Peterborough Evening Telegraph
July 28, 2004
POLICE: New crack murder squad
A TEAM of detectives is being pulled together to form a crack
homicide squad.
Policemen with a track record in murder investigations will have
instant access to the latest scientific sleuthing technology, and the
ability to tackle major cases without delay.
The team will be led by Detective Superintendent David Hankins,
currently head of Peterborough CID, and will deal with unlawful
killings across the county.
The formation of the American-sounding squad comes after criticism of
Cambridgeshire Police Force’s handling of the murders by Ian Huntley
of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham.
The force was criticised by the Metropolitan police and Sir Michael
Bichard, for failing to request a vetting check on Huntley, losing
focus during the investigation, and because Cambridgeshire Chief
Constable Tom Lloyd remained on holiday in the early stages of the
inquiry.
Hywel Jarman, police spokesman, said: “We are looking to bolster
crime investigations, and part of our review has taken into account
things that have arisen out of Soham.
“But it is also about aligning our crime strategy with best practice
from other forces.”
Today, Det Supt Hankins promised: “We will be using the best
procedures from this country and from all over the world. But the
real benefit of the homicide unit to residents will be the degree of
expertise we will be able to build up in a relatively small team.
“That will help us investigate the most serious of crimes – murder.
“There are scientific advancements being made in crime detection
almost by the day. The things that can be now be done with DNA are
awe-inspiring.”
The homicide squad, to be launched in the autumn, will deal with all
unlawful killings, including murder and manslaughter.
During quiet times in the county it will deal with other major
crimes, but recent years suggest they will be kept busy.
In 2002 to 2003, there were nine murders, 23 attempted murders, and
11 manslaughter cases. In the last financial year, there were eight
murders, 21 attempted murders and 15 manslaughter investigations.
Officer already in charge of murder investigation
Det Supt Hankins is already leading the Farcet murder investigation
into the stabbing of Robert Bogle, on Tuesday, June 8, at 8.30pm.
Neither that team, nor the one investigating the murder of Armenian
Hovhannes Armirian, in Upton, in December 2002, which is being led by
Detective Chief Inspector Bert Deane, will be broken up.
But all new murders will be in the hands of the homicide unit.

Turan news agency, Baku, in Russian
28 Jul 04
AZERI DEFENCE CHIEF, US AIR FORCE COMMANDER DISCUSS COOPERATION
Baku, 28 July: Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev today
received the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Gen
Robert H. Foglesong.
The two men exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in the
military-political sphere. Gen Foglesong thanked Azerbaijan for its
support for operations against international terrorism.
Talking about the aim of his visit to Baku, he said he would like to
familiarize himself with the Azerbaijani air forces. “I believe that
cooperation between the air forces of our countries will strengthen
after my visit,” he said.
Abiyev criticized the US government for allocating equal military aid
to Armenia and Azerbaijan and also for allocating 5m dollars to the
separatists in Nagornyy Karabakh.
In turn, Foglesong voiced his hope that Azerbaijan will choose a
peaceful way to resolve the Karabakh conflict.

RosBusinessConsulting Database
July 29, 2004 Thursday 11:54 am, EST
Georgia pays debts to Armenia
The Georgian government has paid $5.8m in fines and interests of its
debt to Armenia for the period from 2003 to May 2004, Armenian
Finance Minister Vardan Khachatrian told journalists, the ARKA news
agency reported. According to him, a bilateral commission that will
discuss all debt issues has been created.
Georgia’s state debt to Armenia is $19.5m. Moreover, Georgian energy
enterprises own $4m to Armenian energy companies.

Associated Press Worldstream
July 29, 2004 Thursday 4:58 PM Eastern Time
Armenia planning contribution to Iraq force
YEREVAN, Armenia
Armenia drew closer to contributing to the U.S.-led forces in Iraq on
Thursday, when the Cabinet approved a Defense Ministry decision to
join an agreement governing the coalition forces there.
