Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 30 2004
Opposition party’s protest actions not sanctioned
Mayor’s Office of Baku has not sanctioned the protest actions of the
opposition Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (WAPFP) scheduled to
be held outside the embassies of NATO member-states in Baku,
ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense.
The party chairman, MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev says the issue will be
considered at the WAPFP board meeting on Monday.
The WAPFP plans to hold up to 10 pickets starting August 2 in protest
against the participation of Armenian officers in NATO training
sessions due in Baku in September.*

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 30 2004
Armenia may send troops to Iraq

Armenia may send troops to Iraq, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency has
reported.
The Armenian government has approved the decision by the country’s
defense ministry to join the memorandum `On commanding and regulating
the work of the multi-national stabilization force in Iraq’.
Earlier, Armenia announced that it was ready to send trucks, ten
field engineers and three military doctors to Iraq.*

Iranian, Azeri foreign ministers discuss ties, Caspian Sea, Karabakh
IRNA web site
31 Jul 04
Tehran, 31 July: Iran and Azerbaijan discussed here Saturday 31 July
possible avenues for bolstering of bilateral ties in various fields.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, in a meeting with his
Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi, expressed his country’s
determination and interest in further expanding ties with Iran.
He stressed the importance of the upcoming visit by President Mohammad
Khatami to Azerbaijan and said the visit would be a major stride
towards expansion of mutual relations.
The Azeri minister expressed satisfaction with growing economic
relations between the two sides and hoped new economic agreements
would be signed during President Khatami’s visit to Baku.
Mammadyarov assessed talks on legal regime of the Caspian Sea as
positive, adding: The Caspian Sea should be the sea of friendship and
cooperation among the littoral states.
He hoped littoral states would reach a consensus on the legal regime
of the sea.
He voiced Azerbaijan’s interest in joining the North-South Corridor
and stressed the role Baku plays in materializing the projects to this
effect.
Kharrazi, for his part, said Iran attaches special importance to
expansion of ties with neighbouring states, adding: President
Khatami’s future visit to Azerbaijan would be an indication of high
level of ties between the two countries.
“Tehran regards as important its ties with Azerbaijan Republic
particularly both from economic and geopolitical points of view and
considers the common borders as borders of friendship and peace,” he
said.
He outlined the background of relations between Tehran and Baku since
the independence of Azerbaijan, saying: “Iran attaches great
importance to a powerful Azerbaijan which safeguards national and
regional interests in this sensitive and strategic region.”
He urged the two sides to further try to achieve high level of
cooperation.
Kharrazi termed trade and economic cooperation between the two
countries as “progressive” and added: “Iran and Azerbaijan have
launched good cooperation in various fields including transfer of
electricity, development affairs, road-building, construction of power
plants and energy. “Such cooperation can further expand.”
He said Iran regards strengthening of popular bonds as very important
and underlined the importance of continued supportive policies and
easing travels of Iranian and Azeri nationals within framework of
policy to further expand mutual transactions.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional issues, including
Karabakh.
Kharrazi stressed that, as a friendly country, the Islamic Republic of
Iran is ready to contribute to settlement of Karabakh dispute.
He said: Tehran pursues settlement of Karabakh dispute within
framework of the charters of the UN and of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC).
The Azeri foreign minister arrived here early Saturday on a two-day
official visit to discuss bilateral ties.
Azerbaijan’s special envoy for Caspian Sea affairs accompanies
Mammadyarov in the current visit.
Mammadyarov is also to visit the northeastern city of Tabriz. He is to
return to Baku through the autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NKR PRESIDENT GETS ACQUAINTED WITH COURSE OF ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS TO
ARTSAKH UNIVERSITY
STEPANAKERT, July 30 (Noyan Tapan). On July 30, NKR President Arkady
Ghoukassian got acquainted with the course of entrance examinations to
the main higher school of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic – Artsakh
State University (ASU). According to the Head Information Department
attached to the NKR President, the examiners and applicants, who did
not expect the visit of the President, got an unexpected possibility
to ask questions to him connected with the current examinations. The
president gave corresponding instructions to members of the admission
commission on ensuring fair and transparent examinations of knowledge
of applicants. The President was accompanied by the Secretary of the
NKR Security Council Karen Baburian.

