Azerbaijan today stands on the crossroads of history. The next ten years will be pivotal in the development of an independent Azeri state and unified nation and in the defence and security of our borders. Leadership of Azerbaijan Republic (Northern Azerbaijan) understands the importance of the role international community plays and will continue to play in this process. It is crucial for Northern Azerbaijan to integrate into the global political system as well as the global economy. AR's recent accession to the Council of Europe is indicative of the future evolution of Azerbaijani position in the world. Only by pursuing policies aimed at integrating the Republic into the Western democratic "family", can we hope to neutralise Russia's neo-imperialist agenda in Transcaucasia and weaken Iran's support for Armenia. Azerbaijan's continued sovereignty over Kharabagh, crucial to preservation of our territorial integrity, is also subject to international involvement e.g. negotiations over a peace settlement are taking place under the umbrella of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Minsk Group). Europe is increasingly seen as Azerbaijan's long-term political destination. In order to facilitate this process some basic pre-existing factors must be present and some conditions for Azerbaijan's entry into the European political theatre must be met. It is role of the Diaspora to establish the basis for integration. There needs to exist a base of cross-cultural links between Azerbaijan, Europe and, in our case, Britain. Information about our country must be made more widely available. British opinion - makers such as academics and journalists, need to be made aware of the complexities and particulars of our great country. These objectives cannot and should not be fulfilled by Azeri government, for it is the job of a Diaspora. But what is Diaspora? For answers we must turn to our enemies, as enemies are often the best teachers. Armenian Diaspora is one of the most powerful and richest in the world. Supported by wealthy individuals, it operates multi-million dollar funds, runs schools and charities, campaigns and lobbies Western governments and businesses. It is a global organisation, with branches in all major countries including this one. It is very powerful in the US and the Middle East, especially in Lebanon and Iran. Of course Azeris are not in the position to imitate anything of this scale. Armenian Diaspora developed for two centuries, whilst Azeri only emerged in the last thirty years. There are, however, things that we can do now. We can and should campaign on Kharabagh and lobby the British press about refugees . We can organise more demonstrations and pickets, alike to the one carried out on 2 March outside the Armenian embassy. We can organise a nation-wide distribution of various publications about Azerbaijan and hold lectures and seminars at British universities. Mass-scale violations of human, civil and political rights of Azerbaijanis in Iran (Southern Azerbaijan) is one major issue few in the West are aware of. Last year Amnesty International carried out a letter writing campaign, demanding the release of Dr. Chohregani, an academic at Tebriz University, who was arrested and imprisoned after raising the issues of educational provision for Azeris in rural areas and allowing use of Azeri Turkic as an officially recognised language in schools. None of this was known in the West, definitely not in Britain. There are challenges and problems facing the mobilising Azeri community in Britain. These can be overcome through hard and diligent effort of all Azeris in this country. Together we can achieve infinitely more than we can alone. However, it is essential that we prioritise our objectives and work towards common goals. There are a number of Azeri organisations in Britain today and that is a positive development. Yet it is essential to develop a common approach if we are to truly succeed.

***

CALL FOR LIBERATION OF

SOUTHERN AZERBAIJAN

Source: United Azerbaijan Union

02.04.01--TEBRIZ, --«We are travelling the road leading to the liberation of the people of South Azerbaijan and we won’t give up the idea of liberating our nation.» This statement was made by Dr. Alirza Amani from the Tebriz jail to the people of Azerbaijan. The statement was released by the press service of the United Azerbaijan Union. Dr Amani linked his arrest with his desire to see his nation free. The freedom fighter said all those arrests made by Iranian authorities will one day bear their fruits. The political prisoner announced he was tortured on his right leg, while bones were broken on some parts of his body. In conclusion, Dr Amani asked everyone to remember the patriotic statements of famous South Azerbaijani dissident Dr. Mahmud Chohregani. We would remind you that the obstacles put by official Tehran on Dr. Chohragani’s way to Parliament in 1999, caused mass disturbances in Tebriz. With this connection, thousands of South Azeris were held responsible.

