Month: September 2008

ARMENIAN PM GIVES A NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS TOWARDS INCREASE OF EFFECIENCY OF MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF STATE INSTITUTIONS

ARMENPRESS
Sep 4, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Prime Minister Tigran
Sargsyan tasked today the heads of state institutions affiliated to the
government and the ministers to pay greater attention to the increase
of the efficiency of the management system of their establishments.

"Our studies show that we have a serious issue – today the government
system is not functioning effectively. The president of the country
established a number of standards for us and all the ministers have to
be guided by them to assess whether the ministries have been working
effectively or not," Tigran Sargsyan said. For that reason it is
necessary to establish mechanisms for describing the activity of
the ministries. On the basis of this description an effective system
of evaluation must operate together with material encouragement so
that the officials of the establishment know for what they are being
encouraged.

"The issues the Armenian president has put before us are very
serious and difficult, applying such system demands serious efforts
and knowledge. Prime Minister’s oversight service revealed that
unfortunately our management system is not effective and it may be
witnessed by the fact that the assignments and programs are not being
carried out, moreover cases of not carrying out the assignments of the
president are being registered. It means that the oversight system is
not functioning in the ministries. If the ministry is not carrying
out an assignment or an event at list the minister must apply to
the prime minister in a written form asking to extend the time,"
the prime minister noted.

Applying to the ministers, the prime minister said that they must
assign the heads of their staffs to report them periodically over
the pace of implementation of the programs and assignments.

"If during one week the situation will not change I will issue
warnings because in this way we put under risk the implementation of
our programs, which is unacceptable," Tigran Sargsyan said.

OUTSPOKEN GENOCIDE WITNESS, ADL VETERAN, APRAHAMIAN DIES AT AGE 101

AZG Armenian Daily
05/09/2008

Armenian Genocide

DETROIT – Centenarian Souren Aprahamian, a pillar of the Armenian
community here, died on August 6 at the Sunrise Assisted Living
in Farmington Hills after a short illness. He celebrated his 101st
birthday on June 15.

Both Souren Aprahamian and his late wife, Arminuhe, were Genocide
survivors. Both were born in the village of Lezk, in Van, historic
Armenia.

Souren Aprahamian, in memory of his 35 family members who died in the
Genocide, became a leading and eloquent spokesperson in the greater
Detroit community, both in speaking about the Genocide and in his
untiring efforts for the Armenian Cause. In 1993, he published his
autobiography, From Van to Detroit, Surviving the Armenian Genocide,
which is now in its third printing. Of the heroic defense of Van, he
describes the glorious morning of May 5, 1915, when, sitting on the
garden wall in front of the family home, he watched as the liberating
Russian army arrived in Van and saw "the numerous sailboats on Lake
Van, moving, moving, away from the seaport Avantz. It was the Turks
running away! That sight will never fade, seventy five or a hundred
years later."

Aprahamian’s incredible memory and his command of the English
language has given readers a remarkable story of survival and of the
difficulties encountered as life began anew in America. His book was
translated into Eastern Armenian and published by the Tekeyan Cultural
Association in Armenia in November 2001, at which time he was honored.

Aprahamian freely gave his book to those he thought were genuinely
interested in learning about the Genocide. In his efforts to educate
and influence, he sent letters to the media and politicians seeking
recognition of the Genocide. At the April 24 Genocide commemorations,
he was frequently interviewed by the press and television reporters. He
spoke yearly at Wayne State University and at the AGBU Alex and Marie
Manoogian Charter School in Southfield. He was often invited to high
schools to speak to students who were studying the Genocide. His last
interview, just weeks prior to his passing, was given to students from
University of Detroit/Mercy at the Sunrise Assisted Living facility
where he spent the last eight months of his life. Aprahamian’s work
as an educator and spokesman are compiled in a book titled A Journey
of One Hundred Years, which was edited by his daughter, Elizabeth,
and published in 2007 on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

Both Souren and Arminuhe Aprahamian were active members of the
Detroit-Armenian community. They were both lifelong members of the
Armenian Democratic Liberal (ADL) organization. They were carrying on
a tradition of both of their fathers, who had been disciples of the
Armenagan party founder, Mugerditch Avedisian, in Van. The Armenagan
party was the forerunner of the ADL. Both were charter members of the
Detroit Tekeyan Chapter. In January 2007, on the occasion of Souren
Aprahamian’s centennial birthday, the Detroit chapters of Tekeyan and
the ADL awarded him the position of Honorary Life President. In October
2007, on his 12th trip to Armenia, he was honored and presented with
an award by Tekeyan Cultural Organization of Armenia for his untiring
work on behalf of the organization.

Both Souren and Arminuhe Aprahamian became members of St. John Armenian
Church of Greater Detroit at its inception in 1931. Aprahamian served
for 18 years on the parish council. He was a member of the Knights of
Vartan. He was honored as "Father of the Year" in 1984 by the Men’s
Society of St. John; by the AGBU Detroit Men’s Chapter in 1988 with
a testimonial dinner, with both Alex and Marie Manoogian present,
for his dedicated service to church organizations; and as "Father of
the Year" in 2005 by the Women’s Guild.