Armenia’s leadership has decided to contribute, and a Defense
Ministry official said the former Soviet republic is discussing
sending 10 explosives experts and three doctors to Iraq. The official
said Armenia is also offering to send military trucks.
Armenia has close ties with Russia, but has sought to step up
relations with the United States since the 1991 Soviet collapse. The
Caucasus Mountain nation’s neighbor and foe, Azerbaijan, has sent 150
troops to Iraq.

El Pais, Espana
July 29, 2004
Europa llega a los festivales de Navarra y Castillo de Ainsa
Madrid
CARLOS GALILEA,
Los sonidos del Europa son los protagonistas tanto de Festivales de
Navarra, hasta el 7 de agosto en Pamplona, como del Festival Castillo
de Ainsa, que se celebrara en el Pirineo aragones a partir del dia
12. La incorporacion de nuevos paises a la Union Europea y la firma
de la primera Constitucion europea han animado a estos festivales,
que propician desde hace anos la diversidad cultural, a programar
musicas del continente donde han surgido lo celta y el fado, la
tarantela y el flamenco, y que acoge las creaciones de los hindues
que viven en Londres o los norteafricanos de Paris.
Dissidenten inauguro el lunes, con la Orquesta y la Coral de Camara
de Pamplona, esta edicion de Festivales de Navarra ().
Hoy estan previstas Natacha Atlas y Carmen Paris; manana, los
portugueses Mafalda Arnauth y Rodrigo Leao, y el sabado, Jane Birkin
con un grupo magrebi. Para el siguiente fin de semana, los
napolitanos Eugenio Bennato y Pietra Montecorvino (5 de agosto), una
Noche celta (dia 6) y Arto Tuncboyaciyan y su Armenian Navy Band (dia
7). En los jardines de la Ciudadela habra teatro de calle con Royal
de Luxe y Xarxa Teatre; peliculas de Dreyer, Rossellini o Lars von
Trier, y talleres sobre el expresionismo aleman o la nouvelle vague,
y la exposicion de Cartier-Bresson Los europeos.
Ainsa () arrancara el 12 de agosto con
Sargento Garcia, al que seguiran Bennato y Montecorvino (dia 13),
Dulce Pontes (dia 14), Tuncboyaciyan y el bulgaro Ivo Papasov (dia
15), la alemana Schall Sick Brass Band (dia 17), los belgas Think of
One (dia 18), el grupo irlandes Kila (dia 19) o el duo
moscovita-berlines Theremin, la bosnia Ljiljana Buttler & Mostar
Sevdah Reunion y la croata Lidija Bajuk (dia 20).

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
July 28, 2004
CONSIGLIO EUROPA: ALLARME SITUAZIONE DETENUTI IN ARMENIA ;
COMITATO ANTITORTURA: CARCERI SOVRAFFOLLATE E POLIZIA VIOLENTA
BRUXELLES
(ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 28 LUG – Arriva dal Consiglio d’Europa
l’allarme sulla situazione dei detenuti in Armenia e il richiamo
alle forze dell’ordine del paese perche curino di piu’ la
formazione professionale degli agenti.
Secondo il Comitato per la prevenzione della tortura di
Strasburgo, che ha presentato oggi il suo primo rapporto
sull’Armenia, oltre al sovraffollamento delle carceri e
all’assenza di qualsiasi attivita’ ricreativa, i detenuti armeni
devono infatti affrontare un “rischio elevato di maltrattamenti
da parte della polizia”.
In particolare Strasburgo chiede misure urgenti per migliorare
le condizioni di detenzione dei condannati all’ergastolo nella
prigione di Noubarashen, in provincia di Erevan, e evidenzia le
carenze dell’ospedale psichiatrico della stessa citta’.
In risposta al rapporto, le autorita’ armene hanno annunciato
una diminuzione della popolazione carceraria, grazie
all’adozione del nuovo codice penale, e hanno presentato delle
misure destinate a migliorare le condizioni negli istituiti di
Noubarashen.(ANSA).