Tehran Times, Iran
Aug 1 2004
Tehran, Baku Can Play Effective Role In Maintaining Regional
Security: Khatami
TEHRAN (IRNA) — President Mohammad Khatami said here Saturday that
Baku and Tehran could play effective role in restoring security and
stability to the region given the historical and cultural bonds
between the two countries.
In a meeting with visiting Azeri Foreign Minister Elmara Mammadyarov,
Khatami added the region belongs to all its countries and therefore,
the regional countries should cooperate to restore stability and
develop it.
Pointing to the determination of the two countries’ officials to
expand mutual relations in recent years, he said the agreements
signed by Tehran and Baku will ensure mutual interests and deepen
bilateral cooperation.
Touching upon crises in the region, Khatami expressed hope that the
existing problems would be resolved through wisdom and adoption of
proper policies.
For his part, the Azeri foreign minister submitted to Khatami a
letter of invitation from his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev to pay a
state visit to Azerbaijan.
Mammadyarov cited the achievements made during late Azeri president’s
visit to Iran and called for efforts to be made to ensure bilateral
and regional interests. The Azeri official briefed Khatami on the
political and economic situation of his country, saying “Azerbaijan
republic, since its independence, has embarked on strengthening its
infrastructures. We do hope that we will attain progress and
development given the independence and numerous natural resources in
the country.” Iran, Azerbaijan Call For Expansion Of Ties
Iran’s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi also in a meeting with his
Azeri counterpart, discussed possible avenues for bolstering of
bilateral ties in various fields.
Mammadyarov assessed talks on legal regime of the Caspian Sea as
positive, adding the Caspian Sea should be the sea of friendship and
cooperation among the littoral states.
He hoped littoral states would reach a consensus on the legal regime
of the sea.
“Tehran regards as important its ties with Azerbaijan Republic
particularly both from economic and geopolitical points of view and
considers the common borders as borders of friendship and peace,”
Kharrazi said. Kharrazi termed trade and economic cooperation between
the two countries as “progressive” and added, “Iran and Azerbaijan
have launched good cooperation in various fields including transfer
of electricity, development affairs, road-building, construction of
power plants and energy. “Such cooperation can further expand.”
The two sides also exchanged views on regional issues, including
Karabakh.
Kharrazi stressed that as a friendly country, the Islamic Republic of
Iran is ready to contribute to settlement of Karabakh dispute.
He said Tehran pursues settlement of Karabakh dispute within
framework of the charters of the UN and of the Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC).

ERDOGAN’S VISIT TO BE A SERIOUS TEST FOR TURKISH-IRANIAN RELATIONS
Azg/am
30 July 2004
Turkey’s American Policy is an Obstacle on This Path
On July 27 the prime minister of Turkey Ragep Tayyip Erdogan left for
Tehran on a three-day official visit. He was welcomed in the Sadabad
palace and had a half an hour private talk with the first
vice-president of Iran Islamic Republic Mohammad Reza Arif.
According to Turkish press, the talks were mainly on the PKK successor
People’ s Congress of Kurdistan, and the Iranian side met the wish of
Turkey and promised to enroll the Kurdish Congress into the list of
terrorist organizations. The same newspapers write that the Turkish
PM is successful in his talks on reassessing the price of the Iranian
gas. It seems that Turkey may go further attempting to transfer
Iranian gas to Europe via its territory.
Iran will not benefit from declaring the PKK a terrorist organization
because it will awake Kurdish aggression in the country and the USA
will use this situation for its purposes.
Taking into consideration the fact that Iraq is within reach and that
the Kurdish leaders of Iraq Jalal Talabani and Masud Barzani that are
under Washington ‘s control and have close ties with the PKK, we think
that Iran should refrain from pleasing Turkey and taking that
decision.
Otherwise, the USA will only be glad if Iran meets Turkey’s wish. The
USA can’ t put up with the idea that the Iranian gas will go to
Turkey, as this will bring Turkey and Iran to economic cooperation.
But the perspective of the Iranian gas to be exported to Europe is
even torturous for the USA as it wants to see Iran weak, with unstable
inner political life and isolated from the world. This is especially
true now when the two bordering countries of Iran Afghanistan and Iraq
are occupied and the American military bases are located in the
Caucasus and the Middle East.
It was not a coincidence that just a day before Erdogan’s visit
Washington threatened to bomb Iran to prevent the opening of the
nuclear power plant. Israel joined America in expressing displeasure
over Erdogan’s visit.
It is obvious that the Turkish-Iranian cooperation will involve Syria
as well and thus it cannot be acceptable for both Israel and the USA.
It seems that the Great Middle East project should also contradict
Iran. Erdogan’s visit to Tehran may be considered a success unless
his plans were to incline the Iranian government to the project and
please America.
By Hakob Chakrian

