Nation

PARLIAMENT UNHAPPY WITH EU TURKISH OFFER

The Azerbaijan parliament is set to protest the recommendation of the European Union on resumption of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

MP Gultakin Hajiyev proposed in a parliamentary session Tuesday that the recommendation be responded. Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov approved of the proposal, saying the issue would be in focus in the next gathering of parliament.

The Azeri parliament says EU insistence on Turkey's recognition of the fabricated Armenian genocide

and renewal of relations with Armenia is inadmissible.

TEN YEARS OF UK-AZERI RELATIONS

Tusday marked the tenth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. On March 12 of 1992, Douglas Hogg, minister of state in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited Baku to open a new chapter in relations between the two nations.

The British ambassador to Baku Andrew Tucker said on the anniversary: “This anniversary marks ten years of cooperation, commitment and achievement”.

“I pay tribute to Harold Formstone, who opened the British representation in 1992, and my predecessors Thomas Young and Roger Thomas, for their hard work. I and my staff are committed to developing their achievements and sustaining Azerbaijan-UK partnership”.

There are 307 enterprises with British capital active in oil and gas, communication, banking and finance, insurance, cargo transportation and other sectors in Azerbaijan. These companies include bp, Shell, Spearherd Exhibitions, HSBC, British Airways, Morisson Constructions, Murphy International, etc.

BOOK ON OMBUDSMAN PRESENTED

By Guldiyar Asadova Information Manager AYLU

The "What is an Ombudsman?" book consisting of collection of articles, published by Azerbaijan Young Lawyers' Union with financial support of ABA CEELI and USAID, was presented Saturday in a ceremony at the "Irshad" Hotel.

AYLU's chairman Nadir A. Adilov who opened the ceremony gave comprehensive information on the ongoing project. He also noted that this book is not the only one published within this project, as another publication "Human Rights, International Law and National Legislation" was also published.

The authors of articles Deputies Rabiyat Aslanova and Ali Houseinov, director of ABA CEELI John Porter, and the chief of Human Rights Institute of National Academy of Science Rovshan Mustafayev addressed the presentation.

At the end the Rule of Law Officer of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights placed in Poland Gerald Staberock gave a speech. Mr. Staberock thanked AYLU for invitation to the presentation and expressed his hope on that Ombudsman who will be elected in parliament will play a great role in Human Rights protection and development of democracy in Azerbaijan.

PAKISTANI PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES HEYDAR ALIYEV ON NOVRUZ BAYRAMI

Azeri Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev received Pakistan's ambassador to Azerbaijan Faiz Muhammed Khoso Tuesday. The envoy forwarded the minister a letter of congratulation by his President Parviz Musharraf to Azeri President Heydar Aliyev on the Novruz Bayram.

The two exchanged views on developing relations and deepening bilateral ties. The diplomat updated the minister on the socio-political developments underway in Pakistan, the Ministry said Tuesday.

DATE FOR NOVRUZ BAYRAM UNCHANGED

It has been rumored that the Novruz Bayram will be celebrated ahead of time on March 12 because of the mourning month of Maharram.

Maharram starts on March 16 and the Ashura Day (the deaths of Imam Hussein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson, and his supporters in the Iragi city of Karbala) is to be marked on March 25, the Caucasus Clerical Board told AssA-Irada Thursday.

Maharram coincides with the Novruz Bayram every 33 years.

However, the Board says that there is no need to postpone the spring holiday, provided that a set of its attributes such as dying eggs, making bonfires, etc. be refused. So, Azerbaijan people will celebrate their most favorite holiday, Novruz Bayram, on March 20-21 as they did previously.

TERRORISM TO BE IN FOCUS

The spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, due on July 6-10 in Berlin, is expected to discuss measures to be taken to prevent terrorist activities and funds for terror.

A parliamentary delegation from Azerbaijan is scheduled to partake in the session.

A DAY's PHONE INSTALLATION

The Baku Telephone Communication production association has introduced a new "0-00" service on the occasion of the Novruz Bayram. From now on, anyone may call this number from March 8 till 22 to order phone installation taking only a day, the Ministry of Communication reported Monday.

The installation fee costs between AZM300,000 to AZM800,000 depending on the installation terms and conditions of the subscriber.

CEC TO HOLD SEMINARS FOR ELECTION COMMISSIONS

The Central Election Commission (CEC) decided in its Monday's meeting to hold seminar sessions for members of district and territorial election commissions in the run-up to the by-elections to the Azerbaijan parliament on April 12 this year.

The two-day seminars will be held from March 18 till April 4 for members of Kapaz election commission #31 in Ganja, election districts #29 in Ali-Bayramli and Salyan and #37 in Narimanov district of Baku.

The CEC meeting upheld a complaint filed by Aftandil Mammadov against rejection of his candidacy in Kapaz election district #31 and an appeal by Mukhtar Hasanov for his non-registration in Ali-Bayramli-Salyan election district #29.

ARMENIAN ATOMIC STATION MENACE CAUTIONED

The Armenian Atomic Power Station, which was built in the Soviet era and refurbished in the mid-1990s with Russia's assistance, is a potential threat to the whole region, director of the Scientific research Institute of Energy and Energy Projects Karim Ramazanov told AssA-Irada Saturday.

Moreover, the International Agency for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy (IAPUAE) is airing concerns with the atomic plant, saying the problem is of global nature for the Caucasus, as well as Turkey and Iran.

Recalling the tragic consequences of the nuclear holocaust at the Chernobyl Atomic Power Station, K. Ramazanov says the South Caucasus countries, Turkey and Iran should realize the menace of the plant. The situation is even worse for Azerbaijan, whose occupied lands may turn into a burial ground for nuclear wastes.

The Armenian nuclear station should be stopped and dismantled, the scholar suggests, while radioactive wastes and parts of the atomic station should be buried with direct supervision of the IAPUAE. He thinks it reasonable for IAPUAE specialists to hold monitoring in the Armenia-occupied lands of Azerbaijan in a move to trace burial places of radioactive elements.