RUSSIANS ABOUT ARMENIANS
Vasil Lyovich Velichko
(The Caucasus, Russian issue and intertribal matters)
The complexity of the Armenian matter is that factors of parasitism and intrigue are interrelated and are in constant organic unity. It was obviously observed during the municipal elections This situation developed during the administration period of two “patriotic” Armenians – Matinov and especially during Ismailov, During these times Armenian policy was the main moving power of the city life. Many Georgians and Russians were artificially disfranchised …
It is not difficult to imagine how Armenian intriguers were treating other nations. Some years ago in the kakhetian village of Signakh orthodox believers were celebrating Epiphany. In order to outrage the orthodoxy Armenian “jacket intelligentsia” hired a group of musicians playing on zurna (pipe sound of which is heard even in the distance of 5 vesrsts. (1 verst =3500 ft) and drums and climbed on the closest bell tower. It was so noisy that even the words of worshiping were impossible to hear. Police let this group of “nice” people continue making noise, as the district chief of Signakh and his deputy were both Armenians. Though there was a trial of the noisemakers, the penalty was very insignificant and it was the musicians who got punished.
I mentioned about Armenian intrigue quite objectively, and did aim to exaggerate the phenomenon., which in fact may develop or decrease. This is a matter of future, matter of Russian self-consciousness.
Political dreams of Armenian bigwigs and imaginary intelligentsia got a defined shape after the Polish rebel of 63, and then found support among antigovernmental movements in Russia as well as among rebel groups abroad.
Prominent role was played in this policy by the editor of “Mshak”, Artsurini, who found a new formula for Caucasian indigenes to unite under Armenian leadership and propagandizing this anti Russian ideology in Russo – Armenian publication in Aesopian language by coming up with slogans like “unite against a common enemy” which is Russia, “Caucasus for Caucasian”. Some self-denier Russians were even supporting this with undue indifference. Some Georgians understood the real essence of the situation despite. Talented Georgian poet-humorist, Akakiy Tserelei answered these type of slogans in “Droeba” newspaper, which is not being published at the moment, though some other publications were supporting “Georgian-Armenian solidarity” against the common enemy.
(Tsereli, brings an example from a poem “ Fly and mosquito”, where mosquito offers a fly to cooperate in order to avoid spider nets. When fly and mosquito travel, mosquito sits on the fly and bits it. The fly gets angry and says stop sucking my blood or go away. Mosquito says: “But we are friends”. The fly answers: “Don’t know if the spider catches us or not, but you will suck all blood for sure – editor).
Georgians and Caucasian Muslims in dept used to say with an insincere smile on their faces that as soon as Russia withdraws forces from the Caucasus, there would not even a bone left of Armenians.
But it is almost thirty years that this kind of expressions are far from the reality. It is so, because, Armenians economically are more solid and have more means of political influence than other nations and they have their own army – rabble from Turkey.
HISTORICAL DATES OF ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT
(Continuation. Onset is in the previous issues.)
Year 1991
September, 2. Armenian separatists declared establishment of “Nagorno-Karabakh republic” on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. All military units of 1500 people were unified under the “NKR self-defense» military forces, commanded by Committee of Defense.
Middle of September. Offensive of Armenian military formations in Goranboy region of Azerbaijan, number of settlements occupation.
September 23. “Jeleznovodsk Meeting” of presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenian trough the mediation of the presidents of Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Peaceful settlement agreement was achieved.
October-November. Military operations of Armenian forces, aimed on liquidation of Azerbaijani population from Martuni and Hadrut regions of Nagorno-Karabakh. Participation of USSR military forces on Armenian side. More than 30 settlements were occupied by Armenians.
November 20. A helicopter “MI-8”, with peacemaking group from Russia and Kazakhstan and government representatives of Azerbaijan was shot down by Armenian military forces close Qarakend village of Khojaly region.
Murder of 22 people, including three countries statesmen, stopped first attempt for peaceful settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, achieved in Jeleznovodsk, and became an incentive for violence escalation within the region.
Mid -December. MIA forces of USSR completely moved out from Ngorno-Karabakh. Armament illegally passed from MIA USSR to Armenian military forces.
December 30. CIS government calls Azerbaijan and Armenia to renew negotiation process.
Year 1992
January. – Armenian military forces by support of Russian militaries are dislocating in Stepanakert, and capturing isolated Azerbaijani settlements of Karabakh.
January – The second meeting of OSCE in Prague. Azerbaijan and Armenia joined OSCE countries. OSCE reporter was sent to the conflicting region.
Early half of February. Suburb of Stepanakert and settlements nearby Shusha-Khojaly road and Shusha fall under Armenian occupation.
February 12-18. First mission of OSCE reporter in region.
February 25-26. Capture of Khojaly city by Armenian forces with support of 336th Russian military division. 800 Azerbaijani civilians were brutally killed.
End of February. Evacuation of 336th Russian military division from Stepanakert, and illegal transfer of 25 tanks, 87 BMP’s, 28 BTR’s and 45 mortars to Armenian side.
March, 24 Additional meeting of OSCE council in Helsinki: decision of calling a conference on Nagorno-Karabakh issue under the aegis of OSCE.
M. RAFAELLI was elected a chairman.
April – Intermediary activities of Russia.
(to be continued)
BLOODY CHRONICLE
Crimes of Armenian band formations against Azerbaijanis
(Continuation. Beginning in previous issues)
February 28, 1992. Agdam, Azerbaijan. City was bombarded by Armenian band formations. There were victims among citizens.
March 5, 1992. Agdam, Azerbaijan. Sirkhavend village of Agdam region was bombarded by Armenian band formations. 10 people were killed.
March 12, 1992. Agdam, Azerbaijan. Again city was bombarded by Armenian band formations. 30 people died, 100 were injured.
March 17, 1992. Azerbaijan. By order of “Dashnaktutun” organization, Armenian terrorist groups burst into Karadagli village and inflicted reprisals. Village was reduced to ashes. 77 people were killed. The most part of the people who left were aged. Exact number of captives and missing is not known.
March 18, 1992. Azerbaijan. Terter city and villages of Gazakh and Zangilan regions were bombarded by Armenian band formations. There were victims among civilians.