Aprahamian was the son of Apraham DerStepanian and Yeghsapet
Melikian. His father died from cholera, as did thousands of others,
during their first withdrawal from Van to Eastern Armenia in 1915
when they no longer under the protection of the Russian army. In
the tortuous years following that withdrawal, Aprahamian credited
his mother’s instincts and efforts with keeping five members of the
family alive. She never gave up hope when they left Van for the last
time in 1918. They miraculously survived starvation and constant
Turkish attacks as they fled for their lives and arrived at Bakouba,
Mesopotamia (now called Iraq) under the protection of the British
army. They lived for two years in the scorching heat in refugee
tents. Aprahamian’s brother Nahabed, who was in Detroit, brought the
surviving members of the family which was comprised of Aprahamian,
mother Yeghsapet, nephew Haigaz, (Nahabed’s son) and their uncle
Roupen and wife Satenig.

They arrived in Detroit on July 4, 1921. Aprahamian began school at 14,
knowing no English but learned quickly. He received double promotions
beginning in grade school and graduated from Detroit Central High
School at 19. He attended Wayne University and graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1930 and a bachelor’s
degree in mechanical engineering in 1931.

At 24, he met Arminuhe Amirian in Niagara Falls, NY. Miraculously,
Arminuhe’s mother, Prapion, had saved her three children, Arminuhe,
Christina and Kourgan, during the eight years of the Genocide. She
was able to deliver them in 1923 to her husband Hatchig who lived
in Niagara Falls prior to the Genocide. Souren and Arminuhe were
married in Detroit on November 1, 1931. They had three children,
Ashod, Rhaffi, Edward Herach and Elizabeth.

Aprahamian worked for many years in family-owned grocery stores and
in 1942 found employment at the Detroit Ordnance District. When the
war ended in 1945, he was hired by War Assets but he resigned that
position when he and his partner Haig Hughesian bought a grocery
store, Telegraph Shopping Center, in Taylor, Mich. After selling the
store in 1957, he was rehired by the Detroit Ordnance District as a
mathematician. In 1965, he became head of the Engineering Branch of
the Quality Assurance Directorate. In 1973, after losing the vision
of his right eye, he retired after 21 years of devoted service to
the federal government and became the first recipient of the defense
supply agency distinguished service award.

Aprahamian is survived by a son, Edward, and daughter-in-law, Cynthia;
daughter Elizabeth; grandchildren Edward, Mary, Jeffrey, David and
Heidi; great-grandchildren Allison and Elizabeth; nephews and niece
Arthur, Carol and Anthony, other relatives and many friends.

THE FIRST PHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN RUSSIAN AND AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT THE CRISIS AROUND ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA STARTED

Azerbaijan Business Center
Sept 4 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Yesterday for the first time after the crisis
around Abkhazia and South Ossetia started Russian President Dmitriy
Medvedev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had a telephone
conversation.

The presidential press-service informed that on September 3 President
of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev called President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev. The countries’ heads expressed gratification with successful
development of Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral relations at different
levels, including the first official visit of Dmitriy Medvedev to
Azerbaijan. The presidents expressed confidence in strengthening the
bilateral relations in future. During the telephone conversation they
discussed international problems, the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and other matters of mutual interest as well.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Professional Society Los Angeles
P.O. Box 10306
Glendale, CA 91209
E-mail : [email protected]
Tel: 818.685.9946
Web:

The Armenian Professional Society of Los Angeles is offering several
scholarship opportunities to graduate students. The APS Scholarships
are open to students who have been accepted or enrolled in a graduate
school in the United States. Selection is based on financial need,
scholastic achievements, faculty recommendations, and involvement in
the Armenian Community.

Rules & Eligibility:
An eligible candidate shall be awarded for a scholarship for no more
than a total of two times. Please remember to submit transcripts,
proof of enrollment, two letters of recommendation along with your and
parents income statements.

Deadline & Application
All interested applicants are kindly recommended to submit scholarship
applications between June 1 and Sept 15th. The APS Scholarship
Committee will notify scholarship recipients in the months to follow.

Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the application process, feel free
to contact us at apsla@apsla. org.

Please visit the following link to download the APS Scholarship application.

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Buiding 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel: +(3741) 56 01 06 ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
04 September, 2008

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Completes Water Supply Projects in Hadrut City,
Vank and Spitakashen Villages in Nagorno Karabakh

Yerevan, September 4, 2008 – Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is pleased to
announce the completion of the water supply projects in Hadrut city, Vank
village of Martakert region and Spitakashen village of Martuni region.
"Water supply is critical to the whole of Nagorno-Karabakh. Crucial to the
survival of the residents, water is a basic need rather than an indulgence
for most of the residents in the country. This explains the great sense of
responsibility and individual approach of the Fund to each of its water
supply project", says the Fund Acting Executive Director Ara Vardanyan.

The Hadrut city water main project with the total cost of around 420 million
AMD was implemented within the Telethon 2006, and was mainly sponsored by
the Fund’s French local committee. The water main was essential to Hadrut
city which is located in the very heart of this mountainous region. People
of the city were looking forward to the construction of this water main,
which stretches for about 22 km from Hadrut to Arjaghbyur. Within the
project the wells were restored, as well as the daily regulation reservoir
was reconstructed: it now provides water to the city households through the
inner network.

Construction of the Kaghartsin-Spitakashen 8 km long water main is over,
too. á captage was constructed and the existing reservoir was reconstructed.
The project worth about 80 million AMD was sponsored by the Hayastan Fund
Argentine local committee. Water is no longer an issue for the Spitakashen
community of 471.

