Author: Tadevosian Garnik

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 1 2006

Next Meeting of Azerbaijan and Armenian Foreign Ministers to be held
on December 4

[ 01 Dec. 2006 10:22 ]

The next meeting of Azerbaijan and Armenian Foreign Ministers will be
held on December 4 in Brussels, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
told the journalists, APA reports.

Giving information about some points of Presidents’ meeting,
Mammadyarov said OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrzey Kasprzyk will participate in the meeting
to be held in Brussels. The next meeting of the presidents will be
discussed in the meeting. /APA/

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 1 2006

ARMENIAN NA SPEAKER THANKS FRENCH PARLIAMENTARIANS

YEREVAN, December 1. /ARKA/. Speaker of the RA Parliament Tigran
Torosyan held a meeting with Chairman of the French-Armenian
friendship Francois Rochblouan, the group member Alen Muan Bresan,
Secretary Jean Pierre Delanua. During the meeting Speaker Torosyan
thanked the French parliamentarians for their activities for the sake
of Armenia’s interests and friendship between the two nations.
Torosyan pointed out the French Parliament’s great contribution to
the matters of importance for Armenians, particularly to the adoption
of the law stipulating criminal punishment for the denial of the
Armenian Genocide. According to Torosyan, the law is aimed not at
publishing individuals, but reflects a specific attitude to phenomena
like that in order to prevent them in the future.
Torosyan regards as absurd the charges of restriction of freedom of
speech brought against France.
Torosyan said that the people bringing the charges have a very vague
idea of democracy. Speaker Torosyan also welcomed the bill authored
by Francois Roshblaun, which denounces all cases of genocide, because
each of them is a crime against humanity.
The sides also discussed issues of Armenia’s energy sector. The
French parliamentarians showed interest in the shutdown of the
Armenian NPP and in ensuring Armenia’s energy security. Torosyan said
that small hydro-power plants are currently constructed on credits
and grants in Armenia, but they are not capable of meeting the
country’s energy needs. Torosyan reported that programs of
construction of a new NPP are available, but "financial problems
arise in this case." P.T. -0–

IN NATO CIRCLE…
by S. Rzayev, N. Aliyev
Translated by A. Ignatkin

Source: Ekho (Baku), November 25, 2006, EV
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
November 29, 2006 Wednesday

AZERBAIJANI EXPERTS CONTEMPLATE THE PROSPECTS OF MEMBERSHIP IN NATO;
The NATO summit in Riga may demand an answer from Baku if it wants
membership in the Alliance or not.

Prominent American media outlets actively discuss the prospect of
membership in NATO of some countries of the former Socialist camp,
Azerbaijan included. Baku is one of the candidates, on a par with
Georgia that does not even conceal its NATO aspirations. Moreover,
the latter was already encouraged to launch the so called Intensified
Dialogue, a last but one step preceding actual membership in the
Alliance. American experts believe that a number of countries including
Azerbaijan will be asked by the forthcoming NATO summit in Riga if
they want membership in the Alliance or not.

It may be added that Azerbaijani experts practically agree with
their American counterparts. On the other hand, nobody in Baku can
say anything definite on the date or conditions of Azerbaijan’s
membership in NATO. "To tell you the truth, I do not know if the so
called well-balanced policy promoted by the Azerbaijani authorities
stipulates membership in the Alliance at this point," said Nasib
Nasibli, Milli Mejlis deputy and member of the permanent Commission
for Parliamentary Contacts and International Affairs. According to
the lawmaker, official Baku constantly emphasizes that "integration
into Euroatlantic structures is what we are after" but "I can’t say
I perceive any actual steps in this direction." Nasibli recalled in
this context the statement he had made on return from Washington in
2003. According to Nasibli, Bush’s Administrations strategic plans
envisaged existence of a group of countries across the ocean that
were supposed to officially apply for NATO membership. Azerbaijan
was one of these countries. "The latest developments around Georgia
and some countries of East Europe, as well as earnest discussion
of Baku as a candidate in America show plainly that this assumption
was correct," Nasibli said. He said that a senior Pentagon official
had asked the question of the Azerbaijani authorities on a visit
to Baku in 2003. "Washington was given unofficial consent then,"
the parliamentarian assumed. Officially, however, no such statement
has ever been made.