Le Télégramme
31 juillet 2004
Jazz tzigane mardi avec Ferdi Zipci
Mardi soir, le musicien Ferdi Zipci offrira à 20 h 30 un concert de
musique tzigane jazzie au Centre de loisirs du Palais.
L’an dernier déjà Ferdi Zipci avait insufflé à un public conquis les
mélopées tziganes de sa composition, issues des Carpathes entre
Hongrie et Roumanie. Il y raconte l’histoire des peuples, mais aussi
la sienne, traduisant avec douleur et joie l’aspiration bouillonnante
d’une liberté.
Voix rocheuse et veloutée, Ferdi Zipci charme. Arménien, avec un nom
qui s’est réinventé selon les méandres d’un exilé forcé de
l’Histoire, il arrive à l’ge de 10 ans à Paris, arrivant de Turquie
avec sa famille.
Intégration, intelligence et sensibilité ont noué d’autres racines,
multiples et pétillantes, rares et déchirantes. Entre des études
supérieures, la guitare, la peinture, l’homme d’harmonie décide de
vivre ses trois existences, en alternance. Deux disques déjà. Et
comme les « Achours », ces troubadours arméniens, il chante dans les
langues des pays traversés. Il se fait tzigane. Le peintre musicien a
fréquenté le célèbre cabaret « La roue fleurie » appartenant à Serge
Camps dans les années 80.
Il y côtoie la communauté des musiciens tziganes et manouches, dont
Angelo Debarre.
La guitare décolle
Formée aux musiques orientales comme au jazz, la guitare décolle en
solo, rapide, concise. Elle sait aussi laisser place à la voix de
Catherine et aux instruments de ses musiciens.
Elle swingue, décortique l’émotion, violente, acre et fragile. La
voix typée de Ferdi Zipci chatouille les notes et caresse les larmes.
Comme dans son dernier CD, « Caravan » (D. Ellington), où
l’accordéoniste David Venitucci, invité spécial, balance
d’incroyables phrases très jazz.
Mardi, dès 20 h 30, la soirée promet une partition inventive et
chaloupée.
GRAPHIQUE: Photo, Legende: Ferdi Zipci, au Centre d’animation et de
Loisirs rue des Remparts, au Palais, pour un concert plein de chaleur
et de rythmes voyageurs et improvisés, mardi à 20 h 30.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S PM MEETS WITH NEW IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA
YEREVAN, JULY 30. ARMINFO. Armenia’s Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
and newly appointed Iranian ambassador to Armenia Ali Reza Khagigyan
discussed today issues of Armenian-Iranian cooperation.
Margaryan expressed hope that Khagigyan’s activities to promote
further development t of Armenian-iranian relations.
The basis of this is the centuries-old friendship of Armenia and Iran
and the relations formed after Armenia got independence. Armenia gives
high importance to the enlargement of its bilateral and multilateral
cooperation with Iran. Mutual visit promote this cooperation., In
this context the sides stressed the importance of the Sept 8-9 visit
of Iranian President Mohammad Farhad Khatami. They said that
cooperation meets the interests of both sides and is beneficial for
the whole region. Khagigyan said that the Iranian authorities consider
important the establishment of peace in the region and political and
economic stability in Armenia. The sides also spoke about the projects
to construct a gas pipeline from Iran to Armenia and a water power
plant on river Arax.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT AND WB SIGN THREE CREDIT PROGRAMS WORTH $34.3 MLN
YEREVAN, JULY 30. ARMINFO. The Armenian Government and the World Bank
signed today three credit programs worth a total of $34.3 mln.
Armenia’s Finance and Economy Minister Vardan Khachatryan says that
$10.15 mln will be spent on the modernization of the state sector, $19
mln and additional $1.250 mln grant on the improvement of the health
care system and $5.15 mln on the social sector.
Khachatryan says that it’s for the first time that the WB is lending
money on state administration reforms in Armenia. The money will be
used for introducing digital signature to make the sphere more
transparent and efficient. In the health care sector the money will be
spent on repairs of medical instititions, purchase of equipment,
training of doctors and developing the institution of family
doctor. In the social sector the funds will be used to establish
computer communication with regional social security services,
repairing employment offices, holding pension reforms.
Khachatryan says that the Armenian Government ha changed the form of
cooperation with the WB and now all credit programs will be signed in
Yerevan.
The loans will be provided through International Developent
Association for 40 years at 0.75% the repayment period starting in 10
years. Since 1992 the WB has implemented in Armenia 36 programs worth
a total of $820.80 mln.

FREEDOM FIGHTERS DEMAND RIGHTS BACK
YEREVAN, JULY 30. ARMINFO. “We demand the restoration of our lawful
rights and privileges,” the members of the legislative action group,
commanders of detachments that took part in liberation of Nagorny
Karabakh stated at a press conference held at the “Armenian-Aryan
Union” organization. The disabled soldiers and the families of killed
freedom-fighters demand the resolution of the housing problem on the
basis of the list approved by the RA Ministry of Defense. Another
problem is the adoption of a law on the status of freedom-fighters.
The law is expected to be applied to the freedom-fighters that took
part in battles for at least six months. The freedom-fighter demanded
a rise in pensions to the families of killed and wounded soldiers.