons in
Azerbaijan is absurd’
[ 29 Apr. 2006 17:08 ]
`Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) will discuss not
only results of May elections, but also entire November elections in
June session. This discussion is of importance and necessity to US,’
head Azerbaijani delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov told journalists
(APA).
Mr. Seyidov said that during June session it is also necessary to
organize gathering of Azerbaijani and Armenian members of PACE
sub-commission on Nagorno Garabagh.
`We should convince them that what Azerbaijan’s stance is and how our
stance is supported by international organizations’.
Mr. Seyidov also touched on possibility of amnesty act before June
session.
`We are dealing with all problems concerning human rights. As for
concrete steps, we can consider it’.
Seyidov said that information that there are secret prisons in
Azerbaijan is groundless.
`We have referred the report on this issue to Council of Europe.
Information on existence of secret prisons in Azerbaijan is absurd’.
/APA/

The New Anatolian, Turkey
April 29 2006
Armenian lobby blasts Bush over refusal to say ‘genocide’

The Armenian diaspora in the U.S. is criticizing President W. Bush
for not using the term “genocide” during his speech Monday to
commemorate the controversial events of 1915.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) accused Bush of not
keeping his promises to Armenians on April 24, the date they claim as
the commemoration of the genocide claims, in a written statement
Thursday.
“Despite the request of more than 200 U.S. Congress members for Bush
to morally clarify the issue through his statement on April 24, the
president didn’t keep his promise and declined to define the event as
the Armenian ‘genocide’,” ANCA said.
The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), another prominent Armenian
association in the U.S., also criticized his statements, saying,
“We’re deeply disappointed because the act which aimed at
annihilating Armenians wasn’t described as ‘genocide.'”
More than 20 Congress members participated in a ceremony to
commemorate the Armenian claims of genocide held at the Congress on
Thursday and the participants accused Turkey of “denial.”
During his annual speech to mark April 24, following both his own
practice and that of past presidents, Bush didn’t use the term
“genocide,” but said instead, “Today we’re remembering one of the
horrible tragedies of the 20th century.” Describing the controversial
events as a “tragedy” for all humanity and one “that we and the world
must never forget,” Bush said, “We mourn this terrible chapter in
history and recognize that it remains a source of pain for people in
Armenia and for all those who believe in freedom, tolerance, and the
dignity and value of every human life. It’s a credit to the human
spirit and the generations of Armenians who live in Armenia, the U.S.
and around the globe that they’ve overcome this suffering and proudly
preserved their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion.”
Bush also called on Turks and Armenians to forge a dialogue in order
to normalize their relations.
The Armenian diaspora accuses the Ottoman Empire of deliberately
massacring up to 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1919. Turkey
stresses that these figures are inflated and says that far fewer
Armenians died, due to civil unrest under the conditions of World War
I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey also claims that
during the ethnic conflict, thousands of Turks were also killed by
Armenian militants.
Ankara and Yerevan are at odds over the Armenian claims of genocide.
To break the deadlock, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
last year suggested the establishment of a committee of Turkish and
Armenian historians to study the claims, in a letter sent to Armenian
President Robert Kocharian. But Kocharian refused Erdogan’s proposal,
saying that the two countries must first establish diplomatic
relations and that committees could be formed only within the process
of normalization of relations.

Assyrian International News Agency
April 29 2006
Threats Force Cancellation of Assyrian Genocide Conference in Holland
(AINA) — A conference on the 1915-1918 Turkish genocide of
Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians was cancelled because of threats
received by the speakers. The conference, scheduled for April 27, was
organized by Foundation Assyria Netherlands and the Jewish St.
Synagogue in the city of Enschede.
In the last 10 days numerous anonymous threats were received by the
conference. Mr. Z. Alsan, a Turkish national, was to speak on why
Turkey denied the Genocide. Dr. H. Hirschfeld, from the Centrum for
Information en Documentation Israel, was to speak on why the Jewish
genocide has been recognized. Prof. Johannes Houwink ten Cate, of the
university in Amsterdam, was to speak on the nature and recognition
of genocide. Dr. M. Beth Arsan, an Assyrian from Holland, was to
speak on why the Assyrians want recognition of the genocide.
Citing the threats, the organizers cancelled the conference after all
four speakers withdrew their participation. Mr. Aslan received the
most threats. He has spoken on the genocide on previous occasions,
but this time the threats were so numerous and intense he was forced
to cancel his appearance. Some of the threats came directly from
Turkey.
The conference was largely financed by the Provincial Parliament
Overijssel, which desired to stimulate the debate between Assyrians
and Turks on this issue.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 29 2006
Abbas Abbasov: `Tension in Armenia-Azerbaijan talks compels
strengthening of our strategical positions’
[ 29 Apr. 2006 14:19 ]
Kazakhstan prime minister, Danial Akhmetov will also take part in the
meeting of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to be held on May
5 in Azerbaijan. According to first deputy prime minister of
Azerbaijan, Abbas Abbasov, within the frame of the visit the guest is
expected to meet with Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and Prime
Minister Arthur Rasizadeh, as well as will participate in cornerstone
laying ceremony of grain terminal of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan joint
venture. (APA)
Abbas Abbasov giving comment on the issues of importing Kazakhstan
grain to Azerbaijan being met with dissatisfaction by local
entrepreneurs, he said this project is implemented aimed at
regulating the inner market: `Construction of grain terminal will be
enough to Azerbaijan. We are a country living in war condition, it is
15 years that 20% of Azerbaijani lands are under occupation, and
talks’ being in tension in this direction compels us to strengthen
our positions. The government is concerned in provision of grain
resources in Azerbaijan.’
It should be noted that, today next meeting of inter-governments
committee on Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan economic cooperation was held in
Baku. Issue of paying Azerbaijani debt to Kazakhstan has also been
discussed in the meeting of the committee. According to Mr.Abbasov,
establishing of working group has been decided to investigate this
issue. `The date of the debt has already passed 13-14 years, and
financial and bank organizations of both countries should work on
this issue seriously. All documents being prepared should be
submitted to both countries’ co-chairs.’/APA/

