Month: September 2008

ARMENIAN SITES HACKED

DeFacto Agency
Sept 2 2008
Armenia

DEAR READERS!

Our site "defacto.am", alongside with Armenia’s other sites,
was recently subject to hackers’ attack. Azerbaijani electronic
informational agency asserts that Armenian sites’ breaking-up is
the handiwork of Azerbaijani hackers. Judging by everything it is
the truth. Swear-words concerning Armenian nation were placed on the
site’s broken page, while July’s information and articles were erased.

Answering an Azeri journalist’s question why the hacker (a certain
Arif) does it, the latter gallantly reported that he fought against
Armenians "with his own weapon". The informational agency chose the
same gallantly-pathetic tone by placing the information entitled
"ARMENIAN SITES ARE WAITING FOR AZERI HACKERS’ NEW ATTACKS" on
their page.

Anyway, there is nothing new in a controversy with Azerbaijan that
started twenty years ago. Each one really chooses "his own weapon". For
instance, while covering Karabakh conflict and the issues referring
to Armenian-Azeri relations, we always try to be very correct in the
sore controversy. Our sharpest "weapon" is satire. We resort to it
when Azerbaijani mass media go too far or use a frank lie.

Azerbaijanis responded to peaceful rallies in Stepanakert by
means of "Soumgait", choosing knives and sharp iron rods as their
weapon. Nowadays they respond to Armenian mass media’s constructive
and analytical proposals by resorting to hackers.

While talking to the Azeri journalist, the hacker Arif was enthusiastic
about the fact that there was a hackers’ community in Azerbaijan,
which, in his opinion, should be encouraged to strengthen its power
and influence. As for Armenian hackers, he said actually there were
not any hackers in Armenia.

That’s right. We don’t know them either. Maybe the reason is that there
are no hackers here. Consequently, there is no community either. The
thing is not that it is a difficult business from the viewpoint of
technical, all the more intellectual possibilities. Just the thing
is that the instinct of destruction is not typical of Armenian
mentality. We prefer a civilized argument. I mean an argument and
not a war; even if it is called informational.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA MR. TIGRAN TOROSYAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE 17TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC

National Assembly of RA
Sept 2 2008
Armenia

The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Mr. Tigran Torosyan congratulated the Nagorno Karabakh Republic on
the occasion of the 17th anniversary of its independence:

"Dear compatriots,

I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of the proclamation of the
17th anniversary of the independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
– one of the dearest holidays of our people. Those years have been
not only years of valour and heroism, but also years of compulsion
of peace to the enemy, establishment of statehood and creation.

Bowing our head before the memory of the martyrs who died for the
establishment of the second state – this real miracle, we should not
forget that we are obliged to continue their work, as the security,
peace and strengthening of two Armenian states and the dignified life
of our heroic people depend on our daily work."

CSTO FOREIGN MINISTERS TO LOOK INTO S. OSSETIA ISSUE

RosBusinessConsulting
Sept 2 2008
Russia

RBC, 02.09.2008, Moscow 13:21:21.The Foreign Ministers of Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states are poised to
hold a meeting in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the conflict in
South Ossetia, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s information and press
department stated today. Specifically, the Foreign Ministers of
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and
Uzbekistan are expected to participate in the discussions. The meeting
will be chaired by Eduard Nalbandian, the Foreign Minister of Armenia,
which is to take over the organization’s rotating chairmanship from
Kyrgyzstan. The Ministers also intend to discuss the prospects of
expanding military and technical cooperation between CSTO countries,
as well as the ways of countering new challenges and threats.

TURKEY, RUSSIA TO WORK ON SIMPLIFIED CUSTOMS TO OVERCOME TRADE ROW

Hurriyet
Sept 2 2008
Turkey

ISTANBUL – Russia and Turkey are working on a simplified customs
system in order to overcome the ongoing trade row between the
countries. Russian and Turkish foreign ministers also emphasized
the friendship and significant cooperation between the two
neighbors. (UPDATED)

The Russian Foreign Minister paid a one-day working visit to Turkey
on Tuesday where he met his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in
Istanbul. The two ministers had discussed the trade row, recent
developments in Caucasus, and Iran and Iraq.

Russia was not discriminating against Turkey in the trade relations
between the countries, hit by a recent customs dispute, Lavrov told
the joint conference with Babacan, adding Russian customs authorities
were working to simplify their bilateral customs system.

Hundreds of trucks transporting Turkish exports to Russia have been
held at the country’s checkpoints for up to four weeks, costing
exporters billions of dollars in losses.

The row has triggered speculation that Russia is trying to punish
Turkey for allowing U.S. warships carrying aid to Georgia to pass
through the Bosporus to the Black Sea.

Lavrov, however, denied that stricter Russian controls on Turkish
imports are politically motivated, underlining Russia’s commitment
to reach the 25-billion-dollars trade volume target in 2008.

He said some countries had breached customs regulations prompting
Russian authorities to take more stringent measures.

Babacan said he believed that trade problems between Turkey and
Russia would be overcome with a flexible attitude and the cooperation
of Russia.

"We discussed in a sincere and constructive way the problems caused
by keeping and checking Turkish products at Russian customs gates
longer than usual," Babacan told the conference.

SUPPORT TO CAUCASIAN PLATFORM

Russia also reiterated its support to the Turkey-sponsored idea of
forming a Caucasian stability and partnership platform.

"We have also agreed to further develop cooperations (in the Black Sea)
such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)", he said.

Turkey had offered to form a Caucasus alliance to contribute peaceful
solutions to the conflicts in the region. The alliance is envisaged
to bring together Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan,
though the task seems to be hard given the bilateral issues between
these countries.

Lavrov said some conditions should be met in order to take part in
such a formation. A similar comment was also made by the Georgian
Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili who met Babacan on Sunday.

CRITICISM FOR NATO

Turkish and Russian top diplomats also agreed to maintain security
and peace in the region, adding that international responsibilities
were violated and attacks were staged on South Ossetia.

"Under those circumstances recognition of independence of Ossetia and
Abkhazia was the only way out," Lavrov added. He said recognition
would not only protect the security of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
but also it would be the only alternative for those people to pursue
their existence.

He also reiterated Russia’s support for sending an international
police mission to Georgia to help maintain security around South
Ossetia and the similarly secessionist region of Abhkazia.

"We are in favor of an international police mission in the security
zone, especially in the framework of the OSCE (Organization for
Security and Co-operation in Europe)," the Russian minister said.

Lavrov criticized NATO members for arming Georgia ahead of last months
conflict over a rebel region.

"International agreements were violated when Georgia was given
arms… In practice, it was NATO countries who were arming (Georgian
President Mikheil) Saakashvili," Lavrov said.

Lavrov said Moscow had no intention of keeping its forces there
"forever".

STRESSING GOOD RELATIONS

Both ministers also underlined the relations between two countries
based on friendship and cooperation.

Babacan said the two countries’ have been cooperating on energy,
and hoped that new joint projects would be implemented in the future.

"Turkey has a key position in transferring oil and natural gas of
Russia and other producer companies in the region to consumer markets
safely and economically," he said.

Lavrov said the relations between two countries are intact and
acknowledged Turkey’s responsibilities as a NATO member.

AMBASSADOR HULUSI KILIC SAYS TURKISH PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO ARMENIA WILL BE USEFUL FOR AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Press Agency
Sept 2 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Elbrus Seyfullayev-APA. "Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit
to Armenia will be useful for Azerbaijan", said Turkish Ambassador
to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic in his exclusive interview to APA.

The ambassador said dialogue was always useful. Speaking about the
reaction of Azerbaijan to Gul’s visit to Armenia, Kilic said everyone
might think differently.

The ambassador said Turkey put forward certain policy, which directed
not against, but for favor of Azerbaijan. The diplomat said the
Gul’s visit wouldn’t create problems in Azerbaijani-Turkish
relationship. "Those who wanted problem may create it, but
why? Azerbaijani officials are also meeting with the Armenian
officials. There is no problem in Turkish officials’ meeting too. It
is only the match".

Kilic denied talks about opening the borders between Armenia and
Turkey. "Opening the borders is out of the question. It is impossible
to open borders until the solution of Nagorno Karabakh and other
problems".

ARMENIAN DEPUTY STEPAN SAFARYAN: "THE ONLY TOOL OF PRESSURE ON GEORGIA FOR RUSSIA MAY BE JAVAKHETI, AS WELL AS THE REGIONS, SETTLED BY AZERBAIJANIS"

Today.Az
ews/politics/47340.html
Sept 2 2008
Azerbaijan

"Destabilization of the situation in Georgia is extremely undesirable
for Armenia", said secretary of the parliamentary faction of the
Heritage opposition party Stepan Safaryan, according to ArmInfo.

He said when necessary serious guarantees can be attained in
cooperation with Georgian powers regarding the resolution of existing
problems in the regions where Armenians are settled for them not to
worsen or turn into the subject of political speculations.

