DEBORAH NETLAND OF THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATES VISIT IEPF OFFICE IN TERTAR REGION

The official of the US DOS PM/WRA, Ms. Deborah Netland who was accompanied by an official of the US Presidential Management Fellowship -Mr. Darren Manning, paid a visit to the IEPF office in Tertar to ascertain the extent of progress made on the project activities of the “Establishment of Vocational Training Center (VTC) for the mine victims and the retired de-miners” in Tertar region of Azerbaijan. She also used the opportunity to evaluate the present progress report on the activities of the Azerbaijan Mine Victims Association (AMVA) which was formed by IEPF after the completion of series of projects in Tertar, Fizuli and Aghstafa.

Activities have already begun on erecting of the proposed Vocational Training Center (VTC) by the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF). The VTC structure is to be constructed based on an approved and funded project by the US Department of States, Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Weapon Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA). The project has enjoyed tremendous support from Mr. Vidadi Isayev, the Head of Authorities of the Executive Committee of the Tertar region who has pledged his office full collaborative assistance in kinds to the achievement of the project success.

The Chairman of IEPF, Umud Mirzayev in his speech welcoming the guest at the IEPF office premises expressed appreciation to the US DOS PM/WRA towards the continued support to her activities for the mine victims: “It’s been 3 years now since the beginning of the first project “Establishment of the Azerbaijan Mine Victims Association in Tertar region of Azerbaijan” and over these years, there are good results shown as evidence of achievement of IEPF with the various activities conducted”. Over series of discussion, the visitor got acquainted with the activities thus far on the VTC. They were also shown the proposed sketch plan for the VTC. The VTC would be a 2 storey building that consists of training rooms, offices, conference hall, lodging room, warehouse, kitchen and toilet. The site upon which the VTC would be constructed was acquired through the great support of the office of the Executive Committee of the Tertar region. In the provision of the location, the Executive Authorities considered all necessary factors as to: nearness to main road, source of water, electricity, and accessibility to already acquired land set aside for agricultural practices for the mine victims.

Ms. Netland the GOR also got brief report on the successes recorded with the Eurasia Credit LTD on the provision of micro-credit to the mine victims, the IDPs/refugees and the members of the community living in poor circumstances in the regions. Based on report presented, the portfolio of the Eurasia Credit LTD which started with the seed capital from the US DOS PM/WRA within the project activity of the AMVA has grown with about 100%. Besides, various additional funds have been added to the Eurasia Credit LTD capital through the effort of IEPF seeking out potential avenues to expand the crediting capacity.

The GOR was pleased with the report and the success story so far recorded with the mine victims and also the activities of Eurasia Credit LTD. In her exact words: “I’m full of confidence with the professional activity of the IEPF”. The GOR was also delighted with the extent of work already done with the VTC. Before leaving the IEPF office premise, the visitors got acquitted with various beneficiaries from the micro-crediting activities of Eurasia Credit LTD. Those on sight were the Advertisement Center, the Carpet Weaving Center and the soon to be completed Bakery Center.

The visit was finalized with a visit to the office of the Head of Executive Authorities of Tertar region. The GOR and the Chairman of IEPF expressed their gratitude to the Authorities for his support, and in return Mr. Vidadi Isayev reiterated his office pledge of support to the initiative. The meeting at the office of the Head of Executive Authorities was followed thereafter by the formally cutting of the ribbon at place of construction of the VTC. The ceremony which was covered by the press-men was witnessed by the project working group, staff of IEPF, AMVA members and people of the community.

NGOZI OKONJO IWEALA MEETS WITH PRESIDENT IHAM ALIYEV IN BAKU

I was elated to see Ms. Iweala the Managing Director of World Bank in Azerbaijan. My excitement was seeing an achieved Nigeria visit a country where I reside. She is representing World Bank on an official assignment, but I also think she is representing Nigeria.

Mrs. Iweala who was one time Ministry of Finance in Nigeria had helped put Nigeria on a good path of financial recovery from the many years of corrupt government system in Nigeria. As the Minister of Finance then, Mrs. Iweala helped Nigeria achieve a multimillion dept cancelation by the Paris Club. It was upon her achievement with the Nigeria system that she was elevated to the position she currently hold haven previously worked with the World Bank.

So Azerbaijan would definitely benefit from the wisdom of Mrs. Ngozi Iweala and the President Ilham Aliyev is right to express this believe. Although a relatively small country, Azerbaijan has got large revenue derived from the sales of its Oil and Gas. However it still needs directions and guidance with the developmental process.