Hundreds of Azerbaijani, Cypriot and Anatoly Turks took part in a picket in front of Armenian embassy to bring to the attention of Londoners facts about slaughter of millions of Turks in Eastern Turkey , Caucasus and Southern Azerbaijan ( North West of Iran) between 1915 and 1920. Placards and slogans were reflecting the genocide committed by retreating Armenian murderers from Ottoman empire who went on rampage against unarmed civilians. The demonstration was held on Saturday 21 April, at 2pm - the height of the shopping hours. One of the main demands of the crowd was indictment of Armenian acting President Robert Kocharian for crime against humanity and genocide.

The action started in a sunny afternoon with Koroglu’s overture the famous Azerbaijani composer Hajibeygov of Qarabag followed by Qarabagh Shikestesi.

Hundreds of pages of flyers about were distributed among shoppers revealing facts about genocide of Azerbaijanis by Armenian. Scores of reporters filmed the event and interviewed the demonstrators.

This action was organised by Turkic Union comprising of Azerbaijani Turks Community in Britain, Vatan Society of Britain and Justice Euro.

***

- Ilgar Bayramov, 22-years old, owner of a restaurant in Moscow , and his relative, 43-years old Panah Jafarov were shot to death. Their bodies were found at the 8 Pedagogy street of Moscow. Tens of Azerbaijanis are being murdered in Russia each year .

Source: Turan News Agency

02.04.01--BAKU--False national currency of the Republic of Azerbaijan are made in the Iranian cities of Maku and Tebriz, as well as Kurdistan province. The illegal cargo is to arrive in Azerbaijan soon. This was announced by the press service of the Ministry for National Security (MNS). The same source informs that banknotes worth 10,000 and 50,000 manat having the following serial numbers were found: 10,000 manat-worth banknotes - BB 6689898 and 50,000 manat - AB 9491161.

With this connection, the Interior Ministry and the National Bank of Azerbaijan have been notified. At the same time, MNS released nothing about the counterfeiters.

Ali Daei, Azerbaijani  striker at Hertha BSC Berlin, is to join Glasgow Rangers on loan, the Persian daily Iran Sports.          Chances are high that Daei will be transferred to the Scottish    
team at the end of these season at the German Bundesliga.
The highly-acclaimed Azerbaijani footballer could eventually sign a deal with the Scottish star-studded team, it added.             
Daei has never concealed his enchantment with the British PremierLeague, saying his footballing style is more fitted for an English club.    
                                                           
Ali was born in Ardebil city of Southern Azerbaijan.

Tebriz, one of the polluted cities of the world

Text of report by Iranian newspaper Mahd-e Azadi on 18 February

Tebriz, with its special geographical position, has turned into one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Historical evidence shows that this city used to be a green city, surrounded by gardens, and known as the garden city. With the rapid growth of the cities, that started in the 1900's in Tebriz, agricultural lands and gardens gradually lost their value, and became means of exchange.

The continuation of this process in the past, and the lack of any general programme on future population increases and physical development, are the reasons for the current air and water pollution in Tebriz, and the lack of a green atmosphere there.

A general programme to reduce air pollution started with the co-operation of the province's Environment Protection Office and Tebriz University, in order to confront water and air pollution in the city.

The director general of the Environment Protection Office of East Azerbaijan said in this regard, "The plan has been put into practice in order to take practical steps in line with past surveys and professional discussions."

Nader Ebrahimi pointed to the increase in population, the various types of equipment of city life, industry, motor vehicles, and contaminating jobs as the main reasons for air pollution in Tebriz. He added, "The aforementioned programme will present solutions to the environmental problems. In this plan, the geographical position of Tebriz, the location of the industrial sectors, the city's traffic, and the pollution caused by public and private transportation vehicles were carefully studied." Ebrahimi said, "Substituting gas for petrol as the fuel for public and private vehicles, using the tramway, and creating industries to confront environmental contaminators are among our programmes in this regard."

He added, "The zero phase of this plan will be continued for up to three months, and after surveying the results, the first six-month phase will start."

He pointed to the need to put this plan into practice, and said, "Tebriz is one of the most polluted cities in the country. So putting a practical order into practice is a necessity, in order to confront the pollution in the city."

The general director of the Environment Protection Organization of East Azerbaijan was also quoted as saying, "About 2,100 tons of contaminating materials such as sulphur oxide, carbine monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, and suspended particles (aerosols) are being sent into the city's atmosphere every day.

