Author: Vasilian Manouk

The Messenger, Georgia
March 17 2005

In Moscow, JCC renews demilitarization talks
Tskhinvali launches new attacks against OSCE presence
By Christina Tashkevich

State Minister on Conflict Negotiation Goga Khaindrava
Demilitarization of the Georgian-Ossetian border is one of the issued
set to be discussed at the meeting of the co-heads of the Joint
Control Commission (JCC) on March 16-17.

The meeting that opens in Wednesday in Moscow is the first meeting in
two months and comes after what officials say has been a “pause” in
the demilitarization process.

According to the South Ossetian representative to the JCC, Boris
Chochiev, in Moscow the sides will discuss “issues in the frame of
JCC negotiations and the meeting of the president of the
self-proclaimed South Ossetia Eduard Kokoiti and the late Georgian
Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania in Sochi last November.”

The Russian media quoted the State Minister on Conflict Negotiation
Goga Khaindrava who commented on the latest statements of the
President of Abkhazia Sergey Bagapsh. Khaindrava did not exclude that
he will meet with Bagapsh in Moscow.

Commenting on Bagapsh’s statement that the summit of four
unrecognized republics – Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh
(Azerbaijan) and Transdnestre (Moldova) – will be conveyed in the
near future, Khaindrava rejected it as “a creation of the separatist
movement.”

“I’m very offended that such politics continue and I think it would
not bring anything good for Russia as well,” said Khaindrava. He
added this issue would not be discussed during the JCC meeting.

In the meantime, the Committee on Information of South Ossetia blames
Georgian side in ignoring all decisions taken by the JCC. The South
Ossetian office has also increased its attacks on OSCE in the region
saying it does not contribute to the conflict settlement.

“The Tskhinvali office of the OSCE is a spy network in Georgia,
working against South Ossetia,” reads the Committee’s statement.

Last week Chochiev, who is also South Ossetia’s minister for
emergency situations, called for the head of the OSCE office in
Tskhinvali, Gancho Ganchev, to be withdrawn but noted at the time it
was not a move against the OSCE in general.

The head of the Russian side of the Commission Valery Kenyaikin told
Interfax on March 15 that the meeting of Kokoiti and the Georgian
Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli may continue the process of
fulfillment of agreements.

“But this will only make sense if the promises to follow a peaceful
way of conflict negotiation will be kept and if force is not used,”
he added.

Visiting Moscow on March 15, Abkhaz de facto president Sergei
Baghapsh announced that the leaders of the breakaway regions
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Transdnestre (Moldova) and Nagorno-Karabakh
(Azerbaijan) plan to hold a summit to coordinate their policies in
the near future.

Speaking at a press conference in the office of the Russian news
agency Interfax, Bagapsh told journalists that a date and place for
the joint meeting would be agreed on in the near future.

“Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will decide when to hold
this meeting. It may be held in Moscow, or somewhere in the North
Caucasus,” Baghapsh said, adding that a meeting was necessary at the
present time particularly because of the current situation in South
Ossetia and Transdnestre.

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03/16/2005
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1) ARF Affiliate Organizations Convene Conference in Bulgaria
2) Council of Europe Calls for Release of Azeri Political Prisoners
3) Armenian FM Addresses UN Commission on Human Rights
4) Imperatives for Renewal of Armenian Church Discussed at Etchmiadzin

1) ARF Affiliate Organizations Convene Conference in Bulgaria

SOFIA (ARF Press Office)–Representatives of pan-Armenian organizations met in
the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, March 12-13, during a conference of
ARF-affiliated bodies, organized by the Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (ARF).
It coincided with commemorative events marking the 100th anniversary of
Armenian Revolutionary Federation co-founder Kristapor Mikaelian’s tragic
death, including a pilgrimage to Bulgaria’s Mount Vitosha where Mikaelian was
killed.
The conference reviewed implementation of projects targeted at the ARF’s 29th
World Congress (February 2004), and also detailed issues that Armenia, along
with the Armenian people currently face. Though approaches to resolving a
variety of issues were discussed, the body identified priorities, stressing
that the ARF must concentrate on implementation of activities in several
locations and regions, and be required to operate on multiple levels and in
various sectors in order to advance certain priorities.
The conference unanimously conveyed its support to ARF Armenia’s policies
that
seek to strengthen democracy in Armenia, as well as struggle against
corruption
and bribery, as part of the country’s internal policy.
The gathering of representatives praised opposition to Turkey’s entry to the
European Union based on its continuous denial of the Armenian genocide,
efforts
to gain international recognition of the Armenian genocide, and Mountainous
Karabagh Republic, as well as efforts to ensure the minority rights of the
people of Javakhk, and guarantee their cultural and socio-economic rights.
Specifically, attendees agreed that the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
genocide must serve as an opportunity to stress modern day Turkey’s political
responsibilities, while stepping-up Genocide recognition efforts. They
stressed
that opposition to Turkey’s entry into the EU must be based on the country’s
poor human rights record, unwillingness to practice democratic norms, and its
continued and vehement denial of its genocidal past.

