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POLICE “AMBUSH” ON UJAR-BAKU HIGHWAY

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

POLICE “AMBUSH” ON UJAR-BAKU HIGHWAY

One of the readers has sent us a unique photo of a radar camouflaged as a stone taken on the Ujar-Baku highway. A man hiding under a small bridge is watching the radar. According to the law, technical and other means of control over the traffic must prevent, but not provoke violations and accidents. This is an absolutely opposite situation....

MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY SITUATION REPORTS ABOUT FIRES IN AZERBAIJANI REGIONS

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

MINISTRY OF EMERGENCY SITUATION REPORTS ABOUT FIRES IN AZERBAIJANI REGIONS

Heat has caused fires in the Azerbaijani regions. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that on August 17 fires occurred on the fields, in the forests and private farms in Terter, Gabala, Lenkoran, Khachmas, Tovuz and Ujar regions. The total area of fires reached dozens of hectares, but all fires have been extinguished and no casualties are reported. The Ministry of Ecology has urged population to observe the fire safety measures....

DAVID CRAMER SUPPORTED MATTHEW BRYZA AND CONDEMNED AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

DAVID CRAMER SUPPORTED MATTHEW BRYZA AND CONDEMNED AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES

In his article posted on the web site www.shadow.foreignpolicy.com David Cramer, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, said he believes that Matthew Bryza should be appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan as soon as possible and criticized both Baku and Washington for insufficient measures aimed at solution of problems of freedom of speech and democracy. In particular, Cramer criticized the statement by Hilary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, about “a lot of progress” in fields of democracy, democracy and protection of freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. But within 24 hours...

EYNULLA FATULLAYEV WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE HIS CANDIDATURE FOR PARLIAMENT

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

EYNULLA FATULLAYEV WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE HIS CANDIDATURE FOR PARLIAMENT

BAKU/12.08.10/TURAN: Eynulla Fatullayev, sentenced editor of Real Azerbaijan newspaper, is going to nominate his candidature for the parliamentary elections on November 7, 2010, his lawyer Elchin Sadyhov told Turan. He said Fatullayev has made a statement, which says that sentences passed on him in 2007 and 2010 were illegal and have no legal force. The sentence passed in 2007 was cancelled by the European Human Rights Court and the last one passed in 2010 did not come into force yet. Therefore, there are no legal obstacles for his election to parliament, said Fatullayev. “I want...

R. HAJILY: MAJORITY OF YOUTH IN STATE OF APATHY AND DOES NOT HAVE FAITH IN FUTURE

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

R. HAJILY: MAJORITY OF YOUTH IN STATE OF APATHY AND DOES NOT HAVE FAITH IN FUTURE

BAKU/11.08.10/TURAN: In Azerbaijan young people do not have an opportunity for self-realization, Ramin Hajily, co-founder of Dalga (Wave) youth movement, told Turan. As all other strata of population, young people’s civil rights are not protected. The courts are unable to guarantee human rights, because they are corrupt, Hajily said. In order to achieve changes, we need to reform the legal system and build a state based on a rule of law, raise education level and guarantee freedom of media for young people to have freedom of expression. The economic freedoms are almost...

ARRESTED PARTICIPANTS OF THE RALLY ARE SUBJECTED TO TORTURES

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

ARRESTED PARTICIPANTS OF THE RALLY ARE SUBJECTED TO TORTURES

The arrested participants of the rally held on Saturday are subjected to insults and pressure, said deputy chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Fuad Gahramanli. He said that yesterday in the afternoon several people in plane clothes entered pre-trial prison in Binagadi , where the participants of the rally are being kept, and began to insult them. After that the arrested refused to have meal. According to Gahramanli, human rights defenders and the ombudswoman have been informed about it. Activist of Musavat Party Arif Hajili said that the prison representative refused to...

