Month: August 2008

RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION BECOMES PREVALENT
Gevorg Haroutyunyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
26 Aug 2008
Armenia

Interview with ARMEN ROUSTAMYAN, Head of the NA Committee on Foreign
Relations

"Mr. Roustamyan, judging by all, the Russian Federation may, in the
near future, officially recognize the independence of South Osetia
and Abkhazia.

What may be the impact of this factor on our efforts towards achieving
the international recognition of the NKR independence?"

"Any new event in the geopolitical developments imparts new shades
to the issue of recognizing the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic.

Taking into consideration all this, we should constantly consider
as a starting point the fact that the recognition of the NKR is
fully substantiated only on for Armenia but also on international
levels. There are all the grounds for recognizing the NKR independence.

Today, a number of nations declare their independence on the basis of
the right to self-determination. In comparison with all these cases,
the existing bases required for the recognition of the NKR independence
are on a much higher level. And the current geopolitical developments
are an additional occasion for voicing this fact from all the high
international tribunals once again.

In case of declaring its independence, the country should actually
comply with the well-known four criteria of the Montevideo Agreement,
which define the fact of the state being accomplished. The Nagorno
Kharabakh Republic definitely complies with all those criteria because
it has its state borders, permanent population and authorities elected
legitimately and democratically and has proven many a time that
it is capable of conducting international relations on an official
level independently."

"Is the parliament of our country ready to discuss the issue of
recognizing the independence of Artsakh in the current geo-political
situation? What should be done for that?"

"The issue of recognizing the NKR independence should be the principal
trump-card of our country’s diplomacy in general. In the meantime,
it is necessary to constantly consider all the circumstances for
using that trump-card, i.e. when and how it is proper to do that.

The precise choice of the moment is, in my opinion, determined by three
factors. First, the recognition of the independence should be initiated
by the NKR itself. And the process should be coordinated between the
Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Armenia. The step should also be made
in such a way and in such circumstances that will enable the Armenian
sides to strengthen their positions in the context of international
negotiations through recognizing the independence of Karabakh. And
last but not the least, we must be able to attain such results that
we’ll help us prevent the possible aggression by Azerbaijan.

In this contex t, I consider it necessary to introduce precision in
the existing misperception that the recognition of the independence
of Karabakh will be enough for preventing Azerbaijan’s bellicose
ambitions. This is not absolutely right because such step is necessary
but not enough.

And in order to have sufficient guarantees it is first of all
necessary for Armenia and Karabakh to announce simultaneously on
their intention of forming a military-political alliance. This step
will enable Armenia to obtain the status of the guarantor of the
independence and security of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the
context of the settlement of the conflict.

Armenia possesses that right. We must now be able to state the fact
on the international level.

The National Assembly is always ready to discuss the issue of
recognizing the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. However,
it is again necessary to take into consideration the issue of choosing
a proper moment.

After all, the recognition should be achieved by the agreement of
the two presidents and citizens. It should be the product of united,
consolidated work."

"Mr. Roustamyan, what changes did the recent developments introduce
into the ratio of the geopolitical forces?"

"If we view of those changes from a little bit broader perspective,
it will be possible to record two new precedents. The first was
the Kosovo precedent which definitely showed that the right to
self-determination is accepted by the international tribunals as a
primary approach and principle.

Moreover, it is this approach that is recognized as the only right
way towards the settlement of the conflict peacefully, through
negotiations.

The second precedent concerns the security guarantees. The recent
developments showed quite clearly that all the hot-headed politicians
who believe that it is possible to settle the conflict by the use of
force not only demonstrate short-sightedness but also create a new
tension in the geo-political atmosphere which is fragile as it is.

And that is always fraught with the danger that the ongoing war will
not only be restricted to the direct parties to the conflict but
also involve the geo-political forces supporting them. The front-line
confrontation of the parties can, in such cases, create preconditions
for inciting a global war. "

ON A LEVEL APPROPRIATE TO CIVILIZED STATES

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
26 Aug 2008
Armenia

"If you remember, Turkish Prime Minister Erdoghan mentioned a few
months ago that the doors for a new dialogue will be open in this
period.

I am sure we can really have such a dialogue in case we wish so,
and President Gyul’s visit to Armenia will further strengthen these
positive tendencies.

A few days ago, my Turkish counterpart announced that Turkey has no
enemy in the region. I am sure that the practical reiteration of that
statement will be those tangible steps towards regulating the relations
that will produce real results. We may have a lot of problems, but we
will not be able to solve them unless we communicate with each other on
a level appropriate to civilized states, unless there are appropriate
political relations between our countries," President Serge Sargsyan
said in an interview given to the Austrian "Dear Standard" daily.

