Month: October 2008

KIRO MANOYAN: ARF IS AGAINST RETURNING TERRITORIES

Yerkir
20.10.2008 16:34

Yerevan (Yerkir) – Kiro Manoyan, the director of the ARF Bureau’s Hay
Dat and Political Affairs Office, told a news conference today that if
Azerbaijan continues its belligerent rhetoric, then "Armenian will be
left with no other choice than recognize the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh Republic, creating a completely new de jure situation."

Answering a question the conflict could be settled by the end of the
year in the light of more frequent visits of foreign diplomats to
Armenia, Manoyan said that the presidential election in Azerbaijan
showed that Ilham Aliyev does not depend on any Azerbaijani political
circle in the settlement issue but it should not be expected that
the conflict would be settled by the end of the year.

Manoyan said that no one in Armenia has the right to take a
unilateral decision: all the Armenian forces as well as Karabakh
should participate in the decision-making. "Not everything depends
on Armenia, and not everything depends on the president. This is
not the issue that the president can decide alone," he said. "The
ARF has made its position clear by saying we are against the option
under consideration because of the idea to return territories."

He reiterated the ARF’s position: NKR should cannot be a part of
Azerbaijan, as well as the liberated territories, which are also
part of Karabakh, should not be returned. When asked what mutual
concessions are in this case, he said "peace" is Armenia’s concession.

He added that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have realized that
Karabakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan that’s why they speak of
self-determination right along with that of territorial integrity. He
added that Turkey cannot be in the Minsk Group because it is a party
in the conflict and supports Azerbaijan.

S. OHANYAN HOSTED LIEUTENANT GENERAL ROLAND KATHER

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19.10 .08

On October 19, 2008 RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan received the
delegation headed by Lieutenant General Roland Kather, Commander of
NATO Allied Land Component Command Headquarters Heidelberg.

Greeting the members of the delegation Mr. Ohanyan mentioned that
Armenia is ready to develop cooperation in the sphere of defense and
security with any interested country.

During the meeting RA Defense Minister talked about importance of
military exercises held in Armenia, which must strengthen regional
cooperation.

The Minister thanked the delegation for contributing to the improvement
of the collaboration of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia,
which will enhance Armenia’s productive participation in peacekeeping
activity.

At the end of the meeting Lieutenant General Roland Kather expressed
his satisfaction to RA Defense Minister S. Ohanyan for the works done.

SEYRAN OHANYAN HOSTED SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL FOR THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA, ROBERT SIMMONS

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19.1 0.08

On October 19, 2008 RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan received the
delegation headed by the Special Representative of the NATO Secretary
General for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons.

Greeting the guest, Mr. Ohanyan talked about reforms in the armed
forces of RA, particularly discussed issues concerning to the military
education.

RA Defense Minister mentioned that one of the main aspects during
the reform process will be a reconsideration of defense strategy RA.

During the meeting sides talked about the "Cooperative Longbow/Lancer
2008" military exercises of NATO and the Euro-Atlantic Cooperation
Council, which must strengthen regional cooperation.

At the end of the meeting Mr. Ohanyan assured that taking out the
Armenian peacekeeping group from Iraq has no underlying message,
reason was the announcement of Iraq Authorities that they are able
to carry out the situation in country.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CLOSING CEREMONY OF "JOINT LANCE-BEARER 2008" MILITARY EXERCISES

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20 .10.08

On October 20, 2008 the closing ceremony of "Joint Lance-Bearer 2008"
military exercises has been conducted in military institute named
after V. Sargsyan.

Representatives of 14 countries participating in NATO "Partnership
for Peace" project were present at the official ceremony, as well as
observers, who were taking part in the exercises from 8-20 October.

Some officers who took part in the exercises have been awarded by
NATO European headquarters and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic
of Armenia.

RA Defense Minster S. Ohanyan said that concluding the achievements
of the military exercises we can say that the goals are met and that
it is a success that all the participants from different countries
passed the experience.

SARGSYAN, MEDVEDEV INAUGURATE SQUARE OF RUSSIA IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 12:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Inauguration of Square of Russia in Yerevan is a
joyful and outstanding event, proving the sincerity and durability
of relations between the two states, Russia’s President said today.

