THAT’S ALL

A1 Plus | 20:10:53 | 09-11-2004 | Politics |

After four hours in session, The Prosecutor General’s Office handed
down its unprecedented decision to dismiss isolated case on the
October 27 terrorist act masterminds because of lack of evidence.

AMENDMENTS TO SMOKING RESTRICTION BILL DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT

A1 Plus | 14:44:23 | 09-11-2004 | Politics |

A bill on amendments to smoking restriction laws was discussed Tuesday
at a regular parliamentary session. It is the second time the bill
has been put on the National Assembly’s floor.

When the bill was submitted for lawmakers’ consideration the first
time, it was failed to get a majority of votes.

After making some changes in the bill, the authors presented it again.

The authors say the bill is softer than Convention on Struggle against
Smoking. The bill will be voted soon.

Azeri NGOs call for release of would-be Karabakh guerrillas

Assa-Irada, Baku
9 Nov 04

8 November: Non-governmental organizations continue supporting 21
young men who are facing trial on charges of attempting to form an
illegal armed group. The national NGO forum today appealed to the
Grave Crimes Court in connection with this issue.

It is understandable that the defendants have chosen arms and a
guerilla war as the only way to liberate their homes and the graves
of their ancestors from the Armenian occupation, the appeal reads. It
will be impossible to prevent any attempts to liberate the occupied
territories militarily, unless Armenia ends its aggression and the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem is resolved fairly, the appeal reads. This
should be of a serious concern for the OSCE Minsk Group and its
co-chairs who have pledged to help eliminate the ramifications of
the occupation and who have achieved no result in this so far, the
appeal reads.

The national NGO forum said the above mentioned reasons had urged the
young people to violate Azerbaijan’s laws. It asked the Grave Crimes
Court to take these reasons into consideration.

NATO leader visits South Caucasus

ISN, Switzerland
Oct 9 2004

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited the three South
Caucasus countries in early November to signal the alliance’s
commitment to the region and to encourage leaders to take advantage
of Individual Partnership Plans (IPAPs).

By Vladimir Socor for The Jamestown Foundation (09/11/04)

On 3-5 November, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
visited, for the first time in this capacity, the three South
Caucasus countries. He conferred with the head of state, the defense
minister, the military leadership, and other top officials in each of
the three capitals. The visit’s goal was twofold: to signal that
NATO’s Partnership program is rapidly moving its focus towards this
region, as decided at the alliance’s summit in Istanbul in June; and
to encourage the three countries to take advantage of Individual
Partnership Plans (IPAPs). Ambassador Robert Simmons, newly appointed
as the NATO Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the South
Caucasus and Central Asia, accompanied de Hoop Scheffer on the visit.
NATO views IPAPs as the instrument that allows willing partners to
develop individualized relationships with NATO, focusing on military
reform, establishment of effective state institutions, and certain
basic democratization goals. IPAPs are two-year programs, with their
implementation assessed at periodic review conferences. IPAP can
potentially serve as an avenue towards membership for countries that
aspire to that status; the alliance’s motto in this regard being that
it would go as far as the country chooses to go, subject to IPAP
performance.

Georgia’s NATO hopes
Georgia became the first South Caucasus country to have its IPAP
approved by NATO. Originally submitted ahead of the Istanbul summit
for promulgation there, the document was ultimately accepted by the
North Atlantic Council in Brussels on 29 October. In the joint news
conference with de Hoop Scheffer in Tbilisi, President Mikhail
Saakashvili reaffirmed Georgia’s goal to join NATO as a full member
before the end of Saakashvili’s second and final presidential term –
a goal he had first announced during his recent visit to the Baltic
states. Without dampening Saakashvili’s optimism, de Hoop Scheffer
tempered it with realism by remarking that a long winding road leads
towards full membership. He stated openly for the first time that
Georgian membership was possible, and noted “an enormous drive on the
part of the Georgian government and people to fulfill that ambition”.
Remarks by both sides during the visit indicated that NATO’s liaison
officer for the South Caucasus would be stationed at the Defense
Ministry in Tbilisi. The NATO leader chose a cautious, non-specific
wording to remind Russia of its obligations to fulfill the 1999
Istanbul Commitments regarding Georgia. He expressed his “hope” in a
bilateral Russian-Georgian “solution” to the problem of Russian
troops and bases, rather than calling for an internationally assisted
withdrawal of those forces from Georgia. Georgia is already behaving
as a de facto ally, with platoon-size units serving under NATO
command in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and company-size units with the
US-led coalition in Iraq, where Georgia is now augmenting its
contingent to 300 troops and has offered to increase it further to
850. Georgia is balancing its security consumer’s role with that of a
security provider in both the NATO and the ad hoc coalition context.

In Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, final preparations for NATO approval of that country’s
IPAP topped the agenda of de Hoop Scheffer’s visit. Deputy Foreign
Minister Araz Azimov, who handles Azerbaijan-NATO relations, noted
that procedural issues had held up IPAP’s promulgation since the
Istanbul summit. The document also includes a concept for developing
Azerbaijani rapid-deployment units for service with NATO’s Response
Force. As could be expected, de Hoop Scheffer faced persistent public
questioning in Baku about NATO’s position on the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict and a possible NATO role in conflict-settlement. His answers
indirectly confirmed NATO’s reluctance to take a position or play a
role. He advised Azerbaijan that it was perhaps time to “turn a page”
in its approach to Karabakh conflict-settlement. For his part, Azimov
held out the possibility of NATO contributing peacekeeping troops to
an international contingent, if one were deployed in the conflict
zone under an international organization’s mandate. The familiar
small group of Karabakh Liberation Organization militants staged a
vociferous picket during de Hoop Scheffer’s visit, protesting
preventively against Armenian participation in an upcoming NATO
Parliamentary Assembly seminar in Baku. The police rounded up a few
of the protestors only after they had finished their demonstration.
Milli Majlis Chairman Murtuz Aleskerov declared that Armenians could
be allowed to participate in this seminar because they are civilian,
rather than military. In September, Azerbaijan’s leaders, including
Aleskerov, had ruled out the participation of a few Armenian military
officers in NATO’s Cooperative Best Effort 2004 large-scale staff
exercise in Baku, thereby leaving NATO no choice but to cancel this
annual event. Azerbaijan’s NATO aspirations suffered an unnecessary
setback as a result of political advisers overruling the foreign
policy professionals on this matter and giving in to a handful of
militants. Inclusiveness is a bedrock principle of NATO’s Partnership
programs. Further setbacks may ensue if political advisers insist
that Azerbaijan, rather than NATO, should determine what kind of
personnel may or may not participate in NATO exercises in Azerbaijan.

In Armenia
In Armenia, de Hoop Scheffer underscored the significance of that
country’s recent decision to draft an IPAP with NATO and to appoint
an envoy to the alliance. Implicitly acknowledging the national
tradition of close links with Russia, he noted in an address to
Yerevan University faculty and students that Armenia may develop its
NATO partnership without damaging its relations with Russia, and that
any residual mistrust towards NATO was a Soviet propaganda legacy.
Armenia could prove that a country can maintain close relations with
Russia while becoming an active NATO Partner, he concluded. One
pro-NATO politician, Hovhanes Hovhanissian of the Liberal Progressive
Party, commented that good relations with Russia need not mean being
“Russia’s vassal”, local media reported. At every stop during the
visit, de Hoop Scheffer made the point that NATO does not compete
with any country or organization (that is, Russia and the CIS
Collective Security Treaty Organization, of which Armenia is a
member) in the region. He underscored that NATO has no intentions,
plans, or interest in establishing military bases in the South
Caucasus, nor would this meet the interests of the region’s
countries.