March 20, 1992. Baku, Azerbaijan. The open letter from Russian teachers of Baku: “… There is a war on Azeri lands, year by year representatives of all nations are giving their lives. The war was initiated by mono-national republic of Armenia, which forced out all other national minorities. And now destruction of Azeri nation is taking place. Only during the recent month more than 30 Azeri villages were destroyed…”
March 21, 1992. Gazakh, Azerbaijan. After bombardment of Ashagi Askipara village, by Armenian band formations, 5 people were killed and some were injured. .
March 24, 1992. Fizuli, Azerbaijan. Divanalilar village of Fizuli region was bombarded by Armenian band formations. There were victims among civilians.
March 25, 1992. Azerbaijan. Armenian band formations bombarded villages of Terter, Goranboy, Zangilan, Jebrayil, and Gubadli villages. There were many victims among civilians.
March 31, 1992. Fizuli, Azerbaijan. Villages of Fizuli region and Fizuli city were bombarded by Armenian band formations. There were victims among civilians.
April 2, 1992. Kalbajar, Azerbaijan. During one night 28 people of different age and sex were killed, 18 were taken prisoners. Local troops, having no weapons, were desperately resisting to Armenian band formations, armed by modern armament. Civilians property were destroyed, houses were burned to ashes.
April 6, 1992. Tovuz, Azerbaijan. Alibeyli village of Tovuz region was bombarded by Armenian bad formations. There were victims among civilians.
April 7-8, 1992. Kelbajar, Azerbaijan. Agdaban village of Kalbajar region was burned to ashes by Armenian terrorist formation. Were killed: old residents 80-100 years old -8, children – 2, women – 7, men – 15, missing – 2, taken prisoners – 5, injured – 12 people.
April, 1992. For saying that the war against Azerbaijanis is a “harassment on people” and an “unrestrained destruction instinct”, head of a liberal party of Armenian national movement, Artur Mkrtchan was killed by Armenian terrorist from “Dashnaktutun” He was shut from machine gun in his own house on the eyes of his wife and children. Thesis of Armenian terrorism that “… There is no mercy for Armenians who betray their aims…” was proved again. Several years later deputy chief of Armenian national movement will confirm “Dashnaktutun’s” belonging to international terrorism.
(to be continued)
KHOJALY – WITH THE EYES OF WITNESS
Yuriy Girchenko, Army of state that does not exist
(Excerpt from a story of the officer of Soviet Army, who served in 90’s in Azerbaijan)
During the last three days leaving officers were handing over their duties to the ones left in the military unit. In the evening of February 23, handing over was finished and the battalion commander, lieutenant colonel Azarov, had already signed all reports and all officers gathered in the mess -room. Gathering had a purpose to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the Armed Forces of USSR. Though there was not the army of the USSR there was an army of Russia, even if not this there was an army of CIS Forces. So the tradition is tradition! 23rd of February is holiday of military.
This is our holiday.
Commander wished god luck to everybody and we drunk. We went on drinking …
The next day, close to the afternoon chief of the battalion staff, newly appointed major Alexander Logov, was writing out the orders and travel documents for the leaving officers. Work was being done slowly. But anyhow a party was on the eve. In the evening all documents were ready and given to the officers.
In the morning of February 25, officers told farewell and left.
There were ten officers and about fifty soldiers left in the unit. Yeah, of course there were also some warrant officers (WO) walking around in the unit. But they were just walking without any emotions. It does not mean that all WO’s are the same. There were some good fellows among them, but they just kind of disappeared within the mass of others. The main mass was walking with a strange smile on their faces waiting for what was going happen and trying to steal something home. As our second in command officer in rear, Vitya Kruglov, was used to say: “WO’s are the sucking ticks of army”.
Maybe this was an exaggeration, but in our case this word was very precise.
On the night of from the 25th to the 26th of February, Armenian armed groups with the support of tanks and BMP’s and personnel of the 366th motorized regiment of Stepenakert occupied the city of Khojaly. Not all regiment participated in the action – just the second battalion. The command of the battalion was unaware of the happened. Preparation for the operation was done secretly. Nevertheless, one of the leaders of the operation was the commander of the second battalion.
Why did it happen? Everything is very simple!
The commander and all of the officers and WO’s were Armenians. In that night they gathered all Armenian soldiers of the regiment as well as the volunteers of other nationalities and attacked the city of Khojaly together with the National – Liberationist Army of Artsakh.
At 23:00 tanks, BMP’s and modified emplacements of “Alazan” started the massive the shooting of the city. From one o’clock until four in the morning Armenian soldiers offended the city. Khojaly was easily taken. At five o’clock in the morning the city was in fire.
Before the artillery shooting, Armenians were telling with loud speakers installed on BTR (military vehicle) that there was a free corridor left for the population to escape in the direction of Aghdam. Armenians told that they would let unarmed civilians pass. Short after the shootings part of the population started leaving in the direction of Aghdam. Among the people trying to escape there were armed people from the city garrison. These armed heroes, started fighting when they saw Armenians. Number of victims was increasing…
Azerbaijanis from Agdam tried to clean the corridor. Several WO’s participated in this operation from our field engineer battalion. Two of them perished. One of them was our district police inspector, 1st Lieutenant, Vagif Iskandarov.
(to be continued)
QUOTATION OF DAY
Ahmet Nejdet SEZER, president of Turkish Republic:
“Armenia must release occupied territories. Turkish government entirely supports just position of Azerbaijan on this issue… We demand from Armenia to stop the war against Azerbaijan, and leave occupied lands”
Conversation with Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan on September 5, 2004 in Ankara.
Ion ILIESKU, president of Rumania:
«We advocate peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Solution has to be achieved on the basis of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan republic».
Speech on official reception in Bucharest, in honor of Azerbaijan president, October 11, 2004.
Erkki TUOMIOIA, Minister for Foreign Affair of Finland:
«We know that Nagorno-Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan. We recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. ».
Conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, October 4, 2004.
Li CHJAOSIN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of China:
«On political level Azerbaijan and Republic of China recognizes territorial integrity of each other ».
Conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, October 23, 2004
Andjei ZALUTSKI, deputy of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland:
“We advocate the territorial integrity of the country. As a chairman-country of the Committee of Ministers of European Council, Poland will assist in conflict resolution. “.
