From: farid@mem.odu.edu (F. H. Miandoab)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish
Subject: -->>> News - Azerbaijan <<<-- Jan. 19-23
Date: 23 Jan 1993 14:30:06 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
Reply-To: Turkish Cultural Program List <TRKNWS-L%USCVM.BitNet@pucc.PRINCETON.EDU>
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

The following news from Turan News Agency in Baku-Azerbaijan
is brought to you as a service of the:

                  <Azerbaijan Aydinlig Association>
                         P.O. Box 14571
                       Berkeley, CA 94701
                      FAX: (804) 490-3832
                    Email: farid@mem.odu.edu

P L E A S E make a hard copy of the news available to an Azerbaijani near you!
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


        THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE "BLACK JANUARY"

   BAKU ( 19 JAN.) TURAN:  Today and tomorrow - azerbaijan
marks the third anniversary of the soviet troops' bloody
crackdown which led to the death of many azerbaijani civil
population.
   As it is known, in january of 1990, kremlin sent
35-thousand troops to baku to protect the crumbling communist
regime. The operation, staged by the moscow's defence ministry,
interior ministry and kgb was code-named "udar", meaning blow.
The key role in the operation had been assigned to the task
group "alfa" and diversion group "a" under the kgb of the ussr.
   " The leadership of the former ussr had artificially inflated
the conflict between azerbaijan and armenia to have an excuse for
meddling into azerbaijani affairs and to threaten the sovereignty
of the other republics in order to protect the communist regime",-
said the preliminary report of the azerbaijani public prosecutor
office's on the results of the inquiry into the january-1990 baku
events.
   In this crackdown, 130 civilians and 37 military men were
killed, more than 700 wounded, among them 80 military personnel.
   More than 200 inquiries on the matter have been made. A
number of the former leaders of the ussr and azerbaijan were
questioned, among them a. Lukyanov, d. Yazov, v.Kryuchkov.
   But despite all that, the black january still keeps its
secrets unrevealed. 69 Out of 108 volumes of materials of the
inquiry into the january events were taken out by the former
ussr public prosecutor's office to moscow and never returned back.
   January 20th is proclaimed as a day of national mourning. And
today, at 12:00 noon local time, the meeting to mark the black
day is due to take place at the central azadlig (freedom) square
of baku .
The azerbaijani leadership will take part in the meeting.--0--


        NEW STATE EMBLEM OF AZERBAIJAN APPROVED

   BAKU (19 JAN.) TURAN: Today the milli mejlis approved the
new emblem of the republic of azerbaijan - the eight-pointed star
with fire in the center and the framing consisting of the three
colors of national flag - green, red and blue.
   This emblem was the state symbol of the azerbaijani democratic
republic of 1918-20.
   The milli mejlis passed this decision after it considered
ten other proposals for the state emblem.
   It should be noted that earlier the national anthem and state
flag of the azerbaijani democratic republic were approved as
attributes of the new azerbaijani state.--0--


PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN APPEALS TO THE NATION ON OCCASION OF THE
THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLACK JANUARY

   BAKU (19 JAN.) TURAN: President abulfaz elchibey of
azerbaijan made an appeal to the nation on occasion of the third
anniversary of the black january.
   "Those days all the nation rose up to defend the motherland
and territorial integrity of the republic. The people, who have
for 70 years suffered from totalitarian regime, went outdoors
with the dream for freedom and hopes for democracy. But the
soviet empire shot down these dreams and that night the tree
of freedom was for the first time washed with sacred blood
of martyrs", says the appeal.
   The appeal stresses that the struggle begun those days will
be continued until the occupiers leave the azerbaijani soil.
   The president called on the compatriots to unite around the
deed of strengthening of independence and sovereignty of
azerbaijan.--0--


        ISKANDER HAMIDOV IS IN WASHINGTON

   BAKU (19 JAN.) TURAN: The azeri minister of internal affairs
has been staying in washington for the occasion of inauguration.
He was invited for a dinner party in the hotel sheraton, yesterday.
During the supper, the us president-elect and the vice-president
were present.
   Today the azeri minister of internal affairs met with the
representatives of the us state department. A round the table talk
with participation of hamidov and experts on the transcaucasus
region is also planned.
   Iskander hamidov will meet with american journalists in the
editorial office of the newspaper "washington times".--0--


