Echo of Khojaly

CHAPTER 3 ECHO OF KHOJALY

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CONTENTS ¾ KHOJALY by Thomas Goltz (Independent Journalist) .............................................................................6 ¾ NAGORNY КARAKAKH VICTIMS BURIED IN AZERВAIJANI TOWN-REFUGEES CLAIM HUNDREDS DIED IN ARMENIAN АТТАСК .....................................................................................13 ¾ ARMENIAN SOLDIERS MASSACRE HUNDREDS OF FLEEING FAMILIES ................................14 ¾ CORPSES LITTER HILLS IN KARABAKH.........................................................................................15 ¾ MASSACRE UNCOVERED...................................................................................................................16 ¾ ATROCITY REPORTS HORRIFY AZERBAIJAN ...............................................................................17 ¾ MASACRE ВУ ARMENIAN BEING REPORTED ...............................................................................18 ¾ ARMENIANS KILLED 1000, AZERIS CHARGE.................................................................................19 ¾ TOMAS GOLTZ REPORTS ...................................................................................................................20 ¾ MASSACRE IN KHOJALY....................................................................................................................21 ¾ IN ARMENIAN UNIT, RUSSIAN IS SPOKEN.....................................................................................22 ¾ FOREIGN MASS MEDIA BRIEFLY ABOUT KHOJALY ...................................................................23 ¾ THE INDEPENDENT (LONDON), 12 JUNE 1992 ...............................................................................25 ¾ THE INDEPENDENT, LONDON, 12 JUNE 1992 .................................................................................26 ¾ SVOBODA, 12 JUNE 1992 "A TRAGEDY WHOSE PERPETRATORS CANNOT BE VINDICATED"........................................................................................................................................27 ¾ KOMMERSANT (MOSCOW), 27 FEBRUARY, 2002..........................................................................28 ¾ 15 TH YEAR OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED .........................................................29 ¾ 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE MARKED IN ISRAEL ........................30 ¾ AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION TO HIGHLIGHT NAGORNO-KARABAKH ISSUE AT OSCE PA WINTER SESSION .................................................................................................................................31 ¾ PROTEST RALLY TO BE HELD IN STRASBOURG TO MARK 16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE ..........................................................................................................................32 ¾ BALTIC COUNTRIES TO COMMEMORATE VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE....................33 ¾ MONUMENT TO KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE OPENED IN HOLLAND.....................................34 ¾ ON THIS NIGHT THEY HAD NO RIGHT EVEN TO LIVE................................................................35 ¾ THE HORROR OF THE NIGHT I WITNESSED THE GENOCIDE ....................................................38 ¾ AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR MEETS CHAIRMAN OF INDONESIAN PARLIAMENT’S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES .........................................................................................................39 ¾ PROTEST ACTION CONNECTED WITH KHOJALY TRAGEDY TO BE HELD IN NYU-YORK.............................................................................................................................................40 ¾ ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE MARKED AT INDONESIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES ...............................................................................................................................................41 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN USA ..........................................42 ¾ HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION TO COMMEMORATE VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE..............................................................................................................................................43 ¾ KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN TURKEY........................................................44 ¾ ROUND TABLE ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN KNESSET ...................................................45 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE REMEMBERED IN RUSSIA ...........................................46 ¾ 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE MARKED IN JAPAN AND THAILAND .............................................................................................................................................47 ¾ THEIR ONLY «FAULT» WAS BEING AZERBAIJANIS ....................................................................48 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN UKRAINE AND BELARUS....50 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN AUSTRALIA ...........................................................................................................................................51 ¾ FILM ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE DEMONSTRATED IN MOLDOVA ...............52 ¾ HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER MADE STATEMENT ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE ..............53 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON 16 TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN INDONESIA .......................................................................................................................................54 ¾ CAPTIVE LAND - KARABAKH BOOK PRESENTED .......................................................................55 ¾ AZERBAIJAN REMEMBERS VICTIMS OF KHOJALY MASSACRE ..............................................56 ¾ GERMAN TV TO BROADCAST PROGRAMS ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY......................................57

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¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON 16 TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN KUWAIT.............................................................................................................................................58 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN TASHKENT ................59 ¾ MEETING DEVOTED TO KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN ISTANBUL........................................60 ¾ INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY HELD IN BERLIN .......................61 ¾ MONUMENT TO KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS ERECTED IN NETHERLANDS ....................62 ¾ CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JOIN FOR KHOJALY COMMEMORATION EVENT ............................................................................................63 ¾ TURKEY COMMEMORATES VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE ..............................................64 ¾ LONDON AZERBAIJAN SOCIETY HOLDS PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE ..........................................................................................................................65 ¾ KHOJALY VICTIMS’ MEMORY REVERED IN CANADA ...............................................................66 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN TURKMENISTAN.................................................67 ¾ EXHIBITION COMMEMORATING KHOJALY GENOCIDE ORGANIZED IN TURKEY ..............68 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN SPAIN..........................69 ¾ 16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN LONDON...................70 ¾ U.S. CONGRESS COMMEMORATES KHOJALY TRAGEDY...........................................................71 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS COMMEMORATED IN ITALY...................................................72 ¾ CHAIRMAN OF CAUCASIAN MUSLIMS` BOARD MEETS TURKISH PREMIER.......................73 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN TAJIKISTAN .........................................................74 ¾ PROTEST ACTION ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY HELD IN IZMIR .....................................................75 ¾ AZERBAIJAN’S EMBASSY TO KYRGYZSTAN COMMEMORATED 16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY............................................................................................................................76 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN ROMANIA ..................77 ¾ 16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY COMMEMORATED IN UZBEKISTAN.............78 ¾ WEBSITE ABOUT KHOJALY GENOCIDE PRESENTED..................................................................79 ¾ INFLUENTIAL INDONESIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE..............................................................................................................................................80 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS COMMEMORATED IN ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA..............81 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN PAKISTAN ..............82 ¾ NEW WEBSITE IN FRENCH TO CONTAIN INFORMATION ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE ..........83 ¾ “KHOJALY: UNFORGETTABLE TRAGEDY” PHOTO EXHIBITION HELD IN US......................84 ¾ CHAIRMAN OF STATE COMMITTEE FOR WORKING WITH AZERBAIJANIS RESIDING ABROAD GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE ON RESULTS OF 2007 AND OUTSTANDING TASKS IN 2008.....................................................................................................................................................85 ¾ KHOJALY SLAUGHTER VICTIMS COMMEMORATED IN CALIFORNIA ...................................86 ¾ ITALY HOSTS CONFERENCE ON ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS .....................87 ¾ KHOJALY TRAGEDY IS A GENOCIDE COMMITTED AGAINST OUR PEOPLE .........................88 ¾ KHOJALY MASSACRE .........................................................................................................................91 ¾ TURKISH FILM MAKER TO SHOOT MOVIE ABOUT KHOJALY ..................................................95 ¾ AZERI PREMIER MEETS HIS CZECH COUNTERPART ..................................................................96 ¾ AZERBAIJAN`S EMBASSY TO INDONESIA REVERES MEMORY OF KHOJALY VICTIMS.....97 ¾ KHOJALI GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY TO BE MARKED WORLDWIDE .....................................98 ¾ COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES TO MARK 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN U.S., CANADA ...................................................................................100 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED AT UNIVERSITY, WHERE ONE OF TRAGEDY ORGANIZERS ONCE STUDIED.........................................................................................................101 ¾ JUSTICE FOR KHOJALY CAMPAIGN AND ITS WEBSITE TO BE PRESENTED IN WORLD`S 20 CITIES...............................................................................................................................................102 ¾ TURKEY`S RULING MAKES STATEMENT ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE .....................................103 ¾ PRESENTATION OF “JUSTICE FOR KHOJALY” CAMPAIGN AND ITS WEBSITE UNDERWAY ABROAD ...............................................................................................................................................104 ¾ AZERBAIJAN EMBASSY IN MADRID REMEMBERS KHOJALY VICTIMS..............................106 ¾ REGIONAL HEADLINES ....................................................................................................................108 ¾ THEY SHOULD NOT REMAIN UNPUNISHED................................................................................110

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¾ INTERNATIONAL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE IN KHOJALY..............................................................................................................................................113 ¾ PROTOCOLS EVOKE PROTESTS IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT....................................................118 ¾ INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROLE OF ICT IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT KICKS OFF IN BAKU ...............................................................................................................................................120 ¾ JUSTICE FOR KHOJALY CAMPAIGN HELD IN COLUMBIA .......................................................122 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO COME UNDER SPOTLIGHT BY EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCES....................................................................................................................................123 ¾ INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY MASSACRE HELD AT UN GENEVA OFFICE ..................................................................................................................................................124 ¾ “OVER 100,000 PAGES OF DOCUMENT RELATED TO ARMENIAN ISSUE COLLECTED” ...125 ¾ KHOJALY TRAGEDY TO BE PRESENTED IN MEMORIAL COMPLEX IN STOCKHOLM......126 ¾ KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN US.................................................................127 ¾ CITY WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH FOR ONE NIGHT ................................................128 ¾ AZERBAIJAN'S FORUM OF NGOS TO ORGANIZE EVENTS ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE IN EUROPE ................................................................................................................................................131 ¾ AZERBAIJANI YOUTH ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY AS MONTH OF KHOJALY..............................................................................................................................................132 ¾ SESSION OF OIC PARLIAMENTARY UNION ADOPTS RESOLUTION LABELING KHOJALY TRAGEDY AS OUTRAGE ON HUMANITY .....................................................................................133 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE DEMO TO BE STAGED IN VIENNA.........................................................134 ¾ VICTIMS OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY COMMEMORATED IN INDONESIA ..................................135 ¾ KHOJALY MEMORIAL MARCH WILL BE HELD IN FRONT OF THE UN HEADQUARTERS................................................................................................................................136 ¾ ISLAMIC GROUP LABELS KHOJALY MASSACRE AS CRIME AGAINST MANKIND.............137 ¾ STREET IN CZECH TOWN TO BE NAMED AFTER KHOJALY ....................................................138 ¾ PANIC IN ARMENIAN RULING CIRCLES - AZERBAIJANI MP...................................................139 ¾ US AZERBAIJANIS TO HOLD SEMINAR ON 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY MASSACRE ..........................................................................................................................................140 ¾ UKRAINIAN DOCUMENTARY ON KARABAKH PREMIERES IN KIEV ....................................141 ¾ US AZERBAIJANIS TO PROTEST OUTSIDE ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON........142 ¾ COLOGNE TO HOST CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE.................................................143 ¾ AZERBAIJANI PRESS COUNCIL COMPLETES CONTEST OF ARTICLES ABOUT KHOJALY TRAGEDY.............................................................................................................................................144 ¾ KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN UZBEKISTAN.............................................145 ¾ IRELI PUBLIC UNION TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY IN UKRAINE ....146 ¾ VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE COMMEMORATED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES..........................................................................................................................................147 ¾ AZERI MP TO PARTICIPATE IN KHOJALY-RELATED EVENTS IN EUROPE...........................148 ¾ HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION PUBLISHED “THE KARABAKH REALITIES” COLLECTION IN JAPANESE .......................................................................................................................................149 ¾ ISLAMIC CONFERENCE YOUTH FORUM TO ORGANIZE EVENTS TO MARK KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY ..........................................................................................................150 ¾ PRESENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCY TREND’S FILM ON ARMENIA'S ANTI-HUMAN AND ANTI-PEACE CRIMES TO BE HELD IN UKRAINE ....................................151 ¾ WORLD AZERBAIJANIS TO COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE............................................................................................................................................152 ¾ GEORGIA TO COMMEMORATE KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS.............................................153 ¾ GERMAN PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY SENDS PETITION TO BUNDESTAG ON KHOJALY MASSACRE .......................................................................................................................154 ¾ AZERBAIJAN HOUSE TO CONDUCT EVENTS MARKING KHOJALY GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY ...................................................................................................................................155 ¾ KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN LONDON .....................................................156 ¾ VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE COMMEMORATED IN FRANCE...........................157 ¾ KHOJALY, LIDICE TO BE TWIN TOWNS........................................................................................158

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¾ AZERBAIJAN`S EMBASSY IN JORDAN RELEASES STATEMENT ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE............................................................................................................................................159 ¾ AZERBAIJANI OMBUDSMAN APPEALS TO WORLD COMMUNITY OVER KHOJALY GENOCIDE............................................................................................................................................160 ¾ KHOJALY TRAGEDY`S ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATED IN QATAR.................................161 ¾ MEMORY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY`S VICTIMS HONORED IN TASHKENT............................162 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY MARKED IN TBILISI.................................................163 ¾ RADIO BROADCAST FEATURES KHOJALY GENOCIDE IN FRANCE ......................................164 ¾ PORTAL OPENS PORTAL HONORING AZERBAIJANI NATIONAL HEROES ...........................165 ¾ KUWAIT COMMEMORATES KHOJALI VICTIMS .........................................................................166 ¾ AZERBAIJAN TO HOST SHOOTING TOURNAMENT ON KHOJALI TRAGEDY’S ANNIVERSARY EVE...........................................................................................................................167 ¾ LETTER SENT TO UN SECRETARY GENERAL ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE..............................168 ¾ 38 PERSONS DECLARED TO BE UNDER INTERNATIONAL SEARCH DUE TO OCCUPATION OF AZERBAIJANI CITY OF KHOJALY ............................................................................................169 ¾ SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR "MEMORY OF KHOJALY" CONDUCTED IN ASTANA ........................170 ¾ US AZERIS CALL ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO RECOGNIZE KHOJALY GENOCIDE............................................................................................................................................171 ¾ AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO BELARUS VISITS ACADEMY OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................................................................172 ¾ PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF AZERBAIJAN TO UNITED NATIONS SENT A LETTER TO SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION.................................................................173 ¾ AZERBAIJANI MPS TO ATTEND KHOJALY GENOCIDE-RELATED EVENTS IN STRASBOURG......................................................................................................................................174 ¾ LIST OF AZERBAIJANI HOSTAGES IN ARMENIA CAN BE EXTENDED - SECRETARY OF STATE COMMISSION .........................................................................................................................175 ¾ US AZERIS CALL ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO RECOGNIZE KHOJALY GENOCIDE............................................................................................................................................176 ¾ AZERBAIJANI MPS TO ATTEND KHOJALY GENOCIDE-RELATED EVENTS IN STRASBOURG......................................................................................................................................177 ¾ AZERBAIJAN MILITARY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE CONTINUES OPERATIONALINVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH GENOCIDE COMMITTED BY ARMENIANS IN KHOJALY................................................................................................................178 ¾ WORLD AZERBAIJANIS COMMEMORATE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE............................................................................................................................................182 ¾ AZERBAIJANI MP TO ATTEND EVENTS ON CAUCASUS PEACE .............................................183 ¾ ICYFDC PRESENTS BOOK “KARABAKH: QUESTIONS AND FACTS” IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT ......................................................................................................................................184 ¾ VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE REMEMBERED ABROAD ..................................................185 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATED IN U.S. ......................................186 ¾ WORLD MARKS KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY UNDER AEGIS OF HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION ......................................................................................................................187 ¾ US CONGRESSMEN CALL FOR KHOJALY MASSACRE REMEMBRANCE ..............................188 ¾ KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S VICTIMS HONORED ABROAD .............................................................189 ¾ NEW YORK-BASED NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES STORY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE................191 ¾ KHOJALY CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP MEETING HELD IN MOSCOW.........................................192 ¾ STATE COMMISSION EXTENDS STRUGGLE IN INFORMING THE WORLD ON UNPRECEDENTED CRIMES MADE BY ARMENIANS AGAINST AZERBAIJANIS ..................193

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KHOJALY

by Thomas Goltz (Independent Journalist) February 26th, 1992 seemed like a regular working day. Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati was back in town to finally bestow diplomatic recognition on Azerbaijan, as well as to respond to American Secretary of State James Baker III's recent comments about the growing threat of Iranian influence in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

It was not the Islamic Republic of Iran that posed any threat to the region, intoned the wiry Iranian emissary, but the United States America. In addition to being the country responsible for the continued bloodshed throughout the world, it was America that was actively fomenting conflict in Karabakh. The Islamic Republic, in contrast, was a country interested in peace between nations and peoples. To that end, Dr. Velayati had brought a peace plan for the increasingly bloody and senseless conflict in Karabakh-and one both Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to sign. He himself planned to visit Karabakh the next day.

This was newsworthy, and I was getting ready to file a story on the subject to the Washington Post when Hicran came rushing into my work room. She had been on the telephone with the information section of the Popular Front, and had some very distressing news: sources in Agdam were reporting a stream of Azeri refugees from Karabakh filling the streets of the city, fleeing a massive attack. There had been many exaggerated reports about the conflict germinated from both sides, and perhaps this was just another, but I thought it best to start working the phone. Strangely, no one in government answered. Perhaps they were all at the Gulistan complex, having dinner with the Iranian delegation. So I waited for a while, and then started calling people at home.

Around midnight, I got through to Vafa Gulizade.

"Sorry for calling so late," I apologized. "But what about this rumor ?" "I can't talk about it," said Vafa, cutting me off and hanging up.

A sense of unease filled my gut. Vafa was usually polite to a fault. Perhaps he was sleeping? I decided to call again anyway, but the number stayed busy for the next half hour. Maybe he left it off the hook, I thought, and made one last effort and the call rang through.

"Vafa," I said, apologizing again. "What is going on?" "Something very terrible has happened," he groaned.

"What?" I demanded. "There has been a massacre," he said. "Where?" "In Karabakh, a town called Xodjali," he said, and then he hung up the phone again.

Xodjali.

I had been there before. Twice, in fact. The first time was in September, when we had staked out the airport waiting for Boris Yeltsin to come through. The last time had been a month before, in January, 1992. By then the only way to get to Xodjali was by helicopter because the Armenians had severed the road link to Agdam. I remembered that little adventure all too well. Doubting the many reports from the Armenian side that the Azeris were massively armed and that their helicopters were 'buzzing' Armenian villages in the territory for fun and terror, I had traveled out to Agdam with Hugh Pope of the (London) Independent to chat with refugees about their situation.

Refugees were easy to find at Agdam. They were all over the place. The heaviest concentration was at the local airfield for the simple reason that many of the refugees didn't want to be refugees anymore: they were going back to their homes in Xodjali. Their pride had silenced their better sense. One was a 35-year old mother of four by the name of Zumrut Ezova. When I asked why she was returning, she said it was better 'to die in Karabakh' than beg in the streets of Agdam.

"Why can't the government open the road?" shouted Zumrut in my ear over the roar of the nearby chopper's engines, "Why are they making us fly in like ducks, ready to get shot?" I didn't have an answer.

Then someone was lurching toward me from across the airfield. It was Alef Khadjiev, the commander of airport security at Xodjali and the gentleman who had saved us from the Agdam drunks during the Yeltsin visit three months before. He had been pretty chipper then, but despite his broad smile for me, he was no longer fun and games. I asked him what the situation was in his hometown.

"Come on," said Khadjiev. "Let's go to Xodjali--then you can see for yourself, and write the truth if you dare."

Behind him stood a MI-8 helicopter, its blades slowly turning. A mass of refugees were clawing their way aboard. The chopper was already dangerously overloaded with humanity and food-stuff, and waiting on the tarmac was even more luggage, including a rusted, 70mm cannon and diverse boxes of ammunition. "I'm not

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going," said Pope, "I've got a wife and kids." The rotor began to twirl faster, and I had to decide quickly. "See you later," I said, wondering if I ever would.

I got aboard, one of more than 50 people on a craft designed for 24, in addition to the various munitions and provisions. I thought to myself: this is insane; there is still time to get off. Then it was too late. With a lurch, we lifted off the ground and my stomach smashed through my ears. I could see Pope waving at me while walking away from the field, and wished I was with him on terra firma. The MI-8 cork-screwed up to its flight altitude of 3500 feet-high enough to sail over the Askeron Gap to Xodjali and avoid Armenian ground fire. Two dozen helicopters had been hit over the past two months, including the crash/kill not only the one filled with officials in November, but another 'bird' a week before. The machine we were flying in had picked up a round through the fuel tank the week before, the flight engineer told me. It was lucky that fuel was low and the bullet came in high. This was all very reassuring to learn as we plugged on through the Askeron Gap, bucking into head-winds and sleet.

Through breaks in the cloud cover I could see trucks and automobiles driving the roads below-Armenian machines, fueled by gas and diesel brought in via their own air-bridge from Armenia (or purchased from Azeri war profiteers).

Finally and mercifully, after a trip that seemed to take hours but really only lasted maybe 20 minutes, we began our corkscrew descent to the Xodjali airfield. No-one who has not been aboard such a flight can appreciate what I felt when the wheels touched ground.

I am alive! I wanted to shout, but thought it most appropriate to stay cool and act like I did such things twice a day. "How do you feel?" Alef Khadjiev asked me. "Normalno," I lied in Russian, cool as cake.

Meanwhile, the chopper was mobbed by residents-some coming to greet loved ones who had returned; others trying to be the first aboard the helicopter when it went back up and out. All were there to get the most recent news from the rest of Azerbaijan: newspapers, gossip, rumors.

The reason for the excitement was pretty obvious: there were no working phones in Xodjali, no working anything: no electricity, no heating oil and no running water. The only link with the outside world was the helicopter-and those were under threat with each run. The isolation of the place became all too apparent as night fell. I joined Khadjiev and some of his men in the make-shift mess hall of the tiny garrison, and while we dined on Soviet army SPAM with raw onions and stale bread to flickering candle light, he gave me what might be called a front-line briefing.

The situation was bad and getting worse, a depressed Khadjiev told me. The Armenians had taken all the outlying villages, one by one, over the past three months. Only two towns remained in Azeri hands: Xodjali and Shusha, and the road between them was cut. While I knew the situation was deteriorating, I had no idea it was so bad. "It is because you believe what they say in Baku," Alef chortled. "We are being sold-out, utterly."

Baku could open the road to Agdam in a day if the government wanted to, he said. He now believed the government actually wanted the Karabakh business to simmer on to distract public attention while the elite continued to plunder the country. "If you write that and attribute it to me, I'll deny it," he said. "But it's true."

The 60 odd men under his command lacked both the weapons and training to defend the straggling perimeter. The only Azeri soldiers worth their salt were four veterans from the Soviet war in Afghanistan who had volunteered to try and bring some discipline into the ranks of the defenders. The rest were green-horns-if the Armenians shot off one round, they would answer with a barrage of fire and waste half their precious ammunition. So it was that night: around two AM, I was awoken from my sleep by a distant burst of fire coming from the direction of a neighboring Armenian town called Laraguk, about 500 yards away from a part of Xodjali called, ironically enough, 'Helsinki Houses.' The Armenian sniper fire was returned with at least 100 rounds from the Azeri side, including bursts of cannon fire from an old BTR, newly acquired from some Russian deserter. It was the only mechanized weaponry I saw in the hands of the Azeris. The fire-fight continued sporadically until dawn, making it impossible to sleep. No-one knew when the Armenians would make their final push to take the town; everyone knew that some night they would. Xodjali controlled the Stepanakert airport and was clearly a major objective for the Armenians. They had to take it. I thought to myself: I would, if I were them. With that thought came another that filled me with unease: what would the residents do when they did?

In the morning, people were just standing around-literally. There was not a single tea shop or restaurant to idle away the time, so people just stood in small knots in the mud and gravel streets, waiting. The only person I saw actually do something was a very fat girl who worked as a sales clerk in the fabric shop where there was nothing to sell. I first saw her rapidly waddling to work at nine in the morning; the intensity of purpose was unique, so I followed her into her shop. I next saw in a video, lying dead on the ground with a pile of others-but

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that was later. The rest just waited around, waiting for the ax to fall. I just prayed that it wouldn't be while I was there.

We wasted the morning away around the airport; a photographer from an Azeri news agency happened to be around, so the military boys put on a good show, rolling out of their bunkers and running behind the old BTR, guns blazing. 'Let's do it again, but this time, let me take pictures from the front," the cameraman asked.

I felt sick and refused to have anything to do with the theatrics. 'These guys are going to die,' I said to myself. 'And I do not want to die with them just because they are so stupid to be shooting at shadows that shoot back.' Alef Khadjiev seemed to agree. We sat together in silence, watching his men pose for the camera, running hither and yon with brave looks carved on their physiognomies. 'Let's try that one again!' crowed the photographer. There was not much else to say.

Finally, around noon, I heard the tell-tale whine of a chopper moving high over the Gap. Thank God! crowed, but tried to look indifferent. Then I made my way toward the airfield, and just in time to see the overloaded bird disgorge its cargo of food, weapons and returning refugees. One kid got off with a canary in a cage, or maybe he was getting on. I think it was the former, but honestly, I cannot say for sure. There were a lot of people at the airport, trying to get on and off that lone bird, and I was merely one of them.

When those getting on seemed to be more than those getting off, I tried to get on myself. I didn't care that the chopper was carrying twice or three times its weight limit, nor did I mind that part of that weight was a corpse-one of Khadjiev's boys picked off by a sniper the night before. I wondered if we had had Soviet-style SPAM dinner together, but thought it impolite to pull back the death-sheet and stare. The engines gunned and whined, and we lifted with a lurch-but this time I was not afraid of the flight. I just wanted out. We climbed and climbed, cork-screwing high into the sky and blowing over the Askeron Gap at 3500 feet with tail-winds.

Maybe we took ground fire; I do not know. But this I did: I would never go back to Xodjali again. There were no need for vows. The last helicopter flight into the surrounded town was on February 13th. The last food, save for locally grown potatoes, ran out on the 21st. The clock was ticking quickly toward doom.

It struck on the night of February 26--the anniversary of the massacre of Armenians at Sumgait in 1988.

Only this time, vengeance would demand not an eye for an eye, but whole human heads.

We were in the car at seven and drove as quickly as we could across the monotonous flats of central Azerbaijan. Brown cotton fields belonging to collective farms stretched to the horizon in all directions, and men stood along the roadside waving dead ducks at us as we roared by. We stopped for gas at a town named Terter and asked the local mayor what was happening in Agdam. He said he didn't know anything. We stopped again in another town called Barda, and again took a moment to inquire about events and rumors. Clueless looks greeted us. We were starting to think that the whole thing was an exaggerated bum-steer when we arrived in Agdam and drove into the middle of town, looking for a bite to eat. It was there that we ran into the refugees.

There were ten, then twenty then hundreds of screaming, wailing residents of Xodjali. Many recognized me because of my previous visits to the town. They clutched at my clothes, babbling out the names of their dead relatives and friends and dragged me to the morgue attached to the main mosque in town to show me bodies of their relatives.

At first we found it hard to believe what the survivors were saying: the Armenians had surrounded Xodjali and delivered an ultimatum: get out or die. Then came a babble of details of the last days, many concerning Commander Alef Khadjiev.

Sensing doom, Alef had begged the government to bring in choppers to save at least some of the noncombatants, but Baku had done nothing. Then, on the night of February 25th, Armenian fedayeen hit the town from three sides. The fourth had been left open, creating a funnel through which refugees might flee. Alef gave the order to evacuate: the fighting men would run interference along the hillside of the Gorgor River valley, while the women and children and gray-beards escaped below. Groping their way through the night under fire, by the morning of February 26th, the refugees made it to the outskirts of a village called Nakhjivanli, on the cusp of Karabakh. They crossed a road and began working their way downhill toward the forward Azeri lines and the city Agdam, now only some six miles away via the Azeri outpost at Shelli.

It was there, in the hillocks and within sight of safety, that something horrible awaited them: a gauntlet of lead and fire. "They just shot and shot and shot," wailed a woman named Raisha Aslanova. She said her husband and a son-in-law were killed in front of her and that her daughter was missing.

Scores, hundreds, possibly a thousand were slaughtered in a turkey-shoot of civilians and their handful of defenders. Aside from counting every body there was no way to tell-and most of the bodies remained out of reach, in the no-man's land between the lines that had become a killing zone and a picnic site for crows.

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One thousand dead in one night? It seemed impossible. But when we began cross-referencing, the wild claims about the extent of the killing began to look all too true. The local religious leader in Agdam, Imam Sadik Sadikov, broke down in tears as he tallied the names of the registered dead on an abacus. There were 477 that day, a number that did not include those missing and presumed dead, nor those victims whose entire families had been wiped out and thus had no one to register them as dead before God. The number 477 represented only the number of confirmed dead by survivors who had made it to Agdam and were physically able to fulfill, however imperfectly, the Muslim practice of burying the dead within 24 hours.

Elif Kaban of Reuters was stunned into silliness. My wife Hicran was paralyzed. Photographer Oleg Litvin fell into a catatonic state and would only shoot pictures when I threw him at the subject: corpses, graves, and wailing women who were gouging their cheeks with their nails. Yes, it required stomach-but it was time to work, to report: a massacre had occurred, and the world had to know. We scoured the town, making repeated stops at the hospital, morgue and growing graveyards, out to the ends of the defensive perimeter to make horrible spot-interviews with straggling survivors as the stumbled in, and then went back to the hospital to check on new wounded and then back to the morgue to watch truck-loads of bodies be brought in for identification and ritual washing before burial. I looked for familiar faces, and thought I saw some but could not be sure: one corpse was identified as that belonging to a young veterinarian, who had been shot through the eye at point-blank range; I tried to remember if I had known or been introduced to such a man in Xodjali, but could not be sure. Other bodies, stiffened by rigormortis, seemed to speak of execution: arms were thrown up as if in permanent surrender. A number of heads lacked hair, as if the corpses had been scalped. It was not a pretty day.

Toward late afternoon, someone mentioned that a military helicopter on loan from the Russian garrison at Ganje would be making a flight over the killing fields, and so we traveled out to the airport. There was no flight, but there I found old friends.

"Tomas," a man in military uniform gasped, and grabbed me in an embrace, and wept. "Nash Nachalnik..."

I recognized him as one of Alef Khadjiev's boys, a pimply-faced boy from Baku who had described himself as a banker before he had volunteered for duty in Karabakh. He was speaking in Russian, babbling-but one word got through the tears: the commander...

A few other survivors from the Xodjali garrison stumbled over and seized me. Of the forty odd men under Alef Khadjiev's command, only ten were left alive. Dirty, exhausted and exuding what can only be described as survivor's guilt, they pieced together the awful night and next day-and the death of their commander, Alef Khadjiev. He was killed by a bullet to the brain while defending the women and children; most of the women and children died anyway. *** Toward evening, we returned to the government guest house in the middle of town to look for a telephone, and there we met a drained and exhausted Tamerlan Garayev. A native of Agdam, the deputy speaker of parliament was one of the few government officials of any sort I saw there. He was interrogating two Turkmen deserters from the Stepanakert-based 366th Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Russian Interior Ministry forces.

They had taken refuge in Xodjali a week before. The last element of the tragedy suddenly clicked into place: it was not only the Armenians who had assaulted the doomed town, but the Russians. "Talk, talk!" said Tamerlan, as the two men stared at us. "We ran away because the Armenian and Russian officers beat us because we were Muslims," one of the pair, a man named Agamuhammad Mutif related. "We just wanted to go home to Turkmenistan." "Then what happened?" Tamerlan demanded. "Then they attacked the town," said the other.

"We recognized vehicles from our unit."

I thought of Commander Sergei Shukrin, and wondered if he had been involved. The two fled along with everyone else in the town, and were helping a group of women and children escape through the mountains when they were discovered by the Armenians and 366th. "They opened fire and at least twelve were killed in our group alone," Mutif related. "After that, we just ran and ran." A Russian-backed assault by Armenians on an Azeri town, resulting in up to one thousand dead?

This was news. But it was at this point that things started becoming very strange. No-one seemed very interested in the story we had stumbled on. Apparently, the idea that the roles of the good-guys and bad guys had been reversed was too much: Armenians slaughtering Azeris? "You are suggesting that more people have died in one attack in Karabakh than the total number we have reported killed over the past four years?" said the BBC's Moscow correspondent when I tipped him on the slaughter. "That's impossible." "Take a look at Reuters!" "There's nothing on the wire."

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Indeed. While Elif Kaban was churning out copy on her portable telex, nothing was appearing on the wires.

Either someone was spiking copy, or was rolling it into larger, anodyne regional reports of 'conflicting allegations'. To be fair, the government and press in Baku didn't exactly assist in supporting our reporting.

While we were off in Agdam trying to get out the news, the presidential spokesman was claiming that Xodjali's scrappy defenders had beaten back an Armenian attack and suffered only two dead. Just a regular night in Mountainous Karabakh. We knew differently, but it was the three of us against the Azerbaijani state lie machine. Finally, I got a line through to the Moscow bureau of the Washington Post and said I wanted to file a story. The staffers there were to busy to take a dictation, but reluctantly patched me through to the foreign desk in Washington when I insisted. I used 477 as the number of dead, as religiously reported to Imam Sadikov, and was dragged over the coals by editors: where did I get this number from when Baku was still reporting that only two had died? Had I seen all the bodies?

What about a little balance? The Armenian press was reporting a 'massive Azeri offensive.' Why wasn't that in my report?

I was about to answer that this bit of information was not in my report for the very good reason that it had not happened when the first Kristal missile crashed into Agdam, about a mile a away from the government guest house I was calling from. Then came others and when one crashed into the building next door and blew out all the windows in our downtown dacha we thought it best to get off the phone and into the basement before we were blown to smithereens. After about an hour of huddling under mattresses we came up for air and decided it was probably a good idea to leave Agdam. So did about 50,000 other people, and we discovered ourselves in the middle of a mass exodus of trucks, cars, horses and people on bicycles, all trying to flee East.

I broke the story about the Xodjali massacre with a February 27, world exclusive on an inside page in the Washington Post. This was followed with a 'European' front page of the London Sunday Times. By then, the international hack-pack had started parachuting in to count the bodies and confirm that something very awful had happened. The first western reporter to actually get out into the killing fields and perform the grisly task of checking documents on the dead was Anatol Lieven of the London Times. His companion in the task was the late Rory Peck of Frontline News, another cool professional and dear friend. Others performed less well. One best nameless reporter from Ajans France Press arrived in Agdam the night we left and found the city 'quiet,' apparently having confused the silence that followed the missile-induced exodus of 50,000 people with peacefulness. Still another, while a guest at my house, abused the confidence of Vafa Gulizade by grossly misquoting him. At the height of the crisis, Douglas Kennedy, son of Robert, showed up with a KGBminder/translator from St. Petersburg, and thought he might do a little poking around the Front for amusement.

After convincing him that his translator would probably get killed by a mob, Kennedy took my advice and hired two local lads, and then refused to pay them.

The government of Azerbaijan, meanwhile, had performed a complete about-face on the issue. The same people who had remained unavailable during the early days of the crisis were suddenly asking me to provide numbers of foreign correspondents in Moscow whom they could invite down, at government expense, to report on the massacre.

I did not react very well. I almost physically assaulted the presidential press secretary, Rasim Agaev, and publicly accused him of lying. The spokesman was not pleased and began a rumor that I was an Armenian spy sent to Xodjali to ferret out 'military secrets' during my January visit to the doomed town. I was temporally detained thanks to that charge, and started to slid into a very bad mood. When I was released I went downtown and found myself sitting around a commercial shop with a bunch of black marketers, vaguely waiting for rubles to arrive in exchange for my dollars, when the whole thing hit me and hit me hard. The evening streets were still filled with smiling shoppers, apparently oblivious or even indifferent to the fate of the citizens of Xodjali. It was the same men in leather jackets and the same women with far too much rouge on their cheeks and they were all smiling and laughing and parading and I have to say I hated them all. Maybe they didn't know what I did.

Maybe they knew but didn't care lest it drive them insane. It was not clear and neither was my brain.

I canceled the dollar deal, walked out of the shop and wandered the streets. I think it rained, but I cannot be sure. I wandered and wandered, unable to stop anywhere or see or talk to anyone for hours and hours. "Ha ha," someone cackled, as they leaned toward their gal, or turned on the key to their car. "Ho ho," someone else chortled as they lurched out of a Komisyon shop, bottle of Finnish vodka under the arm. I wanted to slash their tires, smash their noses, burn their houses-do something, and violently.

I did nothing but wander the streets and avoid humanity. It was better like that. Then I got home I sat down and poured myself a long drink and drank it and Hicran asked me where I'd been.

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"Xodjali," someone said in a voice I didn't know. I was there with the ghosts in a dumpy town with no food to speak of or water to wash and all the people I knew or had known there were dead dead dead and I just started to cry and cry and cry. *** There weren't too many bodies. Most were still in the hills, waiting for the higher temperatures of spring for rot to set. Some, the few, were being spaded into the shallow ground of the growing Martyrs' Cemetery across from the parliament building in Baku. One of those was Alef Khadjiev. I liked to think of him as a friend because we had consumed a few drinks together. A jocular cop with a big swagger and smile, Alef had managed to galvanize the Xodjali community around him in the belief that despite the odds and an almost total lack of support from Baku they could hang on and survive. But now Alef Khadjiev was dead. He had bought a bullet through the brain and after rotting for a week in the mountains of the Black Garden his body was bought for 100 liters of gasoline and then brought back to Baku to be buried with military honors.

Despite the proximity of the parliament across the street no-one from the government came to the funeral and maybe that was out of good taste because had they been there, whispering eulogies about courage and fortitude, Alef, the hero and then martyr of Xodjali, might have broken free of the bonds of death and climbed out of his grave and strangled the hypocrites with his own cold hands. He was that sort of guy.

But they weren't there and the funeral procession was small because Alef was a native of Xodjali and all or at least most of the would-be mourners were either dead or had become refugees, and had to be brought to Baku by truck or bus or train for the last rites.

The exception was Alef's widow, Gala, a chubby Russian girl with a hint of a mustache who lived in Baku.

We had met in Agdam in the aftermath of the massacre and she refused to believe that her husband was dead.

Aside from an overwhelming sense of grief she was frightened out of her wits, wondering how she could live without him. "I'm just a Russian, a Russian!" she cried. "And now everyone looks at me with hatred in their eyes!" That was in Agdam when anyone who wasn't speaking Azeri was indeed being looked at through the evil eye. I gave her my telephone number in Baku and told her to call if there was anything I could do. She called a few days later, babbling into the phone. "Tomas," she wailed. "Alef is here."

At first I thought a miracle of mistaken identity had occurred and that Alef was still alive. But Gala was only calling to tell me that Alef's remains had been recovered in an exchange with the Armenians for several dozen gallons of gasoline, and then been shipped to Baku for burial. It was tough for me to understand her Russian on the telephone and probably a lot tougher for her to have to pick up the phone at all. But she stayed coherent long enough to give me her address and the time of the funeral procession. I went, not knowing what to expect: A week old cadaver in the living room? Mutilated like others? Scalped like some? I got in a taxi and traveled through a wasteland of hissing, blue and pink stuff-belching pipes of the oil refining area of Baku, driving over streets that had seemingly never seen repair. We drove and drove and it was a drive though an utterly depressing landscape, the sort that no-one ever sees, or admits to having seen: broken, diseased and bad. It was as much a symbol of the rapacity and ugliness of the regime in Baku as the corpses in Agdam had been. How can you allow people to live and die like this?

