Month: November 2009

NATO: NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL STABILITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.11.2009 12:51 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ NATO welcomes the process of Armenian-Turkish
reconciliation, said Robert Simmons, NATO special representative for
Caucasus and Central Asia.

"Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations will be a stabilizing
factor for the regions suffering from frozen conflicts," he said.

"Armenian-Turkish reconciliation has two aspects: political and
economic. Despite absence of diplomatic relationship, Turkey and
Armenia have trade relations."

Asked about the Protocols, Mr. Simmons voiced hope they will be
ratified by the parliaments soon. As to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
he said, "Armenian and Turkish Presidents hold meetings and we hope
for progress."

ANKARA WILL NEVER AGREE TO DETERIORATION OF RELATIONS WITH THE U.S. BECAUSE OF AZERBAIJAN
Karine Ter-Sahakyan

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.11.2009 GMT+04:00

Over the past few days the Turkish press has stopped writing about its
"brotherly" neighbour. Moreover, there appear articles about the myth
of "one nation, two states".

The level of nervousness in Baku after the signing of the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols has reached its highest. The
authorities apparently realized that, despite the assurances of
"brotherly" Turkey, no parallel processes will go with the Karabakh
conflict settlement. Though immediately after the signing of the
Armenian-Turkish Protocols in Zurich, the rhetoric of high-ranking
Turkish officials significantly intensified with regards to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it didn’t last long and it had its reasons.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Ankara will never agree to deterioration of relations
with the U.S. or any other party concerned about a peaceful resolution
of the conflict. Moreover, if we believe certain media reports – and
sometimes they really should be believed – Washington actually issued
a tough ultimatum to Azerbaijan: she made it clear that "Karabakh
independence will be recognized, should Azerbaijan attempt to launch
military operations in NKR," Yeni Musavat Oppositional Azeri Party
official website reported on Tuesday, followed by other Azeri media
representatives.

In observer’s opinion, Baku’s military rhetoric is caused by the fact
that in the agenda of Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations on Karabakh
status, mediated by Russia, US and France, Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity is not discussed, as required by the country’s President
Ilham Aliyev, NEWSru.com reports.

However, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan Polukhov
said he knew nothing about Washington’s ultimatum. "Azerbaijan is
not a country to be spoken with in the language of ultimatum," he
said. "We are conducting an independent foreign policy based on our
national interests," Polukhov added.

How independent a foreign policy the South Caucasus countries can
have, is probably not worth mentioning. But Baku so deeply believes in
her own power and energy, that she does not see what is obvious. And
the obvious fact is that over the past few days, the Turkish press
has stopped writing about its "brotherly" neighbour. Moreover, there
appear articles about the myth of "one nation, two states". Speaking at
the rally of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Prime Minister
Erdogan spoke about everything: the Kurdish problem, cooperation with
Iran on regional projects and Turkey’s EU membership.

However, he said not a single word about Karabakh, and it is
symptomatic.

It so happened that these days, Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu
participates in the ministerial D-8 Summit in Kuala Lumpur. D-8 is an
analogue of the G8 for the countries of Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC), in which Azerbaijan has no place. Only Bangladesh,
Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey are
members of this association, i.e. countries for which the resolution of
the Karabakh conflict is neither necessary nor important. By the way,
the countries of OIC, which so recently were spoken about with great
enthusiasm in Baku, have quite a different from Azerbaijan position on
Nagorno-Karabakh. For example, Iran and Syria, and sometimes Egypt, if
we use the lexicon of official Baku, take up a pro-Armenian position,
while others simply do not make public their position, reasoning from
their own interests and not out of their great love towards Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Meanwhile, The Jamestown Foundation writes: "Traditionally an ally,
brother and last resort of hope, Turkey is no longer trusted in the
Azerbaijani capital. In an effort to gain an additional friendly
neighbor, Ankara seems to have overstretched and nearly ruined
its strategic relations with Azerbaijan. It is clear that the
recent developments in the South Caucasus and the Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement have seriously damaged the Turkish-Azerbaijani strategic
partnership. This partnership has been the backbone of East-West energy
and its future transportation corridors, security, political and
geo-strategic balance in the region, as well as the overall Turkish
(or Western) entrance into the Caspian region," says the author,
who, of course, doesn’t like the fact that Turkey has decided to
"free herself" from Baku.