US SENATE ALLOCATES 40 MLN DOLLARS TO ARMENIA AND 22 MLN TO AZERBAIJAN

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

US SENATE ALLOCATES 40 MLN DOLLARS TO ARMENIA AND 22 MLN TO AZERBAIJAN

US Senate Committee voted to allocate $40 million in aid to Armenia, 22.12 million for Azerbaijan, but chose not to support the proposed $10 million aid for Nagorno-Karabakh, TURAN’s Washington correspondent reports citing Senate’s Appropriations Committee’s press service. All of these numbers were provided by the White House; however, the last decision of the Senate will be made in autumn. “When the decisions on the budget are made, both political and financial matters are taken into consideration”, said a source quoting the one of the expressions from the hearing on the...

U.S. SENATE OPPOSED TO BRYZA’S APPOINTMENT AS AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN

Turan — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

U.S. SENATE OPPOSED TO BRYZA’S APPOINTMENT AS AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN

The voting for the nominations of U.S. Ambassadors to different countries is scheduled to be held in the U.S. Senate on August 3. The name of Matthew Bryza, who had been put forward as Ambassador to Azerbaijan, is not on the list. However, his name can be inserted into the list at the last moment. He has not answered all the questions the U.S. Senate has asked him, a reliable source from the. Senate told Turan’s correspondent. The attitude of some U.S. Senators’ towards Bryza’s appointment remains negative and now all the interested sides are conducting active talks and consultations....

EU PROHIBITS COOPERATION WITH IRAN IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

EU PROHIBITS COOPERATION WITH IRAN IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

EU has adopted tough sanctions aginst Iran. The package of restrictions was confirmed on Monday in Brussels by the Foreign Ministers of the EU countries , and came into force in the morning on July 27, Euronews channel reported. The sanctions cover a broad sphere, but first of all oil and gas sphere. It is prohibited to make investments into this sphere, to pass oil cleaning and gas liquifying technologies. By this steps EU hopes to return Iran to negotiations on its nuclear program. “ I always say that our goal is to convince Iranian leader to start talks beacuse of theirinterests....

US EXPERTS COMMENTS ON THE VERDICT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE ON KOSOVO

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

US EXPERTS COMMENTS ON THE VERDICT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE ON KOSOVO

In the end of last week the International Court of Justice ruled that Kosovo’s controversial breakaway declaration of independence from Serbia two years ago was not a breach of international law. Some experts in Washington DC warn the ICJ’s ruling may encourage breakaway movements elsewhere around the globe, complicating efforts to bring stability to places as diverse as the three Caucasus regions - Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Turan’s Washington DC correspondent asked the US analysts that if this decision will become "a key to the Pandora’s Box"? ...

RESULTS OF IBA SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING KEPT SECRET

Turan — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

RESULTS OF IBA SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING KEPT SECRET

A meeting of shareholders of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) started on July 20 at 4.00 p.m. However, minority shareholders were not allowed to attend the session. Security guards stopped them at the entrance and said that there would be no meeting that day. As reliable sources told Turan, the activities of the bank and improper use of the bank's finance were discussed at the meeting. Two high-ranking bank employees have been punished, but the IBA administration managed to avoid resignation. The bank administration has been required to return all the resources invested in various...

ALI KERIMLI: THE AUTHORITIES ARE AFRAID OF OPPOSITION’S INTEGRATION

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

ALI KERIMLI: THE AUTHORITIES ARE AFRAID OF OPPOSITION’S INTEGRATION

The leader of PPFA Ali Kerimli welcomes the unification with the opposition Musavat Party. In his interview to Turan agency he said that such initiatives have been initiated from PFA, and the question was brought up even in 2005. But due to tactical contradictions after the parliamentary elections in 2005 the idea has not been realized. Musavat and PPFA are two branches of the same root - Popular Movement. Kerimli did not explain why the Azadlig Bloc has stopped its activity. PPFA participated in the Bloc with the liberal party and Citizen and Development Party. He considers that...