Speech on opening ceremony of new Polish building in Baku, September 13, 2004.
AZERBAIJANI ZANGILAN – THE LAST ARMENIAN CAPTIVE
October 29, 1993 is another black day in Azerbaijan calendar. The day the Armenians occupied a beautiful place of Azerbaijan – Zangilan. Zangilan is an administrative region bordering Armenia in the North-West (with borderline length of 157km), Iran in the South-East, Djabrail region in the East and Gubadli region in the North. The region inhabited by 35 thousand of people had 1 city, 1 settlement of urban type and 81 villages scattered around the territory of 707 square km.
There are three rivers Hekeri, Bazarchay and Ohchuchay running through the territory of Zangilan to form Agoyuk plain. This territory is rich in minerals – stone, lime, sodium i.e. The mountainous part of the territory is covered with broad-leaved forests, in the Basitchay ravine of 107 hectares there are plane-tree forests that represent a nature rarity. The fauna is represented by jeyrans, wild boars, bears, foxes i.e.
The economy of the region was dominated primarily by winegrowing, tobacco-cultivation and cattle breeding. Before the occupation there were 9 state farms and 31 collective farms. Acres suitable for agriculture accounted for 33 thousand hectares with 6,3 thousand hectares of plough-lands, 4,4 thousand hectares of perennial plants and 0,3 thousand hectares of meadows.
Zangilan was famous with its Agrarian-industrial association of wine industry that was active there. In possession of state farms and collective farms there were 9,9 thousand hectares of wine yards. Several industrial and construction enterprises were running in the region. Zangilan was also the region with educational, medical and cultural infrastructure. In the result of occupation the region lost 72 schools, 46 kindergartens, 39 houses of culture, 19 clubs, 70 libraries, 9 museums, 4 musical schools, 64 hospitals, 42 communication hubs, more than 300 trade centers and public caterings, 42 industrial and 15 communication facilities, 145 administrative buildings and 10217 private houses. Today 35 thousands of people are housed in 52 settlements of the republic.
Protecting the inviolability of frontiers in battles for Zangilan 188 people died, 44 were missing, 110 became handicapped and near 200 children became orphans.
Yet, it’s impossible to calculate all the losses of the region as well as the general losses of Azerbaijan…
THE NATIONAL HEROES OF AZERBAIJAN
Peak of martyrdom
Mekhti Abbasov was born in Yeniyol village of Amass region in Armenia. As early as a child, he found himself experiencing the pressure on Azerbaijanians from Armenians part. His family had to leave their motherland for remote Kazakhstan after they could no longer endure this unbearable pressure. They moved to Qulan village of Tulkibashi province that is a part of Chimkentsk region. After finishing secondary school, he graduated from Pedagogical Institute of Karaganda city and worked as a teacher of basic military training. Mass aggressions against Meskhet Turks of late 80-s that took place in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan forced Mehman’s family to move back to their motherland. They settled in Rushan village of Ismayilli region. But the fate didn’t seem to promise a peaceful life for them. At the very time, Armenians were committing outrages against people of Azeri origin living in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and nearby provinces. When the Abbasovs moved from Armenia Mekhti was 10 years old. But he already knew the arrogant nature of Armenians their self-advertisement and historic hatred towards Azerbaijanians and Turks. And now they started undisguised war against his people. Mekhti rose to fight the enemy by voluntarily joining the ranks of the armed forces of the republic.
The unit leader senior lieutenant Mekhti Abbasov together with his co-fighters fought in Geranboi, Fizuli and Agdam fronts successfully accomplishing the number of tasks of great importance. Shortly before the conflict, Armenians had been carrying out construction works in the mountainous village of Melikdjan mostly inhabited by Armenians, under the pretext of building the so-called “facilities of domestic usage”. At that time nobody would ever think that this construction was build to serve as a military fortification. And as soon as the conflict grew into an undeclared war, the construction was used by Armenians as a position for a continuous bombardment of Azerbaijani villages. Among the cities and villages suffered from the devastation, material and financial losses caused by this shelling were Fizuli, Khalafsha, Djuvarly, Gochakhmedly, Chemen and i.e.
The decision was made to destroy this fire position at all costs. Operation started in the early morning of January 13, 1992. Mekhti-led company made its uphill way through the snowy mountain slopes up to the summit reaching Armenian positions. There was only 100-130 meters to go, when the enemy sensed the danger, then turned round and began intensive fire from all types of weapons. Our heroes had to get down to earth to escape bullets. The operation was on the verge of collapse. At that moment Mekhti rose and commanded with all his lung power: “Ahead heroes! Follow me!” and rushed forward. Inspired by the deed of their commander the fighters rushed forward as well and in a blink got enemies positions. Hand-to-hand fighting began that ended soon – Armenians followed by Mekhti’s fighters ran away leaving dozens of killed men on the battlefield. The vital position of the enemy now was in hands of Azerbaijani fighters. However, Mekhti was not lucky to share his happiness with his friends… a hostile bullet ended his life… By the decree of the President of Azerbaijan Republic of June 5, 1992 Mekhti Jusif ogli Abbasov was awarded honorary title of the National Hero of Azerbaijan. The courageous son of Azerbaijani people died for the sake of Motherland. He reached the peak of martyrdom while his bright image until now and along with us is making its way to the bright future of Azerbaijan.
Gadir Nasirov,
“The voice of Karabakh”
ARMENIA’S ECOLOGICAL CRIMES ON THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF AZERBAIJAN
Recently there has been a session of the Working group of the Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) Forum designed to carry out ecological monitoring of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Goals and tasks of the Working group and principal ways of the activity were discussed at the session. The coordinator of the project, the president of ecological problems research center Kamran Mahmudov said that it was necessary now to attract international experts to participate in the monitoring and to create with their help a sustainable structure to control the ecology of the occupied lands.
Mentioning that ecological problems in the world are of global character, the project coordinator reminded that the principles of the international ecological law were reflected in the Stockholm Declaration of the UN of 1972 and said that in recent years numerous standard acts regarding the environmental protection had been adopted that were mandatory for states members of different international associations. Therefore, as to K. Mukhtarov, there is no doubt that the initiative of the monitoring of the occupied lands will be backed outside of the country. K. Mukhtarov particularly stressed the need of close cooperation of working group with country’s state bodies and structures, international organizations particularly UN and EC.
