OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS INTEND TO MAKE A TOUR OF REGION IN MAY
Author: E.Husseynov
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs intend to make a tour of the region
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in May, Trend reports citing Bernard
Facie, the Minsk Group co-chair from France, as stating ATV.
According to Facie, the separate visits by the Minsk Group co-chairs
to the region are aimed at rapprochement of the conflict sides. He
expressed hope that the visit would promote the new stage of the
negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Facie noted that mediators
made much, but no progress was achieved at the meeting of presidents
in Rambue. The same time
he voiced hope for establishment of new opportunities in the
negotiations that would open a way for new meetings of the Azerbaijani
and Armenian President.
The French co-chair stated he arrived in Baku with exact proposals,
but cannot publicize them. Besides, he added that there was no
anything new in the proposals. According to Facie, the Minsk Group
can only offer new ideas and help to achievement of peace by this
way. He also underlined that responsibility for coming to agreement
was on the conflict sides and it was impossible to achieve without
decisiveness of the sides.
It should be mentioned that in the morning Facie had negotiations with
Elmar Mammadyarov, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister. The meeting was
held behind closed doors and no statement was made as a result of it.

AZERBAIJAN’S PRESIDENT TO DISCUSS GARABAGH PROBLEM IN HIS VISIT TO US
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
“Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the United States
scheduled for 28 April has long been planned. During the visit,
bilateral issues between the two countries will be discussed,”
Ali Hasanov, head of Presidential Administration socio-political
department told journalists.
Mr.Hasanov said that President Aliyev will have talks with US President
George Bush.
“Measures are being implemented in the field of uniting our efforts to
solve global world, energy and other issues as well as establishing
peace in a number of hot spots of the world in cooperation with
the United States,” Hasanov said. “We are jointly cooperating in
energy and transport projects in the Caspian Sea basin. The US also
supports Azerbaijan’s integration into world unions. There exists a
close cooperation between several NGOs, democratic institutions of
the US and Azerbaijan with regard to democratization and protection
of humans rights,” he added.
During the visit, the discussions will focus on Azerbaijan-US both
bilateral and international relations as well as regional relations
in the South Caucasus and Eurasia.
Hasanov also said the United States as co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group
will focus attention on preserve of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
“The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents at Rambouillet,
and talks between the Minsk Group co-chairs and the Presidents before
that have represented certain positive nuances. We strongly want
that the problem be solved this year. We want main principles to be
put forward and pressures be exerted on the sides to agree to these
principles. Truth is known, Armenia has occupied the territories of
Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has the right to liberate its territories.
Actions will be taken about that. We not only expect the United States
and Minsk Group co-chairing countries but also have confidence in them
to exert pressure on Armenia. Who is responsible for implementation
of the UN Resolution? If Russia, France, US ignore it the OSCE Minsk
Group is pointless institution then. It is natural that the United
States does not want that the war break out in the South Caucasus,
we do no want it either. We do not want our oil revenues to be spent
on war. However, for the sake of liberation of our territories we’ll
mobilize not only oil revenues but also family incomes. It is important
to put pressure on Armenia to prevent war,” Hasanov emphasized.
The head of the department do not think that the Azerbaijan- US talks
will also focus on Iran issue. He said Iran and US will decide their
relations themselves.
“This issue concerns these two countries. We have relations with the
US as well as with Iran. Our citizens have close contact with Iran,”
he concluded.

NK MP: COORDINATED NATURE OF AZERBAIJANI EXTERNAL PROPAGANDA SPEAKS OF ABSENCE OF DEMOCRACY
Regnum, Russia
April 11 2006
“I would not say that we lose in the propagandist war to Azerbaijan.
The thing is, by us the external propaganda is not coordinated by
the authorities, as it is done in the neighboring republic. This
demonstrates that there is no democracy in Azerbaijan. Media in Nagorno
Karabakh can have different opinions on one and the same issue, which
shows the democratic nature of society. Under the authoritarian rule
in Azerbaijan this is practically impossible,” Chairman of the Constant
Commission on External of the Nagorno Karabakh National Assembly Vagram
Atanesyan is quoted as saying by a REGNUM correspondent in Stepanakert.
The MP stressed the role of the parliamentary commission in propaganda
of NKR interests, in examining the facts of violence against citizens
of the Nagorno Karabakh Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic by Azerbaijan. He added the commission’s task is to “study
and submit to the international community facts of criminal policy
by Azerbaijan against peaceful settlements in Nagorno Karabakh, in
particular, ethnic purges in the city of Shushi in 1988, facts of
violence and other crimes carried committed during the so-called ‘ID
check’, The Ring operation held jointly by the Azerbaijani Special
Police Forces, internal troops by the USSR Interior Ministry and
USSR Defense Ministry in April-May 1991, facts of appalling massacre
in the village of Maraga, Martakert District, NKR, military crimes
in Shaumyan Dustrict, parts of Martakert and Askeran Districts,
NKR, occupied now by Azerbaijan, and all other criminal actions of
Azerbaijani armed troops towards civil population of Nagorno Karabakh.”
One of the main tasks of the propaganda, believes the MP, is informing
the international community on the essence of the national liberation
fight by the Karabakh people.