And lastly, US International Republican Institute (IRI) office ends
its activity in Azerbaijan. Head of IRI office Jake Johns declared the
office would be closed on November 30 of the current year. Chairman
of Musavat party Isa Gambar, expressing his regret over the issue,
considered it expedient to continue the work of the office in terms of
strengthening relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, and solving
problems associated with democracy and freedom. But the U.S. had
different views…

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS THE PRESIDENT OF ORANGE TELECOM

armradio.am
06.11.2009 10:49

President Serzh Sargsyan received the President of Orange Telecom
Didier Lombard, Vice President Olaf Swantee, Executive Director of
Orange Armenia Bruno Duthoit, and the Ambassador of France to Armenia
Serge Smessov, President’s Press Office reported

The second cell operator Orange Armenia launched its activities in
Armenia. Orange is a brand of the French France Telecom Company and
will be providing cell operating and internet services in our county.

Welcoming the France Telecom delegation to Armenia, President Sargsyan
said, "It’s been less than a year that we were discussing Orange’s
entry into Armenia. I am glad, that it became possible to implement in
such a brief period of time let’s say, one phase of the program. We
are keenly interested in the entry to the Armenian market of world
brands and companies and I am confident that in our country Orange
will influence positively not only the area of telecommunications but
also business climate as a whole." The President of Armenia expressed
readiness to continue to assist Orange Armenia in providing affordable
and high class services to our people.

The President of Orange Telecom Didier Lombard said that this is an
exceptional day for France Telecom. "We have able to accomplish in a
short period of time everything that we had reached agreement with
you about back in January. Today we are launching the mobile cell
communication net, and it wouldn’t be possible without your assistance
and your support," stressed Mr. Lombard and added, "In addition to the
cell phone net, it is also the internet connection. We are striving
to bring to Armenia every novelty, every innovation."

The sides agreed that it is a mutually beneficial enterprise: it is
good for the Armenian economy and it is good for Orange business. "We
want the Company to provide more affordable and high quality services,"
the President of Armenia stressed.

Noting, that he was quite satisfied with the works Orange Armenia
Company’s Armenian team, the President of France Telecom presented
Company’s competitive advantages and the innovative solutions that
it offers and spoke about the Company’s forthcoming plans.

2010 COLORADO U.S. SENATE CONTENDERS SPEAK OUT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

armradio.am
06.11.2009 11:11

The two leading contenders for Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Senate
nomination, Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet, have staked out
their views on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Romanoff, a longstanding and vocal advocate for Armenian Genocide
recognition, announced his candidacy on September 16th, challenging
Bennet, who has held this Senate seat since he was appointed
earlier this year by Colorado’s Governor Bill Ritter to fill
the vacancy left when Ken Salazar departed the Senate to serve as
Secretary of the Interior. During his service in the Senate, Salazar
established a record, along with nearly all the other members in
the state’s Congressional delegation, of co-sponsoring the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, advocating Armenian priorities, and supporting
anti-genocide initiatives.

In an exclusive letter to the Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates [text
below], Romanoff, the former Speaker of the Colorado House, reviewed
his extensive record in support of Armenian American concerns and
pledged, if elected, to be an original co-sponsor of a Senate Armenian
Genocide Resolution.

Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates co-editor and ANCA activist Vi Bashian
Cooper praised Mr. Romanoff’s steadfast record of support stating;
"Speaker Romanoff has repeatedly demonstrated his longstanding loyalty
to our community and our abiding wish to have the Armenian Genocide
affirmed as United States policy. His actions as a Colorado state
legislator, including his service as Speaker of the House, confirm
his consistent dedication and honor to Colorado Armenian Americans. Mr.

Romanoff is one of those rare shining lights of character and intellect
on the Colorado political stage. He will represent our Rocky Mountain
state and our national Armenian-American community with distinction
should he be elected to the United States Senate."

Senator Bennet, in letters sent to his Armenian American constituents
during his first months in office, addressed the Armenian Genocide as a
"heartfelt opinion." More recently, including in a letter received by
RMHA on October 26th, he has been more straightforward, describing
the Ottoman Turkish Empire’s systematic slaughter of Armenians
as genocide. He further states that, "I certainly understand your
frustration with those who would attempt to qualify or recast these
deaths as mere casualties of war." Senator Bennet remains silent
as to whether he will co- sponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
S.Res.316, currently before the U.S. Senate.

"Armenian Americans from across Colorado welcome our friend Andrew
Romanoff’s reaffirmation of his longstanding record in support of
Armenian Genocide condemnation and commemoration, and are, as well,
very gratified that Senator Bennet has joined with so many of his
colleagues in our state’s Congressional delegation in properly
recognizing this crime against humanity," said Jirair Christianian,
a Colorado Armenian American businessman and ANCA grassroots activist.

"We look to Senator Bennet, in the coming days, to act upon his
principled stand by agreeing to serve as an official cosponsor of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution."