The community of Vank experienced serious problems due to the lack of
freshwater, too. The inner network was built in 1956 and although partially
reconstructed now and then, it was no longer in the state to supply
freshwater at regular hours. Apart from that, the on-the-ground pipes of
about 2 km from the springs were in poor technical condition and no good for
providing good quality drinking water to consumers.
"We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and were delighted to
learn about the Fund’s commitment to this project. At last we’ll have
regular supply of good quality water. Even bad weather conditions did not
interfere with construction works for which we are so grateful to the
Fund :the villagers can not afford paying for the pipes at the moment and it
will take some time before the households will be connected to the inner
network. At least we know that the water is on the way", says the head of
the Vank community. The project with the total cost of 169 million AMD has
been jointly undertaken by the Boghossian Foundation; Hayastan Fund USA East
Coast and French affiliates, and St. Sargis Charity Trust (London). The
community of 370 households, with 1650 people in it, has benefited from the
project.

The water supply project will also contribute to the socio-economic and
community development activities implemented by the Moscow-based businessman
Levon Hayrapetyan. The access road to the stunning historical monument of
Gandzasar Monastery of the 13th century passes through the Vank village.
Availability of water in the community and its advancing economy will
support the development of tourism in a location such as this, famous for
its spectacular countryside.

"The Fund has implemented an impressive number of water supply projects.
Challenges and surprises are inevitable and very often unpredictable,
particularly, when they are being implemented over an intricate landscape.
Challenges were more than enough when we were doing the Martakert water
main, but we coped well with them. People have access to good quality water
and that is what really matters", comments Ararat Khlghatyan, the deputy
executive director of the Hayastan Fund.

A number of other vital projects in the Hadrut region are approaching their
completion. These include reconstruction of the Hadrut regional hospital,
construction of the Hadrut gas pipeline, and reconstruction of the secondary
school in Togh village. Better living conditions in communities of the
region will be in place before long.

###

Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 1-4, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS:

AUGUST BECAME A RECORD MONTH BY INCIDENTS WITH JOURNALISTS

GOVERNMENT SUSPECTED OF A CONSPIRACY

ARMAN BABAJANIAN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER PENITENTIARY

CHAIRMAN OF PRECINCT ELECTION COMMISSION 13/16 TO PAY A FINE

PTRC AND TURKISH TRT INTEND TO COOPERATE

AUGUST BECAME A RECORD MONTH BY INCIDENTS WITH JOURNALISTS

On August 21 Yerevan Press Club, the Committee to Protect Freedom of
Expression, Media Diversity Institute-Armenia, "Asparez" Journalists Club of
Gyumri, Vanadzor Office of Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Vanadzor Press Club
and Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center released a statement
on the incidents that occurred with media representatives in Armenia.

"August 2008 was unrivaled in terms of violence against journalists. Herein
these incidents are listed chronologically:

1. On August 1 in the city of Ashtarak the administrative officer of
"Haikakan Zhamanak" daily Gagik Hovakimian was brought to a police
department, where he was held for about an hour and a half. Gagik Hovakimian
had driven the newspaper correspondent Anna Zakharian in an editorial car –
for the journalist to report on the situation in the city, in particular,
the interrupted transportation service on the day when an opposition rally
was to be held in Yerevan. Despite the demands of the editorial staff, the
police officers, who had exercised illegal violence against a media
representative, have not been held accountable to this day.

2. On August 5, upon the order of the judge of the court of primary
jurisdiction Kentron and Nork-Marash communities Gagik Avetisian photo
journalist Gagik Shamshian was incarcerated for several hours. Shamshian,
who was going to shoot the court hearings of the case of the member of the
Political Council of "Republic" party Smbat Ayvazian, was held locked in the
basement of the court building, after which he was taken to the police
department of Kentron community.

3. On August 6 the correspondent of "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" newspaper Gohar
Vezirian, who was covering the trial of the same case, upon an order from
the judge was taken by the compulsory executors out of the courtroom. The
latter ones, having used force and with blows, took Vezirian to a room,
designed for holding defendants. The journalist was kept there for an hour
and a half, in the company of people, charged with various crimes, after
which she was taken to the police department of Kentron community.

4. On August 11 the correspondent of "Haikakan Zhamanak" daily Lusineh
Barseghian was beaten upon leaving home. The journalist was moved to "Surb
Grigor Lusavorich" medical center where the doctors who had examined her
diagnosed a head injury and a bruise. Criminal proceedings were instituted,
with the perpetrators not found to this day.

5. Finally, in the evening of August 18 in the center of Yerevan the acting
head of Yerevan office of the Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty Hrach Melkumian was attacked and beaten.

In other words, the society that was hoping to have a climate of tolerance
established after the tragic events of March 1 witnesses a new wave of
violence against press representatives. This happens now when the Republic
of Armenia is supposed to make take steps for speedy implementation of PACE
Resolutions 1609 ("The functioning of democratic institutions in Armenia")
and 1620 ("The implementation by Armenia of Assembly Resolution 1609
(2008)"), also requiring reforms in freedom of expression.

We, representative of NGOs, express our deepest concern not only at the
continuing traditional inaction of the Armenian authorities, but also the
fact that the legal professional activities of journalists are all the more
often obstructed by officials of court and law enforcement bodies.

We are concerned: the violence against media has come up to a dangerous
line, and the authorities must not only abstractly state their anxiety and
make appeals, but also take effective steps to identify all people who
committed violence and offences, to punish them as strictly as the law
stipulates, regardless of their positions", the statement of the seven NGOs
says.