PACE REPRESENTATIVES REVIEWED THE BOOK ‘SERIES OF TRUE FACTS ABOUT KARABAKH’ AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE AZERBAIJANI MP
Author: R. Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
‘Series of true facts about Karabakh ‘books have been distributed by
the MP, Ganira Pashayeva on April 11 at Strasbourg spring session of
PACE at the initiative of the Azerbaijani delegation.
The books published by the Heydar Aliyev foundation, have been
distributed both among the CE members and representatives of the
mass media.
Those way members of the Azerbaijani delegation of PACE keep the world
community aware about the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by
Armenia, the MP said.
“The book is based upon the true story and it retells about the
Armenian- Azerbaijani conflict and in particular about the conditions
thousands of refuges are living in,” she concluded.

POLAND DESIRES NAGORNO-GARABAGH CONFLICT TO SETTLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
Mahmud Mammadguliyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs received
the Polish delegation led by Peter Vozniak, Minister of Economy of
Poland. Press-Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
informed.
Polish guests shared their impressions about Azerbaijan, and they
exchanged views related available situation in the country, and
perspectives on development. Peter Vozniak informed that Poland
attaches importance to Caspian Sea region with rich natural
resources, as well as the Republic of Azerbaijan. He stated
directly that Poland is interested in regulation of relationship
with Azerbaijan. M. Mammadguliyev, in turn, expressed a confidence to
development of bilateral relations having great potential. He informed
that the both Embassies make all possible efforts for organizing
more efficient activity on this direction. Deputy Minister told that
Azerbaijan being on path to integration into Europe and Euro-Atlantic
organizations, acceded to the EU New Neighborhood Policy, and is being
implemented multilateral discussions for development of Action Plan
within its framework. M. Mammadguliyev informed that Azerbaijan is
preparing for accession to the World Trade Organization, and said
that Azerbaijan has certain economic, legal and natural-geographic
conditions for that. According to him, very soon the Diplomatic
Academy to operate education as well as scientific-research center
will launch. In this regard, M. Mammadguliyev offered to cooperate
with appropriate organizations of the Poland. Pending debates on
Nagorno-Garabagh conflict Deputy Minister said that Azerbaijan is
for conflict settlement by peaceful meanings in accordance with the
International law norms but within the framework of adherence to
the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. In turn, Mr. Peter Vozniak
expressed a hope for conflict settlement as soon as possible. Kszysztov
Kraevski, the Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Poland
to Azerbaijan attended the meeting.
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907 AMENDMENT BECAME INVALID
Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democracy, ELection & Human Rights in Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
Official Baku is not concerned with 907 Amendment to the Act of
Freedom of the US Constitution. Araz Azimov, Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan informed.
“This amendment lost its force. That every year the US President
freezes the 907 amendment is an open caution for the Congress. Thus,
Congressmen adopted in due time “907” amendment against Azerbaijan,
have been already unmasked”, informed A. Azimov. This amendment was
adopted due to supposedly in 1992 Azerbaijan “blockaded Armenia”. The
document banned the US to assist to Azerbaijan on any level.
Later the 11 September 2001 events the Congress took into consideration
Azerbaijan’s accession to anti terror coalition, and raised a question
concerning elimination of this amendment before the President. Since
ever annually, the White House submits this issue to discussion,
but do not withdraw the document.
A.Azimov informed that however, he does not precisely when at last, to
happen, but thinks that the Congress won’t turn off the elected path.
“We are already receiving the US aid. Currently we observe when the
White House just is forced to withdraw this document. Otherwise,
it will be forced to deal with Pentagon, as it closely cooperates
with Azerbaijan”, A.Azimov concluded.
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COMMITTEE TO PROTECT SAFAROV’S RIGHTS DEMANDS DELAY OF HIS TRIAL
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
The Committee to Protect Ramil Safarov’s rights held a press conference
today (APA).
Head of the Committee Akif Naghi said that the court proceedings
against Azerbaijani Army officer Ramil Safarov is going to be over
in Budapest and expressed his dissatisfaction of the unpleasant trial.
He thinks the Budapest city court is influenced by Armenian lobby
and therefore will not pass a fair verdict on the Azerbaijani officer.
So, the Committee demands postponement of the trial fixed to 13 April
and replacement of the court staff.
The Committee also considers that Azerbaijan’s parliament should
contact the Hungary’s parliament and leave for Budapest as soon
as possible. In addition, the Azerbaijani parliament should hold
a debate on Safarov’s case at Hungarian parliament, a large media
group should be departed to Budapest, and his extradition should be
achieved irrespective of the verdict on him.

