Month: September 2009

TURKEY CLARIFIES POSITION ON ARMENIAN TIES TO ALIYEV

Asbarez
turkey-clarifies-position-on-armenian-ties-to-aliy ev/
Aug 31, 2009

BAKU (Combined Sources)-Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and visiting top
Turkish diplomats held talks over the weekend on recent developments
in the Caucasus, the Anatolia news agency reported.

The meeting between Aliyev, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary
Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu and Ambassador Unal Cevikoz, the deputy
undersecretary for the Caucasus and Central Asia, was held on Saturday
following a Friday telephone conversation between Aliyev and Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During Friday’s conversation Erdogan briefed Aliyev on normalization
efforts between Turkey and Armenia, while Aliyev informed Erdogan
about developments regarding the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Erdogan’s
office said in a written statement.

Ahead of their departure from Baku later on Saturday, Sinirlioglu told
reporters that they explained Turkey’s views to Aliyev concerning both
the normalization efforts between Turkey and Armenia and the resolution
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, without elaborating further.

DENYING THE ‘OTHER’ HOLOCAUST
By Marilyn Henry

Asbarez
enying-the-other-holocaust/
Aug 31, 2009

Ten years ago, I was in Armenia for Genocide Memorial Day. Armenians
from their "galut" around the world had come to Yerevan to participate
with local citizens in the solemn commemoration. I was with a group
that came from the US, including Henry Morgenthau III. He was there
because the government intended to honor his grandfather, the first
Henry, who as the US ambassador to Constantinople in 1915 had raised
the alarm about the Armenian genocide.

The Morgenthaus and I were Jews among the Armenians. After a week
together, however, it was hard to remember that the Armenians
weren’t Jews. We have much in common: lost families, lost homes,
lost countries, lost languages, lives as minorities, a diaspora,
fears of assimilation, factions in religious practice – and genocide,
as well as foes who would deny that the genocide ever happened.

But this also is where Jews and Armenians part. No civilized society
will tolerate Holocaust denial. Nearly a century later, however,
denial of the Armenian genocide persists, and it pops up in the most
unexpected places.

Most recently it was in the federal appeals court in California. In
a ruling on August 20, two members of a three-judge appellate panel
did not quite deny the Armenian genocide; it was more like "genocide
squelching." At issue was one of a handful of California laws that
collectively extended the statutes of limitations so that Nazi victims,
including slave laborers, as well as victims of the Armenian genocide,
would have additional time to file various claims for redress from
human rights abuses and other losses.

The Armenians were seeking insurance payments from the period in the
waning days of the Ottoman Empire during which they were deported
and massacred by the Turks. This was akin to efforts within the
Jewish community in the last decade to recover insurance payments
for policies written during the Nazi era.

Jewish insurance claims were handled by an international commission
chaired by former US secretary of state Lawrence Eagleburger. Armenians
fended for themselves. Claims from the Ottoman/World War I era were
handled by lawyers who dealt with individual insurance companies. The
American insurer New York Life and the French company AXA reached
settlements with the Armenians.

The case in federal court in California pits Armenians against German
insurance companies. (Let’s put aside for this discussion that German
enterprises should be sensitive to any claim related to genocide,
or that it was Hitler who blithely predicted that no one would
remember the fate of the Armenians.) The German insurers resisted
any discussion of claims, including the possibility of humanitarian
settlements with payments to charitable institutions, said Brian
Kabateck, the Los Angeles attorney representing the Armenians.

The German companies argued that US presidential foreign policy
prohibits legislative recognition of an "Armenian genocide." Although
more than 40 American states have policies on the Armenian genocide,
there is no federal policy recognizing it. Each time in recent years
that a congressional resolution appeared likely to affirm that the
genocide had occurred, the Bush and Clinton administrations argued
against it, saying it would hurt American foreign policy by offending
Turkey, a key ally. The Turks have never recognized the genocide;
they refer to an Armenian revolt.