ARKA News Agency
July 29 2004
Goods turnover between Armenia and Ukraine in five months of 2004
grew twice and amounted to $31.1 million
Nagorno Karabakh has stable trend toward decrease of crime level
Armenian society is deprived of strictly formed value reference
points
RA Ministry of Defense denies the statement by AR Ministry of Defense
*********************************************************************
GOODS TURNOVER BETWEEN ARMENIA AND UKRAINE IN FIVE MONTHS OF 2004
GREW TWICE AND AMOUNTED TO $31.1 MILLION
YEREVAN, July 29. /ARKA/. Goods turnover between Armenia and Ukraine
in five months of 2004 grew twice and amounted to $31.1 million,
Ukrainian Embassy to Armenia told ARKA. Export of Ukranian goods
increased twice and amounted to $26.8 million. Export of Armenian
goods grew 1.7 times and made $3.3 million.
Foreign trade operations of Ukraine were conducted with partners from
184 countries. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
NAGORNO KARABAKH HAS STABLE TREND TOWARD DECREASE OF CRIME LEVEL
STEPANAKERT, July 29. /ARKA/. Nagorno Karabakh has stable trend
toward decrease of crime level, it was stated during the sitting of
NKR Police in result of operative work of the department in first
half of 2004.
It was noted during the sitting that 281 crimes were registered in
report period, which is 16% less that in the same period of 2003.
In the whole according to NKR Police, operative situation in the
republic remains stable and controllable. L.D. –0 –
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN SOCIETY IS DEPRIVED OF STRICTLY FORMED VALUE REFERENCE
POINTS
YEREVAN, July 29. /ARKA/. According to 88% of the Armenian experts,
the Armenian society hasn’t strictly formed value reference points,
as it was stated by Stephan Safaryan, the expert from the Armenian
Center for Strategic and National Research (ACSNR), the results of
`Value and Ideological Guiding Lines. Imperatives and Alternatives’
expert survey conducted by ACSNR on July 12-27 testify to it.
According to Safaryan, 50% of the respondents think that the system
of values in the Armenian life was formed during the period of
independence, 20% – during the Soviet period. At the same time, as
Safaryan stated, 84% of the respondents are against the existing
system of values in Armenia. He added that 48% of Armenian experts
think that reference points of the Armenian society must be defined
by liberal democracy, and according to 36% of the respondents, social
democracy and national ideology must be such kind of reference
points. At the same time 92% of the respondents think that the values
in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Laws of
the country are not deep-rooted or ingrained at all. Besides,
according to Safaryan, 54% of the respondents considered the
authorities’ conduct to be the reason of this, and 20% – the
unsatisfactory level of political consciousness among the society.
Safaryan also said that 36% of Armenian experts think that the
influence of external factors on the formation of the system of
values in the country to be big and 66%- considerable. 50 experts
took part in the survey. 82% of the respondents were holders of
master’s degree, 14% – candidates of science, 4% – bachelors. A.A.-0-
*********************************************************************
RA MINISTRY OF DEFENSE DENIES THE STATEMENT BY AR MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
YEREVAN, July 29. /ARKA/. RA Ministry of Defense (MD) denied the
information about the breach of ceasefire regime on the border of
Armenia and Azerbaijan late in the evening on July 27. According to
RA MD Press Service Department, there is no such information about
the breach of ceasefire regime.
