KOCHARIAN TO TAKE PART IN CELEBRATION OF 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF NKR DECLARATION
Pan Armenian News
01.09.2005 07:27
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian will visit
Nagorno Karabakh September 2 to take part in festivities marking
the 14th anniversary of the declaration of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. It should be noted that a program worked out by a special
governmental commission provides for festivities in Nagorno Karabakh
September 2. These will begin with a liturgy in Kazanchetsots church
of Shushi town. The first lesson in general education institutions of
the Republic will mark this date. MPs, republic government members
will take part in these. Authority and public representatives will
visit Stepanakert memorial complex to pay tribute to those killed in
the course of the Karabakh national liberation movement.
Russian stars are also planned to be invited to take part in a
traditional concert in Rebirth Square in the center of the NKR
capital. Sport events will also be organized. The festivities will
finish with fireworks, reported IA Regnum.

OPENING ARGENTINEAN EMBASSY WILL STRENGTHEN BILATERAL RELATIONS
Pan Armenian News
01.09.2005 07:16
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian the other day met
with Argentinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade
and Religion Rafael Antonio Bielsa, reported the Press Service of
the Armenian MFA. Welcoming the high rank guest, V. Oskanian noted
the importance of development of Armenian-Argentinean relations,
their strengthening and presence of Argentine in the region of the
South Caucasus. The parties discussed the current state and the
prospects of development of bilateral relations, noted the need for
political dialogue and activation of mutual visits to solve issues
of mutual interest. The parties also noted the large role of the
Armenian community of Argentine in the friendly relations of the two
countries. Thereupon, V. Oskanian welcomed the presence of Argentinean
capital in the Armenian economy, specifically the notable investment of
Corporation America Consortium Eduardo Eurnekian in Zvartnots Yerevan
airport. The parties also touched upon some international issues
referring to the UN reform. V. Oskanian also briefed his colleague
on the latest developments in the Karabakh settlement. The parties
noted the importance of the opening of the Argentinean Embassy in
Armenia to strengthen and develop the political, trade and economic
relations. At the end of the meeting the Ministers signed a number
of bilateral agreements on cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN MOD HEAD: CONSTITUTION IS MAIN DOCUMENT OF COUNTRY SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Pan Armenian News
01.09.2005 06:42
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “If the referendum over the Constitution in
Armenia fails, I will not consider that the people have expressed
their distrust to the incumbent authorities: as you remember, there
were referendums in European countries that were not adopted either,
however this was not evaluated as distrust to the authorities.” This
statement was made by Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
today. “Trust or distrust of the authorities is a relative concept,
as 50.1% may trust something, while 49.9% may distrust it.
The Constitution is the main document of the country that should
be subject to changes as time goes by. The draft of course
includes provisions that is desired to touch upon, however on the
whole the option is acceptable,” Sargsyan noted. The head of the
Armenian MOD commented over the critical statements of opposition
forces in the Parliament, voiced within the second reading of the
draft amendments. “The criticism by the opposition was of course
expected. The attacked of myself, as well as the Republican Party
were also expected. However, the coalition was not silent, trying to
explain the essence of the changes in every way possible for them
to be understandable to our people. I think within this period the
task of making the main point of the referendum clear to the society
is available. Touching upon statements of National Unity opposition
party leader Artashes Geghamyan, the head of the Armenian MOD noted,
“Geghamyan, as usual, has tried to say something, however I did not
listen to him. He is a liar and talebearer, at that he is an idle
man, who also panics. I do not know what is the reason for his panic,
probably his recurrent proposal on cooperation was turned down. It
seems to him that he is the hub of the universe, though neither me, nor
other state officials, proceeding from our national dignity, did not
allow ourselves, as Geghamyan stated, to discuss either Geghamyan’s or
another one’s person with Russian or European colleagues,” S. Sargsyan
noted, reported IA Regnum.

NORWAY OFFICIALS VISIT AZERBAIJAN
Azerbaijan News Service
Aug 31 2005
The official Oslo attaches great significance to issues related to
holding fair and transparent elections in Azerbaijan, the Norway’s
state secretary Kim Trovik stated on 31 August on arrival in Baku,
Trend reports. Kim Trovik noted, the purpose of the visit is
development of the Azerbaijani-Norwegian cooperation, discussion
of regional issues, in particular, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
settlement and implementation of regional projects. He reminded, the
Norwegian “Statoil” is one of the largest investors into the oil and
gas sector of Azerbaijan, voicing the hope, that bilateral economic
relations will develop also in future. As for the Norway’s stance on
the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Trovik noted,
the official Oslo attaches great significance to issues, related to
holding parliamentary elections in conformity with the international
standards. Commenting on the position of the Norwegian government on
the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Minister noted,
“Norway supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk group and stands for
continuation of peace talks”. “The official Oslo is rather optimistic
and hopes, the meetings of Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will
bring positive results in the end”, the Minister underscored.
“Holding democratic elections is one of the commitments assumed by
Baku for the Council of Europe and other international organizations.
Undoubtedly, results of the voting are the sovereign choice of the
people of Azerbaijan. However, we stand for all candidates to create
equal conditions”, Trovik said, reminding, 6 short-term and 3 long-term
observers will be involved in the monitoring of the elections. Touching
upon the issue of implementation of the project for supporting the
South Caucasus states, performed by the Norwegian government together
with UNDP, the diplomat noted, that within the project Azerbaijan,
Armenia and Georgia will be allocated totally 10 million of USD
till the end of 2007. “One third of this amount will be given to
Azerbaijan”, Trovik noted, adding thanks to development of cooperation
between Oslo and Baku large investments were made in the Azerbaijan’s
economy. “For today, the government of Norway elaborates a number of
new joint projects in regard to Azerbaijan”, the state secretary said,
noting that joint cooperation presupposes implementation of programs
in the development of democratic institution, energy projects, as well
as measures on support of refugees and internally displaced persons.