Complicating my dark mood was the fact that the Azeri taxi driver only wanted to make jokes, and in Russian. I told him what I thought. I told him I was going to find the funeral of my friend, Alef Khadjiev, Martyr of Karabakh, and that all the people of Baku were greedy cowards and that only the good men died and the filth remained behind. He agreed, refusing to take any money for the ride. It was his contribution to national defense, or something.

I got out of the taxi in front of a series of high-rise Soviet-style buildings-the ones designed so that the toilet is in a separate room from the sink. Degrading, like everything else around what was the USSR. Walking through the mourners I saw people I knew or at least recognized and embraced them. Then I saw Gala. She was standing in back of a truck carrying the flag-draped coffin and holding the hand of her smiling child who was still oblivious to what had happened to her father. I said something stupid like 'be strong.' I tried to plant a handextended kiss on the coffin perched on the back of the truck but I couldn't reach it and decided against climbing up on the truck and just waited for the procession to proceed. There were plenty of people crying. Everyone but me. My eyes were dry; I don't know why. Then someone somewhere responsible for formalities gave the word and the column started out toward the Martyrs' Cemetery in the heights above Baku. The funeral train in was the same as my journey out, although the route was different: another broken road leading through another industrial wasteland. It was Alef's route to anywhere, nowhere, death. We arrived at the Shehidler Xiyabani, or

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Martyrs' Lane cemetery, the place where victims of the Soviet army crack-down on January 20th, 1990 were buried in a long line along a granite wall shaded by dwarf Cyprus trees and pine.

I had visited the cemetery before and I have visited it since but it was different this time. I wasn't there as a journalist covering the event or even a political/cultural tourist. I was there as a mourner, mourning Alef Khadjiev, the most recent addition to the second tier of graves, where the dates of death are different than in the first row. There was no third road, then. a place that would and will continue to grow. Alef's was the 127th grave then, a hole in the ground surrounded by freshly dug earth. His casket was lifted down from the truck and I joined the pall-bearers as they hoisted it on their shoulders and brought Alef's remains down the line as a local man of religion recited the 'Fatiha', or Muslim creed of faith. This was odd because I was not sure whether Alef was a Muslim except in the formal sense of the word. He never expressed anything approaching piety to me.

When he was alive he was a drinking man, although he didn't smoke. This was really odd, because Azeris usually smoke all the time, even at funerals. And the strangest thing about Alef was that he certainly didn't like Turks. He once told me that he had found too many 'Made In Turkey' labels in the trash cans of Stepanakert to believe in any pan-Turkic ideal.

I was thinking thought like this because I was remembering, which is what you are supposed to do when you punch bodies in the ground. Alef Khadjiev was about to become the first of a whole string of people I knew who died violently over the next few years, so he got more thought than most. Alef's wife Gala and her Russian relatives were confused by the ritual placement of the body, the pious incantations and the fact that the week-old corpse had to be lifted out of the casket to be put in the hole dug in the muddy ground. They put the body in. An honor guard clicked their heels, slapped dummy slugs in their Kaleshnikovs, and let off three volleys. The empty shells fell clattering on the granite walkway. I picked up one and put it in my pocket. Then the family and intimate friends began covering the body with dirt and the wailing really began.

Women ripped their cheeks with their nails and men sobbed last regards. I was invited to say something into the grave but declined. I had quite a bit to say but I didn't want to say it, even in a language no one would understand. Cultural differences and all. I would do it differently today.

Then another, larger funeral procession started moving down Martyrs' Row. They were heading for the shallow grave next to Alef's. It was the corner spot and the next corpse would start a new row, even then being dug among the dwarf Cyprus trees in anticipation for the next to die in the Black Garden, that horrible place called Karabakh. More young men would soon lie here and their numbers would soon exceed all those killed at Xodjali and the events of February 25th and 26th, 1992 would soon become just a detail, just another grim statistic in the on-going litany of death and destruction in Karabakh, the Black Garden. I swore I would remember Alef and all the others, whose names I never knew but whose faces were etched on my memory forever. Yes, I would remember Xodjali. It was a dump. But now it was dead.

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NAGORNY КARAKAKH VICTIMS BURIED IN AZERВAIJANI TOWN-REFUGEES CLAIM HUNDREDS DIED IN ARMENIAN АТТАСК The Washington Post, 28 February 1992 Ву Thomas GOLTZ, Agdam, Azerbaijan, 27 February Officials of the main mosque in this town east of the embattled enclave of Nagorny Karabakh said they buried 17 bodies today, brought from an Azerbaijani town inside the enclave that was captured Wednesday bу Armenian militiamen.

Refugees fleeing the fighting in Khojaly, а town of 6,000 northeast of the enclave's capital, Stepanekert, claimed that up to 500 people, including women and children, were killed in the attack. No independent estimate the death was available here. Тhе Agdam mosque's director, Said Sadikov Muan, said refugees from Khojaly had registered the names of 477 victims with his mosque since Wednesday Officials in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, estimated the deaths in Khojaly at 100, while Armenian officials in their capital, Yerevan, said only two Azerbaijanis were killed in the attack. An official from Baku said here that his government fears Azerbaijanis would turn against it if they knew how many had been killed.

Of seven bodies seen here today, two were children and three were women, оnе shot through the chest at what appeared to bе close range. Another 120 refugees being treated at Agdam's hospital include manу with multiple stab wounds.

The Armenians who attacked Khojaly Tuesday night "were shooting, shooting, shooting", said Raisa Aslanova, who reached Agdam Wednesday night. She said her husband and а son-in-law were killed and her daughter was missing.

Among the refugees who fled here over the mountains from Nagorny Karabakh were two Turkmen soldiers from former Soviet Interior Ministry forces who had taken refuge in Khojaly after deserting from their unit last Friday because, they said, Armenians non-commissioned officers had beaten them "for being Muslims".

The two deserters claimed their former unit, the 366th Division, was supporting the Armenian militiamen who captured Khojaly. They said they tried to help women and children escape. "We were bringing а group through the mountains when the Armenians found us and opened fire", said Agamehmet Mutif, оnе of the deserters. "Twelve were killed".

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ARMENIAN SOLDIERS MASSACRE HUNDREDS OF FLEEING FAMILIES The Sunday Тimes, 1 March 1992 Ву Thomas Goltz, Agdam, Azerbaijan Survivors reported that Armenian soldiers shot and bayoneted mоrе than 450 Azeris, manу of them women, children. Hundreds, possibly thousands, were missing and feared dead.

The attackers killed most of the soldiers and volunteers defending the women and children. They then turned their guns оn the terrified refugees. The few survivors later described what happened: "That is when the real slaughter began", said Azer Hajiyev, оnе of three soldiers to survive. "The Armenians just shot and shot.

And they саmе in and started carving up people with their bayonets and knives".

"They were shooting, shooting, shooting", echoed Rasia Aslanova, who arrived in Agdam with other women and children who made their way through Armenian lines. She said her husband, Кауun, and son-in law were massacred in front of her. Her daughter was still missing.

One bоу who arrived in Agdam had an ear sliced off. Тhе survivors said 2000 others, some of whom had fled separately, were still missing in the grueling terrain: manу could perish from their wounds or the cold. Ву late yesterday, 479 deaths had been registered at the morgue in Agdam, and 29 bodies had been buried in the cemetery. Of the seven corpses I saw awaiting burial, two were children and three were women, one shot through the chest at а blank range.

Agdam hospital was а scene of carnage and terror. Doctors said they had 140 patients who escaped slaughter, most with bullet injuries and stab wounds.

Nor were they safe in Agdam. Оn Friday night rockets fell оn the city which has а population of 150,000 destroying several buildings and killing one person.

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CORPSES LITTER HILLS IN KARABAKH The Times, 2 March 1992 Anatol Levin comes under fire while flying to investigate the mass killing of refugees bу Armenian troops.

As we swooped low over the snow-covered hills of Nagorno-Karabagh we saw the scattered corpses.

Apparently, the refugees had been shot down as they ran. An Azerbaijani film of the places we flew over, shown to journalists afterwards, showed DOZENS OF CORPSES lying in various parts of the hills.

The Azerbaijanis claim that AS MANY AS 1000 have died in a MASS KILLING of AZERBAIJANIS fleeing from the town of Khodjaly, seized by Armenians last week. A further 4,000 are believed to be wounded, frozen to death or missing.

The civilian helicopter's job was to land in the mountains and pick up bodies at sites of the mass killings.

The civilian helicopter picked up four corpses, and it was during this and a previous mission that an Azerbaijani cameraman filmed the several dozen bodies on the hillsides.

Back at the airfield in Agdam, we took a look at the bodies the civilian helicopter had picked up. Two old men, a small girl were covered with blood, their limbs contorted by the cold and rigor mortis. They had been shot.

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MASSACRE UNCOVERED The Times, 3 March 1992 Ву Anatol LIEVEN More than sixty bodies, including those of women and children, have been spotted оn hillsides in Nagorny Karabakh, confirming claims that Armenian troops massacred Azeri refugees. Hundreds are missing.

Scattered amid the withered grass and bushes along а small valley and across the hillside beyond are the bodies of last Wednesday's massacre bу Armenian forces of Azerbaijani refugees.

In all, 31 bodies could bе counted at the scene. At least another 31 have been taken into Agdam over the past five days. These figures do not include civilians reported killed when the Armenians stormed the Azerbaijani town Khodjali оn Tuesday night. Тhе figures also do not include other as yet undiscovered bodies.

Zahid Jabarov, а survivor of the massacre, said bе saw uр to 200 реоple shot down at the point we visited, and refugees who саmе bу different routes have also told of being shot at repeatedly and of lеаving а trail of bodies along their path. Around the bodies we saw scattered possessions, clothing and personnel documents. Тhе bodies themselves have been preserved bу the bitter cold which killed others as they hid in the hills and forest after the massacre. Аll are the bodies of ordinary people, dressed in the poor, ugly clothing of workers.

Of the 31 we saw, only one policeman and two apparent national volunteers were wearing uniform. Аll the rest were civilians, including eight women and three small children. Two groups, apparently families, had fallen together, the children cradled in the women's arms.

Several of them, including one small girl, had tеrriblе head injuries: only her face was left. Survivors have told how they saw Armenians shooting them point blank as they lay оn the ground.

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ATROCITY REPORTS HORRIFY AZERBAIJAN The Washington Тimes, 3 March 1992 Ву Brian KILLEN, Agdam, Azerbaijan Dozens of bodies lay scattered around the killing fields of Nagorny Karabakh yesterday, evidence of the worst massacre in four years of fighting over the disputed territory.

Azeri officials who returned from the scene to this town about nine miles away brought back three dead children, the backs of their heads blown off.

At the local mosque, six other bodies lay stretched out, fully clothed, with their limbs frozen in the positions in which they were killed. Their faces were black from the cold.

"Telman!" screamed one woman, beating the breast furiously over the body of her dead father, who lay оn his back with his stiff right аrm jutting into the air.

Those who returned from а brief visit bу helicopter to Кhojaly, captured bу the Armenians last week, said they had seen similar sights - only more. One Russian journalist said he had counted about 30 bodies within а radius of 50 yards from where the helicopter landed.

Armenia has denied atrocities or mass killings of Azeris after its well-armed irregulars captured Кhojaly, the second-biggest Azeri town in Nagorny Karabakh, last Wednesday. Azerbaijan says 1000 people killed.

"Women and children had been scalped", said Assad Faradzhev, an aide to Karabakh's Azeri governor. Мr. Faradzhev said the helicopter, bearing Red Cross markings and escorted bу MI-24 helicopters former Soviet armу, succeeded in picking uр only three children before Armenian militants opened fire. "When we began to pick uр bodies, they started firing at us", he said. Мr. Faradzhev said they were оп the ground for only 15 minutes.

"The combat helicopters fired red flares to signal that Armenians were approaching and it was time to leave.

I was ready to blow myself uр if we were captured." Не said pointing to а grenade in his coat pocket.

Reuters photographer Frederique Lengaigne saw two trucks full of Azeri corpses near Agdam.

"In the first оnе, I counted 35, and I looked as though there were almost as manу in the second. Some had their heads cut off and manу had been burned. They were all mеn, and а few had been wearing khaki uniforms", she said.

In Agdam's mosque the dead bodies lay оn mattresses under а naked light bulb. People screamed insults at Azerbaijani's president, Ayaz Mutalibov, saying he had not done enough to protect Karabakh's Azeri population.

Hundreds of people crowded outside chanting Islamic prayers. Some wept uncontrollably and collapsed near their dead relatives, brought to the town bу tuck only minutes еаrliеr.

Chilling film of dozens of stiffened corpses scattered over а snowy hillside backed accounts of the slaughter of women and children sobbed out bу refugees who made it safety out of the disputed Caucasus enclave.

Azerbaijani television showed picture of оnе truckload of bodies brought to the Azeri town of Agdam, some with their faces apparently scratched with knives оr their eyes gouged out. Оnе little girl had arms stretched out as if crying fоr help.

"The bodies аге lying there like flocks of sheep. Еven the fascists did nothing like this" said Agdam militia commander Rashid Mamedov, referring to the Nazi invaders in World War II. "Give us help to bring back the bodies and show people what happened", Karabakh Gov. Musa Mamedov pleaded bу telephone to the Soviet army base in Gyandzha, Azerbaijan's second-largest city. А helicopter pilot who took cameraman and Western correspondents over the аrеа reported seeing some corpses lying around Кhojaly and dozen mоre nеаr the Askeran Gap, а mountain pass only а few miles from Agdam.

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MASACRE ВУ ARMENIAN BEING REPORTED The New York Times, 3 March 1992 Agdam, Azerbaijan, March 2 (Reuters) The last of the former Soviet troops in the Caucasus enclave of Nagorny Karabakh began pulling out today as fresh evidence emerged of а massacre of civilians bу Armenian militants.

The Itar-Tass press agency said the 366th Motorized Infantry Regiment had started its withdrawal, in effect removing the last frail buffer separating two warring ethnic groups, Armenians and Azerbaijanis.

The two sides made nо attempt to interfere, it added.

Nagorny Karabakh is within the Republic of Azerbaijan, but most of its population is Armenian.

Shelling in town reported The Azerbaijani press agency Azerinform reported fresh Armenian missile fire оn the Azerbaijanipopulation town of Shusha in Nagorny Karabakh оn Sunday night. It said several people had been wounded in another attack, оп the settlement of Venjali, early today.

The Republic of Armenia reiterated denials that its militants had killed 1000 people in the Azerbaijanipopulated town of Кhojaly last week and had massacre men, women and children fleeing the carnage across snow-covered mountain passes.

But dozens of bodies scattered over the area lent credence to Azerbaijani reports of а massacre.

Azerbaijani officials and journalists who flew briefly to the region bу helicopter brought back three dead children with the backs of their heads blown off. They said shooting bу Armenians had prevented them from retrieving more bodies.

"Women and children had been scalped", said Assad Faradzhev, аn aide to Nagorny Karabakh's Azerbaijani Governor. "When we began to pick uр bodies, they began firing at us".

The Azerbaijani militia chief in Agdam, Reshid Mamedov, said: "The bodies are lying there like flocks of sheep. Even the fascists did nothing like this". Тwo trucks filled with bodies Near Agdam оп the outskirts of Nagorny Karabakh, а Reuters photographer, Frederique Lengaigne, said she had seen two trucks filled with Azerbaijani bodies.

"In the first оnе I counted 35, and it looked as though there were almost as manу in the second", she said.

"Some had their heads cut off, and manу had been burned. They were all men, and а few had been wearing khaki uniforms".

Ethnic violence and economic crisis threaten to tear apart the Commonwealth of Independent States, created bу 11 former Soviet republics in December. The соmmonwealth has been powerless in the face of the ethnic hatred rekindled in the age-old dispute Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan, which are members.

Four years of fighting in Nagorny Karabakh have killed 1500 to 2000 people. The last week's fighting has been the most savage yet.

The З66th Regiment, based in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorny Karabakh, has been caught at the center of fighting in which at least three of its soldiers were killed late last month.

Speaking to this Par1iament in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, President Levon Ter Petrosyan criticized the withdrawa1 from the enclave of the commonwealth's last troops.

"This regiment, though not involve in military operations, was а stabilizing factor", Мг.Тег-Реtгоsуаn said.

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ARMENIANS KILLED 1000, AZERIS CHARGE THE BOSTON GLOBE March 3, 1992

By Paul Quinn-Judge (Front page headline) BAKU, Azerbaijan-Azerbaijan charged yesterday that Armenian militants massacred men, women and children after forcing them from a town in Nagorno-Karabagh last week.

Azerbaijani officials said 1000 Azeris had been killed in town of Khojaly and that Armenian fighters then slaughtered men, women and children fleeing across snow-covered mountain passes.

Armenian officials disputed the death toll and denied the massacre report.

Journalists on the scene said it was difficult to say exactly how many people had been killed in surrounding areas. But a Reuters photographer said he saw two trucks filled with Azeri corpses, and a Russian journalist reported massacre sites elsewhere in the area.

Azeri officials and journalists who flew briefly to the region by helicopter recovered the bodies of three dead children who had been shot in the head, Reuters said, but Armenians prevented them from retrieving more bodies.

In the Azerbaijani capital of Baku,government officials said that communications with Shusha,the last Azeri foothold in Nagorno-Karabagh,were cut yesterday morning. The militant Azerbaijani Popular Front reported that Armenian troops backed by armor and artillery were moving closer to town.

Shusha was shelled again overnight,according to accounts reaching Baku yesterday.

Fighting over the enclave, administered by Azerbaijan but largely populated by ethnic Armenians, has flared into a full scale war over the last month.

In the four years up to this January, some 1000 people are believed to have been killed in the con- flict.

Although figures are extremely unreliable, at least several hundreeds people have probably died in the past four weeks.

The Azerbaijani Popular Front has been predicting an attack on Shusha for the last two days. But information on the fighting inside the enclave cannot be confirmed independently.

Officials of both the Azerbaijani government and the Popular Front claim that the final attack on Shusha could be triggered by the withdrawal of the last units of the former Soviet army stationed in Nagorno-Karabagh, the 366th Regiment.

The withdrawal began yesterday, said General Nikolai Popov, commander of the Baku-based 4th Army, in a brief phone interview yesterday.

The Azerbaijan presidential press service, quoting the republic's Ministry of National Security, claimed that commonwealth troops were going to move out through Shusha, destroying the town's defences as they did so.

Popov said he did not know if the regiment would leave through Shusha. Asked who might know this, he answered, "No one's going to tell you." Commonwealth airborne units reportedly have been moved into Nagorno- Karabagh to cover regiment's withdrawal.

Officials in Moscow and Armenia said that the 366th Regiment, based in the regional center of Stepanakert [Hankendi -- Ed.], has been strictly neutral in the fighting.

Azeri sources, however, claim that the 366th has swung actively on the side of Armenians,notably in the capture of last week of the small town of Khojaly, on the road between Stepanakert [Hankendi -- Ed.] and Agdam.

There were growing signs that many civilians were killed during the capture of Khojaly.

Footage shot by Azerbaijan Television Sunday showed about 10 dead bodies, including several women and children, in an improvised morgue in Agdam. An editor at the main television station in Baku said 180 bodies had been recovered so far. A helicopter flying over the vicinity is reported to have seen other corpses, while the BBC quoted a French photographer who said that he had counted 31 dead, including women and children, some who appeared as though they were shot in the head at close range.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Khojaly, Elmar Mamedov, said at a news conference in Baku that 1000 people had died in the attack, 200 more were missing, 300 had been taken hostage, and 200 were injured. Armored personel carriers of the 366th [Regiment -- Ed.] spearheaded the attack, Mamedov charged, and cleared the way for Armenian irregulars.

If Shusha does indeed fall, its loss could send shock waves through Azerbaijani society.

"If we lose this war there will be another one, very quickly," an Azeri businessman predicted yesterday.

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TOMAS GOLTZ REPORTS The Sunday Тimes, 8 March 1992 Thomas Goltz, the first to report the massacre bу Armenian soldiers, reports from Agdam. Кhojaly used to bе а barren Azeri town, with empty shops and treeless dirt roads. Yet it was still home to thousands of Azeri people who, in happier times, tended fields and flocks of geese. Last week it has wiped off the mар.

As sickening reports trickled in to the Azerbaijani border town of Agdam, and the bodies piled uр in the morgues, three was little doubt that Кhojaly and the stark foothills and gullies around it had been the site of the most terrible massacre since the Soviet Union broke арart.

I was the last Westerner to visit Кhojaly. That was in January and people were predicting their fate with grim resignation. Zumrut Ezoya, а mother of four оn board the helicopter that ferried us into the town, called her community "sitting ducks, ready to get shot". She and her family were among the victims of the massacre bу the Armenians оn Februaгy 26.

"The Armenians have taken all the outlying villages, one by one, and the government does nothing", Balakisi Sakikov, 55, а father of five, said. "Next they will drive us out or kill us аll", said Dilbar, his wife. The couple, their three sons and three daughters were killed in the massacre, as were manу other people I had spoken to.

"It was close to the Armenian lines we knew we would have to cross. There was а road, and the first units of the column ran across then all hell broke loose. Bullets were raining down from all sides. We had just entered their trap".

The Azeri defenders picked off one by one. Survivors say that Armenian forces then began а pitiless slaughter, firing at anything moved in the gullies. А video taken bу аn Azeri cameraman, wailing and crying as he filmed body after body, showed а grizzly trail of death leading towards higher, forested ground where the villagers had sought refuge from the Armenians.

"The Armenians just shot and shot", said Оmar Veyselov, lying in hospital in Agdam. . .

"I saw mу wife and daughter fall right bу mе".

People wandered through the hospital corridors looking for news of the loved оnе. Some vented their fury оn foreigners: "Where is mу daughter, where is mу son?" wailed а mother. "Raped. Butchered. Lost".

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MASSACRE IN KHOJALY TIME, March 16, 1992

By Jill SMOLOWE Reported by Yuri ZARAKHOVICH/Moscow) (Feature, pages 38-39) THE BLOOD FEUD BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND AZERBAIJANIS CLAIMS 200 CIVILIANS While the details are disputed, this much is plain: something grim and unconscionable happened in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly two weeks ago. So far, some 200 dead Azerbaijanis, many of them mutilated, have been transported out of the town tucked inside the Armenian-dominated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh for burial in neighboring Azerbaijan. The total number of dead--the Azerbaijanis claim 1,324 civilians were slaughtered, most of them women and children--is unknown. But the facile explanation offered by the attacking Armenians, who insist that no innocents were deliberately killed, is hardly convincing.

The assault represents an alarming escalation in the hostilities that are rapidly pushing Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan toward all-out war. Over the past four years the two republics have pressed their territorial claims to Nagorno-Karabakh, a 1,700-sq.-mi. piece of turf located within Azerbaijan's boundaries but home mainly to Armenians. Until the breakup of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan held the upper hand, owing to military support from units of the now disintegrating Seventh Army. The embattled Armenians enjoyed sympathy from many of Moscow's liberals and democrats, who disliked the collusion between Azerbaijan and Kremlin hard-liners.

Now perceptions are shifting as Azerbaijanis assume the role of underdog and Armenians appear to be the predatory wolves. Videotapes circulated by the Azerbaijanis include images of disfigured civilians, some of them scalped, others shot through the head. Armenians claim the footage is fake. They insist that they left a corridor open for civilians to flee Khojaly but that Azerbaijani soldiers led a group of 200 civilians into harm's way. The use of surface-to-air missiles, sophisticated Grad rocket batteries and armor proves that both sides are now armed with state-of-the-art weapons that were bequeathed by, sold by or stolen from Soviet units.

Although Nagorno-Karabakh is small, the implications of the violence are large. Officials from other republics regard the outcome as a test for the future prospects of the patchwork Commonwealth of Independent States. Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, warns that the clash may "create a precedent for uncontrolled development of conflicts within the C.I.S." Late last week Azerbaijani President Ayaz Mutalibov resigned under criticism for mishandling the crisis. Meanwhile, Russian President Boris Yeltsin called upon the two republics to "show political will and wisdom and start a dialogue." But with the guns sounding so loudly, it is hard to imagine how the two sides will be able to hear each other.

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IN ARMENIAN UNIT, RUSSIAN IS SPOKEN THE BOSTON GLOBE Monday, March 16 1992

By Paul Quinn-Judge.

Stepanakert [Now Hankendi -- Ed.], Nagorno-Karabagh -- Troops of the former Soviet army are continuing to fight and die in Nagorno-Karabagh, despite claim by the Commonwealth of Independent States' high command that they have been withdrawn.

The last Commonwealth unit in Nagorno-Karabagh, the 366th Motorized Rigiment, was officially pulled out last week. But a fair sprinkling of non-Armenian troops can be seen in and around Stepanakert [Hankendi -Ed.], the Armenian-held capital of the disputed enclave.

They are serving in tank crews,repairing military equipment, visiting comrades in the hospital. Some claim to be half-Armenian,despite their blond hair. All, however, give or take orders in Russian,not Armenian.

And all are described as volunteers, fighting for cause, not high salaries.

They are like Valery, a captain from Mogilev, Belarus. A veteran of fighting in Somalia and an officer of the elite airborne, Valery-who would not give his family name- is now battalion commander of a new Armenian unit.

Then there is Yury Nikolayevich, a cheery but cautious lieutenant colonel said to have been the deputy commander of the 366th regiment.

Yury Nikolayevich still wears his uniform. He refuses to give his full name or talk about his current role.

Armenian officials say that Yury Nikolayevich went over to the Armenian fighters last week with a large part of the regiment's military hardware.

The fighters are also people like the unnamed Russian soldier who was killed last Thursday along with his Armenian comrade when their armored personnel carrier hit an Azerbaijani land mine.

Valery plans to spend at least the next three years here. At the moment, he is receiving only food and accomodation Karabagh Armenians,he says. But sometime soon,he expects to sign a formal contract.

He refers to the Azerbaijani fighters as "dukhi", the Soviet army slang for Afghan mujahideen. Most are savages, he says.

He believes that Islam has to be checked here in Karabagh. "If not," he says, "I'll have to fight them in Belarus." And he is now training Armenian Karabagh's first border unit, made up, he says, of Armenians who had served in the Soviet airborne, marines and border forces...

Across the Caucasus, and in other hot spots like Moldova, local political activists are raiding military arsenals...

Last week, Armenian militants took Commonwealth officers hostage in the town of Artik after an abortive raid on a military base.

In most cases, the militants and senior officers admit, the raids are an inside job.

The Artik raid was "obviously a foul-up," said an official of the Dashnak party, the militant Armenian group that is spearheading the fight in Karabagh. "No one ever just seizes weapons: You always buy off someone inside the barracks. Obviously, the deal went wrong."

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FOREIGN MASS MEDIA BRIEFLY ABOUT KHOJALY The Independent, 29 February 1992 Ву Helen Womack Elif Каbаn, а REUTER correspondent in Agdam, reported that after а massacre оn Wednesday, Azeris were burying scores of people who died when Armenians overrun the town of Кhojaly, the second biggest settlement in the аrеa. "The world is turning it back оп what's happening here. We аге dying and you аге just watching", оnе mournеr shouted at а group of journalists.

ARMENIAN RAID LEAVES AZERIS DEAD OR FLEEING The Washington Тimes, 2 March 1992 About 1,000 of Кhojaly's 10,000 people were massacred bу the Armenian Army in Tuesday's attack.

Azerbaijani television showed truckloads of corpses being evacuated from the Кhojaly area.

Channel 4 News at 19.00, Monday 2 March 1992 "2 French journalists have seen 32 corpses of men, women and children in civilian clothes. Many of them shot dead from their heads as close as less than 1 meter."

MASSACRE ВУ ARMENIANS The New York Times, Tuesday, 3 March 1992 Aghdam, Azerbaijan, March 2 (Reuters)-Fresh evidence emerged today of а massacre of civilians bу Armenian militants in Nagorny Karabakh, а predominantly Armenian enclave of Azerbaijan.

Scalping Reported Azerbaijani officials and journalists who flew briefly to the region bу helicopter brought back three dead children with the back of their heads blown off. They said shooting bу Armenians has prevented them from retrieving more bodies.

"Women and children have bееn scalped", said Assad Farashev, аn aide to Nagorny Karabakh's Azerbaijani Governor. "When we began to pick uр bodies, they began firing at us".

The Azerbaijani militia chief in Agdam, Rashid Mamedov, said: "The bodies are lying there like flocks of sheep. Еven the fascists did nothing like this".

Truckloads оf bodies Near Agdam оn the outskirts of Nagorny Karabakh, а Reuter's photographer, Frederique Lengaigne, said she had seen two trucks filled with Azerbaijani bodies.

"In the first оnе I counted 35, and it looked as though there were as manу in the second", he said. "Some had their heads cut off, and manу had been burned. They were all men, and а few had been wearing khaki uniforms".

BBC1 Morning News at 07.37, Tuesday 3 March 1992 "BBC reporter was live on line and he claimed that he saw more than 100 bodies of Azeri men, women and children as well as a baby who are shot dead from their heads from a very short distance."

BBC1 Morning News at 08:12, Tuesday 3 March 1992 "Very disturbing picture has shown that many civilian corpses who were picked up from mountain. Reporter said he, cameraman and Western Journalists have seen more than 100 corpses, who are men, women, children, massacred by Armenians. They have been shot dead from their heads as close as 1 meter. Picture also has shown nearly ten bodies (mainly women and children) are shot dead from their heads. Azerbaijan claimed that more than 1000 civilians massacred by Armenian forces."

"BODIES MARK SITE OF KARABAGH MASSACRE" The Times, 3 March 1992 A local truce was enforced to allow the Azerbaijanis to collect their dead and any refugees still hiding in the hills and forest. All are the bodies of ordinary people, dressed in the poor, ugly clothing of workers. All the rest were civilians, including eight women and three small children. Two groups, apparently families, had fallen together, the children cradled in the women's arms. Several of them, including one small girl, had terrible head

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injuries: only her face was left. Survivors have told how they saw Armenians shooting them point blank as they lay on the ground.

The Age, Melbourne, 6 March 1992 Ву Helen WОМАСK, Agdam, Azerbaijan, Thursday The exact number of victims is still unclear, but there сап bе little doubt that Azeri civilians were massacred bу Armenian Аrmу in the snowy mountains of Nagorny Karabakh last week.

Refugees from the enclave town of Кhojaly, sheltering in the Azeri border town of Agdam, give largely consistent accounts of how Armenians attacked their homes оп the night of 25 February, chased those who fled and shot them in the surrоunding forests. Yesterday, I saw 75 freshly dug graves in one cemetery in addition to four mutilated corpses we were shown in the mosque when we аrrivеd in Agdam late оn Tuesday. I also saw women and children with bullet wounds in а makeshift hospital in а string of railway саrriаgеs.

Khojali, an Azeri settlement in the enclave mostly populated bу Armenians, had а population of about 6000.

Mr. Rashid Mamedov, Commander of Police in Agdam, said only about 500 escaped to his town. "So where are the rest?" Some might have taken prisoner, he said, or fled. Many bodies were still lying in the mountains because the Azeris were short of helicopters to retrieve them. Не believed more than 1000 had perished, some of cold temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees.

When Azeris saw the Armenians with а convoy of armoured personnel саrriеrs, they realized they could not hope to defend themselves, and fled into the forests. In the small hours, the massacre started.

Mr. Nasiru, who believes his wife and two children were taken prisoner, repeated what many other refugees have said - that troops of the former Soviet аrmу helped the Armenians to attack Кhojaly. "It is not my opinion, I saw it with mу own eyes". А FINAL GOODBYE IN AZERBAJAN The New York Times, 6 March 1992 [Photo bу Associated Press]: "At а cemetery in Agdam, Azerbaijan, family members and friends grieved during the burial of victims massacred bу the Armenians in Nagorny Karabakh.

Chingiz Iskandarov, right, hugged the coffin containing the remains of his brother, one of the victims. А сору of Koran lay atop the coffin".

FINAL EMBRACE The Washington Post, 6 March 1992 [Photo bу Associated Press]: "Chingiz Isgenderov, right weeps over coffin holding the remains of his brother as other relatives grieve at an Azerbaijani cemetery yesterday amid burial of victims killed bу Armenians in Nagorny Karabakh".

Le Mond, Pairs, 14 March 1992 The foreign journalist in Agdam saw the women and three scalped children with the pulled of nails among the killed people. This is not "Azerbaijani propaganda", but reality.

"THE FACE OF A MASSACRE" Newsweek, 16 March 1992

By Pascal Privat with Steve Le Vine in Moscow Azerbaijan was a charnel house again last week; a place of mourning refugees and dozens os mangles corpses dragged to a makeshift morgue behind the mosque. They were ordinary Azerbaijani men, women and children of Khojaly, a small village in war-torn Nagorno-Karabkh overrun by Armenian forces on February 2526. Many were killed at close range while trying to flee; some had their faces mutilated, others were scaled.

While the victims' families mourned.

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THE INDEPENDENT (LONDON), 12 JUNE 1992

By Frederique Lengaigne/Reuter Aref Sadikov sat quietly in the shade of a café-bar on the Caspian Sea esplanade of Baku and showed a line of stitches in his trousers, torn by an Armenian bullet as he fled the town of Khojaly just over three months ago, writes Hugh Pope." I' m still wearing the same clothes, I don't have any others", the 51-years-old carpenter said, beginning his account of the Khojaly disaster. " I was wounded in five place, but I am lucky to be alive". Mr. Sadikov and his wife were short of food, without electricity for more than a month, and cut off from helicopter flights for 12 days they sensed the Armenian noose was tightening around the 2,000 to 3,000 people left in the straggling Azerbaijani town on the edge of Karabakh.

"At about 11 pm a bombardment started such as we had never heard before, eight or nine kinds of weapons, artillery, heavy machine-guns, the lot", Mr. Sadikov said.

Soon neighbors were pouring down the street from the direction of the attack. Some huddled in shelters but others started fleeing the town, down a hill, through a stream and through the snow into a forest on the other side.

To escape, the townspeople had to reach the Azerbaijani town of Aghdam about 15 miles away.

They thought were going to make it, until at about dawn they reached a bottleneck between the two Azerbaijani villages of Nakhchivanik and Saderak.

"None of my group was hurt up to then... Then we were stopped by acar on the road and the Armenian outposts started opening fire", Mr. Sadikov said only 10 people his group of 80 made it through, including his wife and militiaman son. Seven of his immediate relations died, including his 67-years old elder brother.

"I only had time to reach down and cover his face with his hat", he said, pulling his own big flat Turkish cap over his eyes. "We have never got any of the bodies back".

The first groups were lucky to have the benefit of covering fire. One hero of the evacuation, Alif hajiyev was shot dead as he struggled to change a magazine while covering the third group's crossing, Mr. Sadikov said.

Another hero, Elman Memmedov, the mayor of Khojaly, said he and several others spent the whole day of 26 February in the bushy hillside, surrounded by dead bodies as they tried to keep three Armenian armored personnel carriers at bay.

As the survivors staggered the last mile into Agdam, there was little comfort in a town from which most of the population was soon to flee.

"The night after we reached the town there was a big Armenian rocket attack. Some people just kept going," Mr Sadikov said. "I had to get to the hospital for treatment. I was in a bad way. They even found a bullet in my sock."

Victims of massacre: An Azeri woman mourns her son, killed in the Hojali massacre in February (left). Nurses struggle in primitive conditions (centre) to save a wounded man in a makeshift operating theatre set up in a train carriage. Grief-stricken relatives in the town of Agdam (right) weep over the coffin of another of the massacre victims. Calculating the final death toll has been complicated because Muslims bury their dead within 24 hours.

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THE INDEPENDENT, LONDON, 12 JUNE 1992 The gruesome extent of February's killings of Azeris by Armenians in the town of Hojali is at last emerging in Azerbaijan - about 600 men, women and children dead.

The State Prosecutor, Aydin Rasulov, the cheif investigator of a 15-man team looking into what Azerbaijan calls the "Hojali Massacre", said his figure of 600 people dead was a minimum on preliminary findings. A similar estimate was given by Elman Memmedov, the mayor of Hojali. An even higher one was printed in the Baku newspaper Ordu in May - 479 dead people named and more than 200 bodies reported unidentified. This figure of nearly 700 dead is quoted as official by Leila Yunusova, the new spokeswoman of the Azeri Ministry of Defence.

FranCois Zen Ruffinen, head of delegation of the International Red Cross in Baku, said the Muslim imam of the nearby city of Agdam had reported a figure of 580 bodies received at his mosque from Hojali, most of them civilians. "We did not count the bodies. But the figure seems reasonable. It is no fantasy," Mr Zen Ruffinen said. "We have some idea since we gave the body bags and products to wash the dead."

Mr Rasulov endeavors to give an unemotional estimate of the number of dead in the massacre.

"Don't get worked up. It will take several months to get a final figure," the 43-year-old lawyer said at his small office.

Mr Rasulov knows about these things. It took him two years to reach a firm conclusion that 131 people were killed and 714 wounded when Soviet troops and tanks crushed a nationalist uprising in Baku in January 1990.

Officially, 184 people have so far been certified as dead, being the number of people that could be medically examined by the republic's forensic department. "This is just a small percentage of the dead," said Rafiq Youssifov, the republic's chief forensic scientist. "They were the only bodies brought to us. Remember the chaos and the fact that we are Muslims and have to wash and bury our dead within 24 hours." Of these 184 people, 51 were women, and 13 were children under 14 years old.

Gunshots killed 151 people, shrapnel killed 20 and axes or blunt instruments killed 10. Exposure in the highland snows killed the last three. Thirty-three people showed signs of deliberate mutilation, including ears, noses, breasts or penises cut off and eyes gouged out, according to Professor Youssifov's report. Those 184 bodies examined were less than a third of those believed to have been killed, Mr Rasulov said.

"There were too many bodies of dead and wounded on the ground to count properly: 470-500 in Hojali, 650-700 people by the stream and the road and 85-100 visible around Nakhchivanik village," Mr Manafov wrote in a statement countersigned by the helicopter pilot.

"People waved up to us for help. We saw three dead children and one two-year-old alive by one dead woman. The live one was pulling at her arm for the mother to get up. We tried to land but Armenians started a barrage against our helicopter and we had to return."

There has been no consolidation of the lists and figures in circulation because of the political upheavals of the last few months and the fact that nobody knows exactly who was in Hojali at the time - many inhabitants were displaced from other villages taken over by Armenian forces.

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SVOBODA, 12 JUNE 1992 "A TRAGEDY WHOSE PERPETRATORS CANNOT BE VINDICATED" A report by Memorial, the Moscow-based human rights group, on the massive violations of human rights committed in the taking of Khojaly on the night of 25-26 February 1992 by armed units The report of Memorial on the massive violations of human rights committed in the taking of Khojaly says of the civilians' flight from the town: "The fugitives fell into ambushes set by Armenians and came under fire. Some of them nonetheless managed to get into Agdam: others, mostly women and children (exactly how many it is impossible to say), froze to death while lost in the mountains; other still, according to testimony from those who reached Agdam, were taken prisoner near the village of Pridzhamal and Nakhichevanik. There is evidence from inhabitants of Khojaly who have already been exchanged that some of the prisoners were shot. Around 200 bodies were brought into Agdam in the space of four days. Scores of the corpses bore traces of profanation. Doctors on a hospital train in Agdam on 181 corpses (130 male and 51 female, including 13 children): the finding were that 151 people shrapnel wounds and 10 from blows inflicted with a blunt instrument. The records of the hospital train in Agdam, trough which almost all the injured inhabitants or defenders of Khojaly passed, refer to 598 cases of wounds or frostbite (cases of frostbite being in the majority) and one case of live scalping".

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KOMMERSANT (MOSCOW), 27 FEBRUARY, 2002 Over the night from 25 to 26 February1992 the Khojaly town (Nagorny Krabagh), inhabited mainly Azerbaijanis, was subjected to the massive attack from the Armenian side. The unit of the Russian 366th infantry guards regiment took part in the attack. As a result, 613 persons died, 487 wounded, 1275 imprisoned, 150 persons are missing. The Khojaly events have radically changed the nature of the conflict - afterwards the military operations.

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15 TH YEAR OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED Azerbaijan, Baku /corr Trend / The genocide at one of the most ancient settlements of Khojali during the first stages of the conflict in the Nagorno Karabakh, which started between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 1988, is one of the most terrible, tragic and unprecedented events in human history. The tragedy of Khojali stands at the same level of the most terrible and cruel tragedies carried out in Xatin, Hiroshima .

Khojali is situated 14 km to north-west of Hankendi.

Khojali had a population of 7000 before the tragedy in 1992. This was also a home to refugees who were forced to the area during that period from Armenia and IDPs from neighboring Hankendi, as well as to Meskheti Turks, who were forced from Fergana in 1989.

On the night of 26 February 1992, the Armenians deployed their forces in Hankendi and with the help of the 366th military regiment of the former USSR , attacked the defenseless and helpless of Khojali.

It started with Armenian forces surrounding the town from four directions and opening heavy and ceaseless fire from artillery and salvo launchers. Within a short time, the city was enveloped in flames. The defending army and local population had to leave town. Khojali was occupied by the Armenian invaders by 5 AM. Within one night the town was razed to the ground.

The population escaped to the mountains and forests. The Armenian armed forced fired at civilians from all sides and jeered at them cruelly. Many young girls were taken hostage that cold snowy night. Many of those who tried to escape the Armenian forces, by heading for forests and mountains, froze to death. As a result of the Armenian invasion, 613 residents of Khojali were killed and 478 were badly injured. 1275 civilians, including the elderly, women and children, were taken hostage and endured serious insults and offences from the Armenians. The fate of 150 is still unknown.

This was a true genocide. Out of 613 civilians killed in Khojali, 106 were women, 63 children and 70 elderly.

During the Khojali tragedy, 8 entire families were annihilated, 24 children lost both parents and 130 children lost one parent.

56 people were killed with particular cruelty. They were burnt to death, had their heads cut off, their faces skinned and their eyes pricked out. The Armenians were also violent to pregnant women and profaned the dead bodies.

The nation and the state of Azerbaijan will not forget the Khojali tragedy.

Heydar Aliyev, the ex President of the Republic of Azerbaijan , issued a special decree regarding the Khojali genocide on 1 March 1994. According to a decree of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan , 26 February was declared a national day of mourning in memory of the Khojali genocide.

Corresponding notifications were sent to all international organizations.

On 26 February 1997, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued a decree of a minute’s silence in memory of the Khojali genocide victims. The President of Azerbaijan makes a speech addressed to the nation of Azerbaijan in connection to the Khojali genocide on 26 February every year www.news.az 26 February, 2007

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16TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE MARKED IN ISRAEL The Congress of Azerbaijanis in the Middle East will host a ceremony in Israel on February 24 to mark the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

The event will feature distribution of books, CDs and DVDs about Armenians` killing innocent and defenseless people in Khojaly, as well as their other crimes against Azerbaijanis and Turks. An exhibition on the occasion will also be held.

The Khojaly genocide took place on February 26 1992 when the ethnic Armenian armed forces with help of the Russian 366th Motor Rifle Regiment killed 613 innocent Azerbaijanis, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people.

AzerTAj 27 January, 2008

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AZERBAIJANI DELEGATION TO HIGHLIGHT NAGORNO-KARABAKH ISSUE AT OSCE PA WINTER SESSION Nagorno-Karabakh issue will be a priority for the Azerbaijan delegation at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly winter session slated for February 20-22 in Vienna.

Eldar Ibrahimov, member of the Azerbaijan delegation to the OSCE PA said the Azerbaijani group will raise the issue concerning the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and OSCE PA`s adopting a resolution on the conflict. The delegation will also highlight the Khojaly tragedy as well. The team will try to include into the OSCE`s resolution the fact that Armenia is the occupant and Nagorno-Karabakh is controlled by the separatist forces.

Eldar Ibrahimov noted the resolution is unlikely to be adopted given the session is short. In this case, the team will try to solve this issue at the next session in Kazakhstan.

OSCE PA President Goran Lennmarker is to report on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The delegation will highlight the refugee and IDP-related problem at the meetings of committees.

AzerTAj 03 February, 2008

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PROTEST RALLY TO BE HELD IN STRASBOURG TO MARK 16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE Strasbourg-Azerbaijan House, Society for Cultural Relations with Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Kultur Society, Association of Azerbaijani Students in France and Azeri and Turkish diaspora organizations in France will hold a protest rally at Place Broglie in Strasbourg to commemorate the 16th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

According to Azerbaijan State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis living Abroad, the participants will condemn Armenia`s barbarism against Azerbaijanis and call on the International Tribunal to start criminal prosecution against Armenian president Robert Kocharian.

The protesters will distribute English- and French-language newspapers and books, and adopt a declaration to present it to the European Union and Council of Europe.

Strasbourg authorities already authorized the rally.

AzerTAj 10 February, 2008

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BALTIC COUNTRIES TO COMMEMORATE VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE Azerbaijani Diaspora Organizations in Baltic countries will hold events from February 20 to March 31on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide committed by Armenians, State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said.

The members of the Parliaments, top-ranking officials and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Baltic counties will get materials and documents adopted by Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) on Khojaly Genocide as well as materials about history of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Agitation groups will organize in Baltic countries the photo exhibitions, seminars, and round table discussions, disseminate special brochures and demonstrate film about Khojaly massacre.

AzerTAj 13 February, 2008

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MONUMENT TO KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE OPENED IN HOLLAND Monument to Khojaly Genocide will be opened February 24 in Kamperfoeliestraat park of Holland city Hague, State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said. It is one of the largest projects of Holland-Azerbaijan-Turkey Culture Association. Monument depicts mother holding a child over the head to save from Armenian invaders.

Representatives of the State Committee, diplomatic corps, Azerbaijan and Turkey Diasporas were present at the event.

AzerTAj 13 February, 2008

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ON THIS NIGHT THEY HAD NO RIGHT EVEN TO LIVE They fled from their home on that most ominous night leaving behind all the gaining, taking only the children. On this night they had no right even to live.

Still in the evening on 25 February the military equipment of the former 366th soviet regiment held fihting position surrounding Khojaly on three sides. Then, they began storming the city following with 2-hours massed bombardment and heavy military machines. To 5 o`clock in the morning of the next day, the city practically has stopped the existence: fire devoured the abandoned houses and the population, more than 2500 people left the houses, trying to be rescued in Askaran direction, but near the Nakhichivanik village the Armenian militants opened fire on unarmed people. Later, the Armenian side will, surprisingly shrugging shoulders, and putting good face on things, declare, that the peaceful population was presented “free corridor”. This "corridor" determined by nobody in the given quality as it is necessary in such cases, appeared an ominous trap for the women, children and the old in the frost-bitten woods and mountain passes. The people, unfortunate, driven to despair with special cruelty, brutality, even savour, were slaughtered by the Armenian bands …

From materials of investigation on occupation of Khojaly, it is known, that in the attack on city, except the Armenian separatists and bands, participated also the 2nd battalion of the notorious 366th regiment under command of major Seyran Ohanyan, the 3rd battalion under command of Evgeny Nabokhin, the chief of staff of 1-st battalion Valery Chitchyan and over 50 Armenian officers and ensigns.

From the same materials it is known, that during attack to Khojaly, used were the forbidden bullets of 5, 45 calibres and chemical weapon. At the survived people they scoffed with special cruelty: scalped them, cut off heads and other parts of body, pricked out eyes of children, ripped up stomaches of pregnant women, burnt alive, having poured over gasoline. Are not these facts of violation by Armenia of protocols of the Geneva Convention, and isn`t it a genocide of the peaceful population?

The bloodiest tragedy of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began practically from illegal requirements of ethnic Armenians of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous region of Azerbaijan SSR in 1988 about anexation to Armenia SSR, provoked by open support of ruling circles of Armenia SSR with tacit consent of the central authorities of Soviet Union.

It has to be noted that the destiny of Khojaly has been predetermined. The city, population of which totaled about 7 thousand people, situated in 10 kms south-east of Khankendi. It was on the road of Agdam-Khankendi and had the only airport in Karabakh where military planes could land. And ofcourse, one of priorities of the Armenian bands was liquidation of Khojaly, being bridge-head, opening of the corridor connecting Askaran and Stepanakert, and capture of the only airport which was under the control of Azerbaijanis.

Involuntarily the question arises – didn`t A. Mutallibov, the then head of republic, know about it?

If he didn`t know, it means, he had no right to hold such high post.

The president and the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan is the highest official of republic and he has not provided protection of constitutional order, territorial integrity of republic, the rights and freedoms of citizens. Moreover, even after tragedy he was afraid to inform people the truth and hid the data on real scales of punishment, having made one more curtsey aside Armenians.

Trying to diminish his role in inability to protect city, A. Mutallibov put the blame for massacre in Khojaly on leaders of the Popular Front. His justificatory interview was widely advertised in Armenia. Thus, he once again betraid his people, having thrown to the enemy in quality of gift his version, and, more likely, a dull conclusion testifying to his own feebleness and incompetence. And the then opposition simply took advantage of tragedy that on the wave of national anger to come to power.

There was one more reason why the Armenian barbarians with brutal cruelty have massacred the innocent population.

Serzh Sarkisyan sitting nowadays in the armchair of the prime minister of Armenia and pretending to the post of the president of Armenia has rather cynically and rigidly expressed it: “Up to Khojaly, the Azerbaijanis thought, that it is possible to play with us, they thought, that Armenians are not capable to lift a hand on civilians. We could break this stereotype”. So, it seems massacre was planned as a deliberate act of intimidation.

But they have not reached their goals, and will never.

The Russian journalist Y. Romanov, who has visited places of massacre, began his book about Karabakh “I shoot war …” with such words: “Oh, my God, is it a “national-liberation struggle” as such?”

We present only one episode from this book, and you will make conclusions: “… the 37 seconds I have shot burn my hands. I go out of circle of people and raise the camera. In the view-finder is a road on which the

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machine with wounded rushes. There, the wounded are unloaded on a stretcher, and they are directly from the platform through open windows of cars taken to the operational car. A girl of years of six with the tied up head.

The bandage is made so, that completely closes her both eyes.

Not switching off the camera, I bend over her: - What is with you, lovely?

- My eyes burn … Eyes my …are burning…

My eyes burn!!!

The doctor touches me on shoulder: - Blind she is. Her eyes were burnt by cigarette stubs … When she was brought here, the stubs sticked out of her eyes …

Let the reader forgive me. But what my eyes saw and was heard by my ears, cannot be transmitted in poor words. Such memoirs never pass, and, having written this chapter in the evening, in the morning I find out on temples a new gray hair … ».

Gradually the news about bloody massacre in Khojaly became property of the public simply stunned by atrocities of the "victim of this conflict”, how the Armenians and their henchmen represented themselves. The truth about genocide committed in Khojaly above the Azerbaijan population, became a subject of discussions by parliaments of the various countries.

Representative of the state of Indiana in the Congress of the USA, member of the Committee for international relations, Congressman Den Barton, speaking on February 21, 2005 in the House of Representatives, called the Congress to recognize the Khojaly tragedy as genocide. Having started his speech with the words “the mankind should know and remember”, he stated that in Khojaly, committed was cruel ethnic cleanse in relation to innocent women, children and old men, and the Armenians mocked even at corpses.

“We became witnesses of the fact that Armenians have intentionally destroyed each village seized by them in territory of Azerbaijan. It is nothing but barbarism”, the Congressman concluded.

The US pro-Armenian Russian-language newspaper “V Novom Svete” published the article “Armenian Genocide – fact” of 19-25 October, 2007 by Armenian lobbyist Edward Pariyants. In support of this “fact”, he provided a photo depicting dead bodies of children, allegedly, Armenians killed by Turks in 1915. However, it is the photograph of Azerbaijani children killed by Armenian criminals during assault on Khojaly. “ How much insolent, shameless and cynical one should be to present Azerbaijani children - victims of Armenian terror of 1922 - as Armenian victims of 1915,”- Felix Tsertsvadze said with indignation in his letter, urging to repel the falsifiers. Provoker was not only repulsed but also the newspaper apologized for the blunder.

Khojaly massacre became possible because the Soviet center hampered the creation of Azerbaijan armed forces.

They even took hunting rifles from Karabakh Azerbaijanis claiming Soviet troops stationed in the region will defend the population and territorial integrity of the Republic. The Azerbaijani population of Karabakh was left to the mercy of fate.

Khojaly genocide, which took place in late 20th century is the gravest crime targeting not only the people of Azerbaijan but also the whole humanity. The world must remember it! And it is not the Azerbaijani propaganda – it is a reality.

World Azerbaijanis mark the anniversary of this horrible tragedy with heavy heart on February 26. One of the priorities Heydar Aliyev Foundation headed by First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva is to raise the world community`s awareness about the truth on the Khojaly: the web portal on Azerbaijan was launched, collection of booklets “Karabakh realities” was prepared. In continuation of the special project implemented last year, a string of events dedicated to the Khojaly tragedy will be organized in the UK, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, USA (Washington, New York), UAE (Dubai).

Those countries will also host exhibitions of photo documents in Russian and English unmasking Armenian fascists in the extermination of people, which runs counter to common sense. The exhibition will also feature the works by winners of the Foundation`s picture contest “Khojaly through the eyes of children” In this context, heads of Muslim, Christian, and Judaic religions in Azerbaijan annually urge the international community to condemn the 26 February 1992 misdeeds, demand to bring the immediate perpetrators to trial for the crime committed.

A 13-minute film “Prayer” written by Yusif Sheikhov and directed by Ziya Shikhlinski will be demonstrated on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy. It was made by the government order and translated into a number of foreign languages. It will be shown in many countries with the support of the State Committee for Working with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad, in embassies and on all Azerbaijani channels.

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The world should know and remember about Khojaly. There cannot be a crime without punishment. Those who are anyhow involved in this terrible crime are responsible to their conscience but the day will come – it will necessarily come, we believe in it – when they will be charged with their misdeeds in the court of history, before the humanity.

AzerTAj 14 February, 2008

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THE HORROR OF THE NIGHT I WITNESSED THE GENOCIDE From the diary of Khojaly inhabitant, Shaiq Qurbanov It was towards evening of February 25. Those hard days had made people really closer to one another. All were frightful. Inhabitants were calling for help opening their hands to the sky in horror saying "God, help us".

There came a sudden heard of shootings. Shooting sounds started first to increase from airport side later from Mehdikend. I counted the shooting directions: They were shooting from exactly 9 directions. I ran home. My son Ruslan was awoken. He said: "Dad, I am scared" running to me. Our neighbor Firengiz came to us in horror.

"What are you standing for? Take the children and let's go to the basement. Don't you see how the damned are shooting?" We got really scared, Zehra, Imran, aunt Firangiz, uncle Latif, Zakir, Nasiba, my wife Besti, Ruslan and Zaur went down to the basement. Nearly 500 people assembled in the basement in about half an hour. Most of them were women and children, and the men were standing next to the door waiting for help. We had no weapons to defend ourselves.

The shooting bullets were like a rain. All around were in panic, people were running around without knowing what to do. The scream voices coming from older Khojaly side was approaching. I saw about 2000 people came out from among the houses. When I asked where they were going. They answered that the Armenians had entered the village. They wanted to go towards mountains to Aghdam through the forest. I hailed the people in the basement. We also joined the survivors.

We somehow could get out of the village. We reached the river soon. The weather was very cold. We didn't have any other choice; we did have to cross the river. I took off my shoes and crossed the river. But most of the people just jumped into the water, because there was no time. Then we started to climb the opposite mountain.

All were asking one another: "Who knows the way?" But no one knew the way. When we reached down to the road, we waited everyone to come. After all assembled we started the way. Nakhchivanik road was being seen.

We started to go ahead in that direction. Suddenly we saw armored carrier appear on the road. The armored carrier started to shoot at people standing between two hills. We couldn't find place to hide, everywhere was shrubbery. We could somehow escape and crossed to other side. After a little while a police car stopped in front of us. They were Armenians. As they got off the car started to shoot at us. People were thrown about and running. At this time another armored carrier stopped in front us and started to shoot at us again. I could hardly take the children and jumped into the valley. I saw grandma Gullu and Shohret lying right next to me. I tried to talk to them but they didn't say anything. When I looked at them attentively I saw blood all around them. They were dead. Nasibe and Zohre also wanted to run to the valley I was hiding in. But suddenly an armored carrier appeared in front of them, turned its tube towards them and shot. They both died in blood. I fainted when I saw that view.

It was heavily snowing. We again heard shooting sounds. We saw three people on the opposite hill. They were shooting and speaking our language. I took the child's hat and waved to them.

- Hey, Brother, don't be afraid. It's us, get out of there.

We happily got out of that valley. When we looked at the valley, we saw hundreds of people lying on the ground. We thought they were hiding, but when we approached them, saw that they were all dead. It was, impossible to move among the corpses.

The next day we went to carry the dead bodies. The hills looked bright red. The dead bodies were countless.

There were a lot tortured ones among them. One of the corpses didn't have a head on the body; the other had steel rope over his neck; and some others didn't have legs, arms, eyes and other parts of body. Each of them had been killed with different tortures.

I am one of the live witnesses of genocide happened to Khojaly population. I won't be able to forget this horror till the end of my life.

“Euro xəbər”.-2008.-№3.-14-19 fevral.-S.5

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AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR MEETS CHAIRMAN OF INDONESIAN PARLIAMENT’S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ibrahim Haciyev, Azerbaijani ambassador to Indonesia met with Chairman of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Agung Laksono.

The Ambassador was interested in the Invitation Letter sent by the Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament Ogtay Asadov to invite him to Baku and Agung Laksono said he would soon inform Azerbaijani side on the matter.

Ibrahim Haciyev presented Ogtay Asadov’s letter to Agong Laksono inviting him to ceremonies to be held on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Azerbaijan Parliament.

He noted that Indonesian delegation’s attending the ceremonies in Baku would serve expansion of relations between the two countries.

The Chairman of the House was also presented another letter inviting him to the conference called “Democracy and for the sake of stability: new opportunities of cooperation ” to be held in Baku on the occasion of Azerbaijan’s nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev’s 80 anniversary, to be organized by the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP).

Ibrahim Haciyev was also interested in the issue of the establishment of Indonesia-Azerbaijan Friendship Group in the Parliament of the country.

A. Laksono, in his turn, said this issue is on the agenda and the establishment of the Group is planned after parliamentary elections in Indonesia due to 2009.

The Azerbaijani Ambassador briefed him on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Khojaly genocide in detail and highly assessed Indonesia’s supporting Azerbaijan’s fair position in settlement of this problem.

AzerTAj 15 February, 2008

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PROTEST ACTION CONNECTED WITH KHOJALY TRAGEDY TO BE HELD IN NYU-YORK A memory ceremony on the 16th anniversary of Khojaly tragedy under the motto of “Khojaly - destructed city” will be held on February 23 by the America-Azerbaijan Society, Azerbaijani American Council and the Federation of Turkish American Associations in New-York.

The event which will be held in English aims at informing the Azerbaijani and Turkish youth on Armenia’s aggressive policy against Azerbaijan, more than one million people becoming internally displaced persons in their own country, as well as unprecedented Khojaly massacre committed by Armenians.

A spokesman of the State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said, on February 26 twohour protest action connected with Khojaly genocide will be held in front of the building of Armenia’s representation at UN in New-York. The action will bring together Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations too.

AzerTAj 15 February, 2008

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ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE MARKED AT INDONESIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES A ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held on February 18 at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

The Institute is a governmental organization under the president of Indonesia.

Ibrahim Hajiyev, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Indonesia informed the ceremony attendees on Armenia’s occupying 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories and driving more than one million people out of their native lands. He particularly underlined efforts of Azerbaijan leadership to resolve the conflict peacefully and Armenia’s destructive position in this question.

The Ambassador briefed on Khojaly genocide committed by Armenians, saying that it was one of the gravest crimes committed against humanity.

He also noted that memory of the innocent people - victims of savagery of the Armenian nationalists - has been commemorated annually in Azerbaijan and other countries.

Ibrahim Hajiyev also informed the attendees on Azerbaijan’s successes in the direction of integration towards world community, achievements gained under President Ilham Aliyev`s leadership, democratic processes, and economic development in Azerbaijan, as well as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and Baku-TbilisiErzurum gas pipelines, the county’s leading role in the West-East and North-South transport corridors and its growing influence in the region and the world wholly.

He answered the questions of reporters about Azerbaijan.

The attendees of the ceremony were distributed the book titled “Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict”, published in Azerbaijani and Indonesian languages, as well as documentary film dealing with the conflict that has been released on DVD and other materials about Azerbaijan.

AzerTAj 18 February, 2008

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN USA The 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide will be marked in several cities in the United States of America.

On February 22, representatives of the Azerbaijani Diaspora will hold a protest rally in front of the Azerbaijan Embassy in Washington DC, a spokesman to the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad announced.

He said the American Azerbaijan Association, Federation of Turkish-American Associations, TurkishAmerican Students` Association, American Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijani-American Council will co-organize a seminar entitled Khojaly Ruined City at the New York Turkish Center on February 23. On the same day, victims of the tragedy will be remembered by the Azerbaijani Community in Houston.

On February 24, Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Los-Angeles in association with American Azerbaijan Association will host a ceremony to pay tribute to the Khojaly victims.

On February 26, Azerbaijan Diaspora organizations will organize a two-hour protest action in front of the building of Armenia`s permanent representation to the United Nations, while the American Azerbaijani Association together with Azeris Network organization will host a commemorative ceremony at the George Washington University.

AzerTAj 19 February, 2008

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HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION TO COMMEMORATE VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE Heydar Aliyev Foundation will hold commemorative events to mark the 16th anniversary of Khojaly genocide committed by Armenians.

These events will be arranged in various cities of the world, including in Washington, New York, Warsaw, London, Hague, Dubai and Kiev, Moscow, Berlin, Strasburg, Brussels, Bucharest, Geneva, Ankara, Istanbul, Paris, Prague and Tbilisi. After demonstration of the film “Khojaly” produced by the Foundation, participants of the events will get familiar with photos and articles about the genocide.

The aim of the campaign is to give international community objective and fair information about Armenian’s barbarism against Azerbaijanis.

AzerTAj 19 February, 2008

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KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN TURKEY The 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide will be commemorated in Turkey.

Commemorative ceremonies will be held in Kayseri on February 21-22 and in Ankara on February 25.

In Kecioren district in Ankara, the commemorative event will be held in front of a monument in memory of the genocide’s victims.

Member of Milli Majlis Ganira Pashayeva will attend the ceremonies to distribute photo and video materials about Armenians` barbarism against innocent and defenseless Azerbaijanis.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s “Khojaly Genocide” film will also be demonstrated as part of the commemorative events.

AzerTAj 20 February, 2008

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ROUND TABLE ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN KNESSET On February 18, Congress of Israel Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan Representation of World Azerbaijanis’ Congress (WAC) held a round table in the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) to commemorate the 16th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

Members of the Knesset, including David Tal, Israel Katz, Ran Kohen, Zeev Elkin and Marina Solodkina were among those in attendance at the event.

President of the Congress of Israel Azerbaijanis Shapiro-Suliman gave detailed information about Armenians` barbarism against innocent Azerbaijanis.

He described the Khojaly massacre as one of the most horrible tragedies of Azerbaijan in the 20th century.

Head of WAC Azerbaijan Representation Ismayil Aghayev said, in 1918, not only Azerbaijanis but also Jews were subjected to mass killings by Armenians in Guba, a city in northeastern Azerbaijan. He added that 118 murdered Jews have been identified.

Aghayev called on the Israeli deputies to discuss the Khojaly issue and to make efforts towards recognizing it as an act of genocide.

The Members of the Knesset said the Khojaly genocide is not aimed only against Azerbaijanis, but also the whole humanity.

They stressed that Armenia’s military aggression must be condemned by the international community, and that international organizations and world parliaments, including Knesset must give legal assessment to the Armenians` barbarism against Azerbaijanis and recognize it as genocide.

Organizers of the event distributed video and photo materials reflecting mass cemetery in Guba, where local residents, killed by Armenian fascists, had been buried; as well as booklets “Karabakh realities” published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and other materials about activities of Armenian terrorist organizations.

AzerTAj 20 February, 2008

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE REMEMBERED IN RUSSIA The 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide will be marked in several cities in the Russian Federation, State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis living abroad reported.

The All-Russian Azerbaijani Congress (ARAC) will host February 26 a commemorative event in the “Baku Cinema” in Moscow which will feature a documentary about Armenians` barbarism against Azerbaijanis.

Federal National Cultural Autonomy of the Azerbaijanis of Russia will arrange a commemorative event in Saint Petersburg to pay tribute to the victims.

On February 26, commemorative ceremonies will be held in Yekaterinburg, Samara, Vladivostok and other cities of Russia.

The aim of the events is to inform the community about Armenians` barbarism against innocent and defenseless Azerbaijani people.

AzerTAj 20 February, 2008

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16TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE MARKED IN JAPAN AND THAILAND 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide will also be commemorated in the Far East, State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad reported.

The Japan-Azerbaijan Friendship society will arrange an event February 26 in the Japanese Osaka University to inform students and tutor staff of the institution about the Khojaly genocide.

A 30-minute long documentary about Nagorno Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s history will be demonstrated during the event.

Azerbaijan Cultural House in the Kingdom of Thailand will hold conference to pay tribute to the victims of the Khojaly genocide in the Assumption University in Bangkok.

Along with the Turkish, Azerbaijani and other nations’ students studying in the University, the students and tutor staff of the Assumption and Thailand Technical Universities will get familiar with photos and articles about the genocide.

The event is expected to be held February 26.

AzerTAj 20 February, 2008

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THEIR ONLY «FAULT» WAS BEING AZERBAIJANIS Sixteen years have elapsed ever since, but thinking of what happened at night on February 26, 1992, in one of the most beautiful corners of our country, Nagorno-Karabakh, still makes one’s flesh creep. On that horrific night recorded in black letters in history of the Azerbaijani people, the city of Khojaly was erased from the face of the earth with its peaceful residents brutally killed and tortured.

This bloody, uncivilized action was committed by Armenian armed groups supported by military personnel - including up to 40 officers and ensigns of Armenian origin - and equipment of the former soviet army’s motorized rifle regiment No366, then deployed in the city of Khankendi.

While thinking of what happened then, it is too hard to believe that it was committed by those, who call themselves human beings. Only monsters were capable to carry out such massive massacre killing 613 innocent people, including 106 women and 63 children and leaving 487 disabled. Besides, 1275 people, including the old, children and women, were taken hostage, and underwent severe torture and humiliation.

This is rough statistics given in the Statement the Milli Majlis of the Azerbaijan Republic issued last year on the 15th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, one of the most monstrous crimes in the 20th century.

Human history recorded a number of genocide acts such as in Khatyn, Lidice and Oradour. But Khojaly is different: Armenian butchers even surpassed the fascists by aiming their arms against those they had been living side by side with for decades, in the same state.

Hundreds of true stories told by miraculously survived eye-witnesses, journalists and human rights activists to describe the Armenian barbarism, have appeared in a number of publications, including in those ordered by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The stories give a horrific picture of tortured death of people, whose only fault was they were Azerbaijanis. … Residents of the city were trampled by infantry fighting vehicles… They fired pointblank at the old, women and children, scalped and pulled out nails from captives, and put out eyes of the dead and cut their ears off…

Here are more concrete illustrations.

Sanubar Alakbarova (resident of Khojaly): - When fleeing through the forest to Aghdam, we were ambushed. I saw a lot of dead bodies piled up. My mother was shot dead. My daughters Sevinj and Hijran were wounded. A bullet hit me too. Young women and children were perishing on the snow…

Janan Orujov (resident of Khojaly): - They shot my son to death. He was 16. They took away my 23-yearold daughter with her twin babies, and my second 18-year-old daughter, who was pregnant…

Saria Talybova (resident of Khojaly): - …We were brought to Armenian cemetery. Four young Meskheti Turks, who had found asylum in our city, and three Azerbaijanis were sacrificed on the grave of an Armenian gunman. They cut the pour men’s heads off, and then began to torture and kill children before their parents’ very eyes. They used bulldozer to throw the dead bodies down the ravine. Armed with screwdrivers, they pricked out the eyes of two Azerbaijanis wearing national army uniform.

French journalist, Jean-Yves Junet: - I had heard a lot about wars, about the cruelty of the Fascists, but the Armenians were worse, killing fiveand six-year-old children, killing innocent civilians.

V. Belykh, reporter of Russian newspaper «Izvestiya»: «…From time to time, dead bodies exchanged to living hostages are brought to Agdam. It is worse than any nightmare: pricked eyes, cut ears and heads, scalps…

There were bunches of dead bodies, which, evidently, had long been dragged along the ground by a fighting vehicle. Torture knows no limits…

Sunday Times: Armenian soldiers annihilated hundreds families.

Washington Post: «…The corpses of seven dead men were shown today, two of them children and threewomen. 120 refugees are in Agdam hospital, many bodies are stabbed.»

Le Monde: «Foreign journalists in Agdam saw three scalped corpses with pulled out nails among women and children killed in Khojaly. This is not Azerbaijan propaganda but reality.»

«Times»: … «Many people were mutilated, and it was remained only the head of one little girl» Outrage upon both the living and the dead was also confirmed by the Russian human rights center «Memorial», which registered the fact of scalping alive, and made examinations to find out the causes of Khojaly residents’ massive death.

Reading all this is enough to make one horrified...

«Crime in Khojaly can not be justified in public opinion», said Journalist of British TV R. Patrick, who visited the place of tragedy.

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But look what is the attitude to the tragedy taken by notorious Armenian «ideologist» Zoriy Balaian, a doctor, who broke Hyppocrat’s oath, a journalist, who broke all rules of journalism ethics, inspirer and organizer of the acts of insanity which caused hundreds of ruined fates from both sides. Here is how he assesses the genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in his book Revival of Our Spirit published in 1996: «Every Armenian must be proud of this action.» What a scary words!

Even more shocking are revelations of the author, who lost his conscience and humanity, cited by our Russia-based compatriot Jafar Sadig in his collection Beyond the Statute of limitation: «When Khachatur and I entered one of the seized houses,» Balaian writes, «our soldiers nailed a 13-year-old Turk [Azerbaijani] to the window-frame. Then, Khachatur divided the boy’s dead body into parts and threw them at dogs. In the evening we did the same to another three kids. I did my duty as a man, who loves Armenians...»

It is possible to presume that he who committed and wrote with relish about that qualifying his action as doing a patriotic duty, is mentally sick. As for Balaian, he hardly needs specialized treatment. Wanted by the Interpol, he will probably be brought to court for stirring up inter-ethnic hostility, murders and other crimes against humanity.

These deliberate actions with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group prove, in accordance with international law, that what happened in the Azerbaijani city of Khojaly was an act of genocide, and along with tragedies mentioned above, must be recognized as genuine genocide.

Not only peaceful people of the planet, civilized nations and international organizations must be aware of this bitter truth but the crime committed against humanity must be given legal assessment. It should be noted that the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan saw all signs of genocide enshrined in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 9, 1948.

The Khojaly tragedy was a continuation of the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide carried out by Armenian nationalists and their supporters against the Azerbaijani people for almost 200 years. The impotent and incompetent leadership of Azerbaijan of early 1990s, remained indifferent towards the bloody action making no effort to inform the international community about the massacre. They were not touched even by the fact that defenders of the city had not bowed down to the enemies but demonstrated heroism and devotion to the homeland in the battle with them.

Only after national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev returned to power, the truth about the scale and horrors of the crimes committed by Armenian nationalists against Azerbaijanis and strong demand to give legal assessment to that was brought to the international community. This course is being insistently continued by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Commemorating the innocent victims of the tragedy in Khojaly on these days of its 16th anniversary, the people of Azerbaijan once again with hope and belief call on the nations and peoples of the world as well as international organizations to defend truth and justice, condemn the Khojaly genocide and bring its culprits, organizers and executors to account.

Crime must not remain unpunished!

AzerTAj 20 February, 2008

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN UKRAINE AND BELARUS A protest action dedicated to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide will be held in front of the building of Armenian Embassy, as well as OSCE Office in Ukraine, at the organizational support of the Azerbaijani Congress in Ukraine. Azerbaijanis living in other cities of Ukraine will also attend the event.

A range of roundtable meetings, as well as commemorative ceremonies devoted to the Genocide will be held in Kiev, Kharkov, Donestk, Dnipropetrovsk and other cities of Ukraine.

Memory of the Tragedy victims will be commemorated in the Republic of Belarus, too, a spokesman of the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said.

On February 26, a commemorative ceremony and roundtable meeting devoted to the Genocide will be held in “Zhuravinka” Complex in Belarus, at the organizational support of the “Congress of Azerbaijani communities in Belarus”. A documentary devoted to the genocide will be demonstrated.

AzerTAj 21 February, 2008

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN AUSTRALIA The Australia-based Azerbaijani Society will organize commemorative ceremonies on the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide in Sidney. The ceremonies will bring together Turkish and Iraqi Turkmen communities.

During a conference to be held in Sidney with the participation of media representatives, video films on the Armenian savagery will be demonstrated with photos being exhibited.

The conference will also adopt an appeal to the Parliament of Australia and other state bodies to make positive assessment to the Khojaly Genocide, as well as Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“Azeri” New Zealand-Azerbaijan Friendship Society functioning in Oakland city of New Zealand on February 24-25 will distribute brochures on the Genocide in the country’s “Botany Downs” trade center.

“Karabakh realities” booklets published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and its CD and DVD versions will be distributed among the media outlets, as well as some members of New Zealand Parliament AzerTAj 21 February, 2008

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FILM ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS TO BE DEMONSTRATED IN MOLDOVA Azerbaijanis Congress in Moldova together with Azerbaijani embassy in this country on February 26 will hold a commemorative ceremony of the Khojaly genocide victims in Kishinev, a spokesman of the State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said.

A film devoted to the Khojaly Genocide will be demonstrated at the meeting to be attended by representatives of diplomatic corps, international organizations and Diaspora organizations in Moldova, as well as the country’s state and government officials.

AzerTAj 21 February, 2008

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HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER MADE STATEMENT ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, Ombudsperson Elmira Suleymanova, made a statement on the 16th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide.

The statement says that according to international and national laws, the crime, committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in Khojaly in 1992, is the act of genocide. International law indicates that the genocide is against peace and humanity and one of the severest international crimes.

The statement regretfully notes that international community has not given legal assessment to Khojaly genocide, during which human rights were brutally violated, and undertaken necessary steps to punish perpetrators of this terror.

The statement was sent to Secretary General of the United Nations, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, international and European Ombudsman Organizations, Asian Ombudsman Association and embassies of foreign countries in Azerbaijan.

AzerTAj 22 February, 2008

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON 16 TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN INDONESIA A commemorative ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide was held at the State University of Jakarta, Indonesia.

The ceremony attendees was informed on the Khojaly Genocide and it was underlined that the tragedy was one of the gravest crimes against humanity, a spokesman of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Indonesia said.

Employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Indonesia spoke about Armenia’s aggressive policy against Azerbaijan and the efforts of the Azerbaijani leadership to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict peacefully.

The event also briefed on successes of Azerbaijan’s domestic and external policy, economic development of the country, its leading role in global projects, as well as increasing influence in region and in the world wholly.

Moreover, the ceremony attendees were distributed books entitled “Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict”, published by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Indonesia, other materials about Khojaly Genocide and Azerbaijan.

AzerTAj 22 February, 2008

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CAPTIVE LAND - KARABAKH BOOK PRESENTED The book entitled “Terre occupe - Haut Karabakh” (Captive land - Karabakh) published in French was presented Friday at the International Press Center.

Bulent Gurcam, the author of the book and chairman of “Belgium-Azerbaijan House” informed on the 8year operating organization’s activity. He said the Organization has great role in forming and developing Azerbaijani Diaspora in Belgium, drawing the world community’s attention to the processes ongoing in Azerbaijan, as well as realizing various projects.

Speaking about the book, “Captive land - Karabakh”, Mr. Bulent Gurcam said his organization publishes relevant materials to form an objective idea on the Khojaly Genocide, as well as Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in the world.

He also added the newly published book informs on some real facts including Yerevan’s (capital of Armenia) being an old Azerbaijani land, and Armenians’ moving to Azerbaijani territories, as well as genocide committed by them against Azerbaijani people.

He said the organization would hold a meeting devoted to the Khojaly Genocide in Brussels.

AzerTAj 22 February, 2008

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AZERBAIJAN REMEMBERS VICTIMS OF KHOJALY MASSACRE As is known, Azerbaijanis around the world will commemorate one of the most tragic days in their history next week, marking the 16th year that has passed since hundreds of innocent men, women and children from the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan were slaughtered by Armenian troops.

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States has disseminated a material to this end, whereby it is stated that the Khojaly massacre at the hands of Armenian troops stands as one of history`s most chillingly brutal military acts against unarmed civilians.

On February 25, 1992, Armenian forces surrounded the town of Khojaly, telling civilians they would be allowed safe passage if they evacuated. As thousands left the town, Armenian troops opened fire. By the next morning, 613 innocent civilians had been murdered, including 63 children. Another 1,000 people were wounded and 1,275 taken hostage. To this day, 150 people from Khojaly remain missing.

