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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE
Embassy of Azerbaijan
Washington, D.C. |
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Issue # 6 |
March 21, 2008 |
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United Nations Reaffirms
Azerbaijan's Territorial Integrity
The following is excerpted from a piece that appeared in the
Jamestown Foundation’s Eurasia Daily Monitor.  On March 14 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for, among other things, the:• “immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from all the occupied territories of Azerbaijan”;
• “respect and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders”; • support for the “inalienable right of the population expelled from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan to return to their homes”. The General Assembly approved the resolution by a recorded vote of 39 in favor, seven against, 100 abstentions, and some other countries not voting. Irrespective of the margin of its approval, the resolution becomes, ipso facto, a reference document in the negotiations toward settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Since 1992 those negotiations have been mediated, without any results, by the Minsk Group co-chairs—Russia, the United States, France—under a nominal OSCE umbrella.
The United States and France joined with Russia and Armenia in voting against the resolution. Twenty-six countries of the European Union -- that is, all the member countries excepting France -- abstained.
Not a single CIS country joined Russia and Armenia against the resolution. A large number of Muslim countries -- with Pakistan speaking on the collective behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) -- voted for the resolution, mainly in solidarity with Azerbaijan. The U.S.-supported governments of Afghanistan and Iraq were among those voting in favor, thus distancing themselves from the United States on this issue.
From Azerbaijan’s viewpoint—as well as Georgia’s—the value of the resolution also resides in its strong call for the return of expellees to their homes, so as to reverse the ethnic cleansing operations of the 1990s.
U.S. and Minsk Group co-chairs’ statements during the debate claimed that the resolution was ill-timed and risked “derailing the peace process.” This argument proved ineffective, given the widespread perception that there is no process leading to a resolution of the conflict after 16 years of negotiations handled by the Minsk Group’s co-chairing countries.  President Aliyev Issues Pardons
 President Ilham Aliyev has pardoned 59 people serving prison sentences. Fifty-eight have been released following the decree and one has had his sentence reduced.The decree was issued following appeals direct from prisoners, their families, the Human Rights Commissioner and various human rights organizations. The pardon takes into account the prisoners’ behavior during incarceration, as well as their desire to not violate any laws in the future.
Prisoners affected by the pardon ranged in age from late teens to 73 years old, and included one Russian, one Iranian and one Afghan citizen.
The pardon is the 44th of its kind in Azerbaijan since 1995, benefiting 4,762 prisoners to date.
Azerbaijanis Celebrate Novruz
 Millions around the world, including citizens of Azerbaijan, are this week marking the time-honored tradition of Novruz, a holiday that celebrates the New Year, new beginnings, and rebirth.The Novruz holiday is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox March 21-22. Azerbaijan has this year declared Novruz a public holiday from March 20-28.
Other countries celebrating Novruz include: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Preparations for Novruz start long before the holiday. People do house cleaning, plant trees, make new dresses, and prepare national pastries and a wide variety of national cuisine.
It is essential for every house to have sprouts of wheat displayed as part of the tradition. On certain evenings, small bonfires are lit and participants leap over the flames in an act that signifies cleansing of the soul. Children go “trick-or-treating” at this time of year, leaving a hat at the door that must be filled with sweets.
Novruz is very much a family holiday. In the evening before the holiday the whole family gathers around the holiday table laid with various dishes signifying a plentiful New Year. The holiday goes on for several days and ends with festive public dancing, folk concerts, and contests of national sports.
Georgetown University and the Embassy of Azerbaijan Co-Sponsor Landmark Conference
 Georgetown University and the Embassy of Azerbaijan will co-sponsor the First Annual Georgetown-Azerbaijan Academic Conference, with the theme “US-Azerbaijan Relations: Energy and Security in a Challenging Region.”The event will be held March 25 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. in historic Riggs Library on Georgetown’s campus.
The conference seeks to address two major questions. The first looks at the issue of regional security challenges, and the perception of threats in the region as viewed by Azerbaijan, its neighbors and the US, as well as a look at new threats that could arise. The second looks at Azerbaijan’s oil production, its impact on domestic development, and its role in international energy security, among other questions.
After opening remarks by Ambassador Yashar Aliyev, the conference will be moderated by Charles King and Angela Stent of Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. Featured panelists will include:
• Ambassador Kamil Khasiyev, head of Azerbaijan's delegation to NATO;
• Tofik Musayev, head of Planning and Strategic Analysis, Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Shahmar Movsumov , Executive Director, State Oil Fund • Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs • Daniel Yergin, Chairman, Cambridge Energy Research Associates • James MacDougall, National War College The conference will be followed by a reception. For more information and to register for this event, please go to www.ceres.georgetown.edu, or call (202) 687-6080.
Georgetown Hosts
“Architecture from the Land of Fire” Exhibition
 Visitors to Georgetown University’s Intercultural Center will have a superb view of Azerbaijan’s rich architectural history with the landmark photography exhibit this month, “Architecture from the Land of Fire: Azerbaijan’s Masterpieces Through the Centuries.”The 30 large-format, color photographs feature some of Azerbaijan’s most magnificent works of architecture, from the iconic Maiden’s Tower in Baku to ancient castles, bridges, mosques and churches. This exhibit, on display for the first time in the United States is a must-see event. The exhibit, which runs March 24-28, will be installed in Georgetown University’s Intercultural Center Galleria. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call the Embassy at (202) 337-3500. |