IS AZERBAIJAN SHORTCHANGED IN THE TURKEY – ARMENIA AGREEMENT?

Turkey has agreed to finally open the border between her and Armenia and start diplomatic relations between both nations after a long time of enmity. What seems like a never ending dispute has gained tremendous momentum and a path towards peace is almost near sight. Turkey has closed its border to Armenia in 1993 because of the Armenia aggressive war towards a section of Azerbaijan and a consequential occupation of the Azerbaijan territory.

Turkey show of solidarity towards Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh occupied territories was expected because of the bond both nations share. Azerbaijan and Turkey, both nations share a lot of cultural identities and therefore it is expected that they would most likely feel a sense of solidarity towards each other.

Of course Armenia suffered greatly during the whole period of the closure of the borders. Both the Azerbaijan end and the Turkey ends of the border meant that Armenia had very limited access to the global community particularly to the rest of Europe. Azerbaijan has seen this as an effective weapon towards pressurizing the Armenians in freeing its occupied territory.

Turkey in recent years especially in the last 2 years has indicated it would like to relax it stringent measures towards Armenia. Although it can be concluded that the Turkey good gesture has been because of the influence of the EU; Turkey quest to join the EU has always met a roadblock because of the territorial issues with Armenia including that of Cyprus. One of the terms for likely acceptance into EU is that Turkey should recognize that there was an act of genocide towards the ethnic Armenians in the Ottoman Empire war of 1915. The US has also pressured Turkey to this regard and the push by US has increased with the Obama administration.

Although there is no sign that Turkey would accept the recognition of the Armenia genocide, but what it could do best is to re-open its border and diplomatic ties with Armenia even at the detriment of it brotherly neighbor Azerbaijan.

Sure Azerbaijan feels shortchanged in the Turkey government recent moves. Azerbaijan has always seen Turkey as the main and only key support in her repossession of the occupied territory. Turkey has remained the strong support in the region for Azerbaijan and not Russia and not Iran. That’s why this move by Turkey has left the Azerbaijani with mouth agape.

Not like Azerbaijan did not see this coming. Even though most people in the nation have expressed strong views that the agreement between government officials of Turkey and Armenia will not be accepted by a majority vote in the Turkish parliament, but the influence of US, Russia, and the EU who were there to witness the signing would still put pressure to see the fixed time of April 2010 is realized. It is very right for Azerbaijan to wonder at this time as to where is her support.

Despite the vast supply of Oil and Gas to the Europe market by Azerbaijan, but there is no real sign to show that Azerbaijan has enjoyed favorable judgment regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh with the powers that be in global politics particular from Europe.

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPERATION (BBC) SIGNS CONTRACT WITH BAKU SLAVIC UNIVERSITY

The BCC has signed a contract with the Baku Slavic University, Azerbaijan in order to conduct a set of activities within a project geared towards the development of good journalists in Azerbaijan. The exact date for the implementation of the project is already set and the 29^th of September endorsement of signatures on the contract by the Rector of Slavic University, Prof. Dr. Kamal M. Abdullayev and the Director of the BBC World Service Trust, Ms. Caroline Nursery signals the official commencement.

The signing ceremony which was held in the conference hall of the university was witnessed by both students and staff. Majority of the students present were students of the faculties of International relations and the department of Journalism.

Prof. K. M. Adullayev in his opening remarks highly praised the initiative of the BBC World Service in conducting such an activity in Azerbaijan. He also appreciated the effort of other partners within the project such as the Council of Europe –represented there by Mr. Ibrahim Ilgar, the Norwegian government –the principal financer of the project, and the Turkish government –joint financer. The rector also went further to state the consensus appreciation of the school management for the selection of Slavic University as point of implementation. “Slavic University is standing out in Azerbaijan and beyond as one of the best places for academic excellences and moreover, the journalism department is one of the shining leading light in this charge”. Prof. K. M. Adullayev expressed his desire for long time cooperation between the BBC and the Slavic University in this direction.

Ms. Caroline Nursery briefly talked about the essence of the project and what it is aimed to achieve. The crown of all activities is to “advance journalism towards the bologna direction”. It should be stated that the Azerbaijan system of education was crafted in line with the Russia curriculum and in recent years there has been ongoing reformation within the system in order to advance more towards the Bologna system which is the European adopted system of education. Ms Nursery also mentioned the other institutional partners within the project: Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), and the Norwegian Institute of Journalism (NIJ). These two institutes would work with the BBC World Service in various degrees in order to achieve the objectives as set out within the project.