Azerbaijani MD Press Service made a statement on July 28, according
to which the Armenian side twice opened fire on the positions of the
Azerbaijani army: `on July 27 beginning from 11:30 p.m. for about
half an hour Armenian subdivisions began firing of the Azerbaijani
army’s positions located near Alibeili village of Tovus region. The
fire was opened from submachine guns and machine-guns from Berd
region of Armenia. The same day from 11:55 p.m. for 15 minutes
Armenian subdivisions began firing of the Azerbaijani army’s
positions from Berkaber village of Berd region of Armenia’, according
to the statement. A.H.–0–

PanArmenian News
July 29 2004
AZERI OFFICER DISAPPEARED IN BRUSSELS
ONE KILLED, 12 WOUNDED IN CRASH IN YEREVAN
ARMENIA SUGGESTED THAT CONFLICTING PARTIES HAVE DIRECT CONTACTS
DURING OSCE MONITORING
GEORGIAN ENERGY SYSTEM TRANSFERS TO PARALLEL WORK WITH ENERGY SYSTEM
OF ARMENIA
GERMAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS DEMAND POSTPONING TALKS ON TURKEY
ACCESSION TO EU
CE CRITICIZES TREATMENT OF DETAINED PERSONS IN ARMENIA
ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS DISCUSSED BILATERAL RELATIONS
ARMENIAN AMERICANS HOPE KERRY WILL NOT FOLLOW HIS PREDECESSORS IN
GENOCIDE ISSUE IN CASE OF BEING ELECTED
EDUARDO ERNEKIAN INTENDS TO ASSUME MANAGEMENT OF TUNIS MAIN AIRPORT

*********************************************************************
AZERI OFFICER DISAPPEARED IN BRUSSELS
29.07.2004 18:09
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Union Police is searching for officer
of the armed forces of Azerbaijan Firuz Gasimov, who was attending
retraining courses at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. As Azeri
Defense Minister Safar Abiyev told journalists, the 35-year-old
officer was to return to Baku June 7, however he has not appeared so
far. “Searching for F. Gasimov resulted in nothing. We do not know
ourselves what has happened,” the Minister said. At that he denied
rumor that the Azeri officer had asked for asylum in one of the
European countries.
*********************************************************************
ONE KILLED, 12 WOUNDED IN CRASH IN YEREVAN
29.07.2004 17:28
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A person was killed, 12 got injuries of various
degrees of heaviness resulting from a traffic accident in the center
of Yerevan today. As reported by the Department of Emergency
Situations under the Armenian Government, in one of the avenues a
refuse collection car run into a passenger car, then bumped into a
route taxi. According to the data of the republican Ambulance
service, 7 were delivered to hospitals, one of them – Boris Babloyan
– died on the way. The state of the rest of the victims is still
grave. The investigation group is holds an inquiry of the details of
the occurrence.
*********************************************************************
ARMENIA SUGGESTED THAT CONFLICTING PARTIES HAVE DIRECT CONTACTS
DURING OSCE MONITORING
29.07.2004 16:27
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian party has suggested turning from radio
communication to direct intercourse of the parties during of the OSCE
monitoring of the contact line between the armed forces of Armenia
and Azerbaijan. As reported by the Press Service of the Defense
Ministry of Armenia, the proposal in question was made July 28 during
a planned OSCE monitoring in the area of Berkaber village of Tavush
region of Armenia and Mizamlu settlement of Gazakh region of
Azerbaijan, held with the participation of personal representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk. Mr.
Kasprzyk welcomed the suggestion and expressed hope that the OSCE
will soon intercede for holding such a meeting. It should be noted
that the third monitoring of the part of border in question was due
to the exacerbation of the situation there. In the course of the
monitoring OSCE representatives were informed that at present the
situation at the lot of border in question is relatively calm.
Meanwhile, a release of the Press Service of the Defense Ministry of
Azerbaijan says July 27 evening the Armenian party fired upon the
positions of Azeri forces.
*********************************************************************
GEORGIAN ENERGY SYSTEM TRANSFERS TO PARALLEL WORK WITH ENERGY SYSTEM
OF ARMENIA
29.07.2004 14:16
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The energy system of Georgia will soon be
transferred to parallel work with the energy system of Armenia, which
will allow it to join the energy exchange between Armenia and Iran.
As Energy Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri has told journalists, the
agreement was achieved in the course of a sitting of the
intergovernmental Armenian-Georgian Commission on Economic
Cooperation, held in Tbilisi this week. In his words, Interfax news
agency reported, in the course of the implementation of the project
in summer electric power surplus will be exported to Iran from
Georgia via the energy system of Armenia. By means of the Armenian
energy system electricity will be supplied to Georgia from Iran in
winter.
