08 Jun

ANS TV news transcript

Programme summary of Azeri ANS TV “Xabarci” news 1600 gmt 6 Jun 12
BBC Monitoring International Reports – Thursday, June 7, 2012
Presenter Nigar Mahmudova

1. 0010 Headlines.

2. 0100 The Armenian armed forces have fired on Azerbaijani positions. A clash is under way on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops at the moment, the TV says.

3. 0113 The Azerbaijani armed forces have thwarted an attack by Armenian troops in Horadiz District. One Armenian soldier was killed and two were wounded in a border clash, the TV says.

4. 0130 The Karabakh bureau of ANS TV channel has reported that Armenian troops have fired on Azerbaijani positions from the Armenian-controlled Yusifcanli village in Agdam District.

5. 0142 Armenian troops are continuing to intensively fire on the village of Tapqaraqoyunlu in Goranboy District. Video shows local residents and the deputy head of the executive authorities of Goranboy District, Baxis Abdullayev, interviewed on the issue.

6. 0344 Armenian troops are continuing to fire the village of Alibayli in Tovuz District. Video shows local residents interviewed.

7. 0600 Five Azerbaijani soldiers killed in a border clash yesterday were buried today; video report.

8. 1017 Following the intensive clashes on the line of contact in the past two days, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry has issued a special statement. Azerbaijani Defence Minister spokesman Eldar Sabiroglu is shown saying in order to distract people’s attention from domestic problems, Armenia started intensifying clashes on the line of contact.

9. 1207 At a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the latest incidents that occurred on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. She said that the Karabakh conflict should be solved peacefully. Video shows Clinton and Mammadyarov speaking at a news conference.

10. 1419 The Karabakh peace process was discussed at a meeting held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They also discussed energy, economic and political cooperation between the two countries at the meeting. Presenter-read report over video of the meeting.

11. 1511 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the 19th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition held in Baku. Video shows the visit.

12. 1542 An ANS correspondent reports silence in the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.

13. 1645 The General Staff of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces has issued a statement saying that the Azerbaijani armed forces are capable of liberating its territories any time. A total of 10 days are enough to liberate occupied territories, the statement says.

14. 1717 The Azerbaijani Defence Industry Ministry’s enterprise in Sirvan District is producing bullets. Video shows bullets produced in the enterprise.

15. 1908 Report on the demographic situation in Azerbaijan .

16. 2332 Foreign news: the USA.

17. 2407 Presenter signs off. Sport. Weather.
Original Language: Azeri
Original Source: ANS TV, Baku

08 Jun

Armenian Mediamax on June 5th events

Armenia blames fatal border incident on Azeribaijan
BBC Monitoring Newsfile [London] 05 June 2012.

Thanks to the vigilance of Armenian soldiers, the sabotage group was tracked down and neutralized following special measures. According to the preliminary data, the Azerbaijani side lost five soldiers and many others were wounded. The other members of the sabotage group managed to retreat and they took with them the wounded and the bodies of the killed.

Yerevan, 5 June: Continuing sabotage actions that they started yesterday [4 May], Azerbaijani troops again attempted to cross the Armenian state border on the night of 4-5 June.

The Azerbaijani sabotage group of 15-20 people tried to get into the Armenian territory near the village of Voskepar of Tavush Region of Armenia, the Armenian Defence Ministry told Mediamax.

“Thanks to the vigilance of Armenian soldiers, the sabotage group was tracked down and neutralized following special measures. According to the preliminary data, the Azerbaijani side lost five soldiers and many others were wounded. The other members of the sabotage group managed to retreat and they took with them the wounded and the bodies of the killed. The Armenian side sustained no casualties,” the Armenian Defence Ministry reported.

[BBCM note: The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said on 5 June that four Azeri soldiers lost their lives while repulsing an Armenian sabotage group’s attempt to enter Azeri army positions in the country’s western Qazax District]

Credit: Mediamax news agency, Yerevan, in Russian 0840 5 Jun 12

08 Jun

Azerbaijan media reports

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

08 Jun

Armenian TV says 15-20 soliders were trying to get to Tavush, 5-10 soliders killed

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

08 Jun

Armenian Mediamax says sergeant killed

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

08 Jun

ANS news summary from 6/6

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

08 Jun

BBC Monitoring summary

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

08 Jun

Reporting on the Internet from within Azerbaijan

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.

04 Jun

America in the Caucasus

In honor of Secretary Clinton’s visit to the Caucasus, a quick infographic on attitudes toward the United States in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

There were few statistically significant predictors of difference outside of age (younger people have more favorable attitudes) – education mattered occasionally, but region, sex, and wealth didn’t make a difference.

(I did a similar analysis on the 2007 Caucasus Barometer here).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Link to full image here

19 May

Attitudes toward homosexuality in the Caucasus

There has been a lot of activity related to homosexuality in the Caucasus this week. Armenia’s favorite LGBT-friendly bar was firebombed, Azerbaijan is hosting Eurovision, and Georgia has had some LGBT activism and negative responses.

So, in light of this, here is some analysis of CRRC data on attitudes toward homosexuality in the Caucasus to get a sense of how the public feels about homosexuality.

Respondents were asked, on a scale of 1-10, how justifable is homosexuality.

I must add though, that all of these responses should be taken with a grain of salt. If one were to really try to measure attitudes toward homosexuality (or more likely measuring homonegativity) in the Caucasus, there would be totally different ways to go about it – like using vignettes or some other more detailed measurement like this one or this.

I don’t think that asking people if homosexuality is justified is an appropriate way to get at this topic. CRRC asked a lot of different questions about values in the Caucasus and I’m glad that they included this, but as a social scientist, I cannot stand behind this sort of jumping into a topic without a lot of work put forth on measurement. (That being said, if anyone is interested and wants to fund this research, please let me know! It’d be a great project.)

But something is better than nothing, so, here it goes…

(This infographic is quite boring, as there isn’t much to say.)



Link to full version