Month: November 2009

GRIGORIY KARASIN: "RUSSIA WILLING TO SUPPORT ANY SOLUTION TO THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT ACCEPTABLE FOR BOTH SIDES"

APA
Nov 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku – APA. "Our role in the process of settlement of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is to assist the conflicted parts to find ways of
solution on the basic principles acceptable for both sides.

But it doesn’t aim to dictate any option to the sides", Russian
Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoriy Karasin said in his interview to
"Armenian Republic" newspaper, APA reports. Karasin said main
responsibility falls on Azerbaijani and Armenian sides in the
settlement of the conflict. "Russia has been an active mediator in the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict since the beginning of
the conflict. Moscow is carrying out this duty together with France
and the United States as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. At the
same time, our mediation efforts are realized through the relations
with our partners from Yerevan and Baku. It is notable that during
the meeting with Armenian president in Moscow on October 12, Russian
president Dmitriy Medvedev called the participation of Russia in
the settlement of the Nagoro Karabakh conflict as a denomination of
relations between our countries".

Grigoriy Karasin said Russia willing to support any solution acceptable
for both sides. "Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents met for seven
times in 2009 and four tripartite meetings were held between the
Azerbaijani, Russian and Armenian presidents. Despite the existent
differences, the sides reached significant progress toward agreement
on the basic principles. Moscow is ready to take all possible steps
to move this process forward".

RUSSIA STANDS READY TO SUPPORT ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION: DEPUTY FM

Today
html
Nov 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Russia stands ready to support normalization of Armenia-Turkey
relations.

"No point of Armenia-Turkey agreement can be regarded as damage to
the third side," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigori Karasin said
in his interview with "Republic of Armenia" newspaper.

He said the signing of the protocols shows that both sides are resolute
in establishing good neighborly relations.

"The sides should ratify these protocols and start their
implementation," he said.

Karasin said Russia is ready to support Armenia-Turkey rapprochement
with economic projects, especially with the projects to be implemented
in energy and transport spheres.

"Normalization of the relations between Armenia and Turkey will
help reduce tension, establish peace, security and stability in the
Caucasus," he said.

IZMIR MARTYR FAMILIES: NO RUSH FOR SOLVING KURDISH QUESTION

BIAnet.org
Nov 4 2009
Turkey

The Izmir Martyr Families Association decided not to participate in
the meeting under the motto "No to Treason Initiatives". Chairman
YeÅ~_ilbag said, "We are not opposing the initiative, but it is
not managed well. They should apply the laws equally to everyone,
the ones who regret should benefit from the repentance law".

Tolga KORKUT [email protected] Izmir – BÄ°A News Center04 November
2009, Wednesday Nurettin YeÅ~_ilbag, Head of the Izmir Martyrs Families
Human Rights and Aid Association points out, "We support a solution
of the problem. We do not want anybody to suffer from the loss of
a child". The association has about 300 members and provides legal
support to families of soldiers that were killed in the clashes with
the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The Association announced to absent themselves from the "No to treason
initiatives" meeting taking place in Izmir on 8 November. The meeting
is organized by the Labour Party, the Izmir Bar Association and the
Retired Officers Spouses Association.

YeÅ~_ilbag talked to bianet to explain why the association will not
take part in the meeting.

"Cyprus and Armenia are also on the agenda of the meeting. We are
certainly concerned about them. However, these groups are actually
not our issue as the martyr families. If we deal with them we will
meddle into politics, which would oppose our association’s principle
of being independent of politics".

"We do not want anybody to suffer from the loss of a child" bianet
talked to YeÅ~_ilbag about the government’s Kurdish initiative, how
to approach the problem and the possibilities of a solution. These
are some of YeÅ~_ilbag’s viewpoints and suggestions:

We do not oppose the initiative: We are not against the opening
process. But this process is not managed well. No details have
been given for months. The peace groups that came from Habur to
Turkey, the show of the organization, it turned into a show of the
supporters. The people perceive this as if negotiations have started
with the terrorists. This will create further national separation
rather than unity. We were quite bothered about the extended media
coverage saying "This must be understood as joy".