–Boundary_(ID_g+hc6ziAuWMrT89+dHrn2g)–

Azeri officer dies after Armenia breaches ceasefire

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 9 2004

Lieutenant Bahaddin Abdiyev, an officer in the Azerbaijan Army,
died after the units of the Armenian Armed Forces breached ceasefire
close to Aghdam District (Central Garabagh) on Sunday. Abdiyev, 24,
was drafted from Tovuz District.

The Defense Ministry has confirmed the fact.*

Armenia Fund USA
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, New York 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Armenia Fund USA Hosts President of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Goukassian
and Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenia Fund Naira Melkoumian
for a Lecture at ALMA in the Greater Boston Community

Moving rapidly toward completion of the North-South Highway, Armenia
Fund is halfway home. Its goal of building the 105 miles of highway
interconnecting 150 towns and villages in mountainous Karabakh has to
date raised $12 million towards the $25 million project. With ongoing
vital support from Armenians in the Diaspora and past proven success
from having built 49 miles so far, Armenia Fund continues to forge
ahead. The Fund is gearing up for the final leg, generating support and
overseeing construction of the remaining 56 miles with the much
anticipated Thanksgiving Day Telethon.

To raise awareness and inspire community involvement in the Armenia Fund
Telethon, the President of Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkady Goukassian,
accompanied in part by Naira Melkoumian, Executive Director of Hayastan
All-Armenia Fund, will be in the United States and are scheduled for
several pre-telethon events. Their initial destination is to the
greater Boston area – a special engagement will be held at the Armenian
Library Museum of America on November 13-th at 4:30 pm. The program
will include an entertaining video presentation by Armenia Fund USA and
guest speaker, President Goukassian will lecture on Geopolitical
Challenges and the Need for an Improved Infrastructure in Armenia and
Karabakh. All are welcome to be involved in this noteworthy event.

Armenia Fund’s annual Telethon for 2004 is stepping up its ambitions in
a grand way to raise the final $12.5 million needed for the completion
of the highway, deemed as the backbone of Karabakh. The 12-hour, live
broadcast airing throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, South
America, the CIS, and Middle East will feature live entertainment by
various Armenian performers, interviews with numerous celebrities and
political leaders, development and construction footage from Armenia and
Karabakh, and stories of individuals impacted by Armenia Fund projects.
A phone bank with 50 operators and volunteers will be helping to handle
the generous outpouring from Armenians world-wide. Broadcast schedules
and information for your area is available by calling our office. Or,
you can log onto our website – <;
for a real time web-cast of the telethon on
Thanksgiving Day and for more information.

Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability, Armenia
Fund USA is a unique organization dedicated to supporting large-scale
initiatives in both Armenia and Karabakh, helping the developing nations
sustain themselves for the future. Armenia Fund is non-partisan and
works closely with the governments of Armenia and Karabakh not only
building roads, but also schools, medical facilities, utilities and
humanitarian programs, all along upholding stringent project oversight
measures with bidding, management and quality control processes.

Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) representing
the support of Armenian diasporans in the Eastern United States and was
the first of Hayastan All Armenia Fund’s 18 international hubs to aid
the homeland. As the largest contributor toward strategic infrastructure
projects in Armenia and Karabakh, Armenia Fund has helped build 138
miles of roads, 81 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric
transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 14 healthcare
institutions. After completing the Goris-Stepanakert Highway, linking
Armenia to Karabakh, Armenia Fund set its sights on developing the
North-South Highway. In the process of all its projects, Armenia Fund
has ensured sustainability by investing beyond construction, sponsoring
the necessary equipment and training, as well. This not only eases the
hardships for the people of Armenia and Karabakh for the current time,
but more importantly ensures stability for the long term.

Armenia Fund USA’s mission of accountability goes beyond Armenia and is
built upon a pledge of responsibility to benefactors and recipients
alike. All contributions are 100% tax deductible. To learn more about
Armenia Fund USA, go to
<; , or write/call for a free marketing
packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 (212)
689-5307.