AZERBAIJAN TO LIBERATE ITS LAND BY FORCE – DEFENCE MINISTER
ANS TV, Baku
1 Sep 05
Azerbaijan is capable of liberating its occupied land and we shall
do this if the status quo remains unchanged, Azerbaijani Defence
Minister Safar Abiyev said at a meeting with the British ambassador
to Azerbaijan, Laurie Bristow.
The minister said that Armenia is an occupying state and all the
countries of the world should certainly acknowledge and confirm
this and put pressure on Armenia in order to liberate Azerbaijan’s
occupied lands. Abiyev believes that if the conflict is not solved,
the Azerbaijani people will decide to solve it themselves.
British ambassador Laurie Bristow said that he had deeply learned
the essence of the conflict in two years of his diplomatic work
in Azerbaijan and is well aware of it. President Aliyev’s direct
involvement in the Karabakh settlement is a rational move and
Azerbaijan is working successfully on the settlement of the conflict.
Britain supports President Ilham Aliyev’s strategic policy of resolving
the conflict and considers that the problem should be solved in line
with international norms of law. A fair solution to the problem also
meets London’s interests, end quote.

AZERI COURT RELEASES WOULD-BE KARABAKH GUERRILLA
Assa-Irada
31 Aug 05
Baku, 31 August: A hearing of the cases of 10 “Karabakh guerrillas”,
which was adjourned on 30 August, was held today.
The Supreme Court’s judge Reyqam Huseynov ruled that Ruslan Aliyev
[one of the imprisoned would-be Karabakh guerrillas] be released. He
also reduced Rustam Asgarov’s imprisonment term to six months,
Musviq Qurbanov’s term to two years and the other prisoners’ terms
to one year.
The court did not hear the cases of two guerrillas, Xizir Marqasvili
and Vusal Isayev.
[Passage omitted: the Karabakh Liberation Organization expressed its
dissatisfaction with the ruling]

CROSSFIRE WAR: AZERBAIJAN/ARMENIA – BAKU ACCUSES YEREVAN OF VIOLATING CEASEFIRE
By Willard Payne
NewsBlaze, CA
Sept 2 2005
Night Watch: BAKU – The government of Azerbaijan has made another
accusation against Armenia for subjecting Azerbaijan border units to
machine gun fire.
This is why the Caucasus is more of a flashpoint than even the
Balkans. Capitals in the area, along with Moscow, in an attempt
to restore its sphere of influence, will use the conflict to their
advantage. Tehran signed substantial defense agreements with Azerbaijan
earlier this year, as this site reported, while Ankara operates in
tandem with Tehran.
To counter this the Berlin-Moscow concern could increase their
cooperation with Yerevan, if not already, and direct Washington’s
attention in this area. The Allies may view Armenia as a position of
resistance to the Islamic world’s effort to control the economy of
the Caucasus region.

RA PRESIDENT: ARMENIA IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE RELIABLE REAR FOR ARTSAKH
ARKA News Agency
Sept 1 2005
YEREVAN, September1. /ARKA/. The RA President sent his congratulations
with the 14th anniversary of NKR Independence, RA Presidential
Press-Service reports. The Letter of Congratulation says that “the
historical choice is irreversible. The progress of the Army, state
structures, economy and the whole strengthening of the NKR testifies
to this”. Kocharyan pointed out that “Armenia is and always will
be the reliable rear for Artsakh”. “We will do all the possible to
approach to the fair settlement of the conflict, and will work in
this direction, remaining devoted to the peaceful solution of Nagorno
Karabakh problem”, Kocharyan said. A.A. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONFERENCE OF SOCIAL INVESTMENT FOUNDATIONS TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2005
ARKA News Agency
Sept 1 2005
YEREVAN, September1. /ARKA/. The conference of the Social Investment
Foundations (SIF) will be held in Yerevan on September 13-15, 2005 in
Yerevan, Head of the World Bank Yerevan Office Roger Robinson told
journalists. He said that the conference will be dedicated to the
10th anniversary of the Social Investment Foundation of Armenia. He
reported that Heads of SIFs from all over the world, particularly
from Latin America, Asia, Africa and CIS will participate in this
conference. “For the first time in world’s practice such an event
will be held in Yerevan, and I believe this fact shows that other
countries can learn from our experience”, Robinson said. He said that
SIF of Armenia work at a high level and this level will improve in
future as well.
SIF of Armenia program is the first program developed in CIS. A.A.

AZERI DEFENCE MINISTER: “AZERBAIJAN IS READY TO LIBERATE OWN LANDS”
Azerbaijan News Service
Sept 1 2005
“Azerbaijan has power to liberate own lands, and if it continues
so we will liberate our occupied territories”, said Azeri Defense
Minister Safar Abiev while meeting Ambassador of Great Britain to
Azerbaijan Lori Bristou and Commander of British Military Advice-
Trains Group Hyu Pyorcell. Azeri Minister added, “Armenia is an
occupier. All countries should see, confirm and it and take measures
in the direction of immediate withdrawal from those lands.” Said Safar
Abiev. According to him, if the problem is not solved immediately,
Azerbaijan People will make decision to solve the Problem. British
Ambassador said he understands the problem very well due to his
two-year service in Azerbaijan. “President Ilham Aliev’s participation
in the negotiations is a rational event. Azerbaijan works successfully
to solve the Problem. Great Britain supports Ilham Aliev’s strategical
course on the problem settlement and the Problem should be resolved
within the framework of International Law. Fair settlement of the
Problem is also in London’s interests.”, said Lori Bristou.