The BBC World Service carries out various activities such as in healthcare, climate change and assisting refugees and IDPs -particularly the Dafur refugees, in about 80 different countries of the world. However, this project in Baku Slavic University is the first time the world service is going to implement a project in Azerbaijan. In her speech, Ms. Caroline Nursery who was in Azerbaijan for the first time was delighted with the beauty of the capital city –Baku. She also was pleased with the great hospitality she has received right immediately at the airport on arrival.

BBC World Service is a division of the British Broadcasting Corperation, a public service company regulated by the British Government. The BBC world service is primarily in charge of the charity trust of the BBC. Beside the Service Trust, the other divisions of the BBC are the: Public Service broadcasting and the World Service broadcasting.

RAISING CONCERNS ON GENDER INEQUALITIES IN AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is still very young in its democratic practices; this is the excuse that is first stated to counter any genuine questions raised on affairs of the nation. True that the many years under communism has not helped the proper development of the country democracy, but addressing gender inequality should be a priority for any society that want to be taken seriously in the globe. It doesn't matter what part of the world one may reside, recently, the clamor for gender equality is resonating even louder. In the dark corners of Kabul -Afghanistan to the bright streets of New York –USA, people are becoming more concerns with the challenges of gender balance.

Azerbaijan should not be left behind. Men and women, there is a need to engage in the debate on gender inequalities because it exists. Not to say that there is no effort achieved on gender matters. The law of the republic clearly provides for equal right between women and men. Even over the recent years so many activists, civil society oriented organizations and Non-Governmental-Organization have been pivotal in promoting the gender issues to a top agenda. However these efforts and the law in place, there are still large proportionate elements of gender disparity, particular against the women folks. The recent report of the gender balance by the UN shows an unhealthy statistics in Azerbaijan. A country where only a about 11 women as members of parliament and only 2 women in the ministerial role, is a telling that women are relegated to the back seat. Also based on other reports ascertained by agency dealing with the issue, there is a predominantly disregard to the plight of the Azeri women. These reports are not just observed from the cities but it is even more prominent in the hinterland of the Nation.

Perhaps these gender challenges have persisted and remain a concern because of the low level of sensitivity of the society to the need for gender balance; or possible the lack of proper orientation of the population due to inadequate governmental approach on addressing the issue. Not to say government is not doing anything at all, but more actions is needed to be focused on the issue so that gender disparity can be eradicated in Azerbaijan.

Somehow gender inequalities in Azerbaijan maybe rooted in the structure of the society. The Azerbaijan society is based on the eastern, oriental way of living. The eastern culture has great respect for the institution of marriage. Therefore the man is primarily seen as the main provider for the family needs. In the ancient times, when farming was the in-trade, the men do the farming considered as a very tedious activity while the women stay at home. Besides doing home chores, the responsibility of taking care of the kids primarily stays with the womenfolk.

Over time, despite the evolution of culture, but the eastern way of living, particular the family based ideology has not totally evolved. Another reason why the ideology has remained considerable unchanged is the religion angle. This is not just a concern for a particular religion: Christian, Judaism, Muslim, et al; faith emphasis on the family has somehow portrayed the man as the head of the family while the woman is a subject to the man.

Sampling opinions of Azerbaijani youths, it is observed that the problems that exist with gender balance are not unfamiliar. But the logical conclusion is that the issue is not sufficiently talked about but remained suppressed. The youths identifies the problem with gender balance even in their micro small family homes where the girls wonder why some of them can not exercise equal freedom and opportunity that their brothers enjoy. The question remains among the girls as to on what basis the boy folks should get the pass to free expression while the society has given them -the girls, very little opportunity for expression.

The issue is not based on what is moral or immoral; the concerns raised by the girls is on general issues as to: where to get high education, ability to travel abroad for furtherance of self, the ability to choice particular on issue about life partners, right to decisions on matters concern the home, and even duration of time permitted to hang out with friends. Whereas the boys have countered these concerns raised by the girls as non-issue, and irrelevant; irrelevant as they may have seemed to the boys, these concerns are genuine and are actual evidence of gender disparity.

It starts from the small families, then it is expressed in the lager community and then it becomes a societal problem. True today so many women are beginning to take over top positions. We have seen women rise to political peaks, but the proportion is still an alarming one. As has been earlier stated based on the proportion of men to women in the parliament and the cabinet of ministers in the republic it's a glaring pointer that there is no gender balance in the political system of the country. Another illustration of gender imbalance in the nation is in the academic spheres where the proportion of male university rectors to their female counterpart is in the proportion of about 9: 1.