In a very broad statement that went far beyond California’s laws on
claims deadlines, the federal appellate panel concluded that "there
is an express federal policy prohibiting legislative recognition of an
‘Armenian genocide.’"

"By using the phrase ‘Armenian genocide,’ California has defied the
president’s foreign policy preferences," the panel ruled.

It was not swayed by the fact that the federal government has
not expressly prohibited states from using the phrase "Armenian
genocide." And the US government did not participate in this case,
so its position on how states treat the genocide is entirely unclear.

Kabateck, the Los Angeles attorney, vowed to appeal to
the full appellate court, saying the two judges’ ruling was
"genocide-squelching." "The court says the words ‘Armenian genocide’
when said by any state or local government violates the foreign powers
of the US government and is unconstitutional," he said. "Taken to its
logical extreme, if these two judges are correct, no state or local
government in the United States may use those words in any capacity."

The Court ignored the US record, including president Ronald Reagan’s
1981 proclamation explicitly referring to "the genocide of the
Armenians," said Rouben Adalian, director of the Armenian National
Institute in Washington. "This decision has so many egregious mistakes
it makes one wonder what else was going on. It is frightening to
see how even judges could be so misled into dangerous and really
shameful territory."

There is now concern that the ruling will be used as Turkish
propaganda, and to expand the assault on teaching about the genocide
in American public schools.

In June, a federal judge in Boston rejected a lawsuit filed by several
students, teachers and the Assembly of Turkish American Associations
that challenged Massachusetts’ state curriculum. The education
guidelines characterize the World War I-era deaths of Armenians as
genocide. Mark Wolf, the chief judge of the US District Court in
Massachusetts, said the sensitive questions on the historic tragedy
should be debated in the legislature, not the courts.

American Jews don’t face these horrific fights over atrocities and
whether to teach them. New York, New Jersey, California, Florida and
Illinois have laws requiring the teaching of the Holocaust. Ten other
states have regulations recommending Holocaust education. Twelve
states also have Holocaust commissions or councils that support
Holocaust education.

But we surely remember our own battles against Holocaust denial. And
as we are aggressive in protecting our history and in protesting
contemporary atrocities such as in Darfur, so should we protest the
denial of other atrocities of the past.

JOKING TIME OR SERIOUS JOKES
Hakob Badalyan

mments&pid=15028
11:48:12 – 01/09/2009

When Robert Kocharyan, after leaving his office, was speaking about
politics in his interviews, a statement of his remained known: he
said that in case he was the president, Abdullah Gul would not come
to Armenia. This statement is worth remembering because it was made
on the days when Serge Sargsyan had just invited Gul to watch football
and everyone was waiting to see what Gul was going to answer.

On August 31, 2009, Robert Kocharyan celebrated the 55 anniversary of
his birthday. Serge Sargsyan has even called him. He did not visit
him but only called, the reason of which became known later. The
point is that the present, which Serge Sargsyan had prepared for
Robert Kocharyan, was not ready yet. The "present" was ready later
and appeared on the web site of the Armenian Foreign Ministry later in
the night on august 31. Those were two protocols on the Armenian and
Turkish relations; one was on the development of bilateral relations
and the second one on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Are these two protocols, which are going to be fulfilled after six
weeks, not a present for Robert Kocharyan, who was against Gul’s visit
to Armenia? It is a present, and if Robert Kocharyan does not "thank"
for it now, later it will be impossible for him to say anything in
this connection. The point is that Robert Kocharyan’s phrase that
in case of his tenure, Gul’s visit to Armenia would be impossible is
won by Serge Sargsyan’s "work", who not only invited Gul, but now he
shows with the help of the very protocols that he managed to force
to open the border and to establish diplomatic relations.

