Azeri opposition party threatens Russian envoy with extradition campaign

Ekho, Baku
15 Apr 04

Text of T. Alili’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho on 15 April
headlined “The Hope Party asks to summon to court Russian envoy” and
subheaded “The opposition believes that Nikolay Ryabov could be
summoned to trial as witness”

“The Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Nikolay Ryabov, must be
summoned as witness to the trial of the opposition leaders charged
with organization of the 15-16 October riots,” Anvar Agayev, deputy
chairman for media issues of the Hope Party, has said.

“Ryabov said that MP Iqbal Agazada, the chairman of the Hope Party, is
the organizer and instigator of the 15-16 October events during his
interview in the 16 October 2003 evening news bulletin Xabarlar on the
state-run station [Channel One]. Such remarks by the ambassador
testify to the truth of numerous reports linking [Russia’s former
Interior Minister Vladimir] Rushaylo, [ex-chief of the Russian
president’s administration Aleksandr] Voloshin, and the group Alfa
[special-purpose unit] with the 15-16 October events.”

“We reckon that Russia is implicated in the arrest of Agazada because
of his repeated remarks in Milli Maclis [Azerbaijani parliament]
against handing over to Russia the Qabala radar station. He also
offered evidence on the Russian army’s involvement in the Xocali
massacre [during the Azerbaijani-Armenian war over Nagornyy
Karabakh]. It seems the position of the chairman of the Hope Party has
affected the Russian ambassador’s attitude to him,” Agayev said.

“The ambassador of a foreign country interferes in public and
political developments in Azerbaijan, and accuses an MP of organizing
some events. By this he proves the interest of his country in those
processes,” Agayev said.

Should the court fail to summon Ryabov, then the Hope Party “will
start a campaign to extradite Ryabov from Azerbaijan as ‘persona non
grata'”, Agayev said.

The Russian embassy has refused to comment on Agayev’s remarks.

Russian, Armenian leaders discuss Yerevan disturbances over phone

ITAR-TASS news agency
14 Apr 04

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed confidence that “the
leadership of friendly Armenia will succeed in utilizing the country’s
substantial potential for democratic reform to maintain stability and
legality”.

During a telephone conversation today Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan, at the request of Vladimir Putin, shared his assessments of
the recent events in Yerevan, caused by an outbreak of internal
political tension, the Russian head of state’s press service stated.

The two heads of state discussed topical issues in bilateral
relations, as well as plans for future Russian-Armenian contacts at
various levels, including summit level.

Azerbaijan to recognize Turkish Cyprus if UN plan fails – Azeri leader

ANS TV, Baku
15 Apr 04

[Presenter] If Northern Cyprus says yes and the Greek Cypriot side
says no during the forthcoming referendum in Cyprus [on a UN plan to
reunify Cyprus], Azerbaijan will be one of the first countries to
recognize the [Turkish] Republic of Northern Cyprus. This sensational
statement was made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting
with the local media within the framework of his visit to Turkey. Our
special correspondent Qanira Pasayeva reports from Turkey. Hello,
Qanira.

[Qanira Pasayeva over the phone] Hello, Leyla. First, President Ilham
Aliyev had a luncheon with the heads of the Turkish mass media
today. Many issues were discussed during the luncheon. The Nagornyy
Karabakh problem was discussed most of all.

I should first note that we do not have enough information about the
event because Azerbaijani journalists were barred from it. They were
not even allowed to listen so as to know what was being discussed. But
I had a telephone conversation with the editor-in-chief of Zaman
newspaper. I learnt from him what issues had been discussed. He said
that the main topics were the Nagornyy Karabakh problem and the
current talks with Armenia. He said that Ilham Aliyev had voiced an
interesting idea. If Armenia and Azerbaijan are allowed to resolve the
conflict on their own, the problem can be resolved, Aliyev said. Asked
in what sense he said this, he said in all senses.

The president made his most interesting statement about the Turkish
community of Cyprus, i.e. the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
officially recognized by Turkey. He said that if Northern Cyprus says
yes and Southern Cyprus says no, Azerbaijan will be one of the first
countries to recognize it [Northern Cyprus]. This is what the
president said. And the president’s statement is currently in the
focus of attention.