2) Council of Europe Calls for Release of Azeri Political Prisoners

BAKU (AFP)–Europe’s top human rights body warned Azerbaijan Wednesday that it
would reevaluate its relations with Baku unless authorities released hundreds
of “political prisoners.”
Council of Europe envoy Malcolm Bruce said he expected President Ilham Aliyev
to sign an amnesty and “we expect that such a decree should free the larger
part of the political prisoners and this will be a resolution of the issue in
Azerbaijan.”
“I conveyed to the president (Ilham Aliyev) the opinion of international
observers that the trials of opposition leaders were biased,” Bruce said
during
a three-day visit to the Caucasus nation.
“The president did not admit to this problem,” he said.
If the prisoners were not released, Baku would face the possibility of “a
reevaluation of Azerbaijan and the Council of Europe’s relations,” at the
council’s April session, the Turan news agency reported Bruce as saying.
Hundreds of people opposed to Azerbaijan’s ruling regime were arrested
following riots during presidential elections in October 2003, including seven
of Azerbaijan’s most vocal opposition leaders.
Many have been released but the seven so-called “October detainees,” were
handed sentences of two to five years last year and remain in prison as do
scores of others.
Amnesty International slammed their imprisonment when the seven were given
sentences, saying there were concerns that witnesses were pressured into
giving
evidence that would incriminate the defendants and that allegations of
ill-treatment and torture of the prisoners were not fully investigated.
Bruce said he expected Aliyev to sign an amnesty freeing most of the
political
prisoners interned in the oil-rich Caspian nation in the next two to three
weeks, he told journalists.
They agreed that “the internment of some of the opposition leaders in prison
during parliamentary elections (in November) would be an undesirable
phenomenon,” Azer Press quoted Bruce as saying.
Tensions between the opposition and the authorities have been heating up
ahead
of the November poll with police breaking up every protest the opposition has
organized since the 2003 elections.