Who is more right from the point of the country’s interests? Of
course, Serge Sargsyan, who invited Gul, or maybe Robert Kocharyan
who is against these events foreseeing some conspiracy? The far
quarrel of the second and the third presidents assumes an interesting
intrigue. But we should not forget about the first president, who is
the leader of the opposition. The point is that with the help of his
steps and speeches he is able to attach some legitimacy to the second
or the third presidents. What the first president is going to do is
difficult to say. His birthday is in January. Much will change by
that time. So, we do not have to expect the first president to hurry,
because the "present" was not given to him. His present had been given
before, when Serge Sargsyan appropriated the approaches of the first
president in the foreign policy. Interestingly, a particular situation
is shaped in the Armenian political field thanks to the developments
in the Armenian and Turkish relations. This is the first time, when
Robert Kocharyan and Serge Sargsyan do not need each other’s help
in struggling against Levon Ter-Petrosyan, but each of them would
be glad for the other to struggle against him alone. This situation
changes the whole logic of the home political developments, forcing
the participants to change their behavior as well.

>>From this point of view, one of Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s press
conferences a couple of months ago is interesting, when I asked him,
whether he considers Robert Kocharyan a political rival for him. Levon
Ter-Petrosyan answered that until Robert Kocharyan is not in politics
and no one knows where he is, he cannot be a rival for him. This was
Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s answer which he continued saying that when he
is in politics they may be not rivals but colleagues, as everything
is possible in politics. A political figure of his range would hardly
joke during press conferences without thinking. Moreover, the political
figures often joke about the ideas, which are hard to be perceived
at that certain moment. Time will show. And in the present situation
it is very difficult to say whether the time is joking or rendering
the others’ jokes serious.

In any case, the situation forces the politics in Armenia to be
realistic and not mythological. And this is a essential process.

ARMENIA AND TURKEY AGREED

tics&pid=15027
11:15:52 – 01/09/2009

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey have agreed to
start their internal political consultations on the two protocols –
the "Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations" and the
"Protocol on the development of bilateral relations" – which have
been initiated in the course of their efforts under Swiss mediation.

The two Protocols provide for a framework for the normalization of
their bilateral relations within a reasonable timeframe. The political
consultations will be completed within six weeks, following which
the two Protocols will be signed and submitted to the respective
Parliaments for the ratification on each side. Both sides will make
their best efforts for the timely progression of the ratification in
line with their constitutional and legal procedures.

The normalization of bilateral relations will contribute to the
regional peace and stability. The Republic of Armenia and the Republic
of Turkey are committed are pursuing their joint efforts with the
assistance of Switzerland.

ARMENIAN AND TURKISH PROTOCOLS

olitics&pid=15026
11:15:17 – 01/09/2009

Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued two protocols signed by
Armenia and Turkey under Swiss mediation.

Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the
Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

Desiring to establish good neighbourly relations and to develop
bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and other
fields for the benefit of their peoples, as envisaged in the Protocol
on the development of relations signed on the same day.

Referring to their obligations under the Charter of the United Nations,
the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe,

Reconfirming their commitment, in their bilateral and international
relations, to respect and ensure respect for the principles of
equality, sovereignty, non-intervention in internal affairs of other
states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers,

Bearing in mind the importance of the creation and maintenance of an
atmosphere of trust and confidence between the two countries that will
contribute to the strengthening of peace, security and stability of the
whole region, as well as being determined to refrain from the threat
of the use of force, to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes,
and to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Confirming the mutual recognition of the existing border between the
two countries as defined relevant treaties of international law,

Emphasizing their decisions to open the common border,

Reiterating their commitment to refrain from pursuing any policy
incompatible with the spirit of good neighbourly relations,

Condemning all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism irrespective
of their cause, pledging to refrain from encouraging and tolerating
such acts and to cooperate against them,

Affirming their willingness to chart a new pattern and course for
their relations on the basis of common interests, goodwill and in
pursuit of peace, mutual understanding and harmony,

Agree to establish diplomatic relations as of the date of the entry
into force of this Protocol accordance with the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and to exchange Diplomatic Missions.

