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Weekly political digest

Analysis Materials 9 August 2009 12:01 (UTC +04:00)

Official chronicle


President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today inspected rebuilding work in the capital and construction of new roads.
President Ilham Aliyev first viewed ongoing Azneft square-Bilgah settlement roadside improvements.

On July 29, President Ilham Aliyev inspected reconstruction work in the Fountain square and renovation of historical buildings in the Nizami Street.

On July 30, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the ambassador of Kuwait Fehd Saad al- Mey in connection with the completion of his diplomatic mission, AzerTAj state news agency reported.

The Head of State said that the relations between Kuwait and Azerbaijan are developing successfully. The President highlighted the contribution made by the ambassador of Kuwait in the period of his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan in the bilateral relations and wished him success in his future activities.

Ambassador Fehd Saad al-Mey thanked the government and President of Azerbaijan for creating conditions for the embassy of Kuwait.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov.
The minister conveyed President Dmitry Medvedev `s greetings to the Azerbaijani leader.

He noted military and military-technical cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan was expanding in accordance with relevant instructions of the two countries` Presidents.

Serdyukov said his current visit would be important in terms of holding exchange of views on prospects for the military cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev said relationship between Azerbaijan and Russia was successfully developing in various spheres.

The Head of State expressed confidence the bilateral military and military-technical cooperation would continue to enhance.

The President pointed out the military cooperation had always been widely discussed during his meetings with Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed assurance the Russian Defense Minister`s current visit would contribute to strengthening the military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries.

Azerbaijani President signed the decree to apply the law Changes to list of municipalities, which is enclosure to the law Municipal territories and lands.

The Cabinet of Ministers is charged to submit proposals to bring current legislation in accordance with the law Changes to list of municipalities during two months to Azerbaijani President.

It was also charged to bring normative-legal acts of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers and corresponding executive agencies with the law and inform Azerbaijani President.

Azerbaijani President signed the decree to apply the law Establishment of new municipalities in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by uniting municipalities.

The Cabinet of Ministers is charged to prepare and submit proposals to bring current legislative acts in accordance with the law during two months to Azerbaijani President upon coming into force the law Establishment of new municipalities in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by uniting municipalities.

It was also charged to bring normative-legal acts of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers and corresponding central power agencies with the law.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree to approve senior staff of customs agencies, financed by the public budget, and other people, employed by the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, AzerTaj state news agency reported.

The Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers is mandated to resolve all issues set by the decree.

The decree is considered to enter into force on April 1, 2009.

The 2009 Azerbaijani public budget allocated 11,030 million manat to maintain the State Customs Committee.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed the decree to award cinematographers with honorary titles.

Agabayli Mirza Gasim oglu and Huseynova Najiba Ibrahim qizi were awarded with honorary titles Azerbaijani Honored Artist but a group of cinematographers - with Azerbaijani Honored Cultural Figures for contribution in development of Azerbaijani cinematography upon President's decree.   

Azerbaijani President's personal scholarship was given to Ismayilov Tofiq Hyseyn oglu for contribution in development of Azerbaijani cinematography upon President's other decree.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on a victory in the presidential elections, AzerTaj news agency reported.

In his congratulation letter to Bakiyev, the Azerbaijan president expressed his confidence that the countries will further make joint efforts to enhance cooperation, to develop inter-governmental relations and to promote friendship between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

The president wished his Kyrgyz counterpart success in his activities in favor of Kyrgyz people's welfare.

In a congratulatory letter to the Indonesian president, President Aliyev expressed hope that joint efforts to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries and nations will continue.

The president wished his Indonesian counterpart success in his activities for the favor of Indonesian people.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev sent to the President of the Swiss Confederation, Hans-Rudolf Merz, a congratulation letter in connection with the country's national holiday - the Day of Confederation.

"We attach great importance to the development of Azerbaijani-Swiss relations. I am confident that we will continue to consistently make mutual efforts to further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries, expand our cooperation. On this joyous day, I wish you good health, success in activities, the friendly people of Switzerland - peace and prosperity," the congratulation letter says.

Parliament

The Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee on Social Policy is developing a bill on social service.

"At present there is a need to adopt a law on social service. Social services just emerge in the country. The law on social service must be adopted to legally regulate this field, Chairman of the Committee on Social Policy, MP Hadi Rajabli told the official Web site of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on July 29.