Nasibli is convinced that membership in NATO will guarantee Azerbaijan
security. He believes furthermore that nearby Georgia’s membership
in the Alliance is not everything, that Azerbaijan’s membership in
it is needed. "These two neighbors open a way into Central Asia,"
the lawmaker said. Once Georgia and Azerbaijan are in the NATO,
Armenia will remain the only country in the southern part of the
Caucasus. It will also see the light sooner or later and "the circle
will close." Military expert Uzeir Jafarov is of the same frame
of mind.

The latter expects the Alliance to ask Azerbaijan to make up its mind
at the Riga summit. Jafarov pointed out that President Ilham Aliyev
had never said anything definite on the subject on his latest visit
to Brussels. NATO representatives always stressed, he said, that
the willingness should be the country’s own. "It is this willingness
exactly that official Baku hasn’t demonstrated," Jafarov said.

As far as the expert is concerned, NATO leadership would like
a clear answer from official Baku, and preferably positive. It
is common knowledge after all, Jafarov said, that some countries
including members of the OSCE Minsk Group deliberately interfere
to delay resolution of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict over
Nagorno-Karabakh. Jafarov does not doubt that Azerbaijan will make
up its mind in a couple of years, no more, and that it will probably
aspire for membership in the Alliance.

As for Azerbaijan’s integration into NATO, Jafarov emphasized the
necessity to bear in mind two important factors namely Russia and
Iran. "Difficult as it may prove, the decision must be made. We
cannot remain side. As things stand, we have only a vague desire to
shift the army to NATO standards. Little has actually been done,
because there is more to NATO standards and principles than, say,
a different way of marching," Jafarov said.

"Azerbaijan is unforgivably later with making a formal application
for membership," Jafarov said. If membership in the Alliance is not
what Baku is after, then what does it need the individual cooperation
program, participation in seminars, and so on for?

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said yesterday that reorganization
of the Armed Forces in line with NATO standards is currently under
way. Ramiz Melikov, Chief of the Defense Ministry’s Press Service,
claims that the individual cooperation program is under way too. "The
national army will conform to NATO standards once the program has
been implemented," Melikov said.

INITIATIVE AIMS TO CHANGE POWER

Panorama.am
16:08 27/11/06

Initiators of Alternative, Nikol Pashinyan and Vahagn Khachatryan,
told reporters today Alternative is organization which is above a
political party and any citizen, despite of party affiliation, may join
it in case of supporting its ideology. The ideology is connected with
the principles of the Armenian Pan-National Movement (HHSh) in 88s.

The initiative aims to change the authorities-in-power with clearly
defined mechanisms. They intend to mobilize the masses and invite
them to gatherings at Azatutiun Square.

The initiators say the do not want to put an aim of participation in
upcoming elections because they do not want anyone to think it is
an issue of seats in the parliament. "We want to be free citizens
and the choice of freedom must be at Freedom Square," Pashinyan
said.

"ZERKALO": HUNDREDS OF AZERBAIJANIS LIVE IN EUROPE IN THE GUISE OF ARMENIANS

Democratic Azerbaijan
Nov 28 2006

It takes place in Holland to gain political asylum "Hundreds of
Azerbaijanis live in Holland who gained political asylum there
in the guise of Armenians", Nazim Ibrahimov, chairman of the
State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the issues of
Azerbaijanis living in foreign states, made such statement at the press
conference. Accordingly to him, recently he has been to Holland within
the frames of constituent conference of the Congress of Azerbaijanis
living in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg. Right there chairman
had opportunity to follow Azerbaijanis who gained political asylum,
dragging out a miserable existence. Many our compatriots left their
homes in Azerbaijan and under the guise of opposition representatives
with forged documents came to this country.