AZERBAIJAN – IN PANIC

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
26 Aug 2008
Armenia

Political scientist ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN says that "the
current situation in Azerbaijan can be shortly characterized as
panic. Azerbaijan is panic-stricken because of the developments in
Georgia as well. The matter has gone so far that they are, on the
one hand, threatening with the prospect of integrating to NATO and
on the other hand, announcing that the Armenians are about to attack
them and do whatever they like, at the same time menacing that the
they will launch attack and seize Karabakh by the use of force. Such
statements are made not only on the level of politicians and political
scientists but also official figures."

TO WAIT FOR A FEW MORE DAYS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
26 Aug 2008
Armenia

As reported by Gagik Martirosyan, Head of the operation headquarters,
the Armenian freight has luckily remained undamaged as a result of
the explosion the two tank wagons transporting oil from Azerbaijan.

The explosion was immediately followed by reconstruction work, and the
territory was cleaned. And from the night of August 25, the alternative
bridge was used for the transportation of the Armenian freight as well.

According to G. Martirosyan, all the goods waiting for their turn
to be transported to Armenia will be sent to our country within the
coming week.

It is anticipated that the regular transportation of the Armenian
freight by the railroad passing via the territory of Georgia will
begin at the end of the current week.

POLICY REMAINS UNCHANGED

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
26 Aug 2008
Armenia

The United States’ policy in the sphere of the settlement of the
Karabakh conflict remains unchanged, Joseph Pennington, Chargé
d’Affaires of the US Embassy Armenia said, commenting upon the opinions
circulating in the press that the joint activity of the United States
and Russia within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group no longer makes
sense as a result of the recent developments, the Russian-Georgian
conflict and the exacerbation of the US-Russia relations.

–Boundary_(ID_yW9ws0L5sAViTHEr2hDNzQ) —

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"A+" TV chanel

20.08.08

`RUSSIA SAVED THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH OSSETIA FROM GENOCIDE’

Mr. President, it seems that the latest war between Russia and Georgia
was not seriously evaluated by the Armenian authorities, political
parties, and experts even though that war has directly affected our
vital interests.

I cannot disagree with your observation but I would like to make one
clarification. The war was initially Georgian-Ossetian, and only later
it became Georgian-Russian.

Do you mean to say that Georgia was the initiator and Russia was drawn
into the conflict reluctantly?

I do not mean to say anything. I am only stating the facts. Nobody can
dispute the fact that it was Georgia that unleashed the war, aiming to
do away with the South Ossetian Republic by force. Nobody can dispute
also that Russia with its decisive intervention saved the people of
South Ossetia from Genocide. If the Russian intervention was delayed by
six hours, there would be no South Ossetia today.

Many have criticized the Russian intervention on the grounds that it was
disproportionate even if they have not disputed its necessity.

I do not know a single case in history when great powers have responded
proportionately after their interests have been infringed upon. As I
said, the important thing is that Russia, regardless of the
proportionality of its response, saved the people of South Ossetia from
an imminent Genocide.

What do you think about the claims that Sahakashvili could not have
started the war without the approval of the United States?

I consider such claims baseless and less than credible, because I think
it is impossible for a serious country like the Unites States to prod
anybody toward such recklessness. President Sahakashvili may have simply
misjudged or misinterpreted certain friendly gestures from the west.

In that case what was Sahakashvili’s calculus based on? Is it possible
that he had not foreseen the consequences of his actions and
particularly the Russian reaction?

I think the Georgian government’s calculus was first and foremost
predicated upon the element of surprise, and secondly, the unjustified
expectation of receiving support from the international community by
presenting countries friendly to Georgia with a fait accompli. Thus we
are dealing with a typical, as well as an instructive, case of wishful
thinking.

If, as you mentioned, Georgia had bet on the surprise factor, why did
they not try to send paratroopers to block the Roki tunnel in order to
thwart the advance of Russian troops?

The Georgian intention was not the physical extermination of the South
Ossetian people, but its deportation, which could have become impossible
if the tunnel was not kept open. Sahakashvili could not have failed to
realize that an extermination campaign would not have been forgiven by
the international community, whereas deportation could have been somehow
tolerated, as it was in the case of Krajina’s Serbs in 1995.

Could you briefly summarize the consequences of this war?

The war unleashed by Georgia has inflicted heavy losses on the people of
South Ossetia and on Russian peacekeepers, but the main victim of this
war is Georgia, which, in addition to the loss of thousands of lives,
lost the Georgian-populated enclaves and now has tens of thousands of
new refuges. I have no doubt that none other than the Georgian people
will demand an account from its government for all of that. I feel
personally pained for the national catastrophe that has befallen the
Georgian people, and I wish them a speedy recovery of its dignity and
self confidence. That wish is as sincere humanly as it is unequivocal
politically, since the stability, strength, and prosperity of Georgia is
in Armenia’s best interest.

How would you evaluate the mediation mission of president Sarkozi aimed
at settling the Russian-Georgian conflict?

It was a very timely and effective mission which, of course, was
facilitated by the Russian side’s flexibility and the Georgian side’s
absence of alternatives. Sarkozi’s role was made more important by the
fact that he was representing not only the position of France but also
that of the European Union.

And how would you comment on the unequivocal support the leaders of
Poland, Baltic republics, as well as Ukraine lent to Georgia in that
context?

The demonstration of solidarity that took place in Tbilisi was, of
course, a moving scene, but its meaning was moral rather than political.

What consequences can the Russian `Georgian armed confrontation have
from the prospective of global politics?

In spite the wide international resonance generated by the
Russian-Georgian war, it is obvious that it is going to have an only
local or regional importance, and is not going to affect the relations
of the superpowers in matters of strategic importance. The tough
anti-Russian rhetoric in the Unites States should be seen in the context
of the presidential campaign, therefore there are no grounds to see this
as a long-term development. South Ossetia is not the kind of focal point
that could trigger the resumption of a new cold war.

Could the Georgian-Ossetian war affect in any way the other unsolved
ethnic conflicts?

Undoubtedly. Unfortunately though not in the direction of facilitating
their resolution, but rather in the direction of complicating and
prolonging them. The war once again has brought to the surface the
internally inconsistent positions the superpowers have adopted toward
the two fundamental principles of international law ` the principle of
territorial integrity and the principle of national self-determination.
Unless the world rejects the practice of applying double standards in
this question and unless the world finds the key to harmonizing these
principles, it is impossible to imagine a speedy resolution to
ethno-national conflicts.

What kind of effect has the war had on Armenia?

The war demonstrated in all clarity how fragile and vulnerable Armenia’s
economy is. The war in the neighboring state that lasted only a few days
immediately disrupted the regularity of shipments to Armenia and created
a certain level of panic in our internal market, particularly in the
area of natural gas and gasoline supply. Even a temporary disruption of
the operation of the port of Poti and the destruction of one of the
bridges of the Transcaucasian railway are likely to make the situation
more complicated still. This should force the Armenian authorities to
think very carefully about this bitter reality and draw appropriate
conclusions.

How do you think the Armenian government should have reacted to the war
and what steps should it have taken under the circumstances?

If you are talking about the official or diplomatic reaction, then
positive neutrality was probably the maximally reasonable position the
Armenian government could have adopted toward the armed conflict between
two friendly states. In this regard, there are few reasons to complain
about the position of the Armenian authorities. In practice, the
Armenian government must take, and it has partially taken, certain steps
with regard to the prevision of humanitarian assistance to both Ossetian
and Georgian sides, organization of the shipment of goods with truck
convoys, participation in the work of repairing the port of Poti and the
Caspi railway bridge, etc. But this is not all I mean by `appropriate
conclusions.’ I mean something much more substantial, more specifically,
the lessons we should learn from this war.

What lessons do you have in mind?

First, the Armenian authorities must realize what a disaster Armenia’s
blockade and its unilateral dependence on only one neighbor are. That
realization should force them to take real steps toward the resolution
of the Karabagh conflict and the normalization of Armenian `Turkish
relations. Second, imprudence Is particularly dangerous for small states
because its consequence for them is usually national catastrophe. Small
states cannot afford such mistakes. Only the powerful can afford such
luxury, because their mistakes are costly not for themselves, but again
for the small states. And third, small states should once and for all
reject the policy of relying on third parties and should try instead to
solve their problems relying on their own means and capabilities,
remaining committed to the accepted norms of international law and the
norm of peaceful coexistence of nations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EMBASSY OF ARMENIA IN ABU DHABI STARTS ACCEPTING CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS

Azad Hye
Aug 25 2008
Dubai, UAE

In 2007 the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia was amended and
appropriate legislation was passed allowing dual citizenship, thus
paving the road in front of the Diaspora Armenians for acquiring
Armenian citizenship. Until then, Chapter 1 of the Law of the
Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia, which was signed in 1995 by
President Levon Ter Petrossian, stated clearly, "a citizen of the
Republic of Armenia may not be a citizen of another country at the
same time".