PRESS RELEASE
Analysis Research & Planning for Armenia (ARPA)
18106 Miranda Street, Tarzana, CA 91356
& Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
417 W. Arden Ave., Suite 112C, Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: Hagop Panossian
Tel: (818) 586-9660
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ARPA Institute and Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
present the Lecture/Seminar “The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of Armenia”
on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 7:30 PM in the Merdinian School
Auditorium. The presenter is Ms. Anahid Yeremian.
The address is 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
Directios: On the 101 FY Exit on Woodman, Go North and Turn Right on
Riverside Dr.

Abstract: The Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Alikhanian Physics
Institute in Armenia is one of the world’s premier centers, conducting
research in high energy astrophysics and space weather forecasting. At
research stations high on Mt. Aragats and in Yerevan, a staff of 100
scientists, technicians, support personnel and students conduct leading
research on forecasting energetic events on the sun which can damage
manmade satellites in space, disrupt communications and power stations
on earth, and endanger space and air crews at high altitudes. The CRD
and its scientists have earned enormous respect among their colleagues
in the international scientific community, putting Armenia among the top
5 countries of the world in cosmic ray research. Recent additions to
the list of their scientific collaborators include the U.S. National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, the European Space Agency, and the
international Committee on Space Research. CRD has a long standing
partnership with Stanford University of California and with Nagoya
University in Japan. Recently the Space Weather division of UCLA has
shown interest in collaborating with the CRD. A year ago CRD won the
prestigious UN World Summit Award in the e-science category. The CRD
has been featured in the international magazine Science, because of its
excellence. An illustrated presentation, with beautiful pictures on the
space weather effects, will be made and research at CRD will be
explained in simple terms. Pictures of the stations, the scientists,
and the World Summit Award ceremony in Geneva are part of this
presentation.

Presenter: Ms. Anahid Yeremian has a B.S. degree in Physics from Drexel
University. She is a particle Accelerator Physicists at the Stanford
Linear Accelerator Center since 1990. She designs the injector section
of very large particle accelerators (the one at Stanford is 2 miles
long) in the U.S., Japan and Europe. She leads a group of scientists,
engineers, and technicians to construct and assemble the accelerators
she designs and finally to commission them to perform to her
specifications. Prior to coming to Stanford, she designed the electron
accelerator at the Boeing Aerospace Company for the Free Electron Laser
project as part of a star wars program. Anahid’s hobbies include
mountain climbing. She became acquainted with the Cosmic Ray stations
and physicists on Mt. Aragats when she climbed to the peak of Mt.
Aragats in 1999. Since then she actively pursues opportunities and
improvement of science in Armenia by working with the scientists and
governments of Armenia and the United States. This summer Anahid spent
7 days backpacking in the Geghama mountains and staying with the Nomads
in the mountains of Armenia. Her presentation will include some
spectacular pictures of the peaks in the Geghama mountain range and its
beautiful people.

For Information Please call Dr. Hagop Panossian at (818)586-9660 or Mr.
Vazgen Ghoogassian

Pressure group objects to parliament speaker’s statements

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Oct 9 2004

The Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) has issued a statement
denouncing the Milli Majlis (parliament) speaker Murtuz Alasgarov’s
recent statements concerning the Armenian parliament members’
intended visit to Baku scheduled for this month. They said that by
allowing Armenian MPs to visit Azerbaijan the speaker is betraying
the country’s national interests.

“Armenia, as one of the main facets in its foreign policy course,
is trying to disregard its aggressor actions and therefore, to
collaborate with Azerbaijan in all fields, and the speaker’s actions
serve this policy.”

