Archive News
News collected During November 5-9
AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT CALLS FOR GREATER OSCE EFFORT TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT.
Meeting on 9 November in Baku with
the new French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Jean-
Jacques Gaillard, Heidar Aliev again accused that body of
"inactivity." He added that his ongoing talks with his
Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian, do not absolve the
OSCE of responsibility for trying to resolve the Karabakh
conflict, Turan reported. Aliev had made similar criticism
during the September visit to the South Caucasus of OSCE
Chairman in Office Knut Vollebaek (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 20
September 1999). LF
Copyright RFE/RL
Aliyev: Karabakh Accord Might Be Signed During OSCE Meet
Ankara Anatolia in Turkish 1344 GMT 31 Oct 99
Baku (AA) -- At 1330 local time today, Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev left Baku for Turkey as the official guest of
President Suleyman Demirel.
In a statement before his departure, Aliyev said that during his stay
he will visit the quake victims in Kocaeli and receive the Ataturk Peace
Prize.
In reply to a question, Aliyev said that the incidents in Armenia will
not affect the peace process and the talks that are continuing regarding
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
In reply to a question by an AA correspondent, Aliyev said: "Many
agreements will be signed during the OSCE summit in Istanbul. A peace
agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue might also be signed."
Aliyev, who is expected to visit Kocaeli together with Demirel today, will
receive the Ataturk Peace Prize at a ceremony to be held in Ankara
tomorrow.
Aliyev was seen worthy of the prize because of the efforts he exerted to
secure peace in the Caucasus.
[Ankara Anatolia in Turkish at 1454 GMT on 31 October reports that "Aliyev
arrived in Istanbul aboard an Azerbaijani Airways plane at 1610 today."]
Mammadov Details Future Peace Accord,
Pledges To Fight
Turan in Russian
11:30:00 AM 30 Oct 99
Baku, 30th October -- [Azerbaijani President] Heydar Aliyev agreed
that the principle of Azerbaijan's "territorial integrity"
would not be mentioned in any future peace agreement with Armenia.
Neither will the document touch on the issue of the liberation of Lachin
and Shusha Districts. The future document consists of two parts: the
first will define the status of Nagornyy Karabakh and the second will
deal with ending the armed conflict.
This sensational statement was made today by the leader of the Party
for National Independence of Azerbaijan [PNIA], Etibar Mammadov, while
addressing the PNIA's sixth congress [on 30th October]. Mammadov said
that under the future document the status of Nagornyy Karabakh, which is
defined in that document, "cannot be changed in future".
At the same time, the agreement envisages the establishment of a
security zone on the territory of Armenia's Megri District along the
railway and that the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be laid precisely
along that line to Nakhichevan [Azerbaijani exclave] and from there to
Turkey, Mammadov reported.
The processes under way at present on the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict could strike a "mortal"; blow against Azerbaijan,
Mammadov believes. He pointed out that some countries and political
forces are attempting "to impose obligations" on Azerbaijan
regarding Nagornyy Karabakh.
Mammadov did not say from whom he had obtained the reports about the
future agreement, but he pointed out that Aliyev himself was playing a
key role in the preparation of these plans. "The authorities, which
are taking bribes from their own people, can take bribes from foreign
states in exchange for territories,"; Mammadov said.
Mammadov pointed out that the recent resignations in the Azerbaijani
leadership were connected precisely with this plan, which is against the
country's interests. He did not rule out more resignations by senior
state officials in the near future in protest against the authorities'
policy on the Karabakh settlement.
During his meeting with [Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan, Aliyev
had promised that Nagornyy Karabakh would be granted a status that can be
equated with independence, Mammadov said. Simultaneously, the Azerbaijani
government will present this agreement in terms of granting Karabakh the
status of autonomy and as a victory. The Azerbaijani authorities have
already started ideological preparations for the celebration of this
"victory", Mammadov said. Simultaneously, Aliyev will announce
a [geographical] reunification of Nakhichevan with Azerbaijan.
Mammadov reported that in this connection it was planned to carry out
a referendum, and the head of the Presidential Executive Staff, Ramiz
Mehdiyev, had already "calculated" that 80 per cent of the
Azerbaijani population would vote " in favour" of this agreement
and 20 per cent "against"
A number of major states had promised political support for Aliyev's
regime in exchange for signing such an agreement.
Mammadov called on the Azerbaijani people and all political forces to
unite and start fighting against the implementation of this scenario. He
said the PNIA would be in the vanguard of this struggle.
Touching on the negative role of the Western countries in the
implementation of this plan, Mammadov warned them that the
"pro-Western" mood in Azerbaijan could change "into
another direction".
Mammadov gave to understand that no major support from Turkey could be
counted on since the latter also feels under pressure from many sides.
Copyright from Habarlar-L
STATEMENT OF THE CONGRESS OF THE AZERBAIJANI NGOs
Congress of Non-Governmental Organizations taking into consideration
increasing efforts of international organizations on solution of Karabakh
problem and together with it Azerbaijan government's unclear, vague
position states:
Any agreements, which will harm Azerbaijani territorial integrity will
not express peoples' wish and accepted by them. In spite of Azerbaijani
NGOs maintain peaceful initiative of international organizations they
consider it intolerable display the same attitude to Azerbaijan and violent
Armenia, put pressures upon Azerbaijan in Armenia's favor.
NGO appeals to Azerbaijani State officials and international
organizations to follow the resolutions accepted by UNO Security Council,
international juridical norms in fair settlement of Karabakh problem. In
other case accepting of any document contradictory to Azerbaijan's national
interests will cause to unpleasant events and direct responsibility of it
will be on the present government.
Congress of Non-Governmental Organizations strictly states that will
not consider any capitulating document on Karabakh problem.
Source: Habarlar-L referring to A Z E R B A I J A N BULLETIN-122 (183) November 09 1999
http://www.andf.ctc.net.az
News collected during November 10-13
YELTSIN DISCUSSES KARABAKH WITH ARMENIA, AZERBAIJANI COUNTERPARTS.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin telephoned with
his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, Kocharian and
Heidar Aliev, on 12 November, Russian agencies reported.
Yeltsin and Kocharian discussed bilateral relations, issues
related to the latter's 5 November visit to Moscow, and the
prospects for resolving the Karabakh conflict, according to
Interfax. Yeltsin also assured Aliev of Russia's readiness
"to help in every way" to reach a mutually satisfactory
solution to that conflict. A spokesman for the Azerbaijani
presidential press service said that other topics discussed
included the upcoming OSCE summit in Istanbul and Russia's
proposed introduction of a "temporary" visa regime for
Azerbaijanis wishing to cross the frontier into the Russian
Federation. Aliev expressed understanding for that decision,
while noting the difficulties it creates for Azerbaijani
citizens, according to ITAR-TASS.
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT, PREMIER AGREE ON NEW CABINET.
Following consultations and overnight talks on 12-13 November,
President Robert Kocharian and Prime Minister Aram Sargsian
agreed on the composition of the new cabinet, RFE/RL's
Yerevan bureau reported on 13 November. Sargsian endorsed
Kocharian's choice of two career police officials, First
Deputy Interior Minister Haik Harutiunian and Karlos
Petrosian, to head the Interior and National Security
Ministries, while in return Kocharian agreed to Minister for
Industrial Infrastructures Vahan Shirkhanian's retaining his
post. Shirkhanian is believed to have been behind a 28
October demand by senior Defense Ministry officials for the
sacking of the interior and national security ministers and
of the prosecutor-general. The only other new cabinet
appointee is Karen Jshmaritian, who replaces Hayk Gevorgian
as industry and trade minister.
Copyright from RFE/RL
Opposition Postpones November 14 Rally
Baku, November 13, AssA-Irada
PFPA press-service reported on November 13 of the decision to postpone the
November 14 "Freedom to Karabakh" rally-march. It reports that in reply to the
appeal by the opposition, Mayor`s office of Baku, offered Motodrome as junction
again. The opposition rejected the proposal and sent another appeal to the mayor.
The rally is expected to be held before the Istanbul summit.
source: Assa-Irada from Bakupages www.bakupages.com
Opposition Postpones November 14 Rally
Baku, November 13, AssA-Irada
PFPA press-service reported on November 13 of the decision to
postpone the November 14 "Freedom to Karabakh" rally-march. It
reports that in reply to the appeal by the opposition, Mayor`s office
of Baku, offered Motodrome as junction again. The opposition
rejected the proposal and sent another appeal to the mayor. The rally
is expected to be held before the Istanbul summit.
Copyright from Habarlar-L
MORE AZERBAIJANI GROUPS WARN AGAINST SIGNING KARABAKH PEACE AGREEMENT...
Former residents of Shusha, which was the
largest Azerbaijani-inhabited town in Nagorno-Karabakh until
the Azerbaijani population fled in May 1992, have issued a
statement affirming that "a fair struggle is better than an
infamous peace" and vowing to fight "those who are ready to
yield even an inch of Azerbaijani land to the aggressors,"
Turan reported on 11 November. The statement expressed
concern at the Azerbaijani authorities' refusal to make
public details of the Karabakh peace process. The same day,
Turan also quoted National Statehood Party leader Nemat
Panahov as predicting that the present Azerbaijani leadership
might be overthrown if it signs a Karabakh peace agreement
that violates national interests.
...WHILE AZERBAIJANI LEADERSHIP SAYS NO SUCH AGREEMENT IMMINENT.
Meeting on 10 November with a group of Azerbaijani
writers, President Heidar Aliev said no formal Karabakh peace
agreement will be signed at the upcoming OSCE Istanbul
summit, but "only a joint declaration on common principles"
of a settlement, Turan reported on 11 November. Foreign
Minister Vilayat Kuliev has also denied that Aliev and his
Armenian counterpart, Kocharian, will sign a "serious"
document in Istanbul, the independent daily "Azadlyg"
reported on 11 November.
Cpyright from RFE/RL www.rferl.org
AZERABIAJNI POLITICAL PARTIES SIGN NEW STATEMENT ON KARABAKH.
Eighteen opposition parties signed a joint statement in Baku
on 10 November detailing measures they consider the country's
leadership should take with regard to the unresolved Karabakh
conflict, Turan reported. Those measures include insisting
that Armenia comply with four 1993 UN Security Council
resolutions demanding the immediate withdrawal of Armenian
forces from occupied Azerbaijani territory. They also want
Yerevan to pay compensation for material damage. The
statement goes on to demand that the financing and
professionalism of the Azerbaijani armed forces be improved.
Also on 10 November, the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, which
did not sign the joint statement, issued a separate statement
calling for a political solution to the Karabakh conflict,
Turan reported. But it added that such a solution should not
be "defeatist" and must not infringe on the country's
territorial integrity. LF
AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT CALLS FOR GREATER OSCE EFFORT TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT.
Meeting on 9 November in Baku with
the new French co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Jean-
Jacques Gaillard, Heidar Aliev again accused that body of
"inactivity." He added that his ongoing talks with his
Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian, do not absolve the
OSCE of responsibility for trying to resolve the Karabakh
conflict, Turan reported. Aliev had made similar criticism
during the September visit to the South Caucasus of OSCE
Chairman in Office Knut Vollebaek (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 20
September 1999). LF
Copyright RFE/RL
Aliyev: Karabakh Accord Might Be Signed During OSCE Meet
Ankara Anatolia in Turkish 1344 GMT 31 Oct 99
Baku (AA) -- At 1330 local time today, Azerbaijani
President Heydar Aliyev left Baku for Turkey as the official guest of
President Suleyman Demirel.
In a statement before his departure, Aliyev said that during his stay
he will visit the quake victims in Kocaeli and receive the Ataturk Peace
Prize.
In reply to a question, Aliyev said that the incidents in Armenia will
not affect the peace process and the talks that are continuing regarding
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
In reply to a question by an AA correspondent, Aliyev said: "Many
agreements will be signed during the OSCE summit in Istanbul. A peace
agreement on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue might also be signed."
Aliyev, who is expected to visit Kocaeli together with Demirel today, will
receive the Ataturk Peace Prize at a ceremony to be held in Ankara
tomorrow.
Aliyev was seen worthy of the prize because of the efforts he exerted to
secure peace in the Caucasus.
[Ankara Anatolia in Turkish at 1454 GMT on 31 October reports that "Aliyev
arrived in Istanbul aboard an Azerbaijani Airways plane at 1610 today."]
November 14-17
AZERBAIJAN'S PRESIDENT: NO PEACE TREATY WILL BE SIGNED WITH ARMENIA IN ISTANBUL
BAKU, 11 NOVEMBER, AZER-PRESS.
President Heydar Aliyev was receiving a
group of the Azeri writers concerned about the problem of Nagorno Karabakh
yesterday, and told them that only the joint declaration about the main
principles of the peaceable solution would be signed with Armenia during
the OSCE summit in Istanbul.
President Aliyev told the writers that 'when the treaty is ready, the
public will be given chance to become acquainted with it, it will be
deliberated upon in the parliament and then a referendum is going to be
held'.
President Aliyev added that the future treaty would never contradict the
interests of Azerbaijan.
Armenian News
Ghoukassian Says No Karabakh Deal at Summit
YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)-"No resolution on Nagorno Karabakh
will be adopted at the OSCE summit in Istanbul, since there are no
agreements achieved by the conflicting parties," president of the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arkady Ghoukassian told a news
conference on November 16 in Stepanakert. He noted that such a
precedent took place at the 1996 OSCE summit in Lisbon. At that
summit, according to Ghoukassian, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
made a inadequate statement that brought the entire negotiating
process to a deadlock.
The Karabakh president stressed that today there is no alternative
to the political settlement and that the Azeri leadership is well
aware of that. He said that like the Karabakh leadership,
Azerbaijan rules out any military solution to the conflict.
Ghoukassian noted, however, that the foreign policy of the country
would remain intact and would proceed from a resolution adopted
as a result of the 1991 referendum. "As president I must follow the
will of the people and therefore we will further aspire for
independence," Ghoukassian said. He emphasized that Nagorno
Karabakh would not discard the idea of independence and would
defend it at the table of negotiations.
The president also mentioned that in a couple of days he will lead
a delegation to the United States to attend the November 25
telethon organized by the "Hayastan" Armenian Fund to raise
funds for the construction of a 170km north-south highway. The
highway will connect many of the republic's isolated towns and
villages. According to Ghoukassian, the highway project, along
with other developmental projects, can be implemented if the trust
of the Diaspora towards Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
undermined in recent time is restored.
Ghoukassian described the situation in the country as being stable.
According to the president, the people of Nagorno Karabakh
support the current leadership that aims to establish law and order
and develop democracy. Ghoukassian condemned attempts made
by some forces to split society, saying that such actions will be
curbed in accordance with law.
Ghoukassian also addressed issues pertaining to measures taken
by the Karabakh leadership to reveal corruption, tax evasion,
privatization violations and housing distribution violations.
According to the president, a number of criminal proceedings have
been already instituted. In particular, he mentioned that an
investigation is under way in connection with the shortage of
$500,000 in taxes by the Tsitsernak organization led by Karabakh
Army Deputy Commander Armen Abgarian.
Among positive signs, Ghoukassian noted the rise of repatriation,
which, according to him, testifies to the general improvement of the
domestic situation and gradual establishment of the rule of law.
Copyright from Habarlar-L
"ALIEV HAS NO RIGHT TO SPEAK ON THE NAME OF PEOPLE"
By Mustafa Hajibeyli
At the present period, when the peace negotiation on regulating Upper
Karabakh conflict has intensified, the issue on the lack of legitimate
government in Azerbaijan has been raised again. Some days before the OSCE
Istanbul summit, the oppositional parties of Azerbaijan have issued a
statement stating that they "do not recognize the legitimacy of Aliev and
that he has not right to represent Azerbaijan".
The statement says: "We are, the political parties signing this statement,
stating that the government of Aliev has not right to represent the
Azerbaijani people, to speak on the name of people, and sign any
international document on the name of people". The oppositional parties are
also stating that there is no perspective of regulating the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict during the illegitimate government of Aliev.
"The position of Aliev`s regime to the capitulating "peace" for staying in
power must not assure international organizations, member-states of the
OSCE, and especially the states that have interests in Azerbaijan...
The Azerbaijani people will not allow any insulting "peace". Our people can
and are ready to release its lands from the occupants and restore the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan".
The statement was signed by the Popular Front, Musavat, National
Independence, Independent Azerbaijan, Vahdat, and other parties-the leaders
of 21 political parties of the country.
The Azerbaijani authorities are trying to present the opposition of the
country as a force trying to settle Karabakh conflict only by war at the
international world. But the leaders of the opposition have several times
stated that they support settling the conflict by peaceful means. They have
stated this opinion in their official suggestions on the regulation of
Upper Karabakh conflict and in the mentioned statement, as well.
Though the oppositional parties have stated that they will not recognize
any peace contract being against the state interests of Azerbaijan, they
are also stating that they "will support any efforts for the peaceful
regulation of the conflict".
-------------------------------------------------
THERE IS NOT A NATIONAL MINORITY PROBLEM IN AZERBAIJAN
On November 16 1999, the regular commission on human rights of Milli Mejlis
[the parliament] met with the delegation of expert commission of the
European Council on the Protection of National Minorities. Rolf Gosman,
chairman of the Expert Commission, Frank Stegetti and Peter Kowax,
colleagues of the minorities department of the EC`s human rights
directorate were among the delegates.
Sayyad Aran, MP, gave detailed information on the state of national
minorities in Azerbaijan to the delegation. In Mr. Aran`s words, "there are
national theaters of Lezgis, Avars that 40-50 thousand in the country. The
"Goy Gurshagi" printing house in Baku publishes various books of national
minorities in their languages. There is a Tallish theater in Lankeran. The
"Halay" dancing group of Masalli toured over 30 countries of the world.
There is a 10 thousand-populated Khinalig village in Guba that has kept
their language and culture until now. Rahim Alkhazov, a resident of that
village, has translated the world literature into Khinalig language and
published it in Baku. There is a TV channel in Lezgi language in Zakatala,
Guba, Gusar regions. Russians are living in several regions of the country.
The Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic gives many rights to ethnic as to
other citizens of the country. And as a result of this, the chairmen of 3
commissions of Milli Mejlis, Kerim Kerimov, Asia Manafova, and Hadi
Rajabov, are representatives of national minorities. There are nearly 10
representatives of national minorities in the parliament".
* ANDF
From: US-Azerbaijan Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Azerbaijan Weekly Update
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 12:14:18 -0500
Azerbaijan Weekly Update
November 15, 1999
Aliyev Backpedals as Opposition to his Karabakh Policies Gains Momentum
The opposition to the possible concessions to the Armenians in the
Karabakh issue has been mounting in Azerbaijan with both political
parties, public, intellectuals and refugees from the Armenian occupied
Azerbaijani lands mobilizing throughout the country. After several top
foreign policy officials in the government including the president?s
senior advisor and the foreign minister resigned in an apparent
disagreement over the Karabakh settlement, the popular discontent has
turned into an avalanche threatening to undermine the current government.
The alliance of four major political parties, Popular Front, Musavat,
National Independence and Democratic parties, declared a few weeks ago,
has promised to consolidate all these efforts into one organized movement
of National Resistance. The alliance set November 14 as the day for the
mass protest action in Baku. Meanwhile, the protest rallies were held at
the refugee camps in Barda and Saatli districts of Azerbaijan.
A group of five prominent writers sent a letter to president Aliyev
demanding the clarification of the details of the talks and the intentions
of Aliyev. Aliyev had to meet with the writers and announce that there
would be no comprehensive peace agreement with Armenia at the OSCE Summit
in Istanbul, but a mere document on the general framework for further
negotiations. His party officials and the foreign minister later
reiterated Aliyev?s words.
Prepared by the US-Azerbaijan Council
A non-government organization based in Washington, D.C.
For further information please, call 202-662-1343
Fax: 202-662-1353
Email: [email protected]
Copyright from Habarlar-L
Abulfaz Elchibey:" Heidar Aliyev is
confusing the people"
"To give any authonomous rights, which they live in the separate states of the world", stated
Abulfaz Elchibey, chairman of the Popular Front, to the "Turan" agency.
He protested Aliev`s words of making parallels between the Karabakh problem
and Kosovo crisis and stated that Aliev is confusing the people. In his
words, there was held ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, but Azerbaijan want to
cleanse Upper Karabakh from Armenian troops.
Isa Gambar, chairman of the Musavat party, also showed his opinion to the
problem stating that the Armenians of Upper Karabakh should be given rights
corresponding to the European standards. In his opinion, the strong
position of the Azerbaijani opposition in Upper Karabakh issue is creating
more useful condition for the government in the negotiations on the
problem.
HEIDAR ALIEV APPEASES THE PEOPLE
By FARHAD Mammadov
While the USA as an initiator of the face-to-face meetings of the
Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents has invited the sides to come to an
agreement around some principles till the OSCE summit in Istanbul, it has
already known that there will not be any concrete results in the
negotiation process in recent days. The official Baku is also confirming it
now. Aliev stated that there would not be signed any concrete document on
the regulation of Upper Karabakh conflict at the OSCE summit in Istanbul
and confirmed that the current stage of the negotiation process did not
allow to gain any concrete results.
Regarding the concern on that Aliev will sign "a capitulating peace
contract" in Istanbul and the increasing political tense, this statement
could calm the internal public opinion. The march-demonstration of the
National Resistance Movement of oppositional parties scheduled for November
14 has been postponed and the opposition is in a waiting position. But it
does not mean that the political tension on Upper Karabakh issue has
completely calmed and perhaps, the activation of the negotiation process
will cause the re-development of this tension.
The head of the state accepted a group of writers last week. He has
reminded his "achievements" that he repeated several times since his second
power in Azerbaijan and with this tried to form such opinion that "Aliev
will not sign a peace contract against the public opinion".
At the same time, though Aliev does not explain the essence of the secret
talks between him and Armenian president Robert Kocharian, he also stated
such opinion that the current Armenian leadership is in a very radical
position. Such opinion of Aliev shows that not achieving concrete results
at the negotiation processes till the Istanbul summit as wished the U.S. is
because of Armenia does not compromise in its position. That is, though
Azerbaijani side has promised concessions to Armenians, Armenia does not
want to abstain from its idea of getting complete independence to Upper
Karabakh.
So, Aliev has been able to gain a time that is very important for him now.
The negotiation process has been delayed for some reasons and as a result
Aliev will sign "the framework principles of regulating the conflict" in
the OSCE summit in Istanbul. And the reason of not achieving to concrete
results in the negotiation process till the Istanbul summit is a pressure
of Russia on Armenia and the act of terror happened in Armenia.
Aliev can explain the public resistance that he faced in the country to the
leaders of big states that are making pressures on him in Istanbul summit
by using of this time. Besides, Aliev can also state the necessity of
putting special demands again Armenian leadership to the states involved in
the regulation of the conflict proving himself as a side ready to
compromises.
This period allows Aliev to calm the internal dissatisfaction, as well. He
stated that the agreement between the president of the two states will be
explained to all community before being ratified it, and by this indirectly
called the opposition to decrease the pressures against him.
* ANDF
A Z E R B A I J A N BULLETIN-124 (185) http://www.andf.ctc.net.az
November 16 1999
Copyright from Habarlar-L
From: Javid Huseynov <jhuseyno>
To: Azeri News Distribution List <habarlar-l>
Subject: ANS News, November 16, 1999
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 11:30:56 -0800 (PST)
U.S. WILL DECISIVELY SUPPORT KARABAKH
ADJUSTMENT PROCESS AT OSCE'S SUMMIT
The US President Bill Clinton is going to state at the
oncoming OSCE summit in Istanbul Nov. 18-19 on his
country's decisive support of the process of Karabakh
peaceful adjustment. This was announced by the US
Assistant to the President on National Security Issues,
Samuel Berger. According to him, Clinton will hold
meetings with Heydar Aliyev and Robert Kocharian.
Berger also thinks that no headway will be reached on
other important issue either - the Baku-Ceyhan oil
pipeline.
Copyright from Habarlar -L
Roundtable on subject "Karabakh factor and national renaissance" was held
Baku. 16.11.99. /AzadInform/. Today at the Ana Veten Party headquarters
there was held a roundtable on the subject "Karabakh factor and national
renaissance" with attendance of public and political organizations. In his
opening remark the AVP deputy chairman Telman Hagverdiyev spoke about
malevolent propaganda being carried out for giving independence to Upper
Karabakh and its joining to Armenia. Only since February 13, 1988
Azerbaijani nation started replied actions against numeral meetings
organized by Armenians in Khankendi and as a result of this, there appeared
the People's Front Movement which headed the liberation struggle, he said.
Representatives of political parties and public organizations made several
reports over the theme. Participants of the roundtable stated on their
readiness to fight for Azerbaijan's independence and territorial integrity
till the end.
MUSAVAT'S SECRETARY ENLIGHTENED
AMERICANS ON AZERI OPPOSITION MATTERS
A news conference held November 15 was dedicated to
the results of the Musavat Secretary Arif Hajiyev's recent
visit to the United States. The Musavat secretary
represented in the US not only his party but the
Democratic Congress as well. During his meetings with
director of the US National Democracy Institute, Nelson
Ledski, member of the US Congress' committee on
foreign relations, Kevin Brady, and other officials and
public figures, Arif Hajiyev has in details informed them of
the situation linked with the Karabakh adjustment process
and told what position Azeri opposition held on the
matter.
According to Hajiyev, repealing the notorious Section
907 which is being applied to Azerbaijan is not that a big
problem. But unlike Azeris, Armenians hold frequent
meetings with congressmen and are trying to hinder the
Section's repeal.
According to the Musavat secretary, official Baku has
formed an image of Azeri opposition as a supporter of the
problem's forceful solution having convinced Americans
that in case of opposition's coming to power, ethnic
cleansing of Armenians will start in Karabakh. As Hajiyev
said, he explained his American interlocutors the
groundlessness of such assertions and said the opposition,
indeed, was not adherent of the 'peace for peace'
principle. ''If unjust peace leads to conservation of the
problem, then there are no guarantees that the conflict
won't break out again in future. We tried to prove that the
opposition stood for peace but on one condition that the
peace won't harm the interests of the Azeri nation,''
Hajiyev said. According to Hajiyev, a Karabakh bureau
has been formed in the US on the initiative of the OSCE
Minsk Group's US co-chair Kerry Kavanaugh to have an
opportunity to influence the US position as a co-chair of
the Minsk Group. A conclusion has been drawn from the
above-mentioned that both opposition and authorities of
Azerbaijan must put aside their mutual claims and beef up
the propaganda of Azerbaijan's position on Karabakh, as
well as to destroy the wrong image the country's
government and opposition have abroad. Arif Hajiyev
said the key to solution of these problems was in unity of
the country's political forces.
Copyright from Habarlar-L