EurasiaNet, NY
April 28 2006

ALIYEV IN WASHINGTON: NO CHANGE ON IRAN POSITION

Shahin Abbasov 4/28/06

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said April 28 that his three-day
visit to Washington would play an “instrumental” role in promoting
the democratization of the Caucasus nation. He added that the visit
had not altered Baku’s position on the Iran crisis, appearing to
reduce the White House’s room for geopolitical maneuver on the issue.

Aliyev met with top US officials on the final day of his Washington
stay – President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Speaking to journalists, the
Azerbaijani leader said his talks with Bush “covered all aspects of
our bilateral relations.” Bush said he emphasized three topics –
energy, Iran and democratization. The US president added that global
democratization efforts would benefit from Azerbaijan’s emergence as
“a modern Muslim country that is able to provide for its citizens,
that understands that democracy is the wave of the future.”

The Azerbaijani leader said the trip would prove “instrumental in the
future development of Azerbaijan as a modern, secular state.” Aliyev
went on to stress the stalemated Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks,
expressing hope for a negotiated end to the conflict and adding that
any settlement would have to preserve Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
“Armenian troops have to withdraw from occupied territories,
Azerbaijani internally displaced persons have to return, and after
that we can discuss the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,” Aliyev said.

On Iran, the two presidents provided scant details on their
discussions, suggesting that a significant geopolitical difference
exists. Political analysts in Baku believed that US officials were
eager to obtain Azerbaijani support for possible military strikes
against Iran in order to prevent Iran from continuing with its
nuclear research. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Baku has been opposed to the use of force against Iran, which is
Azerbaijan’s southern neighbor. [For background see the Eurasia
Insight archive]. Aliyev told Azerbaijani television April 28 that
“our position has not changed – the problem should be resolved by
diplomatic means.”

Prior to the presidential meeting, Elmar Mamedyarov, Azerbaijan’s
foreign minister, said the Bush-Aliyev discussions would aim to
provide US officials with a clearer picture of Azerbaijani-Iranian
relations. “Iran is our neighbour and many Azerbaijanis are living
there. We carry cargo to Nakhchivan [an Azerbaijani exclave] via
Iran. We supply Nakhchivan with Iranian gas. That is why we do not
want a military solution to the Iranian problem,” he told journalists
on April 27. Mamedyarov also discouraged speculation that Aliyev was
acting as a go-between in the US-Iranian dispute. He denied that
Iran’s defense minister, Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, who visited Baku on
April 19, had asked Azerbaijani officials to pass along a message to
the Bush administration.

Though military cooperation and US access to bases in Azerbaijan now
seem out of the question, the United States may tighten intelligence
gathering and sharing, suggested Kaan Nazli, a Europe and Eurasia
analyst with the New York-based consulting firm, Eurasia Group. “The
real issue is continuation of intelligence cooperation,” Nazli said.
That Aliyev met with John Negroponte, director of national
intelligence, and that the Azerbaijani president’s entourage included
National Security Minister Eldar Makhmudov lend credence to the idea
that the two states explored ways to enhance intelligence
cooperation.

Some analysts in Baku characterized the Washington visit as an
all-around success for Aliyev. “His position in Azerbaijan is stable,
and he did not have to ask any favors of the United States.
Meanwhile, the United States needs Azerbaijani support in the Iran
issue,” said Ilgar Mammadov, an independence political analyst.

Opposition leaders in Baku, struggling to regain traction after
parliamentary elections in late 2005, attempted to stir up the
domestic political scene with unsubstantiated speculation that Aliyev
cut a secret deal with Bush to make Azerbaijani bases available to US
forces. A report posted April 27 on the Day.az web site quoted Isa
Gambar, head of the anti-Aliyev Musavat Party, as saying, “now it is
time for official recognition of the existence of such agreements
between Azerbaijan and US.”

Upon his return to Baku, experts expect Aliyev to follow up on his
democratization rhetoric with reforms — both substantive and
symbolic – that are designed to improve Azerbaijan’s international
image. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Arif
Yunusov, head of the Conflict Prevention Department at the Baku-based
Institute for Peace and Democracy, suggested that Aliyev might reopen
channels of communication with his political opponents, adding that
the opposition could very well win a few additional seats in repeat
parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 13.

Mammadov said that Aliyev’s enhanced international stature could
prompt him to undertake liberalizing economic and political changes.
“There is no elections scheduled in the country soon and the
opposition is weak, so the president may easily initiate some liberal
steps and reforms,” Mammadov said.

Concerning the Karabakh issue, Azerbaijani officials are now looking
forward to the next meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group, which
Mamedyarov, the foreign minister, indicated would convene May 2 in
Moscow. The Minsk Group is charged with mediating peace talks, and
Baku’s expectations are high that US negotiators will press for a
settlement that conforms to Azerbaijan’s wishes. “They [US officials]
need stability in the South Caucasus given the rise of tension over
Iran,” Yunusov said.

Editor’s Note: Shahin Abbasov is a free-lance journalist based in Baku

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“NOR ZHAMANAKNER” PREPARES ACTION OF PROTEST AGAINST POWER STRUCTURES’
INTERFERENCE IN POLITICAL PROCESSES

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Nor Zhamanakner” (New Times)
party envisages a mass meeting and march in the capital on April
28. As party Chairman Aram Karapetian informed journalists on April
27, both events are endowed by the Yerevan Mayor’s Office. He
mentioned that the mass meeting will be held in the territory near
Matenadaran (Armenian repository of ancient manuscripts), then its
participants will go in march towards the Police’s and National
Security Service’s buildings, with a demand of power structures’ not
interfering in political processes. According to Karapetian, the “Nor
Zhamanakner” party has no other demand towards the police as the
equipment having been taken from the party in last November were
returned in proper state. As for the National Security Service,
according to Karapetian, in contrary to the promise, yet this
structure has not return gas pistols of the party Chairman’s guard.

Aram Karapetian stated that there are 14 agents in buildings of the
“Nor Zhamanakner” party, 6 of who were put in by the Police, and 8
ones by the National Security Service. According to the party
Chairman, it became known about some of them still two years ago. He
mentioned that not all of the agents have contacts with the
administration of the party. According to Karapetian, there are people
put in his own surrounding as well. He promised to make public in
future the dates of recruiting the agents and pseudonyms of some of
them.

El Vaquero, CA
Glendale College
April 28 2006

Armenians Protest 1915 Genocide Denial

By OLGA RAMAZ
El Vaquero Arts and Entertainment Editor

April 28, 2006

For 91 years the Turkish government has vehemently denied the
annihilation of a million and a half Armenians.
On Tuesday, the Armenian Student Association (ASA), with the help of
the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC),
converted Plaza Vaquero into an outdoor classroom in order to educate
the local community in regards to the genocide of 1915.

`April 24, 1915, was when the Ottoman Turkish government gathered all
the Armenian intellectuals in the Ottoman empire and killed them,’
said ASA President Ani Daniyelyan. `What followed was eight years of
suffering, cries and despair.’

Through historical documents, video and photographs, the events
leading up to and after the genocide were depicted at large before
students, faculty and staff.

`Even though we’re in Glendale, there’s so many people that still
don’t know about the genocide,’ said Daniyelyan.

Aside from educational material on display, the afternoon was also
filled with speeches, a performance by Tina Issa and Marina Terteryan
of the ASA at Cal State Northridge, and lyricist Knowledge, who
rapped about the Armenian genocide.

`All the other genocides came from that [Armenian genocide],’ said
Knowledge, who believes that if everybody in the United Nations had
been on the ball and given recognition to the Armenian genocide, the
number of deaths as a result of mass murders would be significantly
lower.

As a sign of solidarity, yellow ribbons were handed out in order to
show support for John Evans, the American ambassador to Armenia whose
job is in jeopardy for publicly acknowledging the mass extermination
of Armenians as a genocide.

`He did nothing but speak the truth,’ said Daniyelyan. On Monday,
several hundred members of the Armenian community, including members
of the ASA at Glendale College, made their presence felt at the
annual march held in Little Armenia, located in Hollywood.

`We demanded justice, nothing else,’ said Musheg Akopyan, ASA club
advisor. `But we have to work everyday to get Turkey to recognize the
Armenian genocide.’

Los Angeles City councilman, Eric Garzetti, gave an opening speech
and explained the special connection that L.A. has with the Armenian
community.

`Eight months ago I left Little Armenia to go to big Armenia,’ said
Garzetti. `I spent time by the solemn plain in the capital of
Yerevan, the largest city of Armenians in the world, bringing
greetings and friendship to the second largest city of Armenians in
the world, Los Angeles.’

Garzetti’s trip to Armenia spawned an agreement between Yerevan and
L.A. to become sister cities so that Armenia’s past would never be
forgotten.

`We lost too many fellow brothers and sisters, and their memories are
not forgotten, but they are uplifted,’ he said.

Entire families participated in the mass procession, from youngest to
oldest. They waved flags, carried banners with slogans such as `shame
on Turkey,’ and shouted out demands for justice. The youngest member
of the Garapetian family, 3 1/2-year-old-Stepan, proudly waved an
Armenian flag made out of construction paper and a straw.

Garapetian, like almost every other child participating in the
protest, were all in agreement that the reason as to why they were in
attendance was because their people were struggling.

On her way to the march former GCC student Anahid Davidian,
reminisced about her grandmother’s struggle during the Armenian
genocide.

Davidian’s grandmother was a survivor of the genocide and raised her
own child as well as orphaned Armenian Children.

Due to her family’s struggle in the genocide, Davidian makes it a
point to participate in the protests.

`The Armenian genocide is like blood running through every Armenian’s
veins,’ she said. `It is a part of all of our lives and that is why
it is important for us to honor and remember our people.’

KHACHATUR SUKIASIAN RECOGNIZED BY BUSINESSMEN AS MOST PROFESSIONAL
POLITICAL FIGURE

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. An Internet survey of 231 citizens
revealed that 25% of respondents consider Khachatur Sukiasian, RA
National Assembly deputy, founder and chairman of SIL Concern, to be
the most professional political figure among 9 members of the Armenian
business elite who are also members of the RA National Assembly. The
results of the survey conducted on March 1 – April 25 by the Vox
Populi public opinion survey center were presented during the
discussion “Business and Politics” held at the Political Debate Club
on April 28. Gurgen Arsenian, Chairman of Arsoil CJSC, founder of the
United Labor Party (ULP), was in second place (15%), and Chairman of
Multi Group concern Gagik Tsarukian – in third place (8%). They were
followed by Founder and Director of Eurostan-Uyut Manvel Badeyan (7%),
Chairman of Armtobacco OJSC Ruben Hayrapetian (6%) and Chairman of
Board of Directors of Hrazdan Sport Complex company Ashot Aghababian
(1%). In the opinion of repsondents, Alexander Sargsian (brother of RA
Defence Minister Serge Sargsian), Samvel Sargsian (founder of Fleet
Food and Astghatsolk companies), and Sayad Zakharian (executive
director of Argali Group company, brother of Yerevan’s Mayor Ervand
Zakharian) cannot be considered professional political figures, while
33% of those surveyed said that none of these 9 businessmen can be
considered a professional politician. The purpose of another survey
conducted by Vox Populi was to find out whose interests the RA
National Assembly protects. In the opinion of 81% of 109 respondents,
the Armenian parliament is a body that expresses and protects the
interests of business elite, 9% of those surveyed responded that it is
a body regulating the state legislation, 7% said that the National
Assembly is a body expressing and protecting the public’s interests,
and 1% found it difficult to answer this question. The same
respondents were asked the question “What is your attitude to
politicization of the country’s business elite?” 84% responded that
this phenomenon hinders the rapid development of the Armenian economy,
7% said that it promotes the country’s economic development, and 7%
found it difficult to answer.

NOR ZHAMANAKNER PARTY’S FIRST SPRING RALLY PASSES IN POURING RAIN

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Several hundreds of people took part
in the rally organized on April 28 by the Nor Zhamanakner (New Times)
party in the territory adjoining Matenadaran. The party had brought
part of the rally participants by buses from the Armenian regions. Nor
Zhamanakner party Chairman Aram Karapetian had to speak in the pouring
rain before the rally participants. According to Karapetian, the
Armenian power structures have become the adjunct and the obedient
fawner of the authorities. He considered impermissible the
intervention of the power structures in the political processes. The
rally participants organized a procession from Matenadaran towards the
buildings of RA Police and National Security Service. Reaching the
buildings of these organizations the people shouted “shame” and
whistled with the colored whistles given by the organizers. They also
gave the representatives of the departments written complaints
prepared by them beforehand, in which they mentioned the attack of the
police on unarmed people early in the morning of April 13, 2003, the
search at the opposition parties’ offices, the recent attack on the
guard of the party Chairman, etc. The participants of the procession
were accompanied by a great number of policemen who were ensuring
observance of traffic rules. The policemen were very polite and no
unpleasant incident took place. To recap, the rally and the
procession were sanctioned by the Mayor’s Office. The participants of
the procession again moved towards Matenadaran where the event
ended. Aram Karapetian declared that as many people took part in the
rally as it was necessary for not breaking the traffic rules. He said
that the next rally will be organized before the building of the
Public Television. According to Aram Karapetian, the Public
Television refuses to give him the permission to speak on TV even on a
paid basis and he will go to demand a permission to speak on TV.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 28 2006

Garabagh mediator cites new approach

Baku, April 27, AssA-Irada

The approach toward settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has somewhat changed, Russian ITAR-TASS
news agency quoted the US co-chairman of the mediating OSCE Minsk
Group (MG) as saying.
Steven Mann said the new approach envisions advancing step by step
and putting off certain complex issues until later.
`From this standpoint, suitable grounds have emerged for compromises
[by the conflicting sides] on the conflict resolution,’ the
intermediary said, adding that the dispute could not be resolved once
and for good.
Mann said he would visit Moscow next week to hold consultations with
the other co-chairs.
The OSCE mediators are due to meet in Moscow on May 2, followed by
their visits to the region.*

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“POLITICAL SCIENCE IN XXI CENTURY” REPUBLICAN II STUDENTS’ SCIENTIFIC
CONFERENCE HELD IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The “Political Science in XXI Century”
republican II students’ two-days scientific conference started work at
the Armenian-Russian (Slavonic) State University on April 28. More
than 40 students of RA leading institutions of higher education
particiate in the conference.

According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the
organization committee of the conference, the political science in
Armenia is a new science, and similar conferences have important
meaning for students of the political science, international relations
departments. All the events on political sciences implemented in
Armenia today are of one-off, thus, not countinuous character. And
this conference differs just with the fact that it has a goal every
year to give young people possibility to reveal their preferences and
potentials in this sphere. Best speeches made at the conference will
be given monetary and encouraging prizes.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 28 2006

Armenian parliament prepares document on Garabagh

Baku, April 27, AssA-Irada

The Armenian parliament’s foreign relations commission has prepared a
document concerning settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper
(Nagorno) Garabagh conflict entitled `The conceptual basis for the
conflict resolution’.
`It is high time this document was passed. It will ensure the
political forces in the Armenian parliament will adhere to a common
position in various international organizations,’ the commission
chairman Armen Rustamian stated.
He added that the opinions of 14 political forces were taken into
account when developing the document.*

AZERBAIJAN’S MILITARY PREVALENCE IS MYTH

Yerevan, April 28. ArmInfo. In the last years Azerbaijan has been
selling its military prevalence over Armenia – but it is a myth, the
senior research worker of the Institute of World Economy and
International Relations of the Russian Academy of Science Alexander
Krylov said during the international conference Caucasus 2005 in
Yerevan today.

In his report on Azerbaijan Krylov said that in fact Azerbaijan can’t
have such a prevalence as long as Armenia is member of Collective
Security Treaty Organization. Besides, Azerbaijan can’t start a war
because foreign investors don’t want it.

Despite its declared integration into NATO mostly because of the US’
great role in the building of the Azeri navy and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Azerbaijan is not in the fairway of
the US’ policy. In 2004 Baku and Tehran drastically improved their
relations, the Iranian capital is involved in dozens of joint
projects. In 2005 Azerbaijan’s commodity turnover with Russia exceeded
$1 bln. Turkey is trying to attain this level too but Turkish-Azeri
relations are less profitable economically as Turkey pays for Azeri
fuel in light industry products mostly.

Given the bitter experience of the Kyiv events of late 2004 Russia
refrains from expressing political sympathies in Azerbaijan but
obviously they in the Kremlin consider the Azeri opposition as the
successor of the adventurous policy of Abulfaz Elchibey.

WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN MILITARY BASE FROM ARMENIA IS NO PRIORITY ISSUE
FOR USA

Yerevan, April 28. ArmInfo. The recent statements for the Western
political figures testify to the fact that the presence of the Russian
military base in Armenia is not desirable for USA. Rouben Safrastian,
head of Department for Turkish Studies at RA National Academy, said in
the interview to ArmInfo.

At the same time he emphasized that the withdrawal of the Russian
military base from Armenia is not a priority issue for the USA, as
that will not hinder the probable actions against Iran. He added that
in coming two years big changes may take place in the region around
the situation in Iran. “The USA haven’t used all of their pressure
tools for withdrawal of the Russian military stations from Armenia,”
he stated.