The statement reads in conclusion that GLO decisively condemns the
attempts by the Milli Majlis chairman to cooperate with the aggressor
and invite Armenian Parliament members to Baku.*

–Boundary_(ID_ADvlK1f7wx5LCN+SsAYZVA)–

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
11/09/2004
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1) No Shift in Armenia’s Genocide Recognition Policy
2) Caucus Co-Chairs Oppose Azeri Effort to Disrupt Karabagh Peace Process
3) Aliyev Boast of Settlement Alternative, Major Military Spending Boost
4) Ball in Baku’s Court Says Armenian Foreign Minister
5) Slovak Parliament to Discuss a Genocide Resolution
6) Zhvania, Kokoity Meeting in Sochi

1) No Shift in Armenia’s Genocide Recognition Policy

YEREVAN (Armenpress/Noyan Tapan)Armenia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamlet
Gasparian said Armenia’s policy for international recognition of the 1915
genocide has not changed, and remains a foreign policy priority.
His comment came in response to Azeri and Turkish media reports that Yerevan
may be considering a shift in its policy to help normalization of ties with
Turkey. The reports claimed the shift may be indicated by the lack of regular
reference to the genocide in next year’s draft budget sent to parliament for
approval.
Gasparian said the draft budget has no relation to Armenia’s consistency and
decisiveness to continue the campaign for international recognition of the
genocide, adding that no previous budget has ever had a special clause
earmarking such expenditures.
“The international recognition of the Armenian genocide does not refer to
Armenia or Armenians alone; it refers to humanity and cannot be placed
within a
budget or other financial calculations,” Gasparian said.
The lack of reference to the genocide in the budget appears to have aroused
enthusiasm in Turkey and Azerbaijan. The Azeri press reported that a
historical
coup is taking place in Armenia. “Yeni Musavat” states that the government of
Armenia is making a historical decision while trying to improve its relations
with Turkey. The “Aina” newspaper writes that the Armenian authorities are
taking a wiser stance on the issue of the genocide. Turkish mass media does
not
reveal, however, if the genocide issue has ever been included in Armenia’s
budget.
According to the Istanbul-based Marmara Armenian newspaper, political
observers stress that the absence of the indicated point in the budget does
not
indicate a change of Armenia’s policies.

2) Caucus Co-Chairs Oppose Azeri Effort to Disrupt Karabagh Peace Process

–Urge Secretary Powell to “renounce” and “secure retraction” of
proposed UN initiative