The original version of the bill which was developed by the committee is already ready, said Rajabli.

Azerbaijani MP considers important to submit the bill on defamation to public discussions.

Non-discussion of the draft law in public will cause serious problems in the society. The bill is of interest of all layers of the society, Ganira Pashayeva, Azerbaijani MP, member of a working group on development of a draft law on defamation, said

The draft law on defamation was prepared with the support of the OSCE Baku Office in 2005. The working group designing the bill includes MPs Ganira Pashayeva and Azay Guliyev, representatives of journalist organizations and law scientists.

International organizations believe that Article 147 (defamation) and 148 (insult), which proposes criminal responsibility, should be removed from the country's Criminal Code.

The discussions should focus on study of public opinion regarding the provisions of the bill, Pashayeva added.

It is necessary to study the public opinion on the issue when a journalist is not made answerable for libel, but bear criminal responsibility only paying fine, Pashayeva added.

The consideration of the bill may appear on agenda of the parliament only after studying public attitudes in this regard, Pashayeva said.

"You may remember, the removal of the death penalty in Azerbaijan caused serious discussions. Some thought that the abolition of the death penalty would increase the number of grave crimes, though others urged these issues were not interrelated. Only after comprehensive discussions it was possible to repeal the death penalty in the country, Pashayeva said.

The public debate on the bill on defamation is of no less importance, Pashayev added

"After adopting this law, a person libeled by journalist may consider the punishment as insufficient and punish journalist by own means. We must prevent such problems to emerge," Pashayeva said.

All journalist associations dealing with issues of journalism should take an active part in the public discussions, Pashayeva said.

Political movements

Azerbaijani opposition party intends to do an experiment in the municipal elections.

"All members of our party have the full freedom to nominate their candidature for municipal membership," Chairman of Tereggi party, Chingiz Damiroglu, told Trend on July 27. 

Azerbaijani municipal elections are scheduled for autumn 2009 and parliamentary elections for autumn 2010. Municipal elections have been held twice - in 1999 and 2004. 

The law unifying several municipalities was adopted in the Azerbaijani Parliament in May.

The number of municipalities in Azerbaijan was reduced from 2,757 to 1,766 in accordance with this law.

Damiroglu said that any self-confident candidate who has the chance to be elected can nominate his candidature. "We have the chance to test the power of the members of town and regional organizations once in five years. Therefore, central office will not give instructions concerning the nomination of any concrete candidate in any local organization," he said.  

He said that the lack of limitation in nominating candidates must not turn into self-indulgence. "Everybody knows which party members have the best chance in all the local organizations. So I know that no mistakes will be made by this choice."

He said that this experiment will be also a test for the 2010 parliamentary elections. "If our party members make the right choice, it will be a good trial for us on the eve of parliamentary elections," said the Chairman of the party.

Chairman's advisor of Azerbaijani opposition party suggests ceasing activity of organization.

"We achieve nothing with party having no registration, head-quarter and finances," leader's advisor of Open Society party, Zamina Dunyamaliyeva, told Trend on July 27.

Chairman of Open Society party, Akif Shakhbazov, sent in his resignation at a meeting of board a month ago. Upon the charter, head of party's Supreme Majlis was charged to fulfill chairman's functions. A meeting of Supreme Majlis must be held after three months of chairman's resignation. New head of the party will be elected.  

Dunyamaliyeva said that leadership of the party fails to take any significant actions. "So, I think it is not necessary to deceive each other. Current situation obliges for a meeting of Supreme Majlis. Future activity of the organization will be solved these," she said.

She said that no discussions on this topic were held with leader of the party Rasul Guliyev. "Forecasts I voiced before were fully confirmed. So, I think that Rasul Guliyev will treat my thoughts with respect. Current situation requires suspension of party's activity. We must take the liberty of making this action," Dunyamaliyeva said. 

The movement which unites some Azerbaijani opposition parties has stopped appointing candidates for the municipal elections.

"Since areas which municipalities will cover have not yet been specified after adopting the Law on the "Unification of Municipalities", we cannot determine which areas our candidates will be nominated from," the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Democrat Party (ADP), represented in the Movement for Karabakh and Republic, Sardar Jalaloglu told Trend on July 27.

Jalaloglu said that under the Law on "Municipalities", candidates for the municipalities can be nominated from the areas where they live. "As we do not know which areas the municipalities will cover after unification, we cannot appoint concrete candidates for the election. When the problem is solved, concrete candidates will be appointed," the party's Chairman said.

As to the participation of the parties represented in the movement, the ADP chairman said this issue had been repeatedly discussed with a common list of candidates in the municipal elections. "We cannot reach a common agreement on this issue due to the unification of the municipalities. The law indicates a concrete number on which political parties can participate as a bloc or independently. For instance, a party can participate in the elections as a bloc when the number of candidates comprises1/3 of the municipalities and when this figure comprises ½ of municipalities a party can participate in the elections independently," Jalaloglu stressed.

The ADP chairman said they could reach an agreement on the participation of the parties represented in the movement with a complete list, only when borders of municipalities have been fully specified.

Youth of Azerbaijani opposition party Musavat considers participation in municipal elections as necessary.

"Municipal elections are elections in which more youth will be able to participate and have more chances. If youth fails to win at elections, it will gain political experience. It was recommended to give preference to youth in the list of candidates for municipal members at meetings with chairmen of all regional organizations of parties," chairman of Musavat youth organization of the party, Tural Abbasli, told Trend on July 28.  

Number of municipalities was reduced from 2,757 to 1,766 in Azerbaijan.

Abbasli said that 10-15 percent of list of candidates will hit youth at municipal elections. "We operate among youth on this regards. We hope that 50-60 percent of young people to participate in elections will be able to win," he said.  

He said that competition will increase at elections after municipalities unite.

The Azerbaijani Civil Development Party (CDP) will prefer young candidates in municipal elections.

The party's leadership was informed about the youth willing to take an active part in the elections. In this respect, the party conducts relevant work to involve the party's young members, as well as the independent youth in elections, chair of the youth organization of the CDP Nuraddin Babayev told trend News on July 29.

The party's leadership greets the idea of youth active participation in the elections. The party showed an interest in this idea. The party will prefer the young candidates in list of the candidates who will participate in the municipal elections, Babayev said.

Several opposition parties are represented in the union. The union will conduct discussions with other opposition parties to organize joint meetings.

"Representatives were determined to hold talks with other political organizations at the meeting of working group," chairman of Azadliq party represented in the Union for Democracy, Ahmad Oruj, told Trend on July 29. 

He said that major purpose of mass actions is to protest clauses of Madrid principles to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict prepared by co-chairmen of OSCE Minsk Group which do not meet Azerbaijani interests. "We want not only public-political organizations but famous representatives of intelligentsia to protest. So, we will also apply to the Union of writers on behalf of the Union for democracy.  

Oruj said that data of protest action has not been specified yet. "We will determine the date after discussions with parties," Oruj said.

Azerbaijani opposition parties do not rule out possibility of boycotting municipal elections.

"In theory, Azadlig bloc's refusal from participation in municipal elections is possible. The decision on participation in elections will be determined as a result of discussions to be held in the regional organizations. After it, local organizations should discuss this issue and express their attitude to the election inside the parties of the bloc," Chairman of the Citizens and Development Party (CDP), Ali Aliyev told Trend on July 30.

Aliyev said it is expected to take a decision on the participation in municipal elections in late August - early September.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) Sardar Jalaloglu considers attracting people to the municipal elections as the best way.

"The people fell into apathy, so the boycott tactic leaves him aloof from the political process. Everything will depend on a political will of the power how the opposition is interested in participating in elections. If the authorities want to compete with the opposition in the elections, we must not avoid it," Jalaloglu told Trend .

The Musavat may decide to participate in municipal elections, but does not rule out possibility of their boycott.

"A boycott can never be ruled out. On the backdrop of toughening existing legislation in Azerbaijan and demonstrating attempts to narrow a framework of democracy, there is always a chance of boycotting the political process in the country as a whole," Head of the Musavat Central Executive Body Arif Hajili told Trend on July 30.

The Azerbaijani opposition Musavat party believes that the parties of the Union for Democracy cannot hold events on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

"There is a need to hold serious protest actions on the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. But I think the decision on this issue should be taken by the organizations that can really organize them. Otherwise, these decisions and their implementation can give quite the opposite effect, damaging our society and our national affairs in general. I am concerned that such a hasty decision can damage resolving this problem," Head of the Musavat Central Executive Body, Arif Hajili told Trend on July 30.

The parties of the Union for Democracy offered to hold joint mass protest actions against the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in line with the Madrid principles. A working group was established to negotiate with the socio-political organizations and intellectuals to hold mass protest actions. Dates of the protest actions will be determined after the negotiations.

Union for Democracy was established after parliamentary elections in 2005. Classic People's Front, Azadliq, National-Democratic party, Great Azerbaijan and People's party are represented in the union. 

Hajili said a special attention must be paid to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. "We cannot seek to gain political dividends in this issue. There is a need for political solutions to protect national values," he said.

Azerbaijan's left-wing parties have expressed their readiness to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with their Armenian counterparts.

The Socialist Party of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Communist Party and the Communist Party united on the Marxism-Leninism platform consider necessary to hold a meeting with Armenia's left-wing parties to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the party level.

"Such meetings would also create a confidential way among political parties and lead to unbiased decisions in the future. We believe that the time of such meeting is close, and we are ready to hold this meeting in a neutral territory acceptable for both sides," said the Azerbaijani left-win parties' statement, sent to Armenian counterparts.

Azerbaijan's left parties hope their Armenian counterparts will pay a necessary attention to the statement and demonstrate an unbiased approach to this issue for peace and stability in the Caucasus region.

Opposition parties in Azerbaijan in various ways approach the idea of joint actions in connection with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"It is wrong to refuse the proposal of the sides, who make initiatives in negotiations. After the proposal, the intentions of the initiator will be visible, after which it is possible to express a particular attitude," chairman of the Citizen and Development Party, which is represented in the Azadlyg bloc, Ali Aliyev told Trend on July 30.

The parties represented in the Union for Democracy made an initiative of holding joint mass actions to protest against the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of Madrid principles. A working group of public-political organizations and intellectuals was established in order to conduct negotiations on the mass protests. The time of holding actions will be known after the talks.

The Union for Democracy was created after the 2005 parliamentary elections. It brings together the Classic Popular Front Party, Azadlyg Party, National-Democratic Party, Great Azerbaijan Party and People's Party.

Azerbaijan Democratic Party of (ADP) finds nonsense the step to hold mass actions to protest against the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of Madrid principles.

"The intervention of certain restrictive practices in such a punctilious problem as Nagorno-Karabakh will lead to the complication of the problem. If the Madrid principles do not meet the national interests, the government of Azerbaijan will not agree upon them. The updated principles have not been announced yet. Still it is unknown whether the new principles meet the interests of Azerbaijan," ADP chairman Sardar Jalaloglu told Trend on July 30.

Jalaloglu said that if pressure will be put on the government of Azerbaijan to make concessions in the conflict, then there will be a need for joint mass actions of the government and opposition.

In this way it is possible to show the whole world that Azerbaijani community takes a united position in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Mass actions of opposition with the participation of 300-500 people will not give significant results. "I am categorically against political conjuncture in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," said ADP chairman.

Head of Azerbaijani oppositional public organization sees no necessity in establishment of new union of political forces.  

"At present, major task is not to unite leading political parties but strengthen activity of society," head of For the sake of Azerbaijan public forum, Eldar Namazov, told trend News on July 30.

Namazov said that opposition must do its best to increase role of youth in public-political sphere. "We must attract broader social layers to stir up society. I think that political parties should have deal with above-mentioned instead of establishment of new organizations. I do my best on this regards," head of the forum said.  

He said that opposition fails to unite in the united organization for a long time. "Reasons are known. Political forces must agree with each other. All understand it. But if there is any progress, those hampering appear. Unification of opposition in united organization is unreal," Namazov said. 

Elections

Azerbaijani opposition party determines list of candidates for municipal members in south region.

"Candidatures of 210 party members will be nominated at municipal elections for all municipalities," chairman of Azerbaijani Liberal-Democratic party, Fuad Aliyev, told Trend on July 30.

Azerbaijani municipal elections are scheduled for December 2009 but parliamentary elections for autumn 2010. Municipal elections were held twice in 1999 and 2004.

The Azerbaijani Parliament adopted the law Unification of several municipalities in May.

Number of municipalities was reduced from 2,757 to 1,766 in Azerbaijan.

Aliyev said that names of candidates for municipal members of north region of Azerbaijan, Baku and nearest territories of Baku will be specified during August. "General meeting will be held with party members to be nominated as candidates for municipal members after the process completes," Fuad Aliyev said.

Regarding Azerbaijani Liberal-Democratic party's initiative on joint participation of liberal parties in municipal elections, Aliyev said that discussions will be held in August. "We conducted preliminary talks with 12 parties. If discussions are successful, we will announce about establishment of Free Azerbaijan election block. Otherwise, party will independently participate in elections," Aliyev said.

Foreign policy

The dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on the Caspian resources mustn't be brought to the international arbitration court, the salvation key of this issue is in the international mediation, believes Kaan Nazli, analyst of Turkey, Eastern Europe and Caspian region for New-York based Medly Global Advisors.

"The most successive mediator in this issue is Turkey. Turkey must become a mediator between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, because this country has close historic, ethnic, cultural and political ties with both of them," Nazli told Trend correspondent in Washington.

Kaan Nazli states, that this issue can be adjusted "only via mutual dialog. Together with Turkey, if there is need, the European Union can join the mediation process".

The expert believes that Turkey can deeply feel both countries' feelings and needs. He says that both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have their arguments, and they are understandable.

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are currently considered as potential raw material sources for the Nabucco gas pipeline project which will transport gas from the Caspian region to the EU via Turkey.

"Both Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are very important countries in terms of region energy security and diversification," Nazli said.

The analyst said if the dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan will upraise, then the Transcaspian projects will be dismissed. "And this is against the interests of Turkey and the EU," Nazli said.

A biased attitude toward the country is still felt at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Member of the Azerbaijani Delegation to the PACE, Parliamentarian Gultakin Hajibayli believes.

"It is not the first time that CE Co-Rapporteur on Azerbaijan, Andreas Herkel partially speaks of our country. In fact, some representatives of the organization periodically partially speaks of Azerbaijan," she told the official Web site of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) on July 30.

Azerbaijan was even more freely 5 years ago, the CE Co-Rapporteur on Azerbaijan Herkel told media. Since 2004, Herkel is the co-rapporteur of the Council of Europe on Azerbaijan.

Hajibayli said the freedom of the press and political pluralism is fully provided in Azerbaijan. "Recently, a special attention has been paid to the development of the press. Regardless of their social status and position, all are equal before the law. Violators of the law are adequately punished, and the Council of Europe politicizes the issue," the parliamentarian said.

The Council of Europe was silent, when the many were killed and arrested during the last presidential elections in Armenia, the parliamentarian said. "The commitment of the organization, which has not taken decisive steps against this state, to double standards and bias is testified with its activity," Hajibayli said.

Human rights

The government was faced a problem with the Chechen refugees living in the country.

"The problem is connected with identifying the Chechen refugees. Although the Russian government announced the completion of the antiterrorist operation in Chechnya, the refugees' repatriation has not yet started. Although an appeal was sent to Russia on this issue, the Russian Federation has not rendered a practical assistance. Therefore, we can not determine whether the Chechen refugees are civilians or terrorists," the Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, Ali Hasanov said on July 28.

According to unofficial data, the number of Chechen refugees in Azerbaijan hits 5,000 people.

Hasanov said the number of refugees from the third countries in Azerbaijan has declined.

"Earlier, their number reached 12,000 and now this number has decreased and is 4,000. Basically, it took place via the Turks Ahiska, some of whom settled in Turkey and the European countries, and the other part is waiting for their return home," said Hasanov.

Leadership and several employees of prisons N6 and N12 of penal service of the Azerbaijani ministry of justice were called to strict disciplinary liability due to shortages made while performing official service. According to Trend , it was stated at a meeting of operative council dedicated to results of activity of penal service in the first half of 2009. 

Amnesty process initiated by president of Heydar Aliyev's Fund, MP Mehriban Aliyeva due to Novruz holiday, act approved by Milli Majlis was successfully completed, head of penal service, mayor-general of justice, Nazim Alekperov, said. 

He said that prisoners were enumerated within next population census on April 13-22. Corresponding documents were submitted to the State Statistical Committee within indicated term. 

An office of network of anti-human trafficking of Azerbaijan (NAHTAZ) opened in Shirvan   city, Azerbaijan.

Presentation ceremony of the office was held in the Shirvan Resource Center of Azerbaijani National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Forum in Shirvan, NAHTAZ told Trend .

Some 134 persons were arrested with a charge of human trafficking in the first half of 2009.

The number of crimes committed against women decreased by 15.9 percent compared to the same period of 2008, the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry's operational-statistical information central department said.

The ministry registered 95 similar crimes in the first half of 2009 and 113 crimes in the same period of 2008. Some 68.7 percent or 92 of these crimes were committed by women.

 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict



On July 26, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the nameless heights of the Khojavand region at 12:45-12:47 and from an area outside the Goyarkh village of the Terter region at 13:10-13:30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.

Azerbaijani community of Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh region approved a plan of actions for current year.

"Discussions on intensifying community's activity were held at a meeting of staff board," coordination council head of Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, Mehdi Abdullayev, told Trend on July 27. 

Abdullayev said that a plan of actions envisages intensification of meetings with international organizations, creation of Internet website of the community, as well as establishment of press agency. "Meetings with Azerbaijani students, getting education abroad and Diaspora organizations are envisaged," head of coordination council said.

Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia turned into center of organized criminality, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister, Khalaf Khalafov, said at the Cabinet of Ministers' meeting of the State Commission for Combat against Drug Addiction. 

"Occupied territories are used not only for growing, distribution and traffic of drugs but for preparation of the international terror groups," Khalafov said.

Corresponding state agencies must use international experience in combat against drug addiction and illegal turnover of drugs, deputy minister said. "Modern forms of combat against drug addiction and illegal turnover of drugs must be applied in Azerbaijan," Khalafov said.

Azerbaijani social-economic potential allows strengthening activity in combat against drug addiction and illegal turnover of drugs, deputy minister said.

The Azerbaijani government has long stated that it is ready for the processes that follow after a peace treaty on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"Recently, the negotiations regarding the conflict have intensified from a political point of view. Some progress has already been felt in the talks. All we are waiting for the signing of a peace treaty," Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Ali Hasanov told journalists on July 28.

Hasanov said the "Repatriation Program" finished a year ago. "The program has been coordinated with international organizations, embassies, international financial institutions, all ministries and committees," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

The program reflects all the stages, he said. "The first phase of repatriation on all directions would not be possible. Repatriation will start in one direction, and this is connected with the mine cleaning. Then we will these territories, and re-clear the damage caused to the infrastructure of the territory. Two years ago, the damage was estimated at $60 billion," said Hasanov.

In parallel with the rehabilitation of infrastructure, news jobs will also open, he said. "Then people will be located in these areas. There are not any problems with this process. We are only waiting for the signing of a peace treaty," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

On July 27, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the nameless heights and areas outside the Ashagi Askipar village of the Gazakh region at 10:40-10:50. The shots were fired from the Vosgepar village in Armenia's Noyembryan region.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian soldiers fired at Azerbaijani troops from an area outside the Kuropatkino village in the Khojavand region at 17:20-17:30 and 22:15-22:20 on July 27 and near the Gizil Oba village in the Terter region at 01:10-01:15 on July 28.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.

The United Nations General Assembly's upcoming 64th session is going to have two Nagorno-Karabakh conflict related issues, Trend was told at the Information center of the UN Headquarters, New-York. Those are the resolution projects named "Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development" and "The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan", the centre said.

According to the UN HQ information office, these items have not yet been considered by the General Assembly at its 63rd session, and remain on the agenda of that session. Their inclusion in the provisional agenda of the 64th session is subject to any action the Assembly may take on it at its 63rd session. The HQ information office notices, that the exact time when these resolution projects are to be discussed during the GA session, will be specified in the end of September.

Azerbaijani political scientists consider the discussion of two issues on the Nagorno-Karabakh at the 64th UN General Assembly as a continuation of the diplomatic pressure on Armenia.

"Discussions will be useful as a means of exerting pressure on Armenia. After the recent discussions at the UN on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia's mood is not the same. It felt isolated," Political Scientist, Rasim Musabayov told Trend on July 29. 

The political scientist believes continuation of the diplomatic pressure on Armenia is too important for Azerbaijan. "Although the UN resolutions will not make Armenia liberate the occupied territories, it should ways feel such a pressure," Musabayov said.

The 64th UN General Assembly will debate two issues on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, UN HQ in New York told Trend .

Political Scientist Zardusht Alizadeh considers discussions on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at the UN General Assembly as a positive phenomenon.

"But discussions are not enough to solve the problem. The discussions must be accompanied by effective measures to establish the army, peaceful diplomacy and effective information war. These measures should be implemented in its entirety. The most important of these is to continue to build a democratic society in Azerbaijan, capable to solve problems of all citizens," Alizadeh told Trend on July 29.

He said the steps taken towards the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity of Azerbaijan yield positive fruits. "If the problem cannot be solved by means of pressure, at least it is not forgotten by acquiring new topicality in the society. Aggressor-Armenia always feels Azerbaijan's activity on the diplomatic front," said Alizadeh.

Regarding non-fulfillment of four UN resolutions on the conflict, the political scientist said the power is necessary to implement the provisions of those resolutions. "Without force, these resolutions are only political in nature. Their implementation is not obligatory," Alizadeh said.

Political Scientist, Vafa Guluzadeh does not expect progress after the UN discussions on the Nagorno-Karabakh to resolve the issue. "The UN four resolutions on this issue remain on paper. Even after the discussions, UN takes any decision, none of steps will be taken to implement it," Guluzadeh told Trend on July 29.

He believes Armenia is a Russian "province" and does not exist as the state. "As the UN fears Russia, it does not pass decisions on this country. Therefore, we should wait," the political analyst said.

The first stage of national program on centralized collection and control of detailed information about people missing due to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict completed in Azerbaijan. 

Roughly 20 specially trained voluntaries of Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society spoke with families of missing people and filled in 1,151 questionnaires to collect detailed information. Information about appearance of missing people and circumstances of their missing were indicated in questionnaires, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on July 30.  

The first stage of national program completed. But 290 missing people have not been found up to now. The International Committee of the Red Cross calls on these families to contact with the committee or nearest office of Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society to complete collection of information successfully.   

Detailed information about missing people will be given to the Azerbaijani State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People.

The number of Azerbaijan population missing and taken hostage was 4,499, including military - 3,615, civilians - 876 (8 remain unknown). Among the civilians three are 52 children (18 - young girls), older persons - 381 (174 - older women), middle-age women - 95, middle-age men - 351.

There is information that roughly 783 people of 4,449 were taken prisoner and hostage. Witnesses were questioned.

Roughly 1,390 hostages, including 342 women, 1,048 men, 168 children (65 small children), 289 old people (112 women), 165 middle-age women and 779 middle-age men were released.

It was revealed that 451 people, including 86 women, 365 men were killed or died due to different reasons being captured. Names of 124 people were identified but 69 were unknown people.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Azerbaijani State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing People signed frame agreement to collect and control centralized detailed information about missing people in April 2008.

Process of detailed information collection has not been completed yet. This process continues in 18 cities and regions situated near front line. Process will cover 35 Azerbaijani cities and regions. The International Committee of the Red Cross envisages to complete collection of information in all Azerbaijani regions by late 2010.

On July 29, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops in the nameless heights of the Gadabay region at 20:30-21:00. The shots were fired from the nameless heights in Armenia's Krasnoselski region.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian soldiers fired at Azerbaijani troops from the nameless heights in the Khojavand region at 17:10-17:20 and from an area outside the Chayli village in the Terter region at 11:30-11:40.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.

On July 30, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the nameless heights in the Goranboy region at 15:10-15:30 and from an area outside the Gizil Oba village in the Terter region at 05:20-05:45 on July 31, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported

Azerbaijan should adhere to the principled strategic line to peacefully resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, leading Expert on Eurasian countries, Doctor Robert Cutler believes.

"In the peace process on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijan should continue the
principled strategic line that it has followed up until this time," Senior Research Fellow in the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, Carleton University of Canada, Doctor Cutler said in his interview with Trend .

Continuing a previous line, Azerbaijan should make tactical compromises in its interest in particular negotiating situations as they arise, he added.

Official Baku insists on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the base of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity.

Commenting on the OSCE Minsk Group statements about the withdrawal of the snipers from the frontline of the conflict, expert said that, it would be effective only if Armenian side stops the regular shooting on Azerbaijan's territory.

"If armed militia from occupied territories have indeed stopped sniping at Azerbaijani soldiers with rifles, then it would be good for Azerbaijan also to stop sniping at occupying forces," he said.

Although a ceasefire regime exists between Azerbaijan and Armenia since 1994, both sides periodically fires on the front line.

On Aug. 1, the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at Azerbaijani troops from the nameless heights of the Goranboy region at 13:50-14:05 and 20:45-21:00 and the Yusifjanli village of the Agdam region at 21:15-21:30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani troops answered their fire. No causalities were reported.

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