"About 1,500 tons of these contaminating materials are related to the city's main industries, 500 tons to motor vehicles, and 30 tons to inhabited and commercial places."

Ebrahimi added, "The thermal power station of Tebriz, with a consumption of about 4 million litters of mazut per day, and the Tebriz refinery, with a consumption of 5,300 barrels of fuel per day, are the main centres creating air pollution."

He considered that the other main centres causing air pollution in Tebriz are the 70 brick kiln units, with a consumption of 250,000 litters of mazut, and the 17 asphalt kiln units, with a consumption of 150,000 litters of mazut and gasoline.

He stated, "Estimates show that 74 per cent of the air pollution in Tebriz is due to the large industrial units, and 24 per cent is caused by motor vehicles."

Ebrahimi, while pointing to the special construction of Tebriz and its urban facilities, said, "The city's traffic, and the high number of public and private vehicles add to the city's pollution to a great extent."

He added, "The executive committee on combating air pollution in Tebriz, the members of which are officials from the organisations related to air pollution, will supervise the aforementioned plan."

Ebrahimi considered the age of the water conduit (irrigation) system in Tebriz, and the non-hygienic method of discarding waste material and garbage to be the main reasons for soil and water pollution.

He added, "About 100 tons of garbage are discarded in Tebriz in a traditional manner, and this causes a lot of environmental problems. This is in a situation in which 80 per cent of this amount of garbage is recoverable."

He also said that Tebriz is one of the most unfavourable cities from the environmental point of view, and added, "At the present time, about 10 per cent of the industrial units in Tebriz are considered to be polluting units."

Environmental experts believe that with regard to the geographical position of Tebriz, the presence of contaminating industrial sectors in this city, and its increase in population, 15 meters of green space per capita are necessary for the city.

At the present time, the Housing and Urban Development Ministry's acceptable standard for green space per capita in cities is 7-12 meters, and this is acceptable for the ratification of general plans.

These experts believe that major and large industries such as petrochemicals, power stations, refineries, the Sufian cement factory, brick kilns, and asphalt kilns play the main role in the city's pollution, and if no practical step is taken in this regard, we will witness a crisis of environmental pollution in the city.

In the civil management plan, programming for the creation of green spaces is of great importance, and is a necessity for civil development in Tebriz, which is in need of a green atmosphere.

***

Source: Turan News Agency

28.03.01--BAKU--Some 2 million Azeris have become victims of genocide or underwent deportation along the XX century. This was announced by President Heydar Aliyev in his statement to the nation of Azerbaijan on the occasion of March 31 - the Day of Azeris’ Genocide. The statement underscores that the process of purposeful ousting Azeris from their lands and settling Armenians on the formers’ lands began since late XIX century. The genocide and deportation policy towards Azeris was held state-by-stage in different historical periods. Ideological theses created by terror organisations were formed for realisation of the delirious idea of never-existing «Great Armenia.» Armenian nationalists committed mass slaughters of Azeris in 1905-07 under the patronage of czarist Russia. Hundreds of settlements were razed to the ground, while thousands of Azeris were killed. An even more terrible tragedy took place in March 1918, when realisation of the plan of ethnic cleansing of the Baku Province off Azeris and its Armenization began with the «blessing» of the Bolshevik leadership of the Baku Commune. Tens of thousands of Azeris were brutally killed, while mosques, schools and architectural monuments were destroyed. The genocide and deportation policy was continued in the Soviet times as well. Thus, a mass deportation of Azeris was conducted on the territory of Armenia in 1948-53. Another wave of Azeri genocide fell upon late 1980s. As a result, tens of thousands of Azeris were killed and injured, while hundreds of thousands were doomed to live in unbearable conditions. The presidential statement also notes that parliaments of a number of countries keep adopting non-objective decisions concerning the events to take place a hundred of years ago under the influence of powerful Armenian Diaspora. «Today, the Azeri state and people must bring to the attention of the world community all the truth on the policy conducted against Azeris over the last centuries and seek restoration of justice in the international opinion, elimination of hard consequences of the genocide policy, as well as not to let these events happen again.

***

On March 28, there was held a presentation ceremony of the carpet knitted with image of Abulfaz Elchibey, late Azeri president and chairman of the Popular Front Party, at the editorial house of the newspaper "Ayna-Zerkalo". The carpet has been knitted by our compatriots from South Azerbaijan [Iran]- Samad Tabrizli, Tarana Abdurrahmanova, and Rahmiyya Guliya. The carpet, 120 centimeters in width and 180 centimeters in length, has been prepared for 4 months.

The ceremony was opened by Boyuk Rasuloglu, chairman of the World Azerbaijanis Congress, and first spoke on the revival at the South Azerbaijani press: "We have achieved this revival with the support of our brothers and media in North". Samad Tabrizli, author of the carpet, said that he had an idea to dedicate such a carpet to Abulfaz Elchibey long ago. But has realized this idea now: "Elchibey was a great man. He will be estimated yet later".

Then Almurad Aliev, Elchibey's brother, made opening of the carpet. Mirmahmud Miralioglu, chairman of the Popular Front, said that Abulfaz Elchibey would live as long as the national democracy, Turkism, statehood exists. He thanked to those knitted the carpet: "You will be remembered as long as Abulfaz Elchibey is remembered".

16.04.01--BAKU--The world’s youngest grand master, 14-year-old Teymur Rajabov of Azerbaijan has been invited to the super chess tournament to be held in Spain’s Dos Hermanos. The tournament, which will be attended by chess-players being in the second ten of FIDE rankings, will start on April 19 to end on April 28. Rajabov, who is the first Azeri chess-player to participate in a 16-class tournament, will compete with nine more experiences rivals.
By Namig Abbasov

ANS-The Delegation of Azerbaijan to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has managed to spread at the Assembly the document on «Recognition of Azerbaijani Genocide by Armenians» which was signed by 29 parliamentarians from 9 countries of the world. As ANS was told by the member of the Azerbaijani delegation, Samed Seyidov, the document has been approved already which is a victory of the Azerbaijani diplomacy. The Council of Europe condemned the fact set forth in the document and spread it in all parliamentary assemblies. Mr Seyidov also said the delegation of Azerbaijan will continue in next sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly active working in this direction. It should be noted that the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly completed its work in Strasbourg on April 27.

It is notable that 132 kilometre of Azerbaijani borders with Iran is under the control of Armenian armed units. Based on the information given by another official of the Ministry, there are sufficient evidences that Iran is using the occupied territories as a route to export drug to Europe and every year large amount of drugs is being transported. Furthermore Iran is providing safe passage for drugs exported to other territories of Azerbaijan. Iran is pursuing certain political objectives by persuading the use and trafficking of drugs in the territories of Azerbaijan .

ANS:26.04.01--JALILABAD--An Azeri frontier guard died in a shooting which took place on Azerbaijan-Iran state border. According to the press service of the Ministry for National Security of Azerbaijan (MNS), Ramil Lalayev and Mamuka Tartarashvili tried to stop a group of unknown persons who illegally crossed the border near the Zahmetabad village of the Jalilabad region at 9:00 p.m. on April 24. The trespassers, who didn’t agree to surrender, offered armed resistance. The unequal fighting left Lalayev dead. The personnel of the nearby Goytepe frontier post came to aid to the two guards. This forced the trespassers to retreat to the Iranian territory. Criminal proceedings were instituted on the fact. A protest was sent to official Tehran in connection with the incident. It’s noteworthy that Lalayev, 19, was called from the Balaken region in July 2000. According to MNS, the guard’s body was sent home.
By Aladdin Azimov

Azerbaijani and Turkish students challenged Armenian on a debate/discussion about so called genocide at London School of Economy (LSE) on 24 April . The debate mainly focused on present day situation and prospects for Turkish -Armenian relations in the light of so-called Genocide issue. Azerbaijani and Anatoly Turks were represented by Murad Oguz Hasanli and Serif Alp of LSE Turkish Society respectively. Hratch Panissian and Lilit Gervokian from LSE were the Armenian panel. An LSE academic Prof Bose was chairing the debate. This event was part of so-called genocide week organised by Armenian. As a result of brilliant performance of Murad and support of Azeri audiences and facts provided by serif the debate finished with no resolution. This was a clear victory for our side as it was the first time genocide was not confirmed. It was notable that almost all staff of Armenian embassy were at present while there was not any attendant from Turkish or Azerbaijani government to support their young defenders. Full report on this story will be printed on next issue.