This Protocol and the Protocol on the Development of Bilateral
Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey
shall enter into force on the same day, i.e. on the first day of the
first month following of instruments of ratification.

Signed in (place) on (date) in Armenian, Turkish and English languages
authentic copies in duplicate. In case of divergence of interpretation,
the English text shall prevail.

For the Republic of Armenia

For the Republic of Turkey

Protocol on Development of Relations between the Republic of Armenia
and the Republic of Turkey.

The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

Guided by the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey signed on
the same day,

Considering the perspectives of developing their bilateral relations,
based on confidence and respect to their mutual interests,

Determining to develop and enhance their bilateral relations, in the
political, economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, cultural
issues and other fields, based on common interest of both countries,

Supporting the promotion of the cooperation between the two countries,
in the international and regional organi9zations, especially within the
framework of the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership Council and the BSEC,

Taking into account the common purpose of both States to cooperate for
enchancimg regional stability and security for ensuring the democratic
and sustainable development of the region,

Reiterating their commitment to the peaceful settlement of regional
and international disputes and the conflicts on the basis of the
norms and principles of law,

Reaffirming their readiness to actively support the actions of eth
international community in addressing common security threats to
the region and world security and stability, such as terrorism,
transnational organized crimes, illicit trafficking of drugs and arms,

1. Agree to open the common border within 2 months after the entry
into force of this Protocol,

2. Agree to conduct regular political consultations between the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries;

implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim
to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including
an impartial scientific examination of the historical records and
archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations;

make the best possible use of existing transport, communications
and energy infrastructure and networks between the two countries,
and to undertake measures in this regard;

develop the bilateral legal framework in order to foster cooperation
between the two countries;

cooperate in the fields of science and education by encouraging
relations between the appropriate institutions as well as promoting
the exchange of specialists and students, and act with the aim of
preserving the cultural heritage of both sides and launching common
cultural projects;

establish consular cooperation in accordance with the Vienna Convention
on Consular Relations of 1963 in order to provide necessary assistance
and protection to the citizens of the two countries;

take concrete measures in order to develop trade, tourism and economic
cooperation between the two countries; engage in a dialogue and
reinforce their cooperation on environmental issues.

3. Agree on the establishment of an intergovernmental bilateral
commission which shall comprise separate sub-commissions for the
prompt implementation of the commitments mentioned in operational
paragraph 2 above in this Protocol. To prepare the working modalities
of the intergovernmental commission and its sub-commissions, a
working group headed by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall
be created 2 months after the day following the entry into force of
this Protocol. Within 3 months after the entry into force of this
Protocol, these modalities shall be approved at ministerial level. The
intergovernmental commission shall meet for the first time immediately
after the adoption of the said modalities. The sub-commissions shall
start their work at the latest 1 month thereafter and they shall work
continuously until the completion of their mandates. The timetable
and elements agreed by both sides for the implementation of this
Protocol are mentioned in the annexed document, which is integral
part of this Protocol.

This Protocol and the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey
shall enter into force on the same day, i.e. on the first day of the
first month following the exchange of instruments of ratification.

Signed in (place) on (date) in Armenian, Turkish and English authentic
copies in duplicate. In case of divergence of interpretation, the
English text shall prevail.

For the Republic of Armenia

For the Republic of Turkey

Annexed document: Timetable and elements for the implementation of
the Protocol on development of relations between the Republic of
Armenia and the Republic of Turkey.