[Passage omitted: Correspondent repeats previous sentences]

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia to sell copper mine by end 2004

15.04.2004 12:09:00 GMT

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia plans to sell the zangezur Copper-Molybdenum
Combine by the end of this year, Ashot Shakhnazarian, a first deputy
trade and economic development minister, told Interfax.

A tender called in March has drawn interest from leading international
companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP and Glencore Interm, and Russia’s
RusAl and Norilsk Nickel.

Shakhnazarian said the deadline for submitting bids would be in
September. Although Armenia is offering up to 75% of the Zangezur
plant’s shares at the tender, the government will agree to sell all of
the stock to an investor that makes the right offer, he said.

The Zangezur combine is profitable, Shakhnazarian said. Last year, its
net profits topped $7 million.

The government expects to raise at least $130 million from the sale of
the shares and licenses to the Kadjaran field, which contains the
FSUTs biggest molybdenum reserves. Shakhnazarian said he did not
consider the price to betoo high in view of current metal prices.

The government will require the Zangezur plantTs new owner to triple
or even quintuple output to 30 million-40 million tonnes of ore per
year and to implement new, more environmentally-friendly mining
technology.

Zangezur obtained 6,300 tonnes of molybdenum concentrate and 11,000
tonnes of copper in copper concentrate from 8.1 million tonnes of ore
in 2003.

Armenia ups cut diamond output 7%

15.04.2004 12:08:00 GMT

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia raised cut diamond output 7%
year-on-year to 31.26 billion dram in the first quarter of 2004.

Cut diamond sales were unchanged at 29.218 billion dram and exports
inched up 0.2% to 28.941 billion dram, said Ashot Shakhnazarian, a
first deputy trade and economic development minister.

Supplies of Russian uncut diamonds came to a halt when mining company
Alrosa relaxed its prices, Shakhnazarian said. Armenia is now hoping a
government-to-government trade agreement that governs the supplies can
be amended to incorporate certain concessions, he said.

LET THEM RELEASE 5 REGIONS, AND WE’LL OPEN THE DOOR

Azer Tag
[April 15, 2004, 15:40:09]

The influential Turkish newspaper `Hurriyet’ has published an
interview of its editor-in-Chief Ertogrul

Ozkek with President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev.

AzerTAj offers its readers the text of the interview.

LET THEM RELEASE 5 REGIONS, AND WE’LL OPEN THE DOOR

The flag of Azerbaijan streaming in the Black Sea

I notice first changes right after landing in Baku airport. Now it is
named after Heydar Aliyev. This is not, however, the only
change. Those in people’s attitude to Turkey are also noticeable this
time. Everyone I was talking to, asking just one question: will you
open borders with Armenia?

Before my arrival here, some 20 Azerbaijani journalists had left
Nakhchivan for Turkey, where they are now holding the campaign `Do Not
Open Borders with Armenia’. Some opposition papers call on to even
expel the Turkey’s Embassy in case of the country’s opening borders.

In the evening, we are in the `Izmir’ restaurant located inthe `Izmir’
park. Singers appear on the stage one after another, every next voice
is better than the previous one. The last singer starts singing the
song `Charpinirdi Gara Deniz’ /The Black Sea Storming/exiting the
audience. She starts swinging the Turkish flag with her one hand, and
the Azeri flag with other. The songâ=80=99s last chorus says: we will
do hoist Azerbaijan’s flag in Karabakh.

In such an atmosphere, we are talking with President Ilham Aliyev. And
one of the reasons for giving interview to Guner Jivaoglu from
`Mlliyetâ=80=9D and to me on the eve of the President’s visit to
Turkey was most likely a desire to bring the state of Baku public
opinion to Turkey.

***

ERTOGRUL OZKEK: Passing away of esteemed President Heydar Aliyev was a
loss to the whole Turkish world, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

ILHAM ALIYEV: That was a really great loss to us. He had been
suffering from the disease, but it is impossible to put up with the
loss.

– When was the last time you saw the esteemed President?

– In September.

– Met in America?