The deputy considers that today there is a threat of stimulation of
the Armenian side for a conflict with Georgia and public concerns
about taking advantage of the Javakheti region by a third country
are founded.

According to the Armenian deputy, by taking control over Abkhazia
and South Ossetia, Russia has fully exhausted the tools of influence
on Georgia.

"The only tool may be Javakheti, as well as the regions, settled by
Azerbaijanis. In the established situation, Armenia should be maximally
cautious about the developments in the regions of Georgia, settled
by Armenians, and take preventive measures", said Stepan Safaryan.

GEORGIA SHOWS CANADA WAS RASH ON KOSOVO
By Scott Taylor On Target

The Chronicle Herald
6341.html
Sept 2 2008
Canada

BACK ON March 18 when Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced
that Canada would recognize Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of
independence many decried this decision as a violation of the United
Nations charter.

It was without a UN mandate that NATO had intervened in the clash
between Serbian security forces and Albanian separatist guerrillas
in 1999. However, it was UN Resolution 1244 that brought a ceasefire
to the disputed province, and although NATO troops were to replace
Serb forces in providing security, Kosovo was to remain the sovereign
territory of Serbia.

It was obvious that Harper’s Conservatives understood the implications
of recognizing the secession of a province based on a unilateral
declaration of independence by an ethnic majority of that territory,
as it took a full month for Canada to concede to recognition of the
new state.

The U.S. and the British had been the primary pilots steering Kosovo
towards independence in this manner, as they knew that Russia and
China would block any further efforts to achieve a consensus on this
issue through official United Nations channels.

Under tremendous pressure from the U.S. State Department, Harper
finally buckled and joined the small number of nations that had already
recognized Kosovo’s independence. At that juncture some three dozen
countries had followed the American lead, and despite George Bush’s
best efforts, that number has topped out at just 46.

A similar number of nations have rejected Kosovo’s independence
outright and the remaining 100 UN members continue to sit on the fence.

At the time that Harper reluctantly agree to the recognition of Kosovo,
he claimed that this particular Balkan province was a "unique case" and
therefore violating the UN charter, which deems national sovereignty
to be inviolate, would not set any sort of precedent.

As witnessed by recent events in the Republic of Georgia, the breakaway
territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have wasted little time in
proving Harper wrong. When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early
1990s, three new countries — Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia —
emerged in the strategically important region known as the Caucasus.

While much of the western media’s attention was focused on events
in the violent breakup of Yugoslavia, an equally brutal series
of wars was being conducted in this region. The end result was a
number of unresolved frozen conflicts with sovereign territories
occupied by belligerent nations — such as the Nagorno-Karabakh
region of Azerbaijan, which is still being held by Armenian troops —
and regions such as South Ossetia and Abkhazia that refused to join
Georgia when it separated from Russia.

Armed with U.S. assurances and military aid, American-educated Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili decided on Aug. 7 to flex his muscles
and attempt to exert control by force over South Ossetia. The Russians
were not caught napping and they responded immediately and forcefully.

The Georgian troops were hurled out of South Ossetia back into Georgian
territory and Saakashvili immediately took to the airwaves to call
upon the international community to save him from Russian aggression.

Back in April at the NATO summit in Bucharest, it had been Canada
and the U.S. who had pushed forcefully for Georgia’s inclusion into
the alliance. Thankfully, the central European nations rejected both
Georgia and Ukraine’s admission to NATO as it could unnecessarily
provoke the Russians.

Had Canada and the U.S. been successful, as a NATO member,
Saakashvili’s cry for support would have plunged the alliance into
a military showdown with Russia.

It has now become clear that the Russian bear may be reawakening
in terms of military might, but its intention in the Caucasus seems
limited to recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as separate states —
not reoccupying all of Georgia.

What is hypocritical beyond belief is Bush and Condoleezza Rice
claiming that by recognizing these two small states as independent,
Russia is setting a dangerous precedent for others to ignore the
UN charter.

That would be the same UN charter that the U.S. ignored when it bombed
Serbia in 1999, when they invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and when they
invaded Iraq in 2003.

Canada made a grave mistake in the recognition of Kosovo, and we
should not be so quick to leap on board the Bush bandwagon when it
comes to determining a policy on the Georgian crisis.

Like the Americans, we no longer have the moral authority to denounce
Russia’s present actions.

TURKISH EXPERT: "I DO NOT BELIEVE ABDULLAH GUL’S VISIT TO YEREVAN WILL PRODUCE RESULTS"

Azeri Press Agency
Sept 2 2008
Azerbaijan

Istanbul. Mayis Alizadeh – APA. "President Abdullah Gul’s visit to
Yerevan aims at normalizing relations with this country and involving
Armenia in Caucasus Stability Pact," expert on international affairs
Gamze Kona told APA’s Turkey bureau. She said it was very hard to
reach agreement with Armenia on this issue.

"It is very difficult to reach an understanding with a nationalist
and hostile country like Armenia. Besides, work of this mechanism
will be impossible while Armenia and Russia are reviewed as part of
the Caucasus Stability Pact. Gul’s visit to Armenia may be considered
a goodwill beginning, but such acts have never produced results. I
think the president’s act will produce no results, either," she said.

Gamze Kona said Turkey took this step on the insistence of the US.

"It is not important who initiated this visit, it is important
whether the visit will produce any results. I think there will be
no results. I do not think healthy relations can be established
with Armenia, which has laid claims to Turkish territory, considers
Agri dagh a sacred place and has occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani
territories. Bilateral relations develop more in the regions between
the countries having no historical enmity. Armenia should first of all
recognize Kars contract, then we can have discussions with them. I do
not believe that Yerevan will cease occupation of Azerbaijani lands
soon. Armenia strengthens its aggressive position day-by-day with
support of Moscow, Paris and Washington.

PARISYAN UNDER PRESSURE
by Danny Acosta

Sherdog.com
ressure-14257
Sept 2 2008

The fight comes natural to Karo Parisyan (Pictures), an Armenian-born
welterweight who started Judo when he was 9 years old and mixed
martial arts when he was 14.

Looking to rebound from his first stoppage loss — a TKO at the hands
of American Top Team’s Thiago Alves (Pictures) — in seven years,
Parisyan (18-5) will meet Yoshiyuki Yoshida (Pictures) at UFC 88
"Breakthrough" this Saturday at Philips Arena in Atlanta. He declared
himself ready for the Japanese standout mere days before they collide.

"If I get hit by lighting and I lose, God forbid, I don’t care,"
Parisyan says. "All I know for this fight is I trained twice as hard
as I did for the Thiago Alves fight. I have to thank Thiago Alves. He
woke me up."

New to the UFC scene but seasoned by plenty of international
experience, Yoshida (10-2) made his Octagon debut in May and choked Jon
Koppenhaver (Pictures) unconscious with an anaconda choke. "Zenko"
will enter the bout on a nine-fight winning streak. Included in
that streak was a TKO victory of Akira Kikuchi (Pictures), the last
man to defeat reigning EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields
(Pictures). Despite the obvious risks, Parisyan wants to match skills
with the fourth-degree Judo black belt.

"I think I’m a little better MMA fighter than he is," Parisyan
says. "Anyone can beat me at 170. I know what’s going to be on the
table. I’m going to try my best to neutralize everything he does and
beat him up."

Outside the cage, Parisyan (18-5) fights a different battle, one with
which millions are familiar. Panic disorder has become a daily threat
to normalcy.

According to the American Psychological Association, one out of every
75 people suffers from the condition. Parisyan noticed symptoms prior
to his UFC Fight Night 13 bout against Alves in April. It affected
his training, and, at one point, he wanted to go home before the
fight, not for fear of competing but as a coping mechanism for his
anxiety. He succumbed to strikes against the red-hot Brazilian in
the second round. A nine-year veteran, he had been finished only one
other time as a professional.

"I blame the loss because of my training, not being mentally focused
and being burned out from all these years; I didn’t blame it on my
panic attacks," Parisyan says. "If people think I blame the loss on
a panic attack — people say I’m lying — it really upsets me. People
that actually don’t have any idea what we go through can just sit there
and just judge you and say, ‘He’s just lying. He’s bulls–tting. He’s
a liar.’ It’s not right."

Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Parisyan found an ally in the form of MMA coaching guru Greg
Jackson.Panic disorder manifests itself in many ways. Symptoms include
dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, paralyzing terror and feelings
of insanity or oncoming death. They range from mild to severe.

"I thought it was heart problems," Parisyan says. "But when I asked
the doctor what was wrong, he said throughout the years, all the
stress you go through in fighting, working out to fight — all that
stuff you go through — it builds up like a bubble, and eventually
it bursts and hits you with panic attacks. That’s what they told
me. Twelve years down the line you start burning out, and somehow
you have to repair it."

Despite his refusal to take prescription pills, Parisyan actively
addresses the problem. He stays away from triggers — small rooms
make him feel claustrophobic — and has found support in doctors,
friends and family. However, the unpredictable nature of the disorder
makes it nearly impossible to wrangle.

"After the Alves fight, I had moved into a new house," Parisyan
says. "The night before I was going to move, it hit me. At the middle
of the night, 2 a.m., I woke up just breathing crazy. My heartbeat
was going through the roof. My blood pressure was 160 over 120. My
mind was racing. I thought I was having a heart attack; I didn’t
know what was going on, and I was afraid to wake anybody up because
I didn’t know what it was."

Panic disorder can even distort reality. In a profession that demands
control over one’s mind and body, Parisyan finds himself in a daily
struggle with an elusive opponent.

"I think my biggest problem with these panic attacks is I’m not able
sleep," he says. "Sometimes my bed becomes like a casket, like a
dungeon. I can’t go in the bed. I have to sleep on a couch sitting
up and stuff."

Even though panic attacks are short and infrequent because the
body cannot handle the dramatic changes over an extended period,
the simplest act can set off Parisyan.

"If I put my head into a pillow and my head sinks into the pillow,
I feel like I’m gonna choke," he says. "All kinds of stuff; it’s
unbelievably hard."

Parisyan discovered an ally in revered mixed martial arts coach Greg
Jackson. He traveled to Jackson’s academy in Albuquerque, N.M., to
train alongside Rashad Evans (Pictures), Keith Jardine (Pictures)
and others in advance of his fight with Yoshida. When anxiety forced
Parisyan to return to California after only one full day in the gym,
Jackson followed him to the Golden State in support.

"It means a lot," Parisyan says. "He came out for a couple of days
just to see where I’m at, how I’m doing for training, put a game plan
together and went back home."

While fans await the latest additions to his lengthy highlight reel of
Judo throws and rolling kimuras, Parisyan seems anxious to climb back
into the cage again. Supporting five family members, the 26-year-old
has a heavy burden to shoulder every time he competes, and his match
with Yoshida will be no different.

"I have so much at stake," Parisyan says. "I have so much stress on
me. People don’t understand how tough it is. I need to be able to
conquer this match. Not sounding selfish at all, [but] I fight for
myself. I fight to prove something to myself, to feel good about
myself when I walk outside."

LEADER OF ARMENIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY: "IF THE TALKS ON THE STATUS OF "NAGORNO KARABAKH REPUBLIC" CONTINUE, IT WOULD MEAN THAT NAGORNO KARABAKH DOES NOT HAVE IT"

Today.Az
cs/47337.html
Sept 2 2008
Azerbaijan

The status of "Nagorno Karabakh" can not be a subject of talks on
the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, said leader of Armenian
Democratic Party Aram Sargsyan.

"The talks should be held on results of the war, initiated by
Azerbaijan. If the talks on the status of "Nagorno Karabakh Republic"
continue, it would mean that Nagorno Karabakh does not have it. But
the people of "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" has already approved its
status by way of referendum and by its statehood", considers he.

The politician noted that the talks on recognition of the status of
the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh Republic are possible. He considers
that it is time for the Armenian leadership and the Foreign Ministry
of the country to reject five of the so-called Madrid principles
of the resolution of the Karabakh conflict and present their exact,
internationally approved principles of the resolution of the conflict.

"We do not speak of the problem settlement as the OSCE Minsk Group
has no mandate for it. The problem has already been settled as
considers the people of "Nagorno Karabakh Republic"-this is a problem
of self-determination of Karabakh and independence of Azerbaijan",
noted Sargsyan.

At the same time, the political scientist noted that Armenia does not
reject the talks on the settlement of "Nagorno Karabakh" conflict. He
consider that the talks should be held on the issue of territories,
refugees and IDPs, guarantees of security, cultural and moral ties.

According to the politician, the talks can be held about restoring
relations between Azerbaijan and "Nagorno Karabakh", Azerbaijan
and Armenia, which can be settled by way of concluding bilateral
agreements.

"But forget that the talks are held on the status of "Nagorno Karabakh
Republic". In line with the norms of international law, the status
is not negotiated, status is acquired by the due canonic methods,
one of which is a referendum", noted he.

Sargsyan also refuted Azerbaijan’s statements that Azerbaijanis did
not take part in the referendum. Yet, according to the politician,
even if Azerbaijanis took part, it would have not influenced the
results of referendum.