THE USA IS READY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO THE DEMOCRATICALLY
ORIENTED COUNTRIES

   BAKU (19 JAN.) TURAN: The azeri charge d'affair in the usa

jeyhun mollazade met yesterday with the president-elect bill
clinton after the 42-nd american president met with the heads of
diplomatic missions accredited in washington.
   Mollazade expressed his hope that the new us administration
will support democratic changes in azerbaijan.
   The president-elect assured the envoy that his country
regards with understanding democratic reforms which took place
in the republics of the former soviet union. The president-elect
marked also that the usa is always ready to render assistance
to democratically orientated countries.
   An article, published last week in "washington times"
blamed the decision of the us congress to strike azerbijan off
the lists of countries receiving us humanitarian aid.
   This decision was regarded as not serving the strategic
interests of the usa.--0--



        IN MEMORY OF THE BLACK JANUARY VICTIMS

   BAKU (20 JAN.) TURAN: President abulfaz elchibey and leaders
of azerbaijan laid flowers on the graves of the black january
victims at the martyr's lane in baku, today.
   By tradition, since yesterday people in all azeri regions
have been remembering those who sacrificed their lives in the name
of independence and territorial integrity of azerbaijan.
    January 20th is a day of national mourning and non-working
day.
    Chairman of administration of caucasian moslems,
sheikh-ul-islam haji allah-shukur pashazade, presented his
condolences to the families of the killed. Public prayers were
hold today in all mosques, churches and synagogues in azerbaijan.--0--



        PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS FREE OF CHARGE TODAY
    BAKU (20 JAN.) TURAN: Today baku's public transport is
free of charge.
    The public transport, despite the million-ruble-losses,
has been for the third year paying a tribute to the memory of
the victims of the black january.--0--


        AZERI POLICEMEN ARE TREATED IN IRAN

   BAKU ( 20 JAN.) TURAN: Eighteen azeri policemen, being seriously
wounded while serving along the azeri-armenian border and in
karabakh region, were sent for treatment to iran.
   This action is carried out within the bounds of the agreement
reached between the society of azerbaijan-germany and public health
ministry of iran.--0--



        WINE-MAFIA NOT GOING TO SUBMIT

   BAKU (20 JAN.) TURAN: In the town of jalilabad on the south
of azerbaijan, a police task force has arrested eight
organizers of an illegal 200-strong meeting.
   According to the official version, the meeting demanding
the resignation of the regions head of executive power, was
staged by representatives of the local mafia in response to
inventory checks started by the interior ministry at the wine
factories. Authorities are sure that within azerbaijan there is
a highly organized network of wine-smugglers with connections to
practically all regions of the former soviet union and western
europe.
   At the same time, the participants of the jalilabad meeting
accused the head of the executive power of corruption and patronizing
smugglers.
   Azerbaijani wine-mafia has been for a long time considered as
one beyond the police powers and strength. At the close of
1970-s, in jalilabad an inspector of the ussr interior ministry,
who revealed substantial inconsistencies in the books was killed.
Despite the participation of the ussr"s kgb, the inquiry into
the case on wine mafia has bogged down.--0--



        MILITARY ACTIVITIES ON THE NORTH OF KARABAKH CONTINUE

   BAKU (20 JAN.) TURAN: Battles on the north of karabakh, in
the region where the azeri army began a new military operation
last week, continue.
   The azeri ministry of defence informs that units of the
armenian expeditionary corps keep retreating from the valley
of khanchay. At the same time, the azeri units exercise full
control over the recently freed villages of serkhavend, kichan,
and dovshanli.
   According to the same source, the local armenian peasants help
the azeri soldiers to clear up roads and paths of mines.
   Yesterday the armenian artillery subjected the town of agdam
and its surrounding areas to shelling. There are killed and
wounded among the population.
   According to the information of the azeri ministry of defence,
there were 10 killed and 60 wounded among the armed forces of the
republic in the zone of military actions, yesterday.
   The ministry of defence denied the information of the
armenian side on three military planes of the azeri air force
being shot down over khankendi within the last two days.--0--