It should also be noted that Gagik Shamshian and Gohar Vezirian were
released on August 5 and 6, respectively, having spent over two hours at the
Kentron police department. As to the incident of August 11, involving the
correspondent of "Haikakan Zhamanak", the criminal proceedings have been
instituted by the Nor Nork police department by Article 118 of the RA
Criminal Code ("Beatings"). On August 12 the Head of OSCE Office in Yerevan
Sergey Kapinos sent letters to the RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian
and the Head of the RA Police Alik Sargsian with regard to the attack on
Lusineh Barseghian, expressing his alarm at the occurrence and urged the law
enforcement bodies to take prompt measures "to find and punish perpetrators
of this violent act". The investigation into the attack on the acting head
of Yerevan office of the Armenian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Hrach Melkumian, committed on August 18, is made by Kentron Police
Department.

GOVERNMENT SUSPECTED OF A CONSPIRACY

On August 28 the RA Government approved the draft law on introducing an
amendment to the RA Law "On Television and Radio" that will be submitted to
the National Assembly in accordance with the existing procedures. "The
decision is made in order to ensure the transfer from analogue TV and radio
broadcasting to digital system on the territory of Armenia. It was noted
that the solution proposed in the draft will allow making a transfer from
one system to another in a smooth manner, avoiding the temporary licensing
procedures in the transitional period", the official report of the session
says (quoted by the web-site of the RA Government, ).

Following the sad tradition of long standing, the draft laws on media are
developed and initiated by the Government within strictest secrecy. This
time again the document came as a surprise for the journalistic community.
Its approval in the Government was not preceded by an expert discussion,
moreover, even after the session the document text remains unavailable. It
has not been placed on the web-site, and all attempts of journalists to get
it remain futile.

Taking into account the fact that a number of previous drafts were strongly
criticized immediately after the publicizing, it is not surprising that the
current legislative initiative of Government is seen by many to be another
conspiracy against freedom of media.

ARMAN BABAJANIAN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER PENITENTIARY

On August 11 the Chief Editor of "Zhamanak-Yerevan" daily Arman Babajanian
(sentenced to 3.5 years of imprisonment for document fraud to evade
mandatory military service) released a statement announcing a hunger strike
that he started to protest his possible transfer from "Hospital for
Convicts" penitentiary institution to "Nubarashen" institution. According to
information that Arman Babajanian had received, in "Nubarashen" his life and
health would be endangered. In his statement Arman Babajanian also reported
that as a result of a search in his hospital chamber on August 2 he received
a reprimand for storing items of primary necessity, which are not prohibited
according the "Zhamanak-Yerevan" Editor. According to the supposition made
by "Hayk" daily (of August 7, 2008), the true purpose of the search and the
sanction that ensued was the prevention of further requests of Arman
Babajanian for an early release, on grounds of his good conduct. As it has
been reported, on July 18 the Commission on Early Release and Release on
Parole refused the plight for the early release of "Zhamanak-Yerevan" Chief
Editor for the third time (see YPC Weekly Newsletter, July 11-18, 2008). The
Armenian authorities were urged to release Arman Babajanian early by a
number of international human rights and journalistic associations,
professional associations, media and NGOs of the country. The addresses
noted that the head of "Zhamanak-Yerevan" had already spent two years in
incarceration, and the sentence was disproportionate to his offence.

In an interview to "Aravot" daily of August 23, 2008 Arman Babajanian said
he was transferred not to "Nubarashen" but to "Erebuni" penitentiary
institution instead. Arman Babajanian also noted he had stopped the hunger
strike since he had received oral guarantees that his life and health are
out of danger.

CHAIRMAN OF PRECINCT ELECTION COMMISSION 13/16 TO PAY A FINE

On July 28 the court of general jurisdiction of Erebuni and Nubarashen
communities of Yerevan found the Chairman of the Precinct Election
Commission 13/16 Vasil Afian guilty of violating Part 1 of Article 149 of
the RA Criminal Code ("Obstructing the realization of electoral right, the
work of electoral commission or the implementation of the authorities of
election participants") and imposed a fine on him, amounting to 300,000 AMD
(about $ 1,000). As it has been reported, on the day of presidential
elections in Armenia, February 19, 2008, Vasil Afian obstructed the work of
correspondent of "Haikakan Zhamanak" Lusineh Barseghian and an observer,
deputy of the RA National Assembly of "Heritage" party Armen Martirosian,
who arrived at the precinct to check up a signal of violations (see details
in YPC Weekly Newsletter, June 27-July 3, 2008).

PTRC AND TURKISH TRT INTEND TO COOPERATE

On August 26 in Ankara a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the
Public TV and Radio Company of Armenia and TRT TV and radio company of
Turkey. The document calls for the organization of TV and radio programs
about Armenia and Turkey, experience exchange between the companies,
membering in the European Broadcasters Union.

When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.

You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]

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this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]

Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

ndex/cc_articles/goble/goble_2008/aug_2008/goble_0 01_assumption.html

Ten Shattered Assumptions of Azerbaijan Foreign Policy
by Paul Goble

On-going series: Crisis in the Caucasus – 2008
The Georgian / Russian Conflict and Its Impact on Azerbaijan

August 17, 2008

No country, with the possible exception of the two immediate antagonists –
the United States and Russia – has seen its foreign policy environment
transformed by the recent war in Georgia, more than Azerbaijan.

That conflict and the way in which both these individual countries and the
international community have reacted have cast doubt on almost all the
assumptions on which Azerbaijan’s foreign policy has been based over the
last decade. And, consequently, both the government of Azerbaijan and the
Azerbaijani people are confronted with the difficult and traumatic task of
redefining not only the mental maps that they have of the world around them
but also of redefining their foreign policy agendas.