ARMENIA FM, MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS DISCUSS KARABAKH SETTLEMENT PROCESS

armradio.am
06.11.2009 11:32

On November 6 the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian,
received the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov
(Russia), Bernard Fassier (France), Robert Bradtke (USA), as well
as the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office,
Andrzej Kasprzyk.

During the meeting the parties discussed issues related to the process
of settlement of the Karabakh issue. The Co-Chairs informed Minister
Nalbandian about the results of their meetings in Baku.

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN MEETS THE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS

armradio.am
06.11.2009 13:43

President Serzh Sargsyan today received the Co-Chairs of the OSCE
Minsk Group, Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France),
Robert Bradtke (USA), as well as the Personal Representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Andrzej Kasprzyk.

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian was present at the meeting.

The interlocutors discussed a number of issues related to the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The mediators presented the results of their meetings in Baku.

ROBERT SIMMONS: NATO SUPPORTS THE ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION
Anna Nazaryan

"Radiolur"
06.11.2009 14:25

"The normalization of the Armenian Turkish relations ad opening of
the border will be a good sign of stability for the region, which has
frozen conflicts," NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative
in the South Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons told a press
conference in Yerevan today.

According to him, the opening of the border will be of great economic
importance, as well. "There is already substantial trade between
Armenia and Turkey despite closed border and it can only improve the
economy of the region," he said.

"Though the alliance supports these relations, NATO can not participate
in this process or support any of the sides. We hope, the protocols
will be ratified, because these are of great stabilizing importance,"
he said.

As to the relations between Armenia, and NATO, Robert Simmons said:
"We continue working closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense
to develop interaction between Armenian armed forces and the NATO
forces and to assist the Government of Armenia in defense reform
processes, especially developing the education and training systems
of the Defense Ministry."

SURP KHACH CHURCH TO BE OPENED FOR PRAYER ONCE A YEAR

armradio.am
06.11.2009 14:35

Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry says the Surp Khach Church on
Akhtamar Island in Lake Van and the Monastery of Sumela in Trabzon will
be open for prayer once a year. Minister Gunay says that a cross will
be erected atop the roof of Surp Khach, just as it had been originally,
the Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Mainly spearheaded by efforts to bring prayers back into churches,
Turkey’s cultural initiatives are set to accelerate in 2010, according
to the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

As Surp Khach was initially reopened as a museum, no cross was
placed on the roof of the church. A replica of the original cross,
made according to the traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
was brought to Istanbul by Armenian experts and delivered to Armenian
Patriarch of Turkey Mesrob Mutafyan. The cross is waiting at the
Turkish Armenian Patriarchate to be placed atop the restored church.

Minister Gunay spoke about the latest developments and delays.

"Unfortunately, there were some hitches with the laws that did not
allow historical churches to be opened for prayer," he said. "That
was the reason for the debates over the cross."

Gunay said the ministry is in the final stage of working out the
legal hitches and that similar problems will not be experienced in
Turkey in the future. Gunay said the cross will be placed atop the
church shortly and the building will be opened for prayer once a year,
if there is demand.

THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA

armradio.am
06.11.2009 15:57

The newly appointed Ambassador of Georgia to Armenia, Grigol Tabatadze
presented his credential to President Serzh Sargsyan. Congratulating
the Ambassador on assuming office, President Sargsyan said: "We
have passed a long historic way, and our previous relations make us
cooperate more closely. The current level of our relations is very
high, but the ties need constant attention and improvement. That is
why the Ambassadors of our countries must work more intensively. I
think we do not make full use of the existing potential and we can
open new perspectives of cooperation."

According to Ambassador Tabatadze, President Saakashvili of Georgia
also attaches great importance to the development of relations
with friendly Armenia and considers that there is no alternative to
friendship and cooperation.

President Sargsyan and Ambassador Tabatadze agreed that there are
no problems between the two countries that cannot be solved through
discussions and dialogue.

Serzh Sargsyan voiced hope that the newly appointed Ambassador would
contribute to the deepening of bilateral ties in different spheres.

EDWARD SHARMAZANOV: TURKEY SHOULD RATIFY THE PROTOCOLS FIRST
Siranush Muradyan

"Radiolur"
06.11.2009 16:19

"December 7 is the deadline for the Foreign Relations of the Grand
National Assembly of Turkey to express an opinion on the ratification
of the Armenian-Turkish protocols," Spokesman for the Republican
Party of Armenia Edward Sharmazanov told a press conference today.

According to him, if the Turkish side expresses a negative attitude,
it will not be welcomed by the international community.

"It was Turkey to close the border in 1990s. Therefore, today it
should be the first to ratify the protocols," Edward Sharmazanov said.