Novinite, Bulgaria
Aug 26 2004

Bulgaria’s Nazaryan Advances to Semi-Finals

Bulgaria’s Armen Nazaryan won yet another wrestling battle in the
Olympics, making it to the semi-finals. Photo by
armennazaryan.tripod.com

Sports: 26 August 2004, Thursday.

Bulgarian wrestler Armen Nazaryan advanced to the semi-finals in the
Olympic Games in Athens.

Nazaryan, 22, overpowered Japan’s Macoto Sasamoto (5:3) in Pool C of
men’s Greco-Roman 60kg pool elimination.

The Armenia-born athlete, who is married to a Bulgarian, is two times
World and Olympic champion.

Interfax
Aug 26 2004

Iran to provide Armenia with pipeline credit

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Iran is to provide Armenia with a credit of $30
million to build the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas
pipeline, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian told journalists
on Wednesday.

He said that the funds would be used to finance the construction of a
pipeline from the border town of Agarak to Kajaran.

The credit will be provided for 7.5 years at 5% per year.

“These conditions are acceptable to Armenia,” Movsisian said. He said
that the credit would be paid back with supplies of electricity.

He also said that construction of the Armenian section of the
pipeline should begin before the end of 2004 and that work on the
reconstruction and replacement of parts of the Kajaran-Yerevan
pipeline would be financed by the Armenian side.

He said that Iran has already started building its section of the
pipeline.

Final agreement between the two countries on this pipeline was inked
in Yerevan on May 13. The document provides for shipments of 20
billion cubic meters (bcm) of Iranian gas over twenty years in
exchange for electricity produced in Armenia.

The 700-mm diameter pipeline will run 141 kilometers and cost an
overall $210-$220 million to build. It will initially pump 1.1 bcm
per year, and that will steadily increase to 2 bcm. The gas will be
used by Armenian power plants to make and export electricity to Iran
and Georgia.

Messenger.com.ge, Georgia
Aug 26 2004

A bear in bear’s clothing

On Tuesday Georgian mass-media and the political establishment
shuttered to see amateur video footage showing a huge concentration
of Russian armed-forces, including soldiers, tanks, armed vehicles,
helicopters, and artillery allegedly in North Ossetian territory
immediately bordering the Roki Tunnel into South Ossetia – the only
artery in the separatist region connecting Georgia to Russia.

The chair of the Defense Committee of the Georgian Parliament Givi
Targamadze stated that from now on Georgia must be prepared to defend
itself from Russian intervention being planned by ‘Russian
imperialists.’ Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze openly asked the
Russian administration to explain the appearance of Russian military
forces so close to the Georgian border without any obvious reason.

The Russian newspaper Kommersant confirmed a large military presence
in Sernovodsk (North Ossetia) where a training of Russia’s 57th army
is underway. According to the paper, it involves more than 2,000
personnel and more than 100 units of tanks and armored vehicles.

At the same time there are preparations underway for another training
with more than 5,000 reservists are expected. Elsewhere in Armenia
Russian and Armenian forces are planning a joint training, that
includes fighter and bomber aircraft and in the Abkhazian conflict
zone Russian peacekeepers are also conducting trainings.

It is important to note, especially after the mysterious crashes of
two Russian passenger jets late Tuesday, that Russia nervously is
watching events before and after the August 29 elections scheduled
for Chechnya. With such a jittery stance, Russia is more likely to
react with unbridled brute force than with a thought-out plan if it
encounters disturbances anywhere in the Caucasus.

Several Georgian politicians mentioned that although full-scale war
most probably has been avoided in the Tskhinvali region, the
prospects of Russian intervention are still very serious. They add
this could be done if not directly through implementing Russian
regular troops, then otherwise by sending military forces into the
region under a guise.

In his statement late on Tuesday, President Saakashvili highlighted
that the direct confrontation has been avoided in the region and
although Georgia should be very cautious towards the developments
with Russia, there should be no possible way for the further
escalation of the confrontation and in particular there should be no
comparison with the events ongoing in Chechnya.

Saakashvili mentioned that Georgia respects the territorial integrity
of Russia and it is not part of Georgia’s intentions to think of a
confrontation with Russia. However, Russia should itself realize and
respect the territorial integrity of Georgia and prove this in deed.