        THEOLOGICAL FACULTY IS TO OPEN AT THE BAKU UNIVERSITY

   BAKU (20 JAN.) TURAN: In the near future, the islamic
theological faculty will be opened at the baku university with
the help of turkish specialists. The level of teaching in
azerbaijani university will reach that of theological faculties
of the turkish and western universities.
   With the help of turkey, the religious complex consisting of
mosque and cultural center will be built in baku.
   Turkish theologist aydin said to the turan correspondent that
it is necessary to open the theological faculty to study religion,
in particular, islam as a science and a code of moral principles
for the society.
   Aydin believes that in this way it is possible to avoid such
extremes as superstition and radicalism and to reach harmony
between state and religion.--0--



  HEIDAR ALIYEV ASKS BILL CLINTON TO HELP NAKHICHEVAN

   BAKU (20 JAN.) TURAN: Chairman of the supreme mejlis of the
nakhichevani autonomous republic heidar aliyev informed the
turan news agency that he has sent two messages to us president
bill clinton.
   Having congratulated clinton with the new post, aliyev asked
him to render assistance to nakhichevan.
   The message stresses that nakhichevan has been for nearly
nine months suffering from the much more hard blockade than
armenia. Having lost all communication links with azerbaijan,
nakhichevan is going through the extreme difficulties to secure
the viability of the republic's economy and also the minimum
needs of the population in food, fuel and electric power. The
message outlines that for the last five months, nakhichevan
mainly lives at the expense of food credit deliveries from
turkey and partially from iran.
   Repeated attempts by the republic to resume the operation of
the railway through the territory of armenia were deadlocked,
says the message.
   In connection with the extremely complicated situation arisen
in nakhichevan, aliyev asked bill clinton to render humanitarian
help to the republic.
   Aliyev expressed his opinion that the us help to nakhichevan
having common border with armenia would brilliantly prove the kind
and considerate attitude of the usa towards the whole region and
would be highly appreciated.
   The nakhichevani leader expressed his hopes that president of
azerbaijan abulfaz elchibey would regard with understanding this
request.--0--



NAKHICHEVAN IS GOING TO JOIN THE ENERGY SYSTEM OF TURKIYE IN A
NEAR FUTURE

   BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: Planned date for joining of the
energy system of the autonomous republic of nakhichevan to that
of turkiye is postponed.
   The leader of nakhichevan heidar aliyev classified the
announcement of the deputy chairman of the supreme soviet of
azerbaijan afiaddin jalilov that the autonomous republic
will receive turkish electricity today as premature.
   Aliyev links the delay of the energy deliveries from turkey
to severe weather conditions and some technical problems.
   At present the main energy supplier of the blockaded
nakhichevan is iran. Iran meets 40-50 percent of the electricity
requirements of the nakhichevan.
   Specialists assert that the energy problem of nakhichevan
will be completely settled by joining the energy system of the
turkiye.--0--


   30 MLN-DECALITER-DROP IN WINE AND VODKA PRODUCTION

    BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: Even at the current prices, azerbaijan
will lose at the minimum 14 billion rubles due to the losses in
viticulture.
    According to the data of the agriculture ministry, only
496 thousands of the planned 1 billion tons of grapes were
gathered last year. This means that this year, the wine
industry will produce 30 mln. Decaliters less. This is half the
production level of the last year.
    Specialists point out a number of reasons for the
present-day situation, among them the war going on in the
zone of traditional viticulture, unfavorable weather
conditions, changes in government, but the most important -
cutting down of 100,000 hectares of vineyards in the
anti-alcoholic campaign of 1986 by the order of the
central committee of the communist party.--0--



   VIOLENT COMBATS ON THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF KARABAKH

  BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: Violent combats reported along the
river of khachinchay on the north of karabakh are going on.
Press-center of the azerbaijani defence ministry reports that
azerbaijani units, having captured a number of strategic
positions, are on the offensive. At present, the battles
are going on near the villages of dovshanli and vengli.
  In the direction of fizuli, armenian units keep fighting
for the heights, which would help them to subject the town of
fizuli and also the main baku-fizuli road to persistent
shelling. The next armenian attack on the height of gizil gaya,
assumed early in the morning today, has failed. At the same
time, armenian units subjected the town of fizuli to massive
shelling by "grad" installations and tank fire. There are
reports on wounded and destructions in the town.
  On the south of the region of lachin, heavy combats for the
height of susuz-dag are under way. The height itself has changed
hands several times already. 25 Armenian soldiers lost their
lives at the battle-field there.--0--


AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION LEFT FOR THE MINSK SUMMIT OF THE CIS
HEADS

   BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: Delegation of the republic of azerbaijan
headed by the first vice-premier vahid ahmedov left for minsk to
participate in the tomorrow's summit of the commonwealth leaders.
   As it is known, azerbaijan did not enter the cis and will
participate in the summit as an observer. The turan news agency
was informed that the aim of the azerbaijani delegation in the
summit is to establish bilateral relations with the states of
the commonwealth.--0--


RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA WILL MEET IN GENEVA

   BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: Turan agency was credibly informed that
the leader of the caucasian moslems sheikh allahshukur pashazade
and catalicose of all armenians vazgen the first will meet in
geneva on february 4-8.
   The meeting of these religious leaders is aimed at looking for
ways out to stop bloodshed and to restore peace between azerbaijan
and armenia.--0--


TURKISH-AZERBAIJAN RELATIONS BECAME MORE PRAGMATIC

   BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: "Turkiye regards azerbaijan as its close
neighbor and ally", the presidential adviser for humanitarian
affairs rafig ismailov said to the turan correspondent on his
return from ankara.
   The adviser classified the recent information on straining of
the relations between turkiye and azerbaijan, as not corresponding
to the reality.
   "Talks with the premier demirel and other turkish leaders
showed their increased interest in azerbaijan", said ismailov.
   The adviser believes that "turkish-azerbaijani relations left
the phase of euphoria and entered the phase of pragmatism and
business cooperation".--0--


        EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR IN BAKU

   BAKU (21 JAN.) TURAN: Egyptian ambassador to russia, abil al
arabi, arrived in baku for a working visit, today.
   The ambassador will meet with the azerbaijani leadership. It
is expected that president abulfaz elchibey will receive abil al
arabi.
   One representative of the azerbaijani foreign ministry
linked the visit of the ambassador of egypt to official visit of
president elchibey to egypt, scheduled for the end of february.--0--


CEASING OF ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJAN CONFLICT IS POSSIBLE WITH FIRM
INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEES

   BAKU (23 JAN.) TURAN: Last night the chairman of the minsk
conference of the csce on nagorno karabakh, mario rafaelli,
arrived in baku.
   The representative of the azeri ministry of foreign affairs
informed turan agency that the aim of rafaelli's mission is to
resume negotiations on the peaceful resolution of armenian-
azerbaijan conflict.
   On sunday rafelli will leave for khankendi via frontier
town of agdam and after returning to baku, he will travel to
yerevan via tiblisi.
   It is known that a number of meetings in the bounds of csce
and five round of negotiations conducted in rome did not cease
military activities between the two states and according to the
azeri diplomat's words "reached a deadlock".
   They connect in baku "skidding" of peacemaking efforts of
the csce with refusal of armenia concerning the ceasing of
military activities and demilitarization of karabakh until the
beginning of minsk peace conference.
   The azeri leadership is convinced with the necessity of active
participation of the international community in the settlement
of armenian-azerbaijan conflict.
    The azeri minister of foreign affairs announced in the
beginning of january that "the peaceful resolution of the
problem is possible if russia, the usa and turkey will come
forward as guarantors of the peace agreement and will pledge
to take strict measures towards the side violating this agreement".
--0--