We support a solution of the problem: Of course we support a solution
of the problem. As families that lost a child we do not want any
other families to suffer from the loss of one of their children. But
we want the law to be kept in line with the state, we want the law
to be applied equally to everybody, as long as there is regret people
should benefit from the law on repentance. We find it disturbing that
criminals are lumped together with people serving the country.

We should not rush: Everything will turn out in time as a part of the
process. We do not have to rush that much. We have not even given a
name to the initiative yet. If we conduct the initiative by focussing
on certain ethnic roots, we will highlight one group as the target. I
am afraid this will pave the way for social violence, I am afraid
a Turk might harm a Kurd and a Kurd might harm a Turk. The societal
psychology needs to be prepared. This is the result of the politics
we lived for the last 30 years. It is difficult to solve this within
3 or 5 months.

Solution: They [the PKK members] should come, no matter whether
from abroad or from the mountains, they should share their regret
of harming the country with the public. The ones that have committed
criminal offences should be investigated according to the law as soon
as possible. The person in İmralı [imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah
Ocalan] should be impeded to manage the organization any further. DTP
MPs should refrain from referring to Ocalan as their leader.

The ones who lost their children share the grief, but: I do not
know if the mothers and fathers who lost their children in the
mountains share the same grief as we do. Whatever the child did,
the grief to lose a child hurts. I share the grief and understand
it, the hearts are burning. But only as far as it does not come to
"we have to forgive the child". Just because we share the same grief
I cannot forgive your child for what he or she has done, I cannot
approve it. I met with those parents before, I just greeted them.

The mothers and fathers of the children who were tempted by the
organization to harm the state should first of all acknowledge the
mistake of their children. They have to say, "My child made a mistake,
I do not approve it, it is not my fault. I did everything possible
to make him/her come down from the mountains".

Democratic rights are the rights of all citizens: The wish to live in
a secure state, to benefit from democratic rights and to feel like a
‘first class’ citizen are the most natural rights. The state should
separate between the organization and the people. It has to prevent
all kinds of intimidation and oppression. This is only possible
with the military. Together with the fight against terrorism we need
permanent preventions. First of all the land reform. After that we
have to improve the level of education. We cannot use these rights if
we continue with the feudal structures and if the clan culture does
not leave room for individuals. The ones holding the state power have
to implement democratic, social and legal state principal into daily
life. The state should not fray.

The ones responsible for unknown suspects should be prosecuted:
If there is a rule of law, the laws have to be applied equally to
everyone. Also the ones who act beyond the law under the cover of the
state’s struggle against terrorism should be prosecuted and penalized.

AVETIK GRIGORYAN LOST HIS CHANCE OF VICTORY

Aysor
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

Avetik Grigoryan in the Argentinean Puerto Madrin city where the
world chess tournament is being held on the penultimate round of the
20 years old league the representative of Armenian team yielded to
Sergey Zhigalko and lost all the chances for the victory. Zhigalko
headed the tournament list. Before that round the Armenian chess
player was on the 3rd position, but because of the loss in the game
he is left back and is sharing the 6-10th positions with other chess
players with 8 points. In the last round Avetik will compete with
Chinese representative You Yanzh.

In the women’s tournament Anna Hayrapetyan is lacking success. She
has also in the penultimate round lost and has been affirmed on the
28 – 32nd places with 5,5 points. On the last round Anna will meet
with the representative from Uruguay Florencia Fernandez. In theis
tournament the leader is the Turkish chess player Betul Yildizen. She
has gained 9 points.

PRESENT TO YEREVAN

Aysor
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

The collection of the pictures of Yerevan History Museum is replenished
by the help and support of the "Happy birthday, Yerevan" project,
informs the information and public relations department of Yerevan
Municipality.

By the joined initiation of the Culture Ministry of the Armenian
Republic and the History Museum of Yerevan the 64 artists participating
in the project have congratulated on the birthday of Yerevan by
presenting their paintings. Gagik Beglaryan has called them devoted.