Saakashvili also stressed upon the fact that he is in permanent
contact with President Putin of Russia but it was likely that
President Putin sometimes does not control the entire situation in
his country.

President Saakashvili’s next decision to attend the government
session which had been moved to Adjara gave confidence to the
Georgian population that things are not that dramatic. However,
Georgian law-enforcement is on alert in particular around the
conflict zone.

All Georgian leaders and political figures and political analysts are
unanimous that only through the internalization of the peacekeeping
process in the region could Georgia avoid future complications in the
conflict zone. Therefore Georgia tries to attract as much attention
from international organizations such as the European Union, the
Council of Europe, OSCE and friendly countries including neighboring
Turkey and of course the United States.

Several times Saakashvili mentioned a deeper and full-scale
involvement of the OSCE in monitoring the conflict zone and even
conducting a peacekeeping mission. The headlines of Georgian
newspapers on Wednesday clearly stated that the conflict has not been
resolved yet and the current situation is very far from a peaceful
settlement.

Unlike twelve years ago, it is difficult to turn a blind eye to
events in Georgia, particularly interference by political groups and
officials based in Russia. The Rose Revolution made it impossible for
countries to turn the other way as they did in the early 1990’s and
throughout the crisis in Chechnya. Moreover, with numerous
achievements under its belt, the young Georgian government has earned
the backing of supporters in Europe and beyond.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 26 2004

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND CHANCELLOR
GERHARD SCHROEDER
[August 26, 2004, 13:06:29]

On the end of ceremony of signing of the documents, President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Federal Chancellor of Germany Gerhard
Schroeder have held a news conference. Head of the government of
Germany and the President of Azerbaijan have made statements.

STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY GERHARD SCHROEDER

– Dear ladies and gentlemen!

I want to note that I am very glad to welcome here the President of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. It is pleased because Mr. Aliyev after
election as the President has arrived here with the first official
visit. Political relations between Azerbaijan and Germany are at a
fine high level. I think, that Mr. President is very much interested
in creation in Azerbaijan of a lawful state, makes huge efforts for
this purpose and has achieved successes. Therefore, I regard him with
the deep respect. Due to the reforms, which are carried out in the
country by Mr. Ilham Aliyev, surprising results have been achieved,
in good sense. And it gives a strong pulse to development of economy,
and all this will go to the blessing of the Azerbaijan society.

As of political question, I can tell, that Germany, as before, and
today is the partner of Azerbaijan, has recognized and will recognize
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We concern to this with huge
respect. Mr. President, and I count, that the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict should be settled only by peace way.
Germany will make its contribution and make efforts within the
framework of activity of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Today, all of us became witnesses of signing of the contract
concerning purchase of four airbuses that serves as display of our
economic relations. Azerbaijan also counts the given contract
extremely serious. Certainly, the purpose consists in integration
into Europe. At the same time, the question is realization of the EU
New Neighborhood Policy. It follows great purposes.

I want to note also activity of the German companies in Azerbaijan.
At our meeting Mr. President has noted, that there are fine
conditions for cooperation and interactions with the German companies
in power and infrastructure spheres, and he welcomes them in
Azerbaijan!’ For example, such companies, as “Siemens”, is interested
in realization there of some projects.

Within the framework of negotiations we came to an agreement that in
the coming autumn or in the beginning of the next year to carry out
in Berlin a conference with participation of representatives of the
German economy in connection with investments in Azerbaijan. In the
conference, discussed were real opportunities existing in Azerbaijan,
particularly, concrete projects so that we have started close
economic cooperation. I am absolutely confident, that visit of Mr.
president to Germany is useful to both sides and will do well for
both sides.

STATEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV

– Dear ladies and gentlemen!

First of all, I want to note, that it is my first official visit to
Federal Republic of Germany, and I am very glad, that it passes at
very high level. Within the framework of visit today in the morning I
have met the President of Germany. Besides my meeting with Mr.
Federal Chancellor today has taken place. I want to note, that the
wide exchange of opinions has been carried out. The German-Azerbaijan
mutual relations were discussed.

Relations of Azerbaijan with the European Union promptly develop. It
satisfies both the European Union and us. Germany is one of the
leading countries of Europe and the world and possesses very powerful
economic potential.

Due to the carried out in the last years in Azerbaijan economic
reforms, our country, too, has got stronger, our economic potential
every year grows. The authority of Azerbaijan on our region both with
economic, and from the political point of view grows and its
positions become stronger. Certainly, taking into account it, we
hope, that after present visit cooperation existing between the two
countries in all areas becomes even wider. We very much hope, that
connections between Germany and Azerbaijan in political, economic and
in all other spheres became even wider, more strong, and that two
countries became closer each other.

We also had exchange of views on concrete projects. Today, the
contract about purchase of airbuses has been signed. Mr. Chancellor
has noted, that this contract is extremely important both for
Azerbaijan, and for the European countries. It is confident, that
henceforth our cooperation with Europe will develop even more
promptly and in other branches.

We are very pleased with the position of the government of Germany in
the question of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Today, Mr. Chancellor has noted that Germany always has faithfully
concerned and nowadays concerns the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan. I hope, that being guided by the mentioned principle, it
will be shortly possible to achieve peace settlement of the conflict
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

There is a fine ground for the even greater development of mutual
relations, and the present visit has defined new directions of the
future cooperation. I want to express confidence, that we and
henceforth shall cooperate successfully in all areas.

***

Then, the Presidents answered questions of media representatives.

Q: Mr. Chancellor, you have noted that economic relations between
Azerbaijan and Germany are at a high level. And what situation in the
field of culture? If it is necessary to develop connections and in
this area, what you for this purpose would undertake?

GERHARD SCHROEDER: I always considered, that it is impossible to
differentiate the relations between the countries. Irrespective of,
whether there is a speech about policy or economy, it is necessary to
concern with respect to each sphere as it makes a basis of fruitful
cooperation and friendship. Also cultural cooperation with
Azerbaijan, therefore, is extremely important. Unfortunately, in this
case I cannot tell, what particularly it means in this area. But if
in this sphere this or that initiative will be put forward, I am
ready to support it. I think, that we can approach with optimism to
the mentioned question as your possession of German language at so
high level testifies to how far we have promoted in the field of
culture.

Q: Mr. President, you have noted, that the Nagorny Karabakh conflict
can be settled in the political way. What means are necessary for
this purpose?

ILHAM ALIYEV: The first means consists that international legal norms
should be observed. Armenia has occupied the Nagorny Karabakh region
and adjacent to it our seven regions of Azerbaijan, and occupation
continue already long years. Until the armed forces of Armenia will
not be pulled back from the occupied lands, the conflict cannot find
its settlement. Therefore, first of all, international legal norms
should be observed. National minorities worldwide live, however, it
does not mean at all, that they should follow the road of separatism.
The various nations live in Azerbaijan, and the Armenians, too, can
live in Nagorny Karabakh. If international legal norms will find
realization and if the Azerbaijan lands will be released from
occupation, Azerbaijan and Armenia can come nearer to the peace
agreement. The thesis, which is put forward by the Armenian side,
consists that the Armenians living in Nagorny Karabakh should gain
independence. I want to state that the Armenian people has already
gained independence, there is a state of Armenia. Their policy has no
future; it contradicts processes proceeding in the world. I hope,
that the management of Armenia shortly will understand it and will
remove the armed forces from the lands not belonging to them.

Q: Southern Caucasus integrates into the European family, it is
already counted a part of Europe, and however the European Union has
not stated concrete position in connection with conflicts on Southern
Caucasus, including the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Germany is one of
the leading states of the world, with a notable weight in the
European Union, the European parliament. What role in this sense
Germany can play?

GERHARD SCHROEDER: If the European Parliament will directly interfere
with the given question it can regard as intervention in the policy
of the said states. I during conversation with Mr. President have
noted, that we always recognized territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
and our position remains unchanged. I think, that such position is
held not only by us, but also by the European parliament.

Q: Did You have exchange of views on combat against the international
terrorism? What can you tell in connection with last air crashes in
Russia?

