ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON DISPATCH OF ARMENIAN
PEACEMAKERS TO IRAQ

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25. ARMINFO. Armenian parliamentarians divided in
their opinion on dispatch of Armenian peacemakers to Iraq.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaksutiun), Orinants Yerkir
and United Labor party refrained from unveiling their dispositions
until the parliamentary discussions. The opposition, on the other hand,
openly opposes the dispatch. The deputy chair of National Unity Alexan
Karapetian stated that Armenian communities in Iraq will be endangered
upon the dispatch of peacemakers to Iraq. However, he said Armenia
should not be “tough” while refusing US to send its soldiers because
it may have negative aftereffects on relations. Armenia should try to
explain that the action will put thousands of lives under danger. In
his tern, the secretary of the Block Justice Viktor Dalakian reiterated
that the opposition is categorically against the dispatch of soldiers
to Iraq. He even said that the opposition may appear in the parliament
while the issue is being discussed.

The president of the country has applied to the Constitutional Court
for a ruling on the dispatch of 50 Armenian peacemakers to Iraq within
a Polish battalion. If the Constitutional Court decides that there are
no contradictions with the constitutional norms, the final decision
to dispatch the peacemaker will stay with the parliament. -A-

RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN CIS
SIGNATORIES

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25. ARMINFO. Russian Defense Minister Sergey
Ivanov is for development of military cooperation between the CIS
signatory-states. The minister made this statement opening the session
of the CIS Defense Ministers Council, RIA “Novosti” reports.

The analysis of development of CIS cooperation testifies that
our states have faced the imperative of unification of efforts
for struggle against terrorism and protection of the international
community from this evil, Ivanov said. The session will pay a special
attention to long-term cooperation, in particular, to the Draft
Concept of CIS Military Cooperation till 2010, the Program of CIS
Military Cooperation till 2010 and a number of long-term documents,
he said. The direction of military cooperation should be developed,
which will allow the signatories to elaborate consistent decision,
taking into account the interests of each country, Sergey Ivanov
said. He added that modernization of national armed forces and their
adjusting to the modern demands must be in the focus of attention.

At the session of the CIS Defense Ministers Council Armenia is
represented by Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia,
Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan.

UN postponed voting on occupied Azeri territories with Baku’s consent – official

Turan news agency
26 Nov 04

Baku, 26 November: The decision to postpone the voting on the draft
resolution on the situation in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories has
been adopted with Azerbaijan’s consent, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov told reporters today, commenting on the results
of the discussions at the UN.

Azerbaijan had not set itself a task to have the draft resolution
adopted on the same day [24 November]. Our main goal was to draw the
attention of the international community to the “artificial” settlement
of Armenians in Azerbaijan’s occupied territories, Azimov said.

As for the voting at the UN, Azerbaijan can return to this issue
at any moment during the 59th session [of the UN General Assembly]
which will last until September 2005.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have supported Azerbaijan’s proposal
to send a mission to the occupied territories to check the facts of
settlement. Meanwhile, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan said
at a meeting in Berlin that Yerevan understands Azerbaijan’s concern
and will take measures. The Armenian side also said it is ready to
resume the talks at the ministerial level.

Azimov said that Armenia’s pull-out from the occupied territories,
the return of the internally displaced people to their homes, the
resumption of communications, as well as Nagornyy Karabakh’s political
status were discussed during the talks in Prague.

Asked which of the occupied districts will be liberated first, Azimov
said that Azerbaijan wants the seven districts surrounding Nagornyy
Karabakh to be liberated. However, it is impossible to do this in
one day, and the issue can be resolved stage by stage, he said.

As for the return of the Azerbaijani population to Nagornyy Karabakh,
Baku insists that Azerbaijanis must be returned to Susa District
and other settlements where they used to live. Baku believes that
the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities [of Nagornyy Karabakh] can
live together under international monitors until Karabakh’s status
is resolved fully, Azimov said.