Because these changes have come so quickly, because they are interrelated,
and because there is no obvious or – at least easily agreed upon – response
to any or all of these assumptions, it is far too early to say just what
Baku will now do or even where both its immediate environment and the
broader international community will land in a new angle of repose. But it
may be useful to specify 10 assumptions on which Azerbaijan’s foreign policy
have rested and then look at the ways in which the events in Georgia have
shattered them, in order to be in a position to consider the challenges and
choices the new environment poses to Azerbaijan.

Shattered Assumption 1
Georgia is sufficiently stable to allow it to be the primary path for the
export of Azerbaijani and Caspian Basin oil and gas bypassing Russia.

The most obvious consequence of Russia’s intervention in Georgia for
Azerbaijan is its demonstration that Georgia is not a reliable pathway west
for Azerbaijani and Caspian hydrocarbons. Russia both through the actions of
its own forces and its allies have blown up portions of the pipeline,
destroyed a key railway bridge, and wreaked havoc in Georgian ports. Oil
flows have been disrupted, and Azerbaijan has already had to ask Moscow for
greater access to pipelines flowing through the Russian Federation to
Novorossiisk. The assumption in Baku that Georgia was a reliable path that
Azerbaijan could use to bypass Russia has been shattered, fracturing in turn
Azerbaijan’s assumptions about itself and the world.

Shattered Assumption 2
Russia has accepted the 1991 settlement and will not use military force
against its neighbors.

Western powers led by the United States have said for the past 15 years that
Russia has accepted the 1991 settlement and will never use force to
challenge it. If Russia was a status quo power in the past, it is not now;
and Moscow has exploited the misperceptions in the West to act against its
neighbors, first by subversion and then as in Georgia by naked military
power.

Under Vladimir Putin, it has become a revisionist power, one whose leaders
believe that they can and should use force to promote their goals and
especially to punish their enemies. Thus the assumption that Russia has
entered the international community as a member which accepts the rules of
the game-an assumption that many in Baku have operated on in many cases
because they were encouraged to do so by Western governments-also lies
shattered in the dustbin of history.

Shattered Assumption 3
The United States is sufficiently powerful to be a reliable and credible
deterrent to any Russian misbehavior in the former Soviet space.

There is no question that the United States is the last remaining
super-power, but for three reasons, as the Georgian events demonstrate, the
US is not in a position to bring its power to bear in the post-Soviet space
in ways that would block Russian action.

First, and most disturbingly, the United States has spent most of the last
decade talking about its strategic partnership with Russia-a self-delusion
that has nonetheless created a class of people in Washington’s foreign
policy establishment who will find a way to justify not challenging Russia
on anything.

Second, the United States has acted in ways in the Balkans and in Iraq and
Afghanistan that make it more difficult for Washington to credibly oppose
the use of power by another state, if it has nuclear weapons, to advance its
own interests.

And third, the current administration since September 11th (2001) has not
only focused almost exclusively on combating terrorism in the Middle East
but has neglected its allies in Europe and elsewhere and, thus, is not in a
good position to mobilize a coalition against Russia. For those reasons and
for others having to do with European dependence on Russian oil and gas, yet
another assumption of Baku’s foreign policy-up to now-lies discredited.

Shattered Assumption 4
The United States and the international community are so committed to the
inviolability of borders that they will not permit any revision of them,
especially by violence.

The United States and the international community are opposed to border
changes in principle, but not necessarily in practice. Not only did the US
and its allies ultimately welcome the dismemberment of the Soviet Union and
Yugoslavia, but most recently they have supported the independence of
Kosovo. As a Wilsonian, the author believes that supporting the right of
nations to self-determination is correct, but he also is convinced that
support for that principle means that one must be consistent. If one isn’t,
others will exploit that. And what the Russians have done in Georgia-or at
least why Putin and company assumed they could get away with it-is the
product of recent history in the Balkans more than anything else. Western,
and especially American failure, to understand the implications of what was
done there and to take action in the former Soviet space has thus shattered
yet another Azerbaijani assumption.

Shattered Assumption 5
Turkey can be counted on to back Azerbaijan against Russia.

One of the bedrock assumptions of Azerbaijani thinking is that Turkey will
always be in Azerbaijan’s corner in the event of a clash. The events in
Georgia prove that is not so. Ankara’s decision not to allow two American
hospital ships to pass through the Straits in order to provide assistance to
Georgia shows that Turkey today is far more influenced by Russia than many
in Baku had thought, and its suggestion that Russia and Turkey should become
joint guarantors of stability in the Caucasus may have its roots in
Ataturk’s policies, which, after all, were pro-Soviet early on, but such a
condominium would not mean that Turkey would protect Azerbaijan, but rather
that it would cover Russian pressure on Baku.

Shattered Assumption 6
Iran, thanks to American-led efforts to isolate it and its own domestic
problems, does not pose any fundamental threat to Azerbaijan.

Not only has Iran lined up behind Moscow’s actions in Georgia, but it has
expanded its level of cooperation with Armenia in the intelligence and
security areas, and it has adopted a much harder line against its own ethnic
Azerbaijanis in the North. Iran may be in a box in some respects as
Washington clearly wants, but in its immediate neighborhood-and Azerbaijan
is part of that-Tehran possesses the resources, the motive, and now the
opportunity, to cause trouble for Baku.

It is almost certain that Iran will seek to spark new challenges by the
Lezgins and, working with Armenia, other minorities inside Azerbaijan, as
well as seek to use the large number of Iranians living in Azerbaijan to put
pressure on Baku. Azerbaijan’s assumption to the contrary, one again
encouraged by the United States, is likely shattered beyond repair as the
Georgian events play out.

Shattered Assumption 7
Azerbaijan’s growing economy might well allow it to counter any challenge
posed by Armenia over Karabakh.

Azerbaijani officials from President Ilham Aliyev on down regularly insist
that their country’s growing economic might well allow them to build up
their political and military power to the point that Baku will be in a
position to rebuff any challenge by Armenia in the future. There are three
reasons why that assumption is now shattered.

First, economic power does not translate directly into military power. One
can purchase more weapons but that does not in itself mean that one has more
power.

Second, Armenia now, more than ever, can count on Russian help. Relative to
Armenia, Azerbaijan looks very strong; relative to Armenia and Russia, it
looks rather different.

And third, and again as the events in Georgia show, a modern military can be
overwhelmed by numbers and by a power willing to sacrifice in order to
achieve its military and political ends. "Economism" was a mistake a century
ago; it is still a mistake in strategic thinking.

Shattered Assumption 8
Azerbaijan as a source of oil for an energy-thirsty Europe guarantees that
it can count on outside support against any challenge.

Azerbaijani oil is Baku’s chief calling card to the world, but Azerbaijan is
not the only source of oil and the Georgian events make its oil less
attractive than it was before. After all, if Azerbaijan has something the
world wants but can’t deliver it reliably-and Moscow has demonstrated that
it won’t be able to unless they make concessions to Russian demands-then
Azerbaijan oil, however much other countries might like to have it, is
devalued.

Shattered Assumption 9
Azerbaijan’s so-called "balanced foreign policy" is sufficient to give
Azerbaijan the security and freedom of action its leaders want.

Many specialists on international affairs have been impressed by
Azerbaijan’s "balanced foreign policy," its efforts to maintain ties with
all sides rather than line up only with one. Some would argue that the
Georgian events show the virtue of that approach rather than undermine it,
but that would be true only if one thing were true which clearly it is not.
A balanced approach presupposes that the two sides are roughly equal in
power, but Russian actions in Georgia show that for the immediate future,
that clearly is not true-

Shattered Assumption 10
Azerbaijan’s international environment is sufficiently benign that it now
can, and should, focus exclusively on its domestic problems.

If there has been one refrain in the comments of Western officials visiting
Azerbaijan, it is this: Azerbaijan should not worry so much about ensuring
the continued viability of the state; it should focus on reforming that
state, improving the quality of democracy there. That Azerbaijan should
focus on improving its domestic arrangements is beyond question, but it is
for exactly the opposite reason that Western officials give. Azerbaijan
lives in a bad and increasingly dangerous neighborhood, and it must act in
ways that will ensure that the country can survive as a more or less
independent actor with a chance for long-term survival. The notion that
Azerbaijan can count on a benign environment has never been completely true;
it now lies shattered with all of the others listed above.

Many will see this list as overly bleak, but in the wake of Russia’s
violation of the rules, of the West’s failure to find a way to force Moscow
to back down, and of the rising tide of calls for "looking beyond" what
Russia has done in order to avoid "a new cold war" and to obtain all the
"benefits" of East-West cooperation, Azerbaijan, its leaders and its people,
will not be doing themselves any favors by acting as if they do not have to
redefine their approach because the environment in which they must operate
is a very different one than that which they have been assuming they could
rely.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE
September 4, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]

ANCA OUTLINES CONCERNS ABOUT GUL VISIT TO ARMENIA

"For this initiative to succeed, Turkey’s leaders need to view this
as a true opportunity for enduring peace, not simply as a photo
opportunity to help alleviate the growing international pressure it
is under to recognize the Armenian Genocide."
– ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
today, expressed hopes and reservations regarding Turkey’s
President Abdullah Gul’s impending visit to Armenia, at the
invitation by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan, to watch the
September 6th Turkey vs. Armenia soccer match in Armenia’s capital,
Yerevan.

"We are, as you can imagine, watching this matter with vigilance,
mindful of the risks that Armenia is taking for peace, hopeful that
Yerevan’s diplomatic initiative will bear fruit, yet cautious
regarding the realistic prospects for progress given Ankara’s
long-standing and deeply troubling track record of antagonism toward
Armenia," explained ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, in a September 4th
letter to House and Senate Members.

Asserting that this visit cannot, by itself, substitute for real
progress in improved Armenia-Turkey relations, Hachikian remained
hopeful "that Armenia’s pro-active diplomacy, if matched with real
movement by Turkey, can serve as a first, cautious step toward a
true reconciliation based on truth and justice."

To that end, Hachikian outlined some immediate and long-term steps
President Gul could take to demonstrate his sincerity in accepting
President Sarkisyan’s invitation, including showing the
"willingness to walk the mile from Armenia’s national soccer
stadium to the "Dzidzernagapert" Armenian Genocide Memorial, a
tradition long honored by foreign dignitaries visiting Yerevan."
In the days and weeks following President Gul’s departure from
Armenia, Hachikian urged:

"* Lifting domestic restrictions on the study, discussion, and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and abandoning opposition to
international recognition and commemoration of this crime against
humanity – including by the White House and the U.S. Congress.

* Lifting its blockade of Armenia, allowing free Armenian access to
its traditional transportation routes, ending its opposition to the
incorporation of Armenia in regional and international initiatives
impacting the Southern Caucasus, and removing restrictions on
Armenian stewardship of cultural and religious heritage sites
within Turkey.

