Armenia and Iran ink gas, gas pipeline agreement
Interfax
May 20 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia and Iran signed an agreement on May
13 on Iran providing Armenia with at least 1.1 billion cubic meters
(bcm) of natural gas annually, and the two countries working to build
a pipeline to be launched before January 1, 2007.
Armenian Energy Minster Armen Movsisyan told the press afterwards
that Armenia will pay for the Iranian gas with electricity.
The tentative price tag on building the 41-km Armenian section of
gas pipeline from Megri (near the border with Iran) to Kajaran will
be $96- $100 million. Kajaran-Yerevan pipeline was built earlier and
is ready for use.
The cost of the roughly 100-km Iranian section is expected to be
$120 million. Both parties will build their sections independently,
Movsisyan said.
He declined to identify financial sources for the Armenian section or
how much the Iranian gas will cost, citing commercial confidentiality.
Iranian Oil and Gas Minister Bijan Zanganeh was present for the
signing, and he also declined to specify prices. He noted that the
deal is for 20 years, during which Iran is to supply its neighbor
with up to 36 bcm in exchange for electricity produced in Armenia.
In 1995, the two countries signed an inter-governmental agreement
laying out a route for a gas pipeline running 141 km overall, as well
a gas price of $84 per 1,000 cubic meters. The project is estimated
at $120 million, with the Armenian section costing $90-$100 million
because of difficulties building pipeline through mountainous terrain.
The idea is that Armenia will initially be receiving 700 million cubic
meters of gas a year through the new pipeline, that increasing later
to 1.5 bcm annually.
Armenia and Iran have discussed building this pipeline since 1992.
Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, European countries and China have all
expressed interest.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 20 2004
Pressure group calls nation to partisan warfare
On the occasion of the 12th anniversary of Lachin’s occupation by
Armenia, the Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO) Veterans and
Activists Union and internally displaced persons from Lachin paid
tribute at the Alley of Martyrs on Monday.
Afterwards, GLO chairman Naghi stated that the Azerbaijani
authorities and international organizations have not achieved any
results in settling the Upper Garabagh conflict and regarded this as
unacceptable. He termed ruthless fighting against the enemy as the
pride and privilege of every Azerbaijani citizen. “It is high time we
started partisan warfare”, he said.
He added that leaflets have been distributed among residents and
called for the formation of partisan units and a relentless struggle
against Armenian occupants in the Azerbaijani territories. Since
taking over Lachin on May 18, 1992, Armenia has occupied all the
mountainous regions of Garabagh. Lachin, an Azerbaijani region
located 443 kilometers away from Baku, was given the status of an
administrative district on August 8, 1930. With an overall area of
1,800 sq. km, the district consists of 121 residential areas,
including the town of Lachin. Before the occupation, 100 schools, 54
clubs and 88 libraries operated in the district. The district’s
economy is based on animal husbandry and plant-growing. In the last
census, there were 63,341 residents, who subsequently migrated to
other regions of Azerbaijan when it was taken over in 1992.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 20 2004
Armenians again mislead world community
The Wednesday reports by the Arminfo agency concerning the speech by
Pier Garton, the European Union’s (EU) rapporteur on South Caucasus,
in Yerevan have sparked concern in Azerbaijan.
According to Arminfo agency, Garton allegedly opposed Baku’s ruling
of Upper Garabagh, which is capable of meeting its demand for food
independently, and demanded that borders be opened and Turkey
recognize the Armenian genocide.
Commenting on the issue, political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoghlu,
chairman of the Center of Political Innovations and Technology, told
AssA-Irada that this was the latest deception of the Armenian press.
“Some Azerbaijani press reports on the opinions voiced by the EU
rapporteur are incomplete and I regret that they believed the
Armenians’ misinformation,” Ahmadoghlu said. The political analyst
noted that Armenians were also disappointed by the Armenian press
reports on Garton’s opinions, as the EU rapporteur called on Armenia
to give up the idea of the ‘Armenization’ of Upper Garabagh.
Ahmadoghlu added that another issue raised by Pier Garton during his
visit to Armenia was the withdrawal of Armenian military forces from
the territory of Upper Garabagh and the re-opening of a rail link
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Matin Mirza, press secretary of the
Foreign Ministry, also underlined the necessity of studying the
opinions of the European parliamentarian. “We will see if he has
really expressed any opinion saying that he doesn’t consider Upper
Garabagh an integral part of Azerbaijan. We may find out the truth
through our representative in the European Union. However, we don’t
consider it convincing at the current stage. The fact that Pier
Garton has voiced such an opinion doesn’t seem convincing.” The press
secretary underlined that if the Armenian mass media reports are
confirmed, the Azerbaijani government would protest to the European
Parliament.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EBRD to double financing for Armenia in 2005
Interfax
May 20 2004
Yerevan. (Interfax) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development plans to allocate loans of 20 million euros to Armenia
in 2005, compared to expected loans of 10 million – 12 million euros
in 2004, EBRD President Jean Lemierre said at a press conference
in Yerevan.
Three years ago, the EBRD was not allocating loans to Armenia and
in 2003 it disbursed just 6 million euros. The money disbursed in
2003 was spent on developing the private sector and expanding export
opportunities.
The EBRD loans allocated in 2004 will go to buying shares and into
long-term financing (5-7 years at commercial interest rates).
Priority areas for financing in 2005 will be the mining industry,
energy, agriculture product processing, trade, tourism, hi-technology
and services, especially mortgage financing.

GUL: “OUR PACE OF REFORMS CANNOT BE HALTED”
Turkiye, Turkey
May 20 2004
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul attended the Turkey-European Union
Partnership Council meeting in Brussels over the weekend. Addressing
the gathering, Gul told those assembled that through its recent
reforms, Ankara had all but fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria.
Reiterating Ankara’s determination for EU membership, Gul said, “We
won’t tolerate those who try to hold back reform.” In related news,
Gul also met in Brussels with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
During their meeting, Gul said that Ankara would mediate between
Azerbaijan and Armenia on the upper Karabakh issue. He also asked
Aliyev to support Turkey’s efforts to end the international isolation
of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). /Turkiye/

Arinc: Number Of Turkish People’s Applications To E.C.H.R. Has Dropped
Anadolu Agency
May 20 2004
STRASBOURG – Number of Turkish people’s applications to the European
Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has dropped, Turkish Parliament Speaker
Bulent Arinc said on Wednesday.
Arinc, who is currently in Strasbourg to attend conference of
parliament speakers of member countries to the Council of Europe,
held separate talks with ECHR Vice President Jean Paul Costa and
Turkish jurists at the ECHR on Wednesday.
Holding a news conference following the meetings, Arinc said,
“number of Turkish people’s applications to the ECHR about right
to live, torture and maltreatment have dropped. It is a pleasing
development. Reforms made in democratization in Turkey have a
significant role in this development. Turkish people do not apply to
the ECHR about freedom of expression and closure of political parties
any longer. Our government has been making legal changes for a more
free life in Turkey.”
Upon a question about decision of the State Security Court (DGM)
in the re-trial process of former deputies of the Democracy Party
(DEP) which was banned by the Constitutional Court, Arinc said that
the ECHR had made some legal objections to the DEP case.
“Following decision of the ECHR, former deputies of the DEP were
re-tried, and the court ratified its first decision in accordance with
Article 341/1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMUK) arranging the
decision to be made in retrial process,” he said.
Recalling that the jurisdiction was independent in modern and
democratic societies, Arinc said that judicial independence was valid
in Turkey, and no one could affect decisions of courts.
Arinc also gave information about his meetings at the Council of
Europe.
He recalled that he had held very positive and constructive bilateral
meetings with parliament speakers of Greece, Georgia, Armenia and
Russia.
Arinc is expected to return to Turkey on Thursday.

Security Forces Capture 105 Illegal Immigrants
Anadolu Agency
May 20 2004
EDIRNE – Security forces captured 105 illegal immigrants who were
trying to pass border in northwestern Edirne province in the last
two days.
A total of 26 Iraqis, 20 Bangladeshis, 14 Pakistanis, five Indians,
four Armenians, three Iranians, one Somalian and one South African,
who were trying to proceed to Greece illegally, were captured in Meric,
Ipsala and Uzunkopru towns of Edirne in the last two days.
Meanwhile, nine Somalians, six Nepalese, six Syrians, four Chinese,
three Georgians, one Algerian, one Iraqi and one Tunisian, who were
trying to enter Turkey illegally from Greece, were captured in Meric,
Ipsala and Uzunkopru towns of Edirne in the last two days.
Illegal immigrants will be deported after legal procedures.
Turkey is a route of illegal migration due to its geographical
location lying between Asia and Europe like a bridge with its rough
mountainous eastern and southeastern borders difficult to control.
Illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern, Asian and Far Eastern countries
generally use this route to sneak into European countries.
In the West, northwestern Edirne province and some other Aegean
provinces are routes for illegal immigrants to cross the border.
Particularly Meric River, a natural border between Turkey and Greece,
and Aegean provinces which are close to Greek Islands in the Aegean
Sea are used by illegal immigrants to go to European countries.
In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the number
of illegal immigrants who were caught by the Turkish security forces
who stepped up security measures against illegal migration.

Armenian asylum seekers on hunger strike
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 20 2004
The two Armenian nationals, Roman Terian and Artur Apresian, who
came to Azerbaijan on April 7 fleeing Kocharian’s regime, announced
on Monday that they had started a hunger strike.
Terian and Apresian, who aspire to emigrate to a third country with
the assistance of international organizations, began the strike after
the Baku Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees rejected
their request.
In explaining this decision, the office said that if it granted the
request, other individuals might try to emigrate from Armenia in the
same way.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 20 2004
PAKISTAN ALWAYS WAS, IS AND WILL BE CLOSE TO AZERBAIJAN
THE PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN PERVEZ MUSHARRAF STATED IT IN ISLAMABAD
[May 20, 2004, 12:48:21]
As informed to AzerTAj from the embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, on
May 17-18 this year, the deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov was
visiting Islamabad. At the meeting, which has been carried out on the
basis of arrangement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and under
the invitation of the foreign secretary of Pakistan, also there were
representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and economic
development of Azerbaijan.
Within the framework of the visit, Mr. Kh. Khalafov has met the
President of Pakistan general Pervez Musharraf. Before the beginning
of official talk, the head the Pakistani state has stated: “Pakistan
always was, is and will be close to Azerbaijan”. He has noted, that
is always glad to receive the delegation from Azerbaijan, stressed
that attaches special significance to development of relations with
Azerbaijan Republic.
President Pervez Musharraf has emphasized that Pakistani people
always supports fair position of Azerbaijan in the Nagorny Karabakh
problem. The president of Pakistan has explained the uncertainty of
the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, noting that the states of the world do
not take a fair position and approach to the said question from the
position of double standards. The president has emphasized: “Such
states as we, can solve the problems only by amplification of
economy, strengthening of statehood, due to will and determination of
people. He has expressed to the government of Azerbaijan gratitude
for support of the position of Pakistan in the Kashmir question.
The head of Pakistani state has dwelt on the processes proceeding in
the world and has emphasized necessity of development of economic and
trading links between the Islamic countries. The president has noted,
that the big need for revival of the work of OIC and its
transformation into the organization, capable to influence world
policy today is already felt, and, having put forward the idea of
liberal enlightenment, has emphasized, that it first of all pursues
the purpose of expansion of mutual cultural, spiritual, economic,
trading links of 57 countries belonging to the Islamic world.
President Pervez Musharraf has noted, that with impatience waits for
the visit to Azerbaijan, which will take place in the near future.
The head of Pakistani state has stated on existing between his
country and Azerbaijan historically friendly, political relations,
and also has emphasized importance of development of links in
economic and trading sphere. He stressed that during his visit to
Azerbaijan he would discuss ways of expansion of relations in this
area. Upon termination of conversation, general Pervez Musharraf
asked to pass over to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the
kind wishes and sincere greetings.
Mr. Khalaf Khalafov has thanked the President of Pakistan for warm
reception, having noted, that the government and people of Azerbaijan
wait for his visit to Baku, that Pakistan was among the first states
which have recognized independence of our country what exactly at
support of Pakistan we have come in the Organization of Islamic
Conference, and also support of Islamabad in the Nagorny Karabakh
problem and adoption of the resolution number 822 during presidency
of Pakistan in the UN Security Council.
The next meeting of the deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan was
with the chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Muhammadmiam Sumro. At
the meeting, discussed were issues of establishment of cooperation
between parliaments of our countries, activation of work of the
deputy commissions of friendship, mutual visits of chairmen of
parliaments, and also establishment of contacts between the
governmental and non-governmental organizations. Mr. Sumro has
expressed hope, that the visit this year of the Chairman of
Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov to Pakistan would promote
development of communications between parliaments of our countries.
Kh. Khalafov on behalf of chairman of parliament of Azerbaijan has
invited the chairman of the Senate to Azerbaijan.
Then, Kh. Khalafov has met the foreign secretary of Pakistan Mr. Riaz
Kokar, has discussed ways of expansion of ties between the Ministries
of Foreign Affairs of our countries. R. Kokar has recognized
expedient carrying out before visit of the President of Pakistan to
Azerbaijan sessions of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan joint economic
commission and has suggested the Azerbaijan side to organize such
session some days prior to visit of the President. Besides the
request has been expressed to speed up delivery of the corresponding
license to the Baku branch of the Pakistan national bank, started to
function in Baku several years ago.
The last day of the visit to Islamabad Kh. Khalafov has met the
secretary of the government of Pakistan on financial and economic
affairs Vagar Masud Khan, has discussed questions of revival of work
of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan joint economic commission, development of
economic, trading links between our countries.
The meetings of Kh. Khalafov were broadcast on the Pakistan TV, and
his visit was widely covered in mass media of the country.
At the meetings, attending was the ambassador of Azerbaijan in
Pakistan Eynulla Madatli.

PREVENTIVE ARRESTS
A1 Plus | 17:40:25 | 20-05-2004 | Politics |
This morning preventive arrests have been made in Armenia. Under
the information we possess Opposition activists were arrested in
Artashat, Charentcavan and other cities. Some of them were “judged”
at the scene and isolated for 10 days. Members of “Republic” and
People’s Party of Armenia are mainly arrested.
For the time being 15 people are in detention. Many are pursued. In
particular PPA member, Artashat regional head of PPA Aramayis
Barseghyan has been kept an eye on for 2 days. Policemen in civil
clothes were ambushing near his house to kidnap him after he comes
out. But Barseghyan managed to elude and to get the Party Office
in Yerevan.
PPA member Smbat Eghiazaryan, “Republic” Party Secretary Artak
Hakobyan, “Republic” Party member and Echmiadzin regional head of
“Republic” Sayad Tumanyan and many other men whose names are made
more accurate are in the same state.