At the session there were reports on facts of Armenian ecological crimes on the occupied territories. The participants stated that the occupied lands were used for burying of nuclear waste s of Matsamor atomic power plant APP, rare types of trees were cut out, mineral deposits were exploited in an awful manner including 5 gold deposits, 6 mercury deposits and 2 copper deposits, 2 nature reserves and 4 wildlife areas were destroyed, Kura and Araz were polluted by industrial sewage. Members of the Working group are intended on the basis of the gathered materials to get Armenia to face sanctions.
Ayten Aleskerova
EUROPE SHOCKS ARMENIA BY RECOGNIZING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN
Today the world doesn’t react negatively to the open statements of high-profile politicians, leaders of international organizations and heads of states regarding the necessity of a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of territorial integrity of the latter. And it is not surprising because things should go this way. However, such an approach is unacceptable for Armenia, because it’s anticipating a possible loss of the occupied lands. For them the expression “territorial integrity of Azerbaijan” is of high alarm. The reason of this is clear: the Armenians know that the” territorial integrity of Azerbaijan” suggests Azerbaijan with currently occupied Nagorno-Karabakh and other seven regions brought together. So, their fear becomes evident.
Recently a leading Yerevan newspaper “Aravot” has published an article titled as “ Like a bolt from the blue”. What does the “bolt” stands for? The author of the article writes: “During a meeting with the leaders of Armenian political parties western diplomats approved that Karabakh problem must be solved on the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We have some details of meetings between the ambassadors of EU member-countries and the representatives of the “National Unity” party the key subject of which was the settlement of Karabakh problem and the Armenian relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Specific questions were discussed showing that European structures already have the drawn up proposals to be offered to the confronting sides in the nearest future. Special attention to these issues was paid by the German ambassador Heike Renate Heiche, who had a continuous talk with the leader of “National Unity” Artesh Gegamyan. In October 24 the “National Unity” leader also met with the Deputy Chairman of Parliamentarian Assembly of the Eastern European Union, the leader of Italian delegation Marko Zakero, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy Marko Clemente and the representative of the “International European Security and Protection” Assembly Floris Dego. There were serious discussions of the processes that could take place in the region. Though the delegation members voiced that the Karabakh problem had to be resolved on the basis of compromises, they stressed that they recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and that this principle had to be the starting point of the settlement process. The article also reads: “According to some strange circumstances nearly at the same time European countries started their lobbying. The European Council General Secretary Terry Devis made his report while the American co-chairman of OSCE Minsk group Steven Mann spoke that it was unacceptable to drag out the conflict. “Do these facts mean that one day they will make us accept the settlement of Karabakh problem?”
The “National Unity” leader Gegomyan said: “European countries and American diplomatic representatives never take precarious steps; they always have prudent and coordinated approach. It’s interesting that after they had talk with me Zakera and Clemente had to meet the ambassadors of EU-member countries” The party leader also touched on the report by Terry Devis. He said: “The report mentions 4 UN Security Council resolutions that say about the recognition of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the necessity of pullout of Armenian forces from vacated territories. Given the Davis’ statement that in case of negotiation failure the settlement process can be continued in the International Court of Justice, there is no reason for further comments on this subject”. This is what really alarmed the occupants, that is, Europe began to speak about the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. However, what is the reason of the turning point? The point is that the more the countries of Southern Caucasus participate in different International and European organizations the better the European political elite and other public understand the core of the conflict along with the nature of the Armenians. Another fact is a disgraceful speech of Armenian President Robert Kocharyan at the Parliamentarian Assembly of the European Council (PAEC), who openly said that he had had a hand in Armenian atrocities against Azerbaijanians adding that he was proud of that. According to Asim Mollahzade, a member of the parliamentarian delegation of the republic in PAEC most European delegates after this speech called Kocharyan “Mr. Kalashnikov”.
“Finally, the Europeans realized that the matter concerns with unprecedented violation of the whole international legislative system that is the occupation of the territory of Azerbaijan. European politicians saw that apart from the discussed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh the occupation of Azerbaijan lands by Armenia is in five times bigger”- Mollahzade said. “Now, as you know, EU has launched a specific program on “new neighbors” that means a close cooperation with them. It becomes evident that Kocharyan and his associates arguing that Nagorno-Karabakh has never been a part of Azerbaijan after the collapse of USSR are telling the lie. The point is that Azerbaijan was recognized by all states including European states within the borders of the former Soviet Azerbaijan that included Nagorno-Karabakh territory”. Well, Europe seems to be going into the root of the matter with the Armenians getting increasingly alarmed…
WE WILL SAVE KARABKH AT ANY PRICE
The people of Azerbaijan with its ancient statehood and the history of great heroism throughout the centuries has been the subject of aggression of Armenian fascism and is known in the history of mankind by its bloody pages. Unfortunately, as the time passes by the tragedy is no longer perceived as strongly as ever. Through our obliviousness only we undergo severe sufferings and experience tragic moments of life of our people.
The state which lost one of its attributes of independence – the territorial integrity, can never be strong and its people can never feel free. It prevents us, the people of independent democratic state, from enjoying real civil freedom. Over 10 years ago our government signed an armistice agreement. Since that time, Armenia and Azerbaijan had been continuously negotiating but unfortunately, the efforts were fruitless, moreover 4 UN resolutions as well as OSCE decisions have not been carried out by Armenia. But we still live and believe in acceptable outcome of a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
We are running out of our patience. The time has come to liberate the occupied lands. Today our Motherland needs our help and trusts in us. That’s why everyone who finds himself being a worthy son of his Motherland must show his courage and do his best to clean Karabakh off Armenian separatists and restore territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, the war against the enemy is waged today only at the level of foreign policy of the President of Azerbaijan and appropriate agencies. Other state structures, social institutions and organizations do not show any interest to this problem.