3) Armenian FM Addresses UN Commission on Human Rights

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian addressed the 61st
session of the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva on March 15. On May 3,
2001, the UN’s Economic and Social Council elected 14 new members to
three-year
terms on the UN Human Rights Commission, of which Armenia won one of those 14
seats.
Oskanian explained that Armenia’s membership in the Commission is not simply
an organizational matter, but rather “is as much a product of our sense of
responsibility as of our deep, immediate daily awareness that individual human
rights, the basic human rights of a society, and individual and collective
security are all inextricably, inarguably, expressly inter-connected.”
For Armenians, he said “the human rights principle, the concept of man’s
inalienable rights touches a raw nerve…We spent the greatest part of the
last
century under a regime that endured solely because of the absence of human
rights. Immediately prior to that period, we had the dubious honor of being
the
century’s first victims of genocide. At the end of the century, we were still
fighting to secure the rights of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh.”
Oskanian then focused on Genocide and the issue of Karabagh’s
self-determination. He explained that for Armenians, “As a minority, living in
the Ottoman Empire, their call for the application of the lofty principles of
liberty, equality and fraternity, led to their death sentence. Today, their
survivors, living within and outside the Republic of Armenia, expect that the
world’s avowal of the universality of those same noble principles will lead to
recognition that Genocide was committed against Armenians.”
Referring to recent calls by the Turkish leadership for a historical debate,
the Minister reiterated Armenia’s readiness for dialogue. “Let’s not confuse
the two kinds of dialogue,” he said. “One is a debate about history. The other
is a political discussion. Periodic calls by various Turkish administrations
for historical debate simply delay the process of reconciling with the truth.”
On the struggle of the people of Karabagh for self-determination, the
Minister
remarked, “Ironically, Mr. Chairman, even as societies have learned to support
the victims of domestic violence, we have not yet graduated to offering the
same support to victims of international or government violence. At best, the
world watches silently as the victims attempt to defend themselves, and if
somehow, against great odds, they succeed, then the world quickly pulls back,
as the state loudly cries foul and claims sovereignty and territorial
integrity… Just as the perpetrator of domestic violence loses the moral
right
to custody, so then, does a government that commits and promotes violence
against its own citizens lose its rights. It is in such instances that the
notion of self-determination is significant and legitimate.”
Oskanian concluded his remarks saying, “Mr. Chairman, for us, defense and
protection of human rights is not an abstract principle. It is the difference
between survival and annihilation. We believe it is the same for many in the
world. Yet, our individual and collective tendency is to ignore or neglect
problems for which we have no immediate answer or prospect for solution. This
is even truer in situations which defy belief, surpass common norms, and shake
our very assumptions and values. For these very reasons, in our ever-shrinking
world, what is required is resolve on the part of the committed in order to
expand the engagement of those still hesitant.”
On the sidelines of the Commission’s annual meeting, Oskanian met with
Dimitri
Rupel, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister and Chairman-in-Office of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He also met with the Foreign Minister
of Finland Laila Freivalds, President of the ICRC Jacob Kellenberger, and
Director General of the Geneva’s office of the United Nations Sergei
Orjonikidse.

4) Armenian Catholicosates Discuss Imperatives for Renewal of Armenian Church

ETCHMIADZIN (Armenpress)–Under the auspices of Catholicos of All Armenians
His
Holiness Karekin II and Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia His Holiness
Aram I, a meeting of delegations of the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia took place on March 4-5 in
Etchmiadzin with the goal of further strengthening internal solidarity and
preparation of a draft agenda with the theme, “The Imperative for the Renewal
of the Armenian Church.”
On March 4, His Holiness Karekin II received the two delegations in the
Mother
See, gave his Pontifical blessing to the members of the delegations, and spoke
of his and Catholicos Aram I’s expectations of the meeting. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan conveyed the warm greetings of His Holiness Aram I.
The meeting commenced after the Lord’s Prayer, the result of which was the
preparation of the draft agenda. Consisting of nine agenda items, it included
the primary spheres of the identity, life, and witness of the Armenian Church:
the canonical condition of the Armenian Church–ecclesiological,
administrative, and canonical definement, Christian and Armenian education,
evangelical mission and preservation of spiritual and cultural values,
liturgical and ritual life, preparation of clergy and reactivation of monastic
life, ecumenical and inter-religious relations, positions on modern social and
moral issues, relations between Church and State, relations between Church and
Social Institutions, pursuit of the rights of the Armenian people, and the use
of modern technologies.
The draft agenda will be presented to His Holiness Karekin II and His
Holiness
Aram I for their consideration and petitioning them for the commission’s work
to proceed.

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Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 15 2005

`Azerbaijani people’s patience not endless’ – President

Baku, March 14, AssA-Irada
The recent ceasefire breaches are useless amidst Azerbaijan’s
strengthening position, President Ilham Aliyev told journalists last
week.
`The ceasefire violations represent a purposeful subversion by
Armenian separatists,’ he said.
President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is ready for any future
developments. `If they [Armenians] attack, we will respond in a way
that will make them feel sorry for it’.
Aliyev went on to say that Armenia’s illegal policy is not supported
politically and the double standard policy of Armenian Diaspora and
some political organizations impede improvement of the situation.
`However, justice will prevail. We won’t give up an inch of our
territory. Everybody should know this. First of all, Armenia should
know that the Azerbaijani people’s patience is not endless.’
President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan will make every effort to
settle the Upper Garabagh conflict peacefully.
`Otherwise, we will halt peace talks and solve the conflict by other
means. Noone should doubt this’, Aliyev added.*

Envoy asks Armenia to send sappers to Lebanon

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
14 Mar 05

[Presenter over video of the meeting] Armenian Defence Minister Serzh
Sarkisyan has received the Lebanese ambassador to Armenia, Jibra’il
Butrus (?Jaare). Ambassador Jaare asked the Armenian defence minister
to discuss the issue of sending a group of professional sappers to
Lebanon.

