Five soldiers reportedly killed in Azeri-Armenia border incidents
BBC Monitoring Newsfile [London] 05 June 2012.

It quoted the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry as saying that “at around 0630 [0130 gmt] on 5 June, an Armenian sabotage group made an attempt to enter the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Asagi Askipara village of Qazax District [western…

Five Azeri soldiers have been killed in two separate incidents on the Azeri-Armenian border, Baku-based APA news agency reported on 5 June.

It quoted the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry as saying that “at around 0630 [0130 gmt] on 5 June, an Armenian sabotage group made an attempt to enter the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Asagi Askipara village of Qazax District [western Azerbaijan]. However, they sustained casualties and retreated. Four servicemen of the Azerbaijani armed forces lost their lives during the fight”.

The report said that another Azeri soldier had been killed in a separate shooting incident in Qazax District. No details of the incident were reported.

Credit: APA news agency, Baku, in Azeri 0623 5 Jun 12

Armenian TV says 14 Azeri soldiers killed in two border incidents
BBC Monitoring Newsfile [London] 06 June 2012.

The TV said that in the early hours of 5 June Armenian troops had thwarted an attempt by a group of about 15-20 Azeri soldiers to advance towards a village in Armenia’s Tavush Region. “The Azerbaijani side confirmed the death of its five soldiers…

Armenian Public TV has said that 14 Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed in two separate incidents on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on 5 June.

The TV said that in the early hours of 5 June Armenian troops had thwarted an attempt by a group of about 15-20 Azeri soldiers to advance towards a village in Armenia’s Tavush Region. “The Azerbaijani side confirmed the death of its five soldiers… According to our reliable sources, in reality 10 Azeri soldiers were killed,” the TV said.

It went on to say that four more Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in a different incident on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, but the report did not give any further details.

BBCM note: The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said on 5 June that five Azeri soldiers lost their lives in a clash with a group of Armenian troops who tried to enter the Azerbaijani army positions in the country’s Qazax District.

Credit: Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian 1700 5 Jun 12

Armenian sergeant killed in border clash with Azeris
BBC Monitoring Newsfile [London] 06 June 2012.

The front subdivisions of the Karabakh army started a defence fight and repulsed the rival making him return to their initial positions. As a result of the fight, the rival suffered considerable casualties.

Yerevan, 6 June: An Azerbaijani sabotage group tried to get into one of the combat positions of the [Azerbaijani breakaway region] Nagornyy Karabakh republic’s [NKR] defence army in the direction of Horadiz at dawn today. As a result of the attack, one Armenian military serviceman is killed and two are wounded.

“The front subdivisions of the Karabakh army started a defence fight and repulsed the rival making him return to their initial positions. As a result of the fight, the rival suffered considerable casualties. During the defence fight, the Armenian side also sustained losses – junior sergeant Vardan Ohanyan was killed and soldiers Araik Mavreyan and Volodya Tsatryan were wounded,” the statement of the press service of the NKR defence army.

Credit: Mediamax news agency, Yerevan, in English 1120 6 Jun 12

TV says Clinton arrives in Baku as Armenians fire on Azeri army positions
BBC Monitoring Newsfile [London] 06 June 2012.

“[Hillary Clinton]’s visit is taking place at a time when five Azerbaijani servicemen have been martyred and Armenian troops have been intensively firing on positions of our national army and population centres,” ANS said.

The channel then quoted the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry press service as saying that “Armenian troops fired on all positions of the Azerbaijani army and population centres from 1800 [1300 gmt] yesterday to 0800 [0300 gmt] today”.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Azerbaijan on an official visit, Baku-based private TV station ANS reported on 6 June.

“Clinton’s visit is taking place at a time when five Azerbaijani servicemen have been martyred and Armenian troops have been intensively firing on positions of our national army and population centres,” ANS said.

The channel then quoted the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry press service as saying that “Armenian troops fired on all positions of the Azerbaijani army and population centres from 1800 [1300 gmt] yesterday to 0800 [0300 gmt] today”.

ANS then said that western Goranboy District is one of the districts subjected to “intensive fire” by Armenian troops. It reported no casualties, thought it said houses in the district were damaged.

The TV added that an exchange of fire “is still continuing in the village of Alibayli in Tovuz District”.

In a live link-up with the studio, an ANS correspondent said that “the latest shooting was recorded… a few minutes ago and servicemen’s presence at Azerbaijani posts in the village has already been beefed up”.

The correspondent ruled out any casualties among villagers, adding that houses suffered damage.

“Fortunately, Azerbaijani troops have foiled all attempts by the opposite side,” the correspondent said.

BBCM note: On 5 June, Baku-based APA news agency reported the killing of five Azerbaijani soldiers in two separate incidents on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border.

Credit: ANS TV, Baku, in Azeri 1000 6 Jun 12

Azerbaijan denies over dozen soldiers killed in border clash with Armenians
BBC Monitoring Newsfile [London] 06 June 2012.

The official said tension was still present on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops in Karabakh and said that Azerbaijani soldiers have thwarted Armenian troops’ attempts to penetrate the military positions of the national army. “Armenian cunning has been put into action in order to calm down its [Armenia’s] angry people,” APA quoted the ministry official as saying.

Baku has denied Armenian reports that over a dozen Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in a border clash with Armenian troops on 5 June, Baku-based APA news agency reported on 6 June.

“Some Armenian media outlets have made up names and titles and reported that another four and over a dozen Azerbaijani soldiers have been killed. These are totally false and wrong reports. It is not the first time that the enemy has used these methods,” APA quoted the spokesman for the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry, Eldar Sabiroglu, as saying.

“If there are so many casualties as they are claiming, then where are the killed persons and where have they been buried?” Eldar Sabiroglu said.

The official said tension was still present on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops in Karabakh and said that Azerbaijani soldiers have thwarted Armenian troops’ attempts to penetrate the military positions of the national army. “Armenian cunning has been put into action in order to calm down its [Armenia’s] angry people,” APA quoted the ministry official as saying.

BBCM note: Armenian Public TV earlier reported that 10 Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in an attempt to advance towards Armenian army positions on 5 June. It added that another four Azerbaijani soldiers were killed during a separate border clash on 5 June, without giving any further details.

Credit: APA news agency, Baku, in Azeri 1026 6 Jun 12; Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian 1700 5 Jun 12

APA news agency, Baku, in Azeri 1026 6 Jun 12; Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian 1700 5 Jun 12

Is there a problem of Internet in Azerbaijan ?

7 June 2012
09:46
Turan Information Agency (Azerbaijan)

Baku/07.06.12/Turan: There are serious problems with freedom of media and information, and information security In Azerbaijan, said Osman Gunduz , the head of the Internet Forum of Azerbaijan at the hearing in Brussels on the topic “The position of media in Russia and the” Eastern Partnership countries”, organized by the European Parliament. The expert said the problem with information security by independent on-line-structures, which are often blocked and can not to act.

Gunduz welcomed the initiative of an international organization “Reporters without borders” to create a safe online environment for independent media.

Concerning the development “new media” in Azerbaijan, he said that despite the quantitative growth, there are issues of training, professionalism, etc.

The expert also drew attention to the creation of state-run news sources, and unequal conditions for independent media.

Regarding the expected amendments to the Law “On receiving information,” Gunduz said that in its present form the law is more democratic and meets the European standards.

However, under the pretext of protecting commercial confidentiality and privacy, the authorities want to restrict access to information. He urged European institutions to review the proposed improvements, and to express their attitude to them.