Following the adopted changes, thousands of future citizens have
already filed for the Armenian citizenship. Under this legislation,
persons of Armenian descent who live in foreign countries can file for
the Armenian citizenship through the Embassies, while the procedure
takes no more than a year.

The Consular Office of the Embassy of Armenia in Abu Dhabi has taken
all measures to accept citizenship applications. Questions such as
how to apply, what documents are needed, how the applications will be
processed, are all clearly answered by the Embassy staff. Already, in
the past few months Ambassador Vahagn Melikian met with the Armenian
Community members in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Kuwait, in three separate
occasions, providing extensive explanations about the procedures
involved in the process of applying for the citizenship. This was a
great encouragement for the community members. It also helped them
to benefit from their summer vacations in order to secure official
documents from their original countries, required for the citizenship
process. It is expected that after the summer vacations considerable
number of Armenians will be applying for the citizenship through the
Abu Dhabi Embassy.

"Dual citizenship is an important mechanism that is further bringing
together the Homeland and the Diaspora. We are ready in the Consulate
to provide every single detail and assistance that will make the
applying for Armenian citizenship a memorable event for all those
who have the will to start a new kind of relationship with Armenia,
based on full citizenship, with all accruing rights and duties",
said Marat Melikian, Consul in Abu Dhabi.

Information about the documents required to apply for the Armenian
citizenship and the application form are available below.

Until recently the Diaspora Armenians were granted Special Residency
Status in the form of Special Armenian Passports. This enabled them
to travel into Armenia without visa. In Armenia they enjoyed the
full protection of the law, as well as the rights and obligations of
Armenian citizens, except for the right to vote and to run for office,
enroll in political organizations or serve in the army.

The new law will create new waves of Armenians heading toward
Armenia. Thus, the law will have far-reaching positive results. A
dual citizen will have all the rights of an Armenian citizen except
running for the presidency or for a seat in the National Assembly. That
does not mean dual citizens will never be able to serve in those
posts. After living in Armenia for 10 years, they may give up their
other citizenship and receive full rights.

As far as the Armenian government is concerned, dual citizens are first
and foremost citizens of Armenia. They have the same duties toward
the country as any Armenian citizen would. That includes serving in
the military, except for those who have served in another army for
12 months and those who have passed the age of 27.

Dual citizens will be completely under the jurisdiction of the Armenian
government. This means that the Armenian authorities will consider
them as Armenian citizens and they will not be able to ask for trial
under foreign penal codes.

On of the issues that needs to be looked into is paying
taxation. International tax agreements between Armenia and other
countries will ensure that the individual does not pay the same tax
twice in two separate countries.

The introduction of dual citizenship in Armenia will certainly
encourage investments in the long run. It is a completely different
thing to be a citizen enjoying full participation in the civil,
political and other aspects of the country, than feeling a kind of
vague moral obligation towards it.

Although this new law came too late (it was first discussed in
1991), however it will be a good opportunity to provide Armenia with
the means of development and further progress. The authorities in
Armenia were hesitant in the past and they opposed to the concept
of dual citizenship fearing that new citizens will have significant
influence on the voting scene in Armenia. With the gradual advent
of the new law, especially after having a five year term secured
to President Serzh Sargsyan, the new citizens of Armenia will not
create any political imbalance in the country and by the time the next
Presidential elections are due, the new voters will be integrated in
the mainstream politics and will not create any accumulative advantage
in favor of any particular political party.

It is far from reality that all of the Armenians will be involved in
the citizenship acquiring process. Those who are most likely to apply
for the citizenship are in fact those who left Armenia in the last
two decades (especially after the 1995 law) and have subsequently
adopted the citizenship of their new environments. The majority of
these people have members of their families back in Armenia and they
continue to maintain plots of land or property there. Their number is
not less than 700,000 and they currently live in three major locations:
Russia, the United States and Europe.

The second group of Diaspora Armenians who will be inclined to ask
for Armenian citizenship are the Armenians of neighboring countries,
such as Georgia (a drive that will be escalated after the recent
clashes between Georgia and Russia), Iran and Middle Eastern Arab
countries. Armenia is considered a better economic and social
environment for these Armenians compared to their present host
countries. Especially the potential of Armenia is considered brighter
than the politically and economically unstable Middle East countries,
although at the present time there are many similarities between these
countries and Armenia. A third and smaller wave of Armenians could be
those currently residing in the United States, Canada and Europe for
a long time, but who have maintained ties with the motherland and
who are engaged in charity work or have already established their
businesses in Armenia.