During the meeting with the ambassador, Serzh Sarkisyan expressed his
deep condolences over the murder of Rafiq al-Hariri, former Lebanese
prime minister.

We have ourselves felt what terrorism is and we know what a terrible
loss it is. I am sure that finally the life of people will return to
normal, Serzh Sarkisyan said.

Ambassador Jaare thanked for the condolences and said that the
Armenian people had lost a great friend in the person of Hariri.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
March 12 2005

SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN, SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF
THE ARMED FORCES ILHAM ALIYEV ON THE SOLEMN CEREMONY DEVOTED TO 13TH
ANNIVERSARY OF CREATION OF INTERNAL TROOPS OF THE MINISTRY OF
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
[March 12, 2005, 22:22:03]

Dear soldiers and officers!

I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of 13th anniversary of
creation of the Internal Troops, and I wish each of you success.

After restoration of state independence, in Azerbaijan there had been
created Internal Troops. It was the extremely difficult period for
our country. The first years of our independence were accompanied in
Azerbaijan by anarchy and chaos. The country, it is possible to tell,
was on the verge of partition, and because of crisis experienced in
Azerbaijan, our country appeared at edge of precipice. In such
difficult conditions Internal Troops, certainly, could not perform
its functions in full sense. At the same time, the staff of Internal
Troops bravely battled for territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, has
done huge work on protection of our grounds, many lost their lives
and became shehids. Those years the future of Azerbaijan was
determined, and its destiny was solved. Each citizen was disturbed,
questions on set thinking on what way Azerbaijan can develop,
stability will be established in Azerbaijan whether or not. After the
Azerbaijan people extremely due to its wisdom and foresight has
addressed to the national leader and has invited him to Azerbaijan,
after arrival of the leader of our people Heydar Aliyev to authority,
the situation has completely changed. The anarchy and chaos has been
put an end, bitter consequences of the experienced crisis gradually
began to be eliminated. Despite of all these difficulties, Azerbaijan
has taken a way of development. The ceasefire regime that has allowed
Azerbaijan to achieve all-around development of the potential has
been established. The ceasefire regime operates till now.

As you know, we are now negotiating on settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I think, that positive
tendencies in negotiations amplify, and these negotiations can
proceed extremely within the framework of restoration of the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We aspire to settlement of the
mentioned conflict on the basis of principles of international law,
and I am confident, that we shall achieve it. Azerbaijan should
restore and will restore its territorial integrity. We want to solve
this question peacefully, by negotiations. But it is not a secret
that we must necessarily be ready and we are ready to all other
variants, in this direction also was done huge work.

Last years, huge work has been done in the field of army
construction. Material base of army was strengthened, and the
necessary new techniques and equipment were got. In the process of
strengthening of economic potential of Azerbaijan, naturally, our
military potential should become stronger. Not casually, the volume
of the charges, allocated for troops in the budget of 2005, is
increased approximately by 40 percent. We also shall carry out
henceforth it. Azerbaijan should liberate the native lands. We shall
never reconcile with loss of our lands and by all means we shall
liberate our native lands

After establishment of the ceasefire regime, new horizons and new
prospects have opened for Azerbaijan. Our country began to develop
promptly. Carried out by the leader of our people Heydar Aliyev, the
political-economical reforms have provided to our country all-round
development. Today, both the political authority of Azerbaijan on
region, and internal economic potential has transformed our country
into the leader of region. I think that all positive tendencies
should continue successfully, Azerbaijan should achieve further
strengthening of the power, strengthening of the potential.

All the work done for last years, has allowed developing our country
in high level. Today, our task consists in rise the international
authority of our country, on more courageous, convincing statement,
protection of our position on the international organizations,
establishment on the region of closer fruitful relations with
friendly, neighboring countries and, certainly, strengthening of our
economic potential. Much has been done in this direction. The program
of economic development is successfully realized, and due to all this
work Azerbaijan becomes stronger and powerful state.

Now, are being carried out large-scale projects extremely important
for our country, our people, and also the whole region. The oil
pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan successfully is under construction. All
other power projects successfully implemented brings and will bring
to our country colossal benefit.