The fibers of every economy to some extent depend on the equal right for men and women. Although not totally the yardstick for measuring development, but the growth of a nation or simple say the democratic practice of a nation is observed through the "focal lens" of gender balance. Kofi Annan, the past UN Secretary General was very correct to say that more countries have understood (are understanding) that women's equality is a prerequisite for development.

Note: The Baku International Students Club (BISC) is implementing a project titled: "Identify potential gender problems in Azerbaijan and proffering solutions through engaging youths on multiple debates/discussion sessions in 2 different Baku Universities". The goals to be achieved within the project are:

• The youths are sensitized to the issue of gender inequalities
• There is an awakening within the nation on a collective societal approach towards addressing the issue on gender inequalities
• Youths become the champions of gender equality in various sections of the country
• The youths would have provided a blueprint solutions to the issues of gender inequality

The project is to be implemented for a period of 5 months and financed by the World Bank through her office in Baku, Azerbaijan.

INSECURED NIGERIA WATERS: REAL CAUSE FOR CONCERN!

The rise in the hideous crime of kidnapping carried out in the deep Nigeria waters is simply an evidence of the failed Nigeria system.

The practice has escalated over this decade with the perpetrators not only restricted to the Niger areas of the nation. It has spread and it's still spreading far and beyond. The recent is the 2^nd August incident where a Turkish ship supplying rice to Lagos and Port Harcourt was hijacked. Those on the ship were citizens from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Nigeria.

Citizens of various nations all across the globe have fallen victims: Europeans, Asians and Americans, the kidnappers do not have any nation as target. Before, the aim was to hijack oil ships and tankers and demand for ransom from the companies who run these businesses, but presently, every ship is a target, it doesn't matter what commodity is transported.

The Nigeria government is doing little or nothing to put an end to these ugly incidents. The government which cannot provide for its citizens the basic commodity, it is obvious that issues like this will be way beyond them. Nigerians live constantly in darkness, the level of unemployment is in great height, the level of literacy is in abysmal, crimes and disorder has taken over the society.

Nigeria is one of the world largest producers of oil with the Nigeria crude as one of the finest in demand globally, yet the Nigeria government has not tapped this great potential. The Nigeria militants who are agitated, and rightly to be agitated, has helped wreck the existing oil and gas sector of the Nigeria economy with its activity of pipeline vandalism, bunkering, and disrupting offshore drillings.

Successive Nigeria government has done little or nothing to uplift the life of the people of Niger Delta whose territory is the source of the wealth Nigeria prides in.

In the 21^st century oil and gas is now the focus of national policy. Security, prosperity, development, foreign relations are all reliance on energy -oil and gas. Across Europe billions of dollars are invested into deals in all corners; laying of pipelines to transport the vast Caspian oil and gas to Europe (from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan). Even China, United States and Russia are investors in the diverse projects. Russia and US participation is a revelation that the strong nations, all want to remain an important player considering the strategic priority of global energy in today's world.

But as long as Nigeria waters remain insecure, investments of these magnitudes will almost never come. The Nigeria leaders have taken their people so much for a ride and the ordinary people deserves better life improvement. Nigeria leaders must stop looting the people collective wealth. For assured all round national growth, national revenue must be channeled to the people and development must be put in par with the wealth of the nation.

NABUCCO GAS PIPELINE AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED

EU nations will put pen to paper in Turkey on the finalizing of the agreement towards the commencement of the US backed Nabucco gas pipeline.

The pipeline has been conceived over a long period of time but the need to hasten the process was warranted after Russia had shut off its gas supply to Europe that passes via Ukraine. EU to an extent was at the recieving end and had felt the harsh consequence of Russia wrath towards Ukraine.

Suffice it to say that the Nabucco gas pipeline is a worthy project because it allows for more gas supply into the global market. But Russia who is a major player in the region will not fold its arms without influencing the impact of the project. Just recent, Russia had agreed to buy a large part of the Azerbaijan oil and gas and to involve Azerbaijan in another pipeline alternative that passes from Russia to Italy.

Azerbaijan despite rich with oil and gas deposit is not a part of the major supplies through the Nabucco pipeline. The supplying nations will be Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The Azerbaijan oil minister has recently expressed willingness of Azerbaijan to join in the supplying nation while the Turkey minister is pushing for Iran to be included.

The major signees in the agreement are Bulgaria, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Turkey. The 3,300km pipe will carry gas directly to Austria by passing Russia. The project is expected to become fully operation by 2014 and is estimated to cost about 10.6 Billion USD.

TWO INFLUENTIAL FIRST LADIES - MEHRIBAN ALIYEVA AND ASMA-AL-ASAD

The Syrian president is visiting Azerbaijan with his wife as guests to the Azerbaijan president Iham Aliyev and his wife -Mehriban Aliyeva. Mr. Bashir al-Assad with his wife Mrs. Asma-al-Asad and their entourage will be in Azerbaijan for a 2 days working visit.

Both Iham Aliyev and Bashir al-Assad have got prominent women by their sides who are re-defining women of the East. In a wider perspective, both are good advocate in the promotion of the role of Islamic women in politics. Besides involvement in politics, both women had already to their credentials successful career paths; Mrs. Aliyeva is a qualified medical doctor, while it is well known that Mrs. al-Asad was born, bred and educated in London.

Yes, both first ladies are very beautiful. But that is only an added characteristic to the influence and power Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva and her counterpart Mrs. Asma-al-Asad command in their respective countries. Both first ladies champion various courses in their various nations. Mehriban Aliyeva is the UNESCO representative for Azerbaijan, she is the president of the Heydar Aliyev fund and she is also a parliamentarian; while Asma-al-Asad is an advocate for various rights, including rights for Syrian women. Another correlated action with both first ladies is that they are both spokesperson for the Islamic agenda of their respective nation.

Comparing the Baku meeting of the first ladies to the global attention that Michelle and Carla Bruni the spouses of the US president, Barack Obama and the French president, Nicholas Sarkozy, Mehriban and Asma may not have attracted that magnitude of global attention as they stood side by side, but one thing is certain is that their role in the political spheres of this part of the globe is of noteworthy.

RUSSIA STRATEGICALLY EXPANDS ITS ENERGY STRENGTHS

Early this year in the peak of winter, Russia had closed its flow of gas passing into Europe from Ukraine. The temporary closure saw most part of Europe without gas, despite the severe winter that Europe was experiencing at that period in time.

Gazprom, the national oil and gas Company of Russia federation is a big player in the energy industry globally; but particular its influence in the determination of the energy market prospects of its immediate competitors, for example the Azerbaijan national oil and gas Company called SOCAR is well-known. The EU national had thought out Azerbaijan as an alternative to the Russia energy, which of course it is a good move because of the vast deposit Azerbaijan has got over the Caspian basins. However, the EU is not forth coming with a strong intent towards engaging the Azerbaijan government in formidable partnership. There are various pipelines proposed to be laid from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan into the wider community market but all these ventures are in one way or the other undermined by Russia influence.

The Russia strategy that was in display this week as they signed a gas agreement with Azerbaijan is one of good foresight and strategy. Despite the independence of Azerbaijan from the Soviet Russia, Russia continues to wedge a strong influence in its former republics. Same is also observable in the other republics in proximity with Russia with probably the exception of Georgia.

Russia expansion is not just in the region Caucasus. The recent visit of Mr. Dimitir Medvedev to some selected Africa nations including Nigeria with one of the world highest deposit of oil and gas; Russia friendliness with Iran; the positive advances of Kremlin towards Venezuela; all these are signals that Russia is strategizing globally to become a force in terms of energy. Categorically, with moves such as the gas agreement with Azerbaijan, Russia is fully placed to influence most policies that will come out from the Caucasus because the EU had dragged its feet over the years.

As nations continue to depend on each other in the absent of energy independence, Russia will one day hold a vital key to greatly influence global matters. In the event of the spat between Russia and Ukraine, there was little the world community particularly EU could do to convince Russia to re-consider in its action on closing its gas pipes. Instead, what was observable was that Russia held the directives and could detect the conditions.

UPDATED: VOTE ON NGO BILL LIVES TO SEE ANOTHER DAY!

The Azerbaijan parliament is proposing a bill to regulate the NGO sector of the nations. If the bill is passed, new laws will be put in place that many have presumed as a means to curtail civil society activity in Azerbaijan.

Some of the new laws in the proposed bill include that: NGOs are required to limit their funds from abroad to about 50% of total finical requirements; foreigners will be prohibited from creating NGOs; any NGO found in violating the new rules will be penalized with outright ban or in some cases years of prohibited operations.

A lot of International NGO operates in Azerbaijan and most enjoy a considerable degree of support from the national government. The government support for civil society over the years had also encouraged various national NGOs to spring up. The positive development in the sector was reflected in the summer report of 2009 by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC).

Update: A bill has recently been passed in the Assembly based on NGO reforms. But the strict measures in the initial bill for operation of NGO was entirely jetisoned due to pressure exactly on paliarmentaries from various quarters including extablished INGO and civil society groups.