*********************************************************************
GERMAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS DEMAND POSTPONING TALKS ON TURKEY
ACCESSION TO EU
29.07.2004 13:51
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Members of the Christian Democratic Union of
Germany demand postponing the adoption of a decision on the beginning
of talks on Turkey’s accession to the European Union. As reported by
NTV Turkish channel, Chairman of the EU Foreign Affairs Commission
Elmar Brok and Chairman of the Commission for EU Affairs of the
German Federal Council Mathias Visman have stated that no decision
should be made in December on Turkey’s accession to the EU and the
prerogative of deciding the issue should be left to the EU Council,
which will have new composition after the election. Brok and Visman
demand “privileged partnership” for Turkey instead of full EU
membership. They stated that “there is much to be done” by Turkey to
realize reforms launched.
*********************************************************************
CE CRITICIZES TREATMENT OF DETAINED PERSONS IN ARMENIA
29.07.2004 13:28
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Council of Europe (CE) anti-Torture Committee
has made public its first report on Armenia. According to the CE
Yerevan representation, the report notes cases of mistreatment of
detained people at police departments of Armenia. Thereupon the
Committee recommends that policemen attend professional trainings,
including study of contemporary investigation methods. The report
pays attention to the prisons being packed. In the experts’ opinion,
urgent steps should be taken to improve the conditions life prisoners
are kept under in the Nubarashen prison.
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS DISCUSSED BILATERAL RELATIONS
29.07.2004 13:27
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ July 28 Armenian President Robert Kocharian and
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation, the
Press Service of the Russian leader reported. In the course of the
conversation, which took place on the initiative of the Armenian
party, the presidents “discussed some questions of bilateral
relations,” ITAR-TASS Russian news agency reported.
*********************************************************************
ARMENIAN AMERICANS HOPE KERRY WILL NOT FOLLOW HIS PREDECESSORS IN
GENOCIDE ISSUE IN CASE OF BEING ELECTED
29.07.2004 17:08
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ US presidential candidate from the Republican Party
John Kerry has pledged that in case of winning the election this
November he will recognize the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey,
Arminfo news agency reported referring to Pasadena Star-News.
Meanwhile, as reminded by the source, such pledges were also made by
previous presidents, when they were candidates. These are Bush Sr.,
Clinton and the incumbent President. However, having found themselves
in the While House they hampered introduction of any resolutions
recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
*********************************************************************
EDUARDO ERNEKIAN INTENDS TO ASSUME MANAGEMENT OF TUNIS MAIN AIRPORT
29.07.2004 14:07
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Argentinean air magnate of Armenian origin Eduardo
Ernekian participates in tender for management of Tunis main airport.
As reported by RFE/RL, in the opinion of specialists, Ernekian’s
chances to win are high. It should be reminded that Aeroportos
Argentina company, Ernekian is in charge, manages 37 airports of the
world, including the Yerevan airport of Zvartnots.

NewsCentralAsia, Asia
July 30 2004
Causus Belli: A Historical Lesson
Dr. Begench Karayev, Fulbright Scholar, Indiana University
It could be possible to attribute the contemporary global upheaval to
clashing civilizations and cultures but a very clear and present
danger actually emanates from the lofty ambitions and raging
arrogance of some power players and decision makers. Their
declaration to engage in a long war with the `enemies of
civilization’ falls very short of any real justification. Sometimes
it appears that the `enemy’ is a product of their paranoid
imagination. In any case, it is difficult to accept their identified
foes as `enemies of civilization.’
An impartial assessment would suggest that the authors of the Causus
Belli are probably themselves the enemies of civilization, the
civilization that they claim to defend.
History shows that justice may be a murky concept, arrogance never
goes unpunished, and sometimes the efforts to bring peace to hostile
communities may result in tragedy for peacemakers at the hands of
their own subjects or companions. Even some prudent emperors and
fearless warriors have fallen victim to this phenomenon.
Some war planners with their incomplete knowledge or incorrect
understanding of history may be expecting a peaceful Muslim Europe
and democratic Greater Middle Eastern region as a result of their
grandiose plans but they need to remember that war has a way of
getting out of hand and end result can usually be unexpected and
surprising.