The Armenians of Nagornyy Karabakh are citizens of Azerbaijan and
Baku is ready to grant them autonomy. Baku is ready to negotiate with
the Armenian population of Nagornyy Karabakh, but to this end “the
foreign occupying army must pull out and the Armenians of Nagornyy
Karabakh must recognize that they are part of Azerbaijan”, he said.

The Armenian community may join the peace talks within the OSCE Minsk
Group, but they may do so in parity with the Azerbaijani community
of Nagornyy Karabakh, Azimov said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Baku backs Council of Europe’s involvement in Karabakh settlement – official

Turan news agency
26 Nov 04

Baku, 26 November: Azerbaijan is in favour of involving the Venice
Commission of the Council of Europe in preparing the status of
Azerbaijan’s Nagornyy Karabakh region, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz
Azimov told reporters today.

“The Venice Commission has very good rights experts. They could come
up with some suggestions on the issue. However, Armenia is against
this,” Azimov said. He expressed his regret that Azerbaijan’s
proposal to this effect was not accepted during the discussions of
David Atkinson’s report on Karabakh at the political committee of
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe [PACE].

Commenting on Azerbaijan’s view of Karabakh’s future, Azimov said that
Baku is ready to grant autonomy to the region. It is up to the central
government to deal with issues related to state attributes, he said.

Azimov said that the region could also be granted economic freedom
and certain administrative independence.

1/3 TO POLITICAL PARTIES

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Nov 04

Already 130 suggestions have been made referring to the new draft
electoral code. The second reading of the project will take place
on December 1, and it is not clear which of these suggestions
will be accepted. Nevertheless, according to the vice chairman of
the parliamentary faction of the Democratic Liberal Union Vahram
Atanessian, no new articles can appear in the project after the first
reading and vice versa, the previous might no disappear. “And as at
the first reading the project supposes the mixed type of parliament,
with nomination both on party tickets and in constituencies, presently
the suggestion of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of 100 per cent
nomination on party tickets contradicts to the Code of the National
Assembly”, said Vahram Atanessian commenting on the standpoint
of the ARF for “AA”. Moreover, as the member of parliament said,
most of the 19 members of faction of the Democratic Liberal Union
holding the majority in the parliament are against the election on
party tickets. However, after long-lasting consultations the faction
suggest electing 1/3 of the parliament on party tickets. This is,
according to Vahram Atanessian, a starting point. Today Karabakh
is not ready for the nomination on party system because, first of
all, the accomplished parties are not many and, second, the people
of Karabakh traditionally are not politicized. According to Vahram
Atanessian, not more than 5-10 per cent of the population is involved
in parties, and the number 1/3 was not chosen at random. According
to the law, the 33-seat parliament may work with quorum of 22
members of parliament. If none of the political parties gets the
necessary amount of votes, the members of parliament elected from
constituencies will form the 2/3 of the parliament, the quorum
of 22 members of parliament will allow the parliament to operate.
Proceeding from this and other considerations, the Democratic Liberal
Union as a public-political organization holding the majority in the
parliament prefers not to hurry. Commenting on the statements of the
ARF members that those parties vote against the party ticket system
which are afraid of losing elections, Vahram Atanessian emphasized
that in the political environment of Artsakh he cannot see other
political parties which are more accomplished or less accomplished.
Besides, according to him, the Democratic Liberal Union, backed by
the authorities, has better chances to get the majority of seats in
the parliament than the other political parties. Vahram Atanessian
mentioned that the Democratic Liberal Union forming the majority
in the parliament is responsible for the activities of the present
government, its achievements and disadvantages. “We are well-aware of
all the drawbacks and we will take them into account while working
out the future priorities,” said the member of the Union. In answer
to our question on possible developments in the government if at
the upcoming summer elections to parliament the opposition holds the
majority, Vahram Atanessian noticed that in a presidential republic
in which we live forming the government is the exclusive right of the
president. The parliament may only vote against the cabinet presented
by the president. “I do not think that introducing the party ticket
system has anything to do with forming a coalition government or any
other type of government. Maybe some people have similar aims but
first the same parliamentary majority will have to modify the law
in accordance with which the government is formed and deprive the
president of this right,” said Vahram Atanessian. According to the
law in effect, after the election to the parliament the government
presents the social-economic development program of the country to
the parliament. If within 72 hours the National Assembly does not
give a vote of no confidence in the program the government continues
operating. Otherwise the president dissolves the cabinet of ministers
and appoints a new government. Speaking about the disagreement
between factions on separate points of the Electoral Code, Vahram
Atanessian said that it would be desirable to adopt the Code by way of
a political consensus without any controversies. Many questions have
been agreed on, but many others have to be discussed. The problem of
forming election committees is mainly concerned. According to Vahram
Atanessian, the project states clearly that 5 days after the enactment
of the Code the Central Election Committee is to be formed. According
to the Code, the CEC must be formed of three representatives of the
president and a representative from each political force which has a
parliamentary faction. The present CEC includes three representatives
of the president, three representatives of the government and three
representatives of each political party. The Federation thinks that
there is no need to dissolve the present CEC, and the DLU argues that
it will contradict to the Code and, besides, the same committee cannot
hold two parliamentary elections. The second important question is
that the draft code supposes forming polling stations at the military
units located more than 50 km from settlements. According to Vahram
Atanessian, we simply do not have such “far-away” military units
and this artificially included point will later be manipulated. The
participation of new settlers and refugees in elections is also an
important issue. The Democratic Liberal Union proposes to allow
people who were granted the certificate of re-settler or refugee
to vote and be nominated for the elections to municipal governments
and the parliament on party tickets. As to the electoral registers,
according to the representative of the DLU, the responsibility for
their preciseness should not be borne by the communities but the
passport and visa services which possess precise information of the
democratic situation in the country.

AA. 27-11-2004

SITUATION OF KARABAKH PROBLEM

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
27 Nov 04

The leader of the NKR parliament faction of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Vahram Balayan addressed Ashot Ghulian with the request
to provide information on the recent developments in the negotiation
process for the Karabakh settlement, and particularly the draft report
of David Atkinson in the PACE and the discussion of the situation of
the occupied Azerbaijani territories at the UN. The foreign minister
pointed out that recently, in fact, there has been certain activity in
reference to the Karabakh problem. However, the discussion has nothing
to do with the negotiation process. It is the right of the OSCE Minsk
Group. Ashot Ghulian characterized the efforts of Azerbaijan to have
the Karabakh problem discussed in international organizations as
attempts to mislead the process of settlement. “Countries related to
neither the OSCE Minsk Group, nor the Karabakh confrontation do not
approve of Azerbaijan’s attempts,” mentioned the minister. Touching
upon the discussions at the UN General Assembly A. Ghulian mentioned
that the discussions which started on November 23 were postponed
to the next day, probably by Azerbaijan’s undertaking, which doubts
whether it will manage to receive the necessary number of votes for
passing the resolution. “If, nevertheless, the resolution is passed,
it will mean that the Azerbaijani propaganda has managed to mislead
the negotiation process. Azerbaijan resorts to a similar policy when
concrete arrangements are concerned,” said Ashot Ghulian. In answer to
the question of member of parliament Levon Hayrian what the attitude
of the foreign minister is towards Karabakh’s not participating in the
negotiation process, the foreign minister mentioned that without the
participation of Karabakh the process of negotiations is meaningless,
and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen unambiguously announced about
this. The problem is that today there is no negotiation process,
there are only consultations on negotiations.

AA. 27-11-2004

“SAFETY ON SOUTHERN CAUCASUS” SEMINAR ENDED
[November 27, 2004, 22:25:29]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004

As was informed by AzerTAj, on November 27, the 58th Rose-Roth seminar
conducted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the NATO together with
Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic rounded.

Opening the action, international expert John Roberts informed that
discussed would be the topic “Reforms in the field of defense in the
new independent states”.

At the seminar, making was statement the Minister of Defense of
Azerbaijan Republic Safar Abiyev. He has told that the Azerbaijan
Republic even during war with the aggressor state Armenia, on May 4,
1994, has joined the NATO “Partnership for Peace” Program.

Activity of Azerbaijan within the framework of the “PfP” Program
has created opportunity for expansion of the international
links and cooperation with the states of NATO and Armed Forces of
partner-countries in military-political and military-technical area
on the way of strengthening of defensibility of the Republic.

He has noted that in 1997 the state commission on cooperation of the
Azerbaijan Republic with the NATO has been created. Since that period
in the Armed forces of Azerbaijan and in system of its education,
reforms have begun according to standards of the NATO. First of all,
the educational system of Armed Forces has been reformed according
to modern standards, and purposeful concrete measures directed on
preparation of the officer staff were undertaken.

And in 2004, the Center preparing younger experts for Armed Forces
of Azerbaijan has been created. In this Center, within the framework
of programs of cooperation with the NATO and bilateral cooperation,
it is planned preparation of officer and sergeant staff for Armed
Forces of the Country.

In 2004, Azerbaijan has undertaken 33 more Partner obligations under
the “Planning and Processing Analysis” (PPA) program of NATO and
plans to increase in further their number.

Minister also has emphasized that the structure headed by him prepares
for the Individual program of partnership of the NATO, and according
to the program, officers of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan take
part in the NATO’s 250 exercises, conferences, seminars, courses and
other actions.

Cooperation between the Azerbaijan Republic and the NATO proceeds
also at the level of the leadership of both sides, the Minister
emphasized. The President of the Azerbaijan Republic repeatedly has
visited Headquarters of the NATO, the Secretary General of the NATO,
his assistants, Supreme Commander-In-Chief of forces of the NATO
in Europe, director of group on Coordination of partnership, the
commander of the United Forces of the NATO in southeast Europe and
its other representatives of high rank have visited Azerbaijan and
carried out here useful consultations.

Further, The Minister has dwelt on participation of Azerbaijan’s
Armed Forces in peace-making operations. The peace-making platoon
of the Armed Forces of the Republic since September 1999 carries out
peace-making mission in Kosovo, other platoon since November 2002 –
in Afghanistan, and another unit since August 2003 – in Iraq. Then,
the Minister has told that Azerbaijan carries out bilateral cooperation
with the NATO and partner-countries in military sphere and has signed
various documents with these states.

In conclusion, Minister Safar Abiyev has drawn attention of
participants of the seminar to that military-political conditions in
the Southern-Caucasian region that is very intense and difficult. The
main reason of it consists that Armenia does not refrain of its
aggressive policy. Today, the basic part of Armed Forces of Azerbaijan
continues serving in front conditions. All this impedes more successful
integration of Azerbaijan and its Armed Forces into the NATO and in
structures of security of Europe, the Minister said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004

SPEAKER OF MILLI MAJLIS RECEIVES OSCE PA SPECIAL ENVOY
[November 27, 2004, 20:51:21]

Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov on 27 November has
received OSCE Parliamentary Assembly special envoy on the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict Goran Lennmarker, AzerTAj reported.

Chairman of parliament has noted that Azerbaijan waits for much
from activity of OSCE as it is the organization directly engaged
in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Unfortunately, the conflict is strongly delayed, and specific proposals
on its settlement are not present. We count, that OSCE, its special
representative on the Nagorny Karabakh conflict should act resolutely
in this question.