  COTTON PRODUCERS RECEIVED THE RIGHT TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTION

   BAKU (23 JAN.) TURAN: Azerbaijani government passed a
resolution granting cotton producers the right to sell their
production by themselves. Producers will receive 50 percent of
the income from trade.
   The first free cotton fair was held in baku yesterday. Russia
ukraine, lithuania and georgia took part in the fair. 80,000
Tons of raw-cotton was sold, and average price of one ton was
420,000 rubles.
   For the last six months, the government in pursuit of the ways
to stimulate the cotton production,  has carried out a number of
measures, but failed to gain positive results. The 1992 cotton
harvest has become the worst within the last 30 years - 325,000
tons, it made up only 60 percent of the planned figure.
    Cotton producers believe that without changes in form of
property in farming, no success should be expected in this
branch of agriculture.
   There are 19 cotton factories and tens collective farms
specializing on cotton in azerbaijan. All of them are state-owned.--0--


        AZERBAIJANI CAVIAR IN EUROPEAN MARKETS

   BAKU (23 JAN.) TURAN: The chairman of the state fish company
"azerbalig", hafiz mamedov, informed turan agency that the network
of firm shops called "azerbaijani caviar" will be opened this year
in germany, austria and france.
   The direct selling of black caviar abroad will bring azerbaijan
the much needed income. About 32 tons of black caviar, one kilogram
of which costs 160-180 dollars on the world market, was produced
this year in the country. Increasing of production volume and
acquisition of more advanced production equipment, will make the
eastern azerbaijan one of the leading producers of this delicacy
in the world", - marked mamedov.
   According to mamedov, considerable increase in production of
black caviar is connected with the fact that 72 private enterprises
which produced 4 ton of black caviar a year are liquidated.--0--


        CREATION OF STATE COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL ISSUES

   BAKU (23 JAN.) TURAN: The leaders of lezghin cultural center
"samur" declared the necessity of creation of a state committee
on national issues. The chairman of the center, professor ali
musayev, considers that azerbaijan as the conglomeration of
different national groups needs an organ regulating international
relations.
   Chairman of the parliament isa gambarov accepting leaders of
"samur" classified the initiative of the cultural center as rational
and announced that in the nearest future the azeri leadership would
consider this issue.
   It is known that last autumn the council for national
problems was set up under the state adviser of the president
of azerbaijan, which included national minorities and
well-known figures of the country. But a number of members of
this council consider its deliberative functions insufficient
and not corresponding.--0--


        OMAN IS READY TO ISSUE CREDITS TO AZERBAIJAN

   BAKU (23 JAN.) TURAN: Sultanate of oman is ready to render
azerbaijan humanitarian aid and substantial credits for the
development of economy of the country with the oil-chemical
complex given the first priority.
   The azeri delegation returning from a visit to oman informed
of the agreements reached.
   The official delegation visited oman within the bounds of
program for development of all-round close links of azerbaijan
with the countries of the near east and the persian gulf in
particular.
   The personal representative of the azeri president, yusif
gaziev, informed also that sultan of oman, kabus ben seid, accepted
the personal invitation of abulfaz elchibey to visit azerbaijan.
   It is known that the sultan promised ex-president mutalibov
to give credit amounting to 200 mln dollars for the development
of oil-industry. But in connection with the change of leadership
in azerbaijan this promise was not fulfilled.--0--


THE SUPREME WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF THE FORUM OF CAUCASIAN HOME
IS SET UP

    BAKU (23 JAN.) TURAN: The conference "women for peace" in
"caucasian home" has ended its work in baku today.
    Women representing various socio-political movements of
caucasus took part in the conference. The conference was held in
the bounds of the forum "caucasian home".
    The conference approved the charter of the supreme woman's
council of the caucasian home forum and elected its staff.
    The conference appealed to the heads of the states and
parliaments of the caucasian region, calling on them to raise
their voice to protect peace in the common caucasian home.--0--


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             T U R A N    N E W S    A G E N C Y
                    Baku - Azerbaijan
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TEHRAN-IRAN (13 Jan.) IR. TV: The first caravan of the Iranian made
full-size and mid-size buses crossed the border to the Republic of
Azerbaijan.
    According to a newly reached agreement between Iran and Azerbaijan,
600 full-size buses, 50 mid-size buses and 10 passanger cars will be
sold to Azerbaijan.--0--
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish