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Newsletter from Mediadialogue.org, date: 12-04-2004 to 20-04-2004

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  • Newsletter from Mediadialogue.org, date: 12-04-2004 to 20-04-2004

    [15-04-2004 'Azerbaijan-Turkey']
    ------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
    TURKEY, AZERBAIJAN EMBRACE NEW FRIENDSHIP
    Source : `Turkish Daily News' newspaper (Turkey)
    Author:

    Turkey declares support for Azeri proposal to resolve disputes with
    neighboring Armenia through a 'phased' process and reaffirm its
    commitment to maintain strong ties with old ally Azerbaijan

    Turkish officials have expressed support for an Azeri proposal for a
    "phased solution process" to resolve a long-standing territorial
    dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia and told the Azeri leadership
    that it was ready to help the process.

    Talks on the proposal came during an ongoing visit by Azerbaijan's
    President Ilham Aliyev to Ankara.

    Officials said on Wednesday that the proposal was not a new issue but
    Aliyev's visit provided the opportunity to provide a "concrete
    framework" for the idea.

    Aliyev met with Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and addressed the
    Turkish Parliament on Wednesday, on the second day of his visit, the
    first since he became president of the country last year. He held
    talks with President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Tuesday and the two
    countries issued a joint declaration, which officials said set the
    parameters of Turkish-Azeri relations in the new era.

    For more than a decade, Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region has been
    under Armenian invasion and international efforts to resolve the
    dispute have failed to bring a solution. Turkey has severed its
    diplomatic ties with Yerevan and closed its border gate with the
    country in protest of its occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh and Yerevan's
    support for Armenian diaspora attempts to get international
    recognition of alleged Armenian genocide at the hands of the late
    Ottoman Empire.

    According to Azerbaijan's proposal on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
    that was discussed during Aliyev's talks in Ankara, negotiations
    between Armenia and Azerbaijan could start after Armenia withdraws its
    forces from most of the occupied region. The withdrawal will follow
    Azerbaijan's opening its border gate with Armenia and restoration of
    economic relations.

    In parallel to these steps, Turkey would also open its border gate
    with Armenia, according to conclusions from Aliyev's talks.

    "We will display all efforts for a peaceful solution of the Nagorno
    Karabakh dispute within the framework of a gradual approach,"
    President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday after his meeting with
    Aliyev.

    The United States and the European Union have been pressuring Turkey
    to lift its trade blockade of Armenia and open its borders to the
    country.

    As well as international pressure, Ankara has faced lobbying from
    Turkish business interests keen to trade freely with Armenia.

    About 35,000 people died in six years of fighting over Karabakh which
    ended in a 1994 ceasefire. A decade of diplomatic efforts by the
    United States, France and Russia to end the deadlock has failed.

    BTC Project on the agenda

    The issue of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was also on the agenda
    of the visit. Sezer said, "Our joint projects closely followed by the
    whole world will further our bilateral ties and contribute to peace
    and stability of our region. This project which was once a dream is
    now coming true."

    Turkey and Azerbaijan will be linked in the near future by the oil
    pipeline pumping crude from the Caspian Sea to the Turkish
    Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.

    The 1,760-kilometer Baku-Ceyhan pipeline, built by an international
    consortium and strongly backed by the United States, is worth around
    $3 billion.

    "More than half of the oil pipeline has now been completed," Aliyev
    said, adding work was also progressing well on a natural gas pipeline
    from the Caspian to Turkey and Greece. During Aliyev's visit, the two
    countries also signed five agreements concerning mainly cultural and
    economic partnerships.

    Aliyev also noted that his country would support Turkey's candidacy at
    elections for secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic
    Conference (OIC). The elections will be held in this year's June
    summit of the OIC.



    [14-04-2004 'Armenia-Azerbaijan']
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    CHANGE OF POWER IN ARMENIA
    Source : `Echo' newspaper (Azerbaijan)
    Author: R. Orujev

    Political experts are at a äiscord îver its possible impact on the
    process of Karabagh settlement

    The political situation in Armenia remains tense. The outcome of the
    events developing in Yerevan may be dual. The confrontation may result
    in both power change in the neighboring country and victory of current
    authorities, which after full suppression of resistance will
    inevitably tackle (it seems to have done that already) repressions of
    the oppositionists. It is also interesting which outcome may be
    beneficial to Azerbaijan as regards prospects of settling Mountainous
    Karabagh conflict.

    According to political scientist Rasim Musabekov, the events underway
    cannot be viewed only in the context of Karabagh conflict. "The impact
    on the general democratic progress of the Caucasus is also to be
    reckoned with. Namely, if power change in Armenia makes the society
    more pluralistic, democratic and complying with human rights
    standards, this process may certainly become positive".

    As for the impact of these phenomena on Karabagh settlement, "here
    there are two aspects. If the situation in Armenia leads to chaos or
    acute resistance in the country, Azerbaijan will get an opportunity
    for forcefully liberating its territories. Similarly to Armenians'
    taking advantage of civil resistance situation in Azerbaijan, induced
    by the actions of Suret Huseynov, for taking control of the
    territories around Mountainous Karabagh". But most likely it will not
    go that far, Musabekov states.

    "But there is another possibility concerning the fact that Armenians
    actively used all the means for reaching the most preferable
    settlement option or to preserve the status quo for the past 10
    years. Moreover, toppling the government for conserving the present
    situation might also be used as a means. In this respect Kocharian's
    position is not more constructive or open for compromise in reaching
    peaceful settlement on the level of international law. Any change
    would lead to the fact that new people usually have high
    demands. Settling down, exposure to external pressure will take
    time. And I think no progress on peaceful settlement may be
    expected. Such a change in Armenia may impede the settlement process
    which is already at a standstill", Musabekov concluded.

    A controversial opinion was voiced by ex state adviser Vafa Guluzade,
    "It is crystal clear that Kocharian's resignation is favorable for
    Azerbaijan because no shifts were made in conflict settlement during
    his rule. Although former President Ter-Petrosian was willing to
    accept stage-by-stage option, our former `old brothers' dismissed him
    through Kocharian. Kocharian's resignation will put an end to Moscow's
    rule in Armenia. Armenian's will try to establish pro-Western regime
    in the country. But how will they achieve it; the situation in the
    country has long been under the control of Moscow. In principle, it is
    possible that Russia will allow the forces, striving for power, to
    displace Kocharian".

    The political expert notes, "In any case, no matter what force comes
    to power in Armenia, it will not be ready for immediately rejecting
    results of aggression because many Armenians are dazed by the fact
    that it is they who defeated Azerbaijan. Although it is clear for all
    reasonable people in Armenia that this occupation is planned and
    implemented by Moscow. I will be careful in assessments but in my
    opinion the accession of the new authorities may nevertheless signify
    certain shifts in Karabagh conflict settlement. Moreover, precise
    forecasts may be given only inside Armenia", the ex state adviser on
    foreign issues added.



    [13-04-2004 'Armenia-Azerbaijan']
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    BORDERLESS FRIENDSHIP OF BORDER BUSINESSMEN
    Source : `Novoye Vremya' newspaper (Armenia)
    Author: Asya Tsaturova

    The relations between Azerbaijani entrepreneurs from Sadakhlo and
    `merchants' from Armenia are growing stronger and
    closer. Notwithstanding the anti-Armenian hysteria instigated by
    Azerbaijani authorities, Sadakhlo residents' attitude towards
    Armenians, coming to the wholesale border market for the goods,
    remains balanced and friendly. Armineh Petrosian (interviewee's name
    is changed) cooperates with Azerbaijanis from this border village for
    more than just a year. There was not a single occasion of her doubting
    the honesty and decency of the Azerbaijani colleagues.

    According to Armineh, neither her nor the rest of her Armenian
    partners count the goods packed by the Azerbaijanis. The merchants
    know - the stock is guaranteed. Many Azerbaijanis have a variety of
    permanent customers from Armenia, and no one wants to lose fixed ties.
    Armenians and Azerbaijanis, in their interaction on Armenian-Georgian
    border, have long stepped over the line of intolerance and ethnic
    strife; they have become such good friends that sharing bread and salt
    became common. Indeed, when can a person be better known than at a
    table? Only recently, Armineh once more experienced Azerbaijani
    hospitality. She was not very fortunate with the transportation on her
    way back and so she had to wait for the train from Tbilisi. The train
    was to arrive only by evening, and there is not proper hotel in
    Sadakhlo. Consequently, the woman had to stay for no less than 10
    hours in the open. Armineh was not scared over the prospect - she
    decided to wait through this period at the fair near the container of
    her Azerbaijani partner, Mustafa. No way. First, the Azerbaijani
    suggested accompanying her to the local snackbar for dinner. But it
    turned out that Armineh already managed to pass by a number of
    Azerbaijanis and to have a snack in the bar. Saying `well done' with
    respect, Mustafa kept insisting, `Let's go to our place, you won't sit
    all day at the fair, will you?' Finally, `Armenian resistance' was
    broken. As soon as Armineh entered the Azerbaijani's house, she
    became the center of attention. The women immediately put away all
    their chores and after a while, despite categorical refusal from
    dinner, brought her some pasta with `sokhorats' and `matsun'. Not to
    offend the housewives, Armineh nevertheless tasted the dish. Later,
    they engaged in polite conversation but mostly talked business. Local
    Azerbaijanis, according to Armineh, prefer not to talk politics. Even
    when they do discuss such issues, they put all blame on the
    politicians and not common people. In the confrontation between the
    people, Mustafa and his partners do not have good prospects. The
    present situation is a serious obstacle on the way of developing their
    business. The traders want to enlarge the scope of supply, and they
    even questioned Armineh about assortment of goods that might be
    exported from Armenia. But there is no possibility for doing it. The
    host responded to the proposal of coming and visiting Armenian fairs
    with embarrassment, `I will not take the risk'.

    With a change of power in Georgia, the restrictions placed on the
    Georgian businessmen, engaged in trade, became stricter. Merchants,
    including those from Sadakhlo, are placed within even more rigid tax
    frames. This presupposes further raising of prices. Azerbaijanis are
    well aware that it may have a negative impact on selling price and on
    the scope of the sold merchandise respectively for Armenian merchants
    as well. Apparently, nowadays many Azerbaijanis try to improve the
    conditions of cooperation with Armenians. Despite a couple of traders
    from Armenia with `unclean hands', whose ventures let down Sadakhlo
    residents a few years ago, they keep giving the merchandise
    `nisya'. That means the condition is paying for goods after sale. One
    of Armineh's colleagues, Sona, for instance, does her packaging by
    `nisya' system for no less than 20-25 thousand bucks. Azerbaijanis
    have worked with her for many years and trust her completely. There
    has not been a day for Sona not to talk with suppliers from
    Sadakhlo. She has to pay considerable phone costs for conversations
    with Azerbaijani colleagues, but there are no complaints so far.

    Azerbaijanis prefer discussing all in full detail. As a result, the
    goods are sold almost perfectly with practically no left over. In
    Armineh's assessment, the businessmen are doing well. But she keeps
    wondering over the reticence of Azerbaijani colleagues. Despite the
    incomes, they drive decrepit cars and live in mansions that can hardly
    be called luxurious. Though, as the interviewee notes, these houses
    are quite clean and comfortable. In general, the houses of Sadakhlo
    Azerbaijanis cannot be called untidy. A few years back, Armineh and
    her partner faced an emergency in a taxi on the route from Tbilisi to
    Yerevan. By the time they approached the border, it turned out to be
    closed, and the women were practically left on the road at night. The
    compassionate Azerbaijani taxi driver did not hesitate to invite them
    to his place. First, the Armenian women were well fed - chickens were
    killed for them. Afterwards, they were settled for the night in a
    guest room. Moreover, they were provided with magnificent snow-white
    linen and soft mattresses, which Armineh remembers up to this day.

    Our `merchants' also demonstrate truly Caucasian hospitality. Some of
    them even manage to invite Azerbaijani partners to their children's
    wedding. But arranging a guest's visit from Sadakhlo is no easy
    task. Our entrepreneurs visit Azerbaijani weddings quite easily. It is
    safe in a village, as the compatriots became convinced after long
    years of trade across the border. Therefore, our entrepreneurs are
    particularly embarrassed. As for their Azerbaijani colleagues, they
    cannot get rid of the sense of fear. Only some of them, trusting the
    safety guaranteed by their Armenian friends, nevertheless visit us. In
    particular, one of our `merchants' brought the guests from Sadakhlo by
    his car to Yerevan downtown for his son's wedding. Azerbaijanis did
    not regret - they ate barbecue, drank brandy. They reached mutual
    understanding with the guests. They would - residents of the village
    adjacent to Bagratashen, they were good in Armenian and understood
    their friends at once.

    --
    Yerevan Press Club of Armenia, 'Yeni Nesil' Journalists' Union of
    Azerbaijan and Association of Diplomacy Correspondents of Turkey
    present 'Armenia-Azerbaijan-Turkey: Journalist Initiative-2002'
    Project. As a part of the project www.mediadialogue.org web site has
    been designed, featuring the most interesting publications from the
    press of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey on issues of mutual
    concern. The latest updates on the site are weekly delivered to the
    subscribers.
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