We find an important lesson in the Christian-Muslim wars near the end
of eleventh century. The heroes of the epoch are well known to
historians although the politicians may not be quite familiar with
them. They were Alp Arslan and Romanus IV Diogenes, the first one a
Turkmen Seljuk emperor and the latter the Emperor of Byzantine.
In 1070, Alp Arslan invaded Armenia and captured the town of
Malazkirt, north of Lake Van. In the spring of 1071, he besieged and
took Aleppo, which was held by the independent Arab prince, Mahmood
ibn Mirdas, but the Sultan allowed him to remain in the city as his
vassal. At the same time the Emperor Romanus Diogenes crossed the
Euphrates and marched to Malazkirt where he divided his army, sending
Norman contingent under Crusader Roussel de Bailleul to hold the
fortress of Khilat.
According to historians, Alp Arslan first invited the emperor for
negotiations but Romanus replied haughtily that he would dictate
terms of peace in Rei. On Friday, 19th August, 1071, Alp Arslan
prepared for battle. As soon as he came in sight of the enemy, he
dismounted and implored God for victory. The Turkmens then fell upon
the Byzantines with all their fury. Romanus had drawn up his army in
line. The Turkmens, however, according to their usual tactics,
refused to close and remained at a short distance from the heavy
Byzantine formation, into which they poured continuous streams of
arrows.
Romanus, with the main body of the front line was surrounded. The
Turkmens closed in, still shooting. Eventually the Byzantines were
overrun and Romanus Diogenes was taken prisoner. Alp Arslan behaved
towards his defeated enemy with chivalrous courtesy. After a brief
period of detention, the emperor was released, weighed down by the
conqueror with valuable gifts.
While the ruthless Turkmens treated the unhappy Romanus with
courtesy, the action of his compatriots was less chivalrous. The
politicians of Constantinople were quick to seek their personal
interests from the national disaster. No sooner did the news of the
disaster reach Constantinople than the courtiers seized power by
raising to the purple the young son of the previous Emperor
Constantine Ducas. The new emperor assumed the title of Michael VII
Ducas.
When Romanus Diogenes returned to Byzantine territory, he found that
he had been deposed already. Endeavoring to raise an army, he was
defeated and carried as a prisoner to Constandnople, where his eyes
were torn out with such brutality that he died as a result of the
surgery.
But the young Emperor Michael Ducas in the face of threat from Norman
Crusader Roussel de Bailleul made a fateful decision. Afraid that
Roussel would attack Constantinople, the emperor appealed for help to
the Seljuks. While the chivalrous Alp Arslan had marched away to
Trans-Oxania after releasing Romanus, his nephew Sulaiman ibn
Qutlumish now concluded an agreement with Michael Ducas to come to
his assistance against Roussel. The Normans were overwhelmed by the
combined armies of the Byzantines and the Seljuks.
The indomitable Roussel, however, continued the struggle, repulsing
his pursuers. A new Byzantine commander, Alexius Comnenus, was sent
against him, working in close co-operation with the Turkmens. At
length Roussel was handed over to Alexius Comnenus. This incident, in
which Alexius Comnenus, who was later to be Byzantine emperor,
co-operated with Turkmens against Normans, should be borne in mind.
After some time sultan Alp Arslan marched to Trans-Oxiana. In the
fall of 1072 the sultan’s army crossed the Oxus on a bridge of boats.
A prisoner was brought before Alp Arslan for questioning, but
suddenly broke away from the guards and plunged a dagger into the
sultan’s breast before the escorts could intervene. In the context of
the historical situation of those times it seems that Alp Arslan fell
victim to a treacherous plot hatched by the participants who were
discontented with the results of his strategy regarding Byzantine.