– Yes, I had held the office of Prime Minister by that time. I went to
see him. Twenty days later, elections were held. Right upon arrival I
began my pre-election campaign. I planned to go there once more after
the elections on December 16, but he passed away on 12th.

Rate of growth reaches 11%

– This time, I found Baku changed. A lot of newly erected
buildings. What about economic development?

– Our economy is on the right way. Rate growth has reached 11
percents. Azerbaijan came from communist system. Today, however, the
share of privatesector makes up 74%, and this points to market economy
in force.

– Are you pleased with the course of oil pipeline construction?

– The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan is being successfully constructed. This is
Heydar Aliyev’s brain-child, as well. I am pleased with the work being
done on the pipeline.

– Will the developments in Georgia have any impact on the system of
oil transportation?

– No, they won’t.

– Is it possible to use Iranian territory or any other route?

– It is possible in the future, this is a question of tomorrow, not
today. Maybe Azerbaijan will produce so much oil that we will have to
lay additional pipelines.

The point is not ecologists but Armenian Lobby

– What about those who opposed the project?

– The Baku-Ceyhan project’s opponents have not yet given up their
policy. On the first phase, the countries-opponents were frankly
disputing the project. Now the tactics has been changed. The
non-governmental organizations operating as `environment protectors’
and under the influence of the Armenian lobby, want impede its
realization.

– How do you see further developments in the Caucasus? After the
collapse of the Soviet Union, three strong leaders were in the region:
Demirel in Turkey, Heydar Aliyev here, and Shevardnadze in Georgia. It
helped to avoid losses.At the moment, however, the three countries’
leaders do not have due experience. May it cause any problems?

– Unfortunately, instability exists in our region. The Caucasus today
is so sensitive region that the slightest mistake may lead to
tragedy. You have been quite right saying they were very strong
leaders. Their unity, friendship, personal relations were playing very
important role. I hope we, the young ones, will continue their
traditions.

Karabakh and Cyprus are not the same

– Mr. President, we often hear in these last days that following the
settlement of the Cyprus problem, that of Palestine- Israel and
Karabakh conflicts will be put on a waiting list, and that you will be
put more pressures. Do you share this opinion?

– I see no parallel between these problems. Azerbaijan has always been
subject to pressure. But it is totally unjustified as we are not the
sourceof the conflict. Armenia occupied our territories. Nagorny
Karabakh and 7 adjacent territories are still under occupation. As a
result, 40 thousand Azerbaijanis from Nagorny Karabakh, 700 thousand
from the adjacent regions were forced to migrate.

– Are there other refugees?

– Naturally, 250 thousand Azerbaijanis from Armenia. There are also
20-50 thousand Meskheti Turks. Therefore, over one million refugees
exist in Azerbaijan today.

– Is it possible that the conflict will not be settled?

– The large states, OSCE and Minsk group directly engaged in the
problem should approach its settlement on the base of the
international legal norms. Territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must
be restored.

– What about Armenians in Nagorny Karabakh. They say of
self-determination.

– Armenians have got the independent Armenian state. If they declare
the principle of self-determination wherever they live, will they
manage to establish more Armenian states in Georgia, France or
America?

– If you had to address Armenia from here, what would you suggest in
concrete words to settle the conflict?

– I’d say frankly: first, we will never accept the developments
de-facto. These lands will never be a part of Armenia, and no
independent Armenian republic will be created there.

– Isn’t it too categorical and implacable stance? Maybe there is a
need to be more constructive, in order to start negotiations at least?

– We do have a constructive proposal.

– What is it?

– On the first phase, we suggest them to withdraw troops from the
occupied regions to start negotiations. Right after that we will open
railway communications; economic links will be re-established, and it
will become possible to open borders between Armenia and Turkey. We
will also give the highest autonomous status to Nagorny Karabakh.

– How do you see the situation of the Armenians living in Karabakh?

– Our proposals are as follows: we are ready to give highest possible
autonomous status to Armenians of Nagorny Karabakh, but not
independence.

– What status?

– For instance, national minorities are living throughout the
world. We are ready to give the highest level of autonomy, in the
broadest sense of the word.

Pressure exists, but one cannot ignore the national aspect

– Mr. President, some anxiety has been observed in Azerbaijan in
relation to opening borders between Turkey and Armenia. What would you
say in this regard?