Welcoming the initiation the Mayor has called it provisional step and
has mentioned that the result will be more obvious if everyone will
have its contribution in Yerevan city. Diplomas have been presented
to the painters.

ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL INEVITABLY BE OPENED: RUSSIAN EXPERT

Today
188.html
Nov 4 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with Russia-based Center for Post-Soviet Area Studies
Alexei Vlasov.

Day.Az: When do you think the updated Madrid principles will be
presented to the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia?

Alexei Vlasov: Many views have already been expressed in this respect.

There is some vague wording about it. It is the maximum officials
can now say about this issue. Apparently, there are some points and
questions that should be finally negotiated to make a consistent and
clear stance.

Q: There were a lot of different opinions about impact of the
Armenian-Turkish dialogue on Karabakh conflict … What is Russia’s
position Russia in this regard?

A: Both Foreign Ministry and Russia’s leadership form their stance
most carefully at the official level which is quite understandable.

They prioritize the principle of "do no harm" as every careless
word, every careless phrase, especially at such a high level by the
state involved in settlement of conflicts in South Caucasus can be
interpreted in many different ways and lead to negative consequences.

I believe, Moscow’s official position on this issue is quite
appropriate at the moment.

As for my personal opinion, I see three factors. First, protocols
will probably be ratified, and after some time borders will inevitably
be opened. The second is that whether the Armenian-Turkish agreement
will be supplemented with some preconditions which will further define
the format of resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I think,
there is 50-percent likelihood that the official statements by Turkish
officials addressed to the Azerbaijani leadership are well founded.

This is not an attempt to create a smokescreen around the ratification
of the protocols.

I am confident that further negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict are underway. The third factor is whether the present
leadership of Armenia will be able to convince the people of Armenia
and the Diaspora that at the moment the question of "genocide" should
be deferred and to what extent the population of Armenia is ready to
understand that regions which are under occupation should be returned
to Azerbaijan as a first step. The main point is for Armenian society
to move towards compromise.

Q: What is the current state of talks between Russia and the U.S. on
missile shield deployment?

A: Negotiations are on the same stage they were a few weeks ago when
U.S. announced its willingness to radically change its approach to the
format of deployment. In other words, the talks are underway. However,
but it would be overly optimistic to say that they will soon lead to
some results. This is linked with a kind of prevailing approach by
the Barack Obama administration to address key foreign policy issues.

Originally a powerful, relevant, strategic initiative was put forward.

But later it turned out that it lacks technical and fundamental
principles that must be determined in the course of implementation
of the initiative itself. Therefore, it takes quite a long time
from a beautiful media delivery of the U.S. president’s statement
to developing concrete principles which can help this statement take
effect. Unfortunately, we face similar situation.

Q: It is believed that Azerbaijan could begin to consider alternative
gas supplies to Europe, because the negotiations with Turkey on gas
exports were not constructive so far. Could this lead to the demise
of the Nabucco project?

A: The issue of alternative gas supply routes is not only of economic
but also of a political nature. There is a specific political context
and certain political points. In essence, Azerbaijan takes a quite
pragmatic approach, uses its energy potential as much as possible
to participate in various projects, which also involves neighboring
countries and countries close to the region.

Often understanding of Azerbaijan’s stance by other states, does
not always means understanding Azerbaijan’s interests on a range
of issues. Hence, sometimes a misunderstanding manifested even in
political points and energy transportation and economic issues.

I think that any option is possible, including the one where Azerbaijan
can choose a different, alternative model of gas transportation. In
any case, it will be the decision of the Azerbaijani leadership,
and it will be fully reasonable and justified.

STEVE MARTIN, ALEC BALDWIN TO CO-HOST OSCARS

Aysor
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

The 82nd annual Academy Awards will be presented in 2010 March and
will be hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Telecast producers
Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman said Martin and Baldwin are "the
perfect pair of hosts for the Oscars."

Steve Martin has hosted the show twice before, in 2001 and 2003,
and has appeared as a presenter several times. Alec Baldwin was a
co-presenter in 2004 and is a first-timer as Oscar host. Hollywood
veterans were very pleased with producers’ choice, media reported.