Further the statement gives list of the major media outlets covering the story in the following days described the massacre with horror: -- The Sunday Times reported the atrocity with the headline, "Armenian Soldiers Massacre Hundreds of Fleeing Families" (March 1, 1992).

-- Newsweek magazine reported: "Many were killed at close range while trying to flee; some had their faces mutilated, others were scalped" (March 16, 1992).

-- The New York Times also described beheadings and acts of scalping (March 3, 1992).

-- Time magazine called the actions against Khojaly "grim and unconscionable," reporting that many of those killed had been mutilated (March 16, 1992).

-- The Washington Times wrote that video footage "backed accounts of the slaughter of women and children" (March 3, 1992).

In the most shocking admission of culpability, Armenia`s then-defense minister Serge Sarkisian was quoted in the book "Black Garden" (by Tomas de Waal, NYU Press, 2003, page 85), as saying, "Before Khojaly the Azerbaijanis thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hands against the civilian population. We were able to break that stereotype."

To mark this act of genocide, February 26 is designated as a National Day of Mourning in Azerbaijan.

AzerTAj 22 February, 2008

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GERMAN TV TO BROADCAST PROGRAMS ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY On the initiative of the Germany-based Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations, several German TV programs will hold arrangements dedicated to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, the State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said.

The aim of the event is to inform the European community of the truth about the Khojaly tragedy.

Valeh Hajiyev, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for the Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad on February 24, will deliver a speech on the Berlin Branch of the TGRT Channel, on 26 February in Dusseldorf on the Channel Europe, on 27 February in Frankfurt on Channel 7.

Azerbaijani documentary film ‘Dua’ (‘Prayer’) dedicated to Khojaly genocide will be broadcasted on TGRT Channel.

The 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide will be commemorated in the Berlin, Mainz, Cologne, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Koblenz cities of Germany at support of the Azerbaijan Embassy in German and the Turkish Igdir municipality.

AzerTAj 22 February, 2008

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON 16 TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN KUWAIT The 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide will be commemorated in Kuwait, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Kuwait said. In the ceremony held February 17, a documentary on Khojaly genocide made by Heydar Aliyev Foundation was shown, and photo exhibition organized.

Conference on Khojaly tragedy will be organized on February 20 for representative of mass media in Kuwait. Ambassador Shahin Abdullayev delivered lectures on the Khojaly tragedy, as well as gave detailed information on the atrocities the Armenians committed against the Turkish and Azerbaijani peoples in the latest two centuries. He underlined that the tragedy was one of the gravest crimes against humanity. Collection of booklets briefly provides detailed information on history of Karabakh, start of the conflict, Khojaly genocide, heavy sequences of Armenian aggression, terrorist acts of Armenian terrorist organizations against Azerbaijan were distribute to participants.

The newspapers of Kuwait “Al-Ray”, “Al-Gabas”, “Al-Anba”, “Al-Seyassah”, “Al Jareeda”, “Al-Roya”, “Al-Nahar” and “Awan” have published wide information about Khojaly genocide on February 21.

AzerTAj 22 February, 2008

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN TASHKENT The Association of the Azerbaijani Cultural Centers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, held a commemorative ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

Akif Agatalibov, chairman of the Association making a speech at the ceremony that brought together members of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas, said the Khojaly genocide was one of the gravest tragedies committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis.

Speaking about Armenian savageries against Azerbaijani people he emphasized the importance of efforts to inform the world community about the Tragedy.

Omar Salman, chairman of the Akhiska Turks Cultural Center in Tashkent, Nasraddin Mahammadaliyev, chairman of the International Cultural Center, Ikhtiyar Rza, prominent Azerbaijani poet residing in Uzbekistan and others addressing the ceremony condemned Armenian crimes against Azerbaijani people.

A documentary film about the genocide was demonstrated at the commemorative ceremony too.

AzerTAj 24 February, 2008

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MEETING DEVOTED TO KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN ISTANBUL A crowded meeting devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held in Taksim Square in Istanbul city of Turkey.

The meeting brought together representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish communities, students, as well as Azerbaijanis residing in Istanbul.

Addressing the event Azerbaijani parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva, Consul General of Azerbaijan to Istanbul Sayyad Salahli briefed the attendees on Armenian occupation policy against Azerbaijan and the Khojaly genocide. It was stressed unless Armenian military forces leave the occupied territories unconditionally, Azerbaijan will resort to military means to liberate its territories.

Another meeting devoted to the Khojaly genocide was held in Konak Square in Izmir city of Turkey. The meeting condemned Armenian barbarism against Azerbaijanis and Turks and called on world community to recognize the massacre as genocide.

AzerTAj 25 February, 2008

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY HELD IN BERLIN The Turkish municipality of Igdir, consulate of Azerbaijan in Kars and Heydar Aliyev Foundation coorganized an international conference “Khojaly and realities of 1915 events” in the German capital of Berlin on Sunday.

The conference was attended by Turkish and Azerbaijani scholars, members of the Milli Majlis, representatives of the Turkish and Armenian Diasporas in Germany. They heard reports on the aggression, Armenian genocide policy against Turks and Azerbaijanis, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its consequences.

Scholars delivered reports on the Khojaly tragedy, aggressive policy and terrorist ideology of Armenia.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation works hard to raise world community`s awareness about the truth on Azerbaijan nd Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. .

The conference participants received books and special materials on the Khojaly genocide prepared by the Foundation.

AzerTAj 25 February, 2008

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MONUMENT TO KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS ERECTED IN NETHERLANDS The first monument to the Khojaly genocide victims and photo exhibition were inaugurated on February 24 on the initiative of the Netherlands-Azerbaijan Turkish Cultural Circle and with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijani Embassy in the Netherlands, as well as the State Committee for Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad.

The event brought together the delegation of the mentioned State Committee, members of diplomatic corps accredited to Hague, Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas functioning in the Netherlands, as well as foreign guests from European countries.

Making a speech at the meeting of Diaspora organizations, held following the opening ceremony, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Netherlands Fuad Iskandarov briefed the attendees on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s policy aimed at resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Ambassador assessed the opening of the monument to the Khojaly genocide victims in the center of Europe as a very significant event.

AzerTAj 25 February, 2008

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CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JOIN FOR KHOJALY COMMEMORATION EVENT As is reported, on February 25, 2008, a group of Azerbaijani students at the California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) along with Amnesty International representatives at CSUSB organized an event in commemoration of the 16th anniversary of Khojaly Massacre. The representatives of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) as well as over seventy CSUSB students and faculty members joined the presentation.

Opening the event, the head of Amnesty International chapter at CSUSB, Alfredo Bonilla, spoke about the human rights aspect of the massacre of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly and presented a video documenting the facts of this crime. Speaking on behalf of the Azerbaijani student group at CSUSB, Galib Rustamov informed attendees about the facts of the massacre and presented additional educational and visual material on this human tragedy to the audience.

Speaking further, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, Elin Suleymanov, highlighted the fact that Khojaly Massacre was committed by the units of Armenian army against unarmed Azerbaijani civilians, and as such it was an act of ethnic cleansing. Dismissing persistent denials of the Armenian side about its involvement in Khojaly killings, Mr. Suleymanov referred to the book "My Brother`s Road" by Markar Melkonian, who documented the accounts of his brother, an Armenian field commander Monte Melkonian, about the extreme brutality of Armenian forces during the occupation of Khojaly. Consul General further indicated the importance of proper recognition of Khojaly events and expressed concern over the fact that some of those suspected of perpetrating Khojaly Massacre now rose to power in Armenia through elections largely disputed by Armenian people.

AzerTAj 26 February, 2008

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TURKEY COMMEMORATES VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Embassy of Azerbaijan to Turkey held numerous events on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide.

On February 25, participants gathered in Kechioran region of Ankara to revere memory of Khojaly tragedy victims and laid flowers to the monument erected in their honor.

Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Zakir Hashimov, deputy of Azerbaijani Parliament Ganira Pashayeva, head of Kechioran municipality Turgut Altinok and other participants told of massacres committed by Armenians against people of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

On the same day, conference organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Turkish Women Friendship and Solidarity Association and Azerbaijani Embassy took place in the Turkish Standards Institution (TSI).

The event brought together representatives of the political parties of Turkey, Embassies and the journalists.

The conference participants watched the documentary about Khojaly Genocide as well as familiarized themselves with photo and book exhibition.

In closing, telegrams of condolences of Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ministers and MPs on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide were read out.

AzerTAj 26 February, 2008

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LONDON AZERBAIJAN SOCIETY HOLDS PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE The London Azerbaijan Society held a public information campaign on the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide in the Great Britain.

The Society addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom David Miliband, 646 members of the House of Commons of the British Parliament and 78 members of the European Parliament, influential US media outlets, United Nations High Commissioner For Human Rights, OSCE PA President, head of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, “Amnesty International”, “Human Rights Watch” organizations and foreign embassies in Azerbaijan. The books entitled “Khojaly tragedy - International View” and “International Visions: Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Karabakh” published by London Azerbaijan Society were attached to the appeal.

Assessing Armenian savageries in Khojaly city of Azerbaijan as one of the gravest crimes in the world, the appeal says committing the tragedy Armenians have violated the Geneva Convention on Human Rights.

The Khojaly genocide is a tragedy not only against Azerbaijani people, but also the whole world. According to the norms and principles of international law, the world community must condemn the tragedy as a crime against humanity and increase pressure on Armenia to leave occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the Appeal says.

The Society-published book “Khojaly tragedy - an International View” includes articles reflected in influential mass media of the world about the Khojaly tragedy, reports of international organizations, impressions of foreign journalists witnessed the tragedy, as well as photos.

The main goal to publish the books is informing the world community about the Khojaly genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict positively and exposing those who are responsible for the tragedy.

AzerTAj 26 February, 2008

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KHOJALY VICTIMS’ MEMORY REVERED IN CANADA Quebec Azerbaijanis Association and Canada Azerbaijan Women Association held commemoration ceremonies in Monreal city of Canada on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide, State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said.

Head of Quebec Azerbaijanis Association Masud Aliyev, Federation of Canada Turkey Associations Aydin Yurtchu, head of the Women Association Tunzala Bagirova told of history of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, Khojaly massacre and crimes committed by Armenians against people of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The meeting participants watched the documentary as well.

AzerTAj 26 February, 2008

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN TURKMENISTAN A commemorative ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held on February 26 in the Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkmenistan.

Elkhan Huseynov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkmenistan speaking about Armenian savagery against innocent people in Khojaly in 1992 said the tragedy was a planned genocide act committed by Armenian terrorists against Azerbaijani people.

Those speaking at the event assessed the bloodshed as the gravest crime against humanity and emphasized the importance of international community’s giving legal assessment to the genocide.

An exhibition devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, as well as a documentary film called “Prayer” was demonstrated in the event. Along with this books, brochures sent by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan on the genocide were distributed among the ceremony attendees.

AzerTAj 26 February, 2008

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EXHIBITION COMMEMORATING KHOJALY GENOCIDE ORGANIZED IN TURKEY The Azerbaijan Culture and Solidarity Association held an exhibition on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Khojaly genocide in Adana, Turkey.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, head of the association Yagub Bulud described the genocide as a crime committed not only against Azeri Turks but also the whole mankind.

Bulud underlined about seven thousand Azeri Turks lived in Khojaly before its occupation.

He said according to official figures, Armenians cruelly killed 623 innocent people, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 old people, while 487 became disabled and 1,275 were captivated.

Bulud said Turks and Azeris must combine their efforts to make the realities of the tragedy known to the world.

The exhibition was arranged with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

AzerTAj 26 February, 2008

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN SPAIN Azerbaijani embassy in Spain held February 26 a commemorative ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, the embassy reported.

Representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora organizations attended the event which started with a moment of silence.

Ambassador Mammad Aliyev spoke about Armenians` massacre against innocent people in Khojaly in 1992. He emphasized the importance of the international community’s giving legal assessment to the genocide.

The ceremony attendees condemned Armenian barbarism against Azerbaijani people.

The event also featured an exhibition and a documentary dedicated to the Khojaly genocide.

Journalists of Spanish newspapers “El Pais”, “El Mundo”, “La Razon” and “ABC” were among the participants.

AzerTAj 27 February, 2008

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16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN LONDON The Azerbaijani embassy in Great Britain held a series of events commemorating the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide at the University of Reading and Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London, the embassy said.

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev as well as British MPs, representatives of foreign countries` embassies in London, international research centers and local Azeri and Turkish communities, and Azerbaijani and foreign students studying at British universities attended the events.

During his speeches at the events, Azerbaijan’s ambassador in London Fakhraddin Gurbanov said the Khojaly genocide is an unprecedented barbarism of Armenians against Azeris.

Speaking at the event, professor at the US Montana University, journalist and author of “Azerbaijan Dairy” book Thomas Goltz said there was a flood of media attention to the killing of innocent people in Khojaly by Armenians at that time, and described the tragedy as most terrible event in the history of mankind.

The events also featured “Khojaly in the eyes of children” exhibition of paintings, as well as a photo exhibition and a documentary dedicated to the tragedy.

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U.S. CONGRESS COMMEMORATES KHOJALY TRAGEDY The United States congressmen commemorated the anniversary of Khojaly tragedy.

Co-chairman of Congressional Azerbaijani Caucus Solomon P. Ortiz of Texas in the House of Representatives delivered a speech on the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy.

The democratic congressman said on February 25-26, 1992, the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno Karabagh region of Azerbaijan was brutally attacked by Armenian forces. ``The town of Khojaly, which was home to 7,000 people, was completely destroyed; a total of 613 people were killed, of which 106 were women and 83 were children, and 56 of whom are purported to have been killed with extreme cruelty and torture. Additionally, 1275 were taken hostage, 150 went missing; 487 people became disabled (76 of whom are teenagers); 8 families were wiped out; 25 children lost both of their parents, and 130 children lost one of their parents.`` He said the Khojaly massacre was not an isolated incident. ``In fact, the level of brutality and the atrocities committed at Khojaly set a pattern of destruction that Armenian troops would adhere to for the remainder of the Nagorno-Karabakh War.`` Mr. Ortiz stressed that no one has been prosecuted for the crimes committed in Khojaly and, ``unfortunately, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains.`` He pointed out that on January 21, 2008, Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov noted in the Wall Street Journal that it has been almost 14 years since the Armenia-Azerbaijan war ended, but Armenian troops remain on Azerbaijan`s territory.

Minister Mammadyarov opined: ``We need to urgently conclude this process. Maintaining the status quo is just too costly. The resolution of this issue would secure regional security and economic growth.`` Member of the Congressional Caucus Virginia Foxx of North Carolina in the House of Representatives also spoke of the tragedy. The congresswoman said while there has been considerable congressional attention to tragic events which took place in Somalia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia, Darfur, and elsewhere, very little light has shined on what happened in 1992, less than 20 years ago in the Caucasus.

She stated that everything changed for the small, little known Azerbaijani town of Khojaly between February 25-26, 1992. ``Sixteen years later, for the people of Azerbaijan and the region, the word ``Khojaly`` stirs up memories of pain and sorrow,`` she underscored.

Ms. Foxx announced that many human rights groups and media outlets at the time sought to draw attention to the events and solicit international condemnation.

She said: ``Human Rights Watch called the tragedy at the time ``the largest massacre to date in the conflict.`` The extent of the cruelty of this massacre against women, children and the elderly was unfathomable.

Memorial, a Russian human rights group, reported that ``scores of the corpses bore traces of profanation.`` The Congresswoman added that on November 29, 1993, Newsweek quoted a senior U.S. Government official describing the aftermath of Armenia`s occupation, ``What we see now is a systematic destruction of every village in their way. It`s vandalism.`` Members of the congress urged the congress to join Azerbaijanis in commemorating the tragedy. They stressed that the world should know about and remember Khojaly.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS COMMEMORATED IN ITALY Azerbaijani embassy to Italy held February 26 a commemorative ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, the embassy reported.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Emil Karimov spoke of history of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Khojaly massacre and other crimes committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis.

He emphasized the importance of making efforts towards bringing the realities of the Khojaly tragedy to the world community.

Elkhan Aliyev, an Azerbaijani residing in Italy, called the Azerbaijanis to be more active in familiarizing the international community with truths about the genocide.

Then, the ceremony attendees watched a documentary about the Khojaly massacre.

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CHAIRMAN OF CAUCASIAN MUSLIMS` BOARD MEETS TURKISH PREMIER Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims` Board Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of his visit to Turkey on Tuesday.

The Turkish Premier stressed praised the role religious figures play in boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.

He expressed condolences to the people of Azerbaijan on Khojaly genocide.

Erdogan praised Allahshukur Pashazade`s participating in Salat al-Janazah (prayer for a dead Muslim) for Turkish soldiers who fell shahids in a fight with PKK terrorists.

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims` Board Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade said there is a high level of relations between Azerbaijan`s and Turkey`s religious authorities.

He presented the Turkish Premier with “Sheikhulislam Order” for his contribution to developing friendship and brotherhood between the two countries.

Earlier in the day, Pashazade laid a wreath at the monument to nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev at the Heydar Aliyev Park in Batikent, Ankara.

As part of his Turkish trip, he also met with the country`s state ministers Sait Yazicioglu and Mehmet Aydin.

Azeri Ambassador in Ankara Zakir Hashimov was present at the meetings.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN TAJIKISTAN Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tajikistan held a ceremony to revere martyrs of Khojaly genocide.

The event brought together representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora in Dushanbe, as well as representatives of Tajik public and journalists.

The participants observed a minute of silence to revere the memory of victims.

First Secretary of the embassy Agababayev spoke about the genocide committed against defenders and innocent people of Khojaly. He added Armenian terrorists and ex-Soviet’s 366th Motor Regiment razed Khojaly to the ground, abused at the bodies of victims and subjected captives to unbelievable tortures.

Speakers of the event, including Hajiyeva, Shukurov and Hamidov stressed Khojaly tragedy is a heinous crime not only against Azerbaijani people but also against the whole humanity.

The attendees saw an exhibition of book and photo featuring Khojaly genocide and watched a documentary on the tragedy.

The embassy has sent collection of documents, as well as “Armenian terror” and “Khojaly genocide” books to the embassies of foreign countries and international organizations in Tajikistan.

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PROTEST ACTION ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY HELD IN IZMIR A series of ceremonies devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide were held in Izmir city of Turkey.

The ceremonies, organized by Azerbaijani students studying in Izmir, Azerbaijani Culture House and Solidarity Society, appealed to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to recognize the Khojaly tragedy as genocide.

Video materials, brochures on the Tragedy were distributed among representatives of political parties, societies, non-governmental organizations functioning in Izmir.

Prior to these ceremonies a conference on the Khojaly genocide was held on February 22 in the Turkish Education Center. The conference brought together majority of foreign students studying here.

On February 23, a protest action on the Genocide was held in the central Konak square in Izmir. The attendees of the action were distributed CD and brochures on the Tragedy. It should be mentioned that Turkish mass media representatives paid special attention to the actions.

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AZERBAIJAN’S EMBASSY TO KYRGYZSTAN COMMEMORATED 16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY Azerbaijan’s embassy to Kyrgyzstan held a ceremony to commemorate the 16th anniversary of Khajoly tragedy at the conference hall of the State History Museum of the country.

Representatives of Azeri and Turkish Diaspora organizations living in Bishkek as well as Turkish businessmen and journalists attended the event.

The attendees observed a minute of silence to revere victims of the tragedy.

The participants saw a photo exhibition at the foyer of the Museum featuring Khojaly tragedy, Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan and terror acts committed by Armenians.

Advisor of the Embassy Elkhan Zeynalov spoke of crimes committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis and Turks and described Khojaly genocide as the bloodiest of them.

Speaker at the event, including members of Kyrgyz Parliament Ernest Akbarov, chairman of Azeri Culture Center in Bishkek Akif Allahverdiyev and the aged member of Azerbaijan’s Diaspora Asad Hasanov condemned barbarism by Armenians committed against Azerbaijanis.

The ceremony adopted address to Kyrgyz Parliament, as well as representative offices of embassies and international organizations in the country over Khojaly tragedy.

Employees of Azerbaijan embassy presented books, disks and brochures featuring the genocide, Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan to Kyrgyzstan’s Presidential Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as to each member of Kyrgyz Parliament, foreign embassies, international organizations and local and foreign journalists.

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN ROMANIA Representation of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Romania held February 26 a commemorative ceremony devoted to the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, Azerbaijan’s embassy to Romania reported.

The event was attended by the members of Romania-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, Azerbaijan-Romania Culture and Youth Association, Romania-Azerbaijan Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Turkish and Tatar communities in Bucharest as well as Azerbaijanis residing and studying in Romania and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and Mass Media.

Addressing the commemorative ceremony, Ambassador Eldar Hasanov told of history of ArmeniaAzerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Khojaly massacre and crimes committed by Armenians against the people of Azerbaijan.

Head of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Romania Igbal Hajiyev, Advisor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Romania, Tural Rzayev, members of the Romania-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, Romania-Azerbaijan Chamber of Industry and Commerce also spoke of the Armenians` barbarism against innocent and defenseless Azerbaijanis.

The ceremony attendees watched the documentary reflecting the Khojaly genocide and familiarized themselves with the book entitled “War Against Azerbaijan” published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Moreover, the ceremony attendees familiarized themselves with the photo exhibition featuring horrors of the tragedy.

Then, the books on Karabakh truth and Khojaly genocide prepared by the Foundation, published in the Romanian language, as well as books written by the Austrian writer Erik Feigl on “Armenian Mythomania” were presented to the ceremony attendees.

The articles featuring Khojaly genocide were published in the Romanian newspapers and news was broadcasted on the Romanian OTV and DDTV television channels.

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16th ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY COMMEMORATED IN UZBEKISTAN Azerbaijan`s embassy to Uzbekistan held a ceremony commemorating the 16th anniversary of Khojaly tragedy.

The event brought together members of Azeri and Turk Diaspora living in Tashkent, as well as representatives of Uzbek public and journalists.

The attendees observed a minute`s silence to commemorate memory of the victims of tragedy.

Ambassador Namig Abbasov spoke about the reasons creating Khojaly tragedy. Abbasov said the massacre committed in Khojaly by Armenian fascists and their supporters is one of the most horrible tragedies in the 20th century.

The Ambassador said “Russian 366th Motor Regiment was directly involved in destruction of Khojaly.

They killed women, old people, children and even infants in arms. The captives were subjected to unbelievable tortures, oppressions and insults.

Speaking at the event, Turkey`s ambassador to Uzbekistan Kamal Asya, chairman of cultural center of Ahiska Turks Omar Salman and Azerbaijanis, including Sudaba Mammadova and Yusif Aliyev accused Armenians and their supporters on that barbarism.

The attendees watched a documentary titled “Destroyed City” and were given brochures about Khojaly tragedy.

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WEBSITE ABOUT KHOJALY GENOCIDE PRESENTED Website reflecting horrors of Khojaly tragedy was presented at the International press-center, on Thursday.

Deputy of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) Mrs. Gular Ahmadova underlined that aim of the website is to bring realities about Khojaly massacre, committed 16 years ago by the Armenian armed subunits, to the world community. “Khojaly Genocide is the most terrible event of the Karabakh war, and brutality committed by Armenians is the crime against humanity”, said Mrs Ahmadova. She also noted that articles of the site will be published in Azeri, Russian and English languages as well as photos reflecting the horrors of the tragedy placed.

Head of UNICEF Baku office Mr. Hanna Singer noted that this site is very important to perpetuate the history. Such brutality against children has never been committed in any other part of the world. Khojaly tragedy is the wound, which will never heal up, said Ms. Singer.

Later, meeting participants familiarized themselves with the site.

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INFLUENTIAL INDONESIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE «The Jakarta Post», Indonesia’s influential English-language newspaper published an article on the Khojaly genocide. The article provides detailed information on the savageries committed by Armenian armed forces in Khojaly in 1992 and says the tragedy was one of the terrible crimes during Armenia-Azerbaijan war over Nagorno-Karabakh. It also says Armenian officials will be punished for the Khojaly genocide, as well as their crimes in the war over Nagorno-Karabakh.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS COMMEMORATED IN ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA A commemorative ceremony on the Khojaly genocide organized by the Azerbaijan Consulate General in Saint-Petersburg was held in the National Library of Russia in Saint-Petersburg. Addressing the event representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations, members of youth movement, teachers of the St. Petersburg State University and others stressed the Khojaly tragedy was one of the gravest crimes of XX century.

During the second part of the event, books and brochures about the Armenia-Azerbaijan, NagornoKarabakh conflict, as well as the Khojaly genocide prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation were presented to the National Library of Russia.

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE HELD IN PAKISTAN Azerbaijani Embassy in Pakistan held a number of commemorative ceremonies on February 25-26 in National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad.

The ceremonies brought together employees of the Azerbaijani Embassy, members of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, as well as Azerbaijani scientists living in Islamabad.

Eynulla Medetli, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan and other speakers assessed the savageries committed

by Armenians in Khojaly in 1992 as an act of genocide.

The Azerbaijani Ambassador also spoke about nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev’s great efforts in the direction of recognition of Khojaly genocide by the international community.

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NEW WEBSITE IN FRENCH TO CONTAIN INFORMATION ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE Forum of Azerbaijani Students in Europe (FASE) created a French-language website to inform the international community about realities of the Republic of Azerbaijan and great tragedies that happened in the country’s history.

The website www.khodjali.fr contains information about the history of Khojaly town of Azerbaijan, bloodshed committed by the 366th Motor Regiment on February 25-26 in 1992, articles about the Khojaly genocide published in foreign mass media, official documents condemning the tragedy, photos and video materials, as well as information about Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, spokesman of the State Committee on Work with Azerbaijanis Living Abroad said.

FACE prepares another website called www.20janvier.fr. The domain has already been purchased and preparation work on the website is underway. Detailed information on crimes committed by the Soviet troops will be posted on the website. FACE also plans to build a website entitled www.azerfrance.fr. This portal has been purchased, too. The website will provide readers with information about Azerbaijan-France relations, as well as activity of Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in France. In addition to this, French readers will have opportunities to get news on Azerbaijan on the website.

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“KHOJALY: UNFORGETTABLE TRAGEDY” PHOTO EXHIBITION HELD IN US A three-day photo exhibition called “Khojaly: unforgettable tragedy” was held in the US George Washington University.

The exhibition organized by the University’s Turkish Students’ Association aroused great interest of Americans. According to the Vice-President of the Association, about two hundred people got acquainted with Armenian savageries on the first day of the exhibition.

In his remarks at the event, Tomas Golts, professor of the Montana State University and well-known journalist condemned the bloodshed committed by Armenians in Azerbaijan, saying it was his duty to speak on the Khojaly genocide as he had been one of the foreign witnesses of the tragedy.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to the US Yashar Aliyev said the Khojaly genocide victims were commemorated in New-York, Los-Angeles, Houston and other US cities.

Two members of the US Congress made a statement on the Khojaly genocide and a member of the Congress from California recognized the Khojaly genocide.

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CHAIRMAN OF STATE COMMITTEE FOR WORKING WITH AZERBAIJANIS RESIDING ABROAD GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE ON RESULTS OF 2007 AND OUTSTANDING TASKS IN 2008 Nazim Ibrahimov, Chairman of the State Committee for Working with Azerbaijanis Residing Abroad, held a press conference on results of 2007 and outstanding tasks in 2008, Friday at the New Azerbaijan Party`s headquarters.

He said the Committee tried to achieve qualitative changes in the activities of Azerbaijani Diaspora in 2007.

On the important events held last year, he mentioned the first forum of heads of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora Organizations held March 9, 2007 in Baku, and the 11th friendship, fraternity and cooperation congress of Turkish States and Societies.

Nazim Ibrahimov said the Committee has done much work to coordinate activities of Azerbaijani communities in one country from a single center. He also told of the efforts to improve the situation of Azerbaijanis in Russia and Georgia and safeguard their rights.

Nazim Ibrahimov said the Committee threw its support behind the projects implemented by Diaspora organizations to mark 20 January tragedy, Khojaly massacre, 31 March (Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis) and popularize Azerbaijani culture abroad.

The Committee is planning to organize meetings in a number of countries, and arrange trips of foreign parliamentary, governmental, business delegations to Azerbaijan. The Committee and the National Academy of Sciences are also scheduled to develop jointly the “World Azerbaijanis Charter”.

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KHOJALY SLAUGHTER VICTIMS COMMEMORATED IN CALIFORNIA The Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles, US-Azerbaijan Council co-organized Friday the event to mark the 16th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide at the University of California, Berkeley.

President of the US-Azerbaijan Council Javid Huseynov told of the atrocities committed against Azerbaijani civilians by University alumnus, famous Armenian terrorist, activist of the ASALA terrorist organization Monte Melkonian Consul General Elin Suleymanov said those behind Khojaly massacre are now in power in Armenia.

He said the Armenian leaders who committed the massacre are war criminals.

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ITALY HOSTS CONFERENCE ON ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS The conference entitled “Unsettled Ethnic Conflicts in the South Caucasus Region” was held in Padova, Italy to inform about the ethnic conflicts in the South Caucasus and discuss the ways of their solution.

According to the State Committee for Working with Azerbaijanis Living in Foreign Countries, although representatives of the Azerbaijani, Georgian and Armenian NGOs working Italy were invited to the conference, Armenian organizations did not join the conference.

During the event, Zaur Farhadov, chairman of the Friendship Italy-Azerbaijan Association, told of the 20 January tragedy, Khojaly genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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KHOJALY TRAGEDY IS A GENOCIDE COMMITTED AGAINST OUR PEOPLE Ilham Abbasov, Deputy Director of the Academy under the Ministry of Justice Fascism, savagery has no degree.

The actions of the Armenian aggressors prove this namely.

The history of mankind witnessed many tragedies. Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Songmi, Khatyn, the genocide committed by the Armenians against Azerbaijanis. The 1948-1952-deportation of Azerbaijanis from their native lands given under control of Armenia, the 20th January and other tragic events are the crimes of the Armenians. The Khojaly tragedy is namely of such crimes.

Many people did not know about the existence of the settlement called Khojaly in the Upper Karabakh (Nagorno or Mountainous Karabakh) still in the Soviet period. Khojaly has remained in the Azerbaijan history under the name of “”Khojaly tragedy” in connection with the events taken place on February 26, 1992 only.

Militants of our neighbor Armenian Republic’s armed forces and the 366th motorized-infantry regiment of the former Soviet Army committed act of genocide on February 26,1992, ineffaceable stain on humanity, having completely destroyed Khojaly town of Mountainous Karabakh, killed and wounded its residents.

As a result of this tragedy, 613 civilian Azerbaijanis, including 63 children, 106 women, 70 aged people within several hours were killed by giving them unbearable tortures only because of their being Azerbaijanis, 487 were given heavy injuries, 1275 residents – helpless elderly people, children, women were taken hostages and subjected to inadmissible tortures, humiliations and abasements. Not being satisfied, the Armenian militaries scalped heads, of the killed men, cut off organs, took out children eyes, pierced pregnant women’s stomach, buried or burnt people alive, Khojaly town was practically razed to the ground.

At that time when 613 peaceful Azerbaijanis were savagely executed, false information on perish of only two residents of Khojaly was released for the public through official mass media.

Let us imagine for a moment all family members sleep in their beds and armored motorized forces enter the civilian apartments. Fire is opened from weapons of different caliber and innocent people are bleeding to death in their own native home.

And this very event took place after October 1991, in other words, after the Azerbaijan Republic had restored its historical independence. In reality, this tragedy was a big-scale crime against not only the Azerbaijani people, but also against the whole mankind. However, it is a great pity that the authorities of the republic did not take necessary measures in order to prevent this tragedy. What is more, as if it were little, did not release true information to the public and even concealed it.

The national leader Heydar Aliyev, said wisely: “It is easier to prevent an event, than to eliminate its results after it has taken place” [1,p.10]. Though 16 years have already passed since that time, one just question makes everybody think: was it possible to prevent this tragedy?

The answer is unambiguous: it was possible to prevent this tragedy! If, speaking generally, persons greedy for posts, who had once benefited from the help of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, having held high posts as the first secretaries of district party committees, constituting in 1991 a big part of the deputes of the Supreme Soviet (parliament) of the Azerbaijan Republic, considering the fate of their positions higher than the destiny of the people, keeping an alien position to the people, trying to remain neutral when groundless attacks were being made against Heydar Aliyev, however, at the same time trying to hide their faces from the cameras or pretending being slept, had not hindered the ingenious person, world-famous politician Heydar Aliyev to return to the leadership of the republic. If the ingenious person Heydar Aliyev had been at the republican leadership in our country’s difficult days, not only the Khojaly tragedy, but even the 20th January tragedy, the loss of 20% of our lands, in one word, also other tragedies from time to time occurred, undoubtedly, would have been prevented.

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Along with being the display of the terrorist policy turned against Azerbaijan’s state independence and territorial integrity, the Khojaly tragedy an act of mass and ruthless massacre was a cruel criminal act committed not only against Azerbaijanis, but also against humanity in a whole. When committing this act of genocide in Khojaly, the Armenian nationalists intended to frighten the Azerbaijani people not willing to give its native land to the aggressors, to break, eliminate its fighting determination.

Unfortunately, the world community treated indifferently the aggression of the Armenian Republic against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the aggressive policy and ethnic cleansing, committing of terrible crimes as the Khojaly genocide in order to carry out the land claims to the neighbor country in the end of the 20th century, did not undertake effective measures to halter the aggressor. It is the result of the impunity atmosphere created around the aggressive state of Armenia that 20% of the territory of our country, that is the Upper Karabakh and the surrounding 7 districts, has until now been occupied by the armed forces of Armenia, more than one million Azerbaijanis have been driven out their native places.

As a result of the Armenian aggression, 20% of the lands of our republic being occupied, 900 settlements were seized, 4366 social objects, 690 schools, 280 kindergartens, 862 clubs, 932 libraries, 1831 cinemas, 855 pre-school institutions, 856 medical ambulatories, pharmacies and other medical establishments, 10 mosques being worship places of the people, were destroyed, 380 villages of our compatriots driven out of Armenia were seized and all the property stayed there. Our republic suffered damages estimating around 50 billion USD. If we take into consideration that according to the information of the mass media given recently, the illegal exploitation by Armenia of the gold mines in Kelbejar, wide-scale fires set on the occupied territories, the 50-billion-damage suffered by Azerbaijan is growing not year by year, month by month, but day by day. [2,səh.12].

After the national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to power on June 15, 1992, during his official trips abroad in his meetings with state officials, businessmen, the public, the Azerbaijani Diaspora as the head of the state, he informed them tirelessly visually on maps about the Karabakh truths and worked for the formation of the objective thinking in the international world that Upper Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan, these territories are historically Azerbaijani lands.

It’s no accident that after the national leader Heydar Aliyev’s return to power on June 15, 1993 the Milli Mejlis (parliament) of the Azerbaijan Republic adopted on February 24, 1994 the resolution “On the Khojaly Genocide”. It was decided in the 1st paragraph of the resolution mainly to commemorate the Khojaly events being one of the Azerbaijani tragedies and bloody pages of the human history, committed by the Armenian aggressors on February 26, 1992, as “the Day of the Khojaly genocide” on February 26, each year. [3,1-2].

Also, by the Decree of the national leader Heydar Aliyev dated February 25, 1997 “On declaring a minute of silence in commemoration of the victims of the Khojaly genocide”, it was decided to mark the memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide by a minute of silence on February 26 annually at 17:00 on Azerbaijan’s territory as a sign of respect to it.

Under the leadership of the worthy representative of the national leader Heydar Aliyev’s government school the follower of his expedient, wise, knowledgeable domestic and foreign policy the President of the Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev our people will achieve the liberation of our seized lands by peaceful means and in conformity with the international norms. As declares Mr. Ilham Aliyev, if the liberation of our lands is impossible through peaceful means, the return of these lands by our military forces is an integral and constitutional right of our people.

It is seen from the information published these days in mass media that the National Parliament of Turkey will bring up to the discussion of its meeting the issue related to the Khojaly genocide [4, səh.1]. This shows once more that the icy cover created by the Armenian lobby in the international public around the so-called problem of the Upper Karabakh, the Khojaly genocide being its component, has been broken, truths have started getting formed in the international public about the realities of the Upper Karabakh.

One question is now worrying the population of our republic: what must be done in order that such tragedies fallen on our people wouldn’t be repeated any more, our state would get stronger, raise higher the economic and military force of our country, The answer is unambiguous: the civil society 89

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must be established in full and the national unity must be achieved for this. There is every condition in our country to achieve this goal.

On this heavy mourning day we express our deep condolences to the families of the victims of the Khojaly genocide and wish our shahids paradise from our Almighty God. Notes: 1.H.A. Aliyev Aphorisms (Wise thoughts selected from the speeches of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev), Baku-1997, p.10 2. I.G. Abbassov, Article “Mountainous Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan”. Edition of the Azerbaijanis Congress, p.12 3.Newspaper “Azerbaijan” newspaper, 26 February 1994,N-40 4. Newspaper “Azerbaijan”, newspaper 17 February 2008,N-37(4848) “Today & Tomorrow.Azerbaijan in Focus”.-2008.-№ 3(10) March.-P.4-6

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KHOJALY MASSACRE In February 1992, an unprecedented massacre was committed against the Azerbaijani population in the town of Khojaly. This bloody tragedy, which became known as the Khojaly genocide, involved the extermination or capture of the thousands of Azerbaijani's; the town was razed to the ground. Over the night from 25 to 26 February 1992 the Armenian armed forces with the help of the infantry guards regiment No. 366 of the former USSR implemented the seizure of Khojaly - a small town situated in the Nagorny Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the total area of 0.94 sq. km. and the population before the conflict of 23,757.

The inhabitants of Khojaly remained in the town before the tragic night (about 2500 people) ried to leave their houses after the beginning of the assault in the hope to find the way to the nearest place populated by the Azerbaijanis. But these plans have failed. Invaders destroyed Khojaly and with particular brutality, which violated every norm of common sense, implemented :arnage over its peaceful population.

Brutal annihilation of hundreds of blameless inhabitants of Khojaly was one of the most heinous crimes during the armed conflict in and around the Nagorny Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Armenian armed forces and foreign military units spared virtually none of those who had been unable to flee Khojaly and the surrounding area. As a result, 613 persons were killed, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 elderly people. 1,275 inhabitants were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 persons remains unknown to this day. In the course of the tragedy 487 inhabitants of Khojaly were severely maimed, including 76 children not yet of age. 6 families were completely wiped out, 26 children lost both parents, and 130 children one of their parents. Of those who perished, 56 persons were killed with especial cruelty: by burning alive, scalping, beheading, gouging out of eyes, and bayoneting of pregnant women in the abdomen. Armenian officials deny their responsibility for the crimes committed during the conflict, including against the population of Khojaly, airily falsifying facts and sharing own interpretations of them, which deviate not only from reality but also from elementary logic. Nevertheless, even the subtlest propaganda will never manage to disprove the facts that speak of a situation diametrically opposite to that represented by the Armenian side.

Apart from the considerable information in possession of the law-enforcement agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the responsibility of Armenia is documented also by numerous independent sources and eyewitnesses of this tragedy.

Thus, as Thomas Goltz reported, "[t]he attackers killed most of the soldiers and volunteers defending the women and children. They then turned their guns on the terrified refugees."1 According to Reuters, though "[t]he Republic of Armenia reiterated denials that its militants had killed 1,000 people in the Azerbaijani-populated town of Khojaly last week and had massacred men, women and children fleeing the carnage across snow-covered mountain passes", "[b]ut dozens of bodies scattered over the area lent credence to Azerbaijani reports of a massacre."2 In view of The Times, "[m]ore than sixty bodies, including those of women and children, have been spotted on hillsides in Nagorny Karabakh, confirming claims that Armenian troops massacred Azeri refugees."3 In response to misrepresentation by the Armenian side, Executive Director of the Human Rights Watch/Helsinki Holly Cartner made clear that the Armenians bore direct responsibility for the civilian deaths in Khojaly, while no evidence supported the argument of the Armenian side that Azerbaijani forces had obstructed the flight of, or had fired on Azerbaijani civilians.4 Congressman Dan Burton in his speech in the U.S. House of Representatives on 17 February 2005 pointed out the following: [F]or years a number of distinguished Members of this House have come to the Floor of this Chamber every April to commemorate the so-called Armenian Genocide - the exact details of which are still very much under debate today almost 90 years after the events. Ironically and tragically, none of these Members has ever once mentioned the ethnic cleansing carried out by the Armenians during the Armenia-Azerbaijan war which ended a mere decade ago. Khojaly was a little known small town in Azerbaijan until February 1992. Today it no longer exists, and for people of Azerbaijan and the region, the word "Khojaly" has become synonymous with pain, sorrow, and cruelty. On February 26,1992, the world ended for the people of Khojaly when Armenian troops supported by a Russian infantry regiment did not just attack the town but they razed it to the ground. In the process the Armenians brutally murdered 613 people, annihilated whole families, captured 1275 people, left 1,000 civilians maimed or crippled, and another 150 people unaccounted for in their wake [...] This savage cruelty against innocent women, children and the elderly is unfathomable in and of itself but the senseless brutality did not stop with Khojaly. Khojaly was simply the first. In fact, the level of brutality and the

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unprecedented atrocities committed at Khojaly set a pattern of destruction and ethnic cleansing that Armenian troops would adhere to for the remainder of the war [...]

Armenian officials deny their responsibility for the crimes committed during the conflict, including against the population of Khojaly, airily falsifying facts and sharing own interpretations of them, which deviate not only from reality but also from elementary logic. Nevertheless, even the subtlest propaganda will never manage to disprove the facts that speak of a situation diametrically opposite to that represented by the Armenian side.

Apart from the considerable information in possession of the law-enforcement agencies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the responsibility of Armenia is documented also by numerous independent sources and eyewitnesses of this tragedy as well as is acknowledged by the direct perpetrators of the massacre.

Thus, for example, Markar Melkonian, brother of the well-known international terrorist Monte Melkonian, while considering what has happened in Khojaly simply as a consequence of "discipline problems" and "insubordination" among Armenian military units, testified the following: At about 11:00 p.m. the night before, some 2,000 Armenian fighters had advanced through the high grass on three sides of Khojaly, forcing the residents out through the open side to the east. By the morning of February 26, the refugees had made it to the eastern cusp of Mountainous Karabagh and had begun working their way downhill, toward safety in the Azeri city of Agdam, about six miles away. There, in the hillocks and within sight of safety, Mountainous Karabagh soldiers had chased them down. "They just shot and shot," a refugee woman, Raisa Aslanova, testified to a human Rights Watch investigator. The Arabo fighters had then unsheathed the knives they had carried on their hips for so long, and began stabbing.

Now, the only sound was the wind whistling through dry grass, a wind that was too early yet to blow away the stench of corpses.

Monte crunched over the grass where women and girls lay scattered like broken dolls. "No discipline", he muttered. He knew the significance of the day's date: it was the run-up to the fourth anniversary of the antiArmenian pogrom in the city of Sumgait. Khojaly had been a strategic goal, but it had also been an act of revenge.5 In his book "Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through peace and war", the British journalist Thomas de Waal makes references to words of the Armenian militaries. Thus, "[a]n Armenian police officer, Major Valery Babayan, suggested revenge as a motive. He told the American reporter Paul Quinn-Judge that many of the fighters who had taken part in the Khojaly attack "originally came from Sumgait and places like that."6 But the most important was that the recently elected President of Armenia Serzh Sarkisian said of what had had happened: Before Khojaly, the Azerbaijanis thought that they were joking with us, they thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype]. And that's what happened. And we should also take into account that amongst those boys were people who had fled from Baky and Sumgait.

As Thomas de Waal sums up, "Sarkisian's account throws a different light on the worst massacre of the Karabakh war, suggesting that the killings may, at least in part, have been a deliberate act of mass killing as intimidation".7 The facts mentioned above confirm that the intentional slaughter of the Khojaly town civilians on 25-26 February 1992, including children, elderly and women, was directed to their mass extermination only because they were Azerbaijanis. The Khojaly town was chosen as a stage for further occupation and ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijani territories, striking terror into the hearts of people and creating panic and fear before the horrifying massacre.

1

"Armenian soldiers massacre hundreds of fleeing families", The Sunday Times, 1 March 1992.

"Massacre by Armenians being reported", The New York Times, 3 March 1992.

3 Anatol Lieven, "Massacre uncovered", The Times, 3 March 1992) 4 Human Rights Watch/Helsinki, 24 March 1997.

5 Markar Melkonian, My Brother's Road. An American's Fateful Journey to Armenia (London & New York: I.B.Tauris, 2005), pp. 213-214.

6 Paul Quinne-Judge, "Armenians, Azerbaijanis tell of terror; Behind an alleged massacre, a long trail of personal revenge", Boston Globe, 15 March 1992, as cited in Thomas de Waal, Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through peace and War (New York: New York University Press, 2003).

7 Thomas de Wall, Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through peace and war (New York & London: New York University Press, 2003), pp. 169-172.

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Canadian journalist Scott Taylor mentiones Khojaly tragedy in his notes We capture your attention to valuable notes of Canadian journalist Scott Taylor from his trip to the South Caucasus in late 2008. Scott Taylor a former professional soldier, editor and publisher of Esprit de Corps, a military magazine since 1988. He is an author of five best-sellers where he described ongoing processes during wars in Cambodia, Balkans, and most recently Iraq.

The deep wide divides of the Caucasus

By Scott Taylor December 3, 2008 Baku, Azerbaijan—The final destination on my recent seven-country tour of the volatile Caucasus was Baku, Azerbaijan. One of my commitments during this short visit was to give a lecture at the Azeri Ministry of Foreign Affairs University. About four dozen former ambassadors, faculty members and students attended my presentation.

While it is admittedly a challenge to try and define the complex political and strategic situation in the Caucasus to a North American readership, it is decidedly much dodgier when you attempt the same thing with an audience composed of active participants from the region. Given the level of tension that still exists between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, almost every word you could utter has potential to be contentious. In 1991, when Azerbaijan declared independence from the collapsing Soviet Union, the ethnic Armenian majority in the province of Nagorno-Karabakh held its own referendum in which it unilaterally declared the region to be independent from Azerbaijan.

While inter-ethnic violence had already begun to increase in this region at an alarming rate during the late 1980's, the declared secession of Nagorno-Karabakh sparked an all-out war between the Azeris and Armenians.

To support the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, troops from the neighbouring Republic of Armenia first forced a land corridor into the disputed province. Then, over the course of two bloody years of combat, the Armenians captured and ethnically cleansed seven additional Azeri provinces around Nagorno-Karabakh to create what they call a security zone.

By the time the international community successfully brokered a ceasefire in 1994, an estimated 30,000 people had been killed, 100,000 wounded and some 1.3 million civilians (one million Azeris and 300,000 Armenians) had been forcibly displaced from their homes. Over the past 14 years, the UN has passed four resolutions calling for an Armenian withdrawal from the seven occupied provinces, but to date this sovereign Azeri territory remains a bargaining chip for the Armenians in any negotiated settlement on the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

At the beginning of my lecture, I described how I had been required to obtain a visa from the NagornoKarabakh embassy in Yerevan, Armenia before I made my trip into the disputed territory. Several hands shot up instantly in protest to my statement and a bright young Azeri student stood to correct me: "There can be no embassy of Nagorno-Karabakh in Yerevan because even Armenia refuses to recognize their declared independence."

While this is indeed Armenia's official stance, I reminded my audience that the people of NagornoKarabakh recognize their own independence, fly their own flag, have their own anthem and also maintain their one and only embassy in Yerevan. The next interruption occurred when I mentioned my travels to NagornoKarabakh's capital city, Stepanakert. As soon as I said the word, a low grumble came from my audience, hands shot up and another student rose to admonish me. "You mean the city of Henkendi?" he asked.

I had to admit that I had never heard of that word, and from the highway signs to maps to written accounts of the war, I had only ever seen the name Stepanakert. "Henkendi was the old Azeri-Turkic name of the capital, but the Soviets changed it to Stepanakert in the 1920s," I was advised. On Azeri maps published since their independence from the Soviet Union, all place names have been replaced with the former Turkic ones. This renaming process was also conducted by the Armenians, and, as it had been very difficult to find accurate maps of the region in Canada, I had acquired one in Yerevan.

This particular map had been produced in 2002 by the Armenians and it included a separate handy chart which listed all the former place names juxtaposed with the current ones. Despite the catalogue of name changes, I was still unable to accurately correspond some of my research to a location on the map. Outside of Baku at a refugee camp, I had interviewed 28 Azeri survivors of the Feb. 26, 1992 massacre in the town of Khojaly. On that fateful night a combat force of Armenians had routed the Azeri militia and completely cleansed the Azeri enclave of all inhabitants. In the process, 613 Azeris were killed – mostly civilians – including 83 small children. Thousands more were injured or missing.

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At the time, Human Rights Watch reported this incident to be "the largest massacre to date in the conflict" and Azerbaijan subsequently declared Feb. 26 to be a national day of mourning. Following my lecture, I asked one of the Azeri students to find Khojaly on my Armenian-produced map. After a protracted, head-scratching silence, he looked up bewildered and said, "it's not there—they've simply erased it from existence."

There are always at least two sides to the history of every conflict, but in the Caucasus that divide seems wider and deeper than most.

www.justiceforkhojaly.org 03 December, 2008

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TURKISH FILM MAKER TO SHOOT MOVIE ABOUT KHOJALY Baku, February 1 (AzerTAc). Turkish film maker Korhan Yurtsever will shoot a movie on Khojaly tragedy, according to Baku Culture and Tourism Department.

Yurtsever said he decided to make the film after seeing a shocking video tape showing Armenians cutting open a pregnant Azeri woman`s stomach.

The 120-minute film to be shot partly in Turkey and Azerbaijan will star actors from both countries.

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AZERI PREMIER MEETS HIS CZECH COUNTERPART Baku, 13 February (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s Prime Minister Artur Rasizade met with his Czech counterpart Mirek Topolanek, in Baku, on February 13.

Mr. Rasizade underlined that Azerbaijan intends to actively integrate into the European structures. On political and economic stability in the country, Azerbaijani Premier noted that a sore point for Azerbaijan and the whole region is unsettled Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh because of Armenia`s nonconstructive position. He gave detailed information about the history of the conflict resulted in deportation of the peaceful Azerbaijani population from their native lands and familiarized with news photography of the massacre committed by Armenian armed forces against the residents of Azerbaijani city – Khojaly. The sides exchanged views on situation in the region and other issues of mutual interest.

Later, Mr. Topolanek briefed for the media representatives emphasizing that priority of the Czech presidency at the EU is creation of new initiatives for the countries seeking to cooperate with the European Union, such as simplification of visa regime, and creation of the free trade zone. He also noted that issues of widening the relations between the two countries, as well as mutual ties of EU with Azerbaijan were discussed.

AzerTAc 13 February, 2009

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AZERBAIJAN`S EMBASSY TO INDONESIA REVERES MEMORY OF KHOJALY VICTIMS Baku, 20 February (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s embassy to Indonesia and the Philippines has convened an event in Jakarta to commemorate the 17th anniversary of Khojaly tragedy.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Ibrahim Hajiyev gave detailed information about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said Armenia`s military aggression against Azerbaijan resulted in occupation of twenty percent of the country`s territory and emergence of over a million refugees and internally displaced people.

The diplomat said 17 years ago, on February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed units committed one of the severest genocides in the history of humanity against Azerbaijanis living in Khojaly town. “The Armenian nationalists brutally killed 613 innocent people, including 106 women and 63 children. Besides, 487 people were left disabled, while 1275, including the old, children and women were taken hostage, and underwent severe torture and humiliation”, he said.

The event gathered together ambassadors of various countries to Jakarta, including Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Somali, United Arab Emirates as well as Indonesian officials, MPs, representatives of business circles and journalists.

Participants also saw a documentary on the genocide.

AzerTAc 19 February, 2009

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KHOJALI GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY TO BE MARKED WORLDWIDE Sun Staff — The Azerbaijani State Diaspora Committee has approved action plan of the Azerbaijani diaspora organizations to mark Khojali genocide 17th anniversary, the committee said.

"Protest actions, conferences and exhibitions are expected to be held to commemorate the Khojali genocide anniversary," the committee said.

Representatives of Azerbaijani permanent representation at the Council of Europe, Azerbaijani and Turkish organizations, Azerbaijan students in Strasbourg and representatives of the local and foreign organizations will hold an event at the Association of the European Parliaments on Feb. 26 to commemorate one of the tragedies of the 20th century.

The participants of the event will be presented books about Armenian violence and Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict published by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. They will also learn about Armenian genocide and acts of terrorism against Azerbaijanis. A film about the tragedy will be displayed.

The Azerbaijani House has designed a program together with the Azerbaijan Cultural Relations and Azerbaijan Cultural Societies, Association of Azerbaijani Students, France-Azerbaijan Culture Association in Milouz in an effort to inform French people about Khojali genocide The Azerbaijan House will hold a demonstration on the central square in Strasbourg on Feb. 28. Members of Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas will attend the demonstration. The Strasbourg Municipal Council has authorized the demonstration. Booklets about the Khojali genocide in English and French will be distributed among the local residents during the demonstration. Programs on Khojali genocide will be broadcast in the local radio on Feb. 29.

A series of events will held in Germany to mark genocide's 17th anniversary. Azerbaijani State Diaspora Committee first deputy chairman Valeh Hajiyev and Germany-Azerbaijan Forum president Otto Hauzer will talk about the Khojali genocide on the FOX television channel on Feb. 26.

Various events will be held in the United States to commemorate genocide victims. America-Azerbaijan Council and America-Azerbaijan Society will hold a Khojali Week in the U.S. The events are expected to be organized in New York, Washington, San-Francisco, California and Chicago. A conference on the genocide will be held as a part of the Khojali Justice Campaign.

A film on the Khojali genocide shot by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will be displayed and English language book on Khojali genocide by Azerbaijani MP Havva Mammadova will be presented during the conference. A protest action will be held in front of the NATO headquarters in New York. The protesters will issue an official address to the UN member states and Secretary General.

Federation of Turkey-Azerbaijan Societies plans to hold commemoration ceremony and photo exhibition on the Khojali genocide's 17th anniversary on Feb. 26. Azerbaijani Cultural and Solidarity Society in Manisa will hold a commemoration ceremony. Azerbaijani students in Izmir will hold a joint conference together with the Azerbaijani Cultural and Solidarity Society. Kojaeli Azerbaijani House will organize one-week conference and exhibition in Izmit.

'Azeri' New Zealand-Azerbaijan Friendship society in Oakland will publish articles in the local newspaper on occasion of the Khojali genocide anniversary. The organization will hold a campaign on genocide in several higher schools.

On the night of February 25, 1992, Armenian separatists seized the Khojali settlement in NagornoKarabakh. Russian tanks played an active role in capturing the area.

Within hours, over 600 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed. Among them were 106 women and 83 children. The massacre continued for days, while the Armenian separatists killed their hostages and cut the heads off of Azerbaijani military personnel. A total of 487 people were left disabled and 1,275 people were taken prisoner. The fate of 150 people remains unknown.

“Baku sun”.-2009.-20 February.-N 7.-P.2

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EXHIBITION “WITH EYES OF KHOJALY YOUTH” OPENED IN ISTANBUL Exhibition “With the eyes of Khojaly youth” today has opened in Istanbul, Turkey, as a part of “Justice for Khojaly” international information and propagation campaign, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue of Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYFDC) of OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference). The main goal of the campaign is to bring the realities about Khojaly Genocide committed by Armenians on February 26, 1992 to the world community.

Official opening ceremony of the campaign will be held on February 26. The campaign`s internet site www.justiceforkhojaly.org will also be presented in a number of cities of the US, Europe and Asia.

The exhibition will demonstrate photos of youth related with Khojaly massacre. Turkey`s MPs, members of the government, scientists and journalists will attend the event.

AzerTaj 21 February, 2009

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COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONIES TO MARK 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE HELD IN U.S., CANADA Baku, 23 February (AzerTAc). The Azerbaijani-American Council and Azerbaijan Society of America will organize events in the United States to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. During the events, participants will see a documentary prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. They will also be handed over an English version of the book on the Khojaly genocide authored by Azerbaijani parliamentarian Havva Mammadova.

The events to be arranged in New-York on the massacre will bring together Azeri parliamentarians Havva Mammadova, Ganira Pashayeva, Asim Mollazade, as well as American journalist Thomas Goltz.

Another event will be co-organized by the Azerbaijan New York Association and Azerbaijan`s permanent representation to the UN. In addition to these events, a protest action will be held in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New-York.

On February 27, a ceremony to mark the Khojaly genocide will be held in Canada.

It will be co-organized by the Assembly of Azerbaijani Canadian Organizations and Azerbaijan`s Embassy in the country.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED AT UNIVERSITY, WHERE ONE OF TRAGEDY ORGANIZERS ONCE STUDIED Baku, 23 February (AzerTAc) An event was held at the University of Berkeley in the frame of campaign launched by USA Azerbaijanis on the anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

The event organized by Azerbaijani-American Council, Turkish-speaking Students Association of Berkeley University and Northern California Cultural Center was attended by University tutors and students, representatives of Azerbaijani Diaspora. Chairman of Azerbaijani-American Council Javid Huseynov and president of Turkish-Speaking Students Association Ulduz Berenjfurush addressed the gathering.

Javid Huseynov and Ulduz Berenjfurush said the ceremony of the public campaign aiming to inform the world community about Khojaly genocide is held on the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, coordinator on intercultural dialogue of OIC Youth Forum on February 26, 2009. The events will be held in large American cities, including Houston, New York, Washington and Los Angeles.

As stated, the University of Berkeley commemorates the victims of Khojaly genocide for the second time. Terrorist, who committed savageries against civilians in Khojaly Monte Melkonian, once studied at this university.

Shafag Akifgizi, special correspondent of AzerTAc in Washington, said the massacre committed by Armenian militants in Khojaly was so insidious and terrible that on the day of tragedy and later during a month the leading world media, including newspapers Washington Post, Washington Times, Independent, magazine Newsweek, BBC TV have consecutively reported about the tragedy. On those days, the foreign journalists were writing about unprecedented savageries of Armenian terrorists.

Representative of Strategic Research Center under Azerbaijani President Rashad Karimov said the Khojaly tragedy is a war crime and the culprits have to be punished.

Azerbaijani MPs Havva Mammadova and Asim Mollazade, renowned American writer and journalist Mr. Thomas Goltz, who informed the international community about Khojaly genocide, representative of Strategic Research Center under Azerbaijani President Rashad Karimov and journalist Shafag Akifgizi addressed the event.

They underlined the importance of informing the world community about Khojaly truths and bring the perpetrators to response in the International Court of Justice. They also discussed legal aspects of Khojaly genocide and called the perpetrators of the tragedy war criminals.

Then, a book on the victims of Khojaly genocide was presented. The author, Member of Parliament Havva Mammadova, said the book was written on the base of researches she has made since 1992.

Following this, documentary film about Khojaly genocide made by Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the report prepared by Shafag Akifgizi for CNN in 1997 were demonstrated.

Khojaly genocide victims were commemorated by a minute silence.

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JUSTICE FOR KHOJALY CAMPAIGN AND ITS WEBSITE TO BE PRESENTED IN WORLD`S 20 CITIES Baku, February 23 (AzerTAc). A press conference devoted to the Justice for Khojaly international campaign and presentation of campaign`s website www.justiceforkhojaly.arg was held here on in Baku.

Secretary General of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum (ICYF) Elshad Isgandarov provided insight into the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by the head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s office in Russia, ICYF`S general coordinator for cross-cultural dialogue Leyla Aliyeva, saying this campaign covers 2009-2012.

Secretary General noted the signatures collected and photographs on the Khojaly genocide will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council.

At the Islamic Conference of the Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baku Isgandarov came forward with an initiative to include information about Khojaly genocide into the textbooks in the OIC member countries.

Isgandarov stressed that www.justiceforkhojaly.arg website was created to provide information about the campaign. Official presentation will took place on February 26. The campaign will help raise world community`s awareness about the Khojaly genocide.

The campaign and its website will be presented in a number of cities including Washington, Istanbul, Moscow, Berlin, Bucharest, Riyadh, New-York, Kiev, Vienna, Brussels, Riga, Warsaw, London, Hague, Ottawa and Los Angeles.

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TURKEY`S RULING MAKES STATEMENT ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE Ankara, February 25 (AzerTAc). Turkey`s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has released a statement on the 17th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

In the light of Armenians` intensified propaganda of the so-called “genocide”, international community is not interested in the Khojaly massacre given eye-witnesses and photographs exist.

AKP`s statement says: “Khojaly massacre is the grave tragedy for Azerbaijan and the whole Turkic world. Hundreds of civilians including women and children were brutally killed 17 years ago in the town of Khojaly in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Official sources, testimonial evidence and documents prove that after occupation of Khojaly people seized by Armenia armed forces were brutally tortured. International human rights organizations described Khojaly developments as the biggest massacre during the occupation of NagornoKarabakh. The main aim of the Turkey`s foreign policy is to achieve peace, stability and progress based on cooperation. Our Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says we want to have friends rather than enemies.

However, we cannot allow our people to be cast slurs on once their wound have not yet healed Khojaly massacre is sorrow for all of us. We neither forget the history nor want to build the future on the dark of the past. We curse committers of the massacre. May Allah rest our dead brothers` souol in peace” AzerTAc 25 February, 2009

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PRESENTATION OF “JUSTICE FOR KHOJALY” CAMPAIGN AND ITS WEBSITE UNDERWAY ABROAD Baku, February 25 (AzerTAc). Presentation of the international awareness campaign “Justice for Khojaly” and its website (www.justiceforkhojaly.org) continues in major countries of the world.

On February 24, the campaign and its website were presented in British Imperial War Museum in London. The presentation ceremony brought together member of British parliament Mike Hancock, government officials, representatives of embassies accredited to London, journalists, members of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora.

The same day, a similar ceremony was arranged in Houston, U.S. by the Azerbaijani-American Council. The event was attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora and others.

Another ceremony to present the campaign and its website was held on February 25 in Bern, Switzerland. The event brought together Swiss government officials, MPs, NGO representatives, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country and journalists.

The book “War Against Azerbaijan – Targeting Cultural Heritage” prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was presented during the event, as well.

The participants also saw a documentary on the Khojaly massacre, and signed the statement supporting the “Justice for Khojaly” campaign.

The same day, the campaign and its website were presented in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event was attended by the country`s officials, representatives of international organizations including the Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the country and journalists.

The attendees also saw a documentary on the Khojaly genocide.

Meanwhile, the “Justice for Khojaly” international campaign was initiated by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva.

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KHOJALY VICTIMS REMEMBERED IN BRITISH IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM London, 25 February (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s embassy to London has arranged a commemorative ceremony for victims of the Khojaly genocide in British Imperial War Museum, London.

The event brought together British government officials and members of Parliament, Liberal Democrat Mike Hancock, diplomats of foreign embassies accredited in London, journalists and members of the Azerbaijani and Turkish communities.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Fakhraddin Gurbanov called the Khojaly genocide “one of the bloody pages of the history of the Azerbaijani people.” The Ambassador cited toll of the dead and wounded in the tragedy, saying “613 innocent people - 106 women, 63 children and 70 the old – were killed; 1275 taken hostage, with 155 of them still missing; while 487, of them 76 underage people, were left disabled”.

“Fifty six of those killed were murdered with extreme brutality as some of them were burnt alive, others had their eyes put out and were scalped and beheaded; pregnant women were bayoneted in the stomach” he added.

The diplomat also expressed regret over the fact “the world community and international organizations have not yet given political and legal assessment to this vandalism.”

Tamara Daragadze, an investigator on South Caucasus, described the Khojaly tragedy as “the crime not only against the people of Azerbaijan, but also the whole humanity and universal values.” Daragadze echoed the Azeri Ambassador`s regret that “the tragedy has not been properly assessed by the international community and the world`s leading organizations”.

The commemorative ceremony also saw the launch of “Justice for Khojaly” campaign initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, coordinator on intercultural dialogue of OIC Youth Forum, and a Heydar Aliyev Foundationmade documentary on the genocide.

AzerTAc 25 February, 2009

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AZERBAIJAN EMBASSY IN MADRID REMEMBERS KHOJALY VICTIMS Azerbaijan embassy to Spain has arranged a commemorative event marking the 17th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

The event brought together representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas, as well as members of local public and journalists of leading Spanish newspapers, including El Pais, El Mundo, La Razon and ABC. Ambassador Mammad Aliyev spoke of the tragedy`s details. He said “in February of 1992 Armenians committed the most horrible crime against the whole mankind”. The Azeri diplomat said “only after Azerbaijan nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev`s returning to power, the horrible crimes committed by Armenian butchers against our people, as well as truths about Khojaly genocide became known to the world community. Today, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev is steadily continuing this policy”.

The Embassy distributed Heydar Aliyev Foundation-made books, brochures and CDs about the Khojaly genocide among the participants of the commemorative event.

AzerTAc 26 February, 2009

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ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE MARKED IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Paris, March 4 (AzerTAc). An event to mark the 17th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was held Tuesday in the European Parliament with support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The event brought together members of the European Parliament, representatives of diplomatic corps accredited to the EU, members of Azerbaijan`s Diaspora organizations and journalists.

First, the event`s participants viewed a photo exhibition on the massacre.

Azerbaijan`s permanent representative to the European Union Emin Eyyubov told of the Khojaly tragedy.

Other speakers at the event were member of the European parliament Jisel Kalenbakh and Senior Fellow of the U.S.-based Jamestown Foundation Vladimir Socor.

The participants were also informed of the international awareness campaign “Justice for Khojaly” initiated

by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva.

AzerTAc 04 March, 2009

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REGIONAL HEADLINES Participation of both Nagorno Karabakh communities in talks crucial to achieve peace: U.S. Azeris Network The U.S. Azeris Network (USAN) has sent a letter to President Barack Obama concerning the Nagorno Karabakh (NK) conflict. USAN Managing Director Adil Baguirov said they aimed to put an end to the speculations of ultranationalist and radical Armenian forces in the U.S. over the Nagorno Karabakh negotiations.

“As Azerbaijani-Americans we greatly appreciate your joint declaration with the Presidents of France and Russia, your phone calls about the NK conflict with President Aliyev and President Gul, the reinvigorated work of the OSCE Minsk Group of which the U.S. is a Co-Chair and the more equitable and fair foreign assistance requests for 2010, which are in line with previous years’ requests. We urge you, Vice President Biden, Secretary Clinton and your Administration, to step up such positive efforts in the future, as well as visiting the U.S’s strategic ally Azerbaijan to witness the challenges and effects of the occupation of 16% of Azerbaijan and the displacement of some 12% of its population by Armenia”, USAN has said in its letter.

“Our key aspiration is the liberation of all the occupied Azerbaijani lands through the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. We believe that one of our most important objectives, as a community of people tracing their heritage to the land of Azerbaijan, is to educate our Government and lawmakers to assist in enhancement of the bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and the United States. Azerbaijani-Americans support the long-term strategic allied relations between the United States and Azerbaijan, and we fully encourage the development of bilateral cooperation between America and all Turkic nations,” the letter says. “Hence, we welcome your positive steps in resolving the NK conflict, and offer you our full support in the light of relentless criticism from ultranationalist and maximalist Armenian special interest groups, that have built their entire raison d’etre on creating and perpetuating only negativism, hate-mongering and intimidation.”

USAN reminds the US that it is Armenia which has been occupying Azerbaijan for almost two decades now, not the other way round, and it is Armenia that has created almost a million Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs, and according to U.S. Government, committed “crimes against humanity” in Azerbaijan, such as the largest war crime in the region, the Khojaly Massacre in 1992. “Armenia’s creation of a straw man in the form of the so-called “Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)”, an entity recognised by no one, including its own creator, is especially unhelpful to the peace process and causes nothing but irritation and tensions in the region. With multiple U.S. Government statements clearly calling a spade a spade, and with the U.N. Security Council adopting four resolutions calling for the immediate withdrawal of Armenian military forces from Azerbaijan, to restore the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, it should be further stressed once again, that we all fully and unequivocally support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. No question about it, NK has to remain part of Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, we also recognise the other Helsinki Final Act principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, which are envisioned within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

“Per equal rights and the participation of interested parties to the conflict, indeed, the engagement of Karabakh’s ethnic communities in negotiations is an absolute must for reestablishing peace in that region. In fact, the conditions for an equal engagement of all parties in the conflict were already enshrined in the “Baker Rules” proposed in 1992 by the first peacemaking mission of the CSCE Minsk Group, led by then U.S. Secretary of State, James Baker III. These rules, agreed to by all sides, recognised the two ethnic communities of the Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan as the “interested parties”, and Armenia and Azerbaijan as the “principal parties”.

“However, the radical Armenian lobby organisations stop short of mentioning the ethnic Azerbaijani community, which prior to the conflict in 1988 comprised a third of Nagorno-Karabakh’s population and 99% of the population of the seven other, surrounding and currently occupied, regions of Azerbaijan. It shall be understood that while the present conditions of Armenia’s military occupation preclude the participation of Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian community in the peace process, a lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh can only be achieved after the return and peaceful co-existence of both the region’s ethnic communities, the cessation of all occupation and moving away from continuous attempts to stonewall the peace process, intimidate elected officials, and preserve the status quo of continuous military occupation”, says USAN. On Friday, the American-Azerbaijani Council also issued a statement on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Its statements were made after the leader of the Armenian National Committee of America Kenneth

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Khachikian sent a letter to President Obama noting the necessity of involving the so-called “Nagorno Karabakh Republic” in the negotiations on conflict resolution.

(APA ) Tbilisi, Georgia The Messenger, No. 139, July 27, 2009, page(s): 5

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THEY SHOULD NOT REMAIN UNPUNISHED The editorial board has at its disposal enough reliable evidence for the below list on which names of people appear, who actively participated in the mass murder of the peaceful citizens of Khojali in the territory of the former Nagorny Karabakh Autonomous Region of Azerbaijan. This data is received from non-official sources, including eyewitnesses of the tragic events and independent experts. Although the events in Khojali, which took place on the night between 25th and 26th of February 1992, have all the significance, which allows them to be categorised in agreement with international juridical documents defining the crime of genocide, but because of the strength of the scarcity of concrete data about concrete participants, and also circumstances of political order the people connected with our list all still avoid justice. Nevertheless, on the basis of data already available the law enforcement organs of Azerbaijan have put together a list of the suspects of war crimes and crimes against humanity and have sent it to Interpol for the declaration of an international search. At the same time the current list appears incomplete it has sufficient reasons for including in it some people who have afterwards been engaged in high public posts. They are former and present presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian, the present Minister of Defense Seyran Oganian and some others. We, like the whole Azerbaijani public, believe that not long from this day, when all those guilty of the monstrous reprisals on guiltless people will appear in court and will suffer their deserved punishment.

LIST OF PEOPLE ACCUSED IN RELATION TO THE GENOCIDE IN KHOJALI № 1

Name (surname, forenames) Petrosian Kara Vanoevich

2

Abramian Armo Aramovich

3

Barsegian Shagen Semenovich

4

Beglarian Armen Volodievich

5

Kisebekian Grigoriy Akopovich

6

Arutynian Slavik Vadimovich

7

Ishkhanian Andrey Artushevich

8

Beglarian Sergey Yurikovich

9

Arutyunian

Biographical details Born in 1958 in the village of Khramort in the Askeran District of NKAR (Nagorny Karabakh Autonomous Region), Armenian, married, worked as the head of the department of fire prevention of the Askeran DAIA (District Administration of Internal Affairs) Born 29.09.1935 in the Khojali District of NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, worked as the head of the CAIA (City Administration of Internal Affairs) of Khankendi, inhabitant of Khankendi Born 14.11.1928 in the Khojavand District of NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, worked as a deputy head of the Askeran DAIA Born in 1955 in the Aghdara District of NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, worked as senior technician of the 1st company of the 366th regiment of the Military Forces of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Born 1957 in the Aghdara District of NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, was commander of the company of signallers of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1956 in Khankendi in NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, was commander of the 5th company of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1964, in the Aghdara District of NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with special secondary education, was commander of the supply platoon of the 1st company of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1965, in the Khojavand District of NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with higher education, was a commander of a platoon of the 2nd battalion of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1965 in the Khojavand District of

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Kamo Rafaelovich 10

Danielian Armen Borikovich

11

Mirzoian Vachik Gratovich

12

Ayrapetian Vachik Gurgenovich

13

Ayrapetian Aleksandr Aleksandrovich

14

Akopian Oleg Nikolaevich

15

Tumasian Seyran Aprakovich

16

Kocharian Serjik Sumbatovich

17

Babaian Georgiy Ginikorovich

18

Balasanian Vitaliy Mikhaylovich

19

Grigorian Ararat Rantikovich Grigorian Jambulad Khanlarovich Babaian Bakhadur Ginikorovich Kagramanian Khamlet Asrievich Grigorian Edik Emirvarovich Mangasarian Artik Gurgenovich Ishkhanian Yuriy Georgievich

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Grigorian Valerik Sergeevich

NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with special secondary education, was a commander of the platoon of the repair company of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1965 in the Khojavand District of NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with special secondary education, was a commander of the platoon of the repair company of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1962 in the Khankendi in NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with special secondary education, was a sergeant major of the 2nd company of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1961 in the Khojavand District of NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with secondary education, was sergeant major of the 3rd company of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1964 in the Aghdara District of NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with secondary education, was warrant officer of the 366th regiment, lived in Khankendi Born in 1965 and lived in the village of Gasanabad in the Askeran District of NKAR, Armenian, unmarried, with secondary education, was a member of the Gasanabad sovkhoz (state farm) Born in 1952 and lived in the village of Khasg of the Girmizikend soviet of the village in the Askeran District of NKAR, Armenian, married, has secondary education, worked as a driver in Khasg village Born in 1952, and lived in Khankendi in NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, has the rank of colonel-lieutenant, worked as the head of the municipal prison in Khankendi Born in 1957 and lived in the village of Gasanabad in the Askeran District of HKAR, Armenian, married, has secondary education, worked as a driver at the Qasanabad sovkhoz Born in 1956, and lived in Khankendi in NKAR, Armenian, married, with secondary education, was the chairman of the local section of the Armenian National Front Born in 1957 and lived in the Askeran District of NKAR, worked at the Askeran DAIA Born in 1963, lived in Khankendi Born in 1932 in the Askeran District Born in 1961 and lived in the Askeran District Born in 1959 and lived in the Askeran District, worked in the Askeran DAIA Born in 1969 and lived in the Askeran District Born in 1947 and lived in Khankendi of the NKAR, worked as manager of the canteen of the Askeran District Industrial Union Born in 1963 and lived in the village of Gasanabad in the Askeran District of NKAR, Armenian, married, with secondary education, was a member of the

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27

Chitchian Valeriy Isaakovich

28

Ayrian Vachagan Grigorevich Zarvigorov Yuriy Yurevich

29 30

Gukasian Mavrik Araratovich

31

Agajanian Karlen Levonovich

32

Ayrian Samvel Samurkaevich

33

Garmash Viktor Anatolievich Smagin Aleksandr Vladimirovich Baliazin Oleg Viktorovich

34 35 36

Akopian Movses Grantovich

37

Mirzoian Aksim Mikhailovich

38

Abramian Pogos Garnushevich

Gasanabad sovkhoz Born 14.02.1956 in the village of Chirachidzar in the Khanlar District of Azerbaijan, Armenian, was head of reconnaissance of the 1st battalion of the 366th regiment Born 09.08.1952 in Baku, Armenian, was head of reconnaissance of the 366th regiment Born 2.03.1955 in the Lugov Jambul Region of Kazakhstan, Russian, married, with higher education, has no previous convictions Born 07.01.1956 in the village of Chartaz of NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education, worked from 25 December 1990 as head of the Askeran DAIA, lived in Khankendi Born 20.12.1938 in the Goranboy District of Azerbaijan, Armenian, married, with higher education, worked from 05.04.1963 to 04.09.1990 in the internal affairs authority of the NKAR Born in 1960, lived in the village of Noragukh in the Askeran District of NKAR, Armenian, worked in the Askeran DAIA Born 2.01.2967 in the village of Zadvore in the Bussko District of the Lvov Region of the Ukraine Born 04.10.1968 Born 8.01.1970 in settlement of Shuchye Lake in the Oktyabr District of the Perm Region of the Russian Federation Born 04.02.1965 in the village Gunne-Kaler in the Martunin District of NKAR, Armenian, was the commander of the 2nd platoon of the 1st battalion of the 366th regiment Born 19.07.1947 in Khankendi in NKAR, Armenian, with higher education, worked as the head of the 2718th convoy/motor transport depot in this town Born in 1955 and lived in Khankendi in NKAR, Armenian, married, with higher education «İrs Наследие».-2009.№1(37).-S.32-35.

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INTERNATIONAL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE IN KHOJALY Tofig F. Musayev ∗ INTRODUCTION The logical consequence of the territorial claims against Azerbaijan by Armenian nationalists at the end of the 1980s was the occupation in 1992-1993 of a significant part of its territory, including Nagorny Karabakh and seven adjacent districts. The resulting war unleashed against Azerbaijan led to the deaths and wounding of thousands of people; hundreds of thousands became refugees and were forcibly displaced and several thousand disappeared without trace.