Murtuz Alaskarov has reminded that the report of the Council of Europe
in connection with the conflict is available, and the Parliamentary
Assembly will start its discussion. In other word, its position is
clear, this authoritative organization confirms the fact of occupation
of the Azerbaijan lands, condemns the aggressor. The conflict was
also focused at the 58th Rose–Rîth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary
Assembly. The question on situation in Nagorny Karabakh is included in
the agenda of session of General Assembly of the United Nations. Delay
of problem results in serious consequences. It is found out that on
the occupied Azerbaijan lands the Armenians moved from other places
are settled.

Chairman of Parliament has once again reminded position of the
Azerbaijan side in connection with the conflict, has expressed
confidence that the envoy’s report would be objective and prepared
in view of norms of international law.

Mr. Goran Lennmarker has emphasized that he also shares the stated
opinion on the prompt solution of the question in the peace way on the
basis of norms of international law. People want to return to their
native lands, and therefore, the role of the OSCE Minsk Group should
become more concrete. The special representative also has suggested
establishing dialogue between parliaments of two countries.

–Boundary_(ID_l1NBv6clnc+Uvh91fijgbA)–

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004

POTENTIAL OF AZERBAIJAN HIGH ENOUGH TO BECOME LEADER IN REGION
[November 27, 2004, 21:22:07]

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov has met
the delegation headed by the special representative of chairman of
Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE on the Nagorny Karabakh conflict Mr.
Goran Lennmark, November 27.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov highly has estimated at the meeting the
attention rendered by representatives of the European countries and
the international organizations to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny
Karabakh conflict. Having noted that Azerbaijan supports peace
settlement of the conflict and carries out certain work in this
direction, the Minister has added that attempts to change border by
force at the present stage is impossible.

Having emphasized that the policy illegally carried out recently by
Armenia directed on resettlement of the population in the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan, represents threat to process of peace
talks, the Minister has underlined importance of demonstration by the
international public of position of principle for the termination of
this illegal activity. Having noted that the independent policy
pursued by Azerbaijan which regained the sovereignty in 1991, during
more, than 13 years, is directed on strengthening in the country of
democracy, norms of international law, the western and European
values, Elmar Mammadyarov has emphasized that Azerbaijan tries to
define the activity in the field of internal and foreign policy in
the form corresponding to these values.

Especially having emphasized that the Republic gives great value to
question of integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic
structures, the Minister has noted adherence of Azerbaijan to the
“New Neighborhood Policy” of the European Union and to the “Plan of
activity of individual cooperation” of the NATO, having expressed
confidence that cooperation in the given direction would create
conditions for the further expansion and deepening of relations.

Having expressed his attitude to the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, Mr. Goran Lennmarker has emphasized impossibility
of existence in XXI century in Europe the occupied lands, having
expressed hope for settlement of the problem by negotiations. Having
stated that quick resolution to conflict will benefit not only to
Azerbaijan, but also all region, the visitor has especially
emphasized that in case of the statement of stability on the Southern
Caucasus, favorable opportunities for regional development will open.
Having noted expansion of the European Union on the southeast, Goran
Lennmarker has told: “One of the major forthcoming tasks consists in
that Southern Caucasus became further a part of Europe. Highly having
estimated potential of Azerbaijan possessing advantage among the
countries of Southern Caucasus on the population and economic
development to become the leader in region, the visitor has called
the Republic for closer cooperation with the countries of the
European Union.

At the meeting, the sides had comprehensive exchange of views on
other questions representing mutual interest.

20 MEMBERS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES TO HAVE ALTERNATIVE MILITARY SERVICE

ArmenPress
Nov 26 2004

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Labor and Social Affairs
Ministry has confirmed that 20 members of Jehovah’s Witnesses who
refused obligatory military service in the armed forces, choosing
instead alternative service, will get down to what is termed as
“labor service” beginning from December 10.

The ministry said they will serve as attendants at two old people
houses in Martuni and Yerevan. The ministry said they will wear special
uniform of blue color with a special stripe. It said also all other
members of the sect who were sentenced to prison terms for refusing
the military service will have to have alternative military service.