Not a secret that Azerbaijan, by virtue of the geo-politic position,
economic potential, natural resources, draws attention of many
foreign circles which direct here many questions or undertake such
attempts. We do not presume it. Azerbaijan is fully independent
state. Independence does not mean extremely state attributes.
Azerbaijan pursues completely independent policy. We carry out our
policy only for protection of national interests of Azerbaijan
people. We establish kind and sincere relations with all countries,
all organizations, and such policy will continue. But, first of all,
national interests of Azerbaijan should be protected in full sense.

Happiness of Azerbaijan is that thanks to policy of the national
leader of our people Heydar Aliyev, the country has got stronger both
economically, and politically that today allows us to carry out
independent policy in full sense. This policy will be carried out and
henceforth, and I am confident, that will result Azerbaijan in the
light future.

For protection and further development of all the achieved successes,
for even more scale accomplishments, political conditions in the
country should be stable. Where there is no stability, there is no
development. The main condition of any development is stability. Such
stability in Azerbaijan exists, and it is strong enough. The forces,
trying to break stability, I am confident, well understand, that will
receive worthy repulse. We do not presume, that political condition
in Azerbaijan has become aggravated, that stability has been broken,
and rights of citizens are broken. For us, protection of the rights
of each citizen is extremely important. The state has provided and
will provide henceforth safety of our citizens. In this sense, the
Internal Troops have very big tasks, which are successfully carried
out.

Last years, the Internal Troops in Azerbaijan have achieved quick
development, professionalism and patriotism are observed at the
highest level. It is extremely important achievement for us.
Protection and strengthening of political conditions in Azerbaijan
should become for all of us the main condition. Only in such
conditions, the country can successfully develop. All of us know,
that Azerbaijan will face fine and bright future. After putting into
operation of the oil pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan after Heydar
Aliyev, large currency means will act to Azerbaijan. It will open new
opportunities for all-around development of our country. It should
benefit to each citizen of Azerbaijan. Such opportunities have
appeared and will appear henceforth. In that case, the major
condition for us is internal stability, calmness. I do not doubt,
that this policy, the policy pursued for more than 10 years, it will
be carried out and henceforth. If before presidential elections
someone also doubted of it, now as it seems to me, for doubts and
anxieties are not present any bases.

The time past after presidential elections, has shown that between
people and authority there is deep trust. We feel this support, we
base on it. It is confident, that this unity represents extremely
great value for the future of Azerbaijan. In the countries, where
there is unity, the trust between people and authority, there is
success. There, where it is not present, there are big difficulties.
I think, that we shall successfully cope with all tasks. Anyway, the
time past after presidential elections, has shown, that any question
we put has found solution. There is no such question, which was not
solved, or the promise not fulfilled by us. All given promises were
fulfilled. We hold the given word, have gained trust of people and we
shall achieve its further strengthening.

Great value also represents the question of equipment of the Internal
Troops. In this direction, essential steps also were undertaken. I
can tell that all the requests from the Ministry of Internal Affairs
have received the positive answer. The most part of techniques, which
we today see here, is got for last year. We give to this great value.
Each sphere of Azerbaijan, in particular, military, should be
equipped with new technical equipment. Opportunities of Azerbaijan
extend. The financial position improves, and the basic purpose of our
economic policy consists in that in the country, there was a powerful
economic potential that we could solve all questions successfully. I
think, process of purchase of technical equipment will continue. We
can have new questions, and therefore, we shall carry out it.

Simultaneously, are being solved social problems of staff. The wages,
as a whole were increased, these tendencies in Azerbaijan have
amplified. Improvement of living conditions of our citizens is
priority for us, for the government. In Azerbaijan, there should not
remain poor people, jobless. With this purpose, it is stipulated
realization of the Program of Regional Development, which is
successfully put into practice. All other programs – the program of
poverty reduction and so forth are realized also. But for this
purpose, time is necessary. The number of people living in Azerbaijan
in conditions of poverty, is great enough, somewhere 40 percent. We
try to reduce and we shall reduce this number. This purpose is
pursued with increase twice of the minimal wages. It is necessary for
us to do the utmost that each citizen, each Azerbaijani lived well.
Anyway, we aspire to this. We carry out this work on the basis of the
thought over programs – Programs of Economic Development, the Program
of Regional Development and other social programs.