The capture of Khojaly was particularly tragic. Before the conflict 7000 people lived in this town of Nagorny Karabakh inhabited by the Azerbaijanis. From October 1991 the town was entirely surrounded by the Armenians. Over the night from the 25th and 26th of February 1992, following massive artillery bombardment of Khojaly, the assault on the town begun from six directions. The infantry guards regiment of the former Soviet Union army stationed in Nagorny Karabakh, the personnel of which was composed mainly of the Armenians, participated directly in the capture of Khojaly by the Armenian armed units. As a result, 613 civilians, including women, children and the elderly were killed with especial cruelty.

THE PERPETRATORS OF THE CRIME There have been numerous instances in the practice of states disguising their role in the forcible capture of the territory of another state as well as denying the crimes committed in this territory. These features are all evidenced in the policies and practices followed by Armenia. It denies both the involvement in the armed conflict, along with that it has anything to do with controlling these territories, and that there is any occupation within the meaning of international law. Thus, in one of his interviews the current president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan claimed that "only volunteers had fought for Nagorny Karabakh". At the same time, Armenia, in his words, acted as "guarantor of the security of Nagorny Karabakh", prepared to intervene immediately in the event of the outbreak of a new war. 1 The question of Armenia providing guarantees is also mentioned in the country's national security strategy of 7 February 2007. 2 No explanation is provided, however, of how these guarantees, which affect a portion of Azerbaijan's territory, fit with international law.

Generally speaking, such attempts to disguise aggression against a neighbouring state and thereby to assert its innocence for crimes committed in the course of this aggression are unlikely to be taken seriously, given the incontrovertible evidence testifying to the diametrically opposite situation.

In addition to the facts at the disposal of the Azerbaijani authorities attesting to the direct involvement of the Armenian armed forces in the military hostilities against Azerbaijan and the presence of these forces in the occupied territories — issues which merit a separate and careful investigation — the assessment of Armenia's role given by independent observers is also completely unequivocal.

As the PACE rapporteur David Atkinson pointed out, "Armenians from Armenia had participated in the armed fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region besides local Armenians from within Azerbaijan. Today, Armenia has soldiers stationed in the Nagorny Karabakh region and the ∗

LL.M in International Human Rights Law (University of Essex, 2003-04).

Caucasus Context 2007, vol. 4, issue 1, pp. 43-44. See also the message by Serzh Sargsyan of 1 September 2007 on the occasion of the "sixteenth anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh", "Hayinfo" website: <http://www.hayinfo.ru/page_rev.phpStb_idsl 8&subjd=l &id=l 8956>.

2 National security strategy of the Republic of Armenia of 7 February 2007, chapter III, see website of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia <http://www.mil.am/eng/?page=49>.

1

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surrounding districts, people in the region have passports of Armenia, and the Armenian government transfers large budgetary resources to this area". 3 Resolution 1416 (2005) adopted on 25 January 2005 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe acknowledges the continued occupation of considerable parts of the territory of Azerbaijan and the conduct of ethnic cleansing. It is no coincidence that the Assembly draws attention to Armenia's obligations under international law and points out "that the occupation of foreign territory by a Member State constitutes a grave violation of that State's obligations as a member of the Council of Europe [...]". 4 The responsibility of Armenia for the massacre in Khojaly, despite its denial by the official Yerevan, is confirmed by numerous facts at the disposal of the law-enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan and testimonies by eyewitnesses of the tragedy. The following words by current President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in the famous book by the British journalist Thomas de Waal "Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War" leave no doubts: "Before Khojali, the Azerbaijanis thought that they were joking with us, they thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype]. And that's what happened. And we should also take into account that amongst those boys were people who had fled from Baku and Sumgait". 5 QUALIFICATION OF THE CRIME International law of armed conflict appeared to a considerable extent as the right of war which included the legal basis to embark upon wars (jus ad helium) and the law of warfare (jus in bellum).

After the adoption of the United Nations Charter, the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state was recognized unlawful, while the legitimate use of armed force was limited to the exercise of the right of self-defence. As a result, the right of war has transformed into humanitarian law, the basic sources of which are the norms of customary law as well as such multilateral instruments as the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 on the laws and customs of war, the Geneva Conventions of 1949 on the protection of war victims and two additional protocols of 1997 thereto.

The Diplomatic Conference held in Rome in 1998 under the United Nations auspices adopted the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the jurisdiction of which covered the most serious crimes affecting the interests of the international community as a whole. Such crimes include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

A distinction should be drawn between the two stages in the perpetration during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan of the most serious international offences such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The first stage can be sited during the active military campaign, which had such tragic consequences for the civilian Azerbaijani population. The second stage relates to the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, in particular to the transfer of settlers into these territories, exploitation of natural resources, destruction and appropriation of the historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

Depending on the specific circumstances, a single action may constitute a number of offences.

Thus, the war crimes committed by the Armenians during the conflict in some cases compound other international crimes, such as genocide and crimes against humanity, or are coterminous with them. For example, the massacre of the civilian Azerbaijani population of the town of Khojaly, which constituted a serious breach of the law of armed conflicts, is also qualified as genocide.

In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This international instrument represents a competent 3 Report of the Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Document 10364, 29 November 2004. Explanatory memorandum by the Rapporteur, para. 6.

4 PACE resolution 1416 (2005), entitled "The conflict over the Nagorny Karabakh region dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference", 15 January 2005, para. 2.

5 Thomas de Waal, Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War (New York and London, 2004), p. 172.

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codification of basic legal principles relating to genocide. The Convention confirmed that genocide is a crime under international law entailing individual criminal responsibility. In accordance with this multilateral treaty, genocide means acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religions group, as such.

In the following years genocide was included among the number of offences falling under the jurisdiction of the international tribunals on the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and of the International Criminal Court. Important case law has been developed through these first two international judicial institutions, while the leading judgment is now that of the International Court of Justice dated 26 February 2007 in Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovinay. Serbia and Montenegro).

RESPONSIBILITY UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW Offences committed during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan entail state responsibility and individual criminal responsibility.

According to article 1 of the Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts adopted by the International Law Commission on 9 August 2001 and commended to governments in General Assembly resolution 56/83, "[e]very internationally wrongful act of a State entails the international responsibility of that State", while article 2 provides that "there is an internationally wrongful act of a State when conduct consisting of an action or omission (a) is attributable to the State under international law; and (b) constitutes a breach of an international obligation of the State" 6 . This principle has been affirmed in the case-law. Thus, as early as 1928, in its ruling in the Factory at Chorzöw case, the Permanent Court of International Justice described the principle of international responsibility as one of the principles of international law and, furthermore, of the general understanding of the law. 7 The principle of responsibility is closely bound up with the principle of the conscientious fulfillment of obligations under international law (pacta sunt servanda).

The responsibility of the state is incurred for any act or omission of its authorities which occurs either within or beyond its national borders. An internationally wrongful act is also perpetrated by the organs of a State or by its agents, acting ultra vires or contrary to instructions. 8 There is a convincing body of evidence attesting to the use of force by Armenia against the territorial inviolability of Azerbaijan and the exercise by Armenia of effective overall military and political control over the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. This control is being exercised both directly by the armed forces of Armenia and indirectly through its subordinate separatist regime established in the occupied territory, which, by performing the functions of a local administration, survives by virtue of the military and other support of the occupying power.

Armenia's responsibility arises as the consequence both of the internationally wrongful acts of its own organs and agents in the occupied territories and the activities of its subordinate local administration. Furthermore, there is responsibility even in the event of consent to, or tacit approval of, the actions of this administration. 9 Armenia's international responsibility, which is incurred by its internationally wrongful acts, involves legal consequences manifested in the obligation to cease these acts, to offer appropriate 6 James Crawford, The International Law Commission's Articles on State Responsibility. Introduction, Text and Commentaries (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), p. 61.

7 Factory at Chorzyw (Claim for Indemnity) Case (Germany v. Poland) (Merits), P.C.I.J. Series A (1928) No. 1, Permanent Court of International Justice. For text, see Martin Dixon and Robert McCorquodale, Cases and Materials on International Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3rd ed., 2003), p. 404. See also I.I.Lukashuk, International law (Moscow: Walters Kluwer, 3rd ed., 2007), p.

376.

8 Ilaşcu and others v. Moldova and Russia, ECHR Judgment of 8 July 2004, para. 319. See also Ireland v. United Kingdom, ECHR Judgment of 18 January 1978, para. 159, ECHR Portal, HUDOC Collection; Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, article 7, in Crawford, op. cit., p. 62.

9 See Louizidou v. Turkey, EHCR Judgment of 23 March 1995, para. 62; Louizidou v. Turkey, EHCR Judgment of 18 December 1996, para. 52; Cyprus v. Turkey, ECHR Judgment of 10 May 2001, para. 77; Ilaşcu and others v. Moldova and Russia, paras. 314-319, ECHR Portal, HUDOC Collection.

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assurances and guarantees that they will not recur and to provide full reparation for injury in the form of restitution, compensation and satisfaction, either singly or in combination. 10 As stated in the commentary to the Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, "[e]very State, by virtue of its membership in the international community, has a legal interest in the protection of certain basic rights and the fulfillment of certain essential obligations". 11 A significant role in securing recognition of this principle was played by the decision of the International Court of Justice in the Barcelona Traction case. This identified the existence of a special category of obligations — obligations towards the international community as a whole. The International Court of Justice states: "[b]y their very nature the former [the obligations of a State towards the international community as a whole] are the concern of all States. In view of the importance of the rights involved, all States can be held to have a legal interest in their protection; they are obligations erga omnes." 12 Accordingly, serious breaches of obligations flowing from peremptory norms of general international law may have additional consequences affecting not only the state bearing the responsibility, but also all other states. Inasmuch as all states have a legal interest, they are all entitled to invoke the responsibility of the state which has breached its responsibility erga omnes. Furthermore, states must cooperate with a view to ending such breaches by lawful means. 13 It is generally recognized that the category of serious breaches of obligations under peremptory norms of general international law includes, among others, the crime of genocide. 14 Thus, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide is clear in stating that genocide is a crime under international law which states undertake to prevent and punish.

In accordance with international law, "[n]o State shall recognize as lawful a situation created by a serious breach [of obligations under peremptory norms of general international law], nor render aid or assistance in maintaining that situation." 15 Furthemore, the crime of genocide falls under the purview of the principle of universal jurisdiction in international criminal law which empowers states to establish their jurisdiction over international crimes and, accordingly, provides unavoidability of punishment of the perpetrator, regardless of the place of commission of the crime and the nationality of the perpetrator or of the victim. Thus, with the aim of protecting universal values, states have been authorised to substitute territorial and national states in order to prosecute and punish, on behalf of the whole international community, persons responsible for international crimes. Under the influence of international rules, a number of states have included the principle of universal jurisdiction into their national legislation.

This situation and the existing judicial practice in these and some other states create the necessary legal prerequisites for effective criminal prosecution of those individuals responsible for international crimes against the citizens of Azerbaijan.

Alongside Armenia's responsibility as the State which unleashed war against Azerbaijan, under the customary and treaty norms of international criminal law, certain acts perpetrated in the context of an armed conflict are viewed as international criminal offences and responsibility for them is borne on an individual basis by those participating in the said acts, their accomplices and accessories. As a result of operative and investigative measures undertaken by the law-enforcement agencies of Azerbaijan, concrete individuals have been accused of especially grave offences during the conflict, including the genocide in Khojaly. Arrest warrants have been issued to ensure effective international search of these persons.

10

66-68.

See Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, articles 28, 30, 31 & 34-37, in Crawford, op. cit. pp.

11

See Crawford, op. cit., comment to article 1, p. 79, para. 4.

Case Concerning the Barcelona Traction, Light and Power Company, Limited (Belgium v. Spain), I.C.J. Judgment of 5 February 1970, I.C.J. Reports 1970, para. 33. See also Lukashuk, pp. 379-380.

13 Lukashuk, pp. 379-380, 394-396; Commentary to article 1 of the Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, in Crawford, op. cit., p. 79, para. 4.

14 Commentary to article 40 of the Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, in Crawford, op. cit., p.

246, para. 4.

15 See Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, article 41, in Crawford, op. cit., p. 69; See also General Assembly resolution 62/243 of 14 March 2008, entitled "The situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan", op. 5.

12

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The international community, acting chiefly through the United Nations, has proclaimed and set down in international instruments a compendium of fundamental values, such as peace and respect for human rights. The consensus on them was reflected in the adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, according to which "recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world". At the same time, the Universal Declaration emphasizes that "disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind." 16 Regrettably, even some 60 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the conspicuous "silence" in certain international criminal proceedings serves to accentuate a deficiency characteristic of the international community today: the gap between the theoretical values of law and harsh reality, which impedes the application in practice of the rich potential of international law standards. At the same time, if one is to be consistent in upholding universally accepted values, it is essential to take steps to inhibit any brazen attempt to reject these and not to permit lawlessness, including by prosecuting their supposed perpetrators. 17 It is clear that there can be no long-term and sustainable peace without justice and respect for human dignity, rights and freedoms.

All existing facts of the tragic events in Khojaly confirm that the intentional actions of the occupying forces were directed to mass extermination of the inhabitants of this town only because they were Azerbaijanis.

Measures taken at the national level as well as existing legal framework of prosecution of and punishment for international crimes secure conviction in the perspective of ending impunity for the genocide committed against the Azerbaijani population of Khojaly. Some are inclined to believe that the possibility of recognition of the unilateral secession of Kosovo from Serbia may create a precedent to address similarly the fate of other separatist territories, including Nagorny Karabakh. However, in addition to a number of differences between these two situations, the actions of Armenia aimed at forceful capture of a part of the territory of Azerbaijan, the puppet nature of the regime established in the occupied Azerbaijani lands as well as war crimes, acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the occupying power a priori rule out any probability of application of the Kosovo scenario to Nagorny Karabakh. «İrs Наследие».-2009.№1(37).-S.28-31.

16

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, General Assembly resolution 217 A (III), 10 December 1948. For text, see United Nations Centre for Human Rights, Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments, ST/HR/1 /Rev.5, vol. 1 (First Part), New York and Geneva, United Nations, pp. 1-7, at p. 1.

17 See, e.g., Antonio Cassese, International Criminal Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003), p. 446.

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PROTOCOLS EVOKE PROTESTS IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT Ankara, 21 October (AzerTAc). Today’s session of Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) heard the report of FM Ahmet Davutoglu related to the protocols signed with Armenia.

Speakers from opposition parties, in particular, Oktay Vural (MHP) claimed that the protocols were hidden from the will of the Turkish people still during discussions. The opening of borders, he said, was stated 161 days ago at the USA Congress. And later, the public and parliamentarians of Turkey were wrongly informed about it. The protocols contradict interests of the Turkic nation, he emphasized. “Is Armenia not the occupant of the Azerbaijani lands? Who has committed massacre in Khojali?”, the MP asked. He called all these the writing of “the history of surrender”.

MP from CHP Shukru Alakdag, independent MP Masud Yilmaz have protested out-of-agenda discussion of the protocols in parliament. MHP supporter Kamil Sipahi called the foreign policy of the Turkish Government as incorrect. According to him, it was inadmissible to insult the flag of Azerbaijan. According to MP Ms. Shenol Bal, the shameful protocols had not to be brought to the Assembly at all. “This is disrespect to the future generations as well”, she underlined.

When the floor was taken by the MP from the ruling party to hold up the protocols, the opposition party supporters left the session hall.

AzerTAc 21 October 2009

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Turkish film director makes feature film about Khojaly Genocide at his own expenses A new feature film will be made about Khojaly tragedy and this film will be demonstrated in many countries.

Head of Turkey office of the Foundation for Promoting Ideal Reconciliation Kasim Gultekin said at the press conference that the script of the film is ready and the shooting will begin next month. Kasim Gultekin is the author of the script and director of the film. Kasim Gultekin underlined that they expect moral support from Azerbaijani government.

"I will give AZN 300,000 and my companion, who is Iranian by origin and lives in Canada, will give AZN 150,000. We want Azerbaijani government, Culture and Tourism Ministry to give moral support for the film.

We need technical equipment, weapons, helicopter, tank. Moreover, we want our staff to be provided with lodging and food for three months. Even though Culture and Tourism Ministry does not offer us support, we will not give up," he said.

Kasim Gultekin said the film will be shot in Turkey and Azerbaijan. Eight actors will play the leading roles, one of them is from Canada, one from the Netherlands, one from Switzerland, two from Azerbaijan and two from Turkey. The film director said the selection of eight leading roles is connected with the eight-pointed star on the flag of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani actors are not known and the director said the staff will be specified during his visit.

"This date is marked every year on February 26. But the next day we continue living our normal life. No one can say whether this tragedy will be marked after 40 years or not. We decided to make this film to inform the world community about this tragedy. We had talks with a Hollywood-based film company and this film company will organize demonstration of this film in Hollywood and a number of countries," he said.

APA 27 October, 2009

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROLE OF ICT IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT KICKS OFF IN BAKU Baku, November 2 (AzerTAc). The first international conference “Digital Age and New Generation: Strengthening Capabilities and Capacities of Youth in ICT” organized by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) and Azerbaijan Ministry of Communication and Information Technology commenced here on Monday.

General Coordinator of ICYF-DC for Inter-cultural Dialogue, Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s office in Russia Leyla Aliyeva participated in the event. The conference was also attended by young experts from OIC and European countries as well as representatives of ICT companies and NGOs. The event started with opening remarks of Secretary General of Islamic Conference Youth Forum Elshad Iskandarov who said the main aim of the conference is to increase youth`s interest in the ICT. He noted the event will discuss the role of youth in development of ICT sector.

ICT Minister Ali Abbasov said President Ilham Aliyev declared ICT sector as the priority area, adding important steps had been taken to develop this sector. He pointed out Azerbaijan has grown into the great center in terms of development of cross-cultural dialogue. He highlighted the importance to particularly stress globally important actions taken in this direction at the initiative of President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

The minister noted Azerbaijan is preparing to embark on the transnational super information highway project.

Azerbaijani Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov briefed the event participants on the ongoing youth programs and projects in the country. He underlined the necessity of efficiently using ICT in the youth policy.

Official of Qatar`s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Mahammad Abdul Rahman al-Thani stressed the importance of helping Muslim youth in the ICT sector.

General Coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYFDC), head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s office in Russia Leyla Aliyeva said “I strongly believe that youth in our countries should both mobilize its own potential and unite our efforts with counterparts in the West not only learn and apply, but contribute to the development of humanity and together have to pave new and broad avenues in the virtual world, together overcoming existing differences and gaps”. She expressed hope that “our Conference which brought together for the first time leading youth in ICT from OIC as well as Western countries will be a new milestone in accomplishing this very task”.

“I am excited that we have today, here in Baku, a unique atmosphere, where young entrepreneurs as well as big name businesses also partake. This is a bold action by business to approach young minds and by supporting their free minds and ideas, turn these brilliant ideas into effective and successful business-cases”.

She pointed out “I strongly encourage all of you, to use this opportunity for networking, creating new partnerships and new projects. By doing so, we will show that, we not only talk but also walk in the direction of our vision”.

“We should use all possible frames and possibilities given to us by IT technologies of today, but also make our humble contribution to the development. We should strive to support young brains and ideas find their supporters”.

Mrs. Aliyeva said “ICT creates fastest tracks for tracing and facing social, political challenges youth are facing with nowadays”, adding “as a bright sample of utilizing synergy created by ICT, I can indicate Justice For Khojaly Campaign”. “It unites voices from all over the world, which stand united against injustice caused by wars. I strongly encourage you to find new ways in promoting this and similar campaign through partnership to be established and raise our voice not only on daily issues but those which can make our world more just and humane”.

“I hope our endeavor today will lead to a brand new beginning in the era of overcoming consequences of global digital devised”, she underlined.

Following the opening ceremony of the event, Leyla Aliyeva was presented OIC`s high award for the contribution of ICYF-DC to development of youth programs and establishment of dialogue among the youth representing OIC member states and various cultures.

The conference also saw a presentation on “Youth and Role of ICT in advancing International Campaigns”.

Speakers stressed the role of OIC in organizing international campaigns.

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During the event, “Justice to Khojaly” campaign initiated by Leyla Aliyeva was presented, as well.

The two-day conference will culminate in the adoption of the Baku declaration entitled “The development of the youth in ICT sector” which will be sent to a gathering of Black Sea basin and OIC states` ministers.

AzerTAc 2 December 2009

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JUSTICE FOR KHOJALY CAMPAIGN HELD IN COLUMBIA Baku, 9 December (AzerTAc). A support campaign for “Justice for Khojaly” has been held in Cartagena, Columbia.

The event was organized as part of the international youth festival dedicated to World Humanity Heritage.

At the initiative of national coordinator of the international campaign Justice for Khojaly Julian Rigo Mendez, local volunteers stuck campaign posters at the central streets of the city and to distribute informative booklets to the people.

The event brought together more than 2500 youth. They signed a declaration under motto ‘1000 Peoples Against Injustice’.

The participants of the campaign also met students of the Cartagena University to condemn such tragedies.

The support campaigns for Justice for Khojaly will be also held in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

The International Awareness Campaign is initiated on 8 May 2008 by Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, General Coordinator of Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation.

The Campaign is aimed at raising international civil awareness through demonstration of creative photos and images of suffered people in the Karabakh conflict and Khojaly Massacre in particular and reaching out globally via Media, Internet and Live events. Photos demonstrating human opposition to massacres and cleansing based on all forms of racial, ethnic or religious discrimination, solidarity with the innocent victims and suffering children of the Khojaly massacre; global call on removing the root cause of the conflict - ending the aggression by the Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

AzerTAc 9 December 2009

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO COME UNDER SPOTLIGHT

BY EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCES Baku, 10 December (AzerTAc). International conferences on mass violation of human rights in armed conflicts will take place on December 10 in Berlin and Geneva, according to the media department of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation. The conferences supported by Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, are timed to the Human Rights Day as part of the international awareness campaign Justice for Khojaly, initiated by General Coordinator of Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation under the motto of “Justice for Khojaly, Freedom for Karabakh” on May 8, 2008.

The Campaign is aimed at raising international awareness on an outrage on humanity committed in Khojaly town and getting a legal and political assessment of the massacre.

Conference under the motto “Armed conflicts and human rights” will take place in Geneva as part of the Geneva UN Headquarters events for the Human Rights Day. The conference participants will discuss Khojaly genocide along with Nazi outrages upon humanity, and also genocides committed in Srebrenica and Ruanda. Also the conference will feature presentation of DVD with a documentary about Khojaly massacre.

Elshad Iskenderov, Secretary General of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation, will make a report on political recognition of Khojaly genocide reflected in OIC documents.

On December 10, Berlin will host three-day international conference initiated by Eduard Lintner, exmember of Bundestag. The conference will see discussions of the genocide committed by Armenian dashnaks in 1918 over the Azeri and Jewish population of the Azerbaijan town Guba. The conference will take place at the German-Azerbaijani Center and attended by 100 delegates. German politician Heiko Langner will deliver a lecture on theme “Khojaly – lost misery”.

AzerTAc 10 December 2009

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY MASSACRE HELD AT UN GENEVA OFFICE Baku, 11 December (AzerTAc). An international conference on mass violation of human rights during armed conflicts was held Thursday, with the support of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYFDC) at the UN Geneva Office on the occasion of the Human Rights Day. The conference was attended by activists of the “Justice for Khojaly” international campaign initiated

by ICYFDC general coordinator for inter-cultural dialogue Leyla Aliyeva.

The conference started an hour later since Armenian permanent mission to the UN Geneva Office made an attempt to cancel the event using Armenian lobby. Media reports from Armenia suggested Armenian diplomats claimed that the format of the conference is allegedly not in compliance with the UN rules. Taking into consideration explanations given by conference organizers and participation of esteemed guests and representatives, the conference kicked off at the UN Palace of Nations.

The conference organized by Cojep International brought together some diplomats, heads of international rights groups, and media. The participants saw a video message of UN Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay In his address ICYFDC Secretary General Elshad Iskandarov told of political recognition of Khojaly massacre along with tragedies in Rwanda and Srebrenica in the OIC documents and the need for cooperation between OIC and European structures on the basis of cross-cultural dialogue.

Justice for Khojaly campaign coordinator in Lithuania Eva Lukosevite made a multimedia presentation on the Karabakh war.

During the conference, Armenian diplomats tried to impede the conference.

In response to Armenian allegations, ICYFDC Secretary General Elshad Iskandarov pointed out that in an interview to British journalist Thomas de Vaal incumbent Armenian president and then, commander of Armenian armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh confessed, “the main aim of Armenian militants in Khojaly was to break Azerbaijanis` stereotype that the Armenians are people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population”.

Leader of the Azerbaijan mission to the UN Geneva Office Elchin Amirbeyov noted Armenian diplomats many times tried to politicize human rights issue and impede such kind of events.

“This campaign as a result of the active foreign policy of Azerbaijan has made official Yerevan concerned during recent years,” he said.

A special report adopted by the conference will be sent as a recommendation to the UN Offices in New York and Geneva and other international and rights organizations.

AzerTAc 11 December 2009

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“OVER 100,000 PAGES OF DOCUMENT RELATED TO ARMENIAN ISSUE COLLECTED” Azerbaijani organizations in Holland established a platform to inform World community on Khojaly genocide. Organizations also initiated a signature collecting campaign on December 10, on the day of Human Rights.

Platform opened a photo exhibition in Hague related to the massacre in Khojaly village of Azerbaijan committed by Armenians in 1992.

Head of the platform Gert Van Dam and Chairman of Holland Azerbaijan Turkish Culture Organization Ilhan Askin stated that they initiated a petition for carrying Khojaly issue on international platforms.

Van Dam said that they aim to inform Dutch people on the massacre of Khojaly and about 1 million Azerbaijani refugee that had to leave their homeland. “Imagine Dutch State Utrecht being occupied by hostile forces, and imagine800 citizen to lose their lives in the hands of that enemy. Neither the World, nor Holland can accept such thing. But when it comes to Azerbaijan, everybody accepts the events.”

Chairman of Holland Azerbaijan Turkish Culture Organization Ilhan Askin said, “Europe cannot ignore Khojaly genocide. This year we wanted people of Holland to listen our story from someone among themselves. And we assigned Gert B. Van Dam as the chairman of the platform.” Askin said that the petition will be continued till February 26, 2010. “The signatures will be sent to Azerbaijan and then they will be presented to Court of Human Rights,” said he.

An Azerbaijani citizen paying a visit to the exhibition, Sadikova Zerhanim said, “Armenia does not open its archives for historians to study. Because they do not want their lies to come out. The history is our witness, that the ones who committed a genocide were Armenians. Efforts of Russia, United States and EU towards peaceful resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict does not bring anything good. One million Azerbaijani refugee still live under difficult conditions. Twenty percent of the lands of Azerbaijan is still under occupation. It seems that only solution is the war.”

AzerTAc 14 December 2009

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KHOJALY TRAGEDY TO BE PRESENTED IN MEMORIAL COMPLEX IN STOCKHOLM The Khojaly tragedy has been included into the project of the Polynational War Memorial initiated in Sweden.

In the result of work held by the international campaign of Justice of Khojaly, the Khojaly tragedy was included into the virtual archive within the framework of the project of Polynational War Memorial in Sweden.

The said archive (http://war-memorial.net/Victims-of-the-Khojali-Massacre-1.224) contains a link to the website of the campaign (www.justiceforkhojaly.org) which fixes the list of civilians killed during the Khojaly massacre, while the tragedy is presented as one of the most terrible mass atrocities committed in the 20th century.

The virtual archive with photo illustrations also places a list of victims who died during wars, genocidal acts after the second world war. Since the second half of the 20th century the human rights organizations, researchers and experts are making lists of victims of atrocities. Informative seminars, exhibitions are held and different articles on this topic are issued in different countries within the framework of this project, reports news service for the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) youth forum.

There is a plan to build a memorial complex in Stockholm (Sweden) to unite universities, museums, libraries, archives, memorial parks and other relevant components. On its part, the campaign of Justice for Khojaly has prepared a package of proposals on the creation of department of victims of Khojaly in the said complex.

The resources of the campaign website were used while creating the archive and the Khojaly massacre was listed along with similar tragedies in Algeria, Darfur, Ruanda, Srebrennica, Nigeria and other countries.

The international campaign of Justice for Khojaly was initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, general coordinator on International Dialogue of the OIC Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation on 8 May 2008. This campaign is aimed at informing the world community about the Khojaly tragedy and reaching the political and legal and moral evaluation of the tragedy in the world. www.1nes.az 11 January, 2010

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KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN US This year US Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas will unite their efforts in order commemorate the massacre of Khojaly.

On February 19 - 26, 2010, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC), Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA), and the Turkic Student Association at Berkeley (TSAB) will be partnering to organize the Khojaly Commemoration Week in the U.S. During the same week in February, under the Pax Turcica Initiative, AAC, ASA and ATAA will also be conducting the joint community seminars for the upcoming 2010 U.S. Census.

In past years, AAC, ASA and TSAB spearheaded the annual Khojaly awareness activities in the U.S. In January 2009, the three groups launched a US-wide "Justice for Khojaly" awareness campaign to inform the American academic audience about this war crime from both legal and human rights perspectives.

Pax Turcica Initiative is an academic grassroots platform aimed to attract scholars, students and community groups for discussion and analysis of contemporary affairs in the Turkic-speaking nations.

Azeri and Turkish Diasporas will host Khojaly Discussion Panel & The Pax Turcica Census Workshop at the University of California Berkeley during February 19 - 26, 2010. They are also expected to hold a Khojaly Discussion Panel & The Pax Turcica Census Workshop at the Columbia University, New York during February 19 – 26. Another memorial event - "Justice for Khojaly" Memorial March and Vigil will be held in front of the United Nations Headquarters, New York on February 26.

APA 14 January, 2010

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CITY WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH FOR ONE NIGHT Baku, 14 January (AzerTAc). The night from February 25 to 26, 1992, has been recorded in black letters in history of the Azerbaijani people. That night the Armenian armed formations with the support of military staff and armored technique of 366th motor-rifle regiment billeted in the city of Khankendi, the majority of staff of which were Armenians, have wiped the city of Khojaly off the face of earth.

As the acts of genocide in Khatyn, Lidice and Oradour, the Khojaly tragedy also became the bloody event added in history of civilization. This mass slaughter committed by the Armenian aggressors against the Azerbaijani people, has led to death of 613 people, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 old men. 487 people have been wounded, 1275 civilians were taken as hostages, and 150 people are missing up to know.

The evil deeds committed in Khojaly can be compared with nothing. As a result of this act of genocide, 8 families have been completely annihilated, the civilians were exterminated with unprecedented cruelty, and the prisoners were subjected to ruthless tortures.

In due time, the world press have written much about the Khojaly tragedy.

“The Sunday Times” (London), March 1, 1992: “The Armenian soldiers have annihilated thousand families”.

Newspaper “The Times” (London), on March 4, 1992: “Many corpses have been disfigured, and of the corpse of a little girl there remained only her head”.

“Izvestiya” (Moscow), March 4, 1992: ”The camera has demonstrated corpses of children with the cut off ears. The half of the face of a woman has been cut off. Men`s corpses were scalped”.

The newspaper “Financial Times” (London), March 14, 1992: “General Polyakov has informed that 103 servicemen of the Armenian nationality of 366th regiment remained in Nagorno Karabakh”.

The newspaper “Le Monde” (Paris): March 14, 1992: “The foreign journalists, who were in Agdam, saw among corpses of the women and children killed in Khojaly, corpses of three persons who were scalped and whose nails were pulled out. It is not propagation of Azerbaijanis, but the truth.”

“Izvestiya” (Moscow), March 13, 1992: “Major Leonid Kravets: I personally saw on a hill about hundred corpses. The corpse of a boy did not have a head. Everywhere were seen corpses of women, children and the old men, killed with special cruelty.”

R. Patrick, journalist of English TV Company “Fant Men News” (he was on the scene): “In the eyes of world community, it is impossible to justify the evil deeds in Khojaly.”

The Lebanese cameraman has confirmed that the well-off Dashnak community of his country sends to Karabah weapon and people.

According to the Russian human rights center “Memorial”, during four days 200 corpses of the Azerbaijanis killed in Khojaly were taken to Agdam, and was established the fact that tens corpses have undergone to abuse. In Agdam, the forensic medical examination of 181 corpses (130 men and 51 women, including 13 children) has been carried out. During examination it has been established that the cause of death of 151 people was bullet wounds, and of 20 people – missile wounds, 10 people have been killed with a blow on the head. The Center has also fixed the fact of scalping of the live person.

Magazine “Newsweek” (USA), March 16, 1992: “Last week Azerbaijan has again turned to a cemetery: there were a lot of refugees and disfigured corpses behind a mosque. They were simple Azerbaijani men, women and children from small settlement Khojaly in Nagorno Karabakh, taken by the Armenian military men on February 25-26. Many have been killed at attempt of flight by a shot at a distance, the corpses have been severely disfigured, and others were scalped. Members of the families of victims cried and mourned.”

The photographer of the “Reuters” Agency Frederic Lengein: “In the first lorry I have counted 35 corpses, and in the second corpses was even more. Heads of some corpses were cut off, and many were partially burned...” ”The Sunday Times” (London), March 1, 1992: “Thomas Goltz: The survived Azerbaijanis tell that the Armenian soldiers have shot or bayoneted more than 450 Azerbaijanis. Majority of them were women and children. Hundreds and even thousand people were missing or were lost. Last night 579 corpses have been brought to the Agdam mortuary. 29 corpses have been buried on a cemetery. Among seven corpses I saw corpses of two children and three women.

On one of the corpses there was a bullet wound in the breast, received from short distance. In Agdam hospital, there was a monstrous picture. Doctors have informed that the majority of 140 patients who have escaped from slaughter received missile wounds …”

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“The Sunday Times” (London), March 8, 1992: “Thomas Goltz: Last week this district has disappeared from the map. Terrible news came to Agdam, the front-city of Azerbaijan, and mortuaries were overflowed with corpses… I was last western person who has visited Karabakh. It was January, and the people foresaw their bitter destiny. Defenders of Azerbaijan perished one after another. The survived said that the Armenian forces have started a ruthless massacre, shot on everything that moved. Some expressed their anger to foreigners.

Mothers groaned: “Where is my daughter, where is my son? Raped... Cut off... Missing...”

The newspaper “Times” (London), March 2, 1992: “Anatoly Liven: Having landed on the hills of Nagorno Karabakh, covered with snow, we saw corpses everywhere. Distinctly it was seen that people have been shot, trying to seek safety in flight …”

The newspaper “Times” (London), March 3, 1992: “Anatoly Liven: Scattered on the hills of Nagorno Karabakh more than 60 corpses of women and children confirm the information on annihilation by the Armenian armies of the peaceful Azerbaijani population. Hundreds people were missing. The corpses of the Azerbaijani refugees scattered along hills and small plain, prove the slaughter committed by the Armenian militants past Wednesday …” The “Channel 4 News” (Great Britain), March 2, 1992: “Two French journalists saw 32 corpses of men, women and children in civil clothes. The majority of these people were killed by shots in the head from short distance”.

The newspaper “Boston Sunday Globe” (USA), January 21, 1993: “Employee of Globe John Auerbach: “Intimidated children in camp of the refugees, the trucks overflowed with groaning mothers, hundreds of people who have turned pale for fear, thousand Azerbaijanis seek answer to a question: what for they search here for a refuge? What we saw was the result of regular destruction of each village on their way. What we saw was the event arousing outrage and hatred …”

The newspaper “Age”, Melbourne (Australia), March 6, 1992: “Helen Vomak: Exact number of victims is not known, however, there are no doubts that past week in snowy mountains of Nagorno Karabakh the civilians of the Azerbaijan village Khojaly have been exterminated by the Armenian troops. The Khojaly refugees in the Azerbaijan city Agdam in detail tell about how Armenians have attacked their houses on February 25, tracked down and killed those who ran and hid in wood. Having arrived on Tuesday in Agdam, we have seen newly dug-out 75 graves and four disfigured corpses in a mosque …”

“The Washington Post” (USA), February 28, 1992: “Refugees say that during attack of Armenians, hundreds people were lost. Today were found 7 corpses, including corpses of two children and three women, one of these people was killed by a shot in breast at short distance. 120 refugees with severe wounds are in Agdam hospital”.

“The Washington Times” (USA), March 2, 1992: “During an attack, by the Armenians have been killed or were missing hundreds Azerbaijanis. About 1000 inhabitants of Khojaly have been exterminated on Tuesday by the Armenian troops. Azerbaijan TV has demonstrated the trucks overflowed with corpses from Khojaly territory”.

“The Independent” (London), February 29, 1992: “Helen Vomak:” Elif Kaban of Reuters in Agdam informs that after yesterday`s massacre of civilians, Azerbaijanis bury the people who were lost during attack of Armenians on the city of Khojaly. “The world shuts eyes to the happenings here. We are killed, and you simply observe”, one of people shouted at group of journalists”.

The newspaper “Nie” (Bulgaria), Violetta Parvanova: “Khojaly – tragedy of humanity”.

“BBC Morning News”, March 3, 1992, “Our correspondent who has visited the scene has informed that he has seen more than 100 corpses of Azerbaijanis – men, women and children who have been killed by shots in the head at short distance”.

Eyewitness of Khojaly tragedy and resettled later in capital of Lebanon, Beirut, the Armenian journalist Daud Kheirian in the book titled “In the Name of Cross” writes (page: 62-63): “… having burnt the corpses, the group of Armenians on March 2 has collected and took corpses of 100 Azerbaijanis to the west from Khojaly.

Among the corpses brought in last truck, I have seen a girl of 10 years. She was wounded in the head and hands.

Her face has turned blue. Despite cold, hunger and wounds, she was still live. She very difficultly breathed. Her eyes were filled with fear of death. During this moment, Tigran, an Armenian militant, took the girl and threw on corpses. Then, they have set fire on all corpses. It seemed to me that among burning corpses someone was shouting. I could not do anything. Then, I have arrived in Shusha. And they have continued the war “for the sake of cross”.

The documents contain testimonies of witnesses of the Khojaly genocide.

Heydarov Jamal: “In two kilometers from a farm near Garagaya area there was a significant amount of the disfigured corpses of Azerbaijanis. The killed children`s breast has been ripped up, and hearts were pulled out, the majority of corpses were chopped up on pieces”.

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Heydarov Shahin saw near the village Nakhchivanik (Khojaly) about 80 corpses that were in terrifying condition and the heads have been chopped off. Among the killed there was also major of militia Alif Hajiyev, his close relative Fakhraddin and Mikail Salimov.

Humbatov Jalil. On his eyes Armenians have shot his wife Firuza, his son son Mugan, his daughter Simuzar and daughter-in-law Sudaba.

Pashayeva Kubra, having entered into Ketik wood, she has appeared in encirclement of Armenians. When she hid in a bush, she saw execution of her husband Pashaev Shura and her son Pashaev Elshad.

Amirova Khazangul. During capture of Khojaly the Armenian insurgents took all her family as hostages.

Armenians have shot her mother Raya, her 7-year-old sister Yegana and aunt Geyche, have poured gasoline and burnt her father Amirov Tevekkul.