But we shouldn’t forget that if there is no peaceful settlement to the conflict, the liberation of the territories occupied by Armenian aggressors must be the task of the Defense Ministry, the Armed Forces and veteran organizations like our Fund and generally the task of the people. We, the officers in reserve, do not attribute ourselves to the army of “the weak and the cripples” and in case of war by order of Supreme Commander-in-Chief ready to join the ranks of the army to fight the enemy off our lands.
In order to live with clean conscious without losing our face before the women being held hostage, to comfort the souls of those who gave their lives for Motherland, we must switch from words to deeds, for the duty before the generations to come, requires honorable actions from our part – the restoration of integrity of our country. We don’t want war, however we are not going to leave under occupation even a single inch of our land. We, the veterans of war, believe that we’ll save Karabakh.
May Allah help us!
Sarraf Orugjev
The veteran of Afghan and Karabakh war, chairman of
“Soldiers-internationalists Fund of Azerbaijan”,
member of Coordinating Council “The movement in the name of Azerbaijan”
THE ISSUE OF THREE REGIONS AND OTHER GAMES OF ARMENIA AND ITS ADVOCATES
Armenia the initiator of conflicts in Transcaucasia now and then makes so strange proposals that not only fail to promote the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also exacerbate the settlement process, in other words lead it to a dead end. During 1988-1994 period Armenia occupied one fifth of Azerbaijan territory (totally 13.210 square km.) – Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and seven more regions. This is an unquestionable fact known to all international organizations and world’s leading powers. More than 10 years have passed since the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement, a document designed to appease the confronting sides, at least, temporarily and give a chance to think over the matter without use of gun. Alas…
A ceasefire regime, however, over the past 10 years failed to take even 10 steps forward. Why? Who or what is a hindrance to that? Is it so much irresolvable that even the International Community can not cope with it? We should say that it’s far from being simple, however it should not be categorized as being intractable, because all facts are obvious. All the world countries and international organizations recognized the independence of Azerbaijan Republic within the border that existed during the Soviet regime. Therefore the occupied territory that is Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and seven other regions (Lachin, Kalbajar, Agdam, Jabrayil, Fizuli. Qubadli and Zangilan regions) belong to Azerbaijan and must be returned to it unconditionally. In so doing, the occupant country must be penalized in accordance with the international law and become a subject of severe sanctions, reimburse material losses inflicted on Azerbaijan by undeclared war provoked by it, let alone irreparable moral damage. What an idea!… In fact, it’s quite the reverse what’s happening. Most international organizations, some world’s leading countries so far have had a double standard approach to the problem, forcing the injured party to make concessions to the occupant country and providing an equal aid to both countries (sometimes giving a bigger slice to the aggressor). Knowing that Armenia harshly violated all the international norms, they treat it with favor and nobody makes up his mind to say: “Hands off from other’s territory”
On the contrary, from time to time proposals are made that are exclusively advantageous only for Armenia. First, they put forward an issue of territorial exchange (for instance, Armenian Megri in exchange for Azerbaijani Lachin), then they offer an issue of necessary participation of Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh in the settlement process, or they suggest the return of seven occupied regions in exchange for Azerbaijan’s refusal to claim Nagorno-Karabakh. It turns out that they want to return out territories in exchange for our lands! Recently
Armenian press has proposed the following “idea” that doesn’t seem to be new, suggesting the return of three occupied regions (Fizuli, Jabrayil, Zangilan) on conditions of resumed communications between Baku and Yerevan. And all this is, unfortunately, the deeds of international organizations that are expected by Azerbaijan people to bring justice and legality. But…
Recently the leader of the Democratic Party, ex-associate of the president on foreign issues Aram Sarkisyan, making his speech in Armenian Parliament said that Armenian part under the outer influence had already agreed to return the controlled Jabrayill, Zangilan and Fizuli regions in exchange for resumed transport and energy communications. Sarkisyan openly stated that this was the demand of the US, since the railway passage opening is the US utmost concern and that allegedly the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on this matter during their meeting in Astana.
Russian co-chairman of Minsk group Yuri Merzlyakov in his interview with “Svoboda” radio station said that he was not aware of the details of the meeting, he also denied mass media repots that there was a “Moscow way” of the settlement of the conflict. By the way, this is the very Merzlyakov, who earlier made clumsy statements that the occupied territories and Nagorno-Karabakh were quite different things and that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh had to partake in negotiations as the third party of the conflict.
In its turn, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Foreign Minister Vardan Oscanyan made rougher statements regarding the impossibility of Karabakh’s being a composite part of Azerbaijan, what is controversial to the present international documents. According to mass media, in the option discussed in Astana, there are some items regarding the deployment of Russian peacekeepers on the borderline and holding referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh.
This is an unacceptable variant and simultaneously the factor that stalls the settlement process, if it really took place, because it would mean de facto of the independence of the fake formation and the return of Russian armed forces to the territory of independent Azerbaijan. Moreover, in accordance with the OSCE decision (1994) not a single country can dominate in a peacekeeping mission.
Undoubtedly, the issue of the return of three regions can not be settled separately, otherwise, it would contradict Strasburg agreement of 1997 on step-by-step settlement of the conflict. It’s clear that the western countries are interested in a rapid settlement of the conflict due to the launch of BTC oil pipeline. However, everyone must know that under no circumstances, the territory of Azerbaijan including Nagorno-Karabakh can be the subject of compromise and whatever is the variant, it must answer the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
THE ISSUE OF THREE REGIONS AND OTHER GAMES OF ARMENIA AND ITS ADVOCATES
Armenia the initiator of conflicts in Transcaucasia now and then makes so strange proposals that not only fail to promote the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also exacerbate the settlement process, in other words lead it to a dead end. During 1988-1994 period Armenia occupied one fifth of Azerbaijan territory (totally 13.210 square km.) – Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and seven more regions. This is an unquestionable fact known to all international organizations and world’s leading powers. More than 10 years have passed since the two sides signed a ceasefire agreement, a document designed to appease the confronting sides, at least, temporarily and give a chance to think over the matter without use of gun. Alas…
A ceasefire regime, however, over the past 10 years failed to take even 10 steps forward. Why? Who or what is a hindrance to that? Is it so much irresolvable that even the International Community can not cope with it? We should say that it’s far from being simple, however it should not be categorized as being intractable, because all facts are obvious. All the world countries and international organizations recognized the independence of Azerbaijan Republic within the border that existed during the Soviet regime. Therefore the occupied territory that is Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region and seven other regions (Lachin, Kalbajar, Agdam, Jabrayil, Fizuli. Qubadli and Zangilan regions) belong to Azerbaijan and must be returned to it unconditionally. In so doing, the occupant country must be penalized in accordance with the international law and become a subject of severe sanctions, reimburse material losses inflicted on Azerbaijan by undeclared war provoked by it, let alone irreparable moral damage. What an idea!… In fact, it’s quite the reverse what’s happening. Most international organizations, some world’s leading countries so far have had a double standard approach to the problem, forcing the injured party to make concessions to the occupant country and providing an equal aid to both countries (sometimes giving a bigger slice to the aggressor). Knowing that Armenia harshly violated all the international norms, they treat it with favor and nobody makes up his mind to say: “Hands off from other’s territory”
On the contrary, from time to time proposals are made that are exclusively advantageous only for Armenia. First, they put forward an issue of territorial exchange (for instance, Armenian Megri in exchange for Azerbaijani Lachin), then they offer an issue of necessary participation of Armenian community of Nagorno-Karabakh in the settlement process, or they suggest the return of seven occupied regions in exchange for Azerbaijan’s refusal to claim Nagorno-Karabakh. It turns out that they want to return out territories in exchange for our lands! Recently
Armenian press has proposed the following “idea” that doesn’t seem to be new, suggesting the return of three occupied regions (Fizuli, Jabrayil, Zangilan) on conditions of resumed communications between Baku and Yerevan. And all this is, unfortunately, the deeds of international organizations that are expected by Azerbaijan people to bring justice and legality. But…
Recently the leader of the Democratic Party, ex-associate of the president on foreign issues Aram Sarkisyan, making his speech in Armenian Parliament said that Armenian part under the outer influence had already agreed to return the controlled Jabrayill, Zangilan and Fizuli regions in exchange for resumed transport and energy communications. Sarkisyan openly stated that this was the demand of the US, since the railway passage opening is the US utmost concern and that allegedly the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed on this matter during their meeting in Astana.
Russian co-chairman of Minsk group Yuri Merzlyakov in his interview with “Svoboda” radio station said that he was not aware of the details of the meeting, he also denied mass media repots that there was a “Moscow way” of the settlement of the conflict. By the way, this is the very Merzlyakov, who earlier made clumsy statements that the occupied territories and Nagorno-Karabakh were quite different things and that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh had to partake in negotiations as the third party of the conflict. We should emphasize another vivid example of dual standard approach to the problem settlement. Recently Armenian group of parliamentarians influenced EC draft decision to include an item mentioning “ Nagorno Karabakh and occupied territories of Azerbaijan.”. Attempts of parliamentarians from Azerbaijan to change this phrase into “ Nagorno Karabakh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan” were unsuccessful and denials were explained that there is no difference between these two phrases. But what means no difference? Everybody can see that in the second version both Nagorno Karabakh and other territories are occupied..
Reading the first version it becomes obvious that only other territories are occupied, but not Nagorno Karabakh.. This is what a double standard approach means.
In its turn, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Foreign Minister Vardan Oscanyan made rougher statements regarding the impossibility of Karabakh’s being a composite part of Azerbaijan, what is controversial to the present international documents. According to mass media, in the option discussed in Astana, there are some items regarding the deployment of Russian peacekeepers on the borderline and holding referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh.
This is an unacceptable variant and simultaneously the factor that stalls the settlement process, if it really took place, because it would mean de facto of the independence of the fake formation and the return of Russian armed forces to the territory of independent Azerbaijan. Moreover, in accordance with the OSCE decision (1994) not a single country can dominate in a peacekeeping mission.
Undoubtedly, the issue of the return of three regions can not be settled separately, otherwise, it would contradict Strasburg agreement of 1997 on step-by-step settlement of the conflict. It’s clear that the western countries are interested in a rapid settlement of the conflict due to the launch of BTC oil pipeline. However, everyone must know that under no circumstances, the territory of Azerbaijan including Nagorno-Karabakh can be the subject of compromise and whatever is the variant, it must answer the principle of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
ARMENIANS ARE PUTTING PRESSURE ON HUNGARIAN COURT
Exact date of the legal process on murder of Armenian officer by Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov in Budapest is still unknown. According to info agency “OLAYLAR” the process firstly should be held in September then in October. As we see October is almost ended but the exact date was not still set. Forecasts that the process will be held in November are also not authentic.
According to Akif NAGI, chairman of KLO (Karabakh Liberation Organisation), delaying of the process is caused by active work of Armenian lobby: “I think that the process on the case of Ramil Safarov is delayed because of active work of Armenians. Hungarian court is acting under the pressure of Armenians.”
A BLACK DIADEM FOR BARONESS COOKS
The news about visit of the Great Britain lords’ delegation under the leadership of baroness Caroline Cooks to Khankendi was interpreted negatively in Azerbaijan. Activists of Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) expressed their protest in their own way, by presenting a black painted diadem to the Great Britain embassy. Moreover, embassy representatives received letter from the members of KLO, addressed to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Lori Bristow. Letter says that by their actions Cooks and others advocates Armenia and separatists, settled on the occupied territories. As been written in this letter: “We are bringing this fact to your attention and we hope that you will raise this question to your government. The Great Britain should respect the interests and sovereign rights of Azerbaijan.”
«Echo», magazine
October 21, 2004
From editors: This is not the first and probably not the last time when some representatives of international companies and politicians are going for a trip to Nagorno-Karabakh without giving any information to Azerbaijan. It’s advisable to note that Nagorno-Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan, and any trip of international companies’ representatives and other politicians, unknown to Azerbaijan, is the violation of the international low norms, and obliges Azerbaijan to act in correspondent ways.
Considering baroness Cooks, it seems she has her own sympathies to Armenians, for the reasons we don’t know. For instance, according to recently spread hearsay baroness established a foundation in Great Britain, named Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), financing Karabakh separatists.
At the same time “Times” magazine, telling about Cooks’ charity, has noted that in Khartoum (capital of Sudan) imprisonment is waiting for Cooks, and “there is a reward for her head in Azerbaijan”.
Meanwhile there is a commonly known attitude of the world community toward such charitable organizations, financing separatists and terrorists on demand.
So, baroness should carefully consider her fate…
NEW DRUGS-ROUTE
It passes through occupied Azerbaijan territories.
Creation of a new network of NGO’s is planned in the framework of UN and Azerbaijan joint anti drug program in the South Caucasus (SCAD). Few days ago in the Europe Hotel “Role of NGO’s in drug control” was discussed within the IV phase of the joint program.
“Problem of drugs in Azerbaijan is not as global as in some other counties. Nevertheless, there are drug addicts, drug traders and even producers of some drug products. In addition, international drug trafficking routes pass through Azerbaijan. Our country, just like the other countries of the world, cannot leave this critical problem ignored”, mentioned in his speech Deputy Prime minister of Azerbaijan, Head of State Committee on Drug Control, Mr. Ali Hasanov.
The drug trafficking benefits from the fact that Azerbaijan is not able to conduct control over the dug traders in its territories occupied by Armenians. This zone with no control is very convenient for drug trafficking and widely used for spreading Afgani drug all over the world.
Head of the Committee emphasized the fact that the occupied lands are turning to become drug plantations.
Another complexity of the “white plague” combating is that, state can not bear this task on its shoulders alone. The problem requires public involvement and support, especially by NGO’s.
“It is essential to involve attention of local NGO’s to the problem of drugs and determine the perspectives of State Committee coordinated cooperation between state and non-governmental bodies over this issue” told the head of the committee, talking about the aims of the conference. The EC expert, Patrick Gorman, supported the same position by saying: “It will be possible to improve the situation due to the creation of NGO network within the framework of the IV phase of SCAD which together with the government will work on the realization of anti-drug programs in the regions of the country”. The expert also noted that unemployment is one of the reasons for the drug addiction escalation. “ If control over drugs is not sufficient enough, diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS and etc are getting more vicious”, Gorman added.
It must be said that improvement of the legal base for combating drug trafficking in compliance with international conventions accepted by Azerbaijan are covered by the IV phase of the program. It was stated that in the years of 2004-2006 the main directions of the program would be the following: Creation of special control groups over drugs in air and sea ports, legal consultations, border strengthening, elimination of drug problems in the educational institutions. The above mentioned program has been implemented for three years. Resources of 900,000 US Dollars are spent for the implemented three phases of the program and the amount of 715,000 US Dollars is planned to be allocated for the fourth phase.
It was discussed in the conference, that the delay of Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution contributes to the development of drug networks that result in a global drug problem in the region and in the world.
In the conference speeches were delivered by the President of the National NGO Forum, Azay Guliyev and the national coordinator of SCAD Program, Mezahir Efendiyev and others.
“Voice of Karabakh”
Samurai Minbashiyev
ARMENIA MUST STOP ARBITRARINESS
The statement made by the press center of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Over the recent years, Armenia with no attention to international norms and laws has increased the number of unlawful actions on the occupied territories. It builds illegal settlements, exploits natural resources that belong to Azerbaijan, increases the number of foreign companies operating in the region, moreover, without the permission of Azerbaijan invites foreign politicians, businessmen, cultural workers, holds election and organizes other public activities. Due to Armenian actions mentioned above the press center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan made an official statement.
The statement reads that Azerbaijan repeatedly expressed its indignation and concern over the illegal actions of Armenia, the facts that were highlighted in the speech of the President of Azerbaijan at the 59-th session of the UN General Assembly as well as in the corresponding letters of MFA to its colleagues where the attention of international community is attached to the present situation, which is not only unacceptable due to its illegality but also is fraud with its far-reaching consequences in the conflict settlement process.
The document underlines that Azerbaijan’s future intention is to use the resources of peaceful settlement of the conflict on the basis of norms and principles of international law and to continue negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk process.
According to the press center statement, Azerbaijan mentioned the usefulness of the meeting of the both countries’ Foreign Ministers in Prague but expressed regret over the delay of the following meeting caused by the Armenian request. The document demonstrates Azerbaijan’s concern over the explicit efforts of Armenian part to undermine the progress achieved in the course of the meetings. Such efforts are also seen in the statements of Armenian leadership that traditionally falsifies and distorts the sense and the estimate of the present events.
The statement reads: “With an interest in the effective continuation of the Minsk process and with an intention to prevent the negative influence imposed on negotiations by the Armenian actions contradicting Geneva conventions, Azerbaijan proposes an initiative to include in the agenda of 59-th session of the UN General Assembly the item on “The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”.
Anticipating the following insinuations of Armenia, we stress that Azerbaijan is in favor of the continuation of talks within the Minsk group. Azerbaijan is eager to prevent Armenian efforts from predetermining the outcome of the settlement process by its illicit actions on the occupied territories, and relies on support of the UN and International Communities.
“Everlasting peace can be achieved only by strong principles of law and justice and by no means of arbitrariness and historic falsifications” reads the official statement of the MFA press centre.
INTRIGUES OF ARMENIAN TERRORISM
Despite the cease-fire regime, day-by-day Armenian separatism and terrorism increases number of victims in Azerbaijan. Some times Armenian military forces open fire on Azerbaijani settlements nearby the front-lines, mines are exploding.
In October 18 of this year, division of Azerbaijan national army for 45 minutes was bombarded by Armenian military forces in Alibeyli village of Tovuz region.
An employer of railroad administration of Agstafa region, 35 years old Azer NAGIYEV was seriously injured in front of his house.
It is significant that the front-line crosses 8 settlements of Tovuz region.
Number of victims of mines exploding is also increasing. Azerbaijan National Agency Agains Mine Danger reports that only in September 5 people suffered from mine explosions. In recent year 11 people died and 17 were injured.
Agency reports that after the cleansing of 12 467 649 squire kilometers of area, was found 6221 mines, when in September this numbers were 556 543 squire kilometers and 33 000 mines correspondingly.
N.ADILOGLU,
«The Voice of Karabakh»
“AZERBAIJANI LANGUAGE AS A SPIRITUAL GIFT OF OUR NATION”
This was the heading of a competition organized among 36 IDP schools.
A non-governmental organization (NGO) “Hayat” arranged a competition “Azerbaijani Language as a Spiritual Gift of Our Nation” among 36 IDP schools, with the financial aid of EXXON MOBILE and with an active participation of the social organization “The Protection of Migrant’s and IDP’s Rights in Azerbaijan”. The most essential objective of this event was to raise the feeling of love and pride of the native language among IDP students and their families.
On the 13th of October 2004 a significant event took place at The Theatre of Song named after Rashid Behbudov, which particularly underlined the following titles: “The Role of the Native Language in the Growth of a Nation”, “The Role of The Script in Growth of a Nation”, “The Role of the Media in the Growth of the Governmental Language”. Students of Agdam, Fizuli, Zangilan regions were the winners of the first part of the whole contest.
The Jury, headed by a famous academic Afat Gurbanov, with an inevitable assistance of the head of the Public Association, Nadir Abdullayev, professor Buludkhana Khalilova and professor Sayala Sagidova concluded the results of the contest; the first place was taken by Zangilan region students, the second- by Agdam region and the third place by the students from Fizuli region. Winners were awarded by valuable gifts and shared congratualations.
In addition, the event was decorated by several speeches of the head of the ministers, head of the State committee on IDPs and refugees- Ali Hasanov; first deputy minister of Education- Iskender Iskenderov and deputies of the parliament- Sayyad Aran and Hadi Rajabli, representative of the EXXON MOBILE. The event ended with the concert, presented by IDP students.
«THERE IS NO AZERBAIJAN WITHOUT KARABAKH»
This was a motto on the conference of non-government organizations.
The other day a conference, organized by “DVIA” and “Amal” organization of intellectuals and named “There is no Azerbaijan without Karabakh” took a place in international press-center. Representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations participated in the conference.
On the opening, vice chairman of “DVIA”, writer Sabir AZERI had a speech related to the work done for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, participation of non-government organizations in this problem, and the week points of issue.
Separatist policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan, statement that “Nakhichivan belongs to Armenia”, and dual approach of some international organizations to this issue was criticized by the leader of “DVIA” Ilgar GASIMOV, and other speakers. Participants were indigenized by planned world-wide forum of Armenians in Khankendi on October 15-19, and noted inadmissibility of this action. Were stated that all population levels including opposition must consolidate their efforts on sooner and successful conflict resolution.
Participants had similar position that Azerbaijan will submit occupation of it’s territory and Azerbaijan people will recover their lands at any price.
A working group with mission to prepare an appellation text to all political parties and non-government organizations was created.
The chairman of OO Nadir ABDULLAYEV and the employee of OO Ziya MAMEDOV participated in the conference.
SAY NO TO FORUM IN KARABAKH!
The Azerbaijan youth opposing propaganda
A “round table” meeting organized by the Council of Youth of Karabakh Liberation Organization (CYKLO) took place in the international Press-center in October 22. The topic of discussions was “The Azerbaijan Youth opposes Armenian sabotage”.
The representative of CYKLO Mursal Gasanov attending the meeting that involved more than 20 youth organizations said that since the very beginning of the conflict the Armenian propaganda has given the birth to a false perception of Nagorno-Karabakh problem and of the history and geography of the region. The speaker emphasized that in such a situation there is an urgent need for the youth of the republic to create an atmosphere of sound information beyond the bounds of Azerbaijan.
M.Hasanov said that the present activity acquires particular significance on the threshold of the so-called forum of the Armenian youth of the world to be held in Khankendi in November of this year. The representatives of youth organizations of the Red Cross, the Democratic Azerbaijan Confederation, the Azerbaijan Party of National Independence and of Musavat Party, namely, M. Rahimli, E. Kerimov, R. Bayramov, E. Aliyev proposed their ideas that should be brought into life before the date of the forum mentioned above. The participants of the event voiced their unanimous opinion over the inadmissibility of such a forum on the territory of Azerbaijan. During this meeting, a working group was formed to perform the planed measures and the appeal to international community was also made. Akif Nagi the chairman of KLO also attended the “round table” meeting.
ALL THE OCCUPIED TERRITORY MUST BE RETURNED –
THAT IS THE DEMAND OF REFUGEES
In October 24 the chairman of “The Protection of Rights of Migrants and Refugees” Public Association professor (PRMR PA) Nadir Abdullayev and PA representative Gadir Nasirov met with the group of refugees from Jabrayil, Zangilan and Gubadli regions who temporarily settled in Yasamal district of Baku.
N. Abdullayev told them about the government measures in the field of improving of life conditions of migrants and refugees, as well as the purpose of the Assosiation and its 10 year work, about the tasks PRMR PA is facing now. G. Nasirov briefly went through the history of the conflict told what he thought about its settlement and difficulties in this issue.
The meeting participants Hidayat Allahverdiyev, Samir Mamiyev, Shahriyar Hamidov, Emin Aliyev, Khayala Allahverdiyeva, Elchin Hamidov and others spoke about the present difficulties and problems in a daily life of the refugees, about the factors bothering them to participate in social and political life of the country, they also spoke about the conflict settlement
Refugees said that owing to the gaps in electoral legislation they lost their right to be elected to municipalities. According to the law, in order to participate in elections to municipalities one needs a permanent residence permit, what refugees do not have.
Despite the President’s decree of tutorial payment exemption for refugees and recommendations aimed at private universities to make concessions for such students, such recommendations are nearly ignored. The situation becomes critical for such family. It happens sometimes that because of the lack of money to pay for education the student quits the university.
Speaking about educational problems the participants of the meeting noted that despite the relevant instructions in city schools students are not given free text-books what is quite the reverse in refugee schools. Of course, there is a shortage of such books what affects the level of education. Refugees complained that Soltanli School after the name of Gurbani in Jabrayil region needs overall maintenance and extension while the school yard is in mess at all.
During the meeting refugees touched on the issue of the return of three regions that was highlighted by press in exchange for revived communications between Baku and Armenia. They strongly opposed and demanded unconditional return of all occupied territories of Azerbaijan including Karabakh. “there is no Azerbaijan without Karabakh!”- this is a unanimous opinion of the refugees.
Samir Ibrahimov