AZERBAIJAN’S AUTHORITIES ARE NOT GOING TO RELEASE EYNULLA FATULLAYEV

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

AZERBAIJAN’S AUTHORITIES ARE NOT GOING TO RELEASE EYNULLA FATULLAYEV

Azerbaijan’s authorizes appealed to the Large Chamber of European Human Rights Court (EHRC) due to the decision on immediate release of the journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, said the representative of Azerbaijan in the EHRC Chingiz Askerov in his interview to BBC. He said that the decision is contrary to the international norms. Being asked if Fatullayev will be released if the Large Chamber remains in force the verdict by EHRC, Askerov gave negative answer, because there is a new ruling about Fatullayev’s imprisonment, and the journalist cannot be released without the decision of...

HEAD OF COMPANY PRODUCING ICE-CREAMS IS ARRESTED

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

HEAD OF COMPANY PRODUCING ICE-CREAMS IS ARRESTED

The headof company producing “AER” ice cream has been arrested, according to press-service of General Persecutor Office. Azer Shukurov is accused under the Articles of the Criminal Code: 200.2.2, 200.2.3 (deceiving of consumers or production of food of inferior quality), 308.1 (misuse of power), 313 ( duty negligence.) He is accused of artificial extending the term of expiration of ice creams, lowring the norm of ingredients, great number of harmful microorganisms. The company refused to eliminate ice creams of bad quality. Search of peple involve din these illegal actions continues....

CO-CHAIRMEN’S STATEMENT COLD SHOWER FOR BAKU

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

CO-CHAIRMEN’S STATEMENT COLD SHOWER FOR BAKU

“I have an impression that Armenia is unwilling to solve the Karabakh conflict,” Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists while commenting on the results of the talks within the OSCE Foreign Ministers Council in Almaty. He said talks in Almaty have brought no results. In any case, the talks on the term of liberation of Lachin and Kelbajar regions have failed. One can draw a conclusion from Minister’s words that the Karabakh status was the most important issue for Armenia. However, Baku insists on solving this issue only after liberation of the occupied regions and...

JAMES PHILLLIPS: IRAN IS A CHALLENGE TO AZERBAIJAN

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

JAMES PHILLLIPS: IRAN IS A CHALLENGE TO AZERBAIJAN

A prominent US analyst on Middle East Affairs James Phillips, Senior Research Fellow at the Washington DC based The Heritage Foundation calls on the Azerbaijani Government to keep the maximum distance from Iranian regime. In an interview with TURAN’s Washington DC correspondent, Mr. Phillips stated that Iran has supported a wide variety of Islamist extremist and terrorist groups that have attacked and killed people in Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza and the West Bank,Bahrain, Kuwait, France and many other countries. “Azerbaijan should be worried about that,...

HEAVY RAINS CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO SHEKI CITY

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

HEAVY RAINS CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO SHEKI CITY

On July 15 Gujarat river burst its banks after the heavy rains and caused a serious damage to Sheki city and neighboring villages, about 300 km northwest of Baku. Turan’s correspondent reported that one third of the city, mainly old part of the Sheki city has been flooded. The mud streams have washed away asphalt at several streets and a bridge foundation on the Baku-Sheki highway. Local population is supplied with power, but there are still problems with water and gas supplies. 80 owners of the houses have asked local executive administration for help. The local administration is unable to...

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT ADNAN HAJIZADA AND EMIN MILLI

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT ADNAN HAJIZADA AND EMIN MILLI

Amnesty International has launched the campaign to support Azerbaijani bloggers Adnan Hajizada and Emin Milli, who have been sentenced on the framed-up charge. They placed Adnan’s picture on the web site with the information about reasons of arrest of him and another blogger Emin Milli. The information says that the reason of bloggers’ arrest and conviction was their public activities and posting a video criticizing corruption in Azerbaijan on YouTube. The satirical video is about a donkey bought in Germany for dozens of thousands of Euro. After that the bloggers were charged with...