* Publicly and in practice adopting a truly neutral position as a
member of the OSCE Minsk Group charged with mediating a peaceful
resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, ending military
support for Azerbaijan’s armed forces, and openly calling on all
parties to reject any non-peaceful resolution to this conflict.

* Lifting all restrictions on the collective rights of the Armenian
community in Turkey.

* Accepting Armenia’s offer to negotiate the establishment of
normal diplomatic relations without any preconditions, and agreeing
to resolve all outstanding bilateral issues in a peaceful, non-
violent manner."

The complete text of the ANCA letter to Congress is provided below.

#####

TEXT OF ANCA CHAIRMAN KEN HACHIKIAN’S LETTER TO SENATE AND HOUSE
MEMBERS REGARDING TURKISH PRESIDENT ABDULLAH GUL’S IMPENDING VISIT
TO ARMENIA

Dear Senator/Representative _________________:

In light of the announcement this week by Turkish President
Abdullah Gul that he will accept Armenian President Serj
Sarkisyan’s invitation to watch the September 6th Armenia-Turkey
World Cup qualifying match in Yerevan, we wanted to share with you
the Armenian American community’s perspective on this new and
potentially significant development, and to reaffirm our
community’s fundamental commitment to universal recognition and a
just resolution of the Armenian Genocide.

We are, as you can imagine, watching this matter with vigilance,
mindful of the risks that Armenia is taking for peace, hopeful that
Yerevan’s diplomatic initiative will bear fruit, yet cautious
regarding the realistic prospects for progress given Ankara’s
long-standing and deeply troubling track record of antagonism toward
Armenia.

As you know, since Armenia’s independence in 1991, successive
Armenian governments and the worldwide Armenian Diaspora have –
despite the unresolved legacy of the Armenian Genocide and Ankara’s
ongoing and deeply painful denial of this crime – consistently
sought sincere and sustainable progress toward improved Armenia-
Turkey relations. President Sarkisyan’s invitation represents only
the most recent such outreach on Armenia’s part, although by no
means the only one. Both of his predecessors visited Turkey in
their official capacities as president, although, sadly, neither of
their visits resulted in any moderation of Turkey’s policies toward
Armenia.

Armenia’s invitation represents a pro-active gesture by Armenia – a
small country populated in large part by the descendents of
Armenian Genocide survivors – to reach out to a large and heavily
armed neighbor that, as heir to the Ottoman Empire, denies this
horrific crime, blockades Armenia, and pursues a broad array of
anti-Armenian policies – both at home and abroad. President Gul
has accepted the Armenian President’s invitation even as his
government has made it clear that they do not plan any changes in
these policies, which, it is worthwhile noting, include:

* Turkey’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, continued
threats against other nations that consider recognizing this crime
against humanity, and continued allocations of tens of millions of
dollars annually for lobbyists, academic mercenaries, and outright
fabricators to attempt to rewrite this profoundly important chapter
in world history.

* Turkey’s continued efforts to silence any recognition of the
Armenian Genocide within its own borders through Article 301 and
other provisions of its criminal code (e.g. Nobel Prize-winner
Orhan Pamuk), continued intimidation and unofficial acts of
violence (e.g. Hrant Dink), and the perpetuation of a deeply flawed
educational system that indoctrinates successive new generations of
Turkish students to believe that the Armenian Genocide is a lie and
that all Armenians are inherently enemies of Turkey.

* Turkey’s continued attempts to economically weaken and isolate
Armenia through its illegal 14-year blockade; its attempts to
exclude Armenia from regional and international initiatives that
provide economic benefit to the Southern Caucasus; its continued
attacks on Armenia within the United Nations, the OSCE, and other
international venues; and, its ongoing military, economic, and
political support for Azerbaijan over the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict.

* Turkey’s continued mistreatment of its remaining Armenian
population as second-class citizens, continued enforcement of
unfair and burdensome restrictions on the Armenian Church, and the
continuation of policies intended to drive out the remaining
Christian minorities within its borders.

We are, given this record and Turkey’s past efforts to manipulate
public opinion, profoundly concerned that President Gul’s visit
will be used by Ankara to advance its short-term "public relations"
interest in creating the image of movement, at the expense of the
broader and far more meaningful interest of the United States and
the international community in actual progress toward a durable
improvement in Armenia-Turkey ties. For this initiative to
succeed, Turkey’s leaders need to view this as a true opportunity
for enduring peace, not simply as a photo opportunity to help
alleviate the growing international pressure it is under to
recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Recognizing that this visit cannot, by itself, substitute for real
progress in improved Armenia-Turkey relations, we do, however,
remain hopeful that Armenia’s pro-active diplomacy, if matched with
real movement by Turkey, can serve as a first, cautious step toward
a true reconciliation based on truth and justice. At the same
time, we remain deeply concerned that if, as may very well be the
case, Turkey treats this visit as a superficial undertaking – yet
still garners undeserved credit internationally for an essentially
empty gesture – we may in fact witness a tragic setback to the
worthwhile cause of a real and enduring peace between Armenia and
Turkey.

In this spirit, we respectfully ask that you look beyond Ankara’s
rhetoric concerning this visit, and focus instead on the substance
of the Turkish government’s real-world policies toward Armenia.
The best – and most immediate – test of President Gul’s sincerity
will be his willingness to walk the mile from Armenia’s national
soccer stadium to the "Dzidzernagapert" Armenian Genocide Memorial,
a tradition long honored by foreign dignitaries visiting Yerevan.
In the days and weeks following his departure, we urge you to track
Turkey’s movement toward:

* Lifting domestic restrictions on the study, discussion, and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and abandoning opposition to
international recognition and commemoration of this crime against
humanity including by the White House and the U.S. Congress.

* Lifting its blockade of Armenia, allowing free Armenian access to
its traditional transportation routes, ending its opposition to the
incorporation of Armenia in regional and international initiatives
impacting the Southern Caucasus, and removing restrictions on
Armenian stewardship of cultural and religious heritage sites
within Turkey.

* Publicly and in practice adopting a truly neutral position as a
member of the OSCE Minsk Group charged with mediating a peaceful
resolution of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, ending military
support for Azerbaijan’s armed forces, and openly calling on all
parties to reject any non-peaceful resolution to this conflict.

* Lifting all restrictions on the collective rights of the Armenian
community in Turkey.

* Accepting Armenia’s offer to negotiate the establishment of
normal diplomatic relations without any preconditions, and agreeing
to resolve all outstanding bilateral issues in a peaceful, non-
violent manner.

Progress in each of these vitally important areas – not the level
of skill of Turkey’s public relations firms in spinning this visit
– will represent the true benchmarks of progress toward improved
Armenia-Turkey relations.

Thank you for your consideration of the points we have raised in
this letter. We would, of course, welcome the opportunity to meet
with you to discuss this matter in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Kenneth V. Hachikian
Chairman

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

September 3, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

Activists take Northern California by Storm

San Francisco, CA – The Armenian National Committee – Western Region
(ANC-WR) and the Bay Area ANC Chapter recently participated in a
series of meetings in northern California to inform Members of
Congress about issues relating to the Armenian American community.
The meetings took place in August 2008, featuring conferences with the
offices of Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-09), Congressman Pete Stark
(D-CA-13), Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-06), Congressman George
Miller (D-CA-07) and Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA-02).

"Every August, the community mobilizes to meet with Members of
Congress to discuss issues that are important to the community,"
stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. "During the August
recess, constituents and activists can sit down with their
democratically elected representatives to more personally convey their
thoughts and concerns right at home in their own districts," he added.

Through these meetings, the ANC advised Members of Congress regarding
the recent controversy at the Institute of Turkish Studies (ITS).
Professor Donald Quataert, director of ITS, was forced to resign after
changing his long held position of denial by acknowledging the
historical veracity of the Armenian Genocide in a recent book review.
The ANC representatives also discussed the Southern Poverty Law
Center’s recent investigative feature on the Turkish government’s
denial campaign in American academia. The meetings covered support for
H. Res. 106 (Armenian Genocide Resolution), H.R. 6079 (End the Turkish
Blockade of Armenia Act), assistance for Darfur, the recent
Ambassadorial confirmation hearings and the State Department’s
acknowledgement that Ottoman authorities were responsible for the
crimes committed during the Armenian Genocide.

The ANC also focused on the importance of preparing today’s youth to
be tomorrow’s leaders and how Armenian Americans oriented with public
affairs are making their way successfully into the world of
government.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and
supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

September 3, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

ANC-WR Endowment Fund Ensures New Generation of Hai Tahd Leaders

Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee – Western Region
(ANC-WR), in 2006, established an endowment fund in the name of the
late Haroutioun Kasparian of Los Angeles. The endowment fund has been
used to support the ANC-WR Internship and Externship Program (ANC-WR
IEP) as well as to educate Armenian American youth on issues related
to the Armenian Cause. Endowment funds such as this are instrumental
in facilitating exceptional programs such as the ANC-WR IEP which to
date has had 28 graduates.

"The ANC has long understood that the successful pursuit of the
Armenian Cause requires a commitment that transcends generations and
survives the passing of its beloved volunteers," stated ANC-WR
Chairman Vicken Sonentz-Papazian. "We are doubly blessed by friends
and patriots like Haroutioun Kasparian since we receive the enormous
benefits of his lifetime of service and dedication as well as the
resources to build on these successes through his vision and
generosity. Through the endowment, Haroutioun’s love of nation and
dedication to his people is as alive today as when he selflessly and
relentlessly worked with the ANC to achieve a just resolution to the
Armenian Cause," concluded Sonentz-Papazian.

Haroutioun Kasparian, a lifelong supporter of the ANCA, passed away on
June 23, 2006. Among his memoirs, Kasparian wrote the following of his
passion for the Armenian Church and the Armenian Cause: "I would like
to convey, after my passing, that you [the Armenian people] must love
the Armenian Church because it is the Armenian Nation. And the nation
has an obligation to work for Hai Tahd [the Armenian Cause] which is
both our national pride and obligation."

"The Kasparian Family is proud of the ANC’s achievements over the past
two years with the help of the Endowment Fund," said Arsho Aghjayan,
daughter of Haroutioun Kasparian. "We believe in the Armenian Cause
and would like to encourage others to enlarge the scope of the ANC by
establishing similar funds to keep Hai Tahd alive and active through
the efforts of our youth," she added.

Established in June 2006, the ANC-WR IEP is a selective and intensive
program that provides student leaders and activists with an
opportunity to participate in a program designed to provide an
in-depth introduction to Armenian American issues as well as advocacy
efforts at the federal, state and local levels of government. The
program hosts spring, summer and autumn sessions.

For those who wish to create an endowment like the Kasparian
Endowment, please contact ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian at
(818) 500-1918 for more information.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.