In Azerbaijan, it is necessary to strengthen combat against
criminality. Till now, in this direction, has been done great work,
and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has exposed criminals. Some
criminal groups were neutralized. Calmness prevailing today in the
country and social order testify that we can achieve successes in
this direction. In particular, the statistics shows, that Azerbaijan
is among the first among neighboring countries, republics of former
Soviet Union. At the same time, this combat is not up to the mark.
Here, there are big lacks, and it is necessary to do serious work on
their prompt elimination.

As you know, recently, on March 10, as a result of the national
safety of special operation carried out by the Ministry, a big
criminal group has been exposed, arrested, and the person taken in
hostages was released. I regret, that the leader of this criminal
group is the person, long years worked in the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, and a part of the criminals who have gathered around of him
are employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is the big
stain for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it should wash off
this stain.

As you know, this criminal group within 10 years made various crimes
in Azerbaijan. It was engaged in kidnapping. They kidnapped and after
reception of the repayment released. Besides, they have made some
murders, which, unfortunately, within long years remained uncovered.
When there was last case connected to abduction of the person, I have
charged with this question to the Ministry of National Security,
investigation and inquiry was carried out in strict confidence. It is
possible to tell, for short time, approximately two weeks ago,
criminal group and all its heads and participants have been
established. Simply, for the lack of data on the location of the
person seized in hostages, I have not allowed to carry out operation
and have raised the question so, that safety of the person, first of
all, should be provided. On March 10, as a result of the operation
carried out with high professionalism, it is possible to tell, all
members of criminal group have been arrested, and the hostage was
released.

This is monstrous incident. It is gangster group which during long
years held in fear Azerbaijan, Baku, and we have exposed it. They
will answer under the law. The most awful consists that last hostage
was the woman. It is an act incompatible with any morals. Certainly,
this gangster group, its members will answer before the law for all
committed crimes. Each criminal and each person who has broken the
law should answer under the law. Leadership of the law should guide
all of us. People should know, that the state conducts ruthless
struggle against criminals. We cannot allow that criminal groups here
have appeared. We cannot allow that our citizens lived in fear.

I want to note once again, that our main task consists in that our
people lived in peace and calmness. As the President, I realize this
task and I do utmost for protection, preservation, strengthening of
stability. Therefore, yesterday I have given to Minister of Internal
Affairs strict instructions on carrying out of internal inquiry,
serious investigation and as soon as possible to remove available in
the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in this system lacks.

I want to note also, it is already obviously that the some people,
using the developed situation, are going to launch campaign against
Minister of Internal Affairs for maintenance of personal or political
interests. We do not admit it. As I have already told, the incident
is a big stain for all bodies. But it is necessary to know also, that
similar can take place and in other organizations. The happened
incident should not cross out all work done till now by the Ministry
of Internal Affairs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has done
extremely important work in Azerbaijan. It has very important
functions. It is the structure on guard of the law in Azerbaijan, and
I highly estimate the work done in the past. At the same time, I
strictly charge to remove all lacks and inform on it the public. I
repeat, I shall not allow, that it has turned to campaign and that
someone, having taken advantage of it in personal or political ends,
slandered all body.

Dear soldiers and officers!

Azerbaijan will have bright future. Our country already feels its
force in region, and not only we, but also the public and the
international community see it. Also is available the diplomatic
successes achieved by Azerbaijan lately. The international
organizations have accepted a plenty of documents exposing Armenia:
last resolution adopted by the Council of Europe, the resolutions
adopted up to it by the United Nations Organization, the resolutions
adopted by the Organization of Islamic Conference. As a whole, we see
and we feel, that the international community supports our just
cause. For the first time, the European international organization
has recognized Armenia as a state – aggressor, has condemned the
policy of ethnic cleanings carried out by Armenia, having created
thus new, favorable circumstances for process of negotiations.

I repeat, that we do not want war. We know, that war is a
humanitarian disaster. At the same time, all should know, that we
should be ready and are ready to war. The big work in this direction
will be carried out and henceforth. The work done in the field of
army construction is a priority question in my activity, as
President. All our efforts, all forces should be directed on the
further strengthening of our army, increase of its professionalism,
equipment by the advanced technical equipment and maintenance of its
ability at any moment to release the native lands. We shall carry out
it and henceforth.