"The most deplorable fact is that some forces make these people
slander Azerbaijan state system, Azerbaijani authorities", N. Ibrahimov
said. Accordingly to him, recently group of Azerbaijanis in Netherlands
gathered at dinner and expected coming of chairman of Democratic
Party of Azerbaijan, Rasul Guliyev. "But Rasul Guliyev didn’t come. He
deceived them, as he did before", N. Ibrahimov underlined.

At the same time head of the Committee pointed to the circumstance
that such dinners and different kinds of events are organized
purposely. "Organizers of such events, under veil of diaspora
organizations, invite representatives of the Embassy of Azerbaijan
and our committee. When they come there they witness very doubtful
events", N. Ibrahimov said. Being in Holland head of the Committee
urged Azerbaijanis who gained asylum in Europe as opposition
representatives to return to Azerbaijan and start living here
normally. Further N. Ibrahimov expressed his concern about situation
of Azerbaijanis living in Russia. The matter concerns quite tough
decisions of Russian authorities with regard to non-Russian migrants.

Nevertheless head of the committee holds that the wish of Russia to
restrict activity of migrants in commerce doesn’t mean they want to
expel Azerbaijanis from this country. Accordingly to him decision of
the government concerns not only Azerbaijanis but also representatives
of other nations.

Registration of Azerbaijanis in Russia will solve the problem. In this
connection Azerbaijanis from Georgia are less lucky, as they may face
problems concerning registration. "And I’m afraid we can’t help",
N. Ibrahimov said. He also underlined that President of Azerbaijan
issued decree on "Solving problem of citizens of Azerbaijan involved
with commerce on the territory of the Russian Federation", in this
connection special commission was created.

Accordingly to him, delegation comprised of representatives of
the state committee visits Russia in 2 days to discuss problems
of Azerbaijanis living in Russia. During meetings with Russian
representatives I made certain that Government of Russia doesn’t
want to expel Azerbaijanis from country", he said. Accordingly to him
double citizenship is not way out. "We are not ready for it. Double
citizenship may cause many problems", N. Ibrahimov underlined.

RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: US CONGRESS MAY ADOPT A BILL CONDEMNING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 28 2006

The US Congress, in the person of the Democratic Party, may possibly
adopt a bill condemning the Armenian Genocide, Director of the Oriental
Studies Institute of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences Ruben
Safrastyan said in an interview with "Armenpress.

According to him, it is hard to predict now what impact it will have
on the position of the US Administration and the US foreign policy,
to what extent the US will be able to exert influence Turkey.

In his words, during the past 10 years the attitude of American
intellectuals towards the Armenian Genocide issue has changed
abruptly. If by mid-1990s some scholar were saying that the Armenian
Genocide really occurred, he was considered to be hired by Armenians.

In the recent years the fact of the Armenian Genocide has not been
questioned in university, scientific and intellectual circles of the
United States. According to Ruben Safrastyan, a substantial segment
of the political elite also realizes pretty well what happened in
reality, but they refuse to recognize the fact "because of certain
political considerations." "The Republican Party is not ready to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, fearing that it will endanger the
US-Turkey relations.

"However, Turkish-American relations aggravated in 2003 when Turkey did
not allow the US troops to pass through its territory," the Director
of the Oriental Studies Institute said.

According to him, the US is afraid that if Turkey strengthens the
Islamic factor, it will be able to create instability in the Middle
East. Americans fear they will not manage to impact the Turkish policy,
the army and economic potential of which can become destabilizing
factors.

82 OF 100 TURKS CONSIDER POSSIBLE STARTING RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
By Hakob Chakrian

AZG Armenian Daily
29/11/2006

"82 of 100 Turks consider possible starting relations with Armenia"
– a headline by the Turkish "Milliet" newspaper announced about a
survey organized by the "Union Against Inconsistent Allegations of
Genocide" organization in Istanbul, Ankara and Erzrum. 8714 people
were questioned by the surveyors.

