AZERBAIJAN ADHERES PROCESS OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNY KARABAKH CONFLICT
[November 27, 2004, 12:14:56]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Nov 27 2004

On November 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Republic
Elmar Mammadyarov has met delegation of the United Nations Organization
led by the High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers.

As was informed to AzerTAj from the press center of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, the Minister, having noted that the question
of refugees and IDPs is one of the most difficult problem for the
country, has told: “The management of Republic takes necessary
measures for improvement of social plight of these people driven
out by the Armenian armed formations from the native lands during
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Having noted that
due to the means allocated by the State Oil Fund, were built small
settlement for refugees, the Minister has stated that Azerbaijan
needs assistance in the said question. He has told: “Activation of
political efforts for quick settlement of the conflict, returning of
the IDPs and refugees to their homes is extremely important. Armenia
by holding destructive position in the resolution to the conflict,
for infringement of process of negotiations, resettles population in
the occupied Azerbaijan territories. For prevention of illegal steps
undertaken by Armenia, the government of Azerbaijan has addressed the
General Assembly of the United Nations. The Minister has emphasized
that the initiative of inclusion in the agenda of 59th session of
General Assembly of the United Nations of item “Situation in the
occupied Azerbaijan territories” pursues the aim to prevent illegal
policy of the Armenian side contradicting to norms of the international
humanitarian law and creating threat to peace talks, with attraction
of attention of world community. Having noted importance of the
Organization on the occupied grounds of mission concerning search
of the facts with participation of representatives of OSCE member
countries, the Minister has expressed confidence that it becomes
useful step in cause of settlement of the conflict. He has told:
“We once again confirm our adherence to carrying out of process of
settlement of the conflict within the framework of the Minsk Group
of OSCE, at the same time we count that the world community should
demonstrate position concerning the said conflict”.

Having asserted that hundred thousand IDPs and refugees is in heavy
condition, the High Commissioner of the United Nations on refugees
Ruud Lubbers has noted that among the efforts applied in the field
of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
he agrees with opinion on immediate returning of the refugees and IDPs
to their native lands. He has emphasized that the High Commissioner
of the United Nations on refugee adheres to rendering assistance to
the refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan.

Having noted that protection of refugees and IDPs, search of ways
of the solution of problems directly concern the mandate of the
Commissioner, the visitor has emphasized that the structure supervised
by him will assist process of elimination of this or that problem
first of all from the humanitarian position. He has told that hopes
for immediate settlement of the conflict and returning of the refugees
in Azerbaijan to their homes.

US telethon raises 11m dollars for separatist Karabakh highway

Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Nov 04

Los Angeles, 26 November: A total of 11m dollars have been raised as
a result of a telethon in the USA to raise funds for the construction
of the North-South highway in Nagornyy Karabakh.

Expressing his gratitude to those who contributed to the fund-raising,
the Nagornyy Karabakh president, Arkadiy Gukasyan, said in a live
broadcast that the biggest contribution was made by well-known
American entrepreneurs of Armenian descent – Louis Simon Manoukian,
Gerard Cafesjian and Hrair Hovnanian, as well as by Eduardo Eurnekian
from Argentina.

In parallel with the USA, a fund-raising action was held in Nagornyy
Karabakh where over 150,000 dollars were raised. The donations
were made by both enterprises and institutions of the republic and
individual citizens. So far, a total of 7.2m drams (14,400 dollars)
have already arrived at Artsakhbank accounts. The biggest contribution
was made by legal and physical entities of Mardakert [Agdara] District
of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic – to the tune of 1.8m drams [about
3,600 dollars].

We should recall that to complete the construction of the highway,
a project valued at 25m dollars, a total of 12.5m dollars remained
to be raised in the telethon, of which 11m dollars were raised on 25
November 2004.

Azeri-speaking radio in separatist Karabakh trying to rebuild confidence

Arminfo, Yerevan
26 Nov 04

Stepanakert , 26 November: The Golos Spravedlivosti [The Voice
of Justice] radio station, which broadcasts in Stepanakert in the
Azerbaijani language, is trying to rebuild the “bridge of confidence”
between the parties to the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict.

“The purpose of our work is to rebuild the bridges of confidence
between the parties to the conflict, Azerbaijan and Nagornyy Karabakh,
and to facilitate the establishment of peace by promoting good. We are
trying to convince the Azerbaijanis that a new war will bring both
peoples new suffering. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani authorities
are creating artificial obstacles to negotiations and we have to
accentuate this in our programmes. I am sure, however, that the final
word belongs to the people of both countries, which is why we are
doing our best to establish an atmosphere of trust between them. In
this connection, we have repeatedly put forward cooperation proposals
with our colleagues in Azerbaijan,” the director of the radio station,
Mikael Adzhyan, has told our special Arminfo correspondent.