I do not doubt at all that this conflict, the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will find its solution. The policy of
Armenia is deprived of any prospect, a legal basis, and political
support. Simply, the Armenian Diaspora, patrons of Armenia in the
world, some hypocritical policies, circles, the organizations,
pursuing the policy of double standards, interfere with normalization
of conditions. But justice will triumph. Our cause is right. We did
not grasp another’s lands, did not carry out ethnic cleaning, and did
not break territorial integrity of other country. We demand what
belongs to us by the right. We do not claim for the lands of other
country. But also the land we shall concede to nobody. It should know
all. First of all, it is necessary to know by Armenia, it should
know, that the patience of Azerbaijan people is not boundless. I want
to repeat, that we shall participate during negotiations till last
moment if there are even 5 percent of hope for the peace settlement
of question. If we shall be convinced that hopes are not present, we
shall interrupt negotiations and we shall solve the problem in other
way. Let nobody doubts of it!

Dear soldiers!

Dear officers!

Once again I congratulate you on the occasion of the Day of Internal
Troops, I wish you health and successes.

Thanks.

System And KROQ Team For “Souls” Benefit

FMQB
March 8, 2005

System Of A Down is partnering with KROQ/Los Angeles to present
the band’s Souls 2005 benefit concert on April 24 at the Universal
Amphitheatre. This is the third concert under the “Souls” name
organized and headlined by System Of A Down. Proceeds from the concert
will benefit organizations that work to stamp out genocide around
the world.

The members of System of a Down all have lost family members and
family history to the Armenian Genocide during World War I. “Because
so much of my family history was lost in the Armenian Genocide,”
said guitarist/singer Daron Malakian, “my grandfather, who was very
young at the time, doesn’t know his true age. How many people can
say they don’t know how old they are?”

As reported yesterday, the first part of the band’s double-disc
Mezmerize/Hypnotize album will arrive in stores on May 17. The first
single, “B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bombs),” will arrive at radio later
this month.

–Boundary_(ID_in6r8HrXzondPwI7k/KiJA)–

Turkey renames ‘divisive’ animals

BBC
Tuesday, 8 March, 2005, 10:41 GMT

Even animal names can become contentious in politics

Turkey has said it is changing the names of three animals found on
its territory to remove references to Kurdistan or Armenia. The
environment ministry says the Latin names of the red fox, the wild
sheep and the roe deer will be altered.

The red fox for instance, known as Vulpes Vulpes Kurdistanica, will
now be known as Vulpes Vulpes.

Turkey has uneasy relations with neighbouring Armenia and opposes
Kurdish separatists in Turkey.

The ministry said the old names were contrary to Turkish unity.

“Unfortunately there are many other species in Turkey which were
named this way with ill intentions. This ill intent is so obvious
that even species only found in our country were given names against
Turkey’s unity,” a ministry statement quoted by Reuters news agency
said.

Some Turkish officials say the names are being used to argue that
Armenians or Kurds had lived in the areas where the animals were
found.

Red fox known as Vulpes Vulpes Kurdistanica becomes Vulpes Vulpes
Wild sheep called Ovis Armeniana becomes Ovis Orientalis Anatolicus
Roe deer known as Capreolus Capreolus Armenus becomes Capreolus
Cuprelus Capreolus

Turkey has tense ties with its eastern neighbour Armenia, which it
does not officially recognise.

Armenians accuse Turkey of genocide, saying 1.5 million of their
people died or were deported from their homelands under Turkish
Ottoman rule.

Turkey denies the genocide and says the death count is inflated.

For the last two decades, Turkey has also been fighting Kurdish
separatists, who have sought an independent state in Turkey’s
south-east.

US to Control Central Asia with Mobile Bases in Caucasus
By Bahtiyar Kucuk

Published: Sunday 06, 2005
zaman.com

Research Director of Caspian Studies Program at Harvard University,
Dr. Brenda Shaffer has claimed that the US wants to control Central
Asia by establishing mobile bases in the Caucasus.