– This is Turkey’s internal affair. We have not received an official
notification from Turkey. So, I would say nothing about it at the
moment.

– What would you say if Turkey, however, opened the borders with
Armenia?

– Sure, it would cause damage to Azerbaijan-Turkey relationship. Our
President Heydar Aliyev used to say that we are one nation, two
states. So I don’t think it’s possible. In addition, Armenians claim
not only for our lands but also Turkey’s. Realization of such an idea
would arouse deep regret in Azerbaijani people.

– Turkey, however, is preparing to join the European Union, so opening
the borders is important condition. Turkey is taking certain steps
concerning the problem of Cyprus as well.

– We know Turkey is subject to pressure. We also want Turkey to join
the European Union. But Turkey is a large state. Putting pressure does
not makeit necessary to ignore national aspect. Discussions have not
yet started, and even if they start, how long will they take – one
year, five yearsâ=80¦

Baku Armenians are our men’s wives

– Do you maintain contacts with Armenian President?

– We once met.

– Did he, for instance, congratulate you on the election as President?

– No.

– Did he send a letter of condolences after Heydar bey’s passing away?

– Yes, it was a telegram.

– Population of Armenia is decreasing. People leave the country.

– But Armenian lobby stays. One should not take Armenia just as a
country. Armenian Diaspora is very strong.

– Are there still Armenians in Azerbaijan?

– There are some 20 thousand Armenians in Baku. They are mainly wives
of Azerbaijani men.

– What about Azerbaijani women married Armenians.

– Very few. It happened very rarely in the past.

We don’t have Islamic movement

– Does the Islamic movement exist in Azerbaijan, and how strong is it?

– No, it is out of question. Our public is guided by the principle of
good will.

– How much is percentage of Christian population?

– 5-7 percents.

– What about Jews?

– Some 100 thousand people.

– Greater than in Turkey.

– There have always been a lot of Jews here. Both in Soviet times and
now. They live in peace.

– Are those Russians who have stayed here pleased with their living
conditions?

– I think they really are, they would leave otherwise. We treat them
kindly.

Analyst: Georgian Revolution Holds no Lessons for Armenia

Civil Georgia
2004-04-15 15:39:58

Q&A with Richard Giragosian

Armenian police has disbanded the rally on April 13 and dashed the
hopes of the oppostion leaders for the regime change similar to
Georgia’s “Revolution of Roses.” Use of force by the government has
underscored the need for further protests against Armenian President
Robert Kocharian, opposition says. However, as the analysts suggest
the political situation in Armenia today is significantly different
from that of Georgia in November 2003 when former President Eduard
Shevardnadze was forced from power on the wave of peaceful protests.

Richard Giragosian, Washington-based analyst and a frequent
commentator on events in Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus, who
contributes to RFE/RL Regional Analysis Reports, talked to Civil
Georgia about the key differences between today’s Armenia and
Georgia’s `Revolution of Roses.’

Q.: Armenia President warned the opposition they would fail to import
the revolution scenario from the neighboring Georgia. Do you think
there are preconditions for bloodless revolution in Armenia? Â A:Â
The political situation in Armenia today is significantly different
from that of Georgia in late 2003 when former President Eduard
Shevardnadze was forced from power in a peaceful `revolution of the
roses.’

The key difference lies in the power of the state, as the latter
period of the Shevardnadze era in Georgia was marked by the cumulative
effects of a loss of state authority and power, devolution from the
central government in Tbilisi to the increasingly assertive and
restive regions, as seen in Adjara. This trend resulted in a
substantial loss of legitimacy as well as authority.Â

Thus, it was this vacuum of power and weakening of the state that
emerged as the most significant opportunity for Mikheil Saakashvili,
Burjanadze and, by the end, Zurab Zhvania, form taking advantage of
the situation to force Shevardnadze to resign. It also became
apparent that it was up to Saakashvili and his political allies to
emerge as the `saviors’ of the Georgia state.Â

This also means, however, that the Georgian people’s expectation are
very high and the demand for a fight against corruption and a
restoration of Georgian national pride and strength now rests on the
shoulders of Saakashvili and his still new government. There is hope,
however, that with the success in three areas, the Georgian government
is on the way to finally correcting the decline in state power,
authority and legitimacy.Â

For Georgia, these three successes comprise the following gains:
managing the Adjarian situation and taking on Abashidze, as well as
the ambitious reforms in the Defense Ministry and positive results in
tax and revenue collection and some early effective measures against
corruption.