Thus, 16% of the questioned demanded Armenia to stop the relations
with the Armenian Diaspora of Europe and USA and cease demanding
recognition of the Genocide as a precondition for starting relations
with Armenia. 6% found that it would be enough if the Armenians
express their regret about the massacres of the Turkish people in the
Years of the World War I, 5% found necessary to destroy the memorial
of the Genocide in Yerevan and remove the claims of "Turkish people
and Turkish territories" from the Constitution of Armenia. Only 2%
of the questioned considered withdrawal of the Armenian military
forces from the "occupied lands of Karabakh" as a precondition. 568
Turkish citizens, which is 18% of the survey participants said that
no relations must be established with Armenia in any case.

Organizer of the survey, president of the aforementioned union
Dr. Savas Ezilmez concluded that most of the Turks are willing
to establish relations with Armenia under certain preconditions,
in despite of the massacres and terrorism acts perpetrated by the
Armenians. "The survey displayed the historical magnanimity of our
people," he said. "Milliet" also informs that the results of the survey
were represented to the presidents and diplomatic representations of
all countries by the initiative of Mr. Robert Kopcharian, President
of RA.

USA LEAVES GEORGIA TO DEPEND ON RUSSIAN GAS
By Aghavni Harutyunian

AZG Armenian Daily
29/11/2006

The strategic cooperation between Iran and Georgia around the
gas supply issues is not acceptable for Washington. John Tefft,
US Ambassador to Georgia, said this in the interview to "Kviris
Palitra" Georgian newspaper. According to him, already on November
17, the statement made by Matthew Bryza, US Co-Chair of the OSCE
Minsk group, was misinterpreted. In particular, Bryza said that "The
relations between USA and Georgia are so strong that such an issue
(meaning the Iranian gas supply issue)m may have no negative impact on
these relations. USA welcomes the efforts taken by Georgia to secure
diversity in its energy market."

According to Mr. Ambassador, the USA realized that last winter as
a result of the explosion on the gas pipeline, Georgia was left
without gas and the population of the country faced the danger of
being frozen. At the same time, he added that "long term strategic
cooperation between Georgia and Iran is not acceptable for USA. On one
hand, this position is conditioned by the UN formula, on the other
hand by Iran’s activities directed to creation of nuclear weapon,
the US Ambassador to Georgia, stated.

7 ARMENIAN WRESTLERS WIN PRIZES AT MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT IN FRANCE

Noyan Tapan, Armenia
Nov 27 2006

NICE, NOVEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Traditional International Memorial
Tournament of olympic champion Henry Duglan finished on November 26
in the city of Nice, France. Among Armenian sportsmen, Greco-Roman
wrestlers Arsen Julfalakian (74 kg, Yerevan) and Arman Adikian (66 kg,
Yerevan) won the tournament. Former Europe champion Vahan Juharian
(60 kg, Gyumri) became 2nd prize-winner. Zhirayr Hovhannisian (66
kg, Vanadzor) took second place in the competition of free-style
wrestlers. Garsevan Vardanian (74 kg, Artashat), Hayk Yeghshatian (60
kg, Vanadzor) and Arman Ghumashian (66 kg, Vanadzor) took 3rd place.

Day.az, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006

AZERI EXPERT PREDICTS NO CHANGES IN KARABAKH ISSUE

An Azerbaijani pundit has said he does not expect any dramatic
changes in the Karabakh issue as the USA and Russia have their own
interests in the region, and although pressure on Azerbaijan may
increase, neither the USA nor Russia will dare to impose a
pro-Armenian solution. In an interview for an Azerbaijani website,
director of the Department of Conflict Studies of the Institute for
Peace and Democracy Arif Yunus said he was not surprised that
pro-American senators triumphed in the mid-term US elections, but
doubted that the so-called "genocide" of the Armenians would be
generally recognized in the USA. Azerbaijan, he said, must work more
with American policymakers and strengthen its ties with Europe and
Israel as a counterbalance to the Armenian lobby. The following is
the text of his interview entitled "It is now time to switch to
specific actions, to open an embassy in Israel and not to be afraid
of the reaction in the Arab world or Iran. They will be on the side
of the Armenians anyway", published on the Day.Az website on 21
November; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

An exclusive interview for the Day.Az website with the Director of
the Department of Conflict Studies of the Institute for Peace and
Democracy, Arif Yunus.