He said the Voice of Justice is listened to in many countries of the
world. Letters of appreciation are coming from New Zealand, Japan,
Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Turkey, etc. There has
been no response only from Azerbaijan, though Adzhyan is certain that
the radio has a permanent audience there as well despite the obstacles
created by the Azerbaijani authorities. The programmes include news,
reports and interviews.

Adzhyan added that in one of the recent programmes by Radio Liberty’s
Azerbaijani service, an Azerbaijani boy expressed his wish to listen
to the opinion of his Armenian peers about the war. The radio station
responded immediately by organizing a series of such programmes. The
Karabakh children of different ages who have experienced the horrors
of war and lost their family members, as well as refugee children,
have expressed their opinion to this effect.

“It is not by chance that the radio station is called the Voice
of Justice. Every party to a conflict has its own justice, which
often does not correspond to reality. So we are trying to find a
common and real justice,” Mikael Adzhyan said.

The Voice of Justice has already been on the air for about 700 times
(four times a week). The radio station mainly employs refugees from
Azerbaijan who speak good Azeri. The station is sponsored by Karabakh
businessmen. The administration hopes to start broadcasting on a
daily basis.

Armenian leader names new deputy security chief

Arminfo
26 Nov 04

Yerevan, 26 November: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has signed
a decree appointing Romik Arutyunyan as deputy head of the National
Security Service under the Armenian president, the press service of
the Armenian president has told Arminfo.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EQUATORIAL GUINEAN COURT SENTENCES ARMENIAN PILOTS TO LONG PRISON TERMS

Arminfo
26 Nov 04

Yerevan, 26 November: A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced
Armenian pilots to prison terms ranging from 14 to 24 years.

It must be remembered that on 8 March of this year, the authorities
in Equatorial Guinea arrested a large group of people, which among
other foreigners, included six Armenian pilots. The Armenian pilots
were charged with complicity in the organization of a coup d’etat in
that country and are now facing imprisonment for up to 26 years. The
Armenian pilots are flatly denying the accusations.

The prosecutor had reportedly demanded that the Armenian citizens be
sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment.

ARMENIA TO DO ITS BEST TO GET PILOTS RELEASED IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Arminfo
26 Nov 04

Yerevan, 26 November: The Armenian government will do everything in its power
to secure a fair decision by relevant bodies of Equatorial Guinea concerning
the Armenian citizens, the Armenian Foreign Ministry says in a statement.

(Passage omitted: reported details)

The Foreign Ministry says in its statement that the Armenian pilots’ lawyer
is going to appeal against the unfair sentence to the Supreme Court of
Equatorial Guinea and if necessary, to international judicial bodies. An Armenian
delegation, which is currently in Malabo and has repeatedly visited the capital of
Equatorial Guinea to take all the necessary measures, will remain in this
country to discuss with the country’s authorities the possibility of handing over
the pilots to Armenia.

“We are absolutely sure that the pilots have nothing to do with any actions
aimed at the authorities of Equatorial Guinea, and the court has not produced
any conclusive proof either,” the Foreign Ministry says in its statement.

We should recall that on 8 March of this year, the authorities in Equatorial
Guinea arrested a large group of people, which among other foreigners,
included six Armenian pilots. The Armenian pilots were charged with complicity in the
organization of a coup d’etat in that country and are now facing imprisonment
for up to 26 years. The Armenian pilots are flatly denying the accusations.

SOUTH CAUCASUS – IS PRIORITY REGION FOR NATO, SYMON LUNN BELIEVES

BAKU, NOVEMBER 26. ARMINFO-TURAN: One of the priorities of NATO is
protection and safety provision to the NATO member-states and the
countries which are under transition period, state the secretary
general of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Symon Lunn responding the
question of TURAN correspondent on priorities of the Alliance in the
South Caucasus.

Lunn noted that the South Caucasian region is priority for NATO and,
first of all, due to geographic situation. According to him, the
processes going on in the region may affect every country NATO-member.

“Global threats cause trouble in all countries”, Lunn noted. According
to him, one of the prior tasks for NATO is help in elimination of
this threat and providing of stability in the countries living under
transition period.

Responding the question on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Lunn
noted that the conflict can be solved only with agreements of both
sides. “Here, first of all we must take into account the security
questions. Both sides must work intensively with each other so that
to be able to regulate the conflict on mutually acceptable terms”,
Lunn said but he admitted that it is a long process.