Thus, the practice of dual citizenship will attract more Diaspora
Armenians back to Armenia and encourage them to invest more there. This
can lead to a rise in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Armenia,
as more Diaspora Armenians will feel secure about their investments
or property acquisitions there. Eventually, Diaspora Armenians will be
more active participants in the social and political life in Armenia.

Questions and Answers:

If someone has a valid Special Residency Status for 10 year term,
can he/she still apply for Citizenship?

Yes, he/she can still apply for the full citizenship. When the full
citizenship is eventually granted, the Special Residency Status will
stop being useful for the same person.

What are the documents required for applying the citizenship?

Diaspora Armenians need to secure the following documents for their
applications:

Note: The documents either should be in Armenian or translated into
Armenian language.

1- Application form (see form in PDF format below). The form could
be collected from the Embassy (see Embassy contact details below)

2- Self described curriculum vitae or biography.

3- Original passport and copy of it (additionally, copy of the Special
Residency Status / Special Armenian Passport should be provided, if
applicable). Those who do not have proper passports need to provide
copy of their travel document or certificate of non-citizenship.

4- Six photos of the following size: 35X45mm

5- Health certificate: issued by a general practitioner or a clinic.

6- Police clearance certificate (penal record) related to the countries
where the person has lived in the past ten years.

7- Employment letter.

8- Birth certificate and its copy.

9- A document that proves the Armenian ancestry of the individual. This
can be a baptism certificate from an Armenian Church or birth
certificate of first-degree relative (parents, grandparents, brothers,
sisters) or any other document that proves the ethnic origin.

Other categories such as those married to citizens of Armenia or
those who possessed in the past Armenian citizenship and failed to
keep it because dual citizenship was not allowed, are required to
provide fewer documents. Check with the Consulate to know the exact
requirements for each case.

When submitting the application, there is a small test to be taken
with 30 questions related to the Armenian constitution. The test is
simple and most answers are logical multiple choices.

In one-year time, the individual whose application is accepted will be
required to travel to Armenia and attend special oath taking ceremony,
together with other lucky applicants from all around the world.

Information about the documents required to apply for the Armenian
citizenship (PDF format, in Armenian language)

Application form (PDF format, in Armenian language). Note: The actual
application form comes in the shape of A3 size folded paper (two A4
size papers in one piece).

Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Abu Dhabi H.E. Vahagn Melikian,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Tel: +971 2 4444196
(Consular office: +971 2 4444128) Fax: (971 2) 4444197

BIURAKN HAKHVERDIAN WITH GOLD MEDAL AT BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008

Noyan Tapan
Aug 25, 2008

BEIJING, AUGUST 25, ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian-Dutch Biurakn Hakhverdian
playing in Dutch water polo team got gold medal as The Netherlands won
the gold medal in the Women’s Water Polo competition. The Netherlands
beat the United States 9-8.

Biurakn Hakhverdian was born in the Netherlands. She is 23 years old.

ARMENIAN OLYMPIANS IN 37th PLACE BY NUMBER OF MEDALS WON

Noyan Tapan
Aug 25, 2008

BEIJING, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The ceremony of closing the 29th
Summer Olympic Games took in Beijing on August 24. Sportsmen of 88
out of the 204 countries – participants in the Olympic Games have won
medals. China is in 1st place (51 gold, 21 silver, 28 bronze medals),
followed by the teams of the US (36+38+36) and Russia (23+21+28).

Armenian sportsmen have won 6 bronze medals and took 37th place,
Azerbaijan is in 29th place (1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze medals),
while Georgia is in 32nd place (3 gold and 3 bronze medals).

A celebration in honor of Armenian Olympians will be held in Yerevan’s
Republic Square on August 26. The event starts on 6 pm.

YOUNG ARMENIAN CHESS PLAYERS SHARE 5-6th PLACES AT WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD

Noyan Tapan
Aug 25, 2008

MERSIN, AUGUST 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The World Youth Under 16 Chess Olympiad
with the participation of 26 teams finished in Mersin (Turkey)
on August 24. The Armenian team composed of Samvel Ter-Sahakian,
Vahe Baghdasarian, Hayk Vardanian and Hayk Tamazian earned 24 points
and shared 5th-6th places with Georgian team. The teams of India and
Russia earned 28.5 points each and shared 1st-2nd places. The chess
players of the Philippines took 3rd place (27 points), the team of
Azerbaijan – 4th place (24.5 points).