[correspondent] Arif muallim [mode of address], do you think it is
surprising that senators who are well known for their pro-Armenian
positions have been elected leaders of the Democratic and Republican
parties in the US Senate, or is this what was expected as a result of
organized and methodical work by the Armenian lobby?

Pro-Armenian senators elected in USA

[Yunus] The role, activities and influence of the Armenian lobby in
the USA are too overstated in our country. Yes, during election
campaigns, as a rule, nominees to the Senate or Congress, as well as
the presidency, frequently try to play up to certain groups of the
population. They promise to do something about women’s or other
issues, and so on. In fact, it is all about trying to win as many
votes as possible. But once a candidate is elected to this or that
post, many promises remain just that. So, there is no point in making
too much of the activities of the Armenian lobby. It is more a
question of a clash of circumstances, because political life in the
USA is built on different principles. Here, the interests of other
peoples and countries are lobbied, but only on condition that this is
not detrimental to the country’s national interests.

When the question of revoking the notorious amendment No 907 [Section
907 to the Freedom Support Act banning US aid to the Azerbaijani
government] in relation to Azerbaijan was raised, many of the
pro-Armenian senators did not object because they realized the
importance of our country’s role for US interests. It is another
matter that whereas up to now the US administration, to suit the
interests of the oil companies, has turned a blind eye to many of the
problems in our country in the sphere of democracy and human rights,
now it will be much more difficult to do so.

[correspondent] Senator Harry Reid, who supported the draft bill on
"the genocide of the Armenians" in Ottoman Turkey, has been elected
leader of the Democrats in the Senate. Reid also appealed to the
White House administration to give a precise definition of crimes in
the Ottoman Empire. Do you think it can now be said that everything
is leading towards the US recognizing the so-called "genocide" of the
Armenians?

Armenian "genocide" unlikely to be recognized in USA

[Yunusov] I doubt it. I have already pointed out that the attitude of
senators and American politicians in general to this or that country
depends on many factors. Were Turkey not so important for US
interests, then one could expect such recognition. Why is Western
Europe so guarded in its attitude to Turkey over the question of
acceptance into the European Union and is constantly raising the
issue of the Armenian "genocide"? It is not at all out of respect for
the memory of the dead Armenians or any particular lobbying of the
Armenians.

It is nothing to do with the Armenians but their attitude to Turkey.
They are frankly rather afraid of it in Western Europe and are doing
everything to prevent it joining their Christian club called the
"European Union". If it wasn’t the Armenian "genocide", then they
would be raising some other issue. And in the USA it is not the
Armenians who play the main role in adopting this or that decision,
but the attitude to Turkey. Chances are the question of the
recognition of the "genocide" will always be raised in the USA, and
at the same time the Armenians will organize noisy campaigns and
believe that this time the question will be resolved. This will be
used for the USA to put pressure on Turkey to adopt this or that
decision in the Near East. After all, the Americans have many
problems in the region, not least of which is the problem of solving
the Iranian crisis or the Palestinian question and Israel’s attitude
to the Arab world. Meanwhile, Turkey may play a very important role,
which is both a positive and a negative thing for the Americans. So
the problem of recognition of the "genocide" of the Armenians is just
an American big stick for Turkey. It will always be raised, but
whether it will be lowered is a question that is a long way from
being resolved and will depend on the geopolitical situation in the
region.

Armenia a permanent US trading partner?

[correspondent] Mitch McConnell, who is also well known for his
position in favour of solving Armenian issues, has been elected to
the Senate from the Republican Party. In particular, Mr McConnell
came out in support of a draft bill under the Freedom Support Act
programme to confer on Armenia the status of a permanent trading
partner of the US. What will the conferring of this status on Armenia
bring and how will this affect the positions of the Armenians in the
Karabakh conflict?