GERHARD SCHROEDER: Unfortunately, I have no exact information on the
air crashes, and investigations, probably, are conducted, therefore,
I would not like to suppose discrepancies. The reasons of accidents
will be known after investigations.

***

On August 25, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received in
his residence members of the Bundestag of Germany.

This very day in the evening, the Company “Siemens” arranged a
banquet in honor of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. During
the banquet, there were heads of the leading German companies and
concerns.

Official visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Germany continues.

Zaman, Turkey
Aug 26 2004

Eroglu Brings Home Silver for Wrestling

His Azerbaijani rival in the finals earning a silver medal defeated
Seref Eroglu, one of two Turkish wrestlers who carry Turkey’s hopes
for gold at the 28th Summer Olympics.

The world champion competed in the 66kg category four-party group.
After a successful match against Georgian rival, Manuchar Kvirkelia,
another world champion, Seref Eroglu finished the first round with an
11-1 technical advantage. In the second contest, Eroglu defeated his
Colombian rival, Luis Fernando Izquierdo, after making him experience
very hard times. Eroglu received everyone’s appreciation with his
10-0 technical advantage in the first lap. Eroglu became undefeated
group leader after he easily defeated his Armenian rival, Armen
Vardanyan, with a score of 5-0 on the last match of the first day.
Eroglu made it to the finals after he beat another athlete of Armenia
Kazak Mkhitar Manukyan, in the semi-final match yesterday morning.
Eroglu ended his winning streak when he was defeated by his
Azerbaijani rival, Ferit Mansurov, 4-3, and had to settle for second
place.

Agence France Presse
Aug 26 2004

In Equatorial Guinea Coup Trial, Armenian Accused Give Evidence

MALABO, Aug 26 (AFP) – The trial of 18 men charged with plotting to
oust Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema went into a
fourth day Thursday, with an Armenian pilot accused of being a hired
gun for the coup bid giving evidence.

Samuel Darbinyan, 41, told the court in Malabo that he did not know
why he had been held in prison since March along with five other
Armenian crew members and eight South Africans.

A German suspect died in detention, officially of cerebral malaria,
but with rights groups saying he was tortured to death.

The 14 foreign suspects are on trial alongside four Equato-Guineans,
all accused of complicity in a plot to topple Obiang, who has been in
power in the tiny, oil-rich central African country since 1979.

Obiang announced their arrests on March 9, saying: “A group of
mercenaries entered the country and was studying plans to carry out a
coup d`etat.”

Without going into details, Obiang said interrogation of the suspects
revealed they were financed by multinational companies and “countries
that do not like us.”

The arrests came days before some 70 men were detained when their
plane stopped off in Zimbabwe, allegedly en route to Equatorial
Guinea for the coup.

The Equato-Guinean attorney general has called for the death penalty
for the alleged ringleader of the group on trial here, South African
Nick du Toit.

Du Toit is so far the only one of the 18 defendants on trial in
Equatorial Guinea to admit any involvement in a coup plot.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 26 2004

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED CHAIRMAN OF BUNDESTAG FOREIGN POLICY
COMMITTEE
[August 26, 2004, 17:38:36]

On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev received Head of the
Bundestag Foreign Policy Committee Folker Ruhe.

During the meeting held in a warm and sincere atmosphere, President
Ilham Aliyev and Chairman Folker Ruhe exchanged views on the
situation in the Southern Caucasus, elimination of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and security issues,
and noted the importance of expanding interparliamentary cooperation
between the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev, for his part, told of the hard consequences
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the efforts
by Azerbaijan for the problem to be solved fairly in the framework of
the basic principles of the international law.

Reporters without borders, France
Aug 26 2004

Photographer assaulted in the north of the country

Photographer Mkhitar Khachatrian, of the PhotoLur agency was
assaulted after taking photos of politicians’ private holiday villas
in Tsaghkadzor in the north of the country.

Reporters Without Borders called on Armenia’s prosecutor-general
Aghvan Hovsepyan to do everything possible to track down and punish
those responsible.

Khachatrian and Anna Israelian, of the independent daily Aravot, were
working on a report on the destruction of the forest caused by
house-building in the region.