RIA Novosti, Russia
April 29 2006
Armenia’s foreign trade turnover in 1Q06 hits $606.4 mln, up 7%
13:20 | 29/ 04/ 2006

YEREVAN, April 29 (RIA Novosti, Gamlet Matevosyan) – Armenia’s
foreign trade turnover in January-March 2006 was at $606.4 million,
up 7% on 2005, the National Statistics Service said Saturday.
Exports were worth $184.4 mln and imports $422 mln.
Armenia’s foreign trade deficit in January-March 2006 was $237.6 mln.
Germany accounted for the largest share of Armenian exports (18.3%),
followed by the Netherlands (15.5%), Belgium (13.1%), Russia (10.3%),
Israel (9%), Georgia (6.5%), and the United States (6.47%).
Most of Armenia’s imports came from Russia (13.2%), followed by
Ukraine (9.7%) Turkmenistan (7.8%), Germany (6.9%), Belgium (6.5%),
Israel (5.7%), and the United States (4.9%).

AsiaNews.it, Italy
April 29 2006
Humanitarian, exposition of human rights violations, starts today

Asia will also come under the spotlight in the nine-day event in
Valmontone, near Rome, with a focus on Cambodia (encounter with
Philip Short, the author of the books Pol Pot and Mao), China
(encounter with Fr Bernardo Cervellera, director of AsiaNews and
author of the book Missione China (Mission China), Tibet (encounter
with Ugo Papi, president of the association Friends of Tibet and
Marialaura Di Mattia Polichetti, Indo-Tibetologist).

Rome (AsiaNews) – Violated human rights will be the major theme of
`Humanitarian’, a nine-day event that will tackle genocides, women’s
and children’s rights, torture and the death penalty, arms
trafficking, wars, hunger and poverty, the struggle against AIDS and
poetry.
The manifestation will be held in Valmontone – in the province of
Rome – from today, 29 April until Sunday 7 May. It includes times of
research and reflection interspersed with theatre, music, cinema and
dance. Throughout the event, documentaries, videos, photo exhibitions
and artistic shows will be featured.
Many governmental and non-governmental organizations that safeguard
human rights in Italy and the rest of the world will take part in all
stages of the event – elaboration of the programme, interventions,
exhibitions, and video materials. Some of the organizations are:
ActionAid International, Amnesty International – Italian section,
Italian Refugee Council, the inter-ministerial committee for human
rights, the Italian Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, Hands off
Cain, Save the Children Italy, Terre des hommes Italy, Unicef Italy,
and the International Voluntary Association for Development.
The event will be opened on Saturday by Aldo Forbice, creator and
director of Humanitarian and by Giovanni Conso, chairman of the
honorary committee. The chairpersons and directors of organizations
taking part in Humanitarian will be present, together with Italian
and European MPs.
The opening will be followed by a concert of Grazia Di Michele.
Sunday will focus on genocides of today and yesterday: there will be
testimonies, film clips and commentaries about the Armenian genocide,
the Shoah, the gulag, Chechnya, Rwanda and Darfur. Space will be
allotted to Asia, with a focus on Cambodia (encounter with Philip
Short, the author of the books Pol Pot and Mao); China (encounter
with Fr Bernardo Cervellera, director of AsiaNews and author of the
book Missione China – Mission China); Tibet (encounter with Ugo Papi,
president of the association Friends of Tibet and Marialaura Di
Mattia Polichetti, Indo-Tibetologist); Iran, with testimonies of ex
political prisoners, and Iranian dissidents.
>From Monday onwards, it will be time for shows, debates and
exhibitions, like `A world of rights’ by Amnesty International that
aims to be a key to the theme of the interdependence of all human
tights, revealing links between civil and political rights on the one
hand and economic and social rights on the other. The initiative will
analyze current problems like fundamental rights, the impact of
economic choices on the world of nature and human societies, the
right to peace and how this is threatened by economic interests, the
arms trade, identity and self-determination of peoples.

Zaman, Turkey
April 29 2006
Bush Guarantees Aliyev Peaceful Iranian Solution
By Foreign News Desk, Istanbul
Published: Saturday, April 29, 2006
zaman.com
Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliev, who paid a critical visit to
Washington at a time when the nuclear row still continues, met US
President George W. Bush yesterday.
Regional security, the Upper Karabag (Karabagh) under Armenian
occupation, energy issues, and the Iranian crisis were handled in the
talk that took place at the White House.
Bush guaranteed Aliyev the solving of the Iranian problem in
diplomatic and peaceful ways, as Aliyev said Azerbaijan will not join
a possible strike against Iran.
Bush appreciates Baku’s troop contribution in Iraq; stressing the
importance that US ally Azerbaijan should remain fully briefed on
developments in the region.
Azeris are grateful for the United States’ undertaking a leadership
role to support energy security in the region, said Aliyev. “I am
sure our strategic relationships will be reinforced in the future.”
According to Aliyev, President Bush and he mainly discussed the
Armenian occupation in the Upper Karabag (Karabagh) in their talks.