This year an Armenian movie Magician’s autumn by Ruben Gevorkyants will
be nominated for Academy Award. Nominated in "Foreign Language Film"
category, Magician’s autumn is dedicated to the world-famous Italian
scriptwriter, playwright, poet, painter, sculptor Tonino Guerra.

STATE VISIT OF PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN TO KUWAIT

president.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

Today, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan arrived on a two-day
state visit to the State of Kuwait. At the international airport in
El Kuwait there took place the official ceremony of welcoming the
President of Armenia.

The delegation headed by Serzh Sargsyan comprises the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Finance
Tigran Davtian, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Hranush Hakopian,
Minister of Culture Hasmik Pogossian, Minister of Education and
Science Armen Ashotian, Chairman of the Armenia-Kuwait parliamentary
group Vahan Hovannissian, Chairman of the Union of Industrialists
and Entrepreneurs Arsen Ghazarian, and Chairman of the Industrial
and Commercial Chamber Martin Sarkissian.

In the framework of the visit along with the official meetings the
President of Armenia will meet with the Armenian community of Kuwait.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN LEFT FOR A TWO-DAY STATE VISIT TO THE STATE OF KUWAIT

president.am
Nov 3 2009
Armenia

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan left today for a two-day
state visit to the State of Kuwait.

This is the first visit of the President of Armenia to a Gulf state
since Armenia’s independence.

At the international airport of Kuwait, the President of Armenia will
be welcomed by the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al
Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,
and other members of the country’s leadership.

On the first day of the visit, the President of Armenia will meet
with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait Jassem Mohammad
al-Kharafi and the Prime Minister of Kuwait Nasir Al-Muhammad Al-Ahamd
Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. President Sargsyan will also meet with the Chairman
of the Kuwait Investment Authority Bader Muhammad Al-Sahadin and the
Chairman of the Economic Development Fund Abdulwahab Ahmad al-Bader.

In the end of the day the President of Armenia and the Emir of Kuwait
will have a meeting, after which the Republic of Armenia and the State
of Kuwait will sign a number of documents on bilateral cooperation. At
the conclusion of the day, the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad
al-Jaber Al Sabah will give a state dinner in honor of the President
of Armenia.

On the second day of his visit, the President of Armenia will visit
the Science Center of Kuwait and will meet with the President of the
Commerce and Industry Chamber of Kuwait Ali Mohammad Thunian al-Danim.

In the afternoon, the delegation headed by the President of Armenia
will return to Yerevan.

MEETING WITH DIRECTOR ON YOUTH AND SPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

National Assembly
Nov 4 2009
Armenia

On November 3 Vice Speaker of RA National Assembly Mr. Samvel Nikoyan
and Chairman of NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture,
Youth and Sport Mr. Artak Davtyan met with the Director for Youth and
Sports of the Council of Europe Mr. Ralph-René Weingärtner . RA
Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Mr. Arsen Karamyan also
attended the meeting.

Mr. Nikoyan highlighted the problems of their full participation
in the Euro-integration, cooperation of the youth of the Republic
of Armenia, as well as provision and development of international
mobility and inter-cultural dialogue. As the NA Vice Speaker assessed,
the problems of youth have always been at the center of attention of
the National Assembly. One of the NA standing committees is mainly
involved in those issues, though all MPs are related to the issues
of youth in the discussion of the relevant bills.

Mr. Davtyan said that it has already been several sessions that
the draft law on youth is under discussion, which, however, has
been denied because of being of declarative character. The National
Assembly is interested in this issue and it has an aim to pass a law,
which will provide mechanisms of solution of concrete needs of youth.

He expressed hope that the law on youth will be put for debate in
2010 spring session of the National Assembly.

Mr. Ralph-René Weingärtner noted with satisfaction that during two
days he had an impression that the policy of the youth in Armenia
has registered a real and visible growth, which ensures about the
activeness of the youth, care and steps undertaken by the state bodies.

At the meeting the sides also touched upon the local and international
programmes boosting the citizenship, mobility, protection of human
rights, democracy and development of cultural plurality of the youth
within the framework of the policy of the Council of Europe.