WASHINGTON, DC (ANCA)–Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone
(D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) have urged Secretary of State Colin Powell
to take decisive action against a UN resolution, introduced by Azerbaijan,
which could seriously undermine the Karabagh peace process.
In a November 7 letter to the Secretary of State, the Caucus Co-Chairs
expressed concern about the “ill-advised” resolution on the “situation in the
occupied territories of Azerbaijan,” stating, “This intentionally disruptive
resolution threatens the principles and procedures of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the Minsk group
mediation
effort, co-chaired by the United States, France, and Russia to resolve the
Karabagh conflict.”
The letter from the Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs continues, “Efforts to
reinforce
stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the best interests of the US
and the South Caucasus region. To this end, we urge that the United States
forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction, and impress upon the
Azeri government that it should drop such counter-productive tactics in favor
of a serious and lasting commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group process.”
“We want to thank the Co-Chairmen of the Armenian Issues Caucus–Frank
Pallone
and Joe Knollenberg–from drawing Secretary Powell’s urgent attention to the
threat that Azerbaijan’s efforts at the United Nations to manipulate the
Karabagh issue pose to US interests in the stability of the Caucasus region,”
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We share the concerns they
raised
in their letter and are also urging the State Department to take decisive
action against destructive measures, such as this, that only foster greater
divisiveness and set back the cause of peace in this important part of the
world.”
On October 14, the Azeri Ambassador to the UN Yashar Aliyev, submitted a
letter requesting that a resolution, which would restrict the repatriation of
Armenians to their homes in Karabagh, be included on the UN General Assembly
agenda. Prior to its consideration by the international panel, Rep. Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) urged US Ambassador to the UN, John Danforth, to oppose the
measure, citing the negative ramifications on the Karabagh peace process.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs issued a statement on October 27, noting that
“introducing this issue to the United Nations General Assembly may have two
negative consequences. In light of the situation we have outlined, this
will be
detrimental to the efforts to find a just and lasting settlement of the issue,
particularly at this time. Secondly, it will fail to achieve consensus, a
situation that will not be helpful. We advise avoiding this situation.”
Despite these efforts, on October 29, the UN General Assembly voted in
support
of the request during their regular session.
The complete text of the Knollenberg/Pallone letter to Secretary Powell is
provided below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We are writing to share with you our alarm over the prospect that
Azerbaijan’s
continued efforts at the United Nations to manipulate the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict will, if unchecked, undermine our clearly articulated national
interest in the stability of the Caucasus.
We refer, of course, to Azerbaijan’s recent introduction of an ill-advised
resolution on the “situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This
intentionally disruptive resolution threatens the principles and procedures of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the
Minsk group mediation effort, co-chaired by the United States, France and
Russia, to resolve the Karabagh conflict.
Azerbaijan’s proposal represents a hostile declaration against the entire
peace process, aimed only at fostering increased divisiveness. Its
consideration can only set back the cause of peace.
We are deeply concerned that the OSCE Minsk process cannot survive
Azerbaijan’s destabilizing tactics. Continued tampering with this process will
inevitably produce a chain reaction resulting in its demise. We cannot afford
to allow Azerbaijan to continue to disrupt the work of the OSCE, which, as you
know, has been recognized by the UN itself as the lead arbiter in this
conflict.
We value the vital role the United States plays as an honest broker in the
Nagorno Karabagh peace process. In this capacity, given our commitment to keep
the parties talking and moving forward, it is necessary for the United States
to act forcefully against destabilizing steps that will unravel the peace
process. Our interests are best served by the continuation of dialogue on the
outstanding issues related to Nagorno Karabagh within the OSCE framework, not
by the fragmentation of this orderly process.
Efforts to reinforce stability and reduce the risk of conflict are in the
best
interests of the US and the South Caucasus region. To this end, we urge that
the United States forcefully renounce this proposal, secure its retraction,
and
impress upon the Azerbaijani government that it should drop such
counter-productive tactics in favor of a serious and lasting commitment to the
OSCE Minsk Group process.
Thank you for your consideration of our views. We stand ready, of course, to
assist you in addressing this matter in the interest of the American people.

Sincerely,
Joe Knollenberg
Frank Pallone, Jr.
Member of Congress

3) Aliyev Boast of Settlement Alternative, Major Military Spending Boost

ASTARA, Azerbaijan (AFP/Armepress)–Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said Tuesday
that a peace agreement on regulating the Mountainous Karabagh conflict could
not be signed unless Azeri territories are first liberated. “The conflict
cannot be resolved unless Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is restored in
full,” he said.
He also announced defense spending in Azerbaijan would grow by nearly one
third in 2005, after Armenia unveiled plans to significantly boost its own
military budget.
Aliyev was visiting the southern regions of Azerbaijan.
“Our parliament is discussing next year’s budget, where spending will grow by
25 to 30 percent, and this includes military spending,” Aliyev told reporters
in Astara.
Aliyev’s comments followed a proposal made Monday by Armenia’s parliament to
raise defense spending by 20 percent to 99 million dollars in 2005.
During his visit to the small seaside city Lenkoran located near the Southern
border with Iran, Aliyev boasted, “If we see that that negotiations and
international efforts are unproductive, then we can resort to ways to resolve
the conflict.”
According to a finance ministry source, Azerbaijan’s military spending in
2004
amounted to just under 150 million dollars.