[Yunusov] I don’t know if Armenia will receive the status of a
permanent trading partner of the USA or not. As a rule, there are
many factors involved in taking such a decision, and to some degree
the geopolitical factor is one of them. But one thing is clear:
relatively good times are on the way for Armenia. US economic aid to
Armenia is likely to increase even more. But there will be no basic
changes in the Karabakh question, because one cannot expect any
drastic moves in a settlement of the conflict during the elections
(presidential or parliamentary) in Azerbaijan and Armenia. But in the
USA they will be nervous about statements by the Azerbaijani
authorities about the possibility of solving the conflict by military
means. Here one should expect pressure on Azerbaijan. The
Azerbaijanis will act on the principle that the Karabakh conflict
must not be resolved now, because we will not allow a war to start.

[correspondent] We have dealt with Armenia. But what conclusions
should Azerbaijan draw in the question of building future relations
with the USA?

Azerbaijan, USA and Karabakh conflict

[Yunusov] Azerbaijan should, ultimately, realize that it has to work
in different directions and be a country that is important to US
interests. We have backed the US administration and the alertness of
the oil lobby. Plus the fact that lately there has also been the
Jewish lobby. However, other forces may also take over the US
leadership, and what should be done then? We must work more and,
especially, more effectively with the lawmakers, i.e. the US Senate
and Congress, and also with various politicians and public figures
whose voices have important significance for decision-making in the
USA. We must also strengthen even more our ties with Israel and the
European lobby as a counterweight to the Armenian lobby. The Jewish
lobby is potentially much stronger and more effective in the USA than
the Armenian one. It is now time to switch to specific actions, to
open an embassy in Israel and not to be afraid of the reaction in the
Arab world or Iran. They will be on the side of the Armenians anyway.
We must think about our national interests.

[correspondent] Let me put the question more broadly. Everyone knows
how strong the positions of the Armenians are in Russia, and now they
are being strengthened in the USA. Does this mean that the Karabakh
conflict will also be solved in favour of the Armenians?

[Yunusov] In the Karabakh question everything will remain without
particular changes. The pressure on Azerbaijan may be stepped up, but
they will hardly succeed in forcing a pro-Armenian solution to be
adopted. And this also unlikely to happen in the USA and Russia, and
not because of the lobby towards Armenia or special feelings towards
Azerbaijan. The USA and Russia have their own interests in the
region, and proceeding from precisely these interests, these
countries are deciding on their own attitudes to the Karabakh
conflict. In Russia they realize that a final settlement of the
Karabakh conflict will lead to it being squeezed out of the region
and to a further strengthening of America’s positions. This also
explains Russia’s actions in the conflicts in Abkhazia and South
Ossetia which are seen as a means of pressure on Georgia and, more
widely, on the USA which is standing behind Georgia. Therefore,
Russia will simulate wanting to help in resolving the Karabakh
conflict, but in reality it will operate in another direction. The
USA is worried that if the Karabakh conflict is perceived by
Azerbaijani society in a negative way, this will lead to the
strongest growth of anti-American emotions and, as a consequence, to
a strengthening of Russia’s positions, or of the radical Islamic
forces. Therefore, no-one in fact will seriously rock the boat.

[correspondent] And my final question. Is the strengthening of the
Armenians’ position in the USA and Russia merely the consequence of
the good work of the Armenian lobby, or of the poor work of the Turks
and the Azerbaijanis?

[Yunusov] Both claims are true. The Armenians have always worked and
continue to work more effectively, although, as pointed out above,
not everything depends on them. And there is no cause to doubt the
poor work of the Turks, and especially the Azerbaijanis, in the
information sphere. Take just one example the blowing up of our
compatriots in Iran in May. There can be no doubt that if it had been
the Armenians who went on a protest demonstration, then this news
would have been widely publicized in the West, and the governments of
these countries would have taken one decision after another in this
connection in favour of the Armenians. There was virtually no
reaction in the West or even any coverage in the media, partly
because the USA and its allies did not want to face accusations by
Iran, but also to a considerable degree because of the information
inactivity of the leaders of the southern Azerbaijanis and the
authorities of Northern Azerbaijan.