In Armenia, however, the reverse is true. A strong and assertive state
is exercising its powers of control and intimidation against the
traditionally marginalized and usually divided opposition. The key
difference between the revolution and Georgia and the outlook for
Armenia, rests in the Armenian government’ s overreaction to events.Â
The threats posed to the regime by the opposition are neither as
serious nor as illegal as the authorities in Armenia have contended.Â
In fact, the Armenian opposition remains limited by a reliance on
personality over platform, although the sate is locked in a cycle of
violence and an `arrogance of power’ that threats to only bolster the
opposition.Â

Moreover, the Armenian state, through its use of harsh repression,
mass arrest and by an arrogant demonstration of `disdain for
democracy,’ is actually only legitimizing the politics of the
opposition. By acting, or reacting, with the full weight of the state
and by utilizing the coercive levers of state control, there may
actually be a point where Armenia reaches a pivotal period of
confrontation between an overbearing state acting under cover of
defending law and order with a disregard for democracy.  Â

Q:Â Non-governmental organizations have played a prominent role in
Georgian revolution. Are Armenian civil society groups influential
enough?

A:Â Despite some initial comparison, for Armenia, the Georgian model
of transition is unique and holds no real lessons for the Armenian
situation. The change in the Georgian government stems from a
complicated combination of factors, very few of which are seen in
neither of Georgia’s neighbors. In many ways, the outcome in Georgia
was due as much to the weakness of the state as from the strength of
civil society.Â

But the most significant difference with the Armenian situation is the
fact that the Georgia’s civil society was able to emerge victorious
fromits confrontation with the Georgian state apparatus because the
state (under Shevardnadze) had lost its authority and legitimacy. The
Georgian state under Shevardnadze was marked more by a looming state
of collapse, with discredited political elite, a bankrupt state
economy and constrained by corruption and a failureto exert any
control over many key parts of the country. Although this is rapidly
being corrected under President Saakashvili, the Armenian state
remains in full control and retains authority and legitimacy.

Specifically, the Armenian state remains firmly entrenched, with a
monopoly over the elements of force and power that it has not
hesitated to use, most recently even overused in a naked pursuit to
hold power at all costs. And despite the potential of the Armenian
civil society, there is no easy or open avenue to confront the
government, despite the illusion of the opposition’s demands for
impeachment and sporadic demonstrations in the streets.  Q: Is
opposition in Armenia strong enough and popular enough for staging
more protest rallies?

A:Â The opposition remains hindered by a fairly shallow reliance on
personality, at the expense of a political platform, and is mainly
united on the inherently limited basis of anti-government feeling or
ambition. But just as the opposition is only superficially united,
the pro-government camp is also aligned in an unnatural combination of
four political parties, united only in support of President Robert
Kocharian.Â

There is also a key internal divide separating the Republican Party
from its more democratic, but weaker partners in the pro-government
camp. Specifically, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and
the `Country of Law’ party (Orinats Yerkir) are increasingly troubled
by the outright swaggering ambition of their larger partner.Â

This may actually lead to some changes or shifts within the ruling
camp. This internal discord provides President Kocharian, who is not
tied to any political power base or party of his own, with an
important opportunity to exploit the internal dissension by utilizing
a fractured political base as a means to rule by coalition, without
the emergence of any one overwhelming party to potentially challenge
him.Â

But the main point is that the true test for the stability and
legitimacy of the Armenian government rests on its handling of the
current crisis. The Armenian government may very well be the author
of its own demise, by overreacting to an exaggerated threat posed by
the opposition. The disdain for democracy may become too much for the
international community, and too much for the Armenian population (and
its Diaspora).Â

But the power for `regime change’ in Armenia is held by theauthorities
and not the opposition. It remains to be seen whether the Armenian
government’s recent pattern of violent reaction will continue or, if
the leadership recognizes the danger of their actions, will be halted
and replaced with a return to toleration and discourse.