Timetable and elements for the implementation of the Protocol on
development of relations between the Republic of Armenia and the
Republic of Turkey

Steps to be undertaken

Timing

1. to open the common border within 2 months after the entry into
force of the Protocol on the development of relations between the
Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey

2. to establish a working group headed by the two Ministers of Foreign
Affairs to prepare the working modalities of the intergovernmental
commission and its sub-commission

2 months after the day following the entry into force of the Protocol
on the development of relations between the Republic of Armenia and
the Republic of Turkey

3. to approve the working modalities of the intergovernmental
commission and its sub-commissions at ministerial level

within 3 months after the entry into force of the Protocol on
the development of relations between the Republic of Armenia and
the Republic of Turkey 4. to organize the first meeting of the
intergovernmental commission

immediately after the adoption of the working modalities of the
intergovernmental commission and its sub-commissions at ministerial
level

5. to operate the following sub-commissions:

the sub-commission on political consultations; the sub-commission on
transport, communications and energy infrastructure and networks;
the sub-commission on legal matters; the sub-commission on science
and education; the sub-commission on trade, tourism and economic
cooperation; the sub-commission on environmental issues: and the
sub-commission on the historical dimension to implement a dialogue
with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two nations,
including an impartial scientific examination of the historical records
and archive to define existing problems and formulate recommendations,
in which Armenian, Turkish as well as Swiss and other international
experts shall take part.

U.S. HOPES FOR TANGIBLE RESULT

Lragir
id=politics&pid=15017
15:18:29 – 31/08/2009

>From July 19-31, in the Chanakkale city of Turkey, a summer
international camp was organized, into which 14-17 year old
15 Armenian, 19 Turkish and 10 American youths took part. It was
organized with the assistance of the U.S. embassy to Turkey. The
aim of the camp was to help the students to contribute to the
intercultural communication, to understand better each other and
to shape an atmosphere of tolerance. Courses of English as well as
intercultural meetings were organized for the students.

On August 31, the U.S. ambassador to Armenia, Marie Jovanovich met
with pupils and reporters. Jovanovich stated that the camp was a very
nice possibility for the students to see Turkey and to get acquainted
with its culture. The Armenian and Turkish children understood that
they have the same dreams and desires.

According to Marie Jovanovich, the normalization of the Armenian and
Turkish relation is very important for the region. The U.S. hopes that
tangible results will soon be registered. The ambassador thinks that
the normalization will open new economic and political opportunities
for Armenia and Turkey.

GOAL, BUT IN WHOSE GATE

Lragir
=lrahos||politics&pid=15029
12:14:12 – 01/09/2009

We have to admit that few of the spectators of the Armenian and Turkish
relation would expect the two protocols, issued on August 31. Even
if such an event was expected in the process of the normalization
of the Armenian and Turkish relations, nevertheless, very few people
imagined that such a thing might happen in the nearest future.

Above all doubts, the Armenian government will represent this event
as a success of Armenia, because the protocols prepared by Armenia
and Turkey, dwell on the opening of the border and establishment
of relations.

But both of the protocols contain not only amazing but also worrying
points for the Armenian side. The point is that the protocols run
that Armenia and Turkey, the countries who sign the protocols, respect
the territorial integrity of other countries. Is there not any danger
in connection with the Karabakhi conflict? Is Azerbaijan not one of
the other countries? The point is that there does not seem to be any
exception in the protocol.

Besides, the sides also recognize each other’s borders. There is
no comment either relating to the fact that the sides set up an
intergovernmental commission to shape an atmosphere of mutual trust
among the societies, which will also have other issues, including a
sub-commission to study the genocide issue.

There is not a single word of course about the genocide or the
commission to study it in the protocol. But what means impartial and
through examination of historical documents. Turkey has never posed
the genocide question such as but it has always dwelt on historical
issues. Consequently, Turkey means the genocide examination, and
for the Armenian side the real meaning of the formulations should
be clear. If the Armenian side fails to notice the real meaning,
this means that the document with Turkey is signed by people far from
politics and diplomacy.

In other words, it seems to be evident that the protocols signed by
Armenia and Turkey include all the three preconditions, which the
Turkish side was presenting to the Armenian one in exchange of opening
the border and establishing diplomatic relations through leakages of
information and Turkish high ranking officials.

