Azeri opposition MP in favour of Bush’s victory in presidential polls

Sarq, Baku
5 Aug 04

Excerpt from Yadigar Cafarli and Teymur Turan report by Azerbaijani
newspaper Sarq on 5 August headlined “John Kerry’s remarks seem
dangerous” and subheaded “Asim Mollazada: ‘This man is one of the
authors of Section 907′”. Subheadings have been inserted editorially:

The main issue on the agenda is the visit to Baku by the rapporteurs
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe PACE on
Azerbaijan, Andreas Gross and Andres Herkel. At its autumn session,
PACE’s agenda will include the discussion of Azerbaijan’s commitments
to the organization. This attaches special importance to the visit of
the co-rapporteurs to Baku. A member of the Azerbaijani delegation at
PACE and an MP from the “reformist” wing of the People’s Front of
Azerbaijan Party, Asim Mollazada, also reckons that this visit is
important.

Mollazada The Azerbaijani public pins great hopes on the visit. I am
sure that Azerbaijan can get stronger by integrating European values.

Passage omitted: Azerbaijan’s relations with the PACE

US official’s regional visit

Correspondent The recent visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for
European and Eurasian Affairs Elizabeth Jones has caused much
interest.

Mollazada This was a scheduled visit. She visited not only Azerbaijan,
but also Georgia.

The visit had been planned. Therefore, I see nothing strange about
it. This was a working visit and if there are more of such visits and
such relations, this will be of benefit to Azerbaijan and the region.

There are some really dangerous processes under way in the region,
namely, in Georgia’s South Ossetia. Naturally, the USA – which has
relations of partnership with Azerbaijan and Georgia – is monitoring
these developments.

Correspondent Did the visit have an impact on the delay in the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline’s construction in Borjomi?

Mollazada I think that this is temporary. The construction will resume
within days.

The US presidential election

Correspondent The election campaign is under way in the USA. You used
to be an active supporter of George Bush in Azerbaijan. What about
now?

Mollazada I would like to recall that during his four-year term in
office, George Bush suspended the unjust Section 907 to the Freedom
Support Act banning direct US government assistance to Azerbaijan
. The measures he has taken on the issues where Azerbaijani and
American interests converge have facilitated Azerbaijan’s development.

Correspondent What about John Kerry then?

Mollazada Some of Kerry’s remarks seem dangerous to me. This man is
one of the authors of Section 907. He recently said that when elected
he would take certain decision regarding the “Armenian genocide”.

I believe that a person who prioritizes the interests of one ethnic
diaspora in his election campaign will prove unable to fully protect
America’s national interests in the future. What we want is
cooperation between the USA and Azerbaijan, a policy based on common
interests.

I hope that the majority of the American people will vote for the
politician who protects national security better.

VOLUME OF INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT INCREASES BY 4.9% IN ARMENIA IN FIRST HALF
OF 2004

YEREVAN, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). GDP of Armenia made 9.2% in the first
half of 2004. RA Minister of Trade and Economic Development Karen
Chshmaritian said during the August 6 press conference that the main
share of the registered economic growth falls on the real sector. In
particular, the share of chemical industry increased 3.7-fold, the
share of the light industry increased by 75%, machine-building – by 9%
and the production of metalic ore – by 50%. During the period under
review industrial output increased by 4.9% in comparison with the same
period of last year. In particular, 28 enterprises of the ore mining
sphere turned out production of 66.1 bln drams as against 67.5 bln
drams of last year. It was also mentioned that 9,913 people, in fact,
work at the enterprises of the sphere, their average monthly salary
makes 72,000 drams (about 150 dollars). The volume of output made 63.1
bln drams in the jewelry sphere during the last six months. The
imports of natural diamonds from Russia decreased: only 70,000 carats
of natural diamonds have been imported to Armenia up to day.

The agreement was reached with the government of Russia that if
Armenia doesn’t use 15% of raw materials imported to Armenia, it will
re-export it. Only 17 enterprises out of 32 enterprises of the sphere
of light industry operated in Jan-June of this year. They turned out
output of 6 bln, 169 mln drams, which is more by 75% than last year’s
index. 40 companies of the sphere of machine-building of the republic
turned out output of 2.5 blndrams. The volume of the production of
eight enterprises of the woodworking industry made 295 mln drams in
Jan-June 2004, which is more by 22% than last year’s index.

PETER BALAKIAN SURE THAT KERRY TO SHOW OTHER ATTITUDE TOWARDS ISSUE OF
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE THAN OTHER US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

PASADENA, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). Peter Balakian, the author of the
much-talked-of book entitled “The Tiger in Fire” which is devoted to
the Armenian Genocide, expressed hope that one should expect other
attitude towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of
presidential candidate Senator John Kerry than the attitude
demonstrated by the previous presidential candidates who became the US
Presidents then. According to him, Kerry spent all his life among the
Armenians. P. Balakian mentioned that the state of Massachusetts is
the home for almost 30,000 Armenians. “He is a candidate having
profound knowledge in the historical events concerning the Armenian
Genocide,” the writer said. According to the American “Pasadena
Star-News” publication, the US Presidents traditionally chose “the
golden mean” and avoided using the “genocide” term, as well as they
came up against the resolutions recognizing the Genocide in order not
to alienate Turkey, which is an American ally. But
scientists-historians and activists standing for the recognition of
the Genocide pin their hopes on the candidature of John Kerry, taking
into account the fact that in 1990 he voted for the approval of the
resolution on the recognition of the Genocide submitted by Senator Bob
Doll. Kerry promised to recognize officially the 1915 Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in case of his victory in the presidential
elections to be held this November.

ENERGY CRISIS IN GEORGIA TELLS MOST OF ALL ON JAVAKHK

AKHALKALAKI, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). The energy crisis of Georgia most
of all tells on Javakhk, regardless of the fact that the Akhalkalaki
and Ninotsminda regions are most conscientious while paying for the
used electricity. The Akhalkalaki region is the only region in
Georgia, which pays for electricity at 100%. According to the “A-Info”
Agency, the situation with electricity became more complicated in
Samtskhe-Javakheti, when Georgy Ioseliani was appointed head of the
company on electricity distribution. The problem is that for the
punishment of non-payers Ioselianin applies measures that also affect
normal payers, in the indicated case – the Armenian regions. Today
Samtskhe-Javakheti receives only 7 megawatts of electricity instead of
40 megawatts, which is enough for the satisfactions of the needs of
only one region.

14 COMPANIES PRIVATIZED IN SECOND QUARTER IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). 14 companies were privatized in the
second quarter of 2004 in Armenia against 31 ones privatized in the
same period of the previous year. According to Karine Kirakosian, the
Head of the State Property Department attached to the RA government,
18 companies were submitted for privatization through a tender. Tenders
on 14 out of them didn’t take place. 3 companies were privatized by
the system of a classical auction and 8 companies by the system of a
direct sale. 4 entities of incomplete construction were privatized in
the period under review, 3 out of them in the form of a direct sale, 1
through a tender. As of July 1 2004 1,894 small and medium
enterprises, 7,226 “small” entities and 77 entities of incomplete
construction were privatized.
From: Baghdasarian

ABOUT 100 MLN DOLLARS NECESSARY FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF SHUSHI

STEPANAKERT, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). The “Shushi” Foundation has
unfolded the boosting activities directed at the reconstruction of the
historical look of the Armenian town-fortress. According to Bakur
Karapetian, Co-Chairman of the Foundation, the measurement of all the
constructions, as well as the registration of all the historical and
cultural monuments has already begun. The number of monuments,
according to him, makes 500. It was mentioned that, according to
specialists’ calculation, 100 mln dollars are necessary for the
reconstruction of Shushi.

NEW LEADERSHIP OF “CROSS OF LEBANESE ARMENIAN AID” RECEIVES BLESSING
OF CATHOLICOS OF GREAT CILICIAN HOUSE

ANTELIAS, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). On August 3, Catholicos of Great
Cilician House Aram I received members of the new board of the “Cross
of Lebanese Armenian Aid”, who came to receive the blessing of the
Patriarch before assuming new office. Catholicos of Great Cilician
House Aram I highly estimated the merits of the organization and the
current boosting activities. He mentioned the mission carried out by
the organization in the days of the civil war in Lebanon at the price
of human and material losses. Then His Holiness spoke favorably of the
current activities of the members of the organization, especially on
the provision of the vulnerable population with food and the
resolution of other problems in the sphere of public health and social
security. According to the press service of the Great Cilician House,
the Supreme Patriarch wished the newly elected board every success in
its further work.

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Aug 6 2004

Iran/Azerbaijan: Iranian President Visits Azerbaijan, Calls For
Closer Ties
By Antoine Blua

Ilham Aliyev said relations with Iran are improving

Prague, 6 August 2004 (RFE/RL) — Azerbaijan and Iran share a border
but this has not been enough to foster close relations between the
two. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is visiting Azerbaijan this
week. It’s the first official trip to the neighboring country by an
Iranian leader in more than 10 years.

The three-day trip began yesterday and featured talks between Khatami
and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Speaking after the meeting,
Khatami called for closer bilateral ties. He said history and
geography have brought the fates of the two countries together.

“The border between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of
Azerbaijan is a border of peace, friendship, and brotherhood,”
Khatami said.

Khatami said an Azerbaijani consular office will open in the
northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz, the center of an Iranian
province where millions of ethnic Azeris live. The sides also signed
an agreement to improve road and rail links and to fund building an
electricity line between Imisli in southern Azerbaijan and Astara at
the Iranian border. “We have always felt Iran’s support in the
conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.” –
Aliyev

Azerbaijani leader Aliyev expressed satisfaction about the
agreements, saying he believes relations between Azerbaijan and Iran
are developing successfully. “The implementation of the agreements
signed will create thousands of jobs in Azerbaijan,” he said. “And
agreements on energy and gas swaps will allow us to provide [the
Autonomous Republic of] Nakichevan, which is integral part of
Azerbaijan, with electricity and gas.”

On the political front, Aliyev praised Iran for what he called its
“support” for Azerbaijan in the conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh
enclave. “We have always felt Iran’s support in the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said. “And we are
still feeling that today.”

Khatami said Iran is ready to contribute to a peaceful solution of
the conflict. He added that Iran considers Nagorno-Karabakh part of
Azerbaijan and that the use of force in settling international
problems is “unacceptable.”

However, talks did not produce any breakthrough on the issue of the
maritime borders of the Caspian Sea, which touches both countries.
The legal status of the Caspian, which contains large reserves of oil
and gas, has been in dispute since the Soviet Union collapsed in
1991.

Davood Hermidas Bavand teaches international law in Tehran. He said
the visit was important nevertheless. “The significance of the visit
is [the] development of good neighborly relationships with
Azerbaijan, bearing in mind that we have certain difficulties with
that state in connection with the Caspian Sea,” he said. “The very
objective of this visit is to [come to terms with] existing problems.
When the two parties accept this kind of communication, it’s an
indication that there is a certain intention for improvement of the
existing problems.”

Experts in Baku suggested the two sides would also discuss the
growing U.S. military presence in Azerbaijan, which has contributed
to the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq. But neither side was ready
to comment.

Khatami addressed Azerbaijan’s parliament today and met with the
parliamentary speaker. He is expected to visit Ganca, Azerbaijan’s
second-largest city, tomorrow before returning to Iran.

Canadian Press
Aug 6 2004

Ex-Marseille coach takes over as head of Armenian national soccer
team

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Former Marseille coach Bernard Casoni took
over as head of Armenia’s national soccer team, saying Friday that he
is ready to work hard to achieve good results for this ex-Soviet
republic.

“I am not a magician – good results will be achieved gradually,”
Casoni told a news conference in the Armenian capital. He added that
his first impression was that the team had some good talent, who
needed “only to be led forward.”

Former coach Mihai Stoichita resigned in late June, less than two
months before the start of World Cup qualifying. Armenia plays its
first qualifier on Aug. 18, against Macedonia.

Casoni said he was focusing on that game, adding that he had
previously known very little about Armenian soccer or the national
team.

Ruben Airapetian, head of the Armenian soccer federation, said that
he had signed a one-year contract with Casoni. He added that he would
be paying the money for the French coach “from my pocket” since the
Armenian federation lacked cash.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: “DEVELOPMENT OF ARMENIAN-SYRIAN RELATIONS IS VERY
IMPORTANT IN NEAR-EASTERN POLICY OF ARMENIA”

YEREVAN, August 6 (Noyan Tapan). Stimulation of many-sided
Armenian-Syrian relations is very important in the Near-Eastern policy
of Armenia. Andranik Margarian, RA Prime Minister, declared this while
receiving the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic headed by Hasan
Al-Rifai, the Minister of Economy and Trade of Syria, the Co-Chairman
of the Armenian-Syrian inter-governmental economic commission. The
Prime Minister emphasized that though from the time of establishment
of diplomatic relations the sides made efforts for development of
trade-economic and scientific-cultural relations and for raising of
economic relations to the level of the political ones, nevertheless
the economic relations between 2 countries can’t be considered
satisfactory by now. Hasan Al-Rifai represented the course of the work
of the second sitting of the inter-governmental economic commission to
the head of the Armenian government mentioning that a number of
important agreements in the sphere of healthcare, communication and
telecommunication, tourism and other spheres were signed as a result
of it. He mentioned the intention of the Syrian side to establish a
special working group, which will follow the fulfilment of these
agreements. According to the governmetal Press Service, during the
meeting the sides expressed a hope that the forthcoming visit of Naju
Utri, the Prime Minister of Syria, to Armenia will give an additional
impuls to development of relations between 2 countries.