CALL TO PKK TO LAY DOWN ARMS
New Anatolian, Turkey
April 11 2006
Ankara
Over 130 deputies from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) signed a joint statement on Monday calling on
the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to “immediately and
unconditionally” lay down its arms.
The statement prepared by Turkish parliamentarians was backed by
more than 100 other deputies, including ones from Greece, Armenia,
and Russia.
Turkish Deputy and Justice and Development (AK) Party member Murat
Mercan told The New Anatolian in a telephone interview on Monday that
statement will be released today with a press conference. Mercan said
that it had been prepared by the support of all Turkish deputies and
so far has been signed by around 130 PACE members.
The written declaration says that terrorism poses one of the greatest
threats to international peace and security, as well as to democratic
institutions. The statement follows:
“The source of terrorism cuts across political, geographic and
religious boundaries. It cannot be identified with any religion,
culture or ethnic origin.
“Terrorism violates full enjoyment of one of the most fundamental
human rights, the right to life.
“Terrorism cannot have any justification under any pretext.
“We are mindful that terrorism threatens European countries, resulting
in violent attacks perpetrated in Spain, the Russian Federation and
the UK.
“We also condemn and reject the violent activities of PKK/Kongra-Gel
[Kurdistan People’s Congress, another name for the PKK] terrorist
organization which has recently escalated its criminal activities
which resulted in loss of life and material damage in Turkey.
“We ask the PKK/Kongra-Gel to stop its terrorist activities immediately
and unconditionally and lay down arms. All political demands and
aspirations must be channeled through democratic process.”
In related news, PACE President Rene van der Linden said yesterday
that the incidents in southeastern Turkey last week occurred as a
result of provocation by the separatist, terrorist PKK.
Linden, during a press conference marking the opening of PACE’s General
Council meetings, said they think the PKK is behind the incidents in
the southeast. “The PKK is a terrorist organization and it’s on the
European Union’s blacklist. We condemn PKK terrorism,” he added.

CE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ISSUE ON NEW OCCUPATION PLANS OF ARMENIA IN S CAUCASUS
Author: R.Abdullayev
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
MP Rafael Huseynov, an Azerbaijani parliamentary representative to
the PACE, has prepared an official inquiry to the CE Ministerial
Committee, which will be finally discussed on the level of permanent
representatives. Huseynov told about it a correspondent of Trend,
who was dispatched to Strasbourg to cover the PACE spring session.
The document titled “New occupation plans by Arena, an aggressor
country, which seriously damages stability and progress in South
Caucasus’ has been submitted to the CE Secretariat.
“A special CE resolution 1416, dated 2005, notes that Armenia pursued
an ethnic cleansing policy in respect to Azerbaijan. Recently the
country has anew intensified the military actions in the conflict zone,
which indicates to the development of new aggression plans.
Armenian calls 7 districts occupied around Nagorno-Karabakh as a
‘buffer zone’. Armenia fires the Azerbaijani territory which is 100km
far from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and by this way extends
the perimeter of the conflict. The population of border regions
is imposed to great danger. On the other hand, Armenia ahs started
openly stating on the plans of occupation of Nakhchivan. Specific
military and intelligence bodies have been established in Armenia in
this respect and they try spread disinformation on the destruction
of Armenian tombs in Nakhchivan and by this way try to lay grounds
for territorial claims,” the document reads.
The situation causes a question: “What discussions and steps can be
taken within the framework of the CE Ministerial Committee to prevent
threats coming out from Armenia, which has been officially recognized
by the CE as an aggressor country?”
Huseynov said that the issue will be considered shortly and publicized
it as an official document of the PACE.
A written letter will be officially submitted to the consideration
of the CE Ministerial Committee on 11 April 2006.

MINISTER OF DEFENCE MEETS NATO SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 11 2006
On april 10, Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Safar
Abiyev met with Robert Simons, the NATO Secretary General’s special
representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Minister Abiyev said Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with NATO
successfully fulfilling its obligations under the Individual
Partnership Action Plan (IPAP).
He noted Azerbaijan’s aim is to integrate into European security
structures, but the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
prevents Azerbaijan-NATO relations from developing.
Robert Simons said Azerbaijan-NATO relations have big prospects and
IPAP would give an impetus to the improvement of Azerbaijan’s defence.
Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Mr. Simons said NATO espouses
peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Safar Abiyev also noted Armenia has been violating all international
norms.
“The international community should press Armenia on this dispute.
Azerbaijan will itself restore its territorial integrity if the
problem is not peacefully solved”, Mr. Abiyev added.
They also discussed the military-plitical situation in the South
Caucasus as well as prospects of Azerbaijan-NATO relations and
participation of Azerbaijan in peacemaking operations.