The Armenian side has always refused the existence of preconditions,
but getting acquainted with the text of the protocols, it is difficult
to believe those refusals. We only need to believe that that during
these six weeks of consultations, which are going to be held on the
protocols, the Armenian side will manage to eliminate the dangers
present in the texts of the protocols. However, the fact that the
text was published by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, means that it
did not find any dangerous points in it or it did not want to.

WHO DOES NOT OPPOSITIONAL UNITY
Naira Hayrumyan

Lragir
hp?id=lrahos||country&pid=15025
09:17:31 – 01/09/2009

Five major information are informed by national TV channels: Serge
Sargsyan should go to Turkey, compromises are necessary in the
Karabakhi settlement, the economic situation in Armenia is leveled,
the opposition is not uniting and the fall will not be hot.

The whole end of summer, politicians and political scientists are
engaged in prophesying cool autumn. Without sparing effort and time,
they convince people that the fall will be the same like winter,
spring and summer. As proof of his opinion, they bring the fact that
had prophesied a hot spring in the winter, then a hot summer, but the
year is cool. Spectators blindly believe their words, not remembering
that spring, summer, and even winter were quite hot. It all depends on
what to compare with. In every season, there is something that has kept
the high temperature in the society and did not give the authorities to
relax. It is sufficient to recall the economic crisis, but there were
also many other domestic events. They may become "hotter", if as it
is expected the unity of the three oppositional forces takes place:
the Armenian National Congress, the ARF and the "Heritage". Tigran
Karapetich prophesies also Vardan Oskanyan’s adherence to them.

And in this case, the fall from a "velvet season" can turn into in a
"pair". The temperature will be raised by the same opposition that
has already proven that it is able to dictate terms. Despite the
"cool" winter and spring, the opposition managed to insist on the
adoption of 4 resolutions of the PACE, the amnesty of political
prisoners, the continuation of the work of the fact-finding group
and investigation of the events of March 1. The latest "dictation"
was the document attesting the participation of people from the
surrounding of high-ranking officials in the events of March 1,
which caused a serious stir.

What steps the opposition plans for the fall is not known. Obviously,
someone does not want the consolidation of the three opposition
forces with considerable authority. In the case of the consolidation,
expectations from them will rise to the order. Might they cope with it?

VIVACELL-MTS AND SUMMER INSPIRATION

Lragir
.php?id=lrahos||society&pid=15024
17:59:49 – 31/08/2009

Kotayk region greeted VivaCell-MTS, a subsidiary of Mobile TeleSystems
OJSC (NYSE: MBT), in the framework of the Summer Inspiration project
for the regional culture houses and arts and crafts schools of Armenia.

Kotayk willingly shared the talents of its children in both the arts
and crafts.

Summer Inspiration project aims at revealing and promoting the
creativity of young children talents in the regions of Armenia. The
vivid imagination of a child is the theme for the contest. The
children’s artwork is judged on originality, clear expression, and
reflections of cultural traditions in the work of art. Art is presented
in a variety of mediums including folk dance, singing, painting,
needlework, acting, craft and photography. The artworks should be
associated with VivaCell-MTS or display VivaCell-MTS brand logo.

"The gifted young children this project reveals in the regions give
us a stimulus to appear with new initiatives to promote their talents
for the sake of our common brighter future. The more energy, effort,
and knowledge we invest in them today, the more payback we will get
tomorrow," said VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The Summer Inspiration project started on August 19 in Vanadzor,
Lori region, and has already been held in Aragatsotn, Armavir,
Ararat, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions, with the events to follow
in Gegharkunik, Shirak, and Tavush in the nearest future.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TIGRAN SARGSYAN’S TELEGRAM TO ROBERT KOCHARYAN

Lragir
hp?id=lrahos||country&pid=15023
17:56:39 – 31/08/2009

On August 31, the Armenian prime minister Tigran Sargsyan sent a
congratulating telegram to the second Armenian president Robert
Kocharyan on his birthday.

He wished Robert Kocharyan and his family health, happiness and the
best returns.