The fundamentals of governance and power in Armenia can be seen by the
Kocharian government’s preference to look to Russia as a political
idol. The Russian political model offers Armenia specific tactical
and strategic lessons for the less experienced Armenian president and
his associates, including precedents for restraining an independent
media, marginalizing the opposition, subverting the rule of law, and
keeping the parliament powerless and ineffective.Â

Specifically, this Russian model of a strong authoritarian presidency,
free of effective `checks and balances’ or oversight, has appealed to
most of the post-Soviet Armenian political elite. The lessons from
Putin’s moves against the opposition and independent media have not
gone unheeded in Armenia, just as attempts at meaningful
constitutional reforms remain relatively symbolic and incomplete.

Thus, the real threat to Armenian democracy is most clearly
demonstrated by the tendency for governance by strong individual
leaders over strong institutional leadership. This dominance of
`strongmen’ over statesmen has emerged as one of the most
formidable obstacles to conflict resolution and regional
reintegration.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVED WORLD BANK ARMENIAN OFFICE HEAD RODGER ROBINSON

YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Robert Kocharian
received today the Resident Representative of World Bank Rodger
Robinson. The two men discussed World Bank projects in Armenia and
prospects for their development.

They also spoke about including new fields in these projects,
particularly social and industrial infrastructures. Both sides
expressed their satisfaction with the current level of cooperation and
noted that WB has played a major role in the reform processes in
Armenia.

US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HELPS REPAIR ARMENIAN HOSPITAL

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS: US ambassador to Armenia, John
Ordway, and Armenia’s defense minister Serzh Sarkisian, traveled today
to the northern town of Talin, to attend the opening ceremony of a
local hospital that was repaired on funds donated by US Department of
Defense as part of an humanitarian assistance program of the US forces
deployed in Europe.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Sarkisian said US-Armenian
military cooperation has also a social aspect. “This cooperation is
natural and is developing and I hope it will continue,” the defense
minister said, adding that his ministry will help the hospital with
acquisition of medications.

Ambassador Ordway said residents of the town and nearby
settlementwill benefit from the hospital. He also said that
US-Armenian military cooperation will expand further.

The US department of defense had released $237,000 for the
overallrepair of the hospital, including building a new boiler house,
installation of new electricity, water supplying and sewage
systems. The hospital with 100 berths employs 127 people.

Armenian defense minister also said that by the end of the year
Armenia’s relations with NATO will be based on an individual
partnership program, allowing to build more closer contacts with both
the USA and NATO member countries.

Ordway in turn underlined that “it stems from our interests that
the South Caucasus comes in the limelight of the June 28-29 NATO
summit in Istanbul. We shall work towards harmonizing the interests of
the regional countries with those of NATO members and USA,” he said.

ARMENIA IT DAY SUPPOSED TO BE HELD IN SILICON VALLEY

YEREVAN, APRIL 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenia-based branches of several US
IT companies have given their preliminary consent to organize “the
Armenian ITDay” at the famous Silicon Valley in California, which they
hope will be attended by representatives of the leading US IT
companies. The showcase of Armenia-based companies’ products is
supposed to give a full picture of thepresent day Armenian IT sector,
its successes, achievements and potential.

The related expenses are supposed to be covered by Yerevan branches
of Viaspher Technopark, Virage Logic, Leda Systems and other US
companies which have their subsidiaries in Armenia.

Armen Grigorian, the secretary of an IT development council,
affiliated with the prime minister, said a set of amendments will be
sent to parliament’s approval aimed at further improvement of the
related legislation, particularly, some of the amendments have been
developed to liberalize the communications sector. Also Viaspher
Technopark has drafted a bill on free economic zones and performance
of technoparks, which he said will be soon discussed by the government
and sent to parliament.

According to Grigorian, the IT sector has been steadily growing
at20 percent annually. The amount of some 120 companies’ income,
remaining in Armenia is around $50 million. Half of this income is
made by companies running on Armenian capital only and the other part
by companies with US capital. US branches pay all obligatory payments.