Defining the Caucasus as a crossroads, Shaffer indicated that a
dominant power in the region would not only control Caspian energy
sources but also Afghanistan and the Middle East at the same
time. Speaking to Zaman, Shaffer said the US saw the Caucasus and
Central Asia as a whole. Shaffer said of the region, “The Caucasus is
like the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, a central point. You can go any
direction you want from here. It is like a junction. It is like a gate
opening to Central Asia.”

Shaffer focused on two basic trends in recent US military policy: “The
first is the transition from permanent bases to more mobile and active
bases. The second is transition to small bases in the surrounding
regions just like the ones in Turkey and Southern Caucasus instead of
the big ones in Europe.” Referring as an example to US use of bases
in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan during the Afghan and Iraqi
wars, Shaffer said, “The air corridor that the US provided with these
small bases is more important than the US settling one or two thousand
military forces in the same region.”

Explaining that any conflict to arise among the big powers in Caucasus
would be due to the geo-strategic importance of the region rather than
its energy sources, Shaffer said: “The energy in the region is not a
target but a tool. Infrastructures such as the pipelines are just
tools in the relations.” Indicating that the US, Russia and even Iran
and Turkey do not have any intentions to obtain the oil in the
Caucasus, Shaffer claimed that formation of energy corridors through
these countries in the region would bring them political benefits.

Saying that Turkey was in a key position for the stability of the
Caucasus, Shaffer emphasizes that Ankara should look at the region
from a ‘broader’ perspective. To illustrate this, Shaffer gives the
following example: “In the Turkish-Armenian border issue, Ankara
evaluates the issue from the frame of its relations with Washington,
Brussels and Armenia. It does not think of how the opening of the
border will affect the conflict or negotiations in the region. Turkey
should evaluate its bilateral relations with the Southern Caucasus in
a more regional context, within the structure of the region.”

Stressing that the US also had wrong policies in Caucasus, Shaffer
mentioned that Washington did not show enough interest in the problems
of Karabagh, South Ossetia and Abhasia. Shaffer added that in the
context of bilateral relations with Russia, the US was more interested
in Georgia. Saying that the attitude of the US had changed when
compared to its attitude two years ago over whether the Caucasus
countries might be a member of NATO, Shaffer concluded that full
membership of these countries was now a part of US regional policy.

Istanbul

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

ARAM I MEETS WITH HUNGARY’S AMBASSADOR
HIS EXCELLENCY PALE FABIAN

On Thursday the 3rd of March, His Holiness Aram I met with the Ambassador of
Hungary to Lebanon, Pale Fabian. His Holiness and the ambassador focused
during their talks on the internal situation of Lebanon.

The ambassador informed the Catholicos about his country’s position
concerning the current situation of Lebanon. His Holiness Aram I in his turn
expressed his views and concerns, emphasizing the necessity of solving
problems through dialogue. Aram I praised the political maturity the
Lebanese manifested by avoiding internal tensions and preserving
inter-confessional unity. He also highlighted the importance of
strengthening Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, while maintaining good
neighborly ties with Syria.

His Holiness Aram I also met with the secretary general of the European
Armenian Forum, Alexan Avanesian. The latter informed His Holiness about the
forum’s future plans. His Holiness praised the activeness of the Armenian
communities of Europe, specially in working for the Armenian Cause.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

ArmenPress
March 4 2005

ARMENIA READY FOR 2005 EXPO

YEREVAN, MARCH 4, ARMENPRESS: A press secretary of the Armenian
Development Agency (ADA) told Armenpress Armenia will be represented
widely at 2005 Expo-2005 in Japanese Aichi, that is to be held under
the theme Nature’s Wisdom from March 25 to September 25, 2005.
More than 120 countries and numerous international organizations
have announced plans to take part in the first World Exposition of
the twenty-first century and will be holding their exhibitions in
Global Commons, common areas that group participants together by
region and provide both individual and shared space.
The six Global Commons are connected via the Global Loop, which
will allow visitors to enjoy a virtual trip around the world. Global
Common Three is home to countries located in Europe and the
Mediterranean.
ADA press secretary, Suzan Gevorkian, said Armenia will be
showcased in a pavilion that has 162 square meters. She said Armenia
is fully prepared for exposition.
Armenia’s participation in the exposition is being steered by the
ADA. Armenia’s national day will be marked on June 7. An Armenian
delegation will travel to Japan to stage a variety of cultural and
other events.