4) Ball in Baku’s Court Says Armenian Foreign Minister

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Talking about the prospects for resolving the Mountainous
Karabagh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said that
“serious
progress” was achieved during his four meetings with his Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov in Prague and Strasbourg over the past six
months.
“We can now enter the second stage of the Prague meetings and deepen the
achievements of the first stage,” Oskanian said. “Azerbaijan has announced
that
it would wait for Armenia’s response to begin the second stage of the
negotiations. I can announce through your Radio that Armenia has already given
its positive answer and is ready to resume the negotiations as early as
tomorrow.”
The Armenian Foreign Minister characterized as “a diplomatic mistake”
Azerbaijan’s initiative to include in the agenda of UN General Assembly the
issue of the resettlement of Armenian families on Armenian-controlled
Azerbaijani territories around Mountainous Karabagh.
“Azerbaijan should not hope to continue the negotiations within OSCE Minsk
Group and at the same time expect other solutions for separate issues picked
from the whole package in other instances. It never happens,” Oskanian said.
“Either we continue the negotiations within the Minsk Group, trying to reach a
solution of the whole problem, or Azerbaijan can take the issue to other
instances, seeking separate solutions; in that case, Baku will have to deal
with the authorities of Karabagh. The ball today is in their court.”

5) Slovak Parliament to Discuss a Genocide Resolution

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–During its November session, the Slovak parliament will
discuss a resolution condemning the 1915 Armenian genocide. The resolution is
supported by five factions of the Slovak legislature making up the absolute
majority. The lawmakers will also be watching a documentary on the
genocide, to
be aired later on Slovak TV. The Armenian community of Slovakia and the
political and diplomatic forces of Armenia are in full support of the
resolution.

6) Zhvania, Kokoity Meeting in Sochi

MOSCOW (Interfax)–Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and the leader of the
self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, are currently
meeting in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
According to a source with the South Ossetian Information and Press
Department, the meeting is also being attended by Russian Deputy Foreign
Minister Valery Loshchinin and co-chairman of the Joint Control Commission
representing North Ossetia, Taimuraz Kusov.
Kusov told journalists that, even though they may hold differing opinions
concerning the circumstances of the settlement, those responsible for driving
forth the negotiations have completely ruled out the use of force as a viable
solution.
According to Kusov, they also agreed to contribute to an atmosphere of trust
that will help the parties reach a comprehensive settlement.
“The sides agreed to open transportation routes and are willing to do this,”
Kusov said.
“Everything is going fine–the conversations concern joint cooperation, and I
am very glad about the dialog that has been created,” Loshchinin told
journalists.
One agreement signed during the meeting called for the withdrawal of all
illegal armed units from the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone by November
20.
“Serious work and constructive positions of the participants in the meeting
have resulted in the signing an important document. It imposes a cease-fire in
the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone and bans any military actions. This
is backed by the parties’ demilitarization obligations. Only peacekeepers will
stay there. All illegal armed units have to be withdrawn. The deadline is
November 20,” read a Russian Foreign Ministry statement drafted after the
agreement was signed on Friday.
“All essential conditions for resuming negotiations on a comprehensive
political settlement of the conflict have been set up,” it said.
“The document also stipulates the need to carry out joint economic projects.
Fundamentally important is also the fact that the statement has been signed by
the Georgian prime minister and the president of South Ossetia, which means
the
top level. The leaders of the two sides, displaying wisdom and great
responsibility, have undertaken practical commitments to reach a settlement
only by peaceful means. Russia is confident that these commitments will be
honored,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
South Ossetia is legally a province of Georgia, but an armed conflict
following a USSR collapse in the early 1990s led to its de facto independence.
Tensions between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali have escalated in recent months,
involving skirmishes, as Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has stepped up
efforts to restore control over the breakaway republic.

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Marten Yorgants Gives Concert In His Native City Of Istanbul

ISTANBUL, November 8 (Noyan Tapan). A concert of singer Marten Yorgants
was organized in Gyunay park of Shishli upon the initiative of the
“Shishli” sport and cultural club on November 6 evening.

M. Yorgants, being originally an Armenian from Constantinople, hadn’t
an opportunity to give concerts in Istanbul for over 37 years. This
time he came to his native city at the invitation of dwellers of
Shishli.

According to the “Marmara” daily newspaper of Istanbul, Marten Yorgants
thanked the organizers of the concert, he invited participants to dance
during his songs. Marten Yorgats preferred to song more in Italian,
French and English songs regardless of the fact that participants would
more prefer to listen to his Armenian songs. But M. Yorgants created
fine atmosphere, and the invited people enjoyed the concert a lot.