Aliyeva Zoya with 150 people within three days was in wood. In wood, Ahmedova Dunya and her sister Gulkhar have frozen in her eyes.

Mustafayeva Kubra: “As soon as Armenians took us as hostages, they fired at us - me and six other people.”

Kerimova Saida: “We have been taken hostage together with 12 people. Armenians have subjected to tortures and killed my daughter Nazaket, as well as Tapdig, Saadat and Irada”.

Najafov Ali: “Armenians surrounded the escaping people and shot 30-40 persons”.

Since 1994, on the initiative of the national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the government and parliament of Azerbaijan carried out consecutive measures to inform the world states and international community all scale and horror of the crimes committed by the Armenian nationalists against Azerbaijanis, including the truth on the Khojaly genocide, to achieve their recognition as genocide. Now, this work is continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Special role in distribution to the countries of the world of numerous booklets and the video data narrating on the truth about Khojaly, belongs to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan has declared February 26 as the “Day of Khojaly genocide”. This day all Azerbaijan honors memory of the victims of tragedy.

Peaceful people of the planet, the civilized states, the influential international organizations and world community should know this bitter truth committed against humanity and should give legal assessment.

According to international law, the genocide is the act committed against the world and civilization, and is considered the heaviest international crime. The Convention on prevention and punishment of the culprit of the crime of genocide, the Resolution of UN General Assembly # 260 (III) dated December 9, 1948, which came into effect in 1961, contain legal characteristics of the crime of genocide. During aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, all the above-noted actions making the crime of genocide took place. The policy of terrorism carried out by this aggressive country throughout many years, occurs in the face of world community. However, according to the norms of international law, principles of the United Nations and OSCE, it is necessary to respect inviolability of borders of the states, and is inadmissible violation of their territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The United Nations Security Council has accepted four resolutions on unconditional liberation of the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, but aggressive Armenia still ignores them.

Today, the inhabitants of Khojaly ousted from their homelands address the people and world states, the international organizations to support truth and justice, and condemn the genocide committed in Khojaly.

Culprits of the Khojaly genocide which is one of the bloodiest tragedies of the XX century should incur the deserved punishment. History forgets nothing.

Khalid Mammadov AzerTAj Correspondent 14 January, 2010

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AZERBAIJAN'S FORUM OF NGOS TO ORGANIZE EVENTS ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE IN EUROPE Events will be organized in Turkey, Czech Republic and Austria.

The National forum of nongovernmental organizations has initiated events on the Khojaly genocide to be held in the European countries, said chairman of the National forum of NGOs Rauf Zeyni.

According to him, the events will be organized in Turkey, Czech Republic and Austria under support of the diaspora organizations and partner countries in anticipation of February 26 of this year.

"The preliminary works and the conferences are already nearing completion in Turkey", Zeyni said.

1news.az 20 January, 2010

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AZERBAIJANI YOUTH ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES FEBRUARY AS MONTH OF KHOJALY The child and youth organization of Young Leaders has declared February 2010 as the Month of Khojaly.

According to Farid Shahbazov, chairman of the aforementioned organization, in February the local and the world communities will be informed about the terrible tragedy in the history of Azerbaijani people that occurred in Khojaly on the night of February 26 in 1992.

According to Shahbazov, thematic round tables, measures and meetings will be conducted in this connection and literature and manuals will be distributed among country's schools and high schools.

Moreover, there is a plan to hold an event in February during which the information leaflets about Khojaly tragedy will be sent to the e-mails of international companies and organizations.

Khojaly located 14 kilometers northeast of Khankendi.

Before the bloody tragedy of 1992 the population of Khankendi made 7,000 people.

Most Azerbaijanis driven away from Armenia in period of well-known events and Meskhetian Turks who were forced to flee their homes in Fergana in 1989 also settled in this region of Azerbaijan.

On the night of February 26, 1992 Armenian armed forces supported by 366 rifle division of the former USSR dislocated in Khankendi invaded the armless and helpless city. First the city was surrounded from four sides by the Armenian armed forces. After this, Khojaly was cruelly fired at with artillery and heavy military technique. In a short the city was set on fire. The city defenders and local residents were obliged to leave their homeland. At about 5.00 am on February 26 the city was occupied by the Armenian aggressors.

Ancient Khojaly was razed to the ground in just a night. www.1news.az 26 January, 2010

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SESSION OF OIC PARLIAMENTARY UNION ADOPTS RESOLUTION LABELING KHOJALY TRAGEDY AS OUTRAGE ON HUMANITY Baku, February 1 (AzerTAc). The 6th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference (PUIC) adopted a resolution on cooperation between the Islamic Conference Youth Forum (ICYF) and the PUIC on Saturday in Kampala, Uganda. The resolution, which is part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by ICYF general coordinator Leyla Aliyeva, labeled the Khojaly tragedy as “mass killing of civilians

by Armenian armed forces” and “outrage on humanity”. The document adopted at an event attended by heads of delegations from 51 countries called for the international support for the Justice for Khojaly campaign.

The resolution is the first document in which the international organization recognized the Khojaly tragedy as the “Outrage on humanity”, according to ICYF secretary general Elshad Iskandarov.

Iskandarov noted the resolution is the serious success for the campaign since it was passed unanimously by over 10 parliament speakers and 100 MPs from OIC member countries.

According to Iskandarov, ICYF general coordinator Leyla Aliyeva was the first to come up with the idea regarding the resolution. He particularly appreciated the support of a number of OIC countries` parliaments and Azerbaijan`s Milli Majlis.

The International Awareness Campaign was initiated on 8 May 2008 by Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, General Coordinator of Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation under the motto of “Justice for Khojaly, Freedom for Karabakh”. The aim of the campaign is to raise world community`s awareness about the Khojaly tragedy.

AzerTAj, 01 February, 2010

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE DEMO TO BE STAGED IN VIENNA Vienna, February 3 (AzerTAc). The Vienna-based Azerbaijan Academic Union will organize a rally at the St Stefan square here on February 26 on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

The Union will distribute books, brochures and demonstrate photos featuring Khojaly genocide and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

A screen will be installed here to show a video and photos about Khojaly genocide and website of the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Russia office and general coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva.

AzerTAj 03 February, 2010

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VICTIMS OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY COMMEMORATED IN INDONESIA Baku, 4 February (AzerTAc). The 18th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy was marked at Bina Nusantara University of Jakarta, Azerbaijan`s embassy to Indonesia and Philippines reported.

Embassy officials gave detailed information about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The dispute affected the entire Caucasus region and became one of the bloodiest ethnic conflicts, claiming 25,000 Azerbaijani lives and creating one million refugees, which represents about 14 percent of the country`s entire population and it is the highest percentage of any national population in the world living as refugees and displaced persons.

On 25-26 of February 1992 Armenian Army captured Azeri town of Khojaly in northern Karabagh. Over 800 civilians were butchered in cold blood. Late on February 25 the city was under the intensive fire from the town Khankendi and Askeran. The airport and neighboring houses were destroyed. More than 150 people defending the airport were killed by sporadic artillery shelling of regiment No 366. The next day, on February 26 the fire shooting grew heavier and fiercer. After powerful artillery shelling Armenian bandits launched a massive attack. Armoured vehicles of Soviet Army regiment No 366 were in the first row of the attackers. They were followed by Armenian armed bandit units. The Armenian armed men backed by armoured vehicles killed the defenders of the districts and houses. The most valuable property and personal possessions were loaded onto the trucks and taken away towards the town of Khankendi.

Occupation of Khojaly was followed with unprecedented brutalities against the civilian population. In a few hours the aggressors killed 613 innocent and unarmed people. Among them were 106 women, 83 children, 56 people were killed with special brutality, 8 families were totally exterminated, 25 children were totally, and 130 children were partly orphaned, 476 people became disabled persons (of them 76 were minors), 1275 people were taken hostage and even though afterwards most of the hostages were released from captivity, the fate of 150 of them are still unknown.

The embassy officials also talked about the International Campaign of Justice to Khojaly initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, general coordinator of the Intercultural Dialogue of the OIC Youth Forum for dialogue and cooperation.

AzerTAj 04 February, 2010

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KHOJALY MEMORIAL MARCH WILL BE HELD IN FRONT OF THE UN HEADQUARTERS Event will be held on 25th of February.

As News.Az reports, following the annual tradition, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC) and Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) will be co-organizing a 2010 Khojaly Memorial March in front of the United Nations headquarters in remembrance of the 1992 Khojaly Massacre.

Time and venue of the event are as follows: 2010 KHOJALY MEMORIAL MARCH @ UN Thursday, February 25, 2010 12:00pm - 3:00pm Corner of 47th St. and 1st Ave. New York, NY (accross the United Nations Plaza) www.news.az 05 February, 2010

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ISLAMIC GROUP LABELS KHOJALY MASSACRE AS CRIME AGAINST MANKIND The parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC) has labeled the Khojaly massacre committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in 1992 as a crime against humanity in a resolution adopted on Sunday at the sixth OIC session held in Kampala, Uganda, according to the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYFDC) Istanbul headquarters.

The resolution, passed under the Justice for Khojaly international campaign, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the Forum’s senior coordinator for inter-cultural dialog, terms the massacre as “the Armenian armed forces’ mass killings of civilian population”.

The resolution voices support for the Justice for Khojaly campaign, urging the parliaments of the 51 OIC member states to recognize the gruesome developments as a crime against humanity and to support the campaign both on the nationwide and international scale.

Elshad Iskandarov, the Forum’s secretary-general, commented that the Kampala resolution is the first international document recognizing the Khojaly tragedy as a crime against mankind.

“Given that the OIC parliamentary union comprises a fourth of the world’s parliaments and is one of the biggest inter-parliamentary entities in the world, the [use of] this term will pave the way for a new qualitative stage in international recognition of the Khojaly tragedy as being a part of the policy of genocide pursued by Armenian nationalists against the Azerbaijani people and holding those responsible for this crime legally accountable.”

The Justice for Khojaly campaign, which was launched in February 2009, is ongoing with the contribution of hundreds of volunteers in over 30 countries. The initiative aims to inform the world community about the tragedy and achieve granting it due political assessment on the world stage.

Armenia and Azerbaijan waged a war in the early 1990s. On February 25-26, 1992, Armenian forces attacked unarmed civilians in Khojaly with the support of the Russian troops. 613 people were brutally killed, while 1,275 taken captives, 487 became handicapped and 150 remain missing. Overall, the war claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about a million Azerbaijanis. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan’s internationally-recognized territory since then. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but peace talks have been largely fruitless so far.

“AzerNEWS”.-2010.-3-9 February.-N.5.-P.2

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STREET IN CZECH TOWN TO BE NAMED AFTER KHOJALY Baku, 9 February (AzerTAc). One of the streets in Lidice, a town in Czech Republic, will be named after Khojaly in commemoration of a genocide when Armenians brutally killed hundreds of civilian Azerbaijanis in the town of Khojaly.

Lidice`s governor Josef Klima told the Azeri-Czech Society that Lidice and Khojaly would become sister towns after the street naming ceremony.

Elshan Nazarov, head of the Azeri-Czech Society, said they launched an initiative in 2007 to name a street in Lidice after Khojaly.

In 1942, Lidice was razed to the ground by the Nazis.

AzerTAj 09 February, 2010

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PANIC IN ARMENIAN RULING CIRCLES - AZERBAIJANI MP The Armenian president and defence minister are visiting Europe to show Russia their displeasure at its latest moves on the Karabakh conflict.

This is what MP Aydin Mirzazade, a member of the board of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, said in an interview yesterday with 1news.az.

"Of course, there's a reason why Sargsyan flew to Great Britain and Ohanyan to France on the same day. I think the Armenian leadership wants to show Russia that it is offended, since Russia is taking a more realistic position on the Karabakh conflict and processes in the South Caucasus," the MP said.

"It is clear that neither Britain nor France would be able to provide substantial support to the Armenian regime. The fact that Sargsyan and Ohanyan are going to Europe is not only a show for Russia's benefit, but is designed for the domestic Armenian audience to show that Armenia has an alternative to Russia's support. One can sense a degree of panic in the ruling circles of Armenia that the time has come to return the occupied lands of Azerbaijan," Mirzazade said.

"Yerevan has realized that none of the world's leading powers will sacrifice their national interests for the sake of tiny Armenia. It is time for real politics, in which the interests of major powers are a long way from the nationalistic plans of Armenia - an isolated country which has no economic attraction or prospects," the MP said.

President Serzh Sargsyan makes it clear that Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan is the second person in the ruling hierarchy, according to Mirzazade.

"This fact shows that history is repeating itself and the chain [former President] KocharyanSargsyan-Ohanyan has been formed. They are all complicit in the genocide in the Azerbaijani village of Khojaly. The ruling elite of Armenia is associated with the blood of the innocent civilians of Khojaly," Mirzazade said. www.1news.az 09 February, 2010

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US AZERBAIJANIS TO HOLD SEMINAR ON 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY MASSACRE 2010 Khojaly Commemoration & Pax Turcica Census workshop to be held in Washington.

On February 26, 2010, Azerbaijani-American Council (AAC), Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA), the American Turkish Association of Washington DC, and the George Washington University (GWU) Turkish Student Association will coorganize a seminar dedicated to the 18th anniversary of Khojaly Massacre. During the same event, under the Pax Turcica Initiative, organizers will also be conducting the joint community seminar to raise awareness about the upcoming 2010 US Census. List of speakers to be announced soon.

Khojaly, once an Azerbaijani-populated town located in the Mountainous Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, was occupied by Armenian forces on the night of February 25-26, 1992. Its population was subjected to ethnic cleansing and massacre by the occupying forces, killing 613 Azeri and Ahiska Turkic civilians, including 106 women and 83 children, according to the Human Rights Watch.

In past years, AAC, ASA and TSAB spearheaded the annual Khojaly awareness activities in the US In January 2009, the three groups launched a US-wide “Justice for Khojaly” awareness campaign to inform the American academic audience about this war crime from both legal and human rights perspectives. Within the scope of this campaign, on February 20, 2009, AAC and TSAB co-organized a seminar at the University of California Berkeley with participation of Azerbaijani parliament members and diplomats, Khojaly scholars and reporters, Azerbaijani- and Armenian-American students and community.

This year, AAC also launched a petition campaign to raise awareness of the Khojaly Massacre among US legislators.

Pax Turcica is an academic grassroots platform aimed to attract scholars, students and community groups for discussion and analysis of contemporary affairs in the Turkic-speaking nations. In May 2009, AAC and ASA, in partnership with Turkish-and Uzbek-American groups and the Center for Energy at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) organized the First Pax Turcica Conference at Columbia University. This event brought together over 200 scholars, diplomats, students and community leaders for presentations and discussions on Turkic-speaking world. www.news.az 10 February, 2010

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UKRAINIAN DOCUMENTARY ON KARABAKH PREMIERES IN KIEV The documentary, "The Grinding Stone of History - Karabakh", features the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the Khojaly massacre.

The documentary was made at the initiative of Ukraine's First National TV channel and Azerbaijan's state-owned AzTV. Azerbaijan's ambassador to Ukraine, Talat Aliyev, spoke at the premiere about the Armenian occupation, terrorism and vandalism and the Khojaly genocide.

MP Ganira Pashayeva said that the film conveyed the history of the Karabakh conflict.

Ambassador Aliyev said that the premiere was part of a major campaign launched last year in cooperation with the Justice for Khojaly campaign to inform the Ukrainian community about the tragic events in Azerbaijan's history.

Recent campaign events were an evening to commemorate the 20 January martyrs and the launch of the Ukrainian version of a book by the head of the Presidential Administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev, “Realities of Azerbaijani Genocide".

"In February we will hold a number of events to remember the victims of the Khojaly genocide," Aliyev said.

Interfax-Azerbaijan 10 February, 2010

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US AZERBAIJANIS TO PROTEST OUTSIDE ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON Protest against occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia will be held in Washington dated to February 26 - Khojaly genocide.

The event organized by the Azerbaijani diaspora has already been coordinated with the police and special services of Washington.

"The protesters will be provided with sound amplifiers and slogans. They can also bring their placards, flags and other means to express protest. Considering the strained traffic in Washington, the participants asked to use public transport, for example, underground to arrive on the spot", one of the action participants said. he protesters will gather at Dupon Circle from which they will move to the Armenian embassy.

The Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas also intend to organize the ceremony of commemoration of victims of Khojaly in Washington and San-Francisco, as well as Pax Turcica seminars.

APA 13 February, 2010

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COLOGNE TO HOST CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE Cologne will host a conference on Khojaly genocide on February 26, the news service for the State Committee for Diaspora Affairs reported.

The conference will involve leadership of the Congress of World Azerbaijanis, compatriots residing in different German cities.

One of the most terrible tragedies of the 20th century occurred on the night of 26 February 1992 in Khojaly, (Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan).

Armenian armed forced ruined this city by the help of armors and personnel of the 366th division dislocated in Khojaly since the USSR time. They committed the genocide of ethnic Azerbaijanis.

Of 2500 Khojaly residents who left the ruined city 613 people including 63 children, 106 women and 70 elderly people were killed, 8 families were terminated, 25 children lost both parents and 130 children lost one of their parents. Of 487 people, wounded by the enemy, 76 were children. 1275 Khojaly residents were taken hostages and 150 went missing.

Novosti-Azerbaijan 13 February, 2010

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AZERBAIJANI PRESS COUNCIL COMPLETES CONTEST OF ARTICLES ABOUT KHOJALY TRAGEDY Azerbaijani Press Council completed the contest of articles highlighting Khojaly tragedy in the media.

The main purpose of the contest is a collection of materials on Khojaly tragedy to inform foreign countries, the Press Council chairman Aflatun Amashov said at a press conference in "Trend" presscenter. According to him, the best articles will be translated into several foreign languages and published in printed publications and electronic media of foreign countries.

The contest, which took place from September 1, 2009 to February 10, 2010, received 76 articles from 41 printed publications and electronic media in Azerbaijan. The author, who took the first place in the contest will receive 1,000 manat, two second places - 650 manat, three third places - 300 manat.

Moreover, there are stimulatory bonuses worth 500 manat.

Chairman of the competition jury, MP Bakhtiyar Sadikhov said that the competition aims to show the true state of affairs to the world having double standards.

According to a member of the jury, the press secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Elkhan Polukhov, now there is a need in the materials on this topic to inform foreign readers. Polukhov said that after this competition Azerbaijani journalists will know what materials are most interesting for readers from other countries.

Judges of the competition also include MPs Elman Mammadov, Rashid Majid, Baheddin Gaziev, Elshad Miralem, Mahir Javadli.

Trend News 16 February, 2010

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KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN UZBEKISTAN Baku, 18 February (AzerTAc). The Association of Azerbaijan Culture Centers in Tashkent and the Azerbaijan Culture Centers in the provinces of Uzbekistan will pay a tribute to the victims of Khojaly massacre, committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis. The commemoration ceremonies will be held at the Tashkent International Culture Center and also in Samarkand, Bukhara, Navai, Fergana and Sir-Darya.

AzerTAc 18 February, 2010

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IRELI PUBLIC UNION TO HOLD CONFERENCE ON KHOJALY TRAGEDY IN UKRAINE The Ireli Public Union and Kiev European Youth Organization will hold Feb. 20 a meeting on " The Khojaly Conflict: Historicla Development of Conflict Points: Ukraine and Azerbaijan."

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and security system in Azerbaijan, Ukraine and other countries will be discussed at the meeting, Ireli said. A film on the Khojaly tragedy will also be screened.

This event is one of many activities undertaken by Ireli in eight European countries regarding the Khojaly tragedy. Alongside Ukraine, events and conferences will also be held in France, the UK, Germany, Holland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Books, CDs and other materials provided by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will be distributed to conference participants.

Trend News 19 February, 2010

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VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE COMMEMORATED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES Baku, February 19 (AzerTAc). A scientific symposium to commemorate victims of Khojaly Genocide, committed by Armenians on February 26 1992 will take place in Cairo as part of “Justice for Khojaly” campaign. The event will be organized by Azerbaijani Embassy to Cairo and Ain Shams University.

A signature campaign will be also held as part of symposium. The visitors will familiarize themselves with photo exhibition. ** The photo exhibition “Khojaly in the eyes of children” organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will be also held in Berlin, from February 18-28 with support of Azerbaijan Embassy to Germany and Azerbaijani Coordination Center.

A commemorative evening and roundtable meeting on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide will be held here.

Azerbaijani Culture Center will organize a rally in Hamburg to commemorate the victims.

German–Azerbaijan Youth Students Organization will hold a meeting in the University of Kassel. ** Azerbaijan Embassy to Belgium will organize a seminar in Brussels to commemorate victims of Khojaly Genocide committed by Armenians eighteen years ago.

The event, which is to bring together the officials of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, members of Azerbaijani Diaspora will be held as part of campaign “ Justice for Khojaly” initiated by chief coordinator on Intercultural Dialogue of OIC Youth Forum Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva.

AzerTAc 19 February, 2010

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AZERI MP TO PARTICIPATE IN KHOJALY-RELATED EVENTS IN EUROPE Baku, February 19 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani MP Gular Ahmadova will participate in the events, which are to take place in Poland, Czech and Belarus on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide. The events will be held as part of “Justice for Khojaly” campaign.

Mrs. Ahmadova will hold meetings in the universities, academies and executive authorities of Warsaw, Prague and other countries. The parliamentarian will bring realities about Khojaly Genocide committed by Armenians on February 26 1992.

AzerTAc 19 February, 2010

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HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION PUBLISHED “THE KARABAKH REALITIES” COLLECTION IN JAPANESE Baku, February 19 (AzerTAc). The Heydar Aliyev Foundation on the threshold of the anniversary of bloody tragedy in the history of Azerbaijan, the Khojaly genocide, has published “The Karabakh Realities” collection in the Japanese language.

As stated, the Collection comprises five booklets each of which narrates on different aspects of the Karabakh truths - the history of Karabakh, the beginning of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, NagornoKarabakh conflict and its consequences, the Khojaly tragedy which for ever remains in memory of the Azerbaijani people, the acts of terrorism committed by Armenians worldwide.

Release of the Collection can play important role in opening for Azerbaijan a new information space in the developed Japan with a population of 130 million.

The Collection is said to be distributed in the state structures, authoritative organizations, massmedia, libraries, in educational institutions of Japan.

The Foundation attaches great importance to bring the truth about Azerbaijan to world community and since 2005 publishes “The Karabakh Realities” in various languages. The booklets in the Azerbaijani, Russian, English, German and Hungarian languages were distributed in many countries of the world during various actions. Similar actions became ideological transmission media of realities about Azerbaijan.

The booklets contain numerous photographic materials.

During actions of commemoration devoted to memory of the victims of Khojaly genocide “The Karabakh Realities” will be presented in many countries of the world.

AzerTAc 19 February, 2010

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ISLAMIC CONFERENCE YOUTH FORUM TO ORGANIZE EVENTS TO MARK KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY Baku, February 19 (AzerTAc). As part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign, the Islamic Conference Youth Forum (ICYF) will organize a series of events in about 30 countries from February 23 to March 1, to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, the ICYF`s Secretary General Elshad Iskandarov said.

Iskandarov noted during the events the world community will be informed of a petition to be addressed to the U.S. President and Congress and some international organizations to call on them to recognize the events happened in Khojaly as a crime of genocide against humanity.

He pointed out a clip called Justice for Khojaly will be presented as part of the events. “The clip features realities about the Khojaly genocide, and calls on the world community to condemn the culprits of the tragedy.”

Iskandarov also underlined on February 26 an event will be organized in Moscow to mark the first anniversary of the Justice for Khojaly campaign.

The campaign was initiated by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva.

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PRESENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCY TREND’S FILM ON ARMENIA'S ANTI-HUMAN AND ANTI-PEACE CRIMES TO BE HELD IN UKRAINE Presentation of documentary film "When words freeze" produced by International News Agency Trend on Armenian vandalism within the project of the State Support to Media Development Fund under Azerbaijani President will be held in Ukraine.

The film will be presented Feb.22 in Donetsk to the participants of the international conference on 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide in the hotel of Donbass Palace. Social and political figures and representatives of the intelligentsias of both countries and the Azerbaijani Diaspora will take part in the event, organized by Azerbaijani Embassy in Ukraine and the World Azerbaijanis Congress.

Presentation of the film will also take place within the event dedicated to Khojaly genocide's anniversary, which will be held on Feb.25 in Kiev in the hotel Ukraine with organization of Azerbaijani Embassy and the Congress of Ukrainian Azerbaijanis.

'When words freeze" documentary film demonstrates Armenian vandalism and realities of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The storyline is devoted to historical chronology of the policy of the genocide committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis over many years. The film is about vandalism committed by Armenians during the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh - Armenian vandalism's last stage. The film reflects stories of the peoples who are witnesses of Armenian vandalism.

The film's Russian and English versions have been prepared In order to draw world's attention to Armenia's anti-human and anti-peace crimes.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

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WORLD AZERBAIJANIS TO COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE Baku, February 20 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s Diaspora organizations abroad will organize a series of events to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

Under a plan of events approved by the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, conferences, “roundtable” meetings, exhibitions and rallies are planned to be organized to honor the memory of the genocide victims.

France. A special radio program featuring the Khojaly tragedy will be broadcast in Strasbourg.

On February 25-26, conferences on Azerbaijan`s Diaspora policy and France-Azerbaijan relationship will be organized by Strasbourg Azerbaijan House.

In addition, more than 6 thousand information on the genocide will be emailed to some international organizations and parliaments of several countries.

Union of Azerbaijanis in France and French-Azerbaijani Youth Association with support of Irali Public Union will stage a protest rally in Paris.

UK. As part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign, the European Azerbaijan Society will organize a signature-gathering on February 24.

Azerbaijan`s embassy will organize a meeting in the UK parliament with the participation of members of the Chamber of Lords.

The event will be addressed by American journalist Thomas Goltz who is the author of the “Azerbaijan Diary” book.

The same day, members of the Azerbaijani community will stage a protest rally in front of the parliament.

The Netherlands. As part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign, the Benelux Azerbaijanis Congress and “Ana Vatan” (Motherland) - Union of Azerbaijani Women will co-organize a conference on the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide in Amsterdam Open University.

The event will be attended by Azerbaijani and Turkish students and the University`s teaching staff.

Belgium-Azerbaijan Friendship Society together with Azerbaijan`s embassy will stage a protest rally in Brussels in front of the building of the embassy of Armenia.

Rallies to protest the Khojaly genocide will be held in Sweden, as well.

In addition, Azerbaijan-Sweden Federation will distribute booklet featuring the Khojaly genocide among the locals.

An event to commemorate the victims of the Khojaly tragedy will be held in Denmark bringing together members of the Azerbaijani community and journalists.

Azeri-Czech Society together with the Embassy will co-organize in Czechia an event to mark the Khojaly genocide`s anniversary.

The event participants will see a documentary on the tragedy.

Commemorative events to mark the 18th anniversary of the genocide will be held also in Canada, Island, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Moldova, Estonia, Hungary and Romania.

A series of events to honor the memory of the genocide victims will be co-organized in the United States by the Azerbaijani-American Council, Azerbaijan Association of New York and Houston-Baku Sister City Association.

Events to commemorate the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy will be held in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Russia, Ukraine Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus.

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GEORGIA TO COMMEMORATE KHOJALY GENOCIDE VICTIMS The Justice for Khojaly campaign's presentation in connection with the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy will be held in Georgian cities of Dmanisi and Marneuli Feb.23, Azerbaijani Embassy in Georgia said.

Tbilisi will also host the campaign's presentation of collection of signatures and official website www.justiceforkhojaly.ge in the Cultural Centre Varlig. Azerbaijani businessmen will hold meetings in support of the campaign.

The event will end with symphony concert in memory of the Khojaly genocide's victims.

Azerbaijan orchestra will perform Azerbaijani and Georgian composers' compositions.

Armenian troops committed genocide in Khojali on Feb. 26, 1992. The tragedy began early morning. Within hours, over 613 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed. Among them were 106 women and 83 children. About 1,000 people were disabled by shots; 8 families were fully destroyed.

A total of 25 children lost both of their parents and 130 children lost one of them. About 1,275 people were taken prisoner and around 150 people went missing. Eight families were completely killed.

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GERMAN PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY SENDS PETITION TO BUNDESTAG ON KHOJALY MASSACRE Berlin, 20 February (AzerTAc). Eduard Lintner, German parliamentary secretary, former chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee and chairman of Germany-Azerbaijan Society, has sent a petition to Bundestag entitled “Massacres and murder of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly and destiny of more than a million of refugees and IDPs during the 1992-1993 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan”.

The goal of the petition is to inform German and European publics about the genocide of Azerbaijanis as a result of the Armenian aggression in 1992 and the fact of occupation of Azerbaijan`s territories by Armenian armed forces.

On 26 February 1992, Armenian armed forced invaded Azerbaijan’s town of Khojaly, where they brutally killed 613 people, including 106 women and 83 children.

Lintner called Bundestag to “unconditionally recognize the fact of horrible crimes against humanity perpetrated by Armenians”.

The petition condemns occupation of 20 percent of Azeri lands by Armenia, urging it to put an end to this aggression on the basis of international law.

“Armenia must first release five, then two regions of Azerbaijan, and also must not hamper the return of the Azerbaijani refugees to their historical land, the Nagorno- Karabakh.”

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AZERBAIJAN HOUSE TO CONDUCT EVENTS MARKING KHOJALY GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY Baku, February 21 (AzerTAc). The Strasbourg-based Azerbaijan House and University of Strasbourg`s Institute of Translators, Interpreters and International Relations (ITIRI) are going to coorganize conferences, “roundtables” and meetings to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide The events will be attended by officials of the Presidential Administration, Milli Majlis deputies as well as representatives of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diaspora in European countries.

The aim of these events to draw the attention of French and other peoples to the Khojaly genocide committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis.

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KHOJALY VICTIMS TO BE COMMEMORATED IN LONDON Baku, 22 February (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani students will hold a rally in London, on February 26 on the occasion of Khojaly Genocide, committed by Armenians eighteen years ago.

The meeting will take place in the Parliament Square as well as in front of the Armenian Embassy in London.

The rally will be organized as part of “Justice for Khojaly” campaign.

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VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE TO BE COMMEMORATED IN FRANCE Baku, 22 February (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan House in Strasbourg will hold conferences and roundtable meetings on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide committed by Armenians.

Officials of Azerbaijan`s Presidential Administration, MPs, members of Azerbaijani-Turkish Diaspora organizations in the European countries will participate in the events.

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KHOJALY, LIDICE TO BE TWIN TOWNS Baku, February 22 (AzerTAc). The Azerbaijani town of Khojaly will be twinned with Lidice in Czechia.

The relevant protocol will be signed by two governors in Lidice on February 26 when Khojaly commemorates the 18th anniversary of its genocide which saw Armenians brutally kill hundreds of civilian Azerbaijanis in the town.

Lidice experienced the same destiny when it was razed to the ground by the Nazis in 1942.

The signing ceremony, to be co-organized by the Azer-Czech Society and Azeri embassy in Prague, will bring together parliamentarians from both countries, members of the Azeri diaspora and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Czechia.

The ceremony will also feature a Heydar Aliyev Foundation-made photo exhibition and documentary on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Earlier this month Lidice`s Government decided to name one of the streets in the city after Khojaly.

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AZERBAIJAN`S EMBASSY IN JORDAN RELEASES STATEMENT ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE Baku, February 22 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani embassy in Jordan has issued a statement over the 18th anniversary of Khojaly genocide, killing of hundreds of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians from the town of Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992.

The statement was sent to Jordan`s Foreign Ministry and a number of governmental agencies as well as accredited embassies here. It was posted on the embassy`s official website and published by the local press.

An article on the Khojaly massacre by Jordans`s leading journalist Marvan Sudah was published in the Al Rai and Shihan newspapers Ambassador Elman Arasly and employees of the embassy met Jordan officials, foreign diplomats to brief them about the massacre, aims of the separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh and history of the conflict. In particular, Arasly met with chairman of the Jordan`s Senate, secretary general of Foreign Ministry, head of the Jordan television as well as some scientists.

Moreover, books and booklets were distributed on February 15 at an event co-organized by the embassy and Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The photo exhibition to remember Khojaly victims will be arranged by the embassy on February 26.

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AZERBAIJANI OMBUDSMAN APPEALS TO WORLD COMMUNITY OVER KHOJALY GENOCIDE Baku, February 22 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani ombudsman has sent a statement to the international organizations and foreign missions on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide The statement said 613 dwellers of the ruined Khojali city were murdered. The death toll included 106 women and 83 children. 56 men were slaughtered with extreme brutality. As a consequence of the bloody tragedy more than 1000 dwellers were wounded and maimed. 1275 men were taken hostages. The fundamental rights of Azerbaijanis were grossly violated. The deliberate and systematic destruction of a national group fall under the definition of genocide National leader Heydar Aliyev unveiled the real nature of the Khojaly genocide. the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan gave a legal and political assessment to the Khojaly massacre. President Ilham Aliyev managed to have Armenia recognized as the aggressive side by the Council of Europe. OSCE Minsk group`s activity has not yet brought positive results.

The statement was sent to the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Council of Europe, OSCE, international and European ombudsmen, Asian Ombudsman Association, foreign embassies to Azerbaijan.

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KHOJALY TRAGEDY`S ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATED IN QATAR Baku, February 23 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s embassy in Qatar together with the State Commission for Prisoners, Missing People and Hostages have organized an event to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre.

The event was attended by members of the Azerbaijani community, ambassadors and journalists.

Opening the event, Ambassador Eldar Salimov briefed the participants on the ethnic cleansing policy carried out by Armenia against Azerbaijanis.

He noted Armenian aggressors committed unprecedented savageries in Khojaly and other regions of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Official of the Commission Shahin Sailov condemned the massacre and called on the world community to recognize the events happened in Khojaly as a crime of genocide against humanity.

The event participants saw a documentary on the Khojaly tragedy.

They were also handed over books featuring the Armenian terror acts committed against the Azerbaijani people.

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MEMORY OF KHOJALY TRAGEDY`S VICTIMS HONORED IN TASHKENT Tashkent, February 23 (AzerTAc). Association of Azerbaijani Culture Centers in Uzbekistan has organized an event to honor the memory of the Khojaly tragedy`s victims.

The event brought together members of the Azerbaijani Diaspora, students and journalists.

Chairman of the Association Akif Agatalıbov said the act of brutality committed by the Armenian aggressors in Khojaly should be compared with the tragedies of Khatin and Songmi.

Agatalıbov also spoke of the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva. He said the campaign aims to raise the world community`s awareness of the massacre.

The event participants also saw a documentary featuring the tragedy.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY MARKED IN TBILISI Tbilisi, February 23 (AzerTAc). A commemorative event to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was arranged here by the Azerbaijan Cultural Museum.

Director of the Museum Leyla Aliyeva briefed the participants on the genocide describing it the most terrible tragedy in the 20th century.

Head of the Union of Georgian Azerbaijanis Suleyman Suleymanov said 613 civilians including 83 children were brutally killed during the Khojaly massacre, and the town itself was levelled to the ground.

He stressed only national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev gave political and legal assessment to the tragedy.

Suleymanov also pointed out the Georgian Azerbaijanis support the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva.

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RADIO BROADCAST FEATURES KHOJALY GENOCIDE IN FRANCE Paris, February 23 (AzerTAc). A French language radio program totally dedicated to the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide was broadcast here Monday with the support of the Strasbourgbased Azerbaijan House.

The program narrated on the conferences dealing with the Khojaly massacre held at the University of Strasbourg, mass rally in the Kleber square here and a meeting at the Azerbaijan House.

The appeal to the world community was also broadcast during the program as part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by general coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva.

The broadcast also told about the political developments, cultural events in Azerbaijan.

Khojaly genocide was the killing of hundreds of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians by Armenians in the town of Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. AzerTAc 23 February, 2010

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PORTAL OPENS PORTAL HONORING AZERBAIJANI NATIONAL HEROES A portal honoring Azerbaijani national heroes was presented today.

"Creating this portal is important so our compatriots living in Azerbaijan and abroad will be able to receive detailed information about Azerbaijani national heroes," Milli Majlis MP Ganira Pashayeva said at a presentation of the www.milligahraman.az portal at the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences (ANAS).

According to Pashayeva, the portal will also present detailed information about the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"I especially thank the academy's IT Institute and its Director Rasim Aliguliyev who supported my initiative and made special efforts to create the portal," the MP said.

She added that the information on the portal will be updated constantly.

"The struggle waged by Azerbaijan for the return of its occupied territories will always be reflected on the portal. If we are going to popularize our national heroes at a high level, show them to our people, and especially our youths, then every one of us must choose a hero and follow his example," Pashayeva said.

According to the official, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev works hard to support the families of national heroes.

"Azerbaijani First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva also supports the implementation of large projects to introduce national heroes to future generations. But we must all think about this question," she said.

"Bringing information about our national heroes both to the local and world communities is evidence of the patriotism," MP Havva Mammadova said during a speech at the event.

Mammadova added that that preparing an English version of the portal is important to inform the world about Azerbaijani national heroes.

"Because today our Web sites are read by our enemies and friendly countries," the MP said.

"Alongside information about 210 national heroes, materials reflecting the Khojaly genocide will also be posted on the portal," Aliguliyev said in his speech at the event.

He said after several days the portal will fully function and it will be possible to get information through it also in English. "The portal will contain information relating not only to 210 national heroes. Visitor of this portal will be able to get information about 4459 of our captured citizens, on over 44,000 people who have lost their health as a result of the war, and o 22,000 our dead compatriots"- Aliguliyev said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a cease-fire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the United States - are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.

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KUWAIT COMMEMORATES KHOJALI VICTIMS Kuwait commemorated the victims of the Khojali tragedy on the eve the genocide's eighteenth anniversary.

The event, organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kuwait, was held in the prestigious Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait City.

Armenian troops committed genocide using military hardware and personnel of the 366th infantry regiment of the former USSR in Khojali on Feb. 26, 1992, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Kuwait Shahin Abdullayev said at the opening of the event. As a result of massed fire from artillery piece, heavy military equipment, the whole city was in flames, he reminded.

Abdullayev spoke about the tragedy which resulted in the deaths of 600 people. Hundreds of others went missing. Azerbaijan hopes that the international community will recognize these atrocities as a genocide against the Azerbaijani people, Abdullayev said.

He also stressed the important role that commemorative events play in delivering objective, unbiased information about Khojaly to the world.

He also emphasized that today the Azerbaijani government is doing its utmost to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. Azerbaijan, as a sovereign state, is ready to use all routes of diplomacy to settle this problem, Abdullayev said. He added that Azerbaijan hopes big powers wielding influence in the region will resolve these conflicts according to international law.