"I am glad to be in Armenia again and meet its hospitable
people. Russia accepted with pleasure the decision of the Yerevan
city council to name a square after Russia as a token of attention and
friendship," Dmitry Medvedev said. "We should combat global challenges
jointly. Good neighbors are always glad to watch each other’s
achievements. We want to see a strong and sustainably developing
Armenia. Our progress is a guarantee of our strategic partnership."

For his part, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated, "Armenian and
Russian flags in Square of Russia in Yerevan remind of indissoluble
ties between our nations. These are symbols of solidarity and
historical and cultural heritage. Here, on October 26, 1828, General
Paskevich hoisted a Russian flag over the fortress of Erivan. Down
the street, there was a house where Griboyedov’s Wit Works Woe was
first staged."

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT LAID WREATH TO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 13:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in Yerevan on formal visit, Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev laid a wreath to the Armenian Genocide
Memorial this morning.

He also attended the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute and planted a
fir on the Memory Alley, next to the firs planted by Vladimir Putin,
Pope John Paul II and Baroness Caroline Cox.

SWISS COURT FINES THREE TURKS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIAL

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 14:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The District Court of Winterthur, Switzerland,
imposed a fine on three Turks for denial of the Armenian Genocide. Ali
Mercan was obliged to pay 4500 Swiss francs. Hasan Kemali and Ethem
Kayali will have to pay 3600 Swiss francs each.

On 30 June, 2007, the three men joined a Turkish nationalist
meeting organized by Dogu Perincek, the leader of Turkish Workers’
Party. During the meeting they declared that the massacre of the
Armenians was not Genocide, but an international lie orchestrated by
France, U.K and Russian tsarists.

The defendants have ten days to appeal the court decision.

Dogu Perincek is the first person to be convicted by a court of
law for denial of the Armenian Genocide. On 9 March 2007, he was
found guilty by a Swiss district court of conscious violation of
Swiss laws against genocide denial with a racist motivation and was
fined CHF 12,000. The case was a result of Perincek’s description of
the Armenian genocide as "an international lie" at a demonstration
in Lausannecon 25 July 2005. The verdict was confirmed by the Vaud
cantonal appeal court on 19 June, and by the Federal Supreme Court
of Switzerland on 12 December 2007.

ARMENIA, RUSSIAN, AZERI PRESIDENTS TO MEET ON KARABAKH SOON

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 14:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia is willing to continue talks for the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement on the basis of Madrid Principles,
the RA President said.

"The right of nations to self-determination and a number of other
principles crucial for Armenia underlie the Document," Serzh Sargsyan
during today’s joint news conference with his Russian counterpart
Dmitry Medvedev. "We believe that the Karabakh problem should be
resolved via compromise," he added.

For his part, President Medvedev emphasized that attempts to resolve
conflict by use of force are unpromising. "The recent Georgian-Ossetian
conflict proved the necessity to resolve problems via talks and in
compliance with the international law. I am hopeful that the sides
in the Karabakh conflict are ready to fix progress in the negotiation
process. The Presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan will meet in
Moscow in the near future to discuss the issue. Russia will continue
search for mutually acceptable decision on Karabakh."

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS BASE ON PRAGMATISM AND CENTURIES-OLD FRIENDSHIP

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 14:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia and Russia enjoy sincere friendship, RA
President Serzh Sargsyan during today’s joint news conference with
his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

"Friendship can’t be imposed. Relations with Russia are developing
thanks to mutual trust. These relations never impeded Armenia’s
cooperation with other states," he said.

According to Dmitry Medvedev, the Armenian-Russian relations base on
pragmatism and centuries-old friendship.

ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN POLITICAL DIALOG DEVELOPING

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 15:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said that his
regular meeting with Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev proved
that relations between the two strategic partners are dynamically
developing.

"The Armenian-Russian political dialog is developing. Foreign
Ministries have already signed a plan of consultations for 2009-2010,"
he said today’s joint news conference with his Russian counterpart.

"During talks with President Medvedev, we discussed a number of
international and regional issues, cooperation within CSTO, CIS and
other international organizations. We also referred to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and appreciated positively the OSCE MG activities,"
President Sargsyan said.

For his part, Dmitry Medvedev said he is pleased with outcomes of the
talks. "We focused on bilateral relations, specifically in energy,
transport, agriculture and IT sectors. We are also willing a stronger
cooperation within CIS," he said, adding that Russia is consistent
in its efforts for establishment of peace and stability in the South
Caucasus.