“It seems that the other sides also may help in searching the ways
for the resolution of the conflict”, Secretary General said. According
to him, NATO does not take direct part in settlement of the conflict.

Responding the question on democratization in the countries of
South Caucasus. S. Lunn said that NATO followed the events but it
is difficult yet to give any concrete assessment. Speaking about
nuclear programs of Iran, he said that UN dealt in the question. But
some members of NATO, USA, Great Britain, France “very seriously”
treat the nuclear programs of Iran.

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT AND ITALIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS KARABAKH PROBLEM

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26. ARMINFO. Azerbaijan’s position is in settlement
of Karabakh conflict only in conformity with the norms of the
International Law. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said during
his meeting with Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Margherita Boniver,
Thursday, Azerbaijani Mass Media reports.

He also said that the conflict makes a severe blow on the peace and
security in the region. The sides discussed the bilateral relations,
development of Azerbaijan’s relations with the EU and the official
visit of President Aliyev to Italy planned for February of 2005. The
same day, Deputy Minister Boniver met Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur
Rasizade. The latter stated that Italy must take into account that
Azerbaijan is a country “subjected to aggression.” Rasizade mentioned
the statement of Margherita Boniver during her visit to Yerevan that
Italy will refrain itself from voting on the issue “of the situation
in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” at the UN General Assembly
session, pointing out that Azerbaijan unlike Armenia is a country
“suffering aggression, forced immigration of peaceful residents,
occupation of its lands, and these realities must be, first of all,
taken into account when discussing the issue.”

Deputy Head Of Armenian CEC Calls Absurd Accusation Of Falsification
Of Voting In Favor Of Victor Yanukovich

YEREVAN ,NOVEMBER 26, ARMINFO. Deputy Head of Armenian CEC, one of
the CIS observers over the second round of presidential election
in the Ukraine, Hamlet Abrahamyan called absurd the accusation of
falsification of the voting in favor of Victor Yanukovich.

Talking to ARMINFO, Friday, Abrahamyan said that together with
Secretary of the 10th election district of Armenia Karen Gasparyan,
he visited 15 polling stations in the town of Kharkov and a polling
station in the village of Mazepa in 70 km from Kharkov. He said
that the election was well-organized, no violations were observed in
the course of the pre-election campaign and no ballot-stuffing was
registered. However, colossal tension was permanently observed in the
course of the voting. The Ukrainian public is split into 2 incompatible
camps i.e. supporters of Victor Yanukovich and Victor Yushenko. It is
Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma who is able to avert the deep crisis.

As regards permanent accusations by OSCE, EU and US observers of
election rigging, Hamlet Abrahamyan said that Yushenko won at 16
of 25 election districts wherein Yanukovich received just 3-5% of
votes. So, why Victor Yanukovich, who allegedly used the so-called
administrative resource and won due to the densely populated districts,
did not take advantage of the so-called administrative resource at
the above 16 districts either. The Ukraine is a powerful developed
country in Europe and the scenarios like those in Georgia will not
be effective there, Abrahamyan said.

CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN SECTION OF IRAN-ARMENIA GAS PIPELINE WILL BE STARTED
ON 30 NOVEMBER, 2004

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 26. ARMINFO. Construction of the Armenian section
of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will be started on 30 November, 2004,
Director General of ArmRosgazprom CJSC Karen Karapetyan told ARMINFO.

He said that the construction of the gas pipeline is of great strategic
importance from the point of view of energy safety of Armenia and
diversification of the sources of natural gas. Karapetyan said that the
CJSC Yerevan TPP will order the necessary volumes of gas pledging to
pay in terms of electricity. As regards ArmRosgazprom, he said that
the company will come out as an operator of gas supply. Karapetyan
added that CJSC AromRosgazprom will also participate in a tender for
subcontract works on the Armenian section.

It should be noted that the client of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline
construction is CJSC High-voltage Power Transmission Lines with an
Iranian company “Sanir” being its contractor. To note, on September 8,
2004, a contract on financing of the project of construction of the
Meghri-Kajaran section was signed in Yerevan. Under the contract,
Iran will issue a $30 mln credit to Armenia for construction of the
Armenian section of the gas pipe-line Iran-Armenia under 5% annual
interest for 7.5 years. The agreement on supply of Iranian natural
gas to Armenia and on construction of the gas pipeline was signed on
May 13, 2004. The sides intend to construct the gas pipeline within 2
years and to put it into exploitation by Jan 1, 2007. In conformity
with the agreement, within 20 years Iran will supply 36 bln cubic
meters of natural gas to Armenia.