Some reflections about it appear to coincide with another version of
the death of Alp Arslan. It is said that before he could cross the
Oxus with safety it was necessary to subdue certain fortresses, one
of which was for several days vigorously defended by the governor,
Yussuf Kothual, a Khorezmian. He was, however, obliged to surrender
and was brought as a prisoner before the Sultan, who condemned him to
cruel death. Yussuf, in desperation, drew his dagger and rushed upon
the sultan. Alp Arslan, the most skilful archer of his day, motioned
his guards not to interfere and drew his bow, but his foot slipped,
the arrow missed the target and he received the assassin’s dagger in
his breast. The wound proved mortal, and Alp Arslan expired a few
hours later, on the 1st of December 1072.
As he lay dying, Alp Arslan is alleged to have said to his intimates,
“I have never engaged an enemy without first begging God for victory
– but yesterday I rode to the top of a small hill, while the earth
shook beneath the boots of my troops. I felt myself swell with pride
and said to myself, `I am the king of the whole earth. No one can
stand up to me’. So God overthrew me by the weakest of his creatures,
a prisoner-of-war under escort. I beg God to forgive me for my sin of
arrogance’.
History continuously hammers home the lesson that arrogance does not
go a long way.
He died at the age of forty and was buried in Merv. The following
epitaph was inscribed on his tombstone:
“Thou hast seen Alp Arslan’s head
In pride exalted to the sky,
Come to Merv and see how lowly
In the dust that head doth lie”
In Turkmenistan calendar the month of August has been renamed as Alp
Arslan. It is a gesture of gratitude from the people of independent
Turkmen state of 21 century – Motherland of Great Seljuks to the
glorious Turkmen hero of the Middle Ages.
About the author: Dr. Begench Karayev is currently on Fulbright
Scholarship at Indiana University, Bloomington, USA. He holds a Ph.D.
from Moscow in political theory and is the author of monographs:
`Traditional and modern in political life of the contemporary Central
Asian society. Experience of political analysis’ (in Russian, 218p.,
Moscow, 1996) and `Policy analysis: problems of theory and
methodology. Experience of researches of contemporary Central Asian
society (in Russian, 176 p., Moscow, 1994). Before joining the
Fulbright Scholar Program Dr. Karayev served for more than seven
years as a senior diplomat in the Foreign Service of Turkmenistan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri
28 Jul 04
Local official says Armenians use river to float booby-traps to
Azerbaijan

[Presenter Natavan Babayeva] Armenians even use rivers on the
occupied territories for provocative ends.
[Correspondent, over video of sappers and anti-mine equipment in
rural area] The Armenians float mines and explosive ammunition on
Tartar river to the territory of Tartar District [northwestern
Azerbaijan], Ilqar Musayev, chief of the Tartar district civil
defence headquarters, has said. We should note that the Armenian
positions are located higher than the positions of our army. This
eases the enemy’s provocations on our territory.
[A man captioned as Ilqar Musayev, chief of the Tartar district civil
defence headquarters] [beginning of sentence missing] is being
floated on the river, enters fields through canals and irrigation
ditches. You know, some of them are bombs, but look like other
things, for example toys and other deceptive objects.
[Correspondent] According to Musayev, about 200 people in Tartar have
been blown up on mines since 1994 following the end of military
operations. As against previous years, the number of victims of mines
and unexploded ammunition grew in 2004. That is why the district
executive authorities have appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers and
the Azerbaijani National Agency for Mine Action [ANAMA] to clear the
dangerous areas of mines. ANAMA representatives, who have been
working in Tartar since 29 June, will clear mines on 975,000 square
metres where major military operations were held during the first
Karabakh war.
[A man captioned as Ramil Azizov, ANAMA’s operational manager for
Tartar District] This mined area comprises 116, 451 square metres. It
is planned to end the work here in about 40 days. After finishing
work in this area we will start work on [indistinct] mined area where
a reconnaissance group is currently operating.
[Correspondent] ANAMA has 43 employees involved in this work. In
addition, sniffer dogs are being used to discover mines. An equipped
brigade of doctors is also operating to intervene in possible
unfortunate incident on time. Generally speaking, 29m square metres
around 23 villages in Tartar have been mined. The main part of this
areas is suitable for sowing.
Rufat Hasanov, Sahin Rzayev, Zaur Naibov, ANS.