They were photographing private homes, chiefly belonging to
parliamentary deputies, on 24 August when a guard ordered them to
stop. The journalists refused to comply.

The same evening the guard, accompanied by a group of thugs, found
the pair in a local café. One of them struck Khachatrian and
threatened to kill him. He then ordered him to hand over his camera
containing shots of the villas, and the photographer handed him the
disk.

Assaults on journalists have escalated since the start of the year.
On 5 April several journalists were manhandled on the sidelines of a
demonstration while security forces looked on. In June, two of the
assailants were fined about 150 euros in connection with the
assaults. Security forces beat up two more journalists at a
demonstration on 13 April.

In its letter to the prosecutor general, the international press
freedom organisation stressed that, “Coming after the incidents in
April it would be dangerous to all journalists if a climate of
impunity were allowed to take hold”.

Anadolu Agency
Aug 26 2004

Ankara To Have Busy Diplomacy Traffic In September

ANKARA – Ankara will have a busy diplomacy traffic in September,
diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

Sources said that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who would come to
Turkey next week, would be the first Russian leader visiting Turkey
in the last 32 years.

Ankara would also host European Union (EU) Commissioner for
enlargement Guenter Verheugen in September, the same sources noted
and stressed the importance of this visit since it would be paid days
before the EU Commission would make public its progress report on
Turkey. The Commission is expected to publish its progress report on
October 6th.

Verheugen will visit Ankara, southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Aegean
city of Izmir, and commercial hub Istanbul between September 5th and
8th.

EU Commissioner Verheugen will meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on September 6th.

In the new EU Commission which will take over the office on November
1st and be presided by Jose Manuel Durao Barroso of Portugal,
Verheugen will be the EU Commission Vice President and the
Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry.

Another foreign high-ranking official who will visit Turkey in
September is Iranian President Mohammad Khatami. Khatami is expected
to arrive in Ankara at the end of September, sources said.

-GUL’S MEETINGS-

On the other hand, Gul will visit several foreign countries in
September, it was learned.

Sources said that Gul was planning to join the informal meeting of EU
Foreign Ministers to be held in Maastricht, the Netherlands on
September 3rd and 4th.

Gul is also expected to visit Baltic countries, including Estonia,
Lithuania and Latvia between September 9th and 14th.

The same sources noted that Gul might also visit Czech Republic and
Portugal in September.

Gul will fly to the United States to join United Nations (UN) General
Assembly on September 17th. Turkish FM Gul will have a tripartite
meeting with Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanyan and Azerbaijani
counterpart Elmar Mammedyarov in New York, where they all participate
at the UN General Assembly.

The last meeting of the three ministers was in Istanbul during the
NATO summit held at the end of June. In this meeting, Turkey had
stated that it could play a role of a catalyst in settlement of
problems in the Caucasus.

Payvand, Iran
Aug 26 2004

Armenia’s Central Bank governor welcomes closer ties with Central
Bank of Iran

Moscow, Aug 25, IRNA — Governor of Central Bank of Armenia Wednesday
in a meeting with Iranian ambassador to Yerevan Alireza Haghaqian
stressed strengthening bilateral economic and financial cooperation
between the two nations.
Tigran Sarkisian said that Armenia attaches importance to it
relations with Iran based on mutual respect.

He further added that closer cooperation with Iran can be positive in
reducing Armenia’s economic problems.

Iranian ambassador also said the two countries should use their
banking capabilities in joint projects.

The two nations have forged close economic and trade relations.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian said here in July that
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline project is of great importance to Yerevan.

ArmeRuss Gazprom and Gazprom companies voiced readiness in June to
contribute to Iran-Armenia gas pipeline project.

The two companies have started feasibility study on the technical and
economic aspects of the project and a group of engineers, being
members of the working group, visited the regions in Armenia from
where the pipeline is going to pass.

Experts believe that Iran-Armenia pipeline project is of strategic
importance to Armenia for not passing the critical spots in northern
Caucasus and Georgia.

Iran and Armenia signed agreement on the 142-km gas pipeline project
in 2001, under which the republic would receive 1,500,000 cubic
meters of gas from Iran a day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress