Month: November 2009

RUSSIAN AND CZECH REFEREES TO SERVE MATCHES OF YOUTH NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM OF ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2009 20:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the framework of the European Championship
qualifying tournament in 2011 the youth national football team of
Armenia will play with youth teams of Estonia and Ireland. According to
the official website of the Football Federation of Armenia the match
with the Estonians will be judged by referees from Russia. Chief
Referee is Igor Yegorov, Vladislav Khodeyev, Ilya Baryshnikov and
Alexei Kovalev will assist.

The match with Ireland will be serviced by the delegation from
the Czech Republic: Radek Parish, Emil Ubiash, Martin Evenings and
Radek Kocian.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKS ARE NOW BACK IN THE MIDDLE EAST: THE ECONOMIST

news.am
Nov 2 2009
Armenia

Frustrated by European equivocation, Turkey is reversing years
of antagonism with its Arab neighbors," The Economist weekly
reads. NEWS.am quotes the passages from the article.

"It is a thousand years since the Turks arrived in the Middle East,
migrating from Central Asia to Anatolia. For half of that millennium
they ruled much of the region. But when the Ottoman Empire fizzled
out and the Turkish Republic was born in 1923, they all but sealed
themselves off from their former dominions, turning instead to Europe
and tightly embracing America in its cold war with the Soviet Union.

The Turks are now back in the Middle East, in the benign guise of
traders and diplomats. The move is natural, considering proximity,
the strength of the Turkish economy, the revival of Islamic feeling
in Turkey after decades of enforced secularism, and frustration with
the sluggishness of talks to join the European Union. In the past
seven years the value of Turkey’s exports to the Middle East and
North Africa has swollen nearly sevenfold to $31 billion in 2008.

>From cars to tableware, dried figs to television serials, Turkish
products, unknown a decade ago, are now ubiquitous in markets from
Algiers to Tehran. Already a vital conduit for sending energy from
east to west, Turkey is set to grow in importance as more pipelines
come on stream. The most notable is Nabucco, a proposed 7.9 billion
($11.7 billion) scheme to carry gas across Turkey from Azerbaijan
and possibly Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq and Egypt.

A single Turkish construction firm, TAV, has just finished an airport
terminal for Egypt’s capital, Cairo, and is building others in Libya,
Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. Turks have scooped up
hundreds of infrastructure contracts in Iraqi Kurdistan, and invested
in shopping malls, hotels and even schools.

These achievements are partly due to an energetic pursuit of trading
privileges, such as Turkey’s free-trade pacts with Egypt, Israel,
Morocco and Tunisia. It is seeking a similar deal with the six-member
Gulf Co-operation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia. Earlier this
month, teams of Turkish ministers travelled to Baghdad and Damascus
to sign a package of 48 co-operation deals with Iraq and 40 with Syria.

Turkey’s Premier, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has just been warmly received
in the Iranian capital, Tehran, a reflection of the realpolitik that
has kept links open despite the Islamic Republic’s international
isolation. Turkey only recently made an historic breakthrough in
relations with another eastern neighbor, Armenia. If the parliaments
of both countries endorse the move, diplomatic ties may be restored
after a 16-year freeze.

This dogged diplomatic pragmatism has been ardently pursued by
the foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, an ebullient professor of
international relations who had long advised Mr Erdogan before his
appointment in May. Mr Davutoglu, who in a book described the Middle
East as &’Turkey’s strategic depth’, has called for a policy of &’zero
problems with neighbors’. Reflecting the mild, modernist Islamism
of the Justice and Development party, known by its Turkish initials
AK, which has ruled Turkey since 2002, the new policy seeks to use
the soft power of trade, along with historical links, to project
stability beyond Turkey’s frontiers. The AK party has also reversed
decades of official policy by trying to meet the demands of Turkey’s
large Kurdish minority (some 14m in a total population of 72m). The
granting of more cultural and political rights, and the admission of
past discrimination, have soothed tempers not only among Turkish Kurds,
but among their ethnic kin in Iraq, Iran and Syria.

Turkish officials, however, have been careful to explain that their
renewed interest in the Muslim east does not mean a chill towards
the West. Instead, they present Turkey as a useful bridge, a regional
force for peace, and the model of a democracy that is compatible with
Islam. Its Western allies have generally shared that view and have
not opposed Turkey’s eastward shift. Yet such benign indifference
could change, if Turkey’s prospects for joining the EU die, or if
Turkey is seen as undermining attempts to pressure Iran.

But ties have frayed as Turkish public opinion, which now counts for
more, has turned increasingly hostile to Israel. Mr Erdogan, a tough,
streetwise politician, felt slighted last year when Israel attacked
Gaza only days after he had met Israel’s then Premier, Ehud Olmert,
who assured him that Turkish-brokered peace talks between Israel
and Syria would resume. The bloodshed in Gaza outraged many Turks,
who heartily praised Mr Erdogan when he stormed out of a debate with
Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, at Davos in Switzerland earlier
this year.

The Turks were again angered in September when Israel denied Mr
Davutoglu permission to cross into Gaza during a visit to Israel.

Turkish officials respond that they have no intention of breaking
off relations with Israel, and think they can still be a useful
interlocutor with the Jewish state," the article reads.

COE REPRESENTATIVE IMPRESSED BY ARMENIAN YOUTH’S POLITICAL ACTIVITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2009 20:56 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On November 2, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
received Ralph-Rene Weingaertner, Director of CoE Directorate of
Youth and Sport.

Welcoming the guest, Head of Government said that youth issues were
in the spoltlight of any government. Premier stressed the improtance
of Armenia-CoE cooperation which helps apply Coincil’s experience in
organization of joint programs and deepen further cooperation.

CoE representative expressed gratitude to Armenian Premier and said he
was impressed by Armenian authorities’ atttention to, and assistance
in, youth programs.

Tigran Sargsyan said CoE’s role in boosting regional dialogue should
escalate to a higher level and stressed that Armenia’s leadership
would support any measures in that direction.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SERZH SARGSYAN: ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION, NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEACE PROCESSES HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON

news.am
Nov 2 2009
Armenia

The Armenia-Turkey normalization process does not at all mean
abandoning the efforts toward the international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, RA President Serzh Sargsyan at a meeting of
representatives of dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The RA presidential press office told NEWS.am that the Armenian
leader stressed the importance of building harmonious State-Church
relations, especially during this historic period. Speaking of
the Armenian-Turkish relations, President Sargsyan stressed that
Armenia, as a responsible member of the international relations
system, has always remained faithful to its commitments and is ready
to progress in conformity with the Armenian-Turkish protocols and
establish relations with turkey without any preconditions and within
a reasonable timeframe.

The Armenian President pointed out the international community’s
support for the ratification of the documents and establishment
of Armenian-Turkish diplomatic relations without precondition. As
regards the fears about Turkey’s attempts to link the Armenia-Turkey
normalization process to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, President Serzh Sargsyan stressed that the two processes
have nothing in common.

METALLURG CLUB RANKS FOURTH IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF UKRAINE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2009 21:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the 12th round of the Ukrainian football
championship the match between "Metallurg" and "Metalist" attracted
much attention. "Metallurg" club of Henrik Mkhitaryan, halfback of
the Armenian national team, at the last minute lost its chance of
ending the game in a draw, the official website of the "Metallurg"
football club reports.

Metallurg ranks 4th and 11 points behind Dynamo Kiev, the latter is
the leader of the championship in Ukraine.

NALBANDIAN CLAIMS NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS ARE SEPARATE ISSUES

Journal of Turkish Weekly
Nov 2 2009

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has stated that the
improvement of Turkey-Armenia relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue are completely separate processes. Rejecting Turkish calls
for concessions over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Nalbandian said
that this would not be given in exchange for the recently signed
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia.

Speaking in an interview in Yerevan, the Armenian foreign minister
stated that since the negotiations were over, both Yerevan and Ankara
were obliged to open the border and move to establish diplomatic
relations, as was agreed. "Why did we sign two protocols if we
are not going to ratify and implement them?" Nalbandian asked. He
continued, "I think the whole international community is waiting for
quick ratification and implementation and respect for the agreements
which are in the protocols…If one side will delay and create some
obstacles in the way of ratification and implementation, I think it
could bear all the responsibility for the negative consequences."

The rapprochement protocols, signed October 10, caused trouble between
Turkey and its ally Azerbaijan, which is embroiled in a conflict with
Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. According to those familiar with the
situation, Turkey is hoping for at least some progress in the peace
negotiations over the region. The international mediators involved
in the conflict, the United States, Russia, and France, state that
progress is being made between Yerevan and Baku, but the chance of
an imminent solution is slim.

KIM AVAGYAN’S "YSU STUDENT SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION 1922-1972" PUBLISHED AFTER 30 YEARS

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2009 21:06 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Kim Avagyan’s "YSU Student Scientific Organization
1922-1972" was presented on November 2. The book was to have been
published back in 1979. Later, in 1994 its publication was postponed
for some reasons. The book tells the reader about the 50-year history
of YSU student organization.

In their welcoming and congratulatory speeches, participants stressed
the unprecedented value of the book in terms of reliability of, and
reference to, archive data. The author himself said, "My motto is to
keep to archaic facts."

Editor Vladimir Magalyan said it is planned to republish the book
since the version at hand contains minor inaccuracies concerning
names and events.

POSSIBLE RESULTS OF TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER OPENING, OR MIATSUM IN EVERY HOUSE
By Nurani

Today
128.html
Nov 2 2009
Azerbaijan

Possible opening of the Armenia-Turkey borders remains topic number
one for Yerevan’s political and quasi-political "gatherings".

However, the tone of debates has changed. Though previously authorities
diligently assured the audience that signing of the protocols was
"a great diplomatic victory for Armenia", now MPs, especially those
from the opposition faction, demand Yerevan to clarify under what
conditions the country is reconciling with Turkey while Turkish
officials including the president, the prime minister and the foreign
minister as well as MPs have assured Azerbaijan on numerous occasion
that they will not open border till withdrawal of Armenian troops
from occupied Azerbaijani lands. Then what is the need for assurances
regarding the "negotiations without preconditions"?

Furthermore, Nalbandian, who signed the protocols in Zurich in a silent
and unhappy manner barely keeping "protocol smile", still "makes a
pause" while Davutoglu have repeatedly voiced what he wanted to say in
Zurich. Now Yerevan realizes that at least it will have to recognize
the current border with Turkey, which means to bid a farewell to
"Western Armenia" dreams in Turkish lands and in "Ararat" – Agri-Dag,
and talks about Turkey’s responsibility for "genocide", and also to
bid a farewell to the occupied Azerbaijani lands, including Karabakh.

Meantime, it can not change situation in favor of Armenia in the
negotiations either. Simply, because it is in no condition to
"press down" its demands in the negotiations due to its extremely
weak political and economic "weight". Yerevan is used to hope for its
"weapon fist" inflated with an outside help. They seem to understand
that they will harm themselves by launching it.

Firstly, the international response will show itself soon. Too much
has been "tied" to the Caspian oil and gas projects. Secondly, to
try "method of spear" in its own shoes for what Azerbaijan spent its
military budget, which is larger than Armenia’s entire public budget,
is also enjoy below average.

Theoretically, Armenia could try to stage a traditional PR about his
"sufferings" and to rely on public sympathy. This could force the
West to put pressure on Turkey, of course, theoretically. In fact,
the United States and Europe were convinced that if to take care of
Armenia’s interests too zealously, Azerbaijan will show discontent with
its oil, gas and strategic location of "a gate" to the Central Asia.

Moreover, the key objective of forcing Turkey-Armenia dialogue was
precisely to protect "alternative" oil and gas routes from "frozen"
conflicts. Once Azerbaijan launches exports to Russia, the whole idea
simply will make no sense.

The most terrible is that Armenia is unable to reject the Turkish
conditions and "preserve" the situation for the simple reason:
the country’s economy "collapses" and it cannot wait for deciding –
a salary and pension once a month, but people want to eat thrice a day.

Talks about Tsar Tigran and "Western Armenia" can not feed them either.

On this backdrop, Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Moscow to participate
in a charity marathon conceivably is an attempt of a drowning man
to grasp at straws. Armenia desperately needs money, while there
is nowhere to borrow them. Russia, whose economy has reached worst
expectations according to President Dmitry Medvedev, is unable to
maintain Armenian economy generously. It needs to save its "monocity"
and to solve unemployment problems.

The Diaspora officially refused to render financial support to
Sargsyan’s regime following the signing of the protocols in Zurich.

The Armenian community in Russia is the only place where an anathema
against Sargsyan was not pronounced and where he can conceivably
find money.

Unfortunately, this community can provide only one-time assistance.

This money could help enliven economy if invested wisely. However,
there is simply nowhere to maneuver this money in Armenia’s case.

Meanwhile, a funny incident that happened to the country’s Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan in PANARMENIAN EXPO exhibition when he
decided to drive a tractor, but hit a fence seems wicked with a
symbolic irony: any attempt to revive Armenia’s economy hits closed
borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Finally, Armenian economists have noted that opening of the border
with Turkey may not be economic "panacea" for all ills.

In addition, it may yield unfavorable consequences for the Armenian
"mini-oligarchs" as local small industry and agriculture have been
formed on backdrop of "greenhouse effect" when similar goods were
supplied to the Armenian market from Turkey. They were expensive
due to transportation and customs "dues". If the border is opened,
the effect will become understandable.

Hope for country’s involvement in a "gas transit" shattered, as well.

Yerevan had great hopes that Iranian gas would be pumped to Turkey
via Armenia if Iran joins Nabucco and Yerevan makes peace with Ankara.

Yerevan did not even think about the fact that the South Pars is too
far from Armenia, Iran has its own border with Turkey and new transit
country with poor "credit history" in relations with Turkey is needed
in this project as the fifth wheel of a cart. Meantime, Turkey and Iran
have reached a gas deal directly and discuss the routes of "European
exports" for Iran which envisages Azerbaijan, but not Armenia.

Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to "native Karabakh" deserves attention on the
current backdrop. Theoretically, visiting army units was to encourage
"fighting spirit" of Armenian citizens and Karabakh separatists. But
it resembled an attempt to prepare his countrymen, to be more exact,
"Karabakh residents" to the fact that they will have to leave the
areas surrounding the former "Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region"
at least. The fate of Karabakh itself remains vague.

It is clear that resuming Azerbaijan’s sovereignty over Karabakh does
not endanger majority of ordinary Karabakh residents. The highest
status promised by the president envisages political rights, cultural
autonomy and freedom of religion.

In addition to these ordinary Karabakh residents, who are viewing
results of reinvestment of petrodollars in Azerbaijan’s regions with a
natural jealousy and sigh for the days when they could study in Baku,
there is also a political leadership of separatists, including war
criminals who can not help but fear that they will have to answer
for robbing Azerbaijani villages. To be exact, their "business" is
directed related to the Zangilan forests, drug plantations located
in the occupied lands and terrorist camps. Resuming Azerbaijan’s
sovereignty over Karabakh or at least in surrounding areas means at
least catastrophe for them.

Even on the backdrop of such development of events, these persons
will try to move quickly to Yerevan until the "Karabakh clan" holds
power there. And not just to move, but "to arrange their life" as
soon as possible which will immediately affect the status of "Yerevan
residents" as there is few "lucrative places" in an impoverished
Armenia. In this case, never actively supported Miatsum will assume
completely different character for Yerevan residents. Because, they
will have to implement it in their own home and at own expense.

AZERI LEADERSHIP TELLS STORIES: HRAYR KARAPETYAN

news.am
Nov 2 2009
Armenia

A cutback in spending for RA defense under 2010 budget blueprint
will make no difference to the state army combat capability, Hrayr
Karapetyan, ARFD representative and head of NA Standing Committee on
Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs stated.

According to him, the draft provides for the same level of defense
budget as last years, that is 3.5% of GDP. Karapetyan considers that
all necessary expense items are there, with construction expenditures
cut only. "Therefore it will not affect the army anyhow. Moreover,
organizational works are conducted for the armed forces’ enhancement,"
he said. The politician also informed that Armenia put a point before
international organizations on closer monitoring of Azerbaijan in
terms of armament, that permanently violates provisions under Treaty
on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.

Karapetyan outlined that defensive ability is clearly demonstrated in
the contact line. MP emphasized Armenia’s defense potential is more
advanced and the recent incidents showed inability of Azerbaijani
army. "The stories by Azeri leadership are untrue," he concluded.

"SOUTH TYROL: WEATHER IN MOUNTAINS", FILM BY ARMENIAN AND AZERI JOURNALISTS, TO BE SCREENED IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.11.2009 21:52 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The 50-minute long documentary "South Tyrol: Weather
in Mountains" will be screened on November 4 in the public discussion
hall of Internews NGO, Yerevan.

The film is part of a series of films entitled "Farewell to Arms:
>From Belfast to Balkans".

The documentary series comprises 5 films produced jointly by Armenian
and Azeri journalists.

After the 1919 First World War, South Tyrol was annexed to Italy.

Before that it formed part of Austria. Despite Italianization policy
conducted earlier, two thirds of the province’s population are
German-speaking. Official languages there are Italian and German.

During and after World War II, the German community of South Tirol
mounted separatist protest, dissatisfied with minority’s situation
Italy. In the 1960s, the protests escalated to an action known as
Fire Night.