A film about the Armenian terrorism committed over many years against the Azerbaijani people was screened at the event. The film was prepared by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons.

Azerbaijan should inform the world on all the falsity of Armenian claims, to tell the world about the barbarism committed in Karabakh, Secretary of State Commission on POWs, Hostages and Missing Persons, Shahin Sayilov said at the commemoration evening.

"The film is not easy to watch, because what you see on the screen is the result of Armenian terror. It is prepared on the basis of archival materials of the Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security.

Demonstrating you this movie, we don't try to create an atmosphere of hate against Armenians, but just want you to know all the truth and realize what Azerbaijani people suffered," Sayilov said.

The event was attended by the representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, and ambassadors and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Kuwait.

Photos, brochures and a documentary film describing the bloody events that took place on Feb. 26, 1992 were also distributed.

Armenian troops committed genocide in Khojali on Feb. 26, 1992. The tragedy began early morning. Within hours, over 613 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed. Among them were 106 women and 83 children. About 1,000 people were disabled by shots; 8 families were fully destroyed.

A total of 25 children lost both of their parents and 130 children lost one of them. About 1,275 people were taken prisoner and around 150 people went missing. Eight families were completely killed.

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AZERBAIJAN TO HOST SHOOTING TOURNAMENT ON KHOJALI TRAGEDY’S ANNIVERSARY EVE Azerbaijani Youth and Sport Ministry will hold the tournament in shooting " marksman" among students of higher and secondary special educational institutions in connection with the Khojaly tragedy anniversary, the Ministry said.

The main goal of the tournament is commemorating the victims of the genocide committed by Armenian nationalists against the Azerbaijani people in the 20th century, upbringing youth in the spirit of patriotism, development of military skills, and popularization of the shooting.

The Youth and Sport Ministry organizes shooting tournament on the eve of the Khojali tragedy's anniversary for the past three years.

The event, to be held Feb.24 at the Azerbaijani State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport, will be attended by 22 teams of Baku, Sumgayit and Lankaran's universities.

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LETTER SENT TO UN SECRETARY GENERAL ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE Azerbaijan's permanent representative to the UN Agshin Mehdiyev wrote a letter to the Secretary General of the Organization in connection with Khojaly genocide, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan reported.

In February 1992, an unprecedented massacre was committed against the Azerbaijani population in the town of Khojaly, the letter says. This bloody tragedy, which became known as the Khojaly genocide, involved the extermination or capture of thousands of Azerbaijanis: the town was razed to the ground.

The ongoing armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has resulted in the occupation of almost one-fifth of the territory of Azerbaijan and made approximately one out of every eighth persons in the country internally displaced or a refugee. The most serious international offences, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, were committed in the course of the conflict, the letter says.

The genocide in Khojaly, along with other grave offences committed during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, entail the State responsibility of Armenia and the individual criminal responsibility of those who participated in said acts and their accomplices and accessories, the letter says. There can be no long-term and sustainable peace without justice. This requires consistent commitment by States towards their obligations to prosecute those responsible for breaches of international humanitarian law or international human rights law.

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38 PERSONS DECLARED TO BE UNDER INTERNATIONAL SEARCH DUE TO OCCUPATION OF AZERBAIJANI CITY OF KHOJALY 38 persons were declared to be under international search through Interpol in connection with the occupation of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.

Participation of the 38 persons in the Khojali genocide was fully proved and it was decided to make them criminally responsible under articles 103 envisaging liability for genocide and war crimes against peace and humanity, 107 (deportation or expelling of population) , 113 (torture), 115.4 (violation of the laws or customs of war), 116.0.17 (committing other acts of rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced sterilization and sexual violence), the press service of the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic told Trend News.

The trial started over a criminal case related to the Khojaly tragedy was suspended March 31, 1994. Legal proceedings on this criminal case was reopened July 12, 2005 by the Military Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan and the actions in this criminal case were classified under articles 103 (genocide), 107 (deportation or expelling), 115.2 (violation of the laws or customs of war) and other articles of the Criminal Code. Since then, investigations have been started to make criminally responsible those who committed crimes against peace and humanity.

As a result of the external examination of dead bodies, the testimonies of Khojaly residents who were able to escape from encirclement, were found evidences of unimaginable torture and atrocities committed by the Armenians and the 366th motorized infantry battalion against the Azerbaijanis: removal of the scalp, cutting off noses, ears, genitals, puncturing eyes, cutting off the heads of Azerbaijanis in the Armenian cemetery as sacrifices, acts of torture against children, women and the elderly.

During the investigation in connection with Khojaly genocide, 2,213 people were questioned as witnesses and victims, over 800 examinations were conducted.

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SCIENTIFIC SEMINAR "MEMORY OF KHOJALY" CONDUCTED IN ASTANA On Feb. 23, a scientific workshop "Memory of Khojaly" was conducted in Astana. Event was organized by the Azerbaijani embassy in Kazakhstan and the Association of Friendship and Culture "Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan".

Azerbaijani ambassador Latif Gandilov opened the seminar with a report on the Khojaly genocide. He told the audience the story of this tragedy, which happened 18 years ago, spoke about the facts of cruelty and violence, backing up his words with photo and video materials.

"We remember that in the beginning of the conflict, one of those who first came to Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict was the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. We hope that the recent visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev to the South Caucasus will make a contribution in resolving the conflict peacefully," said the ambassador.

During the seminar, a report was also delivered by the candidate of historical sciences, a member of the Association of Writers of Azerbaijan, a member of the Society "Women of Turkey and Azerbaijan" Sevil Priyeva.

The chairman of the Association of Friendship and Culture "Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan", professor, doctor of technical sciences Akhat Shakirov also addressed the seminar.

Upon the completion of the event, the participants - diplomats of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, students and university teachers, as well as representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora, journalists paid a moment of silence to the victims of this bloody tragedy.

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US AZERIS CALL ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO RECOGNIZE KHOJALY GENOCIDE Baku, February 24 (AzerTAc). US Azeris Network (USAN) has sent 1211 letters in last two weeks to US President Barack Obama, vice president Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as US Administration officials, congressmen and senators calling on them to recognize the Khojaly genocide.

In the letters, USAN raises the US officials` awareness of consequences of Armenia`s military aggression against Azerbaijan, including the Khojaly genocide.

The Network also calls on the US officials to include the issue in agenda of Congress hearings and also make pressure on the Armenian government in order to force it to withdraw its military from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

In the letters, USAN invites US congressmen to attend ceremonies to be held in the United States on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

In last two weeks, Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas have sent 2436 letters to the US Government on the issue.

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AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO BELARUS VISITS ACADEMY OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT Baku, February 24 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani Ambassador to Belarus Ali Nagiyev met with rector of Academy of Public Administration under President of Belarus Anatoly Morozevich.

Cooperation in the humanitarian section, relations between the two countries` teaching staffs were discussed during the meeting.

Rector Morozevich offered Mr. Nagiyev to deliver lectures on history and culture of Azerbaijan for students and teaching staff of the Academy.

Mr. Nagiyev told of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh and the most terrible tragedy of the 20th century - Khojaly Genocide committed by Armenians eighteen years ago.

Azeri Ambassador presented Heydar Aliyev Foundation-related books and e-publications to the Academy`s library.

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PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF AZERBAIJAN TO UNITED NATIONS SENT A LETTER TO SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION Baku, February 24 (AzerTAc). Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Agshin Mehdiyev sent a letter to Secretary General of the organization Ban Ki-moon. The letter runs: “As a result of continued confrontation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the fifth part of the Azerbaijan territory was occupied, and by the estimations, one of each eight Azerbaijanis became an internally displaced person, or refugee. During this conflict, the enemy has committed heaviest international crimes, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide”.

The Permanent Representative further writes: “In February 1992, the Azerbaijani townsmen of Khojaly were subjected to unprecedented cruelty. During this massacre which became known as the Khojaly genocide, thousand Azerbaijanis have been killed or taken prisoner, the city has been wiped out. In the night from 25 to 26 February, 1992, the Armenian armed forces with assistance of 366th motor-rifle regiment of the former USSR, staff of which consisted mainly of Armenians, have attacked to Khojaly. Inhabitants of Khojaly who remained in the city on this tragic night, have tried to leave the houses after the beginning of storm of city, hoping to go to the near areas inhabited by Azerbaijanis.

However, it was not possible. Aggressors have destroyed Khojaly and with special cruelty have killed its peaceful population. As a result, 613 inhabitants have been killed, including 106 women, 63 children and 70 old. 1000 people have been wounded and 1275 were taken hostages. Destiny of 150 inhabitants of Khojaly is not known up to now. ... Law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan have sufficient information on the happenings, and besides, responsibility of Armenia is confirmed by documents of numerous independent sources and eyewitnesses of this tragedy.

The western mass media have informed on massacre of the innocent people of Khojaly as a result of a gun-fire, and other severe acts”.

The letter further says: “The genocide in Khojaly and other grave crimes made during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, involve the state responsibility of Armenia and the individual criminal liability of those who participated in implementation of these acts, and their helpers and accomplices. ...Impunity suppression has essentially great value not only to bring to account the culprits for grave crimes, but also to ensure peace, establishment of truth, reconciliation and protection of the rights of victims.”

Ambassador Mehdiyev expresses in advance gratitude to the addressee for distribution of this letter as a document of UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.

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AZERBAIJANI MPS TO ATTEND KHOJALY GENOCIDE-RELATED EVENTS IN STRASBOURG Baku, February 24 (AzerTAc). Chairman of the Milli Majlis committee on regional issues Arif Rahimzadeh and MP Akram Abdullayev left for Strasbourg to join a series of events organized by the Azerbaijan House to mark the 18th anniversary of Khojaly massacre, the killing of hundreds of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians from the town of Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Azerbaijani MPs will attend a conference, commemorative ceremony and presentation of a book dedicated to the tragedy.

The documents on the Khojaly genocide will be distributed among participants of events.

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LIST OF AZERBAIJANI HOSTAGES IN ARMENIA CAN BE EXTENDED SECRETARY OF STATE COMMISSION List of Azerbaijani hostages in Armenia can be extended, thinks Secretary of State Commission on Prisoners, Hostages and Missing citizens of Azerbaijan Shahin Sayilov.

"Today 4113 Azerbaijani citizens are registered as missing in action. Of these, in relation to 783 testimonial evidence is collected, confirming the fact of their being held hostage in the Armenian side.

This list can be extended for another 80-100 people, as well as new materials on the Azerbaijani hostages in Armenia are gathered", Sayilov said to Trend News.

According to Sayilov, for several years the State Commission on Prisoners, Hostages and Missing citizens of Azerbaijan is working to bringing the realities of Azerbaijan to the world.

Materials about problems of Azerbaijani citizens, who are held hostage by the Armenians, are collected by the State Commission, translated into French, English and Arabic languages and sent to all international institutions on protection the rights of citizens.

The materials describe in detail acts of violence and cruelty created by Armenians against Azerbaijani hostages.

According to the Secretary of State Commission, law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan gathered enough material to bring the Armenians, involved in these crimes. "I have already collected the materials for 286 Armenians, who are accused of ill-treatment in relation to the Azerbaijani hostages. All they are in the international wanted list. Of these, 31 are involved in Khojaly events. All materials on the cases forwarded to international institutions on protection of human rights and we are confident that they will appear in an international court ", - said Sayilov.

Armenian troops committed genocide in Khojali on Feb. 26, 1992. The tragedy began early morning. Within hours, over 613 unarmed Azerbaijani citizens were killed. Among them were 106 women and 83 children. About 1,000 people were disabled by shots; 8 families were fully destroyed.

A total of 25 children lost both of their parents and 130 children lost one of them. About 1,275 people were taken prisoner and around 150 people went missing. Eight families were completely killed.

Trend News 23 February, 2010

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US AZERIS CALL ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO RECOGNIZE KHOJALY GENOCIDE US Azeris Network (USAN) has sent 1211 letters in last two weeks to US President Barack Obama, vice president Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as US Administration officials, congressmen and senators calling on them to recognize the Khojaly genocide.

In the letters, USAN raises the US officials` awareness of consequences of Armenia`s military aggression against Azerbaijan, including the Khojaly genocide.

The Network also calls on the US officials to include the issue in agenda of Congress hearings and also make pressure on the Armenian government in order to force it to withdraw its military from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

In the letters, USAN invites US congressmen to attend ceremonies to be held in the United States on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide.

In last two weeks, Turkish and Azerbaijani diasporas have sent 2436 letters to the US Government on the issue.

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AZERBAIJANI MPS TO ATTEND KHOJALY GENOCIDE-RELATED EVENTS IN STRASBOURG Chairman of the Milli Majlis committee on regional issues Arif Rahimzadeh and MP Akram Abdullayev left for Strasbourg to join a series of events organized by the Azerbaijan House to mark the 18th anniversary of Khojaly massacre, the killing of hundreds of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians from the town of Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Azerbaijani MPs will attend a conference, commemorative ceremony and presentation of a book dedicated to the tragedy.

The documents on the Khojaly genocide will be distributed among participants of events.

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AZERBAIJAN MILITARY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE CONTINUES OPERATIONAL-INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH GENOCIDE COMMITTED BY ARMENIANS IN KHOJALY Military Prosecutor’s Office of the Azerbaijan Republic continues operational-investigative actions in connection with the genocide committed by the Armenian aggressors together with staff of 366th motor-rifle regiment of the former Soviet Army on the night from 25 to 26 February, 1992, in the Azerbaijan town of Khojaly.

The information received by AzerTAc from the Military Prosecutor’s Office press-service, states that making by aggressive Armenian nationalists of unreasonable territorial claims to the Azerbaijan Republic and rise of the notorious problem of Nagorno Karabakh in the second half of 80s of the last century have led to a mass slaughter and deportation of Azerbaijanis from historical territories on which they lived throughout centuries, to destruction of our cities and villages, monuments of material culture, other crimes directed on destruction of our national gene pool. In 1991-1992, the genocide was committed in Khojaly and other residential areas, Shusha and numerous other residential areas were occupied and ethnic cleansing operations were carried out. At the same time, 373 terrorist attacks resulted in mass human losses were committed by Armenia, which pursued state terrorism and genocide policy, and separatist regime in the occupied territories till 1994. As a result of aggressive war, 20 thousand of our compatriots were lost, over 50 thousand of our citizens were wounded or became disabled, thousands of residential areas and apartment houses, educational and public health establishments, economic facilities were destroyed.

As a result of occupation of 20 percent of our territories, over one million of our compatriots became refugees and IDPs. Azerbaijani captives and hostages detained in Nagorno Karabakh and other occupied regions of Azerbaijan, as well as in Armenia faced with unbearable tortures and part of them were killed or disabled. Since 1988, criminal investigations have been launched by the prosecutor’s offices and other law enforcement bodies about the killing, torturing and disabling of Azerbaijani captives and hostages by the Armenian armed forces in Nagorno Karabakh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as in Armenia, sabotages and terrorist attacks committed by Armenians, deportation of the population, destruction of material resources in the residential areas, destruction of cultural-historic monuments and other grave crimes committed by Armenians.

On December 18 2003, the joint investigative operational group was established by the General Prosecutor’s Office, Interior Ministry and the Ministry of National Security of the Republic of Azerbaijan to solicit to the international organizations about the investigation and legal assessment of grave crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people, identification of the persons participated in organizing and committing of those crimes and bringing them to justice under the Azerbaijan’s legislature, as well as outrage against the norms of international law.

According to the decision of the Prosecutor General dated May 5, 2005, realization of procedural activities over the criminal cases was entrusted to the Military Prosecutor`s Office of the Azerbaijan Republic. Special investigative unit of the Department of Investigation of Grave crimes of the Military Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established and chief of the unit was appointed the head of the investigative operational group in accordance with the order of the Prosecutor General on March 30, 2009 for comprehensive, objective and completed investigation of other grave crimes committed against peace and humanity.

The Military Prosecutor`s Office of the Azerbaijan Republic carries out urgent investigatory measures on updating of proceedings and end of investigation of the cases of the given category, on establishment and bringing on the basis of the current legislation to the criminal liability of the persons participating in the organization and implementation of the said crimes, realization of the necessary actions connected with presenting to the international organizations appropriate petitions for the facts of rough infringement of the principles of international law.

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In connection with occupation of Khojaly, on February 27, 1992, a criminal case was filed and launched investigation under the Articles 70 (banditry), on the points 4 and 6 of Article 94 (premeditated murder under aggravating circumstances) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, effective till September 1, 2000.

The investigation has established that at about 22.00 on the night of February 26, 1992, , military units of Armenia and the separatist Armenian armed formations of Nagorno Karabakh with the assistance of officers, ensigns and soldiers of 366th regiment billeted in Khankendi, attacked Khojaly, pursued the people attempting to flee to the territory of Agdam region to save their lives, including children, women, the old, subjected them to gun-fire, tortured, killed them, took them hostage, burned and plundered the buildings of state and public institutions, the organizations, enterprises, the houses and property the of citizens.

Investigation of the criminal case filed in connection with Khojaly tragedy was suspended on March 31, 1994. Investigation of said criminal case has been updated by the Military Prosecutor of the Azerbaijan Republic on July 12, 2005, and the actions on this criminal case were applied to the Articles 103 (genocide), 107 (deportation or compulsory resettlement of the population), 115.2 (infringement of laws and customs of war) and other Articles of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. Since then, investigation has been underway to hold accountable and judge the persons who committed war crimes against peace and humanity. The investigation found out that 613 Khojaly residents, including 63 children, 106 women were killed, 1275 were taken hostage, 150 were missing, 487 received injuries of numerous degrees.

Basing on the examination of the bodies, opinions of forensic medical examination, testimonies of Khojaly residents, who escaped the siege, it was determined that the servicemen of the 366th regiment tortured the Azerbaijanis, skinned their heads, cut noses, ears, genitals, pulled out their eyes, beheaded them on the graves of Armenians, tortured everybody, even women, the old and children.

The investigation also found out that the action committed by Armenian armed forces and separatist armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh together with the servicemen of the 366th regiment of USSR in Khankendi, contained components of genocide crime envisaged in the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948 and article 103 of Azerbaijani Criminal Code.

Also was established that the military units of Armenia, armed separatist formations of Nagorno Karabakh and the militaries of 366th regiment of the USSR billeted in Khankendi have carried out the Khojaly genocide and didn’t observe the universally recognized norms of international law, brutally violating the requirements stipulated in the appropriate paragraphs of the Geneva Conventions “On improvement of conditions of the patients and wounded in fighting armed forces”, “On the treatment of the prisoners of war” and “On protection of civilians during war” dated August 12, 1949, on interdiction of attempt for life and personality of the persons who are not participating directly in fighting operations, including to kill under any conditions, to cripple, to severely treat and torture, to take in hostages, to wound human self-esteem, including to treat in the offensive and humiliating form.

Participation of 38 persons, whose names listed below, the servicemen of 366th regiment and other persons – in the Khojaly genocide was proved and the court passed decision about bringing them to account for crimes described in the Article 103 of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, stipulating responsibility for genocide, and also Articles 107 (deportation or compulsory resettlement of the population), 113 (application of tortures), 115.4 (infringement of laws and customs of war), 116.0.17 (committing other actions connected with rape, sexual slavery, compulsory prostitution, compulsory sterilization, compulsory pregnancy, and also with sexual violence), providing responsibility for crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes. For realization of the court decision, appropriate documents were submitted to the Interpol’s bureau in the Azerbaijan Republic to declare them internationally wanted.

1 2

Zarviqorov Yuri Yuriyevich Chitcyan Valeri Isaakovich

Commander of CIS’s 366th regiment Headquarters chief of the 1st battalion of 179

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3

Ayriyan Vachagan Griqoryevich

4

Akopyan Movses Grantovich

5

Abramyan Pogos Garnushevich

6

Kisebekyan Griqoriy Akopovich

7

Arutyunyan Slavik Vadimovich

8

Ishkhanyan Andrey Artyushevich

9

Beglaryan Sergey Yurikovich

10

Arutunyan Kamo Rafaelovich

11

Danielyan Armen Borikovich

12 13 14 15

Garmash Viktor Anatoliyevich Smagin Aleksandr Vladimorovich Balyazin Oleg Viktorovich Beglaryan Armen Volodiyevich

16 17

Ayrapetyan Aleksandr Aleksanrdovich Mirzoyan Vachik Grantovich

18

Ayrapetyan Vachik Gurgenovich

19 20 21 22

Abramyan Armo Aramovich Gukasyan Mavrik Araratovich Agajanyan Karlen Levonovich Barsegyan Shagen Semyonovich

23 24 25 26 27 28

Petrosyan Karo Vaniyevich Kocharyan Serjik Sumbatovich Ayriyan Samvel Samurkayevich Grigoryan Edik Emirvarovich Grigoryan Ararat Rantikovich Akopyan Oleq Nikolayevich

29

Tumasyan Seyran Aprakovich

30 31 32 33

Babayan Georgi Ginikorovich Grigoryan Valerik Sergeyevich Balasanyan Vitaliy Mikhaylovich Mirzoyan Maksim Mikhaylovich

34

Babayan Bahadur Ginigorovich

CIS’s 366th regiment Investigation chief of CIS’s 366th regiment Commander of 2nd company of the 1st battalion of CIS’s 366th regiment Commander of 11th regiment in khankendi Communication Company commander of CIS’s 366th regiment Commander of the 5th company of CIS’s 366th regiment Commander of equipment platoon of the 1st company of CIS’s 366th regiment Troop commander of the 2nd battalion of CIS 366th regiment Troop commander of repair company of CIS’s 366th regiment Troop commander of repair company of CIS’s 366th regiment Officer of CIS 366th regiment Officer of CIS 366th regiment Officer of CIS 366th regiment Senior technician of 1st company of CIS 366th regiment Praporshik of CIS 366th regiment Mate of 2nd company of CIS 366th regiment Mate of 3rd company of CIS 366th regiment Khankendi city IAD chief Asgaran R IAD chief Former Asgaran R IAD chief Deputy Chief of Asgaran R IAD for fire safety department Chief of Asgaran IAD for fire safety Chief of Khankendi city jail Inspector of Asgaran R IAD Officer of Asgaran R IAD Officer of Asgaran R IAD Member of Hasanabad village sovkhoz Driver in Khas village Driver in Hasanabad village sovkhoz Member of Hasanabad village sovkhoz DGMV chief of Armenian popular Front Chief of #2718 Motor depot in Stepanakert Khojaly ex-resident 180

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Mangasaryan Artik Gurgenovich Kagramanyan Hamlet Asriyevich Grigoriyan Janpolad Khanlarovich Ishkhanyan Yura Georgevich

Asgaran region, Dashbulag resident Asgaran region, Dashbulag resident Asgaran region, Dashbulag resident Chief cookery in Asgaran region

During the investigation, in connection with the Khojaly genocide, 2213 persons have been questioned as witnesses and victims, and made more than 800 examinations.

In connection with representation of the list of the lost and wounded servicemen of the 366th regiment, data acquisition about capture of military technology or its transfer to Armenians, and also about bombardment by the military technology of the 366th regiment of the Azerbaijani residential areas and other peculiarities, the Prosecutor`s General Office of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan were sent representations for legal assistance.

Operational-investigative actions are underway to collect the data proving participation of Major Ohanyan Seyran Mushegovich, former commander of the 2nd battalion of the 3666th regiment (now is the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia) and Nabokikh Yevgeniy Aleksandrovich, former commander of the 3rd battalion of the 366th regiment, and others, in committing the Khojaly genocide, and bring them to account for the crimes described by appropriate articles of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, and also on establishment of persons, who, ruthlessly treating, subjecting to tortures and severely killing the prisoners and hostages, making genocide in the Meshali, Garadagly, Baganis-Ayrym villages and other settlements, compulsorily moving and deporting the local Azerbaijani population from their homelands, have made especially grave crimes.

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WORLD AZERBAIJANIS COMMEMORATE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE Azerbaijan`s Embassies and Diaspora Organizations in foreign countries organized a series of events to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide.

India. Azerbaijani Embassy to India held a seminar and exhibition in Jamia Millia Islamia University to commemorate the victims of Khojaly Genocide, committed by Armenians eighteen years ago. The event brought together students and teaching staff of the University. They were aware of occupation of 20 per cent of Azerbaijani lands during the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and over one million Azeri refugees and IDPs. A documentary film on Khojaly was also demonstrated. The event is held as part of “Justice for Khojaly” campaign.

Kazakhstan. A commemorative event to revere victims of Khojaly Genocide took place in Almaty. The event was organized by Azerbaijani Culture Center and Turkic Nations Culture Center.

Members of Azerbaijan and Turkish Diasporas, students, journalists kept a one minute silence in tribute to Khojaly victims. The participants familiarized themselves with the photo exhibition reflecting Armenians brutality in Khojaly city.

Lithuania. An event to revere memory of Khojaly victims took place in Lithuanian Parliament initiated by Azerbaijan Embassy to Lithuania. Heydar Aliyev Foundation-related collection “Karabakh realities” were distributed among the MPs. The Embassy also presented the publications on the tragedy in Lithuanian and English languages.

Korea. Azerbaijani Embassy to Korea organized an event to commemorate victims of Khojaly Genocide, committed by Armenians. The meeting is held as part of the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by general coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva.

Events to commemorate the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy were also held in Romania, Norway, Kuwait, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

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AZERBAIJANI MP TO ATTEND EVENTS ON CAUCASUS PEACE Azerbaijani MP Ganira Pashayeva will be attending a series of events titled “Role of TurkeyAzerbaijan relations on the path to peace in Caucasus” to be co-organized in the cities of Berlin and Hamburg by the Germany-based Coordination Center of Azerbaijanis and Ataturk Center.

She will make a presentation on the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy, “Justice for Khojaly” international campaign, Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s efforts to raise world community`s awareness about the genocide. Pashayeva will share her views on the ways to step up the activity of Azerbaijani and Turkish diasporas.

AzerTAc 27 February, 2010

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ICYFDC PRESENTS BOOK “KARABAKH: QUESTIONS AND FACTS” IN TURKISH PARLIAMENT A presentation ceremony of the book “Karabakh: Questions and Facts” initiated by the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYFDC) took place in Turkey`s Grand National Assembly.

The book written by Azerbaijani well-known scientists and experts says about history of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

Chairman of Turkey`s Grand National Assembly Mehmet Ali Shahin stressed the necessity to join efforts of Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas to bring the realities of Khojaly Genocide to the world community. He praised Khojaly for Justice campaign initiated by general coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva.

Launched in February 2009, “Justice for Khojaly” campaign unites hundreds of volunteers from over 30 countries. Aim of the campaign is to bring realities of Khojaly Genocide, committed eighteen years ago by Armenians, to the world community. The campaign launched its website www.justiceforkhojaly.org.

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VICTIMS OF KHOJALY GENOCIDE REMEMBERED ABROAD Azerbaijan`s Embassies in foreign countries organized a series of events to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly Genocide.

France. Cooperation Center of Azerbaijanis and other Turkish speaking nation jointly with “Azerbaijan House” held events in Paris and Strasbourg to commemorate the 18th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide, committed by Armenians.

Officials of Azerbaijan`s Presidential Administration, MPs and NGOs participated in the event.

The delegation met with Azerbaijani Ambassador to France Elchin Amirbayov and members of Azeri Diaspora to strengthen their efforts in popularizing the realities of Azerbaijan.

The books about Nagorno Karabakh conflict in French and English were presented to the Embassy.

Ukraine. Azerbaijan`s Embassy to Ukraine revered memory of Khojaly victims. The event brought together Azeri diplomats, Ukrainian political figures, members of Diaspora and media outlets.

Ambassador Talat Aliyev told of history of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh and brutalities committed by Armenians towards Azerbaijanis. Mr. Aliyev said national leader Heydar Aliyev gave political and legal assessment to Khojaly Genocide. According to leader`s decree, March 31 was declared as Day of Azerbaijanis Genocide. Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and general coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva for books and CDs regarding the realities of Karabakh.

The participants watched documentary film about Armenian vandalism.

Holland. “Irali” Public Union held events in Rotterdam to commemorate victims of Khojaly Genocide, committed eighteen years ago by Armenians. Irali also organized numerous events in Great Britain, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Kuwait. “Kuwait Times” newspaper published statement of Azerbaijani Ambassador Shahin Abdullayev about Khojaly Genocide. The statement says about Armenia`s aggression and ethnic purge towards Azerbaijan. Al-Rai and Al Qabas newspapers also published articles about photo exhibitions dedicated to Khojaly tragedy.

Saint–Petersburg. “Vecherny Petersburg” paper published an article of Azerbaijani Consul General Gudsi Osmanov about Khojaly tragedy. The article says about reasons of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh and vandalism of Armenians committed against peaceful people of Khojaly town on February 26, 1992.

Turkey. Azerbaijan`s Embassy to Turkey and Ankara Gazi University held a conference on the occasion of the eighteen anniversary of Khojaly Genocide. The participants watched film on Nagorno Karabakh conflict and familiarized themselves with a website www.hocaliyaadalet-tr.com.

Canada. Azerbaijan`s Embassy to Canada held a commemorative meeting in Montreal on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide, committed by Armenians. The participants were aware of Khojaly for justice campaign initiated by general coordinator of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum Leyla Aliyeva.

UK. A commemorative ceremony in memory of Khojaly victims took place in the House of Lords. The event brought together MPs, members of the diplomatic corps and media outlets, Azerbaijan`s Embassy in London said. The participants were aware of Khojaly Genocide, committed eighteen years ago by Armenians and Khojaly for Justice campaign.

Events to commemorate the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy were also held in Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATED IN U.S. As part of the Justice for Khojaly international campaign, a commemorative event to mark the genocide`s 18th anniversary was held in the U.S. George Washington University.

The event was addressed by Azeri ambassador Yashar Aliyev, board director of the AzerbaijaniAmerican Council (AAC) Javid Huseynov and President of Azerbaijan Society of America Tomris Azeri.

They said on February 26, 1992 the town of Khojaly was occupied by Armenia with the help of the former USSR`s 366th motor rifle regiment, and followed with unprecedented brutalities against the civilian population.

Ambassador Aliyev noted events to honor the memory of the tragedy`s victims were being held today in 42 countries of the world.

Aliyev particularly stressed the Justice for Khojaly campaign, initiated by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva, to raise the world community`s awareness of the tragedy.

The event was also attended by American rapper Toni Blackman who wrote and composed a song called “Justice for Khojaly”.

Blackman said when she heard about the Khojaly events she decided to deliver the truth about the tragedy to the world through music. No people has faced such a torture and injustice, she underlined.

The event participants saw a documentary prepared by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation featuring the tragedy and the Justice for Khojaly rap manifest.

Events to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide were held in California and New York, as well.

As a result of the Khojaly events, 613 innocent and unarmed people were killed by the Armenian aggressors. Among them were 106 women, 83 children, 56 people were killed with special brutality, 8 families were totally exterminated, 25 children were totally, and 130 children were partly orphaned, 476 people became disabled persons (of them 76 were minors), 1275 people were taken hostage and even though afterwards most of the hostages were released from captivity, the fate of 150 of them are still unknown. The town itself was leveled to the ground.

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WORLD MARKS KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S ANNIVERSARY UNDER AEGIS OF HEYDAR ALIYEV FOUNDATION A series of commemorative events to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide are being held with support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in more than 100 countries of the world.

The Foundation-prepared documentaries and photos featuring the massacre are distributed among the events` participants.

They are also handed over the Foundation-published “Karabakh Realities” collection and “War Against Azerbaijan: Targeting Cultural Heritage” book.

The “Karabakh Realities” collection features the history of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, consequences of the Armenian aggression, Khojaly genocide, terrorist acts committed by Armenia against Azerbaijan.

The collection was published in Azerbaijani, Russian, English, German, Hungarian and Japanese languages.

The “War Against Azerbaijan: Targeting Cultural Heritage” book deals with the acts committed

by Armenians to destroy national and historic monuments of Azerbaijan.

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US CONGRESSMEN CALL FOR KHOJALY MASSACRE REMEMBRANCE Baku, February (AzerTAc). Co-chairman of the US Azerbaijan congressional caucus Bill Schuster, Solomon Ortiz and its member Michal McMahon made a statement at the Congress Thursday, calling on to remember the massacre committed in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly on the night between February 25 and 26, 1992 The law-makers briefed their peers on the terrible details of that night, stressing Khojaly tragedy must be recognized by the international community as the outrage on humanity.

They noted the savageries committed by Armenian and Russian armed forces in Khojaly were widely covered by the world media including that in US. The statement also says 20% of Azerbaijani lands are still under occupation notwithstanding UN`s and Council of Europe`s resolutions and decisions on unconditional withdrawal of Armenian Armed Forces from Azerbaijani territories and existence of about 1 million of refugees and displaced persons.

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KHOJALY GENOCIDE`S VICTIMS HONORED ABROAD Baku, February 27 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijan`s embassy in the United Arab Emirates has organized an event to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy.

Ambassador Elkhan Qahramanov briefed the participants on the history of the genocide. He said on February 26, 1992 the town of Khojaly was occupied by Armenia with help of the former USSR`s 366th motor rifle regiment, and after that the aggressors committed unprecedented brutalities against the civilian population.

Official of the State Commission for Prisoners, Missing People and Hostages Shahin Sailov spoke of Armenia`s agression and ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijan. ** The anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy was marked in Sweden by distribution of brochures to diplomatic corps in the country with respect to the Armenian savageries committed against the Azerbaijanis. ** The Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Office in Romania and Azerbaijani Embassy co-organized an event to honor the memory of the Khojaly victims.

Ambassador Eldar Hasanov described the Khojaly events as the gravest crime in the history of Azerbaijan.

Head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s Office Igbal Hajiyev briefed the participants on the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by General Coordinator of the OIC Youth Foundation on Intercultural Dialogue Ms. Leyla Aliyeva. ** Azerbaijan`s embassy in Pakistan has arranged an event to commemorate the anniversary of the Khojaly massacre.

The event participants saw the Justice for Khojaly video clip.

Moreover, the Pakistan Observer newspaper has published an article entitled “The Khojaly genocide”. ** The embassy of Azerbaijan in China has arranged a commemorative event to mark the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy.

The event brought together representatives of the Azerbaijani community and officials of foreign embassies.

Ambassador Yashar Aliyev described the Khojaly events as a crime against humanity. ** Latvia-based Telegraph newspaper has published an article on the Khojaly tragedy and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by Azerbaijani ambassador Tofig Zulfugarov.

On February 26, the embassy organized an event to honor the memory of the tragedy`s victims. ** Azerbaijan`s embassy in Turkey has arranged an event to mark anniversary of the tragedy. Azeri historian Nasiman Yagublu and Turkish ambassador in Baku Hulusi Kilic described the Khojaly events as the gravest crime in the history of Azerbaijan.

Another event to commemorate the anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy was held in Istanbul.

Consul General Sayyad Aran, Azerbaijani MPs Elman Mammadov və Aydın Mirzazade briefed the participants on the history of the tragedy. ** Commemorative events to honor the massacre`s victims were also held in the embassies of Azerbaijan in Austria, France and Poland.

The participants of the events saw the Justice for Khojaly video clip. ** 189

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A conference devoted to the Justice for Khojaly international campaign was held in Denmark bringing together members of the Azerbaijani community and students.

Speakers at the event briefed the participants on the savageries committed by Armenians against Azerbaijan. ** Commemorative events to mark the 18th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre were held in Uzbekistan, Lithuania and Bulgaria.

The events brought together members of the Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations, journalists and local residents.

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NEW YORK-BASED NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES STORY ON KHOJALY GENOCIDE New York, February 27 (AzerTAc). An article “Khojaly genocide – one of the most terrible tragedies of the 20th century” by permanent representative of Azerbaijan to the United Nations Agshin Mehdiyev has been published here in the Russian language “New Meridian” newspaper.

The article provided insight into killing of hundreds of Azerbaijanis and leveling the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly to the ground in an assault made at night from February 25 to 26 by the Armenian armed forces with active support of several units of the CIS`s 366th regiment.

The newspaper also posted photographs depicting Khojaly genocide victims.

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KHOJALY CAMPAIGN FOLLOW-UP MEETING HELD IN MOSCOW Baku, February 27 (AzerTAc). A meeting in the follow-up of the Justice for Khojaly campaign has been held in Moscow, Islamic Conference Youth Forum reported.

The event co-organized by the Russia-Azerbaijan Youth Organization and ICYF began with presentation of Justice for Khojaly musical project. A rap song was sung by famous American rapper, Tony Blackman and Deyirman band of Azerbaijan.

Speaking at the event, initiator of the Justice for Khojaly campaign, chairman of the Russia Azerbaijani youth Organization Leyla Aliyeva told of the progress achieved during the campaign “Our campaign marked a new era in its activity today as we start a new stage of sending appeals to the Heads of States, world parliaments and international organizations. Accomplishments we achieved last year make us confident of intensifying our campaign this year,” said Leyla Aliyeva.

Also speaking at the event were Secretary General of the ICYF Elshad Iskandarov, author of book “Karabakh diary “ Yuri Pompeyev and others.

The participants of the event signed a new petition to the US President, UN Secretary General, members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and European Parliament, calling on to recognize the Khojaly tragedy as an outrage on humanity and bring all genocide committers to trial.

The event was attended by over 500 people including students, Azerbaijani community, scientists and media.

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STATE COMMISSION EXTENDS STRUGGLE IN INFORMING THE WORLD ON UNPRECEDENTED CRIMES MADE BY ARMENIANS AGAINST AZERBAIJANIS Baku, March 4 (AzerTAc). According to the recommendation of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on permanent attack in information struggle in connection with the problem of Nagorno Karabakh, the state structures strengthen propaganda activities aimed at forming objective international public opinion, informing the peoples of world on tragedies, Azerbaijan faced as a result of the policy of annexation and ethnic cleanings pursued by the Republic of Armenia. Now, information struggle against the enemy is carried out in more expedient and systematic form, in coordination with the corresponding structures, to bring to the notice of the international public of the Azerbaijan realities.

The State Commission on POW, Hostages and Missing Persons finds out the compatriots from among prisoners of war and hostages and also prints books and brochures, prepares documentary video and photographic materials about the unprecedented crimes made by Armenians against Azerbaijanis, the Armenian-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and history of the problem, the facts of the policy of deportations carried out against Azerbaijanis periodically, about the tortures to which were subjected Azerbaijanis by the Armenian terrorists being in captivity. The Commission also organises their distribution in various languages in many countries of the world.

Wishing to inform the world about the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, about the plight of more than one million Azerbaijanis who became refugees and IDPs, the acts of terrorism made by Armenians and in connection with 18th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy which is a crime against humanity, in the frame of Justice for Khojaly campaign, the State Commission together with embassies of Azerbaijan in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates has carried out in these countries a series of actions.

Participants of actions were presented documentary films, books, pictures and other materials narrating on the Khojaly tragedy and consequences of the Armenian terrorism.

AzerTAc 04 March, 2010

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