MUD FLOW AT SHEKI’S STREETS

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

MUD FLOW AT SHEKI’S STREETS

It was raining heavily in Sheki region for two hours last night. Turan’s correspondent reported that the streets near the Khan Palace have been washed away. The mud flows have brought down the trees and basements and first floors of the shops and houses have been flooded. The works to eliminate the flood consequences have started....

PRESIDENT SUMMARIZED RESULTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR RESULTS FAILED PRESIDENT?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

PRESIDENT SUMMARIZED RESULTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR RESULTS FAILED PRESIDENT?

During 6 months, 2010 economic growth in Azerbaijan constituted 3.7%. Considering that last year economic development basis was very high (according to official statistics, from January to June 2009 GDP growth was less or 3.6%), this is a very good index, President Ilham Aliyev said at the session of the government yesterday. He said this year the positive economic tendencies continue and we have progress and development in all the sectors. “The indexes show that the economic reforms are implemented properly,” President added. Aliyev said that during the same period growth in the oil...

MARGARITA ASSENOVA: AZERBAIJAN IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

MARGARITA ASSENOVA: AZERBAIJAN IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US

(TURAN’s interview with Margarita Assenova, founder and Executive Director of the Institute for New Democracies, in Washington DC) -What needs to happen in South Caucasus countries to better integrate the region into Euro-Atlantic structures? Where do you see the region in 10 years? The South Caucasus can integrate into the Euro-Atlantic structures in more than one way, regardless of whether full membership in NATO and EU is on the immediate horizon or not. First, the countries in the South Caucasus should focus on their own development - social, political, and economic - to complete the...

BY END OF WEEK TEMPERATURE TO RISE TO 42 DEGREES

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

BY END OF WEEK TEMPERATURE TO RISE TO 42 DEGREES

In the coming four days Baku and Absheron will have hot and clear weather. The weather forecast department of the Ministry of Ecology reported that temperature will be 35-28 degrees in the afternoon and 25-28 degrees at night. Temperature of water on the beaches will reach 29-30 degrees. In some places on the Absheron peninsula temperature will rise to 41 degrees. In several central regions of the republic temperature will rise to 40-42 degrees, in the mountains temperature will be 29-34 degrees....

MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE CONTROL OVER THE COUNTRY

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE CONTROL OVER THE COUNTRY

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to install video surveillance systems in the crowded places and objects. According to the decision, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is instructed to install video surveillance systems in the parks, squares, public gardens, avenues, pedestrian passages, stadiums, big shopping centres, on the highways, bridges, railway and bus stations, airports and sea ports, subway, near the buildings of executive, legislative and judicial authorities, important strategic state objects, banks, credit organizations, diplomatic missions and consulates of foreign countries,...

UNHCR awards the 2010 Nansen Refugee Award to Alixandra Fazzina

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

UNHCR awards the 2010 Nansen Refugee Award to Alixandra Fazzina

GENEVA, 9 July 2010 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today announced the winner of its annual Nansen Refugee Award, British photo-journalist Alixandra Fazzina. Ms. Fazzina was chosen for her tireless dedication to uncovering and portraying the overlooked human consequences of war. Over the last ten years Alixandra Fazzina has tirelessly documented the plight of the uprooted through distinctive and moving photo reportages. Alixandra Fazzina’s work has taken her to Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia to cover human tragedies often neglected by...

Hillary Clinton mends fences in Central Europe and the Caucasus

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

Hillary Clinton mends fences in Central Europe and the Caucasus

SECRETARY OF STATE Hillary Rodham Clinton spent the holiday weekend on what might be described as a makeup tour. In Central Europe and in the Caucasus, she visited countries that the Obama administration has been accused of ignoring or undervaluing as it has sought to "reset" relations with Russia. Along the way, she delivered a speech on a cause -- democracy promotion -- that the administration, and Ms. Clinton herself, have also appeared to play down. Though not a substitute for a consistent policy, this diplomacy of reassurance was useful. In Tbilisi, the secretary of state stood...

PROTEST ACTION IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION TO DEMAND BLOGGERS’ RELEASE

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

PROTEST ACTION IN FRONT OF PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION TO DEMAND BLOGGERS’ RELEASE

Today at about 2.00 p.m. activists of the Dalga youth organization have staged the protest action devoted to the anniversary of arrest of bloggers Adnan Hajizada and Emin Milli in front of the presidential administration. Turan’s correspondent reported that the activists have gathered near the Philharmonic hall scanning “Freedom to Adnan and Emin,” “Cancel Illegal Court Decision,” “Stop Pressuring Youth.” In front of the presidential administration building the policemen detained and drove them away. The activists have distributed the resolution, which appeals to president to...

US STATE DEPARTMENT: CONVICTION OF EYNULLA FATULLAYEV IS NOT A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

US STATE DEPARTMENT: CONVICTION OF EYNULLA FATULLAYEV IS NOT A STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

The US State Department has voiced it's concerns on journalist Eynullah Fatullayev's news charges on July 7th, TURAN's Washngton DC correspondent reports. "On July 6, Azerbaijani journalist Eynullah Fatullayev was convicted on criminal charges of drug possession and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment. The United States is concerned by the court ruling", Mark C. Toner, Spokesman on State Department stated. "We note that the OSCE Representative on Media Freedom characterized the drug charges on which Fatullayev was convicted as "highly improbable," and we join the OSCE...

RSF CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ADNAN HADJIZADE AND EMIN MILLI

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

RSF CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ADNAN HADJIZADE AND EMIN MILLI

On the first anniversary of the arrest of bloggers Adnan Hadjizade and Emin Milli, Reporters Without Borders reiterates its call for their immediate release and voices deep exasperation with the Azerbaijani government’s intransigence. "Arrested on trumped-up charges designed to make them look like criminals, these two bloggers are being persecuted for making fun of corrupt politicians in a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaecvg7xCIk)," Reporters Without Borders said. "The international community is pressing for their release but the authorities are turning a deaf ear and are...

CE SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS TO RELEASE EYNULLA FATULLAYEV

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

CE SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS TO RELEASE EYNULLA FATULLAYEV

Secretary General of the Council of Europe has made a statement on the case of Eynulla Fatullayev. "I am concerned about reports that the editor and journalist Eynulla Fatullayev has been found guilty of the charges of drug possession and sentenced to an additional 2 ? years of imprisonment. In April of this year, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that there had been violations of the freedom of expression in regard of Mr Fatullayev's first two convictions, and ordered his immediate release from prison. I call on the government of Azerbaijan to comply with the ruling of the...

ILHAM ALIYEV: FIVE REGIONS TO BE VACATED IMMEDIATELY, LACHIN AND KELBAJAR FIVE YEARS LATER

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

ILHAM ALIYEV: FIVE REGIONS TO BE VACATED IMMEDIATELY, LACHIN AND KELBAJAR FIVE YEARS LATER

ILHAM ALIYEV: FIVE REGIONS TO BE VACATED IMMEDIATELY, LACHIN AND KELBAJAR FIVE YEARS LATER ...

The Caucasus Cauldron By George Friedman

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

The Caucasus Cauldron By George Friedman

...

RUSTAM IBRAGIMBEKOV’S APPEAL TO PRESIDENT

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

RUSTAM IBRAGIMBEKOV’S APPEAL TO PRESIDENT

To President of Azerbaijan Republic His Excellency Mr Ilham Aliyev Dear Mr. President, The public hearings “Azerbaijani Intelligentsia’s Role in Building of Independent Democratic State: Historical Experience and Modern Times” took place in Baku several days ago. Famous representatives of Azerbaijani cultural and scientific intelligentsia and heads of public organizations and civil society institutions have discussed the role that the Azerbaijani intelligentsia played in formation and establishment of secular, liberal and democratic traditions in Azerbaijan, creation...

OSCE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE CONDEMNS NEW SENTENCING OF EYNULLA FATULLAYEV

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

OSCE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE CONDEMNS NEW SENTENCING OF EYNULLA FATULLAYEV

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, condemned an additional jail sentence of 2.5 years handed down today to Eynulla Fatullayev, one of Azerbaijan's most prominent investigative journalists."I am deeply disappointed with today's sentencing, which is yet another attempt at silencing free media in Azerbaijan on questionable criminal charges," Mijatovic said. A district court in Baku sentenced Fatullayev, the founder and chief editor of the now-closed Realny Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azarbaycan newspapers, to 2.5 years in a maximum-security prison colony on drug...

EYNULLA FATULLAYEV SENTENCED TO 2.5 MORE YEARS IN PRISON

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

EYNULLA FATULLAYEV SENTENCED TO 2.5 MORE YEARS IN PRISON

Today the Garadag district court presided by Ismayil Halilov has read out the sentence passed on the convicted journalist Eynulla Fatulayev. Court found Fatullayev guilty on count 234.1 (illegal drug storage) and sentenced him to 2.5 years of imprisonment. Judge also decided to recover the costs of 70 AZN from Fatullayev. Judge also enacted to count out the penalty from today, but not December 31, 2009, when Fatullayev was moved from the colony to the pre-trial isolator. Fatullayev called the sentence a “disgrace” and a bright example of lack of justice in Azerbaijan. “In the criminal...

BP CHIEF EXECUTIVE TONY HAYWARD ARRIVED IN BAKU

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

BP CHIEF EXECUTIVE TONY HAYWARD ARRIVED IN BAKU

Today the Chief Executive of a BP group Tony Hayward has arrived in Baku on a one-day visit, a source from the company told Turan. The goal of the visit is unknown, but it is not ruled out that it is connected with change of the company’s strategy after the accident in the Gulf of Mexico. The company is forced to sell part of its assets to make up for its costs for liquidation of the accident. Tony Hayward will most likely discuss possibility of sale of the company’s share in the Azerbaijani projects with President Ilham Aliyev. At present BP is the operator of three biggest energy...

HILARY CLINTON: AZERBAIJAN HAS TREMENDOUS PROGRSS IN DEMOCRACY

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

HILARY CLINTON: AZERBAIJAN HAS TREMENDOUS PROGRSS IN DEMOCRACY

At a briefing before her departure from Baku to Yerevan on July 4 the U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton told journalists she has met with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and President Ilham Aliyev. “We have discussed all the issues, including the issues of security, energy, cooperation in economic and other fields and the Karabakh conflict settlement,” she said. Clinton said she hopes that bilateral relationships will develop in all the areas. Foreign Minister Mammadyarov also said that the two countries’ positions to many issues are close and they have established a...

POLICE BEAT ACTIVISTS OF MUSAVAT PARTY

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

POLICE BEAT ACTIVISTS OF MUSAVAT PARTY

Dozens of activists of Musavat party have taken part at the protest action in Baku’s Yasamal district. Arif Hajily, Musavat party’s activist told Turan, that the demonstration was staged in the public garden in front of the National Academy of Sciences near Elmlar Akademiyasi subway station. “The demonstrators demanded free elections, but were detained by policemen and taken to the police station,” Hajily told by phone. He said policemen have exerted physical pressure on the demonstrators, some journalists have been beaten. Deputy Panah Huseyn told Turan that about 60 people have been...

ACTION OF AZADLIG BLOC

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

ACTION OF AZADLIG BLOC

On Saturday evening police detained about 30 demonstrators of Azadlig bloc, which demanded observation of freedom of assembly, fair parliamentary elections and considering Azerbaijan’s interests at the talks on the Karabakh conflict settlement. At first it was planned to stage the action in front of Baku’s Mayoralty, but then it was decided to stage it near the Puppet Theater on the boulevard. At about 5.00 p.m. people started scanning Freedom, Free Elections and Resignation, but policemen have dispersed the demonstrators, Turan’s correspondents said....

The Honorable Hillary R. Clinton

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

The Honorable Hillary R. Clinton

Secretary of State U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, D.C. 20520 July 2, 2010 Dear Madam Secretary, In writing this open letter I am driven by admiration of the historic role of freedom and justice herald that the United States have been playing for mankind, and by concerns about the future of this great mission as seen from Azerbaijan, the country you are gong to visit soon. United States played substantial role in strengthening the independence of and bringing prosperity to our nation since 1991. Oil contracts, construction of critical energy pipelines, and other...

AZERBAIJANI MOUNTAINEERS TOOK PART IN RUSSIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

AZERBAIJANI MOUNTAINEERS TOOK PART IN RUSSIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

On June 1 in the evening the team of the Azerbaijani Mountaineering Federation ascended the highest peak of Azerbaijan – Bazarduzi (4466 m). A group of seven people led by the Federation President Israfil Ashurly has climbed the summit through Vakhchag crossing from Daghestan. Ashurly told Turan that the ascending was a part of the International Mountaineering Festival “Yeridag 2010,” which was organized by the Russian and Azerbaijani Mountaineering Federations and the International Union of Mountaineering Associations. The festival is held on the Yeridag mountain (4110 meters) on the...

VERDICT ON EYNULLA FATULLAYEV TO BE GIVEN ON JULY 6

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

VERDICT ON EYNULLA FATULLAYEV TO BE GIVEN ON JULY 6

Today Eynulla Fatullayev said his last word at the trial. “It has become a tradition for Azerbaijani authorities to put me on trial. Today I am saying my ‘last word’ for the fourth time, but it does not mean that it is my last word in general,” Fatullayev said, beginning his speech. “The repression of the free press in Azerbaijan is ongoing, and the free press is subjected to a ‘civil penalty’,” said Fatullayev. He said that he was proud of his work which is “a fight for the honor of the motherland, for democracy and European values”. He repeated that the charge of...

N SATURDAY OPPOSITION PLANS TO STAGE TWO PROTEST ACTIONS AT ONCE

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

N SATURDAY OPPOSITION PLANS TO STAGE TWO PROTEST ACTIONS AT ONCE

Azadlig (Liberty) bloc plans to stage the protest action in front of the Baku’s Mayoralty at about 5.00 p.m. with the demand to observe freedom of assembly and conduct democratic elections. Fuad Gakhramanly, PPFA deputy chairman, told Turan that Azadlig bloc will also demand to reject the defeatist peace on Karabakh, conditions of which are stated in the statement of presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. “The statement envisages holding of the referendum, which is aimed at isolation of Karabakh from Azerbaijan,” Gakhramanly said. He said Mayoralty has not responded to...

BULGARIA TO IMPORT AZERBAIJANI GAS

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

BULGARIA TO IMPORT AZERBAIJANI GAS

Bulgaria’s President, George Pyrvanov, said during his visit to Baku his country would like to import Azerbaijan’s gas as soon as possible. This statement was first made by Bulgaria during Ilham Aliyev’s visit to this country in November 2009. Though Bulgaria is among the Nabucco project’s founders (this pipeline’s throughput should be 31 billion m3 per annum, but the project’s fate is still unclear), it wants to import Azerbaijani gas already in 2011. The volume should be 1 billion m3 per annum. The Bulgarian President said his country is pleased with the opportunity....

Why is Azerbaijan still a member of the Council of Europe?

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

Why is Azerbaijan still a member of the Council of Europe?

The latest report on human rights violations in Azerbaijan raises serious questions about its ongoing membership of Europe's official human rights organisation Baku, Azerbaijan: A plain-clothes policeman detains an opposition activist demanding free speech during a rally Photograph: guardian.co.uk It's always shocking to read about a journalist dying in jail for simply doing their job. A report released this week criticises one state in particular for allowing just this; an editor in his late 60s was imprisoned for ten years, following court proceedings held behind closed doors, on charges...

INTELLIGENTSIA SAYS "NO" TO POWER SERVANTS

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

INTELLIGENTSIA SAYS "NO" TO POWER SERVANTS

A conference "Intelligent and time" took place in the Ibrus theater with participation of Azerbaijani intelligentsia. Dramaturgy Rustam Ibrahimbekov, who was opening the conference, said "today we are staging a life, and we will discuss the role of intelligentsia: who is it: an actor or a spectator?" "If we are spectators, let us be active spectators and express our position," Ibrahimbekov said. Then a historian, deputy of parliament Camil Hasanli made a report about the role of Azerbaijani intelligentsia of pre-soviet times. He noted the role of intelligentsia in the turning the...

FREEDOM HOUSE: DEGRADATION OF AZERBAIJANI SOCIETY CONTINUES

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

FREEDOM HOUSE: DEGRADATION OF AZERBAIJANI SOCIETY CONTINUES

The international human rights organization Freedom House has released its annual report on the state of freedoms in the world. The section devoted to Azerbaijan says that the limiting of freedoms continued after the March 2009 referendum. There were further setbacks to Azerbaijan’s democratization in 2009. A March referendum eliminated the constitutional limit of two consecutive presidential terms, potentially paving the way for Aliyev’s life-long presidency. New detentions of journalists marked further backsliding of standards of freedom of expression. Along with human rights...

ROLAND KOBIA: THE EUROPEAN UNION STARTS NEGOTIATIONS ON THE DEEPEST AGREEMENT EVER MADE WITH AZERBAIJAN.

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

ROLAND KOBIA: THE EUROPEAN UNION STARTS NEGOTIATIONS ON THE DEEPEST AGREEMENT EVER MADE WITH AZERBAIJAN.

ith Turan news agency) Question: How do you evaluate course of implementation of the European Partnership program in Azerbaijan? Answer: One has to know that the Eastern Partnership is a very new initiative, it has just been signed a year ago. What is important is the strong political and strategic message it sends. The European Union has stretched its hand to Azerbaijan; now Azerbaijan and EU can establish deeper cooperation. Although new, a lot has been done since the adoption of the program a year ago; we have worked hard and started a wide dialogue on many issues. As you know,...

PROSECUTOR ASKED TO SENTENCE EYNULLA TO 3 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

PROSECUTOR ASKED TO SENTENCE EYNULLA TO 3 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT

Trial of the convicted journalist Eynulla Fatullayev charged with illegal drug storage has continued today in the Garadag district court presided by Ismayil Halilov. Prosecutor Elchin Nagiyev asked court to find Fatullayev guilty on count 234.1 of the Criminal Code and sentence him to 3 years in high security colony. He claimed that the examination “confirmed” use of drugs by the accused. He also said that Fatullayev should reimburse expenses for the examination of 70 AZN. Fatullayev said authorities would like to keep him in jail as long as possible. The court session continues. The...

HOT WEATHER WILL CONTINUE

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

HOT WEATHER WILL CONTINUE

Hot weather in Azerbaijan will continue . In Baku and Absheron air temperature will be +22 +25 degrees at night, and +34 +38 degrees in the afternoon. Water temperature in beaches will be +27 +28 degrees. Showers and in some places hail will be in northern and western regions; the force of western wind will be 5-10 m/s., and sometimes up to 15-20 m/s....

“AZERBAIJAN SHOULD URGENTLY IMPROVE THE PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION”, SAYS COMMISSIONER HAMMARBERG

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:02:00 -0400

“AZERBAIJAN SHOULD URGENTLY IMPROVE THE PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION”, SAYS COMMISSIONER HAMMARBERG

“Freedom of expression is curtailed in Azerbaijan today - major improvements are needed” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, presenting today his report on the country. Following a visit carried out in March, the report focuses on freedom of expression and association, conduct of law enforcement officials, administration of justice, and contains some observations on the visit to the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan. The Commissioner is particularly concerned about cases of threats, harassment, and violence against journalists or human rights...